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

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

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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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
View Info
Top Pick
4
Shopbop
ÉLIOU Maxine Ring
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Top Pick
3

Six Showstopping Summer Dresses

Dresses are everywhere now that Summer is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. I’m always looking for Summer dress inspiration, so I turned to our outfit bloggers to see how they are wearing theirs. They did not disappoint!

Happy Summer

Now this is a happy Summer midi dress if I ever saw one! Our talented blogger made it herself, and included some very clever design details. The striped panels in an explosion of vibrant colours run in two different directions, which creates movement and draws the eye up and down. The off-the-shoulder detail and exposed midriff create an illusion of asymmetry, while the turquoise and teal panels repeated on both the top and skirt part add symmetrical balance. Adrienne opted for a neutral cognac flat sandal because the dress speaks for itself. Finally, her bright red lippy, statement earrings and fun nail art echo the colours of the dress.

Green Floaty

Coral steals the show in her grass green floaty midi dress! The asymmetrical hemline and tiered panels moving in the breeze add tons of visual interest. The semi-structured shoulder line and thin self belt tied empired-waist-style temper the volume. The ruffled sleeves add flirty drama, and echo the lines of the tiered detailing. Tan espadrille wedges lengthen the leg line, and match the vibe of Coral’s black and beige raffia clutch. A lariat necklace with round gold and green pendant perfectly fills in the neckline of the dress. The round shape is repeated in our blogger’s oversized earrings. Red lipstick and oversized square sunglasses are the glam finishing touches. 

Delightful Sherbet

You don’t see pink paired with orange all that often, and it makes for a delightful sherbet-reminiscent colour combo. Alicia is wearing a just-below-the-knee empire-waist dress with V-neckline. The bubble sleeves create playful volume, while the colour-blocked tiers make a strong visual statement. Eye-catching ankle-strap sandals in gold lamé with knotted bow and round block heels add dressy Summer shimmer. Gold chain link necklaces and hoop earrings match the dainty footwear. Tortoiseshell sunnies and neutral lipstick complete the look.

Kaftan Earthy

Cathy goes Boho Chic in this kaftan-esque midi dress in striking earth tones. The floaty volume is tempered by the self belt that accentuates the waistline. The construction with vertical and horizontal panelling draws the eye up, down, and across, thus creating lots of movement. The earthy colours look stunning with our blogger’s gorgeous red locks. Cognac heeled slides lengthen the leg line, bookend Cathy’s hair, and match the colour palette. Cathy finishes off the look with mirrored sunnies and a cream beaded top-handle bucket bag.

Bold Floral

Kim rocks this bold floral print dress in on-trend bright yellow and cobalt. The mandarin collar, drawstring waist, fitted shoulders, and alluring keyhole neckline add structure to the voluminous silhouette. The cord tie belt adds a casual touch. Kim repeats the cobalt and adds soft edge with her structured zippered clutch. Dainty white heeled strappy sandals add cripsness, which is repeated in Kim’s gold with pearl earrings. Angular black sunnies and soft pink lipstick complete this dressy showstopping look.

Elegant Leopard

Patricia is sporting an elegant leopard print midaxi dress with statement halterneck. The fitted bodice and wide self belt create structure, while the pleated A-line silhouette of the skirt adds flowy volume. Wearing her hair up in a nonchalant ponytail allows the statement neckline to really shine, and showcases Patricia’s earrings. Gold block-heeled ankle strap sandals match the dressiness level of the Summer frock. A simple bracelet, gold watch, and black structured clutch with gold hardware are the polished accessories of choice.

I’m curious to hear which outfit is your favourite! Let us know in the comments, and tell us if you’ve been enjoying sporting your Summer dresses.