Link Love: Fashion Meets Art

I’ve been enjoying browsing these fashion-meets-art photo galleries on The Guardian website. Dutch artist Suzanne Jongmans creates photos that echo the old masters for which she crafts intricate costumes using recycled plastics, old blankets, and used packaging. Ukrainian artist Asya Kozina uses synthetic paper to build intricate headpieces. Last but not least, Christope Guinet, aka Monsieur Plant, combines human-made consumer goods with plants to create fantastical sculptures.

Fab Links from Our Members

Vildy loves learning more about proportions and silhouettes, and she was inspired by Alyssa Beltempo’s analysis of several runway offerings, calling out the features but also matching ideas from her own wardrobe.

She is also enjoying reading about Gwyneth Paltrow’s soft power courtroom style for her ski accident trial. 

Olive Green finds it interesting that a weight loss/diabetes treatment drug is now part of the dressing and grooming job of acting or public speaking.

Irina loved this article on fashion and age. 

Jaime says: “I once tried to explain to Angie why I have associations with denim skirts. Voila, these many years later Vogue has come along with an explainer.”

L’Abeille thought this detailed report with recommendations on fashion consumption with regards to climate equity was fascinating.

This blog post on The Vivienne Files mentions the report, and the topic is discussed further in the comments section.

LaPed directs us to this article on the “cluttercore” resurgence and accelerated nostalgia.

Diversity without all the work of actually hiring “diverse” people to model clothing. Nuancedream adds: “I guess the clarion call of supporting underrepresented communities is no longer being heard.”

Runcarla thought this blog post on quiet quitting make-up was an antidote to the heavily contoured make-up that seems to obliterate individuality.

Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and other brands were buying clothes from a ‘sweatshop’ that paid just $1.58 an hour — in California.” Kkards says: “As someone who is willing to pay more for items made in the US, assuming that part of what I am paying for is better wages, this was disheartening to read. Yes, I know that this is not the first time this has been reported, but each time I think companies will learn, because they are getting caught and getting bad press, but it seems to be an ongoing issue.”

Fab Finds: Casual Items

Spring and Summer collections are in full swing in the US, and some items are on flash sale. My clients are in the mood to shop, and it’s a pleasure to refresh their wardrobes with them. Those sunnier Seattle Spring days are energizing at this time of year. 

1. Everlane Items

These items from Everlane have been winners on my clients this season, or have good reviews online. Generally for Everlane clothing, size down a size. The Boxy Oxford in the grey pinstripe was GORGEOUS on my client with silver hair. She rocked it with the Mariner Jean, wearing volume over volume with panache and ease. Hip, on-trend, and comfortable. If you want to try barrel pants that are more subtle in volume, try the Utility Barrel Pants. They stretch out a bit which you might like or dislike. The Italian Leather Day Glove Flat has been fab for those who can can wear flats with limited arch support. Buttery soft. The City Stripe Midi Dress is made of beautiful fabric, and has a unique front and back V-neck. The City Stripe V-Neck Top has a darling shallow V-neck, and can easily be hemmed if it’s too long. The Easy Workwear Dress will look great over pants if it’s too short. And the Raglan Sleeve Poplin Dress works well on a larger bust and broader shoulder line. Wear it with or without the waist tie, and by all means wear the waist tie at the back. Browse all the colour options of these items.

2. J. Crew Cotton-Blend Rollneck Sweater

If you’re after casual, boxy and fluid cropped cotton-rich knitwear with a high neckline that’s super comfy, try the Cotton-Blend Rollneck Sweater. It’s a pass for short necks because the roll neck is HIGH, and does not fold down. You might need to size down too. It’s fab for items that look great with shorter tops like wide pants and jeans, and flared skirts. This type of knitwear is a slam dunk for me in our chilly Pacific North West Springs that can last for months. I have the pink and white.

Fab Trousers and Matchy-Matchy Sets

Fashion and lifestyle content creator Janie Medley (63) lives in Richmond, Virgina, and documents her outfits on Instagram. Her style is elegant, polished, and on-trend. Janie has tons of fun playing with different trouser silhouettes. She loves matching sets, and wears neutrals and brights equally well. Her short, sassy hairdo adds extra polish and pizzazz to everything she wears.

Janie Medley - 1

This is a wonderful example of Angie’s Tee, Blazer & Trendy Bottoms outfit formula. Janie dresses up mid-wash bell-bottoms and light grey tee with a silver shimmery blazer in the trendy longer length. Tucking the tee lengthens the leg line from the hips up, while the exaggerated flare of the jeans draws attention to our blogger’s pointy-toe animal print shoes that match the colours of the topper and tee. The red inner trim on her fedora adds a subtle but impactful pop of colour. Pale pink lippy and oversized hoop earrings complete the look.

Janie Medley - 2

Janie loves a good matching set, and these exuberantly patterned co-ords are for those who like the silky pyjama vibe worn as regular clothes. The turquoise, green, black and white graphic pattern has a fab Mod vibe. Janie is wearing the slightly cropped shirt untucked over the straight leg cropped trousers. The playful matchy-matchy pattern draws the eye up and down. Crisp white heeled slides and an angular cuff bracelet echo the white in the rest of the outfit. Trademark oversized hoop earrings, raspberry lipstick and red toenail polish bring extra colour to the look.

Janie Medley - 3

Orange, yellow, and cognac are an unexpected but fantastic colour combo in this dressy Fall outfit. Janie has faux-tucked a ribbed tangerine mock-neck sweater over cropped straight leg faux leather trousers in a cheerful bright orange. She tops things off with a long-line blazer with tailored shoulders in a soft yellow that works beautifully with the shades of orange. Cognac block-heeled pointy-toe booties don’t match the orange trousers but the medium colour contrast does elongate the leg line. Our blogger keeps the accessories in the same colour family with a structured satchel in a lighter shade of cognac and rust cuff bracelet. Soft peach lipstick, big hoops, and Janie’s sleek short ‘do are the perfect finishing touches.

Janie Medley - 4

An all neutrals outfit with lots of pearl panache. Janie has paired toffee wide leg, flowy pin-striped trousers with a dressy white shirt and black short-sleeved sweater. The tuxedo stripe on the trousers matches her sweater and shiny dark hair. White sneakers match the shirt and add a sporty touch. The shirt’s high-low hemline and the exposed sleeves from the elbow down add lots of lightness. Janie accessorizes with multi-layered pearl necklaces in white and champagne and a pearl bracelet that suit the outfit’s colour palette beautifully. Finally, her quilted bag with gold chain-strap matches the turtleneck sweater.

Janie Medley - 5

A second matching set, this one non-patterned in vibrant emerald green. Janie wears the relaxed-fit turtleneck sweatshirt untucked over the ankle-length wide leg trousers. The jogger material, white tuxedo stripe on the pants, and white accents on the sweatshirt give the outfit its sporty vibe. While the refined white block-heeled, pointy-toe boots and structured circular mini bag dress up the look. Janie’s angular white-framed sunnies, bright red lipstick, sleek ‘do and beloved big hoops add the signature touch.

Janie Medley - 6

Shaggy coat and bell-bottoms make a delightful combo in this casual look with groovy ‘70s vibe. Janie has paired the eye-catching floral pants with a simple black turtleneck that repeats the black background of the floral print. The volume of the thigh-length jacket is tempered by the trousers’ slim fit on the thigh area, and balanced out by the flared lower part. White pointy-toed shoes peeking out from under the trousers lengthen the leg line and echo the white in the large-scale floral pattern, which, together with the bone jacket, creates visual cohesion. Big hoop earrings, a dainty pendant, and bright red lipstick are the polished finishing touches.

Let us know what you think of Janie’s fabulous outfits, and then hop on over to her Instagram account for lots more style inspiration.

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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Trend: Patterned Coordinates

Patterned coordinates (“co-ords” for short) are patterned tops and toppers with matching bottoms. They are made of the same fabric and in an identical pattern. We’ve seen the fringe trend trickle through for a couple of seasons, and this year it’s gaining momentum. Not quite mainstream, but possibly getting there soon. 

The colours, fabrics, silhouettes, patterns, and vibes of patterned coordinates run the gamut. Some are dressy and others casual. The bottoms can be casual pants, dressy trousers, jeans, joggers, shorts or skirts. The tops are blouses, shirts, knitted tops, vests, sweatshirts, hoodies, or jackets. Sometimes the co-ord is a dress and jackets. Fabrics can be rigid or soft, knitted or woven. Silhouettes can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. Here are some examples.

COS
Striped Midi Wrap Dress
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3
Zara
Tied Printed Blouse
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1
Mango
Striped Knitted Skirt
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7
Mango
Floral Palazzo Pants
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4
Mango
Floral Print Shirt
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2
COS
Abstract Jacquard Pants
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4
Zara
Striped Midi Skirt
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2
Zara
Striped Knit Skirt
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2
Zara
Printed Tulle Skirt
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3
Zara
Printed Midi Skirt
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2
Zara
GEOMETRIC PRINT SET
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1
Zara
Patchwork Pajama Pants
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2
Zara
Printed Pareo Pants
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2
Zara
Geometric Print Shirt
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1

The idea is to wear the co-ords TOGETHER to make the on-trend statement of one pattern from head to toe. Of course, you can break up the pattern by wearing a solid layering top, or simply wear the co-ords separately.

I love this trend. I have a patterned taupe windowpane structured pants suit that is a wardrobe favourite for Spring and Summer. The pants are full length on me, and not cropped like the photo. I wear the suit with a simple solid top so that the pattern does the talking. I’d add another patterned pants suit into my wardrobe yesterday if I could find one I loved, and didn’t break the bank.

I’d also like to add a soft suiting version. One that is unstructured, Summery, breezy, and in a natural fibre. Preferably a set with matching wide pants and fluid blouse. A little too pyjama-esque for some, but I like it! I wore the vibe in the ‘90s in very hot weather when I lived in Cape Town. The combination effectively keeps you covered from the sun, and cool in the heat. I keep coming back to this one, and might pull the trigger. The blouse is too long for my liking, but shortening the hem is an easy alteration.

Over to you. What do you think of these types of matching sets? Would you wear them?

Outfit Formula: Dresses Over Pants

Wearing dresses over pants or jeans, creating a tunic effect, is an acquired taste. Personally I love the visual effect and combination, and have worn it often over the decades. Pairing fab dresses with cropped skinnies (and later, cropped kick flares) made short dresses wearable and kept me warm. The dresses I combined with pants and jeans were usually shirt, shift or empire cut in silhouette.

This time round, the dresses are longer, and the bottoms a little or a lot more roomy. If you fancy wearing dresses over pants and jeans, these looks might inspire you.

1. Defined Over Fluid

A fit-and-flare shirtdress with an extreme asymmetrical hemline is paired with a pair of blue relaxed straight leg jeans. The jeans are full length. Classic black pumps add height to the outfit, add a dressy component, complement the model’s dark brown hair, and match the black satchel. The self belt of the dress defines the natural waist of the model and adds structure to the outfit.

Defined Over Fluid

2. Soft and Flowing

Here’s a co-ord with dress and pants in the same fabric and pattern. Both are soft, drapey and voluminous. Wear them together and Bob’s your uncle. It’s that easy! Notably, despite the volume and drape, there are subtle design details that give the outfit some structure. The hems of the pants taper back to the ankles. The cuffs of the sleeves taper back to the wrists. The hem of the dress is high-low, which offsets the horizontal line of a straight hem. The breezy look is completed with high-heeled sandals, but feel free to wear flats, low heels, or mules.

Soft and Flowing

3. Lantern and Leggings

If wide and roomier pants and jeans are not your thing, wear skinnies or leggings under dresses. For a more current look, pair longer and somewhat architectural dresses with body-con bottoms. The midi lantern dress here is a great example of the vibe. The black in the dress makes it work well with the leggings. Simple black sandals complete the outfit.

Lantern and Leggings

4. Wide, and Long over Wide

Last, here’s the most fashion-forward version where long wide and unstructured dresses top wide flowing pants. The dresses are midi or midaxi length, and frequently shirtdresses in silhouette. Some of the bottom buttons of the dress are left undone to create the effect of a very long front slit. The “slit” showcases more of the pants, and swooshes as you stride. No need to showcase the midriff if that’s not your thing. Slides and a tote are the casual finishing touches. Note the new shorter full length of the pants, which are as long as you can go wearing open-back and heeled footwear like slides. Longer hems slip under naked heels as your stride which is uncomfortable and precarious.

Wide and Long over Wide

Below are more examples of the vibe. Most of the pants are wide legs, but cropped flares and relaxed straights are shown too. Some of the dresses are VERY long. Some of the shirtdresses are worn open like super long shirts with a layering top like a tank or tee. The third outfit in this collection shows a wrap dress silhouette worn with pants in the same fabric and pattern. The wrap detailing adds an effective bit of structure by defining the waist. Add accessories as desired.

I recently tried a version of the fourth look by combining a roomy midi dress with a pair of wide leg full-length trousers. It happened accidentally in the dressing room when I tried on the dress but hadn’t taken the pants off yet. I looked at the pairing in the mirror, and loved it! It was dramatic, interesting, and elegant to my eye. Comfortable too. The dress is a brighter lime in person, and finishes below my kneecap. I was wearing taupe boots and bag that day, which perfectly matched the outfit. Here are the exact components. I look forward to wearing the outfit properly soon, and might switch to white boots and bag. I’ll need to figure out how to top the outfit with a coat or jacket.