Resort Fashion – Style in Sun-Drenched Climates by Caroline Rennolds Milbank chronicles the history of resort wear staples and the start of the jet set era. “Crossing continents, styles and generations, we travel through the tradition of vacation style, from early beach pyjamas by Chanel and Schiaparelli to sailor stripes, to Pucci and Pulitzer prints, and, of course, to the bikini.” From Saint-Tropez to Montego Bay, renowned photographers like Newton and Scavullo have captured the most glamorous and playful fashions under the sun.

An exciting new world opened up for me when I first started shopping American clothing stores online, about five years ago. The sheer amount of unknown (to me) designers and brands was astounding, I felt like Alice in Fashion Wonderland. Exploring these new sartorial shores has been tons of fun. Along the way I realized there are a few fundamental differences between the Northern European and American apparel market:

1. Seasonal items – I live in a four-season climate with chilly, rainy Winters and relatively cool Summers. The selection in stores is always in sync with our changing weather conditions. So it was a big surprise to find shops selling sandals, breezy frocks and sleeveless tops year round. It makes perfect sense, of course, U.S. stores have to cater to shoppers in very different climate zones. 
2. Sales – Europe has two main sales periods, and that’s it. Winter clothes go on sale in January, Summer clothes in July. In comparison, the U.S. is a veritable bargain hunter’s paradise. In addition to the end-of-season sales, there are amazing deals and discounts to be found every week. And the NAS, my word, brand new Autumn and Winter merchandise discounted in the middle of July! 
3. Resort Wear – Entire collections full of chic day and evening wear to be sported on beach holidays and exotic getaways are a decidedly American phenomenon. Up until a few years ago I had never heard of resort fashion, but I do so enjoy browsing the latest resort trends while dreaming of far-flung destinations and holiday lounging in style.

It’s fascinating how retail strategies can vary from contintent to continent, or even country to country. I’m curious to hear if resort wear pops up in the shops where you live. And have you ever noticed any other remarkable differences while shopping abroad or online?

Now in YLF Book Club

We are chatting about Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale, the chilling story of Offred, a handmaid in the Republic of Gilead – a totalitarian state where women have no rights, their every move is being watched and a strict dress code is enforced. Join us in today’s kick-off thread to discuss this multifaceted novel.

YLF Book Club will be taking a short break over the Summer. We’ll be back in September with a bag full of new books and movies to discuss. In the meantime, do give us a shout if you’d like to recommend a title you love. Happy reading everyone!

If you’re after a more relaxed and slouchy casual vibe than tapered bermuda shorts, cropped skinnies or clamdiggers, try boyfriend jeans. If you are new to the silhouette, refresh you memory on how to wear long pants that are cuffed and rolled. 

I like boyfriend jeans with a tucked in top and belt because of the interesting “dressy meets casual” juxtaposition it creates. Remember that you can semi tuck your tops instead of tucking them in all the way if you are dead set against tucking. Boyfriend jeans with a lower rise tend to work better with the belted semi tucked look because the effect is less poufy around the tummy area. 

Add a soft blouse or shirt. Semi tuck or fully tuck it into the jeans. A roomier blouse that is semi tucked into boyfriend jeans with a lower rise has a forgiving effect around the midriff. Do not disregard tucking if you prefer to NOT attract attention to your waistline. Try this formula first and report back to me. 

Add casual footwear, a belt that fills out the belt loops, a handbag, eyewear and jewelry as desired. I’ve chosen an orange bag because I like cobalt matched with orange. I added a zebra belt because I love animal print accessories and it’s all about pattern this year. 

I sow the seed of an outfit idea, but the next step is to substitute the items so that they are to your taste and in line with your style persona. For example, I love soft blouses, but I would also swap this one out for a fully tucked in button down shirt, and wear slipper flats instead of sandals. Perhaps you’d prefer to wear a knitted top or roomy t-shirt. Add a studded belt and wedged sandals. Wear a crossbody bag. Wear white, coloured or patterned boyfriend jeans. Add arm candy and a fedora. Get those creative juices flowing.

Marianna found an article in Retail Customer Experience describing the concept of retail’s third shelf. Retail “shelving” is a fascinating concept.

MaryK recommends browsing through Suri’s Burn Book, which documents the youngest Cruise’s hilarious musings on fashion, fame, and family. 

Jamie is inspired to keep up her efforts to look polished and fashionable no matter what after reading Always Dress to Impress in the WSJ. 

Inge says you must look at these stunning limited edition scarves that Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto designed for Hermes. The design of these scarves was inspired by polaroids, which is why they have wide white borders. They are amazing.

Nicoleb is obsessed with Mulberry’s 2012 Fall Collection. I agree that it’s fab. 

Last but not least, here’s a golden oldie from Kat at Corporette where she discusses whether Christian Louboutin’s are office appropriate footwear. It’s quite the discussion. 

Semi tucking (or half tucking) has gained immense popularity over the last few seasons. It’s when tops are partially tucked in front and un-tucked everywhere else, as illustrated in the outfits below. You can semi tuck all kinds of tops, from basic t-shirts and blouses, to button down shirts and knitted tops. 

This season I’ve noticed a way of semi tucking that looks new to my eye. It can only be achieved with a top that buttons through the centre front because you leave one side un-tucked while the other is tucked back into your bottoms. That way you create a sharp difference between the left and right side of your outfit. The outfits below show case the new semi tucked look.

Although I don’t semi tuck at all, I prefer the effect of the original semi tucked look because the hem of the top creates a more gradual curve on the body. This method looks more intentional and attractive to my eye. The sharp edge of the new semi tuck that creates “a flap”, looks like an afterthought. It’s as if you forgot to tuck in the other side of your shirt. 

Perhaps this alternative way of semi-tucking will grow on me, but at the moment I’m not a fan. If you’re going to semi tuck, I vote create a gradually curving hemline instead of a sharp edge.

Do you like the new semi-tucked effect? Of the two methods, which do you prefer, and which do you sport?