Palm Leaf Summer Glam

A new outfit from Rochelle Johnson of Beauticurve, whom we introduced to YLF in January 2018.

Rochelle is creating a Summery resort vibe with this three-piece set in an eye-catching palm leaf print. She’s wearing the V-neck ruched front top untucked to showcase the peplum hem. The ruching adds structure to the voluminous cropped wide leg trousers. They have a relaxed fit and are easy pull-on-and-go for hot weather. Adding the kaftan with flattering diagonal sleeves in the same print as a third piece makes the look more pulled together, dramatic, and interesting. The flowy integrity of the topper also adds flamboyant visual interest. Transparent slide sandals with a block heel lengthen the leg line. Our blogger echoes that transparent touch with her fun handbag. A black and white headband picks up the colours of the palm leaf print, and adds pattern-mixed maximal integrity. Rochelle’s vibrant pink lippy and oversized gold hoops are the glam finishing touch.

Rochelle Johnson - 1

Rochelle Johnson - 2

The Pros and Cons of Technical Fabrics

Technical fabrics are designed for FUNCTION as opposed to aesthetics. They are composed of synthetic fibres that are engineered to improve performance, including polyester, spandex, Lycra, nylon, polypropylene, neoprene, Gore-Tex and bamboo. Bamboo is considered a synthetic fibre because of how it’s processed. Sometimes natural fibres like wool and cotton are blended with synthetic fibres to create technical fabrics that insulate better and combat odour. 

Technical fabrics are used for apparel like activewear, protective wear, sports gear, rain gear, and military wear. It’s also found in some athleisure items and fashionable pieces.

Technical fabric has enormous advantages in terms of practicality and performance. Here are the pros:

  • Good breathability
  • Wicks away perspiration
  • Can be weatherproof, waterproof and flameproof
  • Non-crease, fast drying, and easy to launder
  • Wears like iron and is great quality
  • Feels lightweight
  • Stretchy, comfortable, and can create a compression fit

Technical fabrics also have some disadvantages. Here are the cons:

  • Sometimes not as breathable as advertised
  • Some people don’t like the feeling of synthetics
  • Producing nylon and polyester has a negative impact on the environment
  • Can cause micro-plastic pollution

Personally, I avoid wearing technical fabrics unless I absolutely have to, so for me this reduces to yoga outfits, raincoats, and some of my puffer coats. I don’t like the feeling of technical fabric against my skin, and aesthetically, I don’t like the look of most sports and activewear. I don’t mind wearing my raincoats and puffers because the fabric doesn’t touch my skin, and some of them are cotton-rich. 

Over to you. Do you like or dislike wearing items made of technical fabric? Are there any pros and cons not listed above?

Update: I originally put “Not aesthetically pleasing” in the cons, but in retrospect this is way too much of a generalization. Perhaps more importantly, it’s very subjective and therefore doesn’t belong on a list like this. I also clarified the points about how synthetics feel.

50 Years

2020 has been difficult in unprecedented ways. The stress of the global pandemic is something we wake up to every morning and go to sleep with every night, day after day. It’s hard to stay positive and upbeat when there is much sadness, disappointment, and hardship in the world. 

The only way out is through. For me, this means taking it one day at a time, and being extra grateful at the end of each day. I try to make the most of what we have, enjoy small pleasures, make a positive difference in the lives of loved ones, and help others stay upbeat. As an innately impatient person who likes to plan and be in control, I’m learning to be more patient and flexible.

On this milestone birthday I am celebrating another year on planet Earth with my favourite person Greg, and favourite doggy Sam. I appreciate the good things in my life that make me happy, and the bad things in life that make me stronger, wiser, and more empathetic. I strive to be a better person, and reflect more and more on what that means, and how I can achieve it.

I continue to have fun with fashion and style because it’s stress-relieving, social, and a creative outlet. I rise above the thought that looking older is the enemy, because I can’t stop the aging process. It’s going to happen, so I might as well embrace it and celebrate the journey. Now, more than ever, I want to go to sleep with a clear conscience, and wake up choosing joy.

Ferry

Photo

Boys

Flowers

Our original plans for celebrating my birthday were cancelled, and will be rescheduled when things are less uncertain. Instead, the three of us are doing some fun things in and around Seattle, with social distancing always top of mind. In particular, lots of nice walks outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

We’re taking tomorrow off and there won’t be a blog post.

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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Belting a T-Shirt Dress

A T-shirt dress can fit like a long straight T-shirt. It’s unstructured, comfortable, easy to launder, and an uncomplicated throw-on-and-go. The unstructured and sack-like integrity of this silhouette makes it appealing. It hides the midsection and curve of the hips, and feels very breezy because it does not cling. 

That said, the lack of structure can also put some people off. It might make you feel unattractive because it hides the narrowest part of the torso, making you feel wider than you would like. You have the option of belting the waist of the dress to temper the volume and give it some structure, like the model shows below. The waist is narrowed, showing gentle curves on the bustline and hips. The extra structure can make you feel more streamlined and polished. I like that the belt and sandals match, thereby pulling the look together.

Ryllace Amalfi Knit Dress

Belting a fluid dress is forgiving on the midsection. The extra fabric camouflages lumps and bumps while the waist is defined by a belt. So please don’t think that you have to have a flat stomach to do this. You don’t!

You can also wear the belt lower than the waist and more on the hips, to lengthen the natural waist. And as one of my clients says, wearing the belt lower gives her “boobs room to breathe.” That might feel more comfortable if the belt stays put. And by all means try belting all sorts of fluid dresses if you like the more structured outfit proportions.

Weekly Roundup: High Summer Items

Some retailers are slowly but surely refreshing and replenishing their merchandise for high Summer. This gives me a little hope amidst the extremely tough situation faced by retailers and their employees. 

Some of these items have been winners on my clients and our forum members, while others simply caught my eye. I have seen some of the items in person. Read the reviews, and browse the colour options. Some of the items are on sale.

You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.