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Tunics: what to wear in the heat

6/18/2014

0 Comments

 
There's a reason why people in the hottest climates around the world--particularly those in India & Africa--wear tunics: they're easy & cool. 

Here in the States, tunics have come in & out of favor. A sweeping craze for them about eight summers ago faded; they're just beginning to come back, & I've pulled out all my old ones. You'll find new ones now sometimes listed as "swim cover-ups," & they're often surprisingly affordable. 

You might also try visiting an Indian store to find one; many tunics are made in India anyway. A tunic may also be called a kurta or kaftan.
 Most traditional Indian tunics are longer, more colorful, & more intricately embroidered than the American styles. 

Tunics can have a boho feel to them or look more conservative--I like both styles. Wear them fitted, not tent-like :-). I think they're cutest with mid-thigh shorts. I believe tunics are perfectly work-appropriate with white pants or crops. I'm partial to tunics made of cotton with long or 3/4-length sleeves.


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Street musician in India By Hmundol (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
I've been hunting for tunics to wear to work & for fun with shorts this summer. Here are some of my favorites...



From Calypso St. Barth
Many more tunics from Calypso St. Barth at all prices & styled with white skinnies & shorts here.
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Glinda Embroidered Linen Tunic, $29
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Calypso St. Barth Cherylin Stripe Hem Tunic, $19


From J. Crew Factory

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J. Crew Factory Printed Crinkle Tunic, $29.99 minus 30% (I ordered this one)
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J. Crew Factory Tipped V-neck Tunic, $36.99 minus 30%


From Athleta

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Athleta Kimssa Tunic, 4 colors, $89


From Piperlime. Many more Piperlime kurtas here.

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Piperlime Roberta Roller Rabbit Classic Kurta w/ Border, $39.97
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Piperlime Roberta Roller Rabbit Classic Kurta w/ Border, $49.97


From Ebay

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Ebay J Crew Liberty of London Amy Hurrel Floral Tunic, Size Medium, $19.99
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Ebay J. Crew Crinkle Tunic, no longer available except in xxs, $22 (I bought the other one :-)
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Ebay Jcrew 100% silk sandbar boho tunic top coverup paisley small, $49.99
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J. Crew Linen Tunic, $28.99 starting bid; buy outright for $37.99


From Old Navy
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Old Navy Women's Tunic Cover-Up, $20 minus 20%. If you visit an Old Navy store, you'll see an amazing image on the wall of a girl in this tunic--it's prettier than it looks here.


From Boden

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Boden Printed Beach Throw On, 6 colors, $66
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Boden Stitch Detail Tunic, $43.50. I'm having a hard time not buying this one. I love the red!


From Tea Collection

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Tea Collection Neutral Long Sleeve Dress, $59.95 minus 30% with the code MORE30




If you want to look put together when you're melting down, a tunic might be the answer. Do you agree?



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The short happy life of a dress

4/6/2013

2 Comments

 
How much stock do you place in your significant other's opinion of your outfits?

I loved this dress from the moment I saw it and asked my husband to get it for me for my birthday. When it came, he said he didn't think it looked right on me--it was too poofy. So we exchanged it for the next size down, but then it was too tight. I returned it again.

A few weeks went by. 

But I had loved the dress from the start, and I'd actually liked how it looked. 

I called Tea Collection and asked the customer service representative if she'd listen to my story. She said, "Sure!" 

At the end she sent me the dress again with my original discount and free shipping even though I'd returned it twice, and ordering it yet again was not an official "exchange." Now the dress has gone down in price, and Tea Collection has honored the new price for my purchase! 

I think it's the perfect spring-to-summer tunic, love layering a tee underneath, love it with jeans. I've added a skinny belt to ward off poofiness. 

I like it, and I guess that's all that matters. 


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Tea Collection Akvarell Shift Dress, $47.50 (was $118) (additional 10% off coupons floating all over web)
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Tea Collection Akvarell Shift Dress, $47.50 (was $118)



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2 Comments

Artful spring tops

2/15/2013

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The Tea Collection artistic designs are inspired by South Africa. 

I received my first purchase from Tea yesterday--a tunic-like dress, a little too big--will exchange for one size down. The colors are amazing; the cotton is crisp.  
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Tea Collection Talvi Exposed Zip Back Top, $54.50
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Tea Collection African Tulip Tunic, $98
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Tea Collection Maija Rose Drape Neck Top, $42.50
0 Comments

My cup of tea

2/5/2013

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Getting ready for the transition to spring and for Valentine's Day with this shift dress from the Tea Collection. 
You won't see yourself coming and going in this dress because I think few people know that the kids' fine clothing purveyor Tea offers clothes for grown-ups too.
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Tea Collection Akvarell Shift Dress, XS-L, $69.50 minus 15% for newcomers with the code 13TEALOVE
0 Comments

Are you a planner or a procrastinator?

9/26/2012

0 Comments

 
If you're a planner, you may want to take a second look at these stylish canvas Baggu bags for $20.50 from Tea. I see a great shower/teacher/holiday gift. Love the shoulder strap and colors!
If you're a procrastinator, I'll check back with you later :-)
P.S. Tea, one of the finest children's clothing stores around, has just started carrying women's clothing and accessories.
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Tea canvas tote, $20.50
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Tea canvas tote, $20.50
Baggu bags are everywhere lately. They come in every size, shape, function, and color in ripstop nylon, canvas, or leather. Priced $7-$160. 
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Baggu leather bag, 8 colors, $120
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Baggu small leather pouch, 8 colors, $20
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Baggu canvas tote, 14 colors, $24
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Baggu medium leather pouch, 8 colors, $40
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Baggu nylon backpack, 14 colors $24
0 Comments

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