Shiny fabrics like satins, silks, sequins, taffeta, lurex, patent leather, and metallic leather add luster to your look. Metal, pearl, gemstone and rhinestone jewellery, handbag hardware, sparkly hair clips, and belt buckles add the bling. 

Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and cocktail rings are an easy way to add shine to your look. Jewellery pieces can be dainty and can be layered to maximize shine. Choose lipstick, lip gloss, and nail polish to add loud or quiet glimmer.

Wear sparkle any time of day to shine as brightly as you do from within. Make the shine a statement or make it subtle. If shiny wardrobe items aren’t your thing, express radiance in your own way through your eyes and your smile.

Skirts and dresses are popular to wear in Summer because they’re hot weather-friendly. Breezy, easy, and very ventilating. More and more skirts and dresses are being made of natural fibres, or are natural fibre-rich. We’re seeing more skirts and dresses in technical athleisure fabrics too. 

Onto some top picks.

1. Skirts

It’s a skirt season here in the US. On that note, here’s a selection of top rated knee-length, midi, midaxi, and maxi skirts of which some were winners on my clients. Browse the colour and size options. Some styles are offered in petite. Some styles are offered from a US0 to US18. Some styles are offered up to US28. There are natural and manmade fibres, patterns and solids, all sorts of silhouettes, dressy and casual options, and a range of price points. I’m wearing my new white Wash Lab asymmetrical skirt here.

2. Title Nine Dresses

These dresses are worth a look because they’re lightweight, easy to launder, a breeze to pack, and have good fits. Made of recycled polyester and spandex. There are colour and patterns options in both styles.

The Round Trip Midi Dress is a clever design that can be worn several ways. Slip it on as is, like a relaxed columned shift. Pull the pockets inside out and use them to belt the dress in the front or back for waist definition. Wear the high neck in front with an alluring open back. Shorten the side seams with an adjustable pleat to showcase some leg. You will see the variations when you click the link. Creative and varied possibilities.

The Crusher Maxi Dress is longer and falls open in front like a pretty breezy tulip as you stride. It works well on a curvier figure, a larger bust, and shorter waist. YES there are pockets, and pretty good bra coverage. It has a small ventilating cut-out detail at the back just above the waist which is forgiving and unobtrusive.

3. Athleta Jetset Bomber

The fully lined Jetset Bomber Jacket is AWESOME. It comes in five colours, and the stock photos do not do the interesting, clever, and edgy style justice. The bodice is ruched in a flattering way. The high-low hem has side zippers that look good zipped, un-zipped, or zipped half way. The side entry pockets zip up to keep your stuff from falling out. The neck has a discreetly hidden hood that is niftily folded away with fab snaps. The bomber looks as good open as it does closed. It fits fluidly, but you might want to size down if it’s too fluid. The silhouette moulds to your shape, and fits a range of body types. My fab blonde friend looks KILLER in the abalone grey in a size XL. Comfy, attractive, practical, lightweight, versatile, easy to pack, and does not crease. A great item to travel with too.

4. Space Saving Plastic Clothes Hanger

I recently swapped out my existing hangers for these. I chose them because they’re space saving, versatile, lightweight, strong, and without friction. I’ve had space saving hangers in the past that caused annoying friction when putting an item on a hanger, and taking it off. It drove me bananas. Clothing slips on and off these hangers easily. They hold my heavy coats with ease too. There are several colours to choose from. I got the white. Boxes come in quantities of 16, 30, 50 and 100.

Here are earth toned, and earth toned-lite looks for warm and hot weather. Easy, breezy, for the most part loose and unstructured, although there’s waist definition if that’s your preference. These earth tones can also be subbed for colours that are more to your taste. 

1. Wide Pants and Sleeveless Top

A cinnamon pair of super wide and pleated ankle length pants is combined with a boxy white sleeveless blouse. It’s untucked and not too long. To my eye, a top that is three inches shorter could work even better. Black toe loop slides and an earthy scarf complete the look. There’s a hint of black in the scarf, which pulls the black shoes into the palette. The model’s red hair complements the palette. Add a black or earthy bag.

2. Semi-Structured Two-Piece Dress

Here’s an on trend co-ord made of a wrap skirt and matching sleeveless blouse. The top is tucked to showcase the waist and tie of the skirt. The A-line silhouette of the skirt, and fluid fit of the blouse in natural fibres ensure breezy Summer comfort in hot weather. Strappy brown thong gladiator sandals relax the look. Add a cream, black or brown bag.

3. Columned Midi

This emerald green boxy columned dress is not earthy, yet the vibe of the look has an earth toned-lite integrity. The embroideries are pretty, and match the wedges of the earth-toned platformed slides. The red hair of the model and gold jewellery are the warm finishing touches. I see an earthy, cream or gold bag complete the look.

4. Layered and Brooched

Last, a black linen shell top and pants co-ord are combined with a cinnamon thin and drapey long sleeved cotton tee. Both tops are worn over the pants to showcase a layered look. White sneakers that bookend the models white hair are the comfy choice of shoe. A silver and brown brooch that complements the pallette is pinned to the black top. Add bag, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Wardrobe items that you wear at home (your “comfies”) should also make you feel good. Whether it’s the end of the day, post workout, or first thing in the morning, do better than wearing beat up old clothes for this purpose. You deserve it. 

Loungewear can mean pyjamas, sweats, robes, athleisure separates, big sweaters and joggers, shorts and tees, yoga wear, kaftans, or anything else that’s cosy and comfy. Slippers, socks, flip flops or at-home-only shoes for your feet.

It’s hard to spend money on items that you only wear at home, yet worth it when you wear them frequently. They don’t need to break the bank, but they must wash and wear well, and make you physically and emotionally comfortable.