Three Flattering T-Shirts

Most of my clients enjoy wearing T-shirts either very casually as a stand-alone top, or as a layering item under a jacket. Clients also seem to have had enough of the slouchy T-shirt that needs a semi-tuck to create some structure. They want structure to prevent what they perceive as a sloppy appearance, but aren’t looking for a form-fitting style that clings and accentuates muffin top. 

These three T-shirt styles are just what most of my clients were looking for, and they are thrilled to have found them. Shaped, sleeved, a step up from basic, machine washable, comfortable, versatile, and above all flattering because they’re fitted, but not overly so. You can wear all the tees untucked over bottoms. All styles are available in petite and regular sizes. In two of the cases, an XL will fit a size US16. Well deserving of the rave online reviews. 

Bateau Neck Top

The Halogen Bateau Neck Top is the best shaped T-shirt I’ve seen all year. Slimming but not clingy. Excellent on a curvy pear or hourglass body type, but working as well for straighter figures. It camouflages moderate muffin top. Perfect on a long neck and small or regular bust, but works surprisingly well for a larger bust despite the high neck. Good on tall gals too. The curved hem adds fab structure to the hip area. The fabric is silky, substantial and luxurious.

Twist Hem Sweatshirt

The Bobeau Twist Hem Sweatshirt is a tee and not a sweatshirt, so ignore the description. The twist hem detailing is like a built-in semi-tuck that stays put and adds structural interest to your outfit. The diagonal line of the hem has a slimming effect on curvy hips, YET adds volume to a narrower hip. It’s magical! Excellent for camouflaging muffin top. Fab on a larger bust and shorter neck, but works on a long neck and small bust too. Runs a size big, especially when you have a small bust. 

Twist Front Cozy Fleece Pullover

The Gibson Twist Front Cozy Fleece Pullover is a tee and not a pullover. It’s made of a thicker fabric that feels cosy and insulating. Like most twist front silhouettes, the diagonal line is magically structural and streamlines the body. Excellent at camouflaging muffin top, and runs smaller than the Bobeau style. The high neckline makes it work a little better on a long neck. It’s on back order because the supply cannot keep up with the demand, and for good reason. 

All three silhouettes look great worn over bootcuts, bell-bottoms, cropped straight and flared jeans and trousers, and narrower culottes (cropped wide pants). I’ve also seen the twist front style work with pencil and flared skirts. 

If you’re not a T-shirt gal like me, these tops are fab for loungewear or very casual days at home. In fact, I’m thinking of replenishing my Spring and Summer loungewear with some of these tees because they’re more flattering than the slouchy knitted tops that I usually lounge in.

The Bell Sleeve Trend

Ruffles and flounces on sleeves are extremely fashionable, part of the Modern Retro trend, and completely mainstream. The bell sleeve silhouette — true to its name — flares out at the hem resembling the shape of a bell. You’ll find bell-shaped sleeves all over solid and patterned shirts, blouses, knitted tops and dresses. They’re as lovely on jackets, cardigans and coats, although not as popular as bell-sleeved tops. 

Bell sleeves vary in shape. Sleeve length varies from elbow and three quarter lengths, to bracelet, full length, and beyond. The sleeve can flare from the crown of the sleeve right through to the wrist without a break to create a bohemian vibe. Or the sleeve can be broken up with a cut line to create a ruffled and flounced effect from seam to wrist. Sometimes, that style of sleeve is called a flutter sleeve. The flounced and ruffled bell sleeve is more popular at the moment than its straighter boho cousin. 

Bell sleeves vary in volume. High volume flounces are more visually dramatic, especially when the fabric is stiff, and/or the hem of the sleeve is asymmetrical. The sleeves stand away from the arms like wings, which is an intentional trendy look. They are hard to layer over unless the topper is sleeveless, a cape, a wrap, or has wide sleeves to accommodate the shape of the bell. High-volume flounces in soft fabrics are less dramatic because they collapse flat back onto the body and drape like a dream. It’s easier to layer over a more subtle bell sleeve with a jacket that has tailored sleeves, although “bell squashing” can occur. 

J.Crew
Silk bell-sleeve top
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3
Loft
Lace Bell Sleeve Top
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5

If you like the idea of bell sleeves but don’t fancy the drama or distinctive frill of the silhouette, choose a style in a soft fabric that is three quarter or bracelet length for a more subtle version of the look. The extreme lengths of elbow or beyond-the-wrist with high-volume flounces are the versions that make you feel like you’re going to take off and fly. Overwhelming, unless that’s the vibe you’re going for. 

I love the bell sleeve trend because of its pretty and girly integrity, and because it’s a flashback to fashion of the ‘60s and ‘70s. It looks fresh after years of simple straight sleeves. My holiday dress last year had a fluted sleeve, which is a cousin to this trend. My chartreuse cocoon coat layered over perfectly and didn’t squash the sleeves. I want to add a bell-sleeved blouse to my warm weather blouse capsule this year in a solid or pattern. The sleeves must be elbow, three quarter or bracelet length because I don’t like the fussy feeling of the fabric flopping around my wrists when they’re longer, although I do like the way it looks. 

Over to you. What’s your take on the bell sleeve trend?

Ensemble: Dressed Up Hi-Tops

These ideas were inspired by my fabulous new hi-tops for spring, which I have been wearing with dressy chain handle bags and satchels to create a fun juxtaposition. If you don’t have hi-tops, feel free to wear other fashion sneakers. White, black, grey or metallic hi-tops are the easiest to incorporate into outfits. 

You can keep the palette of the outfit neutral, tonal or colourful. I’ve chosen colourful renditions to get you started, but feel free to tone things down. Each rendition showcases a different style of bottom, so take your pick. 

Statement Skirt & Hi-Tops

Haul out a fancy skirt and combine it with a layering top like a tee, pullover or shell. Pop a fitted and short moto or denim jacket over the top for warmth, layering interest and structure. Finish off the outfit with hi-tops and a dressy chain handle bag. 

Culottes & Hi-Tops

Combine a pair of cropped wide leg pants with a layering top like a tee, pullover, blouse or shell. Tuck or semi-tuck the top if it’s too long. Pop a moto, denim jacket, blazer or trench coat over the top. Finish off the outfit with hi-tops and a dressy chain handle bag or satchel. 

Cropped Jeans & Hi-Tops 

Combine a pair of straight or flared cropped jeans with a blouse, pullover or shirt. Tuck or semi-tuck the top if it’s too long. Pop a trench coat or wool coat over the top. Finish off the outfit with hi-tops and a satchel or clutch. A scarf or neckerchief that works with the palette of the outfit is a nice addition. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Ensemble: Dressed Up Hi-Tops

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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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Wardrobe Essentials for 2017

Wardrobe essentials are indispensable staples without which your wardrobe would not function. They are not wardrobe basics, which are items like underpants, bras, camisoles, socks, sleepwear, loungewear, hosiery and thermals. 

Think of a wardrobe essential as “the glue” that makes other items in your wardrobe work together to create a cohesive look.

  • They can be clothing items, footwear or accessories. 
  • They are usually versatile, current and simple in design. 
  • They are NOT statement pieces, but often create a pulled together look by complementing a statement piece. They allow statement pieces to take centre stage.
  • They are PERSONAL. What is essential to one person is not to another. 
  • They are often wardrobe workhorses.
  • They are fabulous items to duplicate in the same or different colours. 
  • They are not usually the interesting part of the outfit, despite being an important ingredient.  
  • They make the rest of your wardrobe more wearable. 
  • They evolve over time to accommodate your changing sartorial preferences. 

I used to have a very long list of wardrobe essentials, but it’s shrunk to accommodate my evolving style. Blazers, moto jackets, black trousers, trench coats, button-down shirts and riding boots were essentials that I removed a couple of years ago – and I haven’t missed them at all. I much prefer wearing soft blouses to shirts, and wear short boots almost exclusively. I wear a large assortment of coats and jackets, but not just the classics. And my black trousers are more of a statement piece than an essential. 

One of my style goals was to formalize a list of wardrobe essentials, so I’m doing just that. My 2017 list is similar to last year, with a few important changes that I’ll highlight along the way. Here is my current list across four seasons with the exact pieces from my wardrobe represented in collections.

1. Black & Ink Blue Turtlenecks & Slash Necks

For years, few items made me feel as fab as a fine gauge black turtleneck. The silhouette is a slam dunk for my body type. They keep me warm, polished, layer well under jackets or coats, and Greg loves them too. Over the years I’ve been adding lots of ink blue to my wardrobe, so the same essential in blue makes sense. Also, because I’m back to wearing a short chunky pearl necklace most days, I’ve included simple black and ink blue slash necks into this essentials category, and  have duplicates in the same style.

2. White & Cream Knitwear

These are more of a warm weather item that I wear in a crisp cotton yarn. I also wear simple cream cashmere knitwear in the colder months because it creates a chic tonal look with white pearls. I am short of this wardrobe essential and will be replenishing the category this year. 

3. Trendy Jeans

I frequently wear blue or white jeans. Some of them are statement jeans, and others I view as essentials. The silhouette of my essential jeans changes with the trends. For this leg of my style journey, they are cropped straight and flared silhouettes in blue and white denim across various washes and hem widths. (My current styles of statement jeans are floor sweeping bell bottoms, cropped culottes, cropped high-waisted styles with exposed button flies, and embroidered jeans.)

4. Denim Jackets

I have three denim jackets across different washes and fits. Tailored, fluid, light, dark, short and long. I wear them a lot in Summer, and enjoy sporting the denim on denim trend. I’ve had one of them for nine years, and it’s still going strong. 

5. White Footwear

I love wearing footwear in shades of white because it bookends my light blonde hair. It also makes my outfits look more crisp, modern and unique. I have an assortment of white essential and statement pieces in the footwear department. My go-to footwear for most of the year are flat or low-heeled white booties, and I have duplicates of the styles. In the warmer months, I like to wear white flat loafers, oxfords and sandals.  

6. Chunky White Pearl Necklaces

I re-introduced white pearl necklaces back into my style at beginning of 2016, and haven’t looked back. I have ornate pearl necklaces that are statement pieces, but most days stick to wearing my short chunky strands. And you guessed it, I have duplicates of this essential. 

7. Gold Watches

I have multiple gold watches because it’s my preferred metal and I wear one daily. I used to only wear a chunky masculine gold watch, but these days I am preferring my new daintier version. I’ll be evolving this essentials category by adding another dainty gold watch at some point. 

Wardrobes that are ultra rich in statement pieces are wonderful to look at, but often dysfunctional unless there are wardrobe essentials in place to create wearable outfits. When clients call me for an outfit creation session because they’re battling to create outfits, it’s often a case of missing or dated wardrobe essentials. An effective assortment of wardrobe essentials usually means fewer wardrobe orphans. 

On the other hand, a wardrobe that is full of wardrobe essentials can lack excitement, sass and verve unless there are statement pieces to add interest, drama and personality. It’s all about finding the balance that works for you. Some prefer a large assortment of essentials, whereas others prefer a large variety of statement pieces. Either way, wardrobe essentials deserve your attention because they transform items into outfits, thereby making the outfit creation process a lot easier. Do keep them current and don’t feel bad about spending a significant portion of your fashion budget on them.

Consider compiling a list of wardrobe essentials if you haven’t already done so. Some people can work completely from intuition, which is impressive. But for most, the process of identifying your essentials, noting them down, and making sure your list of essentials evolves with your style, will help you to build an effective wardrobe. 

Weekly Roundup: More Hints of Spring

I’m reviewing closets and helping clients refresh their styles for Spring, which has felt quite exhilarating after a cold, grey and snowy Seattle Winter. These are some of the shopping treasures and items that caught my eye along the way. Be sure to look at all the colour options. 

IMPORTANT: Many of the short dresses look phenomenal worn as tunics over cropped straight and flared jeans and pants. And an interesting pair of leggings will also do the trick. 

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

Loft
Rosy Square Silk Scarf
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Zappos
Steven Vassie
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Mango
Pebbled Tote Bag
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