Blog Archives

Boatneck tees

6/29/2013

Not long ago a friend asked me what kinds of tops look best with skirts. I've not stopped thinking about this question, and I've bought several tops for this very purpose since she asked. One option that stands out is boatneck tees, handy with shorts and some pants but especially with skirts, I think. Here's a selection in various colors, at reasonable prices.

I feel powerful when I wear all black.

J. Crew Vintage Cotton Boatneck Tee in Black, $26.50 minus 30% with the code SUMMER30=$18.55

At $12 each, the Urban Outfitters boatneck
tees are an awesome buy!

Urban Outfitters BDG Printed 3/4 Sleeve Boatneck Tee, $18.00 •2 for $24

Urban Outfitters BDG 3/4 Sleeve Striped Boatneck Tee, $18 or 2 for $24

Best price:

Love Culture Boatneck 3/4 sleeve tee, 5 colors, $6.90

Pink is all the rage right now...

J. Crew Vintage Cotton Boatneck Tee in Heather Coral, $26.50 minus 30% with the code SUMMER30=$18.55

Stripes and gray go with everything in my world...

J. Crew Vintage Cotton Boatneck Tee in Heather Chrome, $26.50 minus 30% with the code SUMMER30=$18.55

Anthropologie Split Boatneck Tee, $29.95

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Baby, it's cold outside

6/25/2013

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Do you remember back in December when you were admiring everyone's beautiful coats? Did you have your eye on a particular one? Maybe you should look it up now. I was longing for this prAna Sylvie coat, but it was too expensive. But not now! Although it's not so fun to have to wait to wear something, the best time to buy a coat is in the heat of summer. Be sure to check Sierratradingpost.com, Campmor.com, Altrec.com, REI.com, Backcountry.com, WinterWomen.com, Departmentofgoods.com, Moosejaw.com, Campsaver.com and Buckmans.com for the lowest prices on name brands.

Backcountry.com prAna Sylvie Jacket, $52.77 (was $88)

Moosejaw prAna Women's Tori Jacket, $58.99 (was $84.95)

Athleta Down Blazer by Nau, $99 (was $225)

Department of Goods prAna Devan Down Jacket, $107.53 (was $238.95)

Campsaver Isis Nimble Jacket, $47.24 (was $188.95)

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Working hard to look like you're not trying too hard

6/24/2013

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Ironically, I work pretty hard at trying not to look like I'm trying too hard. Usually this means making some last minute changes to an outfit before I head out the door.

:) Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" is
the quintessential example of
someone looking like she's
trying too hard

Here's what I do to keep from looking like I spent hours getting ready:

I try not to match every element in my outfit too perfectly.
-For instance, let's say there's white trim around your navy top, and you've put on white sandals--too matchy, wouldn't you say? (actually I never wear white sandals)
-Talking about this same outfit (that doesn't exist), I wouldn't want to add a white purse just making everything worse (more matchy).
-The exception would be all black--all black from head to toe=all good with me.

The best bag might be one with a mix of colors that goes with everything like this one...

A dear friend gave me this bag, & I love it! It goes with everything without looking like I'm trying too hard. I feel sort of hippie chic when I throw it on.

Available at Amnesty International >>

Amnesty International Fair-trade Eco-shopping Bag (Colors Will Vary), $17.95

I slip in a casual element.
If everything looks formal, dressy, or perfect, you'll definitely look like you're trying too hard. So I downplay the outfit by substituting something casual for a dressy element such as...
-a chambray or denim shirt or t-shirt instead of a dressy shirt with a dressy skirt
-a leather or simple necklace instead of pearls
-bare legs instead of hose
-flat sandals instead of high heels with a maxi or silky dress

Layering makes everything look less serious.
-A single dramatic necklace, a brightly-patterned tunic can make a big statement. Add a second or third necklace, throw on a cami or even a swimsuit top underneath, and a lot of the drama subsides. Vera Wang talks more about this in a wonderful short article here.

“Layering adds a certain nonchalance. Each element looks better, richer and more interesting when it’s put with something else, so clothes don’t look so serious.” --Vera Wang from "Vera Wang on the Secrets to Layering Your Clothes" in USA Weekend

-The irony here is that it takes a lot more work to layer your clothes. I have a drawer full of camis I choose from each day. And, further irony, if you layer too much, you'll look like you're trying too hard :-) Example, you say? Let's say you've layered two camis under your tee, added a vest on top, a few necklaces...that's too much going on.

In short, I don't want to look like I'm not trying at all. Instead, I want to look nice without drawing attention to it. It's a game of subtleties, don't you think?

What do you do not to look like you're trying too hard?

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10 ways I saved money for clothes this year

All about layering

All about the
blogger & OMF

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Sknddy tees

6/23/2013

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The Sknddy logo

Skater Harry Swin conceived Sknddy Clothing Co in 2009, offering bold, durable streetwear for skaters. Now they've expanded their line to include tees, hoodies, tanks, hats, & bags that appeal to hipsters, skaters, musicians--anyone enjoying an active, full life. Sknddy collaborates with artists worldwide to create classic & nostalgic designs.

Check out their full line at www.sknddy.co.uk.
Keep up with #skinddylife on Twitter & like them on Facebook to catch their latest releases.

Our first steps on the moon, The British Bulldog, The Z-Boys, rapper Big L--what image best captures the 20th century? I'm loving these iconic images recreated in black & white and sepia tones on high-quality stark white tees.

Skater David Price is featured on this Sknddy Lords of Dogtown tee, £29.95

Lords of Dogtown is a film based on the story of The Z-Boys, an influential group of skateboarders who revolutionized the sport. Skater David Price is featured on this premium quality square print tee, bombing hills on his tour of Europe.

Sknddy Moonwalk tee, £29.95

Sknddy Churchill tee, £29.95

This tee is a tribute to Lamont Coleman, better known as Big L, an American rapper born & raised in Harlem, NY, where he started his rapping career with Three the Hard Way.

On February 15, 1999, Big L was shot & killed in a drive-by shooting. His second studio album, The Big Picture, put together by Coleman's manager, Rich King, was released the following year & went certified gold.

Sknddy Tribute to Rapper Lamont Coleman Big L tee, £29.95

Iconic symbols & classic designs from Sknddy Clothing Co:

Sknddy Medusa, £29.95, available in 2 colors

Sknddy Viking, £29.95

Sknddy Time Keeper Tri-Black, £29.95, available in 3 colors

Sknddy Paisley, £29.95

Sknddy King Pin, £29.95

The King Pin tee is a Sknddy staff favorite.

T-shirt Sunday Tees

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Take me away: to the French Riviera

6/22/2013

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The truth is I've never been to the French Riviera. But I've always loved French nautical clothing, especially the breton stripes in the French Navy uniform.

Beaulieu et les montagnes. Promenade Maurice Rouvier entre Beaulieu et Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

This season, stripes are everywhere--on swimsuits, tops, dresses, even sandals. If we can't get to France this summer, at least we can dress with French flair. Salut!

ModCloth Riviera Romance Dress, $53.99

Old Navy Women's Mix & Match Boy-Short Bottoms, $19

Urban Outfitters BDG 3/4 Sleeve Striped Boatneck Tee, $18.00 •2 for $24

A couple classic French military bags...

Amnesty Int. Musette Bag, $12.50

Amazon OD Musette Bag, $16

Nordstrom Tom's University Stripe Sandal, $68.95

Peltz Sperry Women's Aurora High Wedge Sandals, $107.99

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Go to the source for
official Navy peacoats

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The one skirt you need this summer

6/21/2013

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When in doubt what to wear these hot summer days, I turn to one of my Zand Amsterdam snap-on skirts.
Here are some of the reasons I love them:

1. They snap to fit--you decide any given day if you'd like a tighter or looser fit or for the skirt to fall higher or lower on your waist. Since one skirt can snap to any size between 2 and 18, they're excellent for pregnant women too! And they make a great gift.

2. You can dress them up or down. Great as a swimsuit cover-up or with a nice blouse for work or a night out.

Zand employees in India

3. They are fair trade. Zand is a kind company that treats its employees and its customers respectfully. They pay their Indian tailors three times more than the average wage tailor, and they ensure that no children contribute to the manufacture of their products.

4. Some include matching mini-purses. Some Zand skirts come with mini-pouches that attach to the hip or can be worn separately.

Zand Isabel skirt extra long with pouch, €65

5. Every Zand skirt is one of a kind. Zand skirts are made of beautiful fabrics, and every Zand skirt is unique.

6. Inspired designs. The prints seem to be the perfect colors, the perfect designs, paired beautifully.

These are the two Zand skirts I own and wear weekly. I bought both at Blue Ruby boutique. Zand skirts are also available online and ship worldwide.

Caroline long skirt with pouch, €55

7. Many Zand skirts are reversible. Some offer up to 4 different ways to wear the same skirt.

(this Caroline skirt is my favorite in their collection right now)

8. New designs come out every season. Zand offers light fabrics like cotton and lace for summer & heavier fabrics like corduroy for fall.

For play

9. Good for work or play.
Zand skirts come in three lengths.

For work

10. Zand skirts are affordably priced--between €50 and €65 euros each (your credit card company will convert the price to your currency). You can order Zand skirts online; they ship worldwide. They are also available in some local boutiques.

Zand Amsterdam has an extensive selection of skirts and will soon add bags to its product line. Visit them online at www.zandamsterdam.com. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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Summer style checklist

6/18/2013

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I hope you'll read my first article published in The Epoch Times: "Cool, Calm, and Collected: Summer Fashion Checklist."
These five items will hopefully take the worry out of what to wear this summer, so you can run around making memories to last throughout the year.
Huge thanks to The Epoch Times Style Editor Sarita Coren (@saritacoren) for this opportunity!

What's your summer fashion essential?

The third item in the checklist: A Zand Amsterdam skirt...

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Is vanity sizing still around?

6/17/2013

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I've been wondering if vanity sizing is still around because I'm not feeling very flattered when I see I'm one of the biggest sizes at H&M! Makes me cry a little and wish for vanity sizing to come back! :-)

In general, I'd say MOST stores have given up vanity sizing. If anything, some have swung the other way and are sizing things smaller than they used to.

Case in point: I bought the exact same Athleta skirt a year later, and the same exact size was cut about one size smaller--I held the two skirts together to make sure I wasn't losing my mind.

Victoria's Secret pants have also gotten tighter, but their tops are looser.

Other stores that used to size things too small seem to have returned to normal sizing. For instance, I used to wear a Large in GAP tops. Now I wear Medium or even a Small.

I wear a lot of teen store clothing, as you know, but I don't have to size up in their sizes, always to my surprise. I used to always order a Large or X-Large since I'm not a teen, but now I order a Small or a Medium, and it fits fine. I wear a Small or Medium in Urban Outfitters clothes, Love Culture, Alloy, dELiA's, American Eagle Outfitters, & Aéropostale. Ironically, Abercrombie and Fitch, recently exposed for its exclusionary tactics against larger-sized girls, seems to use vanity sizing!--many of their tops are oversized.

The exception seems to be Forever 21. There, a Large is tight on me. But somehow I'm just fine with this :-)

J. Crew and Garnet Hill sizing is also back to normal. Talbots, Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Chico still seem to use vanity sizing--what do you think? What about Limited and Express? How 'bout department stores like Macy's, Dillard's, Nordstrom, Kohl's, Target, Walmart, J.C. Penny?

On the whole, I'd say stores have put sizes back where they were supposed to be. Except for H&M, who's cruel, but I don't really care as long as it fits, right?

Has your experience with these stores matched mine? Do you think vanity sizing is still around? Do you care what size appears on the tag?

Public domain image from ecouterre.com

Have you heard of the body scanner MyBestFit that takes over 200 of your measurements and shows how they line up with each store's sizes? Currently it's in malls on the East and West coasts--see locations here.
Have you seen or tried it?

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The basic black pant:
Christie vs. Kate

Give 'em
the cold shoulder

Every day in every way I am getting fatter & fatter:
how to hide a few pounds

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Side-by-side: silver hoops

6/15/2013

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Banana Republic Medium Oblong Hoop Earring, $35

Sterling-plated silver hoops
Imported
2" drop

World Market Matte-Silver Hoop Earrings, $9.99

Handcrafted of metal with silver finish
Made in India
2" diameter

Both also come in gold.

More Side-by-side:

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A rose for Emily

6/13/2013

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A red rose. A red power suit. A red sports car.
We all know red's power. I'm often startled anew when I see the beauty of this color against someone's skin, and I find myself hunting once again for ruby red.

Milk Cowl neck top in short sleeves, $44.00

I just purchased this top, & it arrived yesterday.

It's brighter than it appears here, & I was struck with how awake the color made me look at the end of the day when I was quite tired--another benefit of red!

It's a completely normal top from an unusual source. The lining feels like a built-in matching cami.

Zara Shopper with metallic plaque, $49.90

I saw a woman with a high-low hem like this one the other day, and she looked so fresh and free!
It was as though she had torn off the front of her dress to allow her to run through the woods or into the sea.