Who says PJs are just for bed or at home? Sleepwear in public has become a major trend, but not just any pajamas – dressing up silky and striped pieces with luxe pieces like heels, lacy bralettes and dainty accessories is pretty sassy. Or for a more casual look – funky Peter Alexander PJ drop-crotch or harem style bottoms with singlets, and T-shirt dresses with crisp white runners. Don’t be shy, get yourself some major comfy-chic inspiration!
How on earth do you pull off wearing your sleepwear outside you ask? Simple! Act like it’s not sleepwear, and that it was made to be worn out. These days you could wear a fluffy robe outside and no one is really going to notice. Okay…maybe if the fluffy robe is baby blue with teddy bears on it, you’ll get a couple of weird looks, so the trick is to select well.
Styling sleepwear is all about seeing them as separates, not as a set. Seeing your sleepwear as separates will help make them blend effortlessly into your outfit. Style the silk camisole with a pair of black skinny jeans and leather jacket for a casual-girl (just-threw-this-on) vibe, or style silky shorts with a crisp white shirt and linen or denim jacket to extend your capsule wardrobe. Or, why not get creative with layering and textures of fabrics to create new looks. Warning for the uninitiated (!), some pieces really do look like pj’s.
There is no point trying to make your Peter Alexander cloud pj’s look cool for outside wear… it just isn’t going to cut it. Focus on purchasing pieces in silks or slinky fabrics (instead of flannelette) as these fabrics look less homely and more luxe. Also, consider the colours you’re purchasing too as it’s probably best to leave the cute heart or Disney printed sets for home. Ideally, aim for simple colour schemes that you can work into your everyday outfits.
Accessorising will help turn your outfit into something more stylish, and less sleepwear – get creative with bold accessories. Think gold and silver hardware, rugged leather jackets and funky footwear like heels, boots, runners, and so on. Once you’ve styled the outfit with the right accessories, you’ll feel confident and that’ll show. Now, stride it out in your fab sleepwear like it’s the most natural thing in the world and no-one will dare ask!
Tweaked from original article by twiceblessed.com.au
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Have you heard the term – curated closet? In her book, The Curated Closet, Berliner, Anuschka Rees talks about not following trends or buying into a standard list of wardrobe essentials or must-haves. Instead, it’s about creating your wardrobe to work perfectly for your style and life. Having a wardrobe that is about you and not about fast fashion or trends is a great start to a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe. The idea is that if you’re buying clothes that really are ‘you’ you’re probably going to want to keep them for years. It’s a way to break the cycle and stop buying into the ever-revolving fast fashion trends. So, rework your wardrobe to work with you not against you!
Closer to home, Maroubra-based Wendy Mak is committed to the simplification of wardrobes. In Mak’s The Capsule Wardrobe: 1000 outfits from thirty pieces, she introduces you to 30 wardrobe essentials – tops, bottoms, footwear, and accessories – to create your ultimate mix-n-match wardrobe. You can find her ideas at WendyMak.com.
It’s not about not heading out on a fun shopping trip with your girlfriend or daughter – it’s great retail therapy and at times, just simply a good laugh.
The curated closet is a wardrobe that’s perfectly tailored to your unique personal style and your life. It contains everything you need to feel confident and inspired every day – no more and no less. It is not based on trends, style typologies or a one-size-fits-all list of wardrobe essentials. Your life isn’t the same as everyone else’s, so why should your closet be? Anuschka Rees
Rees says, know you colour palettes and make distinctions between accent colours versus neutrals, basics pieces, key pieces, and accent pieces. Accessorise with bangles, beads, earrings, scarves, nail polish, lipstick or even hair colour. While the goal is not to complicate, it is to help you to have a plan so you don’t waste time or money on items that stand out like the proverbial, that you might aspire to but never get the chance (or, to be honest with yourself, you feel comfortable) to wear. By getting an idea of what colours you like and for what types of pieces, it allows for a lifetime of simplicity. Rees explains that by zeroing in on your own unique style, you are never caught up in fashion trends. It’s great to update your wardrobe every few years, and as we all know, some things never go out of style. White t-shirts and jeans will always exist, so will basic black. Mix things up to avoid being a carbon copy of everyone else. Enjoy running away from the pack. It’s one less stressor in life! As Rees says, being fashionable is totally optional – you get to choose.
Mak suggests, try this – 30 pieces to create an outfit a day for 30 days. This will establish your absolute wants vs needs hanging in your cupboard and folded in your drawers. Here’s a twist on Wendy’s guide to kick you off:
5 x skirts or pants: black textured; basic black; soft pleated/tailored; white or grey; statement
2 x jeans (black and blue wash)
6 x tops: charcoal; ivory; light grey; a bold colour that suits; a standout piece; black
1 x bodysuit in a complimentary colour (amazing how versatile this can be)
1 x statement shirt
2 x camis (everyday and silky/satin)
3 x jackets or if not needed, 3 more tops or dresses: navy; black; statement
1 x black coat or waterfall cardigan
3 x bags: work; weekend; statement coloured
6 x shoes: black flats; weekend street shoes/white runners; black ankle boots; patent heels or flats; statement coloured heels or flats; print/suede heels or flats
Anuschka makes a great analogy comparing fashion to music. You wouldn’t force yourself to listen to a song because it’s in the charts and music ‘insiders’ tell you it’s popular. You listen to the music you like and enjoy. So why not do the same with clothes – buying things you like and enjoy wearing rather than what’s ‘hot right now’. There is absolutely no point in buying clothes which don’t work for your lifestyle.
Fashion is a form of art, and you want your clothes to look good, but you also need them to feel good and be practical because you spend your life in them. You have stuff to do, places to go, and people to meet. A functional wardrobe is one that supports you in all that you do, rather than making your life harder.
If you enjoy a visual guide, there are tons of curated wardrobe flowcharts to help. Find your own; one that suits you, or, venue better, create your own.
Discovering your personal style and building a versatile wardrobe will mean you always have something to wear. Your style will likely continue to change and evolve. A reworked wardrobe doesn’t restrict you, it is one which grows and evolves with you. After all, it’s all about you!
The Sustainable Edit; Anuschka Rees; and Wendy Mak
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From the fabulous article by Maya Adivi at glowsly.com
The summer 2019 colours have pastels making a recurrence, along with rich, warm shades that are also a little autumnal. Mango Mojito, Toffee, and some darker greens like Terrarium Moss and Pepper Stem give those autumn vibes. The most definitive of the summer 2019 runway colours is yellow, which shows up in the form of Aspen Gold, Pastel Yellow, Turmeric, and Lemon Verbena. The other colour palettes that stand out include shades of pink, particularly loud magenta of Pink Peacock, and some blues like dark Eclipse, airy Clearwater Blue, and royal Princess Blue. See below for the top summer 2019 colours, including Pantone spring 2019 colour ways and other favourite shades that you’ll likely see out and about. What goes around, comes around; many are reminiscent of the retro era, so preloved clothing hunters will be in heaven!
#1. Powdery Ballet Pink
Blush rose, powdery ballet pink colour is so versatile and perfect to pair with all the other colours on this list. From outerwear options to princess-worthy evening dresses to elegant separates, this nude-toned blush was all over the place. More down-to-earth and elegant is the powdery ballet pink used for office-ready two-piece comprised of loose-fitting tailored pants,
#2. Pressed Rose
Light as air, and princessy to the core, Pressed Rose is the colour that encompasses femininity. This precious pastel pink holds just a touch of warmth especially when compared to Sweet Lilac.
#3. Sweet Lilac
This baby pink has just a touch of lavender, making it one of the cool color options. It is a gentle color that is feminine but not sickly sweet. Designers this season used it in both sleek, minimalist designs and in some girlish creations.
#4. Light Lavender
Lavender is a cool shade that works well with softer yellows, as well as with a deep neutral like Eclipse or Brown Granite. This soft shade showed up most beautifully in a wrap dress presented by Kate Spade New York, where it was paired with matching boots and a headdress. Femininity on display.
#5. Living Coral
This bright coral sits perfectly between orange and pink, and brightens up every ensemble.
#6. Pink Peacock
Pink Peacock is an intense magenta that cannot be ignored. It is one of the most striking seasonal colours – a shade so noticeable that few would dare wear it alone. Instead, it can be mixed with neutrals and turned into a work-appropriate option, or mixed with some warm shades like Turmeric or Aspen Gold for that perfect colour blocked outfit.
#7. Fiesta
Fiesta more than earns the title of the red of the season. This is a true, summery red with warmer undertones and a lot of fire. It is a passionate, exciting colour trend that truly shined whether in evening wear, casual wear, or lingerie.
#8. Jester Red
Despite its name, Jester Red is not a colour to joke about. It is a deep, intense red just a few hues shy of a burgundy. It does well mixed with both the warm and cool colour, but it is the most remarkable when worn on its own.
#9. Turmeric
The eponymous spice is having a moment right now, since it is known for having serious health benefits. If you’re not planning to be chugging turmeric lattes or doing turmeric-yogurt face masks, perhaps you can absorb some of these benefits by wearing Turmeric as one of your summer colours. It is a yellow-orange shade that is hard to miss, and pairs especially well with browns, reds, and even blues.
#10. Egg-Yolk Pastel Yellow
Take Lemon Verbena, add a splash of cream, and you end up with the loveliest shade of pastel yellow. This gorgeous egg yolk shade pairs well with other pastels, for the perfect daytime look.
#11. Lemon Verbena
Yellows were some of the trendiest summer 2019 colour, with Lemon Verbena being one of the softest of the bunch. It is cheerful, lemony, and delicious. It is a shade of yellow that pairs especially well with some of the blues and pastels.
#12. Aspen Gold
Compared to Lemon Verbena, Aspen Gold is a slightly deeper yellow with just the barest hint of orange. It is more balanced, and might go better with reddish shades like coral or fiesta. Despite this, it is still an undeniably sunny colour that deserves its place in your wardrobe (in some way).
#13. Mango Mojito
This is quite autumnal. It paired well with reds, greens, and corals, for astounding effects.
#14. Terrarium Moss
Moss green is a natural, lush shade that brings to mind cool forests and snaking vines. It pairs well with all of the florals and flowery shades of this season.
#15. Pepper Stem
Pepper Stem is Terrarium Moss’ lighter, warmer sibling. Despite that, it is still a subdued and natural shade. It radiates health, and suggests renewal.
#16. Neon Green
In a season of soft naturals and pastels, neon green shouts and screams demanding to be heard. All kinds of neons are ‘in’, particularly inspired by an Eighties punk sensibility. Outrageous, difficult, and in your face, neon green is definitely the loudest of the spring 2019 colours.
#17. Clearwater Blue
Most of the pastels in the summer 2019 colours were variations on pink and purple, but clearwater blue was extremely prominent. Blue is already a soothing shade, but its pastel iteration is doubly so, evoking a sense of cheerful calm.
#18. Princess Blue
Blue is a colour associated with calm, confident luxury, and Princess Blue is its gleaming, vivacious yet still deep iteration. It is one of a few cool tones, but its magnificence made it work. Turmeric and Mango Mojito are two shades that complement it well, and keep things bright for spring.
#19. Silver
A standout from all of the summer 2019 colour trends is silver – the only metallic on this year’s list, with a very well deserved spot. Silver is a colour that is simultaneously luxurious yet fierce, futuristic yet historical, and indeed, on the runways we saw it in every one of these iterations.
#20. Toffee
Toffee is warm and delicious, and it complements most skin tones beautifully. Paired with the warmer reds and yellows, it would achieve an autumnal effect that was oddly in season, but it could also look classic in an analogue combination with Soybean.
#21. Brown Granite
Brown granite is a cool brown shade that works beautifully in almost any colour palette. This colour is grounded and serious, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from punching it up with some of the other summer colours. It is a timeless and sophisticated choice that would do well in anyone’s wardrobe.
#22. Eclipse
This navy blue gets as close as possible to black territory, without ever fully giving up on its blue nature. It is a dark and mysterious spring 2019 colour that acts as a more mystical counterpart to a grounded shade like Brown Granite.
#23. Sweet Corn
This shade is a buttery off-white that worked delightfully as part of this season’s trends, giving balance to some intense springtime brights and working well with the feminine romance of the season. It pairs well with many of the season’s colours especially Living Coral.
#24. Creamy Tan
The summer 2019 colour ways are all about the different shades of creamy tan and beige. Better wear the colour from head to toe as it’s to be the most elegant of shades.
#25. Soybean
Soybean is a reliable neutral that feels natural yet sophisticated. It works just as well in a boho-chic outfit as it does in a sleek suit. With trench coats one of the go-to jackets for spring, Soybean was a shoo-in as one of THE spring colours.
Fast fashion is like fast food. After the sugar rush it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. — Livia Firth, ethical fashion advocate and founder of sustainable fashion consultancy Eco-Age
As consumers we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy. — Emma Watson, actress and ethical fashion advocate
Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you express by the way you dress and the way you live. —Gianni Versace, fashion designer
What if we started by slowing down and not consuming so much stuff, just because it’s there and cheap and available. It’s amazing how that process makes sense financially, it makes sense ethically, it makes sense environmentally. — Andrew Morgan, filmmaker and director of ‘The True Cost’
One day we’ll wake up and Green will not be the new black, it will be the new invisible. Meaning, no longer will sustainable be the exception or something that’s considered au courant; instead it will be a matter of course – something that all designers incorporate into their design ethos. — Summer Rayne Oakes, world’s first ‘eco’ model and serial ecopreneur. From her book Style, Naturally
Consumer demand can revolutionise the way fashion works as an industry. If everyone started to question the way we consume, we would see a radically different fashion paradigm. — Carry Somers and cofounder of Fashion Revolution. From Safia Minney’s book Slow Fashion: aesthetic meets ethics
When you wear vintage, you never have to worry about showing up in the same dress as someone else.
— Jessica Alba, actress, author and entrepreneur. From her book The Honest Life
Clothes aren’t going to change the world, the women who wear them will. — Anne Klein, fashion designer
Become an active citizen through your wardrobe. — Livia Firth, Founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age
Clothes could have more meaning and longevity if we think less about owning the latest or cheapest thing and develop more of a relationship with the things we wear. — Elizabeth L. Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.
Jennifer Nini 2018 – ecowarriorprincess
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