Fab Finds: Slippers and Mirrors

Today’s top picks are not the most exciting items, but could be just what you’re looking for. They might save your feet at home, and create a better make-up application experience. Browse the colour options and read the reviews. 

1. Dansko Lucie Wool Slipper

If you spend ample time at home, and need a slipper that looks fab and is good for your feet, these are an option. They provide excellent arch support, and have a great outdoor sole so your feet don’t feel too close to the ground. Their subtle wedge adds a lift that can feel soothing for high arches and insteps. Soft, cushioning, and very lightweight. Surprisingly, clients with both high and low volume feet rave about them. Sizes run from US5 to US12. Prices vary across retailers so click through the options. I might try them when my Camper slippers wear out.

2. Riki by Riki Mirrors

If you’re looking for a make-up mirror that magnifies and lights up, Riki mirrors come highly recommend by some of our forum members. Most of them are portable and can be packed away, or taken along for travel. They come in a range of prices, sizes, and metallic backings. Most of the reviews are extremely good, but some complained that the light was too bright, and that it’s hard to charge. Others preferred the Simple Human make-up mirror. I guess you’ll have to take your chances, and return it if it’s unsatisfactory.

Fashion News Roundup: July 2022

Bourjois returns to the UK, a new fashion documentary, and more news from this month’s fashion trenches.

Fashion Quote

When asked if their beauty routines had changed during the pandemic, A Cup of Jo reader replied:

“It’s been a slow realization for me over the past five years, accelerated during the pandemic, that much of my ‘beauty routine’ was about performing a palatable version of myself to other people, not anything I did for me. Sure, doing a lot of beauty things made me feel ‘good,’ but it was a good that came from soothing my anxiety about not being pretty enough, thin enough, ‘put together’ enough. It’s been really liberating to give a lot of it up and to fill up my own internal well of esteem and validation and resilience. And the time I got back! So much time I can use to sleep in, or read, or walk to get a coffee, or go on a hike, or whatever!”

A Small Stitch to Keep Sleeves Scrunched

Nine years ago I shared that I add a small stitch to some of my sleeves so that they stay put when I scrunch them. I think this tip bears repeating, because the topic comes up frequently with my clients. This is an easy fix with a needle and thread that you can do in a couple of minutes. 

I have two jackets and a dress where the sleeves flop back too easily after scrunching. A stitch in just the right place on the sleeves of the items makes them scrunch a whole lot better. The rigid fabric of the jackets makes them more conducive to sleeve scrunching than the soft linen fabric of the dress. Still, the stitch makes a difference.

A slim-fitting long sleeve on a top, jacket, or dress is ideal for sleeve scrunching, because the tapered silhouette stays put against the contour of your forearms and elbow. But sometimes even with a relatively narrow sleeve, the scrunch flops down because the sleeve opening is overly wide with the cuff unbuttoned. A simple solution is to sew a little stitch somewhere near the middle of the placket of the sleeve. This narrows the opening of the sleeve when the cuff is unbuttoned and the sleeve is pulled back into a scrunched position. The snugger sleeve fit creates a better scrunch.

Here is the placket of a new acid wash denim jacket getting its scrunching stitch.

Stitch

Post stitch, narrower fit on the forearm keeps the scrunch in place. An easy and effective DIY hack.

Scrunch

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Outfit Formula: Easy Breezy Summer Tops and Bottoms

I was delighted to find these easy to pull together outfits styled with untucked shirts and blouses. Most of them are roomy and boxy, but some are smocked or have wrap-front detailing to create waist definition. The bottoms are anything from denim shorts, olive shorts and black shorts, to wide crops, lantern pants and wide legs in neutrals like olive and white. Shoes are flat sandals, slides, or flatform sandals.

These can be great casual combinations for Summer when you’re not into wearing skirts and dresses, and are looking for something dressier than a t-shirt.

Here’s a very A-line version of the vibe in more detail. A pair of patterned and roomy wide crops is paired with a black asymmetrical trapeze tunic that picks up the black in the pattern. The tunic is draped and flowing for ample ventilation and a forgiving fit, but structured on the shoulders to look polished. You might prefer the top without sleeves if sleeves are sticky in Summer.

The shorter side of the tunic’s hem creates the illusion of a semi-tuck, although it’s not tucked at all. The high-low design feature of the top elongates the leg line by showcasing more of the pants from the crotch point upwards. If the hem of the tunic had been straight, the leg line would look shorter because more of the pants would be covered. The two-toned sandals, earrings and necklace are a perfect match with the palette. Elegantly casual.

Easy Breezy Summer Tops and Bottoms

Fab Finds: Vionic Sandals, Pearl Jewellery

Summer is in full swing in the US, and retailers have a lot more stock than they did this time last year. As stores wrap up end-of-season sales and clear stocks to receive Autumn collections, my clients and friends continue to buy Summer items.  Many are prepping for trips, events and occasions, or simply giving their wardrobes a refresh after two years of limited shopping.

1. Vionic Ella Toe Loop Sandals

Every one of my clients who tried on this sandal was in unexpected awe, even those who said they never wear sandals, and for whom toe loop sandals were a “no way”. Never say never when it comes to fashion and style! This sandal is extremely comfortable, super soft, cushioning, forgiving, and has good arch support. Elegant, and very neat and tidy on the foot. The soles are flat, but solid, and your feet don’t feel too close to the ground. Simply casual and a touch dressy. Versatile.

2. Pearl Jewellery

Anything with a pearl, or pearl-esque finish, is having its on-trend fashion moment. The trend is called Pearlcore. As a daily wearer of pearls, this makes me smile. True to the trend prediction, I see pages and pages of pearl jewellery on sites at the moment, which I don’t recall seeing before. Here’s a selection of pearl jewellery across a range of price points. Classic, edgy, avant-garde, dramatic, subtle, fun or serious. Take your pick.

Nordstrom
Lou Heather Ring
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Top Pick
4
Shopbop
ÉLIOU Maxine Ring
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Top Pick
3