For this month’s Pretty Fix I’m going nautical with one of my favorite summer trends, the sailor shorts! Don’t let the name intimidate you or think of this as a costume look. Actually the sailor short is really quite a classic that’s making a comeback this season. The main hallmark of the sailor short are the buttons going up each side around the pelvic bone area. And if shorts aren’t your thing, don’t worry! This button detail is also available in pants and crops. I’m also sneaking a second trend into this look but in a subtle way – ruffles. Now when I say ruffles I’m not talking about big 80s prom dress type ruffles but just a little something to add in some detail to the top. It can be as simple as a ruffled hemline or even some flutter sleeves. It’s all about these little details that add tons of extra interest to any summer outfit.
If you’re new to GYPO you may be asking what exactly is the Pretty Fix? The Pretty Fix is where I pick a seasonal trend and build an outfit around it typically using closet staples. Sometimes I do like to sprinkle in another trend as was this case for this look. It’s a great way to mix up your wardrobe and possibly add something fun to your closet. It’s can also help provide outfit inspiration for items you may already have.
For this look I wanted to stay pretty classic. I started with a beautiful pair of navy sailor shorts but found ones with subtle buttons to show that there are many options out there whether you want the buttons to be bold or a little more subdued. Then I paired it with a white top and neutral shoes. I knew this look needed some pops of color and decided to add that through a Kelly green handbag and some fantastic multicolored earrings. To finish it off I added some classic tortoise shell sunglasses perfect for any summer day.
Ruffles can be seen everywhere this summer but sometimes there is such a thing as too much. That’s why I am loving the subtle ruffle of this white flutter sleeve top. The cut of this top is simple and flattering and the sleeves are a great detail. Plus this is also a great closet staple and will go with any color bottoms. Easily mix up this look by opting for a bright color top and swapping out the kelly green handbag for a white or neutral one.
Nautical pieces are very popular this summer just as they were in the spring and these navy sailor shorts add just the right touch to any outfit. The button details going up the sides are really cute and I have seen them in a variety of colors. I chose navy for this look because it’s a great neutral and can go with any color top. I also love the white sailor shorts, crops and pants I’ve been seeing. Flip the formula with white bottoms and a navy top for a whole new look!
You can never go wrong with a neutral pair of shoes in your arsenal. When I’m not wearing my white sneakers I love wearing my wedges. They are perfect for summer and standing at only 5’4″, they offer me just a little extra height to keep up with my towering family. And if you’re a flats girl, there are plenty of options that will work perfectly for this look and many, many others.
If you’ve watched any of my Coffee Chats or checked out the blog before then you may know one of the items I was most excited about for spring was my Kelly green cardigan. To me, the color is just amazing and fits in perfectly with the nautical trend. Since it might be a little too hot for a cardigan this time of year, I added the next best thing to this look, a Kelly green handbag. It’s the perfect pop of color and the color is actually pretty timeless. If green isn’t for you, this look could also be styled with a yellow, orange, or even a white handbag.
Another classic. I love mixing classic pieces with trendy ones. I feel like it’s an easy way to update my classic pieces without breaking the bank to buy a whole new wardrobe every year because who really wants to do that? The tortoise shell sunglasses complement this look beautifully and again, it’s a piece you can get multiple wears from. Plus you can pair them with brown or black accents making them very versatile.
What’s better than one pop of color? How about two pops of color? It’s summertime and accessories are the easiest way to add tons of interests without adding heat so I say why not have fun with it! I love these multicolored earrings and because they have multiple colors, they will work for multiple looks.
Your turn! What piece is your favorite? Are you onboard for the nautical pieces or are they something that should sail away?
It used to be easy. If you needed a beauty product you simply walked into a store, found the product that met your needs and walked out. If you had oily skin and needed face wash, you found one for oily skin and gave it a try. Nowadays the world of beauty products has exploded and there are so many other options to consider. Plus, as we become more educated in the products around us, we are also learning what products to trust and which ones may be filled with harmful ingredients. Dare I say it’s like opening Pandora’s box, once it’s open, it’s hard to turn a blind eye to the products around us.
I knew that there were clean beauty products out there but what can I say, I’m a trusting girl so even though I didn’t know exactly what was in the products I was using, I trusted they weren’t bad for me. It wasn’t until I was looking into a face care regimen for my daughter that I started to discover that all products were not created equal and that some ingredients could carry some long term effects.
Now I wish there was an easy way to put all beauty products into either a good or bad category but alas, it isn’t that simple. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in charge of overseeing the personal beauty care industry and its rules have gone vastly unchanged since 1938. According to the FDA’s website, they do not need to approve products for safety before they hit the market. They only need to approve color additives. In addition, cosmetic companies do not need to register with the FDA or provide ingredient lists but are highly encouraged to do so. The United States is unfortunately behind when it comes to regulating their beauty products. For example, the European Union has banned approximately 1,300 chemicals in cosmetics that include makeup, lotions, hair dyes, deodorant, nail polish and shaving cream. However, the United States only bans 11, yet the average woman uses 12 such beauty products a day containing approximately 168 chemicals on her body according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a health advocacy group. Sad to say, there seem to be a lot of loopholes in the personal care industry regulations which means it’s time for us to become detectives and do our due diligence. Below are some of the things I’ve learned and I also breakdown some of the terminology so next time you go into the store, you’re better equipped to pick products that not only meet your needs, but that you can feel safer using.
Disclaimer: I am just like you, someone who wants to try and pick personal care products that are better for me and my family. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned, I am not a professional in this arena.
Know the Terms
1. Clean
Means that a product is safe, non-toxic, and has transparent labeling of ingredients. Ingredients are not linked to harmful health effects. This can mean a combination of natural ingredients as well as man-made. The key here is that they are not harmful in both the short term or long term.
2. Organic
Products that are organic consist of organically farmed ingredients. These ingredients are grown without the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), herbicides, synthetic fertilizers and more. However, a product only needs to be 70% of organic ingredients in order to be labeled “made with organic ingredients.” For products to receive the official USDA Organic Label they must be 95% truly organic and the other 5% must meet their allowed ingredient list.
3. Vegan
Vegan means that a product does not contain any animal products or animal-derived ingredients but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain synthetic ingredients. It also doesn’t mean that the products are not tested on animals, however, more often than not they aren’t tested on animals.
4. Cruelty Free
Cruelty Free means that the ingredients/components and final product have not been tested on animals but that doesn’t mean it does not contain any animal byproducts. Common animal byproducts include beeswax, honey, lanolin, and tallow.
5. Natural
The term ‘natural’ is mostly used to describe the purity of ingredients. It means that a product contains ingredients found in nature without synthetics. However, the argument can be made that not all things found in nature are good for you. The most commonly used example is poison ivy. It’s 100% natural however it’s not something you’d want in your beauty products.
Do Your Research
All of our personal care products will have a full ingredient list on them but it’s up to us to decipher those ingredients. Ingredients can be looked up individually and there are also websites and apps that will help you sort out which ones are good and which ones may be toxic and their level of toxicity. Another thing I learned, according to safecosmetics.org, is that anytime the term ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ is used in the ingredients, the contents that make up the fragrance do not need to be disclosed as they are considered a proprietary blend of the company. That means we have no idea of knowing just what is in their fragrance or if they use additives to preserve their fragrance.
As I mentioned there are some websites and companies that can help you sort out the ingredient lists as well as a plain old Google search. I’ve already mentioned Environmental Working Group Skin Deep (EWG) but also Safebeautyproducts.org can help you determine your beauty products safety rating. They have a huge database and if your product is not in there, you can register it yourself. This is a great tool for helping you sort out the ingredients in your products. Below I’ve listed some of the top ‘no-no’ ingredients. These ingredients as well as others and what they are typically used for can be found here.
BHA and BHT
Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colors listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number
DEA-related ingredients
Dibutyl phthalate
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Parabens
Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
PEG compounds
Petrolatum
Siloxanes
Sodium laureth sulfate
Triclosan
There are also apps that are available to help you search out products and their ingredients. They also have a scanner function so you can scan the barcodes of your products to determine their safety rating before heading to the checkout.
Thankfully there are companies stepping up and answering the call for better, safer beauty products. In addition, some retailers, like Sephora, have what they call a “clean logo.” According to the company’s web site, the goal of the Clean at Sephora initiative is simple, ‘get the beauty you want, minus the ingredients you might not.’ Some of those ingredients include Parabens, Sulfates: SLS & SLES, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Formaldehydes and more. Target is another company that has a clean beauty product category online. Other brands have also come about because of the demand for better products. I’ve listed some of the brands boasting clean beauty products below to get you started. Note: I am not endorsing any of these brands as the end all be all to clean beauty products. I still recommend checking them out for yourself and know there are many, many more out there.
No matter what a product is labeled, clean, natural, or synthetic, everything has a shelf life. I can’t stress enough how important it is not to use old beauty products. Even the most harmless ingredients can become harmful if they are past their shelf life. Luckily each product has a little cheat sheet called the Period After Opening Symbol (PAO) to help you know how long you should keep it around. The image below can be found on the back and the little number states the recommended mount of months a product is good for. Click here for more tips about beauty product expiration.
Final Thoughts
All we can do is our best when it comes to searching out beauty products that are good for us. The above information is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to this billion dollar industry but thankfully companies are stepping up to help make our search for clean products a little easier.
Your turn! Are you new to the clean beauty movement or a seasoned veteran? What are your favorite clean beauty products?
This month I am featuring white shorts in an all-new Ways to Wear It. Let’s talk about white shorts for a minute. They’re kind of scary, right? This is a piece of feedback that I get most often from the Get Your Pretty On Pretties. A lot of times we have this preconceived notion that we don’t like white jeans or shorts without ever trying them on. They can push us way outside of our comfort zones yet once we find the perfect pair, they can quickly become one of our favorite closet staples. Trust me when I tell you that there is a pair of white shorts out there for everyone. But if you’re just not into shorts, I totally get it. The great thing about these outfit formulas is that you can swap out the shorts for a pair of white denim pants, crops or even a wide leg. Dress these looks up with heels or wedges or dress them down with flip flops. Make these looks your own and have fun with them! Plus all of these looks are part of the Outfit Formulas™ Summer 2020 Wardrobe Capsule!
This first look is a simple white V-neck linen tee paired up with my white shorts and then topped with a lightweight kimono. Kimonos are amazing for the summer months! They are an easy way to add tons of visual interest to any outfit without adding heat which is crucial for Texas summers. You could pair this up with just the white on white if you’re feeling brave or you can add any color kimono on top. I paired this up with my flat Tory Burch sandals, but you can also make this a bit dressier by adding in a pair of neutral wedges, which would make it totally ready for date night.
This one is super simple. I bought this blue and white stripes flutter sleeve top at Old Navy this past spring and it’s a perfect piece to take me into the summer months too! I paired that up with my white shorts and added some red flat sandals to give it a pop of color. For some extra fun, I also added some multicolored beaded earrings which help add some additional interest to this outfit.
For this look, we’re going to take things up a notch for a slightly dressier outfit by adding a black sleeveless blouse with the white shorts. This time I’m pairing them with my leopard wedges, which are fun and again, this is a great date night look if you want to do something a little bit dressier. I also added in my tortoise resin earrings to give it a little bit of extra pizzazz. If you don’t want to do the wedges or if you want to do this for every day, you could swap it out for a black T-shirt and then definitely add some leopard flats.
I’m back to casual for outfit number four. I paired up my white shorts with my favorite gray V-neck t-shirt. I don’t know why, but this has always been one of my favorite outfit formulas for summer. This time I paired it up with some snake print flat sandals, which snake print is totally on-trend again for summer 2020. I finished this look off with my hat for a little bit of fun.
Last but not least I’m pairing up my white shorts with a bright tie hem t-shirt. Tie hems are another great way to add detail and interest to an outfit without adding heat. If you have to skip your top layers in the summer, sometimes your outfits can feel a little bit boring. You can easily fix this by looking for tops with cute little details like this. I promise you can still add plenty of interest in the summer. I also put on my leopard flat sandals and I am wearing my beaded hoop hearings again just to give it that little extra something.
Which one was your favorite? Tell me in the comments and if you have a way to pair them up that you’d like to share with us, then let me know!
Hi Pretties! Last week was a wild card week on Coffee Chat! I try to rotate topics regularly to include style, beauty and personal development. Every once and awhile I’ll throw in a wildcard week where you can ask me anything. Last week I posted in our Get Your Pretty On Pretties Facebook group, which if you’re not in there yet, you need to go join now because it is an awesome group. There’s all kinds of conversations going on in there about style and beauty and summer, you name it, we talk about it. Check it out here. As I was saying, I put out the question for everyone in there to ask me anything and I got some great questions to answer. We’ve got some style questions, particularly summer style questions, self-tanner questions, beauty questions and I’m going to answer those today! For more details on my answers, click my Coffee Chat video below.
Let’s get right to the questions!
I need to invest in all new makeup brushes and I need to find the perfect black t-shirts (they are my uniform) and Target stopped making my go-to favorites. ~ Jennifer
Hands down my favorite makeup brushes that I have ever owned are from IT Cosmetics. They make the most amazing makeup brushes ever. If you’re going to invest in a good set of makeup brushes that are going to last you then go with IT Cosmetics Makeup Brushes. Also, when investing in good brushes, you don’t have to buy them all at once. Start with one that’s multi-purpose or one that you’re going to use the most and build your collection from there.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more budget-friendly and you don’t want to make a huge investment, Amazon has a lot of great brush sets. EcoTools is another great brand of brushes that are very budget-friendly and are well made and super soft.
Recently we polled all of the members of the GYPO community and asked them what their favorite white t-shirts were and in those brands there are definitely black t-shirts that are going to be really good quality, too. The number one top brand was Land’s End’s Supima Cotton T-Shirt Crewneck and V-neck. Second up was Target’s A New Day brand of t-shirts. They have a really nice black t-shirt there, too. And Amazon Essentials, if you had to check those out yet, I’ve heard amazing things about them. Eddie Bauer also was mentioned and J.Crew Factory is another good source for a great black t-shirt.
I’ve had a lifelong struggle with very athletic legs. I’m relatively thin but certainly not proportioned the way most women are. Don’t get me wrong I love my Curves and my athletic legs. They serve me well. I just can never find skinny jeans that actually work. I also have a longer torso and shorter legs. I’m not tall 5 foot 5. Any recommendations? ~ Cheryl
Again, I went to the community on this a few weeks ago and we asked our GYOP Pretties to vote for their top rated white skinny jeans but this could definitely apply across the board. Loft has great skinny jeans that are curvy so those may be an option to check out. They work great for women that aren’t too tall. Also, Madewell had really high marks and they have a lot of different fits. Old Navy was another reader favorite. Their rock star jeans have a lot of stretch in them. If you’re looking for something that’s going to stretch over athletic thighs or calves, then Old Navy rock star jeans are going to be good for that. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans (NYDJ) got really high marks as well and they also have several different fits that you can find one that works for you. And finally, Talbots also has a high rise jegging that has a lot of stretch and also works really, really well.
It’s that time of year again! I am very fair-skinned so sunscreen is a MUST. I have recently started using self-tanner on my legs and would love tips on how to avoid streaks? My tanner is over a year old is that ok? Do other pretties just do certain body parts too? How often do I need to reapply? And how do I make my fake tan last longer? ~Lisa
I consider myself a self-tanning expert. I’ve been using self-tanners for many years. I try to avoid the sun as much as possible, especially now that I’m over 40 because I get lots of little age spots on my face. I even get them when I’m driving in the car so daily sunscreen is a must! My favorite tips for self-tanners are:
Exfoliate – Make sure you exfoliate well in the shower because if you get most of the dead skin cells off, your tan will last longer.
Moisturize – Keep your skin well moisturized. A lot of self-tanners can dry your skin out so when you’re done in the shower, gently pat dry leaving some water behind and moisturize!
Use Tanning Mitt – Apply tanner with a tanning mitt. This is something you can pick up at Amazon or Ulta or maybe even Target. You’re going to put that over your hands and then apply the tanner to the tanning mitt and then spread light, thin layers on your skin working in small sections. This will help it go on more evenly and smoothly and will keep your palm from getting overly tan.
As far as brands are concerned, I like Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Lotion. I used that one for years. It’s great for building up over time. However, I really like the St. Tropez brand. It’s a bit pricier but it lasts forever and I think the tan lasts a long time too. I recommend applying it every day for a few days until you build up to the level that you want to be at. Then, you’re going to take a break and you’re going to moisturize after you get out of the shower for a few days to make it last longer and then start the cycle over again when it starts to fade. Be sure to exfoliate before you start your application cycle over so you get the old tanner off before applying new tanner.
Best place for undies and bras – especially if you have been blessed with being bigger on top. ~Kathy
I highly recommend Soma and all of our Pretties who have tried Soma absolutely love them. They have the most comfortable bras and undies out there. For a runner up, for me personally, I love Target for bras and panties too. Their Auden line is amazing. They have the cutest patterns and colors, comfy undies and bras. I get a lot of my bralettes there. I highly recommend them and they are really reasonably priced.
Minimal makeup for summer. What can you get by with but still look pretty? ~ Rebecca
I like to cut back on my makeup in the summer, too. I don’t like a full face of makeup every day. It just feels too heavy and when I’m sweating a lot, it doesn’t make much sense. The one thing that I do use every single day is my IT Cosmetics CC plus cream. This has SPF 50 plus blocks, both UVA and UVB. I was talking earlier about how we still get sun even when we’re driving in the car. All of my age spots and dark spots are on the left side of my face, and I know that’s because of driving through the years, because I do try to be really, really vigilant about applying sunscreen on a daily basis. This stuff works amazing. I wear it at the beach if I’m not going to be getting my face wet. This stuff is a miracle worker.
I would at a minimum apply my CC plus cream on a daily basis. Sometimes I put a little bit of power on top of that to set it, especially in my oil prone areas, then lightly apply a little bit of bronzer if you want to give yourself that sunkissed glow then add a champagne eye shadow on the lids. I am a big proponent for having either mascara or my false eyelashes on every single day. When I wear falsies I use the Kiss brand and the style is number eleven. I get them at Walgreen’s and CVS and I apply them with the black lash glue so it gives me that look of having a little bit of eyeliner on my top lids. Add a little bit of lip gloss to finish it off if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Should you wear skinny jeans if you have large calves. And what is a good jean to get. Some just don’t fit. Also What is a good sunscreen for your lips? Maybe with a little color. ~Ann
Earlier I talked about the Loft Curvy Jean. I think that those work great if you have a larger calf. Another one with a lot of stretch is Old Navy’s Rockstar jeans. They’re going to stretch over larger calves a little bit better than some of these other skinny jeans out there.
Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm, which they sell at most drug stores or retailers like Target and Walmart. They have 15 SPF and come in a bunch of different tinted shades so you can look stylish at the beach and the pool.
What are the jewelry rules? Like, what kind of jewelry goes with what kind of neckline? When is a long necklace better to choose over a short one? Can you mix silver and gold? ~Gail
There are some really cool little infographics that you can find on Pinterest that will show you different types of necklines and different necklaces that go with them, which is going to be way better than anything that I’m going to describe. The below graphic is one that I like.
My own personal jewelry rules are that you don’t want to do statement with statement. You can either do statement earrings with a delicate necklace. You can do statement earrings with a longer necklace as long as it’s away from your face. If you have a pendant necklace on, then you can definitely do a statement earring with that, or you can do delicate earrings with a delicate necklace or delicate earrings with a statement necklace.
The longer your necklace, the more it’s going to elongate your frame. If you’re wearing a loose, floaty tank, then you may want to elongate your frame with that longer necklace. A shorter necklace or statement earrings are going to draw your eye up so think about those rules when you’re choosing your accessories.
The question about mixing silver and gold. Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, mixed metals is really on trend. Don’t worry about those rules anymore. My wedding rings are silver. I wear gold all the time. I have gold on my Apple Watch band and sometimes I mix rose gold with that. So those rules no longer apply. You can definitely mix metals till your little heart’s content.
Cosmetic dermatology for aging skin. I’m 30 at heart, but my skin at 48 does not reflect my youthful outlook! ~Kristin
Over the past few years, I’ve tried out a lot of different products. There are a few that I get really consistent results from. The number one product that I recommend if you’re just getting into starting some anti-aging products is the Rock Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. I’ve been using this stuff for years and it’s honestly one of the things that makes a huge difference. It takes about six weeks to start seeing results, but once you do, you’re hooked. Trust me on this and it also helps with the dark spots that I have on my cheeks, too. Use a pea-size amount at night before bed and cover your whole face. If you have sensitive skin, which I do, I can’t change up products very often. I can’t do really harsh products for my anti-aging skincare routine. I recommend doing this every other night until you build up a tolerance to it or even go every 2-3 nights if you need to. Eventually, you’ll be able to use it on a nightly basis as I do now. This gives my skin a really nice glow and keeps it hydrated. I don’t experience dryness, redness, or flaking as you might from a prescription-strength product.
Then for the day again, I’m going back to my IT Cosmetics CC plus cream which is loaded with lots of anti-aging skincare ingredients, too. That’s one thing I love about IT Cosmetics. This is also an illumination product so it’s going to give your skin a nice glow, too.
Lastly, exfoliate. Definitely exfoliate at least twice a week because our skin cells tend to turn over less as we get older. We’ve got to help that process along by exfoliating the dead skin cells off. That’s also going to give you a lot more glow. As far as an exfoliator, I recommend, I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I’ve been using that stuff since I was a teenager and it works great.
Opinions on lengths of pants and shorts. A lot of people are posting photos of capri/cropped pants but I’ve often heard that they make you look shorter and to go for full length or ankle pants. Do capris work for most women or should the in general be avoided? Also same questions for shorts- what lengths (inseam measurememts) are most flattering? ~Erin
One of the things that I recommend always is that the selfie doesn’t lie. If you’re trying something on in a fitting room and you’re unsure if it looks good then take a selfie because it’s not going to lie. If you’re not a good judge for yourself then send that picture to one of your friends or to your teenage daughter and ask them, because they will be honest with you. Remember to take in several different lengths with you and this especially applies to shorts. I think a lot of us tend to think we know what shorts will look good on us, but sometimes you might be surprised. What you thought you “shouldn’t” wear actually looks the most flattering on you and if that’s the case then it’s a heck yes! Sometimes petite or shorter ladies like myself, I’m 5’4″, tend to think that the longer shorts are going to be more flattering to us when in reality, the shorter short might be. I tend to go for around a five-inch length short and that seems to be the most flattering length for me. Sometimes I’ll add a little bit of a heel on my sandal if I feel like it’s going to make it look a little bit better. As far as capri length pants, wearing them can be tricky but you can try wearing something with a little heel instead of a flat for a more flattering look.
Best no show socks for ballet flats. And they stay on your feet and not slide off heel. ~Ann
I love the no show socks from Target. They have a little rubber thingy on the back and they do not slide off your feet. I buy the cotton ones. They have a lot of cute prints and patterns. My daughters wear them, too. You can also get the more nylon version of them, however I’m not as big of a fan of those. They just cover the toe and then the heel and the little rubber thingy keeps them from slipping down.
Throw in some fitness! ~Emily
I don’t know if I’m the role model for fitness right now. I’m just going to be totally honest. Since OrangeTheory closed their studios, I’ve been on the struggle bus a little bit. I have been trying to do a combination of things at home. Number one, I doing the Orangetheory at home workouts. I’m not going to lie, they kick my butt. Those are made mostly of weights and a lot of cardio like Burpees and jumping jacks. These workouts are perfect if you don’t have a lot of equipment. I’ve also been doing the Peloton Treadmill workouts since I got a treadmill for Mother’s Day. If you have a treadmill and some basic rudimentary pieces of equipment this would work for you. I think it’s free for 90 days and you can choose the workouts that you want to do and there you can do interval training or endurance or whatever you want. They have tons of awesome workouts in there. Recently I also started going on Reddit and finding old Orangetheory workouts to do at home. There are some really good workouts in there. I also recommend my friend Rebecca Louise’s Burn app. She’s got some great workouts in there and they cover all body parts and there are different workouts every day. So check out the Burn as well.
Favorite tank tops? It’s hot in central Texas and I often wear a tank top with skirts or shorts. Do you have any go-to tanks? ~Erin
J.Crew Factory brand is my go-to for fitted tank tops. If I’m looking for a slouchy tank, then I always go to Target. They have really good slouchy tank tops and ribbed tank tops as well as Wal-Mart. I always go for the basics when I buy my tank tops. Amazon Essentials also has some really great tank tops and they have great reviews.
Cute summer pj’s… for the more mature generation. ~Sheryl
I struggled with this, Sheryl. I really did. Soma has some cute PJs and Target. I keep going back to those two, but it’s true, I’ve had great luck with both places for P J’s that are comfortable and the shorts aren’t super short.
I’m having difficulty finding plus size swimsuits…I like the ones with skirt bottoms but they are a bit too short for my comfort. Are there longer ones available…or am I just searching for unicorns? ~Debrah
Lands End has some great plus-sized swimsuits with longer skirts. They have lots of one-piece and two-piece versions of those. If you’re looking for those, that’s a good resource.
1. Workout outfits that are cute without breaking the bank. 2. SWIMSUITS! How do I apply the bodyshape rules to swimsuits? ~Isabel
I swear by Fabletics. I have been ordering their workout clothes for years. I have a membership and I know a lot of you are like, oh, I don’t want to do the membership. I get it. I do. I hate memberships. But the cool thing is you can skip a month and I skip probably 10 months out of the year and order two months out of the year whenever I need to refresh my workout collection. I love their Mila Capris, they are amazing! They have pockets on the sides and they are super comfortable. They are also really, really well-made and great quality. Amazon Essentials make great workout clothes. Go on there and look at the reviews. We’ve had a lot of Pretties who have recommended yoga pants and their tanks and their shorts. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, definitely check out Amazon.
As far as swimsuits are concerned, one of the bonuses for the Outfit Formulas™ Summer 2020 Capsule Wardrobe is a body shape swimwear guide so if you signed up for that you received the guide. I’m going to share with you a couple of things from the guide and if you don’t know your body shape, you can figure it out with my free Body Shape guide. Download it here.
Triangle
If you’re a triangle body shape you’re going to look for things with eye-catching details on the top or unique necklines to draw the attention up. Try a plunging neckline for the daring wow factor or you can do a fine print or color or pattern on the top half and maybe do black bottoms. You’re going to want to avoid extra fabric or coverage around your hips and bottom because that’s only going to draw attention to that area. If you’re thinking of wearing a skirt or having some extra fabric in that area is going to camouflage, what is going to actually do is draw the attention down. Look for things like ruffles across the top or a high neck tankini top or something with some interesting details, like a one-shoulder bikini top or a halter, one-piece monokini.
Inverted Triangle
If you’re an inverted triangle, you’re going to want to look for eye-catching tops to draw attention away from tummy and wide waist. Ruffles around your waist are going to add volume, but they can also be great for hiding unwanted bulges. If you’re feeling bold, you can highlight the curve of your hips for pattern bottoms or side type details. You’re gonna want to avoid attention seeking colors or patterns around your midriff. If you have wide shoulders, avoid strapless or spaghetti strap designs. So again, high necks are going to be your friend. Color blocking on the top half, ruffled bikini set that’s going to draw the eye up toward the shoulders or a V-neck bikini.
Rectangle
Rectangles are going to look for a monokini suit to create the illusion of curves or a suit with a belt detail to make your waist look slimmer. Your shape is well balanced so pretty much any swimsuits gonna look good on your figure, lucky girl! If you’re feeling bold, you can do high cut bottoms or a tie side bikini bottom that’s going to enhance your shape and embellish your natural figure. You’re going to avoid square or boxy necklines if you’re a rectangle. Also, avoid boy shorts because you want to add curves, not reduce them.
Hourglass
For hourglass shapes, you’re going to look for a high cut hip or a plunging neckline to lengthen your legs and emphasize your natural curves. Ruffles or similar details on the bottom will also highlight your hourglass shape. If you’re feeling bold, you can do a side cut monokini that’s going to maximize your curvaceous shape. You’re going to want to avoid mixing prints in two piece suits because it can throw off your well-balanced figure. High cut, plunging bikini sets are going to look great on you and side cut swimsuits are also going to look awesome.
On one hand it feels like it’s been summer for a while with everyone being home and trying to develop a ‘new’ schedule, yet in reality summer is just beginning. For the most part the kids are done with their online instruction and the possibility of safe travel is within reach, even just a day trip. Whether we’re staying home or dreaming of far off places, one of the constants that I know has helped is creating schedules and getting dressed.
Below I’m offering you both, a schedule for getting dressed! Whether you’re getting dressed every day or every few days, my Five Days of Summer Formulas will help you put together the day’s attire. The best part, most of these are closet staples! By using the outfit formula, it’s really easy to make these looks your own and adapt them to your lifestyle. I also have a free download that goes with this that you can get here. It has a convenient checklist and more links if you have any gaps to fill in. If you like what you see, these looks are just part of the Outfit Formulas™ Summer 2020 Capsule Wardrobe.
Note: Some of the items may be sold out, limited quantities available or from my closet but don’t worry, I’ve provided links to similar items!
Day One
Bright Top + Printed Colorful Bottoms + Metallic Shoes
I’m wearing everything pictured above, except for the neutral sandals and hat which are from my closet. Unfortunately, the top is sold out but here is a similar one. Also, the shorts from J.Crew Factory with the tie detail are out of stock but they still have the print available without the tie.
I’m wearing the shirt and earrings pictured above however, the multi colored hoops from Target are temporarily unavailable. They are great at letting you know when things come back in stock if you click the notify me when available link. Until then, here’s a similar pair. As for the white shorts and bright shoes, they are from my closet but here are a similar pair of white shorts and bright shoes.
Day Three
White Denim Jacket + Printed Top + Light Wash Denim + Neutral Shoes
I loved adding this look to my closet this year! I’m wearing everything pictured above except for the neutral sandals which are from my closet. The white denim jacket is also from my closet but it’s still available and the printed shirt was from the spring and is unavailable however here is a similar one.
I’m wearing the green cardigan pictured above and I’m totally loving this black jumpsuit from Amazon! The snake print shoes are from my closet but you can find a similar pair here.
For this look, the only thing I didn’t shop my closet for was the bright tee! The shorts and hat were from last year and the shoes were from the spring. Here are similar items for the straw hat, dark wash shorts, and some fun leopard sneakers.
Your turn! What look is your favorite? Are you able to closet shop?
If you like this look and want to see more like it, the Outfit Formulas® Summer 2020 Capsule Wardrobe is now available! Get 33 days plus 3 bonus days of casual outfit ideas PLUS “dress it up” and “dress it down” options to adjust each outfit for every summer event on your calendar! Click here for more information.
Do you struggle to put outfits together? Are you stuck in a yoga pants rut? Not sure if you can make the latest trends work for you? You’re in the right place!
I’m Alison, a mom of three and recovering yoga pants addict on a mission to make getting dressed and feeling pretty the easiest thing you do all day! Learn more about my story HERE.
I am so glad I was part of the Fall 2019 Style Challenge. It gave me confidence and so many great outfitt ideas. The ladies in the group were very supportive and I will defintetly be doing another challenge in the future.
Betty Weyandt December 20, 2019
I’ve been participating in the GYPO Style Challenges for three years now and I’ve loved it. I’ve always loved clothes, but I didn’t know how to put outfits together. My closet is now full of mix-and-match outfits, I have learned how to dress myself, and there is no more stress in figuring out to wear. The private FB group is full of wonderful ladies that build each other up. It’s so fun and is seriously the best group on FB.
Kirstin Rasmussen November 20, 2019
Get Your Pretty On has changed my life, seriously. I have always chased what is trendy but found from season to season, that things go out of style and I was wasting money on items that I would only end up wearing a few times. GYPO has enabled me to simplify my closet, helps me make smarter purchasing decisions, and I feel so put together and confident using the outfit formulas that are provided. This program is a GAME CHANGER. I've been following GYPO for a few years now and my only regret is not jumping on board sooner.
Michelle Kline November 20, 2019
Great community of ladies, helping each other look stylish, without breaking the bank, and using much of what you already own.
Chosen Faith November 19, 2019
GYPO challenges have been one of the best things I have done! It had taught me so much more than just creating a closet of clothes that I love but also to have confidence in myself, how to pick and choose colors that work for me instead of against, and had given a wonderful community of Pretties who are so special.
Maraline Freeman October 16, 2019
I love GYPO!!! I finally feel put together and stylish! The shopping lists and outfit combinations make shopping and getting dressed effortless.
Krista Probst October 16, 2019
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