Fab Finds: Cotton Dress and Barrel Jeans

Stores are full of Spring and Summer collections. Things look much the same as they did last year, which can be great or boring depending where you’re at with your style, wardrobe, and shopping list. Personally, I liked what I saw in stores recently, but have the looks, colours, and items well covered in my wardrobe already. At this point, I don’t need much refreshing and replenishing. My shopping list is extremely specific this year as I focus on replacing some items, and stocking up on looks I suspect will disappear from retail soon.

That said, I came across some winners that were worth a mention to my clientele. I’m sharing them with you too.

1. Maeve Bettina Tiered Shirt Dress

Summer dresses that are sufficiently long, relatively covered yet breezy, 100% cotton, machine washable, flattering-to-you, and won’t break the bank are RARE. The Maeve Bettina Tiered Shirt Dress is a standout to me. It’s all that I describe, and comes in standard, petite, and plus sizes across seven patterns (click the links to browse the patterns and colours). It’s fashionably oversized (more so than the stock photos suggest) so it looks on-trend and is very comfortable. You might want to size down. Even sized down it’s voluminously billowing. Gorgeous sleeves. Fab swoosh as you stride.

Bettina Tiered Shirt Dress by Maeve

With mini skirts and dresses making an on-trend splash, I fear that my much loved midi and midaxi lengths will be in short supply. In fact, they already are. My strategy is to stock up on skirts and dresses at my favourite lengths when the right ones come along. Case in point, this is an excellent Summer dress for me because I am very sun-unfriendly. I need to cover up in high heat for sun protection, and prefer to do so in roomy cotton clothing. The frock is breezy, pretty, and colourful too. The slate blue is hanging in my closet. I feel casually elegant in this dress.

2. Everlane Way-High Curve Jean

Barrel or balloon jeans are on-trend, and gaining momentum. If you’re after a comfortable pair in a good fit, try the Everlane Way-High Curve Jean. The rise is not too high, the drape is good, and the fabric is soft despite its architectural silhouette. Works well on a range of body types. They look best a little roomy to my eye. Sizes range from US23 to 33. Comes in two inseam lengths. Very comfortable, run true to size, and after three days of wear they don’t bag out at all. Impressive! The white is cream and not optical white, which is the pair that I got.

Machine Drying Is Convenient but Risky

Machine drying (or tumble drying) is easy and convenient but has drawbacks. Do not use the dryer on items unless the wash care label advises. Even then, proceed with caution. High, dry heat can change the appearance, quality, and fit of your precious items. 

Machine Dry With Caution

The dryer will shrink fabrics using natural fibres like linen, cotton, viscose, silk, rayon, and wool if they aren’t pre-shrunk before garment manufacture. Synthetics like polyester, acetate, spandex, acrylic and nylon will retain their shape, even in excessive heat.

Pick a cycle without heat if tumble-drying is the only option. Press the garment afterwards if needed. Buy cotton underwear a size larger if you prefer to tumble dry with heat. Conversely, feel free to machine dry clothing that you deliberately want to shrink.

Weekly Roundup: Assorted Items

Here’s a roundup of top picks that have made my clients happy recently. Most of them have great online reviews. Some pander to the trends like platform footwear, barrel leg pant silhouettes, non-neutral denim, and burgundy shoes. Be sure to browse the size and colour options.

You can see the pictures alongside the items 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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Thoughts on Packing My Wardrobe

While our loft is being remodelled we have moved into temporary accommodation in the same building. This meant moving my clothing, footwear, and accessories to the temporary unit. It was quite the slog. But we’re fabulously settled into the temporary unit, and are here till about July. 

It was cathartic and enjoyable to pack up and move my entire wardrobe. Here are some thoughts about the process.

Regular Editing Pays Off

I regularly edit my wardrobe, so there was nothing to pass on as I packed. This streamlined the process. Every wardrobe item is loved, and has its place in my life. Three pairs of shoes and jeans are on their way out, but I’m hanging onto them until I can find replacements.

Organized and Neat Storage Pays Off

Every wardrobe item is neatly folded, hung, and stored in a designated and easy-to-reach spot. This made it easy to pack items into gigantic reusable moving bags. I have a small jewellery collection, which I keep in a Chinese wooden box on the bedside table. It was simple to move it to our temporary accommodation.

Item Appreciation

As I packed each item I was filled with gratitude and appreciation for my fab-for-me wardrobe. I feel fortunate to have a functional wardrobe that fulfills my needs, prevents boredom, and makes me happy. I enjoyed seeing how old, and very old wardrobe items are keeping up with the momentum of the new.

More Items Than Expected

You don’t think you have as much as you do until you need to pack it up and move it out. Despite my moderately sized and well-edited wardrobe, I was surprised at how many moving bags it filled. At times I thought, I am never shopping again. On that note, I intend to shop very minimally, if at all during our remodel. 

Four Seasons at Once

The weather in Seattle from March to July is variable. It can be damp, grey, icy cold, very wet, and awfully windy. It can also be gorgeously mild, sunny, and hot from time to time. That’s why I packed all my clothing and wardrobe basics, which includes occasion wear and every item of outerwear. I don’t want to be caught off guard needing to purchase something because I put it into storage. To me, that is a waste of time, effort and money. It’s best to have it all with me, and that’s that. That said, I put 30% of my footwear capsule, and 60% of my handbag capsule into storage. I can live without some of my shoes for four months, and need ten out of my twenty-four bags to feel great in daily outfits.

These are the bags I’ll be sporting until we move back into our loft in July. They are currently packed on a shelf by the front door, ready to grab and complement my outfit of the day.

Moved Bags

We also moved Greg’s entire wardrobe, and put some of his shoes into storage with mine. With a bit of planning and forethought, we managed to store and organize our wardrobes extremely well in our temporary unit. Now we have four months to recover from the move before we move everything back into our newly remodelled loft.

Outfit Formula: Denim on Denim

Denim on denim is on-trend. Sometimes the denim top and bottom are broken up with a layering top, or mixed-media trim on the denim. Wearing the same denim wash on the top and bottom without the break of a layering top is especially fashionable, and in some silhouettes fashion-forward. 

This collection shows some examples.

Shopbop
AGOLDE Wayne Jacket
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Top Pick
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AGOLDE Charli Vest
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Top Pick
2
COS
Oversized Denim Jacket
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Top Pick
1

If you like the look, here are four specific ways to wear it.

1. Blue and Black

A denim shirt in a mid-blue wash is combined with faded black wide leg cargo jeans. I like how the white buttons of the shirt add visual interest to the outfit. It’s worn over the jeans like a tunic. A black complement of boots, bag, and cap are the finishing touch

Blue and Black

2. Co-ord

A denim top and bottom can be made of exactly the same denim to create a perfectly matching co-ordinate. You can see the suited effect here in textured light wash denim. Wide crops on the bottom, and a boxy denim jacket up top. The jacket is worn like a top for a jumpsuit effect. Dressy white sandals match the white in the textured pattern and add a glam touch.

Co-ord

3. Broken Up

Here, a dark denim oversized jacket is worn with dark denim oversized lantern jeans. The two are a slightly different wash, as well as broken up by a patterned white layering tee. The jeans have a pattern on the one leg too, all of which break up the expanse of the denim. White sneakers match the top, while their gum soles bookend the hair of the model.

Broken Up

4. Accessorized

This version of denim on denim is accessorized with a tan belt that matches tan footwear, and a mismatched lilac bag. These additions break up the expanse of the denim. A neck scarf would do the same. The on-trend silhouettes of choice are super wide leg jeans and a short boxy denim jacket. Both are the same faded blue denim. Adding statement jewellery would further break up the expanse of denim.

Accessorized

I like denim on denim, and especially outfits 2 and 4. I fancy wearing the same denim wash on the top and bottom, and would wear a perfectly matching denim co-ord in a heartbeat. Either in blue, white, or a non-neutral denim. In fact, I can put the look together by shopping my closet. Coincidentally, my shocking pink jeans are an almost identical match with my shocking pink denim jacket. I can create a co-ord with a well-matched dark blue denim too. I’m excited!