When I was growing up in the 70’s, it was unusual to see children in black. It was considered a “grown up” colour. Apart from a pair of black horse riding boots and equestrian dressage jacket (I was a very horse-y child), I don’t think I owned a single black wardrobe item! Our school uniform called for brown shoes, and as a very little girl, I wore fancy white patent shoes with pink, red and green party dresses.

But I desperately wanted them because black stuff looked so cool and “grown up”. So by age 13 (1983), I managed to convince my Mother that I needed an oversized one-button black blazer, much like the one Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran was wearing with a skinny black tie at the time. I padded up the shoulders so that I looked like I would topple over, and felt very fab. I wore that black jacket with everything.

And that was my first real black wardrobe item, soon to be followed by black pointy toed shoes, cropped black t-shirts, leggings and studded belts.

Today, lots of young children wear adorable black tops, bottoms, dresses, skirts and footwear. It’s not considered as much of a  grown up colour as it was back when I was little. Did you wear black when you were a child or teen? When did you first start wearing black wardrobe items?

Now that we are well into warm weather retail season, I’m ready to share my top one piece swimsuit picks. I’ve had clients across a spectrum of body types and ages in these styles and they look beautiful! It was important for them to feel covered, yet alluring, and these suits did the trick. No frump factor.

Remember that swimsuits are sized differently to regular clothing. You have to go up at least two sizes in order to get an equivalent of your clothing size. For example, if you wear a size 8 dress you’ll need a size 12 in swimwear. If you have a long body or are tall, you might need to go up another size. Remember to click through the links for colour options.

1. Juicy Couture “Royal Treatment”Swimdress: This suit looks better on the body than it does in the photo. It’s especially flattering if you want to cover more of the hip area. It has soft cups with removable padding and camouflaging side seam ruching. A retro and fun cozzie.
2. La Blanca “Sweetheart” One piece: This suit makes my list 2 years in a row because of it’s bombshell integrity. It has adjustable straps and foam lined cups. The bust line looks AMAZING in this style. Nice colours too.
3. Miraclesuit “Sonatina”One Piece: This suit makes my list three years in row because it works wonders if you are short waisted and petite. So, so flattering. It runs short in the torso so pass on the style if you are long waisted or tall.
4. Miraclesuit “Oceanus” One Piece (plus): It hugs, supports and accentuates in all the right places. Streamlining and flattering.
5. Miraclesuit “Aurora” One Piece (plus): If you like skirted bathing costumes, give this one a whirl. It’s retro flavour will make you feel like swimming goddess Esther Williams.
6. Juicy Couture Beach “Little Lulu” Halter Swimdress: So cute! The halter neckline is very Marilyn Monroe and the fit slimming and comfortable. It has soft cups with removable padding. I’m not big on Juicy Couture clothing but I’m impressed with their swimwear.
7. Robin Piccone Pleated One Piece Swimsuit: This suit has a va va voom quality and an interesting back tie that ties in two places. Different, fabulous and flattering on the bust line.
8. Miraclesuit “Hi Def-Regatta” One Piece: If you like high necklines like I do, this suit is great. It mixes a sporty edge with a glamourous touch. It has breast cups so that your bosom feels shaped despite the lack of exposed cleavage. It runs a little small so you might need to size up.
9. Miraclesuit “Twistin Pandora” Plunge Front One Piece: If you like front knot detailing on dresses and tops, chances are high you’ll like this suit. It’s pretty Grecian vibe is divine, as is the colour.
10. Land’s End All Over Control Slender Tunic: Another retro inspired suit that takes us back to the 40’s and 50’s. It offers that oh so flattering girdled feeling without sucking the life out of your body. The straps are secured for extra swimming comfort.

Please add to the list if you’re happy with your one piece swimsuit. I’d love to hear your recommendations. Stay tuned for my top two-piece swimsuit picks.

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I updated my house slippers and this time round I chose a house shoe in navy by Giesswein called the Ammern Classic. My choice surprised Greg because I always wear colourful slippers. I actually chose this colour because I like the way they match my jeans. In retrospect it makes little sense because I don’t always wear jeans, but I do always wear slippers. Oh well! I guess a more subdued style would be good for a change.

I love my new slippers. They have arch support, a study sole and are machine washable. I am very comfortable wearing boiled wool slippers throughout the year, and these are wardrobe workhorses.

I also ordered Daniel Green’s Tracy Ballet Slippers as my indoor footwear solution for visiting shoe free homes. They are soft and very comfy, just how a slipper should be. Now all I have to do is actually remember to bring them along. Maybe I’ll leave them in the car, or in my work basket that I take with me on closet reviews.

Every year I honour my late Mum on Mother’s Day, sharing the profoundly positive effect that she had (and continues to have) on my perceptions about fashion and style. And for that I will always be truly grateful. Then there’s the other side. The times when Mum didn’t like what I was wearing, and even discouraged some of the looks that I desperately wanted to wear.

My Mum always commented on what I wore. She was very generous with her compliments and lovingly dished them out when she liked my outfits. When she didn’t like my style direction, she cut straight to the chase and told me so. Tact was not my Mum’s strong point in these situations because she firmly believed that she was helping her daughter by making things clear. Many times she was right and I’ll give Mum her due. But sometimes, I felt that Mum was wrong about the style choices she thought were less than fabulous.

For example, I was extremely drawn to punk style as a teen in the early 80’s. I fantasized about 20 eyelet Dr. Martens and wearing black from head to toe with studs, leather, chains, buckles and zippers forever. But Mum loathed this look and I was not allowed to dress punk-like at all. I didn’t rebel, because I held what my Mum said about fashion and style in high regard. Mum also hated seeing her daughter unhappy, so we struck a compromise. I wore biker jackets, studded belts, big hair and black in pretty combinations with bright colours. I was also allowed to wear shoe style Dr. Martens, but not the boots. Life was good and we could all live in peace.

In the early 90’s, I started my professional fashion life. I was in the midst of the fashion scene and very much influenced by trends and what people wore in the fashion industry. I cut my hair very short and gelled it back so that it stayed looking wet and sleek for the day. In true Prada-esque style I wore lots and lots of deadening black from head to toe. Well, well, well. This new leg of my style journey caused many a comment from Mum, who maintained that I looked very severe. She loved my short pixie cut, but NOT when it was gelled back sleek like a gangster. Where was all the colour? Why was I dressing like a gangster.

This time I rebelled. I loved my new look because it made me feel powerful, cool and fabulous at work. I also felt extra hip and  fashion-y, receiving many compliments that out weighed my Mum’s opinion. Looking back though, I definitely should have lightened up the colour of my outfits sooner. Black can look very harsh against my pale complexion and wearing it from head-to-toe day in day out was not my best look. I still stand behind my gelled back hair though!

My Mum’s opinion on hairstyle didn’t stop at the gel. I grew my hair long a few times after super short haircuts and bobs. Each time I did this Mum said that I did not suit long hair and that sticking to a short bob or short do was best. I grew my hair anyway, but with hindsight I think she was right.

It’s been years since my initial fascination for 20 eyelet Dr. Martens. They never grew on Mum, but they continued to pull on my heart strings so I took the plunge 4 years ago and bought a pair in black and white. I love them to bits and wear them frequently on rainy, slushy and snowy Seattle days. I doubt my Mum would approve, but I had to release my inner punk.

Looking back I can see how my Mum influenced my style with both positive and negative feedback. In retrospect I appreciate both, and I really respect my Mum’s directness about the things she didn’t like. I am aware that we generally saw eye to eye on style matters and many mothers and their daughters aren’t as lucky as we were. If there was one thing I would do differently if I had a daughter, it would be to be more lenient on the experimentation with items that were outside of my own comfort zone.

When I was a grown up the tables turned and I got the chance to influence my Mum’s style. She happened to be sample size, so as a ladieswear buyer I would often bring her samples of things that would be great on her, even if they were outside her comfort zone. She loved this, and I definitely introduced her to some new style directions — like dressy jeans.

Ladies! Please share stories on how your mother shaped your style direction. Did she ever tell you in no uncertain terms that she did not like your outfit? Perhaps Mum was right. Perhaps Mum was wrong. I’d like to know how you felt about her style commentary and whether you rebelled against what she said. Have her words had a lasting effect?  And if you’re Mums yourselves, how do you influence your children’s style? Lets hear it!