Seasonally Confused

I like the vibe of this modern classic, yet trendy outfit. I love that the trousers, jacket and lightweight trench coat are in exactly the same equestrian checked fabric. The fluid fits are comfortable, and the fabric drapes well. Earth tones for Spring look lovely and new. Although I’d shorten the length of the sleeves on the yellow top, the pop of sunshine makes me smile. The cropped length of the bottoms create a Spring integrity, and the layers are dead right for a fresh Spring morning or day.

Confused

But for me the outfit falls flat because of the slides. The very Summery open-toed hot-weather shoes combined with an insulated transitional outfit with two long-sleeved toppers looks seasonally confused and jarring to my eye. All I can think is very cold feet. Mules would have looked less jarring, because the toes are closed. Ideally though, I’d have liked to the see the outfit with closed shoes like loafers, pumps, oxfords, cut-out booties, or very covered sandal booties. Or fewer layers up top with the slides.

Maybe the point is to remove the layers during the day as the weather warms up so that the outfit looks right with slides. That would make more sense. The second outfit shows what that combination would look like although the slides and trousers are a little different.

Unconfused

Ignore the impractical length of the sleeves, which can be shortened and scrunched to an unfussy length.

Granted, I can’t handle cold feet and wear closed-toe shoes even in hot weather because I like the insulation. I also visually prefer the polished look of a closed-toe shoe, but don’t mind an open heel. These sensitivities and sartorial preferences are causing the bias against the first look shown here. I do have a double standard, because I don’t mind boots and booties worn with sleeveless Summer tops, Summer dresses, and shorts. That’s as much of a seasonally confused look, but a more grounded combination to my eye.

Over to you. Is the first layered outfit seasonally confused to your eye? And if so, does it matter?

My Facial Moisturizing Routine

I have naturally dry skin on my face and neck. I keep it thoroughly moisturized and hydrated with five layers of product. I apply all five in the morning, and only the first three in the evening. I used to layer four products in the morning, but hot yoga dries out my skin, so I recently added the fifth. 

I use an essential oil, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and tinted moisturizer. Three of the products are from French Caudalie, one from Japanese Nivea, and one from French-American Laura Mercier. The exact products that I use are in this collection:

It’s important that the essential oil goes onto a clean face. The idea is that you apply moisture — like Caudalie’s Vinosource Overnight Recovery Oil — to your skin first so that moisturizers and sunscreen are more effectively absorbed afterwards. A moist sponge is more absorbent than a dry one — and the same applies to your skin.

I apply a serum for extra moisture as the second layer, and a moisturizer for dry skin as the third. Sunscreen is the fourth layer despite the weather or season. I don’t use foundation because I don’t fancy the visual effect of the coverage. Instead I use a tinted moisturizer for dry skin as the last layer. It’s illuminating, shiny and doesn’t hide the uneven skin tone on my face, which keeps it looking more natural and a better match to the rest of the skin on my body. I don’t apply powder because it dries out my skin and creates a matte look. I prefer a dewy look with a bit of shine.

Over to you. What’s your facial moisturizing routine, and do you stick to a strict layering order like I do?

Fashion News Roundup: April 2018

High-end jewellery comes to Yoox Net-a-Porter, a new Alexander McQueen documentary, and other fashion news that caught our attention in April.

Fun Fashion Word

Did you know that a Stevengraph is a type of small picture made from brightly coloured woven silk, produced during the late 19th century. They are named after English weaver Thomas Stevens, whose company made them. Many of the designs were used to produce bookmarks, and the colourful details make the featured subjects, like clothing, stand out beautifully.

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: Duster & Separates

A duster is a very long and lightweight sleeved topper made of knits or wovens. Lengths finish between below the knee and above the ankle. A duster is more of a general term because they come in many variations. Knitted dusters look like maxi cardigans, and some of the more substantial weight woven renditions look like lightweight trench coats. 

Generally, duster fabrics are soft, and more like a blouse, shirt, sweater or shacket weight, instead of a coat or jacket weight. The collection shows an assortment of styles.

ASOS
Soft Duster Coat
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Top Pick
3
Gap
Icon denim duster jacket
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Top Pick
11
Zara
Print Kimono
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Top Pick
2
Anthropologie
Alani Kimono
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Top Pick
6

The outfit formula:

Duster + Layering Top + Jeans/Pants + Footwear

Don’t think you have to be tall to wear these combinations. You can absolutely wear them as a petite if you wear duster lengths closer to the knee than the ankle.

Slim bottoms — like skinnies and straights in cropped or regular lengths — are a slam dunk pairing for dusters because they temper its volume. That said, you could also try culottes, wide crops, cropped flares, bell-bottoms, bootcuts or a midi pencil skirt. Heels are fun because they add height to the length of the duster, thereby balancing out proportions. That said, don’t feel obliged to wear heels because flats and very low heels will do just fine.

Here are five renditions to get you started.

1. Dressy Kimono Duster

The kimono duster is extremely lightweight, and more dramatic than shorter kimono styles. It’s fab in hot weather when you want a third piece that’s breezy. The beauty of the kimono duster lies in its sensual drape and movement. Dress it up with cropped flares or bell-bottoms, and pointy-toe pumps.

ELIZABETH AND JAMES Zoe Floral-print Twill Jacket

2. Casual Kimono Duster

You can dress down the same kimono duster with a layering tee, casual jeans and footwear like slides, flat mules, d’Orsays, or gladiators. There is no need to belt the kimono, and feel free to leave the top untucked.

Steve Madden Floral Kimono Duster

3. Bomber Duster

The bomber duster is unique and fun. Sporty, yet dramatic and luxe in the silky fabric. I like the way it’s been styled here with relaxed cropped pants that match the soft and fluid drape of the bomber duster. The tucked top goes a long way to lengthening the leg line from the hips up, as do the black pants that create a faux column of colour with the patterned duster. The flat-form oxfords add a futuristic touch.

Rachel by Rachel Roy Floral Print Duster Bomber

4. Embroidered Duster

This duster is like wearing a very long utility jacket. It’s straight and very vertical, so all you need are skinnies, an untucked top, and a pair of dainty shoes to balance out the rigid masculine vibe of the topper. The embroidery breaks through the stiffness of the duster by adding the pretty. Fun juxtaposition.

Rachel by Rachel Roy Embroidered Army Duster

5. Denim Duster

The denim duster needn’t be belted, although it adds structure and interest to the outfit. If you don’t like to wear blue denim on denim, try white, grey or black jeans. Keep the layering top neutral or throw in a non-neutral. Compete the outfit with dressy or casual shoes – from the prettiest pumps to chunky sneakers, it’s all good. I’m liking the trendy straw bag here too.

J.CREW Belted Denim Coat

Link Love: The Search for Jeans

As this recent forum thread shows, finding the perfect pair of jeans is no easy feat. I’ve collected some recent roundups that might make the search easier:

Fab Links from Our Members

The Cat found Imogen’s blog post on wardrobe building to be food for thought.

Like the Season enjoyed this piece on Carolina Herrera’s first fashion show in 1981 and the emergence of a uniquely American style.

Jane thought this was interesting, but doesn’t share Alexandra Shulman’s opinion on frills.

Apropos of Angie’s blog post on managing maximal sleeves, MsMary thought this tongue-in-cheek article about how Melania Trump wears her coats over her shoulders was funny.

Jenni NZ reports that the New Zealand-made retail industry continues to struggle.

Kari finds the process of The Met researching and redesigning a Degas ballerina sculpture’s skirt to suit the original intent of the artist fascinating. (Here’s the original)

Citygirldc thought this article was interesting: “I Gave 28 Women 28 Compliments in 28 Days & Not One Was Accepted.”