Andrea Pflaumer's Blog, page 6

Cheap Cashmere…but is it sustainable?

Oyuna Lugo sweater

It’s now autumn in the Northern hemisphere and that means time to unpack our winter sweaters. Unlike many synthetics cashmere withstands the test of time – and repeated wear. It just looks better too.

Cashmere used to be considered a luxury fabric. But over the past couple of years there has been a kind of explosion of inexpensive cashmere garments on the market. And if you get a lot of catalogs (which I do – dozens every week) or scroll through social media you’d believe that we were all living in cashmere sweats.

However, recently I discovered the actual “cost” of their production and was shocked. (Frankly, had already started to wonder how so many products, and so many companies could be offering so much cashmere at such low prices.)

 

Where it Comes From

Most cashmere is sourced from herds of goats in the Gobi Desert of Northern China and Mongolia. The finest cashmere comes from the Kashmir region in India, with smaller amounts from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries.  These Kashmir goats, from where the fabric gets its name, have an outer layer for protection, and an inner layer, from which the fibers are shorn for the manufacturing of cashmere clothing.

The sad fact is that when that inner layer is gone they no longer have the same protection from the elements. And over-grazing has depleted their food supply. The situation became untenable, first and foremost for the goats, but also for the industry as a whole.

But a few years ago some of the more prominent companies began to address this by producing what is called “sustainable” cashmere. That means they are sourcing from smaller, cultivated herds with more sustainable grazing practices. Others are also using “off-cut” productions pieces of leftover cashmere, and even recycling old cashmere sweater material that has been returned (Eileen Fisher and Stella McCartney are leaders in this area.) Many of these companies proudly display their ratings and certifications from international sustainability agencies.

So, for this post I am only including manufacturers who adhere to highest standards of production in their supply chain. That includes treating the goats, the herders, and the workers right. Yes, you’re looking at – in many cases – higher prices. If that gives you pause, think about collecting one of these items for the long-run, a treasured item you will wear repeatedly for many, many years. You will always feel luxurious wearing it and comfortable knowing that it is something that respects the delicate balance in nature.

COS

COS blue cashmere sweater $190

COS Turtleneck sweater $225

COS was one of the earlier “minimalist” fashion houses (after Eileen Fisher) and has been offering well-made, simple, wearable items for quite a while. They pay close attention to their sourcing, which includes animal welfare social responsibility and the environment.  Many of their styles are typically loose and slightly over-sized, as is the current fashion. They have a lot of sophisticated items in neutrals that are styled for Dramatic, Natural or Classic types. The blue pullover also comes in yellow and dusty pink. They also carry washable wool and wool-blend sweaters. Their cashmere sweaters run about $190-$240, so you are looking at things that are more mid to moderately-priced. If price is a concern, it’s worth checking out the entire site for their other items, so I’m linking the site as a whole here.

Cuyana

Cuyana Cashmere Wrap Sweater $285

Single origin recycled cashmere cardigan $225

Founded by Karla Gallardo, an Ecuadoran woman who earned a BA from Stanford, this company claims the motto “fewer things, better things.” (I’m making that my own personal motto! I just filled two bags for give-away.) Ninety six percent of their products are made from sustainable materials, and they maintain close ties with all the families and artisans worldwide in their supply chain. Much of their cashmere is recycled, but as they show, “single origin.” That means off cuts, not reused from old cashmere sweaters. Cuyana also carries a wide variety of classic, leather goods that might make nice gifts. This is their gift guide for the season. The wrap (beautiful for an autumn Earthy Rich type) also comes in black and camel. The cardigan comes in this seasonal passion fruit shade (that would suit an Earhty Rich, possibly a Subtle Blended/Earthy Rich combination too), plus a dark teal, black , beige, and stone.

 

  Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher Aegean teal sweater $398

Eileen Fisher Italian cashmere tunic $378

As of now, Eileen Fisher only uses recycled cashmere from an Italian factory that recycles cutting room trimmings into “exceptionally fine yarns.” And this season, she is showing a little bit of pure cashmere, but mostly blends with silk or wool, also from sustainable sources.  So, labor intensive work = higher cost of goods. But, as you will see, they are by no means the most expensive in the category of sustainable cashmere. Both the teal sweater and the olive tunic would work for many Earthy Rich color types. And the teal could possibly work for a SubtleBlended/ER combo.

It’s rare that they offer a variety of colors, as neutrals are their signature, but I’m showing a few here. Occasionally EF hits a sour note, in terms of style (rarely in quality) but they are pretty consistent in terms of sustainability. And although, yeah, their things look kind of boxy and uninteresting on the hanger, I find that the items I have purchased from them actually look beautiful and hang very elegantly in person. As for the price, it’s worth trolling the site for their sales.

Everlane

Everlane cashmere polo $145

Founded in 2010, Everlane, one of the companies I have featured in several previous posts, gained a reputation for what they call “radical transparency” from the start by offering customers a very detailed breakdown of how much it cost to make each item. Now they’ve taken that same detailed approach to their sourcing agencies. Their website (and my personal communications with their sustainability manager) offers what is probably the most complete and thorough description of their standards and certifications for each type of garment and textile they produce of any site I found so far. This is their lilac cashmere polo, a lovely color for Lively Bright or Subtle Blended/Lively Bright crossovers. Could also work for a Striking Contrast/Subtle Blended crossover.

 

Everlane stroopwaffle re-cashmere turtleneck $195

Everlane Crew in persimmon $125

This is their Stroopwaffle ReCashmere sweater in cobalt, for Lively Bright color types. It also comes is a Lively Bright ultramarine green, a warm Earthy Rich honey color, pale gray, dark charcoal, sand and bone. And the persimmon crew would work for an Earthy Rich autumn type. (It comes in 12 colors. including pecan, espresso, a vibrant key lime, stone, burnt orange, off white, charcoal, lilac, a dark taupe ans stone. )

 

 

 

Gentle Herd

Gentle Herd seamless boatneck sweater $125

This is how they describe their sourcing: “We have strict codes of practice for our goats and sheep protection…we vigorously monitor and control the size of the herd and their grazing…we uphold fair trade practices, and no animals are harmed in the making of our products…we also care for our workers.” (Well, that’s excerpted from a much more extensive explanation. Suffice to say they walk the talk of sustainability.)

Their sizes are limited (S-M-L) so prepared to get a “general” fit, which isn’t bad because a lot of cashmere items, especially this year, don’t have to fit the body closely. And, they are still one of the most reasonable in terms of price. It looks like they use natural dyes and there aren’t a lot of bright colors here. But they have a very wide variety of lovely items available. So you might want to just check out the whole site.

Gentle Herd cashmere hoodie $166 (on sale now)

Gentle Herd undyed turtleneck pullover $148

This (on the left) is a pretty cool hoodie that comes in seven colors including a rose shade that would be lovely on a Subtle Blended summer type, plus a warm brown, olive, taupe, and cream that could work for an Earthy Rich type. The gray and this blue would be best on a Lively Bright and possibly a Subtle Blended/Lively Bright crossover. And next to it is their undyed turtleneck pullover. Turtlenecks that are fitted like this one are Classic in style and this one is very Classic.

 

 

Naadam

I love their advertising and their motto: Soft stuff for hard people.” (It’s worth visiting their site just to see how they illustrate that.) This is another company started by two young entrepreneurs, Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus. As college friends, they traveled to the remote parts of the Gobi Desert, became friends with local herders and interested in their work. They also figured out how they could pay them more for their textiles by cutting out the middle man, and providing cashmere quality items for less. They offer a lot of cashmere, plus recycled cashmere, and wool-cashmere blends. Their items range from the lower end to mid-range in price. But the least expensive do sell out pretty quickly, as do the brighter colors.

Naadam cropped v-neck $125

Naadam essential Crew $75

Naadam fisherman cardigan

This (on the left) is their seafoam cropped v-neck sweater. It’s slouchy and best for a Natural type. It also comes in winter white and black. And this next to it is their essential crew in blue. It comes in eleven colors but the sizes sell out very quickly. There are still some lovely ones available. Crew neck cashmere sweaters are typically Classic, but frankly I think just about everyone can wear them. On the right is an example of their 90% and 10% cashmere in a multi-use Natural and Classic fisherman-type cardigan.

Naked Cashmere

Naked Cashmere Lily cardigan in Bluebird $350

Naked cashmere Cherie crew in Olive $185

Among the pricier options, Naked meets all the requirements for sustainability in their sourcing and manufacturing including the use of recycled cashmere. They offer a fairly limited color range, but their items are sophisticated and well made. Here, too, the less expensive ones sell out pretty quickly. The v-neck cardigan also comes in a dark taupe that looks very much like one that I bought about 18 years ago at a shop that has now closed. I have been thinking to replace it because it is and always was too big. But as they say, if you hang on to something long enough it’s back in style! This one is ideal for a Subtle Blended color type, and possibly one of the pastels that can be worn by a Striking Contrast. And this (on the right) is their Cherie pullover in olive $185:

 

Oyuna

Oyuna Mountain sweater in beige $400

Oyuna Land sweater in Deep Blue $636

This is a British based company (they also sell to the US) founded in 2002 by a Mongolian woman named, Oyuna Tserendorj. That means she has a strong personal stake and commitment to the land and the people who are responsible for bringing much of the cashmere to the west. This is a very high-end company, offering stylish and elegant items and Oyuna is probably the priciest of the bunch. What you get for that price is a kind of European (and somewhat fashion-forward) sophistication. Much of her merchandise is in neutrals, like this beige crewneck that also comes in black and blush. But she also carries some very vibrant hues like this “deep blue” that would complement someone with cooler, Striking Contrast winter coloring.

Oyuna Lugo sweater in Magma $533

And this “magma” (also shown above) is a warm, rich orange that would work beautifully for either a Striking Contrast winter type, possibly an Earthy Rich autumn, or someone who is a combination of those two color types.

 

 

 

 

The Reformation

Reformation Cashmere cardigan set in blue $228

Reformation boyfriend crew $148

Skewing toward the youth market, this company shows some pretty skimpy things, like the uber-trendy cashmere bra/cropped cardigan combo. (If the purpose of cashmere is to keep you warm, what’s the point?) Regardless, they are pretty high up in the sustainability levels, and they do have some other beautiful, comfy looking things. And they are one of the few offering Romantic styles like the below This set also comes in a Subtle Blended Blush color, a very yellow-white, and a rich Earthy Rich chestnut brown. This (on the right) is their boyfriend sweater in camel. Camel works for Striking Contrast and Lively Bright, primarily. It also comes in a black and white stripe, an oatmeal stripe and a dark gray.

Reformation Hart cashmere pullover $198

 

The Reformation cashmere polo in olive $148

They are also on the cashmere polo bandwagon. This one comes in this olive, for an Earthy Rich, plus charcoal, one of the “black” shades that an ER can wear, and camel. And they are one of the very few that offer Romantic style items. Among those Romantic styled is this sweetheart neckline puffed sleeve pullover (on the right.) It also comes in cinnamon (a beautiful Earthy Rich color) oatmeal, and this gray.

 

 

Lastly, I want to add this “safety” note. My dear late friend June, who brought me a gorgeous cashmere sweater from her home in England (which I wore until it literally fell apart) always said that she never took her cashmere to the cleaners. She always washed it by hand, rolled it in a towel, and then laid it flat to dry. So, I have done that with several of mine. But frankly, it’s time consuming. And then there is the potential “honey I shrank the sweater!”

So, in that spirit I offer the following website, although I have never used this product. Let me know if you have! https://unshrinkit.com/

If you haven’t yet read Shopping for the Real You, or if you know someone who could use a little fashion – or emotional – inspiration, it would make a great birthday or holiday gift. Check out the reviews here.

I also invite you to explore how to better understand your version of beauty, your taste, and your style through my new online course, Discovering Your Inner Style, an Adventure in Dressing Authentically.

Shopping links on my site may earn me a small commission if you purchase something at no additional cost to you.

Andrea’s books and new video series:

 

 

The post Cheap Cashmere…but is it sustainable? appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

What is Beauty? What is Considered Beautiful?

Illustration Courtesy of McGill University Library

Asking someone, “what is beauty” is like asking them “what is art?” One person’s idea of what is beautiful may not be anything like what another person perceives as beautiful. But there are some elements of beauty, regardless of the form, that speak to us on a deep level.

Beautiful things have a way of making us feel joyful, elevated, and hopeful. They uplift our spirits. They make the heaviness, that life can often deliver, bearable. That’s why art has been an important part of life on earth since the cavemen.

Why Beauty is Essential

Photo by Yogesh Mankame on Unsplash

Photo by Aldo Gonzalez on Unsplash

I was motivated to write about this – something I’ve been thinking about for a long time now – after watching an American commentator speak to a group of college students in Europe last month. He was deeply moved by the majestic beauty of the old city, the buildings, bullet-ridden from WWII but still standing; the artisan’s details in the ornaments; the lush landscape of the surroundings. What he said was that in our gut we simply “know” beauty when we see it because it speaks to our soul.

Soviet Housing in Romania photos courtesy of Wiki

That talk resonated personally with me. Twenty-five years ago I visited Brno, Czech Republic, and was similarly affected by those same types of old, majestic buildings, also ridden with bullet holes. But what affected me even more was their juxtaposition against the blocks, and blocks, and blocks of Soviet built housing: rectangular, unadorned concrete structures, without decks or patios, and a single window. They looked like prisons. A woman leaned out of one of those windows, with an expression of longing and resignation that haunts me to this day.

 

Are we headed there?

Photo by Sandra. PleinAyer Images @gmail.com

Photo by Sandra. PleinAyerImages @gmail.com

So here’s my rant. When I first moved to Berkeley, nearly 50 years ago, I was charmed by the diversity, eccentricity, and harmony in the architecture, the people, and the food. There was a real sense of community. In the past four or five years, much of that has been lost, bulldozed, in fact, and replaced with large glass and steel boxes with no outdoor decks, patios or green spaces.  Oh, there are still many beautiful single family wood frame, Tudor, Victorian, and Craftsman style homes in town. Those were the ones we lived in as group houses in the 60s and 70s. And only the original owners or the tech-rich can now afford them. But to accommodate the influx of tech workers fleeing San Francisco builders are creating sterile, nearly identical mega housing boxes.

Photo by Guillaume Bolduc on Unsplash

The soul of the city is gone. In place of quirky playfulness, creativity, and well, beauty, there are steel, concrete and glass boxes and “safe” streets where one can no longer shop at quaint establishments, many of which no longer exist because there is no parking anywhere near them… and the pandemic took out many more.

 

My experience with concrete boxes

FBI headquarters courtesy wiki

Los Angeles County Courthouse National Registry courtesy of Wiki

I, and both my parents, worked in government buildings. My first job was with the Los Angeles Planning Commission.  Those types of structures are not there to inspire. They are simply designed to provide a place for someone to be a productive employee. They are not human scale. In fact, there is nothing to suggest humanity about them.

If you look to nearly every government building in every major city – not the City Halls, which often have more interesting architectural features that speak of the history and culture of the area – you’ll see that they are primarily concrete blocks that look not much different from, again,  local jails.

So what does that say about the sterile, repetitive housing architecture in my town? Are these apartments there to simply house good little worker bees who go to work in similar sterile buildings? And considering most of these apartments are beyond the affordability of many of the people who actually live here, not to mention the homeless, what is their purpose, exactly?

How to bring more beauty into your life

Photo by David Edelstein on Unsplash

If we are just resigned to having to live with this kind of new world (I can’t bring myself to call it “brave” as it’s not brave and the association with that phrase is just too scary) maybe we can each strike a blow for beauty. If you’re old enough to remember the British series, The Prisoner, (one of my favorites from the 1960s) you remember the opening scene where Prisoner #1967 says, “I am not a number! I am a free man!” Beauty frees us from the prison of conformity.

A personal way to bring more beauty into our lives is to create it in our living spaces. That will look differently for each of us. But if our dwellings reflect the colors we love, the shapes, elements, textiles, ornaments or artworks that speak to our soul, we are declaring our humanity…and our individuality.

 

Photo by Todd Turner on Unsplash

Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

Another very significant way to experience beauty is to simply be in nature. That might involve going somewhere to see the snow on a mountain, a flock of birds, the powerful arc of a rolling wave on the ocean. Or it might be as simple as nurturing the maidenhair fern in your kitchen window or the hydrangeas in the pot by your front door, or watching your vegetable garden grow.

When we experience the beauty that exists in nature, we connect with the rhythms and the cycles of life. We connect with something bigger than ourselves.

Our daily statement of beauty

Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash

Photo by Vasile Stancu on Unsplash

Maybe that’s why I write about fashion. It is one area of life that each of us can claim for ourselves. It’s where we can declare who we are in the most personal way.  And, yes, sometimes it’s difficult. Pressure to conform from environment and cultural dictates, (not to mention the ever-present impact of the media and social media) can cause us to lose sight of who we are. It can also dampen our enthusiasm to explore and express the parts of ourselves we want to express at different times of our lives.

But doing so is a gift that we can give to ourselves every day. Your version of beauty doesn’t have to be mine. But if it makes you feel harmonious, joyful, authentic, and elevated, you are also giving that gift to the world.

[I invite you to explore how to better understand your version of beauty, your taste, and your style through my new online course, Discovering Your Inner Style, an Adventure in Dressing Authentically.]

Andrea’s books and new video series:

 

The post What is Beauty? What is Considered Beautiful? appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Comfortable Bras…No, Really!

Coobie Comfort bralette

One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that a lot of women just simply stopped wearing bras. Or at least, they ditched their tight, underwire bras. (If you read my book, you know all the reasons that I discourage underwire bras.) Comfort – and the ability to breathe deeply – has risen to a new level of importance.

But one woman I know was far ahead of the curve. Tall, elegant, and well-endowed, she ditched her bras a few years ago. Now, I have to add that she is one of the most self-confident people I know. And she doesn’t give a fig about what people think. So, frankly, I envy her.

Since I lack that bravado, and figured that most of you still wear one when you have to, I wanted to share some very comfortable options. Many of them are new on the scene (entrepreneurs have jumped on this since the pandemic) and there should be something among them that might serve you. All of the following are wireless styles.

Bralette type

Coobie Comfort Bra $15-$23

You will find a lot of what are known in the industry as “bralettes.” These are the non-underwire, pull-over-the-head versions with no adjustable band.  But many do have adjustable straps, and some have removable pads. These are fine for casual dressing. But they mostly suit those with a C-cup or smaller. (Some will accommodate a D.)  Those with a larger bust will end up with the “uniboob” look. If you don’t mind that they are fine. But generally for larger breasts you’ll need adjustable straps and back hooks to get the best fit. Otherwise gravity will simply lift the back band up.

I’ve liked Coobies for years. But like many cheaper styles, different colors sometimes fit slightly differently. (Amazon makes it easy to return or exchange them.) They have removable pads and adjustable straps and are very comfortable. Their website says they accommodate up to a 48DD, but I’m very dubious. Still, they do the trick for more casual wear.

Richer-Poorer Women’s classic bralette $34

There are a lot of bras for smaller busts that are basically just two triangles on a band with thin straps, some with adjustable straps and hooks. Based on the reviews, this one from the company Richer-Poorer is nice, and serves up to a C cup.

Parade Scoop bralette $32

One of those plucky entrepreneurs who just got on the no-underwire bandwagon is a young woman named Cami Téllez. Cami’ start up is called Parade. Her bralettes mostly have adjustable bands and straps, and although they are made from recycled nylon plus a little spandex, they also have a cotton lining.

 

Seamless has several options, some with more structure and contour, some pull-over styles. This first one on the right is their Second Skin Everyday t-shirt bra. It has adjustable straps and band hooks. They also have a seamless bralette with removable padding. And lastly is their Second Skin Seamless bra with removable padding.

Second Skin Seamless Wide Support Bra $39

Seamless Bralette $22

Seamless Everyday T-Shirt Bra $37

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little Sexier?

Nuudi Tee System $44-$54

Now, granted, none of these are terrible sexy. If want something with a little more edge, you have some options. Nuudi, as the name sounds, is a sheer bra that has some interesting architecture: two straps for each shoulder. The theory is that this offers more support and options for placement of the straps on the shoulders. It’s available in either a bralette or halter style in sizes XS to LL. Usually that doesn’t mean much, but they do show different types and sizes of bodies wearing them.

Pepper has bras for smaller breasts that offer a little more structure and contour but are still feminine. That means they have replaced boning and underwires with heavier seams and stitching. But, still, they are still more forgiving and flexible than any underwire. And they have adjustable straps and band hooks. They also carry a lace bralette.

Pepper Lace Bralette $40

Pepper Scoop bra $50

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parade Triangle bralette $32

Parade Plunge Bralette $30-$38

Parade, also has a more feminine style called the Plunge. And although not exactly sexy, the multi colored version of their Triangle bralette is more playful.

 

 

 

 

Negative Triangle Cotton Bra $50

Negative Underwear also has a plunge style called their “Triangle” bra. It comes with adjustable straps and back hooks. And it’s made fr

Then there’s Cosabella. They have a great repulation for quality and style, and they carry a LOT of  feminine and downright sexy wireless bras and bralettes: lace, animal print, floral, plunge, longline, triangle, more structure, or less. Here are a few.

Cosabella Never Say Never Curvy Plungie Longline $89.50

Cosabella Savona Floral bralette $79.50

Cosabella Allure bralette $89.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just wanted to include their Tempo Strappy bra simply so you could see what the back looks like. Is it sexy? It’s kind of interesting, kind of sexy.

Cosabella Tempo Strappy Bralette $69.50

Cosabella Tempo Strappy Bralette $69.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

Molded Cups and More Support

Herethose who want a little more modesty or just more substance,

Knix is an international company that caters to all ages, but has some great pieces for older women including leak-proof undies. (My doctor informed me years ago that 70% of women over 80 have some incontinence issues.) Most of their bras have adjustable straps and bands and many have molded cups. They are all no-wire. Their slip-over-the head sports bra gets very good reviews. And they offer free shipping internationally. And if you tend to have some of the dreaded back flab, their Luxe Lift more be an option.

Knix Luxe Lift Pullover Bra $50

Knix Padded v-neck Bra $55

Knix Sports Bra $89

Knix Wing Woman Contour Bra $60

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tommy John, offering underwear for both men and women, has a very nice and quite extensive selection of lightly molded bras with back hooks and adjustable straps, bralettes, “smoothing” bras (which means they cover more of your back), and “cool cotton lightly lined” wireless bras.

Tommy John Women’s Smoothing Comfort Bralette $58

Tommy John Laced Bralette $68

Tommy John Cool Cotton Lightly Lined Wireless Bra $68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poly vs cotton

As lovely as some of the more sheer styles may be, the fact is that they are made with a lot of spandex and polyester. That means they last longer. But if you are a purist, or simply appreciate the feel of natural fibers against your skin, you have other options.

My own “bra” of choice is actually a shelf-bra tank top from PACT, a company that specializes in mostly cotton clothing and underwear. It works well on its own as my go-to base layer under sweaters in the winter. In the summer I often wear it as a cami under an unbuttoned cotton, linen or tencel shirt. Pact also makes a triangle bra, a Coobie-like bralette, a “plunge” style and a racer back that might work fine as a sports bra for low-impact workouts. (Except for their sales, my readers get 20% off with the coupon code SRY20.) Cosabella also has a nice cotton bra.

Cosabella Soft Cotton Curvy Bralette $79.50

PACT plunge bralette $35

PACT Smooth Cup Bralette $30

PACT shelf bra cami $25

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as the name suggests, Organic Basics has a limited, but terrific selection of cotton and tencel (a natural fiber) bras with adjustable straps and back hooks.

Organic Basics Organic Cotton Triangle Bra $50

Organic Basic Tencel Bralette $70

Organic Basics Cotton Classic Bra $50

Forlest Wirefree Removable Pad Minimizer Bra $32

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forlest offerings look very promising. Most are pull-overs but they have some with back hooks and shoulder straps. They’re molded, most have removable pads, and some have a more long-line look. It’s an EU based company but offers free shipping for orders over $79.

Don’t slouch!

Kinflyte Freedom Bra Midi Eco Jersey $119

Kinflyte Unity V-Top $149

Lastly, I wanted to include this site, Kinflyte. They specialize in supportive non-underwire bras that have wide straps and sturdier construction. The wide straps and full back help you stand up straighter. They are all made from upcycled poly and spandex, are moisture wicking, and antibacterial. Their “Freedom Bra” is available in cup sizes A-G and 32-58 bands. They also have a built-in-bra tank with removable cups that is called the Unity V-Top

So those are a few options for you to consider. Some of these websites might have other styles that might work for you as well.

Wishing you an “uplifting” and especially a comfortable autumn.

(Links on this site might earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. That also includes Amazon, asI am an Amazon associate.)

Andrea’s books and new video series:

 

The post Comfortable Bras…No, Really! appeared first on Shopping for the Real You.

Can You “Buy” Good Taste?

A few years ago, in a book review about good taste Jeffrey Felner, the witty and often acerbic arbiter of fashion, suggested that, yes, you can learn tricks to develop your personal style, but taste isn’t something you can learn; you’re either born with it or you’re not.

That certainly puts a lot of us out of the running. And, frankly, I take exception. Dig into the DNA of the most refined and elegantly turned out among us and you’ll discover the grunters and grovelers not that far down the family tree.

So the question arises: how did we Neanderthals evolve into taste makers?

And more to the point, what is taste?

Photo by Chase Lewis

Library of Congress image

It’s almost as hard to define taste as it is to define jazz, and actually they have something in common. People with good taste have imbibed – either through cultural osmosis or actual study – the fundamentals of good design and color harmony in art. Then they improvise on those fundamentals in a way that uniquely expresses who they are.

So, in that that sense, Mr. Felner is right. You can teach principles of design but they have to be translated by a savvy individual.

In the non-fashion sense, good taste is synonymous with good behavior and modesty, two things that often spill over into one’s attire. There’s also unpretentious thoughtfulness in those we consider to have good taste.

Photo by Candice Picard

Also, people with good taste radiate an aura of calm. You won’t find them rushing around like bunnies in heat. [When asked the secret to his longevity, Mel Brooks’ Thousand-Year-Old Man explains, “I never ran for a bus.”] It’s also a quality you’ll see in many chic French women: they appear as though they have all the time in the world.

 

 

Taste vs. Trend

Photo by the AW Creative Digital Marketing

In the fashion sense, someone with good taste will give a nod to the changing times, but their attire is rarely uber trendy. That means they’ll wear a few high quality and currently fashionable items (and often with a somewhat classical cut) repeatedly rather than a carousel of cheaper ones that get recycled after one season.

And, yes, the individual items they wear often are a little pricier. So, it’s been suggested that good taste is the natural result of a bump up in status and income. If that were so, every celebrity would be a shining example of taste.

Besides, dressing tastefully has a different meaning among the echelons of old money where the desire to not stand out has been inbred over generations (most likely so as to not upset the hungry masses.) But they also understand that one’s attire should not be so subtle that one would simply disappear into the velvet curtains. That would smack of false pride, which goeth against good taste.

Let it be or make it so?

Photo by Taylor Simpson

Photo by Oladimeji-odunsi

Still, cracking the code of good taste isn’t too difficult. It leaves clues. For one thing: forethought. A tasteful outfit may appear casual, simple and effortless but it’s never sloppy. And it’s never wrinkled – unless you’re wearing linen, in which case you get a pass, since wrinkles are part of the linen pedigree. And speaking of fabric, natural fibers are considered more tasteful. (Polyester doesn’t scream “taste.”)

An absolute requirement for an outfit to be considered tasteful is good fit. Too big, too loose, too tight, too short, too long, too-too – all of these run counter to tastefulness. That means: get a good tailor. It’s nearly impossible to find something off the rack that meets the fit requirement of the truly tasteful dresser.

Photo by Junko Nakase

Also, good taste shares something with good style in that it implies visual harmony. The colors of the garments – and the coloring of the wearer – harmonize with each other in “temperature” (warmth or coolness of tone) and value (range of light and/or darkness in the colors.) And then, there are the nitty gritty details. Patterns and prints, their scale, the size of a fabric’s weave and the textures of the fabrics flatter the person wearing them. And, the proportions of the pieces themselves make sense in terms of their size and their cut.

 

“I don’t mind bad taste. A little bad taste is like paprika. It’s no taste that I abhor.”  – Diana Vreeland

But let’s not get too hung up on the details here. Instead of making yourself crazy trying to get it all “just right” you can, with some of the guidelines above, simply make it a lot better. Besides, sometimes good style trumps good taste.

As with Mrs. Vreeland, a real tastemaker can be someone who appreciates what makes her unique, including her so-called figure “faults,” unusual features or atypical proportions. She is supremely comfortable in her own skin and it shows in how she carries herself. In that way, she creates her own version of taste, and by repeating that she establishes a personal signature, which is, after all, the goal…and a pretty noble one at that.

[This is my edit of an article that I wrote for Sixty and Me a few years ago that they recently republished. It’s a wonderful site.]

And by the way, I have some VERY exciting news coming up soon! Stay tuned….

[Amazon links earn me a small commission as an Amazon Associate. All photos courtesy of Unsplash.com]

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Jewelry that Suits Your Style

Even in the height of the pandemic one area of fashion retail that seemed to stay afloat (besides leisurewear) was jewelry. That was the case across all levels of the economy.

On a Zoom call or FaceTime people may not have been able to see your drawstring sweatpants. But they could see your face and the upper half of your torso. So wearing a new pair of earrings added a much-needed touch of glamour and uplift. And, for those of us who avoided the mirror for a year, we could still look down and see something pretty or sparkly on our hands.

Ancient Roman rings (photo from my visit to the Malibu Getty museum last year)

We’ve been adorning ourselves with jewelry for more than 25,000 years. The earliest version, a necklace made of fish bones, was discovered in a prehistoric cave. Over time jewelry became a symbol of protection and good luck, (e.g., for successful hunting – which could explain the fish bone thing) of connection (e.g., wedding rings) and, as in the case of royalty and clergy, an indication of status and power. It also became a symbol of tribal associations. Today, we wear them as a different kind of “tribal” association. They are reflections of our style essence.

To get just the right type of jewelry that suits your style we’ll look into the elements that go into the construction of different pieces of jewelry. And then we’ll see some examples.

Before we get into the analysis, here’s a very important safety note about buying jewelry. Many of the very inexpensive “fashion” jewelry items on the market these days, particularly those marketed to children and teens, are made with extremely toxic metal; specifically lead and cadmium and to a lesser extent, nickel. They can be carcinogenic, neurologically damaging, or cause enzyme disruption. Silver or gold plating over rhodium and ear wires made from titanium, gold or stainless steel are all non toxic and generally hypoallergenic. In the following links I have tried to include only those that have non-toxic materials, but that information is not always available on the websites.

Getting the Metal Color Right

Ross Simons cuff

The metals in our jewelry have a “temperature.”  We don’t think of silver as a warm metal. It’s reflective and icy. And we don’t think of gold as cold. It glows, like the fire of the sun. So, your ideal metals will be largely determined by your coloring: whether it leans toward coolness or warmth, or is a combination of both.

People with mostly Striking Contrast (winter) coloring will look good in silver. This is because they often have a skin tone and skin quality, regardless of color, that is highly reflective. Subtle Blended (summer) types, whose palettes have a lot of the cooled-down and grayed colors (mauves, dusty blues, softer lavenders) can also wear silver beautifully.

 

Kendra Scott gold bangle set

Amazon Rose Gold hoops

It’s pretty much a given that those who are mostly Lively Bright (or spring) can wear many shades of gold, with the exception of rose gold. Rose gold is infused with copper and flatters Subtle Blended types best. Copper turns the gold to a soft rose-y shade that can make warmer skin tones look dull or ashy. Subtle Blended types can sometimes also wear copper metals that lean toward pink.

 

 

Macy’s gold link plated sterling bangle

Mixed metal stacking rings Sundance Catalog

Warmer skin tones, those of Earthy Rich, or autumn color type, can wear yellow golds beautifully. But brass and copper will also flatter their skin tones. And of course, if your palette crosses both warm and cool seasonal color harmonies, you can often wear both silver and gold toned metals.

 

 

 

Shape and Design

Susan Graver disc stretch bracelet on QVC

To frame this subject, think in terms of yin and yang, the yielding qualities and the stable ones, respectively. If you place a round item on a slanted surface it will move. An item with flat edges will tend to stay put on a slanted surface. Yin is motion and yang is stability.

So, a simple rule of thumb is that those whose features and bodies suggest roundness and curves, the yin style elements, can opt for design elements that have some curving or roundness in their construction. That means that swirling designs, curved edges, and perfectly round beads will work well for them.

Sundance turquoise amulet

Those whose facial features has some angularity or who have a body shape that suggests more straight lines (rectangular shape, square shoulders, sharp elbows, square hands rather than elongated ones, e.g.) can wear design elements that suggest stability and more angular geometric shapes. And as with color, if you are a combination of some curves and some angles, you get to wear both. How much of each is determined by your style essences.  Here’s a previous blog post that will give you some idea about how to incorporate different amounts of style essences.

Nordstrom Rack Best Silver Inc. oval hoops

If your face is mostly oval, you can match and echo that shape. But oval faces with some slight angularity can wear a pretty wide variety of jewelry shapes. (That also goes for glasses shapes as well, btw.)

Sundance Right as Rain ring

And if you are wearing real or faux gemstones or beads, the facets and shape of the stone or bead will either express motion or stability. Cut diamonds throw reflections every which way. That might be seen as creating motion, but it’s an angled motion, directed in straight lines. Rounded un-faceted stones (e.g., star sapphires and opals) seem to glow from within, holding their beauty inside. Square, triangular, or multiple edged stones are more yang. Rounded stones and beads, especially small ones that are repeated on a piece of jewelry, read as more yin.

Color

Color follows the same general rules as does metals. The cooler your overall color palette, the cooler the colors of gemstones and other materials you can wear. The warmer your palette, the warmer the colors.

Kenneth Jay Lane Cubic Zirconia and silver drop earrings Nordstrom Rack

 

Uruguayan amethyst and zircon ring from QVC

Generally, clear stones lean toward yin-ness and opaque ones lean toward yang. But the color and cut will also influence who they can work for. Diamonds or similar white stones share an icy quality with silver. Blue, purple and lilac stones are also cool and work beautifully with silver settings. Green can work with either silver or gold, as it is a combination of cool and hot colors, blue and yellow. Red and yellow stones are quintessentially warm and work better with gold settings, although you will see many opaque stones set in silver, particularly in Native American jewelry.

 

 

Macy’s Mother of Pearl necklace

Amazon Akoya Japanese cultured pearl bracelet

Pearls represent the Moon, and every one of us, by virtue of the fluids in our bodies, is influenced by the Moon. But pearls come in many different shapes and colors. Pure white works best for those who have a lot of winter coloring. Many spring types can also wear both pure and slightly yellowed white pearls. Summer types look lovely in pinkish pearls. Autumn types can wear warmer shades of white pearls. The dyes used in dyed pearls are thought to be non-toxic to humans. Some of the darker baroque pearls in blue, green, and plum can look beautiful on those with deeper, warmer autumn colors in their palettes.  Mother of pearl jewelry is best for Angelic types. ( BTW – Rose quartz is another stone that is complementary to those with very cool color palettes.)

 

Plateau of Turquoise ring Sundance Catalog

Land of Lapis necklace Sundance catalog

Opaque stones generally read as conveying more forward energy, more yang. But the color, shape, and size of the stone has a great influence as well. Bright turquoise, if it is clear without other colors in the matrix, usually favors Striking Contrast and Lively Bright coloring. But of course, Native American people, who can have many shades of skin tone, wear it beautifully. So, there’s not a hard rule about this. Some of the darker turquoises, especially those that lean toward green and have a lot of variation in the matrix can work for Earthy Rich color types. Lapis looks beautiful on people with a lot of Striking Contrast or Lively Bright coloring.

 

American West Picture Jasper Ring Macy’s

Beaded double link coral earrings Banana Republic

Many of the darker, earthier semi-precious stones, like Jasper, will only work for an Earthy Rich color type. They often incorporate multiple colors and have a lot of variation in their matrix. Coral, as it comes in shades from white, to delicate pink to deep red, will flatter just about any color palette.

 

 

 

Materials

Tabulations bracelet Sundance catalog

Distance Shores bracelet Sundance catalog

As for other materials, leather and cording, especially when in a woven design, is mostly a yang expression. When combined with small repeated stones it becomes lighter, and more yin. Any jewelry item that incorporates a lot of leather will work best on Dramatic and Natural types. These also seem to most often complement those who have a lot of the Earthy Rich or Striking Contrast color palettes.

 

 

 

Sangria Lucite Earrings Nordstrom

Alexis Bittar studded cuff lucite bracelet

Lucite or similar synthetic materials can be playful, ethereal or more conservative, depending on the shape and color of the item. Paler shades  of transparent lucite have an Angelic quality. Opaque lucite can have a Dramatic, Youthful, or sometimes Classic quality, depending on the style. The bangle pictured here has more Classic elements, the earrings, although also fairly conservative, suggest a little more Natural, because of the more yang shape. And multi colored items in lighter shades usually have a Youthful quality, like the necklace below.

Macy’s INC Gold tone and multi color link necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Zulu woman necklace African Crafts Market

Vintage inlay turquoise and coral necklace

 

Small colorful beadwork can read as Youthful unless the design pattern itself becomes a statement, as we see in this traditional Zulu necklace to the left. That gives it a little more pizzazz. But overall it still has a more playful and Natural quality. Where you will find a lot of Dramatic style is in Native American jewelry. Inlaid stone on metal is most often a Dramatic as well as Natural (by virtue of the design element) expression, unless the stones themselves are small and the piece itself is also fairly small.

 

 

Fontainebleu earrings Sundance

Fruit punch earrings Sundance catalog

That’s also the case for beads. The larger the bead, the more yang it expresses. The smaller the bead, the more yin it expresses. Little beads in, for example, earrings, especially dangling ones, require some playfulness, in one’s style. These more High Spirited and Youthful examples demonstrate that. This also applies to the overall construction of any piece of jewelry. Wide cuffs, statement necklaces, bold rings require more yang energy to pull off as an accessory.

 

 

Size 

Speaking of which, the dimensions and bulk of an item or a grouping of items will determine how much they  complement your body size and proportions, as well as your personal style. For example, if your bone structure, body, or style expresses more of the yang qualities, you can wear larger statement pieces. If your body, bone structure, and style are smaller or more delicate, look for more yin elements.

Chain link necklaces are always popular and come in many varieties. Thick and bold linked necklaces are very popular right now. If you buy a high quality one in gold or silver, like those made in Italy, it just doesn’t have a “sell date.” They tend to be forever pieces. Unless they are extremely exaggerated in size, they are pretty much a classic style that almost anyone can wear. If you find them attractive and don’t see yourself as a very classic type, just look for smaller scale links. But delicate chains are also having a moment, or depending on your style, a lifetime of moments.

Here are some examples that reflect one or more of the seven primary style essences. Generally, single delicate chains have a wispy quality that Youthful and Angelic types can wear particularly well. But if you love them and don’t necessarily see yourself as highly “yin” you can still wear them. Just consider grouping a few together and/or vary the link sizes. That can add the volume you might need to create balance with your style.

Angelic lariat necklace:

Ettika lariat necklace 18K gold plated brass and steel

Youthful/Angelic/High Spirited necklace set:

Sterling forever gold plated necklace set with pendants Nordstrom Rack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youthful/Angelic necklace:

Betsey Johnson flower chain necklace Macy’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youthful/Classic necklace:

Brooke and York Chain necklace Nordstrom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dramatic/Classic necklace:

Banana Republic Bold Link Necklace

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural/Dramatic necklace:

Jenny Bird chain link necklace Nordstrom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Classic/High Spirited necklace:

Ettika 18k gold plated double chain necklace

 

Classic/Romantic necklace:

NEST Hammered Gold necklace Neiman Marcus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I hope this summary will help put into context why you might gravitate toward certain types of jewelry. The options are enormous, of course, and these are just a few examples. And I hope they help you recognize which trends might work for you, and which to avoid. If you are contemplating a major and expensive purchase, these guidelines may help you find just the right item that can be a lifetime treasure.

[Some of the items shown here are from my affiliates. If you purchase one I might receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps keep my website going. I am also an Amazon affiliate and earn small commissions from them as well.]

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Retro Fashion is Back

When life is full of turmoil and challenge we tend to look backwards for comfort: comfort foods that we remember from childhood, all-time favorite movies, and our old, most comfortable clothes. So, make of this what you will, but vintage looks from the 50s and 60s are having a “moment” – or maybe longer.

These styles are typically feminine, refined, and increasingly popular, especially among very young women who enjoy the idea of dressing in a “costume.” Fashions from this era, with all their trim silhouettes and attention to detail, are a counterpoint to the over sized, loose, and baggy clothing we have been seeing (and wearing) everywhere for the past few years, particularly in 2020.

A wise friend observed that we tend to see changes in our bodies and our looks at half-decade periods in our lives: 45-55, 55-65, etc. I think this is also applicable to fashion. The styles of the 1940s bled over into the 1950’s, the styles from the 1950s carried over into the 1960s. Here are a few examples of some of the new “retro” items from the 1950s and early 1960s and some sites where you can find them.

Simple Retro

Simple Retro Jasmine Sweater

Simple Retro Selena wool sweater

First up is a company that is riding the wave of this trend called Simple Retro. They straddle a few vintage decades but carry a fair amount of 50s and 60s styles. This blue sweater on the right is pretty much a direct copy of something I tried to knit back then. They did a better job. The collared Henley style is showing up in many places right now.

 

Simple Retro Gita sweater

Simple Retro Harper blouse

Bow blouses and tops appear about every ten years or so, although we saw them as recently as 2017. And they are back now. The soft lilac color, pleats, and buttons of this one on the left gives it almost a 30s vibe.

 

Modcloth

Modcloth High waist A-line cotton skirt

Modcloth coat

Modcloth dress

Modcloth also carries a lot of retro fashion including cute plus size things. They have been catering to retro style lovers for years. They even categorize their items in decades from the 1940s to the 1990s. So you’ll find a lot of longer skirt lengths as minis didn’t make their shocking appearance until the mid 1960s, when all previous fashion rules went out the window. Their items are primarily suited for Youthful and Romantic style types.

Simple Retro also has several longer skirt styles.

Simple Retro Dawn Houndstooth skirt

Simple Retro Naomi Skirt

Simple Retro Gladys skirt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soda Fountain Days

When I see argyle sweaters, Collared Henleys and embroidered button downs I think of high school days and images of girls sitting on the hoods of convertibles or drinking at soda fountains (well, at least I did sit at soda fountains.)

Alex Mill Bleeker Argyle Cardigan

Eastland Sadie Oxford

And I imagined them wearing saddle shoes. I wore them but I hated them. That’s because I could never get the laces to be the same tightness on each shoe. And they were ugly. But they were my “prescription” footwear when my growing feet needed correction.

Now, however, they hold a certain charm. I envision them worn with ankle socks (and that are now having a resurgence), pleated skirts, and button-down cardigans. And they still exist very much like we saw them then.

Simple Retro Ally Handmade Embroidered sweater

Simple Retro Ally Embroidered Sweater

 

Simple Retro Jannie Wool jumper

 

 

 

 

 

Footwear

Speaking of shoes, back in the day (which is the new way of saying “back in the old days.” I guess someone decided that the work “old” was a dirty word,) our go-to everyday shoes were sneakers and we loved them in multiple colors. Yep – they’re back too now. All of these are from Walmart.

 

 

For dances and dates we wore sling backs, t-straps, kitten heels, and pretty flats. Things haven’t changed much in these styles since then. All these below are from Modcloth.

Modcloth t-strap

Modcloth No Ordinary Slingbacks

Modcloth sling backs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nordstrom Vionic Minnie Kitten Heel

Nordstrom Bella Vita Sling back

Vionic Sylvia heels

And these are all from Nordstrom and would work with almost any current style, except maybe for the pale beige one. It still looks pretty dated to me.

 

 

Dresses and Coats – Old and New

Lady London Florence

These are items that can’t be mistaken for anything modern. The silhouettes give it all away. Some of them are full on Mad Men.

The first one on the left is from a site in the UK called Lady London. Maybe it’s the fascination with the “The Crown” that is fueling a resurgence of 50s style.

And then there are the coats. These are often rounded in silhouette or detail and sometimes belted. This faux fur to the right is from another British company called Beyond Retro. They have actual vintage pieces from many decades, and if you are a vintage fan their site is a treasure trove.

Missing the Target

Finally, if you are hankering to go WAY back you might be inspired by some of the offerings at Target this season. (What were they thinking??)

Stay well, stay centered. And check out my YouTube page too (link below.)

 

[A few of these are carried by my affiliates. If you purchase them I might receive a small commision at no additional cost to you. It helps keep my website going.]

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A Few Book and Gift Recommendations…

A lot of us have been doing more reading in this past year, so I wanted to share some of my favorite books. You might consider them for gifts for friends who are interested in fashion, creativity, and life in general. I’m providing the Amazon links here for convenience, but I want to highly encourage you to purchase them through one of your local bricks and mortar stores, especially any small book store in your community.

The top one here is called Colorstrology. This was given to my by my dear friend, Judy LaMar, a fabulous artist and a Personal Style Counselors stylist in the Washington DC area. It’s a charming little book that gives a Pantone color for each birthday of the year and describes something about the person. Is it accurate? Well, in my case it was remarkably accurate. A fun little gift.

The next one is Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life, by George Brescia, who was one of the guests on my first video series, Vital, Vivacious and Visible After 50. George is simply a lovely and generous human who is the red carpet fashion commentator for the Tony Awards. He has worked with celebrities and regular folks like you and me. This book has lots of great practical advice.

Several years ago I read Eat Pray Love with my book club, the rollicking tale of Elizabeth Gilbert’s round-the-world search for love – and for herself – that was made into a Hollywood movie. But a few years ago Gilbert wrote what I consider to be one of the best books I have ever read about creativity. If you know anyone who is even remotely considering starting a new venture, writing a memoir (even if it’s just for their own enjoyment or that of their children), taking a painting class, teaching anything whatsoever, I can’t recommend this book enough: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.

You likely saw my YouTube interview with Naomi Tickle a couple of months ago. Naomi is an expert at Face Reading, and she works with clients to help them better understand their talents and gifts, and the areas of their personalities they might want to work on based on their features. Then she gives them career guidance based on her decades of this work. Her book is called: What Makes People Tick and Why.

As a birthday present I received a charming book by Karen Karbo entitled The Gospel According to Coco Chanel. Karbo is an extremely entertaining writer and a Chanel fan. She describes her quest for the elusive genuine Chanel jacket in Paris thrift stores while she chronicles who Chanel was and why her legacy persists. I just loved every page of this book.

And since we’re on the subject of Paris, I want to once again share a book I recommended last year. Forever Chic by Tish Jett is one I come back to again and again. It just makes you feel great about being a woman and gives you so many wonderful ways to do that through fashion, self-care, makeup, and developing your unique charm. She has great tips about health and wellness too and explains how French women stay so slim with all that great food.

 

Those are my personal favorites. I hope some of them resonate with you or with a friend. If you haven’t read my own book, Shopping for the Real You, it is only available on Amazon, alas, but the digital version will be 70% off for two days starting Friday, December 4 through Saturday, December 5. Send a digital copy to a friend!

And, since we all have become more familiar with technology than we ever thought we would be, if you or any of your friends are still feeling isolated, lonely, and in need of some form of connection, my video series combination, Vital, Vivacious and Visible after 50, plus Expert Edition, is now 50% off through December 22. Just $39. Nearly 50 experts share their tips and insights about fashion, beauty, wellness, relationships, travel, thrift shopping, you name it! Here’s that link again.

Finally, my friend Agneta Sundberg, health coach and yoga instructor, and I will be hosting a live Zoom session this Saturday at noon, PST. Our topic will be “give the gift of health” and we’ll be talking about some of the essential oils and products that might also make great gifts. So put this on your calendar. Here’s the link to join us live. There will be a live Q&A after the half hour presentation. I’ll send out this link again in a separate email on Friday.

[ I participate in the Amazon Services LLC, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com]

Stay healthy and fashionable.

Love,

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What is “Artsy” Fashion – and Can You Wear it?

When we see a woman wearing an outfit that is interesting, creative, and unique – we might wonder, “Could I pull off something like that?” These “artsy” outfits often look like works of art. In fact, some of them actually are – they are what is called wearable art.

Now, you can always make almost any outfit look a bit more “artsy” by adding a statement piece or two, such as a hand-made, or highly textural or rough-hewn necklace or bracelet.

Or, you can simply wear a more classic wardrobe piece – like a simple white blouse, sleeves rolled up – with a fabulous collection of Native American jewelry (these are from the Sundance Catalog.) Native American jewelry is intrinsically artistic.

But to get the overall look requires more than just one added element.

What Does it Mean to be “Artsy?”

If we had to describe what “artsy” means in terms of the seven basic style facets we would say that it is a combination of Dramatic, Natural, and High Spirited essences. The Drama is expressed in what is often an exaggeration in size and construction. The Natural is demonstrated in the looser fits and more textural fabrics. The High Spirited  qualities show up in patterns, pattern mixing, and unexpected elements. (Both this and the outfit above are from one of John Kitchener’s favorite websites, Artful Home.)

Think of the textiles and garments that make up this style as suggesting the earth rather than the sky. They have a more substantial, dynamic quality than a soft, quiet or yielding one. That means you won’t be seeing them in very refined, delicate or sheer fabrics, at least not a lot of them (there are always exceptions to the rule.) The closest you might get are some of the more “boho” looks from places like Johnny Was, as is this one on the right.

Also, there isn’t the highly tailored silhouette you would find in a Classic blazer or a button-down blouse. You won’t see body-hugging or flowing, sensuous pieces. And except when the pattern is playful (such as something with polka dots and/or stripes) the style expresses more, well, gravitas. That includes, for example, something like a velvet top or wrap. The velvet may make it lean toward Romantic, but it still has a Dramatic flair because it is costume-y. (This one on the left is from Amazon.)

These pieces are the opposite of trendy. The upside is that they won’t go out of fashion. They can heirlooms. (That means you might find some great ones in thrift stores.)

 

The Japanese Aesthetic Called Shibui

From an aesthetic viewpoint, some”artsy” types of clothing could be defined by what is called “shibui.” It is a Japanese term that identifies those things, like this pottery, that express a different, eternal, unusual, and captivating quality. There is something about it that speaks to us on an elemental level. We can almost feel it as much as we can see it. Here’s how my mentor, John Kitchener describes it:

“Profound harmonious beauty expressing understated richness.” 

Everyone Can be Artsy in Some Way

Finally, keep in mind that being “artsy” doesn’t always have to mean being dramatic or serious. It can actually be playful. That makes this concept more accessible for those of us who don’t have a lot of Drama or earthy coloring. So if you ask yourself, “Can I wear something like that?” the answer may very likely be, “yes.”

These (below) are all from the Artful Home catalog. Since they are designed by artists, and are not mass manufactured, they come with a more hefty price tag, but they definitely give you the flavor of what artsy fashion can look like.

The important thing when wearing something artsy is to keep the rest of the outfit fairly simple. Even Iris Apfel, who loves to pile on her accessories, follows this rule for the most part.

 

 

 

 

 

Another site that I like for artsy fashion is called Shop My Fair Lady, and their prices are more affordable. All of these are on that site from various sources including Clara Sunwoo, Damee NYC, Dilemma, and Moonlight.

 

 

 

 

 

Art and Color

So, as you can see there is something artsy in every color harmony. But if just want to dabble a bit in the concept, accessories are one way to do that. All of these earrings (below) are very “artistic” and unusual, but hardly serious. These are some that John picked out of the Artful Home catalog recently with the following descriptions about how they would work for each of the color harmonies:

“Either a Striking Contrast or a Subtle Blended would enjoy these curves.”

“These are Lively Bright and High Spirited.”

“These are very soft and gradient in color and would be very beautiful for someone Subtle Blended.”

“And these would be Earthy Rich and Natural“.

 

 

So, if we want to  know if an item or article of clothing could be considered artsy, try applying any of these words: “different,” “unusual,” “unique,” “hand-made,” “creative,” and, well, artistic!

 

 

 

[BTW – The one item from Amazon is from my personal link. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com]

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Pretty Dresses

Last fall women’s fashion was all about menswear: over-sized, heavy textured suit pieces. But this year we’ve gone in the opposite direction. It’s all about feminine silhouettes. That means you’ll be seeing lots of skirts and dresses, dresses, and dresses.

Wrapping my head around this dress trend was a stretch, during this “who cares what we look like” quarantine. But it’s actually been a lot of fun. It reminded me that whatever our age or body shape, we still have an inner girly-girl. Let’s look at some of the dress styles that are available right now and analyze who can wear them and for what occasion. We’ll describe the style facets they represent. A bunch of these are really inexpensive.

Grocery Shopping

Amazon Minibee Casual midi dress $41

FT Cayanz Linen short sleeve tunic $34

Like some of you my one outing per week has been grocery shopping. Now that the urgency of getting in and out quickly has diminished a bit there is a greater sense of enjoyment in the task. So, I’m seriously considering swapping my utilitarian jeans and tee for one of these very casual but kind of fun dresses. Here are a couple of great finds from Amazon. The one on the left would appeal to someone with a Natural and High Spirited style. It comes in seven colors (denim blue, black, ivory, navy, terracotta and gray) and is a cotton/linen blend. The reviews indicate it runs large.

This plaid one on the right is also in linen (it also comes in black/white, and navy/white) and would appeal to someone with a more Youthful and Classic style. The angled pockets give it a little High Spirited feeling.

COS Organic cotton dress $115

 

For a really hot day, you can’t beat a sleeveless shift. This one, form COS is organic cotton denim and is mostly Classic in style. Because the skirt portion is slightly rounded instead of straight that adds a bit of Youthfulness to it. You could easily dress it up with colorful accessories – a simple necklace or bangles  – and a pair of summer sandals.

Macy’s Jessica Simpson Beaded necklace $48

 

 

Nordstrom Ingrid Ankle Strap sandal $55

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Outdoors

Some beaches are still closed. But afternoon strolls along the beach are permitted (go figure.) And I’m learning that “social distancing” barbecues are still in the works for August. We hope the virus curve, if not our body curves, will be flattened by then. (BTW – if you’ve gained a few pounds you’re not alone. I read today that on average people have gained more than 15 pounds on lock down! The looser styles will appeal to you.)

Flowing, midi, maxi and boho dresses are all fairly Romantic. But the less frilly the textile and the fewer the details or trims it has will make it read as Natural or Classic. Still, in the summer we all tend to lean a little more toward Natural in our style choices.

Soft Surroundings Positano Gateway Dress $98.95

 

Soft Surroundings San Remo Dress $140

This one from Soft Surroundings (on the left) reads as mostly Natural and Classic. The buttons up the side add a bit of High Spirited style and the bell shaped sleeves are slightly Angelic. But frankly, a lot of people who like denim could wear this as an alternative to jeans.

Another option that is more decidedly Romantic in essence is their San Remo maxi dress. (I hear good things about the quality of Soft Surroundings dresses.) It has some element of Youthfulness due to the high waistline and the little repeated patterns. Repetition in pattern can also be High Spirited. The  geometric shapes represent Natural. But when it is small in size that reads visually as more Youthful.

 

Nordstrom Karen Kane Wrap Front Chambray Dress $139

Tencel is one of those textiles that is very forgiving and drapes nicely. It is a so-called “sustainable” fabric because it is sourced from the cellulose in wood pulp. This one (on the left) is cool, breezy, and primarily Natural/Romantic in style. It could work for both very casual environments, but also for our next category, outdoor dining. Add a playful straw tote to anchor the overall feeling and that will add some element of the Natural/High Spirited style essences.

Nordstrom BP Striped Tote

 

Modcloth Bright This Way Maxi Dress$89

Modcloth has a lot of fun things in Youthful style. (It’s not their only style, but it’s one they specialize in.) This one is mostly High Spirited, because of the mix of pattern, and a bit Youthful, because of the little dots in the background. I know a lot of you won’t wear anything sleeveless. This could easily work with a cardigan too.

Nordstrom Halogen Tie Waist Cardigan $69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Restaurant Dining

Many restaurants are starting to offer social distancing outdoor dining. A lot of you have said how much you miss your occasional lunches with friends. So this could be an opportunity to dress up for your first foray back into public.

Macy’s Bar III Zebra Stripe Maxi Dress $89

If you don’t mind polyester, this (on the left) is pretty and striking. It works for a Classic/Dramatic style type with Striking Contrast coloring.

Nordstrom Top Shop Rib Knit Tie Waist Maxi Dress $55

OK, I admit you have to be pretty thin or fairly small busted to get away with this off white ribbed knit dress, but it is just so lovely, is 94% cotton, and you can’t beat the price. I know the sneakers are a current “look.” But something more along the lines of the shoes worn with the striped dress to the left would work for the less adventurous, as would any wedged espadrille or sandal. It’s High Spirited and Romantic with some Classic.

 

 

 

 

 

Nordstrom Venezia Trench Dress $170

Macy’s Calvin Klein Tired cotton dress $134 (may be on sale)

The classic shirt maker dress has come back in style with some edits. The one on the left would work for a High Spirited and Natural type. The one on the right, because of the ruffle on the bottom and the sight puffed sleeves, would be most suitable for a Classic/Romantic style type.

The striped one below is pretty strictly Classic with a hint of Natural or even Romantic in the belt, and maybe a tad High Spirited because of the stripes on the cuffs.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Striped Dress $78 (Limited time sale)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Wedding? 

Those big events planned for the fall are still in limbo. But at some point the weddings, graduations, and holiday dinners will be on our calendars again. Here are a few ideas for dresses that could lift your spirits and make you want to wear makeup again.

Soft Surroundings Tulip Dress $100

The layered look is a very flattering silhouette if you’re carrying a bit extra weight around your middle. This white tiered dress has a Romantic/Angelic feeling. I couldn’t find that necklace on their site but it does call for a statement necklace.  This one below (in orange) is on sale there. And the pearl one to its right makes quite a statement because the large disc pendant on it requires a tad of drama. The pearls are Angelic. That’s an interesting combination because the model herself is both Dramatic and Angelic.

Soft Surroundings Rainforest Necklace

 

Dillards Southern Living Pearl Necklace $34.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nordstrom All in Favor Floral Midi Dress $59

 

Special occasions in the summer and fall seem to cry out for floral prints. This one from Nordstrom (on the left) has a keyhole back neckline, adding a little more Romantic to the essentially Youthful/Classic/Romantic style. The small size of the pattern makes it less Romantic than Youthful.

Walmart MTONY Floral Printed dress $20

If you swap out the kind of clunky looking sandals for something a little more elegant, like a simple pump or dressier sandals, this cotton dress on the left would be lovely for even a more formal outdoor event. It’s primarily for plus sizes, and the reviews indicate that you have to order one to two sizes up. But, based on those reviews it seems like it might work for a small or medium. Heck, at this price you could buy it and have it altered. The pattern is mostly Natural and Classic, the style is Classic, and because of the almost bell-shaped sleeves, a wee bit Angelic.

Here’s another sweet one from Modcloth (below left.) Again, like a lot of their things, it’s mostly Youthful and Romantic, but because it’s also pretty modest, a Classic could likely wear it as well. The green one from Macy’s below is Romantic because of the tiers, and Natural because of the print and the v-neck, and a touch of High Spirited because of the cap sleeves. The lucite and snake clutch pulls together the entire look.

Modcloth Seal it With A Hibiscus Dress $105

Macy’s SL Fashion Floral Midi Dress $109 (May be on sale)

Banana Republic snake and Lucite clutch $98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, those are a few ideas to pique your interest about wearing dresses again, unless you never stopped. (And if you love dresses, let me know which type and why. I’d love to hear about them.) I hope they inspire you to think about more fulfilling times and happy occasions to be shared with loved ones and friends. Stay healthy and safe.

Special Note: Last call for the 50% discount on my two video series, Expert Edition and Vital Vivacious, and Visible after 50. After July 26, the price goes back up to $79. Check it out here!

 

[Some of the links for items shown may provide a small commission to me. There is no additional cost to you. Also, I participate in the Amazon Services LLC, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com]

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