There is nothing better during the summer than a seaside escape to enjoy a little sand and surf. Here our some of our favorite swimwear pieces this season by body type.
1. Athletic
2. Hourglass
3. Pear and Apple
La Blanca Bandeau, $106, Garnet Hill
4. Petite
There is nothing more beautiful than a cool white ensemble in summer. However, let's be honest that freshness often fades too fast. The fact that we don't live on the glittered pages of magazines and spotless Tide commercials can be disappointing after a few wash cycles. Here are a few tips to help keep those summer whites fresh all season long.
1.) Keep your whites wash rotation tight. The longer you let a stain set untreated the higher the probability it will set in F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Deodorant, sunscreen and perspiration will start to chemically react with fibers while you wear it and continue after you take it off. Don't let your whites sit in a hamper, send them straight to the laundry and treat them with a cleaning/stain solution every time you wash.
2.) Hand wash delicates and give them a good soak. Read your care labels and for delicate tops and dresses that are washable at home give them good soak (10 minutes to 2 hours depending on what the fabric can withstand). in a mild detergent such as Woolite. Spot treat any troubled areas and continue to agitate the soaking garments every so often before rinsing and air drying.
3.) Watch over starching and keep heat pressing low. Heat locks in stains so any high temperature pressing will work against you. Keep the temperature low to avoid scorching (aka burning the fabric resulting in a yellow tinge) and make sure are working with a clean garment to start. For white cotton blouses, try sprinkling a little baby powder inside the underarms after ironing to create a barrier between the fabric and sweat.
4.) Find a delicate detergent and spot remover you love. Everyone will find their own favorite combination outside of regular bleach and detergent and Pinterest has a number of alternative solutions. All are worth a try, but I've found consistency with these below. The biggest impact on your whites will be continuing to treat them before the stains are visible.
Woolite, $6.49, Drugstore.com
Oxiclean, $5.99, Drugstore.com
Have you been hearing the buzz about sustainable fashion and not sure what's real and what's just talk? Visit our Pinterest board of environmentally-friendly brands who are helping to save the world one sale at a time. Plus, learn a few tips on how you can shop smart and still be stylish (yes, it's possible!)!
As summer starts to heat up, it's time to ditch heavier fabrics for lighter weight clothing. And what's lighter than linen? It's airy, breathable and keeps you cool all day long no matter what the temperature is. And if you hate to iron, linen is a dream. It's supposed to look a bit wrinkled. Yes, I just told you to actually wear your clothing wrinkled (but only when it comes to linen)!
Keep it Casual
If you are the type that like your shirts starched and your pants pressed, linen may not be the fabric for you. But if you embrace the casual, relaxed vibe of summer then go for it. Linen is going to wrinkle. Just embrace it. Reach for a natural linen tee or tank top and pair it with your favorite shorts and sandals.
Color - Always
Use summer as an opportunity to inject some bright colors into your wardrobe. Reach for a linen dress or a summer scarf in a pop of sunny florals.
Don't Forget White
There is nothing better than a loosely woven white linen shirt. Wear it untucked with a pair of ankle length skinny jeans or go more fluid with a loose pair of pants. Throw it on over your swimsuit for a casual beach vibe or tuck it into a pencil skirt.
Over the years I've worked with a lot of guys who naturally have a very slim build. Depending on your inseam and hip ratio finding a good fit can be challenging, but it's not impossible.
Start your search by focusing on the right fit for you. In general stay away from super skinny cuts as they will magnify proportions and make you appear leaner. A straight leg, slight bootcut or subtle taper are worth trying. Remember a good fit is not just about how it is tailored to your body, it is also about how it balances out your total silhouette. Keep the geometry in your favor.
Here are a few brands I love that offer great fits starting at 28" waists.
Ted Baker Clegan Chino $165, Bloomingdales
Yes, this color is not for the fashion faint of heart but it is much more eye catching for blogging purposes. This pant also comes in other traditional neutrals (Dark Blue and Natural) that will easily coordinate across a wardrobe.
Diesel SAFADO 0837G $278, Diesel.com
Dark shades can often retract and have more of a slimming effect. To counteract this try a denim like this Diesel straight leg with a little distressing or whiskered high lights that give the illusion of more muscular legs.
Mens Stretch Slim Fit Tapered Color Jeans $39.90, Uniqulo
Hands down the best deal in town! These soft and stretchy slim fit jeans come in a mix of colors and shades that you'd be foolish not to try a pair. They are slightly tapered at the ankle giving a them the light illusion of fuller thighs. Sizing starts at 28" waist and is available in a 34" inseam.
Superdry Slim Core Cargo Pants $98, Bloomingdales (also at Superdry.com)
Cargo pants are a great way to add a little bulk to your frame without being overwhelming. If you are unfamiliar with the Superdry brand, it favors Japanese cuts so it is a good match for smaller builds. The one draw back to some of their designs is that they are often logo heavy. The vintage logo labels on their shirts can often be removed by alterations if it bothers you.
Stay stylish,
Kimberly
I know that it is summer. I know that we should be dreaming of swimsuits and maxi dresses. But this past weekend I was out pulling for a client and fell in love... with a leather jacket. Meet Theory's Sahral Leather Moto in a delicious deep navy blue. I realized that I couldn't live without it and spent the weekend tracking it down in my size (thank you Bloomingdales Century City!).
Theory Sahral Leather Moto Jacket
We always advise clients to invest in pieces that they love rather than fast fashion items that won't last. Sometimes it is hard to hold off until you find that special something. But as I was reminded this weekend, it's worth the wait to find a piece you will love for years!
Summer is a few weeks away and if you haven't already, it's time to shed that extra layer of scruff. Take advantage of Father's Day promotionals and travel kits to tryout new products with low risk.
Here are a few basic guidelines and products to try to stay smooth all season.
1.) Get a good cleanser-The first set in achieving healthy skin that would envy Zeus. We love Kiehl's and the range of skincare products tailored to your special needs. If you have a beard, remember to include that in your wash regimen too.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, $9, 2.5oz
2.) Exfoliate- Wether your are prone to pesky ingrown hairs or need a little more polish, a good exfoliant is essential in maintaining healthy skin. The ingredient list for Lush's Ocean Salt is enough to make us stop and take notice. Think of it as a morning margarita. The cleansing effects of lime and vodka are ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes and leave skin visibly brightened.
Lush Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub, $21.95 4.2oz.
3.) Invest in a good clipper or razor - Having the right tools makes all the difference in the world. The Braun Series7 is a favorite with its hand three settings option to get the shave just right for your face shape and needs. If you have a few hard to reach spots (aka the back of your shoulder), check out the Professional Mangroomer.
Braun Series7 790cc Shaver, $211.87
4.) Moisturize & Protect - We love Jack Black products and especially this moisturizer the does double duty in moisturizing with antioxidants (keeps your skin looking younger) and broad brand SPF coverage. Moisturizing is a keep step that many guys skimp on but it pays off in the long run. If you are sporting a beard this season, be sure to moisture that as well with the array of beard oils on the market.
Whether you are celebrating a grad finishing high school or college here are our favorite gifts to mark the occasion.
1.) Personalized Stationery & Ink- Papersource offers a colorful and wide range of stationery styles including letter press printing.
2.) Watches- We love the simple lines and handsome leather of the Jack Spade Stillwell for gents (or gals) and the ability to change the band of the sporty Daniel Wellington depending of your mood.
Jack Spade Stillwell Cream Watch, Bloomingdales, $328
Daniel Wellington Classy Winchester, Nordstrom, $175
3.) Wallet/Money Clip - Classics in the grad gift category, don't be afraid to make these personal with color or a custom design.
Furla Classic Extra Large Leather Zip Around Wallet, Nordstrom Rack, $79.97 (reg. $178)
Money Clip with Epoxy Top, Personal Creations.com, $16.99
4.) Dry Cleaner/Laundry Service Gift Certificate- Practical and oh so helpful to as your grad transitions into his/her next stage of life. There are many services out there today, Laundry Locker and Rinse and Washio are three to explore.
5.) Food Delivery - Healthy living and a balanced meal are success makers. Food delivery services, like Blue Apron make at home cooking fun and simple.
I have not been able to stop talking about "Dior and I" since I walked out of the theater (it was all Kimberly could hear about at our meeting earlier). I admit that I'm a sucker for fashion documentaries, but this one is special. It takes the focus away from the celebrity that surrounds fashion and focuses on the art and skill that goes into creating couture clothing.
The film chronicles the grueling 8 weeks leading up to Raf Simons first runway show as creator director of Dior. Raf comes off as lovely and humble and a true genius. But the breakout stars of the movie are the ateliers who hand stitch each item. Some have worked at Dior for more than 40 years! The love and passion they put into the pieces is just inspiring. Watch the trailor below.
Accessories can make an outfit, especially in summer months when less is more. Take a peek at our Pinterest board of men's summer accessories that complete any look from business to casual.
