We’re always looking for ways to get rid of wrinkles. How about keeping your clothes, specifically linen looking neat and nicely pressed. I have a love/hate relationship with linen. Linen is the unofficial fabric of summer. A perfect blend of sophisticated, natural and cool. Allegedly, it gets softer with each wash. But anyone who wears it knows how easy it is for creases to form which is the only downside to wearing linen. It’s part and parcel of the material but too many creases can look sloppy.
I don’t know about you but I hate ironing. I own an ironing board and an iron but can’t remember the last time I used them. My wrinkle prone clothes are left to dry while they’re still damp or I steam iron with clothing on the hanger. Much easier.
Except for men’s dress shirts and men’s dress pants and men’s dress jackets oh; men I don’t see the need for ironing. It might be relaxing but there’s simply no joy to it.
And it’s summer – who wants to iron?
Since linen is the fabric most likely to wilt and get all wrinkly within hours of putting it on:
Here’s how to bring it back to life in ten minutes (or less).
What you need: Access to a dryer, plus an ice cube
What you do: Toss your linen pants (or shirt or jacket) with the ice cube in the dryer on low. In ten minutes, all the wrinkles will be gone.
Why this works: As the ice melts, it lets off steam and creates its own de-wrinkling system in the process.
Whoa, your pants look freshly pressed. Hello, summer genius.
Have any other material tricks up your linen sleeves?
Every now and again we have to do a wardrobe check.
Bette Davis & her eyes wearing classic leopard-print.
It’s not easy to let go of some clothing. I’ve been going through my things and keeping on hand “only” those items which look good, fit properly (= well made), which is mostly comfortable, classic clothing mixed with some trendy pieces. Which leaves me with only two remaining outfits in my closet...but I believe if you have some key attire you can dress it up with great accessories like belts, scarves and all kinds of jewelery. Of course, shoes and bags are important too, but like houses first you build a foundation.
Stripes are always “on trend” and tend to bring out your “inner French-girl“
Certain things make it so much simpler to get ready when you’re in a hurry to get out the door. No more “what on earth am I going to wear” if you have a few go-to (= basic) pieces that can be mixed and matched with ease. So here are some wardrobe staples to make it easier. You probably already have most of them in your closet.
Not saying you should have only these staples in your wardrobe, but if you have them, you’re pretty much ready for anything. And I like to be ready for anything!
Starting with:
THE PERFECT WHITE T SHIRT(s)
Just like dating men & vice versa, there is loads to choose from but you have to weed through a ton before you come across a good one. Having said that, V-neck or crew, slim fit or oversized, finding the right white tee can be tricky, but it’s totally worth the hunt. This staple is casual and comfortable without looking sloppy, and is perfect for pairing with everything from your favorite jeans to under a business suit. Buy in multiples.
A NAVY BLAZER
If you think blazers are limited to the boardroom, think again. This structured topper is actually pretty versatile, as seen above. Black might read a touch more corporate, but in navy, a tailored blazer (worn with everything from dress pants to boyfriend jeans) says you mean business but also have a keen sense of style.
WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT
How cool does this girl look? A slightly loose fitting button-down is relaxed, comfortable and super chic, in a crispy, borrowed-from-the-boys way.
CLASSIC TRENCH for Elements meets Elegance.
A timeless addition to any outfit, the classic trench never goes out of style. It also works for pretty much anyone, regardless of personal style. Think: an elegant Audrey Hepburn strolling along the Seine. The one in photo is a Burberry but there are many other styles with many price points.
TAILORED BLACK PANTS
Various black pants will take you from work to the weekend, depending on how you style them. The difference between these and any other pair of pants is tailoring: You want them to be fitted but not overly tight.
SILK CAMISOLE for LAYERING
Whether peeking out from beneath a blazer or worn on its own, a silky camisole can read sweet (tucked into that A-line midi skirt) or sexy (tucked into a curve-hugging pencil skirt), depending on your mood.
DENIM JACKET
Another all-season piece, a jean jacket adds an element of cool to any outfit. Draped over your shoulders with a breezy summer dress, it’s both relaxed and utilitarian.
WHITE PANTS (optional) but super chicJEANS that fit well in all the right placesLITTLE BLACK DRESS (es)
Ever gotten a last-minute dinner or drinks invitation and had no time to choose your outfit? That’s where the LBD comes in. A total workhorse, this should be a dress you’re comfortable in and can wear a bunch of different ways for a bunch of different occasions. On its own it’s fairly plain and simple, so you can also get a lot of wear out of it without anyone noticing.
Which brings me to some other options like a Tuxedo Jacket, Dressy Dress (for those special occasions) and different length size skirts. And something edgy like:
Maybe a little faux SHOW STOPPER like Gene Tierney is wearing
Get inspired by these bathing beauties from past to present.
Grace Kelly
It’s ALL about the Head Scarf
Rachel McAdams in one of my favourite films “The Notebook”Who can forget Darryl Hannah in “Splash”Liz Taylor “A Place in the Sun”Rihanna loves to take chances: on the cover of “Harper’s Bazaar”
That’s pretty much it for today
Do you have a favourite Style Icon? I mean other than me!
When Kate Moss, one of my favourite style icons, designs a signature capsule collection for Equipment, which just happens to be my favourite silk shirt brand…
It’s a match made in fashion heaven.
I especially love their silk button-down blouses. Because you know…there are your everyday button-downs, and then there’s Equipment.
Kate’s Inspiration when asked about the collection: “it is representative of my everyday style. A little 90’s, a little rock ‘n roll, a bit of an edge with a subtle nod to Bowie.”
My newfound love for light comfort with a hint of cool.
White Sneakers are making a comeback…again.
Something to slip into while walking the dog, getting groceries, out for coffee, walking to work, (walking to work is on the rise with the migration to urban living) or performing a concert (a la Kanye West)….to be worn with a variety of looks as you can see from these photos.
Then it makes putting on a pair of heels more special for dinner or an evening out.
They’re just an easy alternative to regular flats to go with almost anything.
Whenever you get a label that reads “made in Italy” you immediately feel an element of understated elegance, refinement and quality.
photo: Colleen Kohse. Colleen just visited their store location in *Capri, off the Amalfi Coast. She is killing me with her enviable photos.
The clothing is usually a cut (excuse the pun) above the rest. Mostly you feel an attention to detail, design and fit. And I gravitate towards a cut that is simple and sensual.
The Flavio Castellani label is a reflection of the “made in Italy” style of sophistication mixed with a fun look for the feminine and modern woman. The brand is the outcome of the combined creative spirit of fashion designer Rita Ricci and the management skills of Flavio Castellani.
La moda e’ eleganza e raffinatezza.
La moda e’ arte e questa e’ la mia passione.
Fashion is elegance and refinement . Fashion is art and this is my passion. Flavio Castellani
An Important Italian History Lesson:
One of my favourite kind of pants to wear once the weather starts to warm up is capris. Thanks to a designer by the name of Sonja de Lennart who invented *Capri pants in 1948. The pants’ name derives from the Italian isle of Capri, where they rose to popularity in the late 1950s and early ’60s.Grace Kelly was among the first movie stars to wear capris on the island. There have been many more since. Audrey Hepburn immediately comes to mind. To me they are the perfect pant – comfy casual with flats and a Tee but can be dressed up with heels and a nice shirt.
How about you? Do you believe the “made in Italy” label is more special?
photo: Colleen Kohse – Limoncello Coccinelle bags to brighten up your day
If there’s anything the Chanel Resort Collection 2017 spectacle taught us aside from how to throw the ultimate party, it’s that accessories like pearl-studded berets, floral-trim fedoras and spectator shoes (aka the oxford or two-toned brogue) look mighty cool worn with almost anything – especially a killer attitude.
Claire Danes lit up the Met Gala in an illuminated Zac Posen ball gown that was part princess, part futuristic.
GOWNS and GLAMOUR fit for a King
Manus x Machina (fashion in the age of technology – think handmade couture vs machine made)added up to a mix of futurism with sparkling silver and gold form-fitting creations on the red carpet. The Met Gala is the occasion to pull out all the stops and in my opinion these 12 stunners nailed it!
Zoe Saldana in Dolce & GabbanaA Perfect Statue: Cindy Crawford in BalmainModel Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa
Kendall Jenner’s Atelier Versace gown plays with laser-cut velvet and blue Swarovski crystals for a body-hugging statement. Joan Smalls (behind her) wears Balmain.
Emma Stone melds Old Hollywood elegance with high fashion in a corset detail dress by Prada.Lara Stone in Tom Ford – channels Brigitte BardotZendaya keeps it simple yet impactful in a gilded one-shoulder Michael Kors gown with a train and turtleneck detail.Sienna Miller in GucciBlake Lively in BurberryBeyoncé comes off her Lemonade launch in a pink-hued, form-fitting dress with floral embellishment by Givenchy. What about the Bod?
I’ve walked by this nicely laid out store on many occasions stopping to admire what appeals to me…. clothing that looks attractively simple, functional and well made. Clothing you must try on to experience the fit. I’ve seen their glossy ads in high fashion magazines and out of curiosity I went in yesterday to have a good look around. There was a familiarity about the store. Now I understand why.
Kit and Ace is a Canadian apparel brand founded in 2014 by the former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica Inc. Shannon Wilson and her stepson JJ Wilson. Shannon brings her aesthetic to the line. So the philosophy is similar to Lululemon even though the clothing is more elegantly casual everyday wear.
For men & women
I was interested to see lightweight technical cashmere that you can put right into the washing machine and not worry about it piillng or stretching. Apparently it does not. They also feature washable silk and many fabrics have 4-way stretch for comfort. The tees come with a guarantee that they won’t shrink or warp even after being washed and put in the dryer. So no dry cleaning necessary.
Their STORY
Your time is precious and your comfort is paramount.
We create designs that look good and feel amazing, so you can
forget the small stuff and get on with the big stuff.
The Art Wall is a nice touch:
Art is the opportunity to inspire and perhaps start a conversation.
The wall showcases beautiful art created in Vancouver. They change it every 3 months to feature a new local artist.
Italy High Fashion 1945 – 1968. Okay, if you must know…this to me is emozionante.
A new exhibit offers an up-close look at dresses, handbags, and jewelry from some of Italy’s most iconic fashion houses. How can I not find this exciting?
Photo by Steven Brooke Jewelry from Bulgari is shown alongside elegant gowns.Photo by Steven Brooke Italian design gets the front row in Fort Lauderdale.
Didn’t make it to Milan for Fashion Week? Good news: “Bellissima,” an exhibit focusing on Italian style, will make its sole American appearance at the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale. Bellissima highlights looks from the 1945–1968 period of groundbreaking Italian design and features pieces from houses like Pucci, Fendi, Valentino, and Simonetta. And the big names aren’t only represented on labels: one of the exhibit’s curators is W magazine editor Stefano Tonchi, and the whole project is a partnership with Maxxi, the buzzy Rome contemporary art museum designed by Zaha Hadid. Of the 230 garments on display, many were custom pieces handmade for movie stars like Ingrid Bergman and Ava Gardner. And because no Italian fashion exhibit would be complete without them, there will also be handbags and leather goods in the show, plus plenty of jewels from corporate sponsor Bulgari. (It’s not just necklaces and earrings—be on the lookout for a gem-encrusted cigarette case.) Many of the looks will be displayed alongside film clips, fashion magazine spreads, or gorgeous black-and-white photos of Elizabeth Taylor to give a sense of context.
“This moment in history laid the foundation for Italy’s future ready-to-wear fashion, and the exhibition traces its beginnings within the social and cultural context,” Tonchi said in a statement. “The high fashion of that time was grounded in a strong sense of reality: They were luxury creations, but nonetheless practical; precious, embroidered textiles that had a certain simplicity; short cocktail dresses that allowed for movement; and warm, roomy coats accompanied by oversized handbags. This awareness of reality created an opportunity for a fashion system that truly served its patrons, with garments designed for the life of the modern woman.” The post-World War II period was crucial in Italy, as the country built its economy back up largely by encouraging manufacturing, especially for textiles—which gave the country’s emerging design stars plenty of local goods to work with.
Relive the era of Alta Moda at NSU Art Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida until June 5th.
Tonight (April 25th) join me at the fun annual Arts Club California Wine Fair taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Rounding out the rich array of 400 premium wines is an extensive silent auction featuring premium California wines, luxury goods, and entertainment and travel packages.
As the Arts Club’s signature spring fundraiser, all proceeds from event ticket sales and auction packages go toward the development of new Canadian plays and staging world-class theatre created by Vancouver artists.
A few tickets are still available. Price: $90 To purchase please visit: http://artsclub.com
I have a love/hate relationship with linen. Linen is the unofficial fabric of summer. A perfect blend of sophisticated, natural and cool. Allegedly, it gets softer with each wash. But anyone who wears it knows how easy it is for creases to form which is the only downside to wearing linen. It’s part and parcel of the material but too many creases can look sloppy.
I don’t know about you but I hate ironing. I own an ironing board and an iron but can’t remember the last time I used them. My wrinkle prone clothes are left to dry while they’re still damp or I steam iron with clothing on the hanger. Much easier.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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