Fab Finds: Dresses and a Camisole

These items have been winners on clients or have good reviews. Browse the colour, pattern and size options, and watch for the flash sales. Banana Republic and Boden offer discounted prices regularly in the US, so it’s worth waiting for good deals. 

1. Banana Republic Cotton-Linen Cut-Out Midi Dress

A linen-flax sleeveless dress with a bit of stretch that fits surprisingly well. The length is good and the armholes aren’t too low. It’s back cut-out is subtle and very well positioned. Not too revealing and quite covered. The skirt component is roomy and forgiving. Comes in a black and toffee pattern too. Very Summery, breezy, and with awesome pockets.

2. H&M

This 100% cotton dress looks good on a larger bust. Great length too. It has subtle midsection ties that you can tighten or loosen as you please, adding a lovely bit of structure. Very breezy and comfy. Inge has the navy and looks spectacular in it! Some colours go up to a 4XL, Selling out fast online. Might get lucky in stores.

3. Boden Camisoles

My favourite $12 camisole that I’ve been purchasing for fifteen years is discontinued. Luckily I’ve found an even better camisole from Boden although it’s twice the price. It’s extremely comfy, well-made, and looks great on. The adjustable straps allow you to resposition the neckline and adjust the length. Ethically and sustainably produced, and made of a crisp cotton and silky tencel. Tencel is considered a more eco-friendly fabric than cotton because it’s biodegradable, and requires less water and energy than regular cotton. Bonus. I’ve road tested the light beige and loved it. It launders well, and wears like iron in the tumble drier. I stocked up when Boden had a flash sale.

Boden
Plain Cami
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Boden
Plain Cami
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Boden
Plain Cami
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Boden
Plain Cami
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Boden
Plain Cami
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Boden
Plain Cami
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Plain Cami
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Outfit Formula: Big Spaced Florals

We see florals every Spring and Summer, and at the moment, large florals that are spaced out across all sorts of backgrounds are current and gaining momentum. They are the polar opposite to small, compact ditsy florals. The patterns run the gamut of flowers, colours and vibes. 

Here are examples across a range of clothing items.

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Floral Print Jumpsuit
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Big spaced florals are my favourite kind of flower pattern. I usually have a few in my wardrobe. I like both realistic and abstract floral designs on dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets, pullovers, and pants. I tend to wear them in the Spring and Summer in brights, some pastels, blues, and whites.

Onto some outfit formula inspiration, where you’ll see the trends at play.

1. Layered Floral Blouse

An abstract, earthy, and fluid floral blouse is worn over a pair of slim tan cropped and cuffed trousers. It’s topped with a roomy kimono-sleeve cardigan in a shade of watermelon that’s repeated in the pattern. Watermelon slides complete the look and match the cardigan. I see a tan or cognac bag. The outfit works as well without the topper. Choose any colour palette. Easy, polished, and comfortable.

Layered Floral Blouse

2. Full Floral Skirt

A spaced big and bright floral midi skirt on a white background is combined with a white tailored shirt that defines the waist. The whites match and create a subtle column of colour. A scarf in a mismatched pattern adds colour up top. The black in the scarf pattern matches the model’s hair, while the red and yellow matches the same colours in the skirt. White sneakers are the off-kilter choice. I see white, black, red or metallic dressier shoes too. And a bag that matches the palette.

Full Floral Skirt

3. Co-Ord

This is more of a leaf pattern than a floral, so a cousin to the spaced floral look. It’s a massive pattern that is VERY spaced out across wide pants and a big boxy shirt. The co-ord is gorgeous to my eye. Complete with matching dressy cream pumps, and gigantic mismatched tomato red tote. Love it!

Co-Ord

4. Maximal Maxi

Last but not least, a multicoloured, big spaced floral that’s combined with diagonal stripes graces a dressy batwing maxi kaftan. It’s sheer and opaque layers add extra maximal interest. Quiet dressy, strappy black sandals are all that’s needed to complement this amazing work of art. I’d throw in a metallic bag too. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Maximal Maxi

The Power of Camisoles

Camisoles are knitted or woven items of underwear that also work as loungewear and leisure wear. They have narrower straps than tank tops and are made of cotton, silk, satin, modal, tencel and elastane. Pick camisoles with very comfy fit and fabric. 

Cozy Comfy Camisoles

Choose a body con or tailored fit in a cosy fabric. Cottons are popular and launder well. Handy adjustable straps alter the neckline position. A little longer than hipbone length is most versatile. Tucking camisoles into bottoms keeps them in place.

Wearing white camisoles under white opaque tops makes their white look richer. Camisole straps that cover bra straps are convenient. Camisoles with lace trims peeking out from under the necklines of tops and dresses add a pretty, polished effect.

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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The Slow Wardrobe Edit

Inge and I will both be posting less during the rest of April, with posts on only Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

When I edit a wardrobe with one of my clients, it’s usually in a single session. Sometimes two. A session can take one to six hours depending on the size of the wardrobe and how well it’s been edited before I get stuck into it. We go through EVERY item. Apart from wardrobe basics and accessories, my clients fit on most of the items. We assess each one’s current fit, quality, colour, vibe, and comfort level. How it can be worn, and whether it works with their style aspirations. This is what I call a fast wardrobe edit, and I tackle my own wardrobe edits similarly.

So far my fast edits have been efficient and effective. They are also time consuming and tiring, although less so the more regularly a wardrobe is edited. Clients have set aside a good chunk of time to get the job done and we power through. Momentum is key. If we are unsure of an item, it is popped into a holding zone.

There is also a much slower approach to wardrobe editing that’s valid. This can be the way to go when wardrobe editing is a challenge. You tackle one category at a time — like jeans- – and edit that section properly when you have a moment. Then you move onto skirts, shorts, and pants, until you’ve completed the edit of ALL bottoms. It takes days or weeks, as you steal time here and there. When that’s done, move onto tops, dresses, shoes, wardrobe basics, jackets, coats, and accessories until you’ve tackled every item. It can take months to complete the edit because there’s a lot to go through.

Furthermore, if you’re unsure about what should stay or go, take a season to pay closer attention to the items you’re wearing and reaching for to help make those decisions. Maybe track and count wears, if the data is helpful. Keep a close eye on which items are being passed over, and figure out why. Maybe give yourself another season to wear unworn items that might come back into favour. This slower approach can take a year, since items are seasonal and all wardrobe items need attention.

Sometimes, slow wardrobe edits work best after you’ve done a fast, focussed, and very thorough one first. That way you’ve passed on what you’re sure about letting go, leaving you to make slower and possibly better decisions about what is left. It’s also easier to visually take in your wardrobe after an initial fast edit.

The point is that both approaches, and even a combination of the approaches, can work well. Choose an approach that works best for you.

Eighteen Years!

YLF turns eighteen today. Eighteen years since the first blog post. That’s a long time!

You are what makes YLF a special social community. Thank you for your insightful, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful and often amusing contributions, from which I learn, reflect, and grow as a person. Special shoutout to Fabbers who have supported YLF for more than a decade. I am humbled by your loyalty and engagement. 

A big thank you to Inge, who has been part of the YLF team for fourteen years, and a Fabber for sixteen. Inge is an absolute sweetheart, and one of the most thoughtful, patient, polite, and kind people I know. She is our very dear friend, a pleasure to work with, and a wonderful human being. We chat many times a day, enjoy a similar aesthetic, love doggies, and laugh a lot together too. I feel blessed to have Inge in my life.

And last but not least, a snuggly and soothing thank you to Yorkies Sam and Jo, who are always close-by as I type on my laptop or desktop. Either nestled together, or stuck to either of me. Their incredible companionship is indispensable, and not to be underestimated. Our first Yorkies, Jasmine and Rosie, who were YLF’s first co-CEOs, fulfilled the same therapeutic role, and are always in hearts.

We at YLF thank you again for stopping by, chiming in, and gracing us with your intelligent and respectful presence. Cheers to another year!

Team YLF