Link Love: Embroidery and Textiles

AnOther explores the methods and motivation of three creatives who are crafting their own textiles.

Meet Alice Archer, a young designer who is transforming embroidery with technology.

T reports that old-school embroidery is made cool again.

The Guardian rounds up 10 of the best embroidered pieces in the stores.

Have you heard of Tabula Rasa, the New York City-based brand creating knitwear that exudes textural complexity?

Synthetic spider silk could be the biggest technological advance in clothing since nylon.

Fab Links from Our Members

Nadya really enjoyed this piece that shows how a petite blogger tailors clothes to make them work for her. It shows before and after shots, and describes the alteration and the cost.

As a girl, Vildy liked the look of movie stars in old films wearing lower slung styles under their bias satin dresses. After reading about how Victoria’s Secret is promoting more comfortable bra styles and bralettes, she is curious to see if the current focus on comfort and athletic and leisure styles will cause the bustline to shift lower.

UmmLila wanted to share three articles on the subject of changing work dress codes:

Ensemble: Dressy Skirts & Denim

There is nothing new about this combination. In fact, it’s become quite the classic. But it bears repeating because it’s flop-proof, and an easy fast fall back option. Combine a dressy skirt with a denim top or topper. That way, you’ll make a dressy skirt a lot more wearable during the day, increasing its versatility. 

Here are the components of the outfit formula: 

Dressy Skirt: Choose a dressier skirt in a silhouette that tickles your fancy across a solid or pattern. All colour palettes are fab. Feel free to go as dressy as you like on the skirt because denim does a great job of tempering its formality. 

Denim Top or Topper: You have many choices of denim top across countless washes:

  1. Denim Jacket: Button it up and wear it like a top, or leave it loose over a layering piece. A short, fitted style tends to work better over a skirt, but oversized silhouettes are fab too. Non-classic denim jackets can work, and so can white denim. 
  2. Denim or Chambray Shirt: A button-down denim shirt can be a very versatile piece. Choose chambray or tencel when you find denim overly stiff. 
  3. Denim Top: Denim and chambray button-down shirts are not your only option. Check out some alternative styles below.
  4. Denim Vest: A breezier option for hot weather. 

Optional Layering Item: You’ll need a layering piece when you wear a denim jacket or vest. Sometimes all you need is a simple tank top in a neutral colour.

Footwear: Finish off the look with footwear that works with the outfit. No need to choose heels if that’s not your thing. Flats can work just as well, and so can a fun sneaker. 

Accessories: Add handbag, jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. 

I wear this outfit combination a LOT because it allows me to wear my dressy pieces more often. Also because I like the juxtaposition of casual and dressy. As soon as I bring home a new skirt, it’s instantly paired with one of my denim jackets or shirts. Works every time.

Ensemble: Dressy Skirts & Denim

Weekly Roundup: Transitional Items

Pre-Fall items have started to hit stores and they’re looking fresh and neutral. They’re pieces you can wear now, or as you head into Autumn, depending on the weather. Summer air conditioning can be freezing, which means warmer items can be quite practical even when it’s scorching outside.

I’m full steam ahead planing my Autumn and Winter look and some of these pieces have found a very happy home in my own wardrobe. Both pairs of pants and jeans for example, are a year round item in a Seattle climate with the appropriate seasonal footwear and support act. Oh, how I LOVE the start of each new fashion season.

  • Rag & Bone 'Grace' Wide Leg Crop Pants: Beautifully made, versatile and trendy. Crisp and dressy, and a breath of fresh air amidst the overabundance of distressed denim. Runs big and long. Size down one to two sizes. Rises are high. Quite well suited to a curvier body type. Raw hems can easily be shortened.
  • Double-Breasted Cotton-Blend Jacket & Cropped Flare Trousers, Midnight: Luxurious and substantial fabrication. Very comfortable and an easy length to shorten for petites. Beautiful workmanship and nice gold hardware. The fit will NOT work on curvy figures or defined waistlines without waist alteration. The waist is wide and the cut very straight, so the fit is much suited to apple and inverted triangle body types. That said, I bought these pants and am having the waist dramatically altered because the fit on the legs and hips is fabulous. They're supposed to be ink blue, but look black to my eye.
  • Club Monaco Nasya Sweater: Substantial cropped pullover in a yummy French blue. Very crisp to the touch. Excellent on narrow shoulders. Nice high neckline. Runs small.
  • Club Monaco Orabella Twist-Back Top: The back and front neckline are SUBLIME. Pleated, knotted and square with fun retro poufy sleeves. Best with short hair to showcase the detailing. Fluid and beautifully cut. Dreamy drape. WOW top that's soft and pretty.
  • Club Monaco Vandary Ruffle-Back Sweater: Best asymmetrical ruffled pullover of the year. You'll have to fit it on to feel the magic. The back and side ruffles are state of the art. Dreamy drape. A WOW top that's soft and pretty.
  • L'AGENCE 'Thimio' Paisley Print Silk Blouse: Extra luxurious fabric that drapes with the best of them. Feels rich and luscious against the skin. Fabulous paisley. Diagonal sleeves work well on most arm shapes and body types. Armholes are wide and low so wearing a camisole or pretty bra is best. Pleated torso volume exudes '70s Fabness. Delicate and pretty in motion.
  • STEFFEN SCHRAUT Denim Blouse with Bow: Denim Pussy Bow Fabness. Go Team '70s.
  • Halogen Asymmetrical Sheer Hem Tank (Regular & Petite): An asymmetrical tunic to wear on its own or under a topper to create drama and texture. Size down.
  • Jeffrey Campbell 'Enid' Button Pump (Women): Retro Loafer Pump Fabness. They run short in the toe so size up half a size. Moderately comfortable with a very stable heel. Add a cushioning insole for extra comfort. Fits a low volume foot surprisingly well. They squeak a little as you stride, so consider yourself warned.
  • Banana Republic Merino Wool Wrap Cardigan: A classic wrap that looks fab on a curvy body type and shorter neck. Looks great on a straighter body type too. Nice in the rust.
  • Banana Republic Floral Print Blouse: Paisley florals for Summer look yummy paired with white. A roomy fit that looks best scrunched and semi-tucked.
  • POVERTY FLATS By Rian Zipper Flap Clutch: The best silver clutch of the year. Modern, clean, roomy and affordable. It's larger than you might expect. It has a comfortable wristband for easy clutching. Nice quality.
  • POVERTY FLATS By Rian Zipper Flap Clutch: A soft teal or dark sea foam clutch is quite the find. Modern, clean, roomy and affordable. It's larger than you might expect. It has a comfortable wristband for easy clutching. Nice quality.
  • BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Jacquard Knit Dress: A frock with magical diagonal lines that create OR flatten curves as desired. Wear it as a dress or tunic over flared crops. Wonderful in motion. Machine washable.

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

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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Embracing a Unique Tan

I wear sunscreen with a high SPF every single day, reapply in the afternoon AND wear a hat when the sun is out. Yet my face and neck are a darker colour than the rest of me. I never wear sleeveless clothing, but I do bare my forearms. As a result, my hands and forearms are more tanned than the rest of my arms, despite the application of sunscreen. And since I often wear straight cropped jeans with high-vamped closed-toe footwear, I have two tanned horizontal stripes on the lower half of my leg. 

I don’t tan the rest of my body, nor have I ever gone to the trouble and expense of getting an all-over spray-on tan. I’ve tried a little Jergens natural glow firming moisturizer to even out the colour on my legs when I wear skirts and dresses, and it does take the edge off. But for the most part, I’m embracing my unique tan because it doesn’t last that long. By the time November rolls around, my tan lines are gone and I’m a much more even colour from head to toe. 

Over to you. Do you have an uneven tan, and if so, do you have any strategies for dealing with it?

Celebrating Blue & White Outfits

On Friday I posted ensembles in Independence Day appropriate red, white and blue. But today I’d also like to celebrate the fabness of outfits in blue and white only. I can’t think of a more popular, wearable, instantly likable and forever fabulous colour combination. From the palest of baby blue and duck egg blue, to turquoise, French blue, cobalt, navy and ink blue — they all look glorious with white. Shades of denim blue look equally glorious with white. Crisp, fresh, chic and modern. A match made in colour heaven. 

Here’s a little blue and white street style eye candy just for fun:

  1. Timeless Tweed
  2. Graphic Cobalt
  3. Hard Edge Eyelet
  4. Crisply Ripped
  5. Sporty Luxe Fabness

Blue & White Outfits

I LOVE blue and white outfits and wear them regularly throughout the year. From light blue to ink, and most shades of denim, I’m always happy to pair those colours with a white support act. How about you? 

We at YLF wish you a festive and peaceful July 4.