Sixteen year old Jayrah from Granite Falls suffers from a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder called Friedreich’s Ataxia, but that doesn’t stop her from being quite the fashionista. She thoroughly enjoys keeping up with the latest fashion trends and beauty products.

Make-A-Wish Washington was recently able to grant Jayrah her wish to be a fashion model. With help from the Gary Manuel Salon, Nordstrom and the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle, Jayrah was given a VIP model experience that made her feel extra special and very pampered. She was dazzling in a bright coral red carpet strapless dress, and equally stylish in denim cut-offs and Converse high-tops. Jayrah’s beautiful smile shone even more brightly than the bling on her gown. What a wonderful day.

There is no stopping the Birkenstock trend. Birkenstocks are featured on ultra trendy and fashion forward retailers like Net-A-Porter and Shopbop, in mainstream stores like J.Crew, and just read the rave reviews on Zappos. From Zara to Clarks, the double strap and buckled Birkenstock look-a-like is widely available at the moment. Apparently, the Nordstrom flagship in Seattle can’t keep the Birkenstock in stock because it’s selling like hot cakes. We had two warm days last week, and I saw many people wearing the ped downtown and in my neighbourhood. People generally love this ped. It truly is the season for the on trend Birkenstock, and I would not have predicted that. 

Wearing Birkenstocks casually with jeans, pants, cropped pants and shorts is a combination that I suspect most find quite acceptable, especially in super relaxed settings. But how about matching the ped with skirts and dresses? And in some cases with dressier skirts and dresses as shown in the photos here. The visual effect is not conventionally flattering because it shortens the leg line, not to mention that the juxtaposition of lovely dress or skirt with chunky “caveman style shoe” is a little jarring. Many people wear Birkenstocks as house shoes, so essentially the combination is like matching a pretty skirt or dress with fluffy slippers, but as an intentional fashion statement.

My clients are polarized on wearing Birkenstocks with skirts and dresses. Some think it’s possibly the worst combination ever, although they wear Birkies at home as house shoes. Others are rejoicing because they can finally walk to the Farmers Market in style with happy feet. Many enjoy wearing Birkenstocks with jeans, cropped pants and shorts, but draw the line at skirts and dresses. 

Although I don’t wear Birkenstocks, I fully support the trend and am a yay for wearing them with skirts and dresses — with conditions. To my eye, the outfit must look intentionally fashionable, which means wearing current clothes with a particular style of Birkenstock. I like the original two strap Birkenstock best because it covers more of the foot, and because it’s the on trend style. But I only like them in black, white or metallic because they look dressier and more graphic in those colours. I especially like white Birkenstocks because they look the prettiest and the softest of the lot. I like all the outfits below except for the last one because the Birkies are bright blue.The jarring juxtaposition is 2014 fashion, which supports our liberating and empowering fashion era. Plus I am always in favour of happy feet.

What’s your take on wearing Birkenstocks with skirts and dresses? Stylish, different and fun, or frumpy and awfully unattractive.

These items are tried and tested on myself or my clients, and some are already on sale. Be sure to browse through all the colour options. 

• Zara Sweater with Asymmetric Hem: I bought this darling in blush and I love it. The crew neck is high and the fit on the fluid side of tailored. The fabric is crisp, and the asymmetric hem with slit quite flattering. It creates interesting lines under a boxy jacket. Runs small. 
• Zara Flower Print T-Shirt: Here’s that great diagonal sleeve again. The fit is oversized and the patterns are bold so consider yourself warned. Add structure by partially tucking the front. Soft, breezy and fashionable. 
• Julianne Hough for Sole Society Olyvia Pointed Toe Pump: These are very comfortable on low volume feet. Like WOW comfy thanks to super soft suede. They might work on a slightly higher volume foot, but will not work for wide feet. They are a similar fit to the Sam Edelman Okalas, but with a lower heel. The ankle strap is also positioned lower on the ankle which is more of an acquired taste. I bought them in the silver sconce and will wear them with skirts and boyfriend jeans. Read the rave reviews.
• Club Monaco Darla Stripe Sweater: Unfortunately, the photo does not do this style justice at all. It looked much better on my client than it does on the model. The top swings at the hem and has a fab back box pleat feature with a low back V. The back covers bra straps, with built-in bra strap keepers on the shoulder to hold your bra straps in place. 
• Club Monaco Marlow Shirt: The photo does not do the blouse justice, which is even more striking in motion. The back knife pleat detailing drapes and swings with elegance. The front is simple and refined. Gorgeous fabric and like most items from Club Monaco, it’s well made. Arty, breezy and fun. Runs large. 
• Franco Sarto Hawk d’Orsay Flat: One of the few flats with d’Orsay styling that stay on my feet. Soft, comfortable and very flat. Surprisingly, this worked well for both low and higher volume feet. Size down half size. 
• AllSaints Drina Cardigan: An avant-garde piece that’s especially fab in the marbled cream for Spring, or to wrap over a top in arctic air conditioning during the Summer. The style looks best zipped up at the shoulder. A fun, unique style.  
• Calvin Klein Sleeveless Shutter Pleat Dress: This dress is made for the small busted pear or hourglass body type. It’s very waist defining, and gently drapes over the hips and thighs. It also has a bit of length. Easy to launder, and pull-on-and-go. 
• Ralph Lauren Short Sleeve Lace Illusion Dress: The photo makes the dress look formal, when it’s actually quite casual because the lace is cotton. It’s more of a crocheted dress than a dressy lace frock. The idea is bohemian, but the look is much crisper than that. It fell just above the knee on me so not that short. I love this dress and would have bought it if I lived in a warmer city. Great with metallic gladiators. 

It won’t be long before Fall collections hit stores, which means that end of season sales for Spring and Summer are drawing near. Wow. Time flies faster each year. 

The rash guard used to be an athletic swimwear item reserved for water sports like surfing. They protect surfers from rashes that occur when skin chafes against a waxed and sandy surfboard. Over time, the rash guard also became a fashionable and practical swimwear look — especially for kids — because it offers effective UV protection. In other words, it provides an alternative to wearing sunscreen, which can rub off when spending long periods of time in the water. 

Rash guards, which some retailers refer to as “swim shirts”, are made of swimsuit fabric and vary in style. They can be bought as mismatched standalone items, or as items that match a one or two piece swimsuit. Most are long-sleeved and hipbone length to provide extra protection. But short-sleeved, sleeveless, and shorter lengths do exist. For extra sun protection, most necklines are high, but half zip, full zip, and notched V-neck styles are also available. Lands’ End offers styles with side ruching which are forgiving on the midriff. The styles with zippers seem like an easier option to pull on and off. 

The ladieswear rash guard is designed to wear over a swim top (full piece, tankini or bikini), although you can wear them on their own if you’re comfortable with the lack of support and the sheerness of the fabric. The idea is that you swim in them, lie or walk in the sun, or pop them on when things cool down by the pool or beach. 

My experience with rash guards is limited because I have never worn one, nor have I assisted my clients with the look. Most of my clients wear tankinis or one piece swimsuits with cover-ups, and pop rash guards on their children. So I started a discussion about rash guards on the forum. It’s well worth a read. Apparently rash guards dry quite quickly after a swim because they’re lightweight. They aren’t nearly as uncomfortable as they look, and they provide effective protection from the sun.  

Visually, I love the sporty vibe of the rash guard. Call me crazy, but I think that in a matching set it’s an attractive swimwear silhouette despite it covering the top part of the body. The sun protection factor is a bonus, and so is the warmth it may provide when it’s breezy by the water. On the other hand, when I’m at the beach or pool, I do enjoy the warmth of the sun on my bare skin (slathered in sunscreen of course). It’s relaxing and therapeutic somehow. That said, perhaps wearing a rash guard won’t feel all that different. And since I’d be wearing it over a swim top, I can take it off at any time, which achieves the best of both worlds. 

Over to you. Would you wear a rash guard? If you already wear one, do you find it comfortable and attractive? Or do you wear it purely for practical reasons.