Link Love: Sunnies for Summer 2018

Almost anything goes in fashion these days, but just like with clothes, there are sunglasses trends that stand out each year. Tiny sunnies are making a comeback, for example, and according to Glamour, we’ll also be seeing lots of “cat eyes gone extreme.”

StyleCaster predicts we’ll also be welcoming back colourful sunnies and embellished frames.

If you’d love to sport a pair of tiny sunglasses, The Cut has some tips on which pair might work best for your face shape.

Looking for a budget-friendly option? Then have a look at this Harper’s Bazaar roundup.

If you need prescription sunnies, then be sure to read this Racked article with in-depth info before you go shopping.

Fab Links from Our Members

Like the Season enjoyed last week’s “TED Radio Hour” on “The Person You Become.” She says: “It included a lovely segment about the role fashion plays in exploring and expressing identity and how what you choose to wear is a ‘celebration of self’.” 

Citygirldc’s feet have been changing the past few years, and found this article on shoe size and fit quite interesting. When was the last time you measured your feet?

Weekly Roundup: Assorted Summer Items

If you like knee-covering casual and dressy frocks with sleeves, stock up right now because it’s the BEST dress season I’ve seen in a long time. I was done with my Spring and Summer refresh in March, but could not resist a few more dresses. I just bought Club Monaco’s Elianna Knit Dress, because it’s exactly where I want to be with dresses. No more sheaths and sack silhouettes for now — I crave structure up top but want flare at the bottom, and I’m finding it. So I’m milking the exceptional dress season after waiting seven years for longer lengths and tailored silhouettes.

These items have been winners on my clients and our forum members recently. Browse the colour options and read the rave reviews.

  • Munro Brinn Sandal: Trendy, very comfortable, and well made. Quite chunky on the foot so consider yourself warned. Available in three colours and FIVE widths. Goes up to a US13.
  • Paul Green Raven Sandal: Moon Walking Slide Fabnes. Soft, cushioning, and well made. Best on regular and higher volume feet. Too wide for narrow feet.
  • Frye Terri Perf Oxford: Fabulous Summer oxfords in a lovely soft suede. The cracked cream leather is just as nice as the mint. Quite comfy. Best on low and regular volume feet.
  • print pajamas: Kate Spade Pyjama Fabness. Classic and adorable.
  • Frye Diana Chelsea: Western boots may be on trend, but they are always in style. Frye is a good way to go if you want a pair of timeless fashion-y western-inspired boots. These are a great fit, feel comfy, look chic, and are well made.
  • Frye Cindy Two-Piece: Chunky yet refined ankle strap sandals that are best on regular and higher volume feet. Too wide for low-volume feet. Very comfy.
  • Frye Terri Gore Mule: Fun mules for higher volume feet. Refined on the foot, and comfortable.
  • INC International Concepts I.N.C. Ruffled Denim Jacket, Created for Macy's: One of our forum members modelled this in an XL and blew me away. It looked much better on her than on the model. The peplum is subtle, and adds a playful kick to the masculine trucker silhouette.
  • Columbia Saturday Trail II Knee Pant: Athleisure long shorts available in a range of colours. Works on both a curvier and straighter body type. Incredible reviews.
  • Alfani Printed Convertible Tunic Shirt, Created for Macy's: Fab tunic that works best on those who can fill it out. Nice over cropped white jeans.
  • Charter Club Petite Floral-Print A-Line Dress, Created for Macy's: Gorgeous dress on a curvy petite. One of our forum members modeled it in a PL and it looked SUBLIME. The flared skirt is flattering on a pretty pear-shaped body type. Elegant length.
  • Connected Petite Draped Sheath Dress: A flattering dress on a curvy petite. Slinky and form-fitting. Works on a pretty pear shape. Yummy.
  • CAMPER Tropik Cross Strap Wedge Sandal: A chunky wedge for higher volume feet. Sleek on the foot. Comfy.
  • COS Layered V-neck Chiffon Dress: Fab dress for Team Tall who likes to wear V-necks. The diagonal line across the torso adds an avant-garde effect that's flattering and interesting. Suits a range of body types.
  • COS Panelled High-neck Dress: A good dress for a long neck, small bust, long torso and athletic top half. Works well on a curvy bottom half.
  • COS Short-sleeved Silk Shirt: Drapey Shirt Fabness. Size down.
  • UNIVERSAL STANDARD Geneva Dress: AMAZING silhouette on both a straighter or curvier body type. Works well on a larger bust. The side drape is genius because it adds curves to a straighter hip and flattens a curvier hip. Nice colours and rave reviews.
  • COS Shirt Dress With Gathered Hem: Imagine the sleeves scrunched and it's a great dress for a mild Summer. It can go straight into Fall with hosiery and boots. Not for petites. Suits a range of body types. Comes in peach.
  • Vince Camuto Skinny Jeans: These are tight, but quite comfy and substantial. Not see-through. Not for wider calves.
  • CAMPER Balloon - K200611: Fun chunky sandals for regular and higher volume feet. They are bright, but come in black and silver. Works well with wider ankles.
  • CAMPER 'Oruga' Two Strap Slide Sandal: A refined Birkenstock vibe from Camper. Quite cushioning and supportive. Might run a little short. Works for wider feet.
  • Club Monaco Elianna Knit Dress: A navy and white striped casual and very polished midi with a GORGEOUS fit. Drapes like a dream. Heft, substance and well made. It's very structured up top so you have to be okay with defining your torso and midsection. The length and asymmetrical hem are elegant and swooshy. Very comfy.The DOUBLE belt is NOT attached to the dress so you can place it where you like. Genius. The stripes of the belt go in different directions which is super cute. Looks great with simple flats. Machine washable. Impeccable.

Here’s the collection page if you would like to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Brand Spotlight: Camper

Camper is a Spanish footwear brand that’s been around for years. The shoes are designed and developed in Mallorca, but I’m not sure that’s where they are still manufactured. I’m spotlighting Camper footwear because it’s great quality, uniquely designed, comfortable, and less pricey than designer footwear. I adore and respect their commitment to quality and modern aesthetics at a below-designer price point.

These Euro shoes are made for walking because in Europe walking is a popular mode of transport. The footbeds are spongy, yet supportive. They are robust, and the leather is usually very soft. The vibe is casual, a little quirky, and a little Fluevog-esque. Heels are flat and low, and colours run the gamut. Toeboxes are usually round or almond-shaped for maximum comfort. Regular and high-volume feet do best in Campers because they run quite wide. Often they can also fit an orthotic.

Despite their commitment to comfort, I don’t think Camper makes the best sneakers. Too flat, unsupportive and not nearly enough cushioning. There is lots of sneaker competition on the market, and we’re spoiled by getting exactly what we want from brands who specialize in sneakers.

My low-volume feet tend to find Campers too wide, and they are sometimes a little chunky and casual for my sartorial preferences. I used to have a pair of black Campers in the ‘90s, and my favourite house slippers are the Camper Wabis, (I’m on my second pair and have a third pair in storage). I will keep on looking at the brand because you never know. At some point they’ll make a pretty pair of shoes suited to my feet and I’ll nab them. Camper also makes excellent men’s shoes that run quite wide.

Zappos
CAMPER Edy - K200573
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CAMPER Kobo - K200327
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CAMPER Edy - K200573
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CAMPER Ivy - K200398
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CAMPER Kobo - K200327
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CAMPER UNO 21815
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CAMPER Edy - K200574
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CAMPER UNO 21815
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CAMPER TWS - K200672
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CAMPER TWS - K200599
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Nordstrom
CAMPER Kara Bootie
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If you like the aesthetic and don’t have low-volume feet, keep Camper on your radar. Have you had any experiences with Camper shoes?

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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Skirt and Dress Do’s and Don’ts

There is only ONE rule in fashion, and that’s to have fun with your style and enjoy the journey. Don’t take it too seriously, learn from the mistakes, and laugh a lot. Everything else is a guideline that you can take or leave at your discretion. There is no right or wrong in fashion and style. Only your own set of preferences that are subjective and personal.

In that spirit here’s a set of do’s and don’ts for skirt and dresses that my clients and friends have found helpful and somewhat empowering, and you might too:

Do’s

  • Do wear skirts and dresses with diagonal hems and lines because they create a flattering visual effect.
  • Do wear skirts and dresses with casual flats and sneakers.
  • Do wear corporate skirts and dresses sans hosiery. Bare legs are just fine unless your dress code states otherwise.
  • Do wear midi skirts and dresses when you’re petite, and by all means pair them with flats.
  • Do wear casual skirts and dresses for casual wear.
  • Do wear skirts and dresses if you don’t feel good in shorts.
  • Do wear shapewear under dresses and skirts if you prefer the visual effect of the contouring. Shapewear is a lot more comfortable than it used to be.
  • Do wear skirts and dresses that aren’t black because there is style life after black.
  • Do wear dresses and skirts when you find pants and jeans hard to fit.
  • Do wear dresses over pants to create a tunic vibe.
  • Do wear skirts and dresses in Winter with hosiery, tall boots, and a coat. Throw in the thermal layers too.

Don’ts

  • Don’t purchase a skirt without purchasing a top to wear with it, unless you have a suitable top at home. There are too many orphaned skirts in the world.
  • Don’t purchase a beautiful dress just to cover it up with a topper because it’s sleeveless or too cold to wear for an occasion.
  • Don’t ignore an ill-fitting dress or skirt if it can be easily altered to create a perfect fit.
  • Don’t feel that you have to wear skirts and dresses with dressy heels.
  • Don’t allow skin imperfections to stop you from wearing skirts and dresses.
  • Don’t wear skirt and dress lengths that make you feel uncomfortable.
  • Don’t rule out polyester or polyester-rich skirts and dresses because they’re affordable, crease-resistant, easy to launder, robust, and can drape like a dream.
  • Don’t eliminate skirts and dresses from your style because they’re fussy. They’re not. TRY THEM.

This list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your own do’s and don’t’s in the comments section. Go Team Dresses & Skirts.

Anthropologie Geometric Maxi Dress

Lane Bryant Lace Off The Shoulder Fit and Flare Dress

LOFT Plus Mixed Stripe Short Sleeve Swing Dress

New Proportions: Wide Crops, Voluminous Top & Flats

The intuitive way to create flattering outfit proportions with wide crops or culottes is to wear them with a cropped top or fitted top that defines the waist, and a low-vamped heel to lengthen the leg line. The outfit below throws those styling strategies out the window with a roomy longer top and high-vamped flats, but to my eye the proportions work well.

MM6 MAISON MARGIELA Wide Cropped Jeans

Here’s why.

The wide crops are shorter than two inches above the ankle bone, which lengthens the leg line from the calves upwards and tempers their volume. The voluminous top has a structured shoulder line and is sleeveless (remember that showcasing skin creates structure because you’re highlighting the natural contour of the body.) The length of the top hides the waist, but the handkerchief hem draws subtle attention to it because it’s shorter in front. The shorter hem also lifts the eye upward, which shortens the torso and thereby lengthens the leg line. Flat pointy toed footwear further elongates the lower leg line without wearing heels. The low contrast between the wide crops, model’s skin tone, and footwear add further vertical integrity.

Granted, the top is muumuu on the midsection and makes your body look wider than it is from any angle. The wideness is accentuated by the high-contrast colour-blocked pattern. Things would look more streamlined if the pattern were a dark colour too. Either way, you have to be good with surrendering the waist.

It’s fun to create outfit proportions that are just flattering enough because they don’t limit your creativity or restrict your comfort. They also make the items in your wardrobe a lot more wearable. As long as you adhere to your personal figure flattering priorities, you’re good to go because YOU have to feel fab in your outfit.

Over to you. What do you think of these outfit proportions?