Out with the Old (and New) Summer Clothes
Updating my “what I’ve spent on clothes so far this year” page, brought me to the realization that I’m done. I’ve spent this year’s allowance. And then some. From now on, if I need or choose to buy any clothes the money will have to come from somewhere else. Like my “spending money” (which is totally fine, since I mostly shop thrift and spend not much).
Speaking of spending out of my pocket money: when I pulled my shorts out this year, I discovered I had not much that was going to work. Thankfully, this was the year to find lots of “short sleeved pants” for really cheap (which may mean that next year they are going to be officially “out”, but I don’t care). Most of these I bought this year at thrift stores, with my spending money, and I bet I didn’t spend over $30 for all of them together.
Click to view picture big enough to really see
- top row: grey pedal pushers, green/white mini-stripe, tan linen
- front row: light khaki sheeting, khaki twill, green convertible
The better part of my excuse for spending all my clothing money already lies in the fact that this year I bought a bunch of stuff that is expensive and doesn’t have to be replaced often:
- the mother of the bride ensemble
- runners
- swimwear, although I’m still working on filling in some of the subordinate coordinate pieces
From left: what we call “swim underwear”, the real (modest) suit, the necessary one-piece.
So far, I have packed all the swimwear into a cotton bag, which lives on the top shelf of my tiny closet and packed away my camping clothes in a cardboard box, also on the top shelf of the closet. Currently, I am finalizing the process of making sure all my shorts, tank tops, and white short sleeve shirts are clean, prior to putting them away for the season.
But I’d love to hear how the rest of you deal with off season clothes. Suggestions?
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Friday Fashion Lab: Effect of Print
I’ve been thinking about how it sometimes seems that pattern can break up an area and make it look smaller. Not certain how or why or whether it really works. So, just for fun, I thought we’d look at maternity swimsuits in solids and prints!
Any hypotheses concerning (slimming effects of) prints?
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Color-blocking for an A
In Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45
Consider, for example, the fact that the Type A figure is the most common figure type. Consider also the ubiquity of the black top worn with khakis. Precisely the “don’t” illustrated in the book. With that lovely contrast line right around the hips.
This suit would be a do for anyone wishing to minimize hips or tummy and maximize the upper body, where, incidentally, the face is generally located.
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Modest Swimwear for Young Ladies (June 2008)
Two things I notice about young ladies when it comes to swimsuits: one, they don’t like black, and two, they don’t like to spend $80. In addition, the young ladies I am acquainted with, and their mothers as well, are more modest than the majority of 50 year olds out there on the beach. So I just want to show some affordable, cute, and modest suits.
These suits are all from Swimsuits for All, with which company I am affiliated (which means if you buy through any link on this website, I get paid!). And be sure to check my “online shopping” page for available coupon codes.
And a modesty tip for halter swimsuits: tie the top where you need it and then sew together!
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Friday Fashion Lab: Is Black Really Slimming?
In comments on my post why do you wear black, of course the idea that black is slimming came up. But is it really the best/only slimming option? My theory is that sometimes a softer dark shade or a subtle print might be better, due to black creating a stark silhouette against a lighter background. Worn in a dark setting, the effect might be different.
Here are some pictures:
Now, I confess, when I turned my attention to swimsuits, which I admit I dislike in black, the results were clear: black really did make the body parts it covered look slimmer. The difference was so obvious between black and brights that I didn’t even bother bringing any pictures to show you.
Here’s black vs. brown and print vs solid:
To help me adapt to the uncomfortable truth that old ladies really do have a good reason for wearing old lady swimsuits (oooh, that was nasty!), I am posting this really darling plus-size model looking elegant in a Miraclesuit® Skirted One Piece.
Oh wait! It’s polka dot! How cute is that?
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Lands’ End Swimwear
I finally figured out a legal way to link to Lands’ End, since they keep turning me down for their affiliate program: Lands’ End Swimwear on Amazon.com
Normally I’m not such a skirted swimsuit person, but in paisley this one is very tempting! Plus it would match my Reefs.
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How to Wear Brown and Red Without Looking Like a Blood Clot
I can think of two, maybe three, ways to wear brown and red together without looking like a blood clot:
- With khaki, which is actually a tint of brown.
- With white.
- Maybe with pink, the tint of red.
- Never alone with black.
- Okay, also in a print with other brights such as apple green, hot pink, or turquoise.
- For the extreme outdoors person only: with camo.
If you’re daring enough to try it with solid color separates, I do advise using the 60/30/10 rule and keeping either the red or the brown the 10% accent.
It kinda reminds me of the color scheme of this blog. Have you noticed the picture of me has a brown frame now?
This just in: Take 25% off Gapbody swim styles. Limited time only. In stores and online. Most of what you will find I am not recommending as modest swimwear. But this Gap Essential tankini, if combined with a pair of board shorts, could work and it illustrates the colors I’m talking about here.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ONLY: Get $6 Shipping at gap.com. Offer ends May 28.
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