#signaturestyle

Signature Style- Crossbody Bags to Love

May 17, 2022 By kimwheeler 32 Comments

Hello it’s that time again for our monthly style report with Cindy and Sarah. This month we are talking bags, but this time specifically crossbody bags, as it seems that’s the bag that’s here to stay and people are quite passionate about them!

After years of carrying a heavy tote, I feel like my shoulder can’t take a whole day with a leather tote anymore. I can sometimes do a straw one, but if I’m on a trip or an active day shopping or walking, or errands, a crossbody is what I opt for.

I own a few crossbody bags and the ones I use the most are this black Tory Burch Bombe bag I’ve had forever which is soft and roomy with two compartments and pockets. I also have this YSL bag in a turtle green color that I saved for and love, and a raffia Claire V Pot Du Miel bag, that I added my own strap to and my latest purchase this tiny Longchamp bag on camo (similar style).

*Someone inquired to my denim dress and it’s this one from Frank & Eileen and I love it to pieces. Great travel dress, no maintenance and can be a tunic too.

According to Harper’s Bazaar the big bag trends for Spring and Summer 2022 are woven bags and light and bright shades. Whether or not that’s a trend, I go that way anyway, when warm weather comes. Since this is springtime post and summer is almost here, I’m going to share what I noticed in woven looks and pretty colors. Greens and melons are all over and I do love them..

Crossbody bags that caught my eye this season..

I want to call out a brand I mentioned before, Demellier London. If you’re looking to add a quality handbag to your closet, something to last a long time, they have so many unique and beautifully made bags. For every bag purchased they fund a set of lifesaving vaccines and treatments aimed to save the life of a child in need through A Bag, A Life, their charity. All the bags are handmade in Spain using Italian and Spanish materials.

Love the Alexandria bag shown below left and the Marrakesh in lime and toffee, and also the Vancouver bag in taupe. So many more fun bags it’s worth perusing their site. They also have the Montreal Bag in Nano size, bottom right, with a strap and it’s a cutie.

Other trends in crossbody bags is the fanny bag being worn as a crossbody along the chest like this one by Claire V. on the right below. If you have a fanny bag you can see if yours works this way or looks good like that.. You may need to adjust it and play around.

Chain straps and thinner straps are nice for evening looks..Also look at the sizes.. Nano and mini bags are becoming the new thing. Women are carrying less and loving it.

Big guitar straps are still seen all over as they can be added to existing bags for some flair and individuality..I see some interesting combinations with these straps and bags and it can be a good way to create your own look with a bag.

Other ideas are to add one of these to a bag you already have like this braided one by Salt.. They have a beautiful collection of the nicest straps. Salt is women owned and employs artisans and helps their communities while giving back. They also have a nice collection of bags. ETSY also has straps here.

I also just found out a stylish Instagram friend, Diana Amato, has her own line of crossbody straps here. You can follow her on Instagram as La Zingara Designs.

Finally, I just love this whole look on Hailey Beiber and with the simplest crossbody, so chic!

Similar shaped bag here and this below for $20 from Target…adorable!

More budget friendly options and just as stylish at Target are options like this Triple Compartment Bag with the perfect shape and size in many cute colors…( also in black, brown and a cognac.)

They also have this Handloom Bag in some many colors and a crochet and cotton versions too.

Don’t forget some of the best sources for unique and beautifully made bags that are more affordable are those that are upcycled and you can find bags that are barely worn and sometimes new with tags…

Look to your local resale shops for the best treasures and prices. Online places like ThredUp have bags that aren’t in the thousands like many resale spots. I actually see some of these places selling the bags for more than they are in the store new, so be aware.

Well, thats my thoughts on crossbody bags. What’s your opinion of them? Love them? If so what has been your favorite style or brand??

Please go see what my lovely pals have for you about crossbodies today on their blogs. I always love what they share.. (Their posts up at noon on Tuesday- this mailer went out early..Sorry!)

Cindy Hattersley

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like last month’s Signature Style post on Wedding Guest Dressing Ideas

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Signature Style: Leopard in Your Wardrobe

February 15, 2022 By kimwheeler 20 Comments

It’s that time again for Signature Style with my chic friends, Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London and this month we are bringing you leopard! Leopard print is a classic and has never gone out of style. Some say it’s a neutral, but I think it adds a bit of punctuation to an outfit and instant style. Do you have leopard in your closet? Well if not, it’s time to add some!

My first memories of leopard are from a leopard print boxy tote bag with tortoise shell looking ring handles my mom had in the 1960’s. On a train trip with her to Chicago when I was five, my coloring books were stored in it during trip. I later used the same bag in the early 80’s to tote my college books to class. It was vintage by then, and super cool, and I sadly wore it to pieces. This bag reminded me of it, with the color and texture of my moms!

I’ve always been attracted to leopard due to its cool factor and rock n’ roll vibe. When I think of leopard, people like Debbie Harry come to mind. I’m not opposed to a little cool in my wardrobe and right now, after the past few years, I want my clothes to be anything but boring. I have a wardrobe full of solids, and yet a lot of patterned pieces and accessories that add a little punk feel and youthful spirit to my mix. I think everyone needs that with your basics.

How to wear leopard:

Choose a leopard print in an investment piece, like a nice handbag, coat, boot or shoe that can mix into your wardrobe in many different ways over years. Plan on keeping it long-term, so buy well.
Leopard in a silk blouse or cashmere sweater adds a fun pop of chic to basics.
Consider leopard in better quality materials and skip it in looks like leggings, tight dresses and stretchy lycras which can look ‘cheap’ and feel more cheesy than chic.
Be choosy about the leopard print you add. Let it punctuate an outfit.
Head to toe leopard is a lot, unless you want Alexis Carrington vibes or a big statement look. That said, you can mix leopard prints of different sizes, for a whimsical feel.
Some of the best foils for leopard are red, pink, black, white and surprisingly floral.

Leopard twinning with my friend Elizabeth, aka Contessa.

I am fortunate to own a leopard coat I bought a few years ago from Emerson Fry. It’s probably my most favorite piece of clothing and I have get more compliments on it than anything. It’s my go-to when I want to feel stylish and stand out, like when I wore it to a blogger conference.

It gives me confidence, and makes my solids look cool. The heavy linen works in most months here in California so I wear it all year long. Cost was around $350 and I’ve worn it more times than I can count. It was made in Brooklyn (yay), and it still looks like new. I know I have many years more to wear it. Emerson Fry still makes the exact coat, which is a testament to its longevity!

Definitely shop second hand for a leopard look. Vintage leopard coats are the coolest thing on the planet and if you can find one or something that looks like one, you’re lucky. Kate Moss created her signature style from her vintage leopard coat and she has so many..These are just a few..

I was lucky to have been gifted a vintage faux leopard short jacket from my friend Contessa and I just adore it. I have worn it casual, layered over a sweater with jeans, over a leopard dress, and with white jeans and so many ways..

Online there are so many of these vintage coats to be found like this one at ThredUp, and also check your local thrift and consignment. I also found this gem by The Great, their ‘vintage’ leopard coat.

More leopard coats here, and I love this one by Stand – just marked down, below left, and this by Bernardo, right also on sale…

Other options are adding a great accessory like this MZ Wallace tote, or a cute pair of sneakers like these high tops at Madewell, and this Gigi NY Crossbody.

I like this Claire V. Leopard bag top photo (like my mom’s), which is a classic and will always give you look a bit of style. I have a green version from them and they also have a smaller cross-body version below..

I also love the look of these slides by Birdies. People love these shoes and they are highly rated for comfort.

A leopard dress or two in the closet are nice to have in your rotation. I do own a few leopard dresses. One that is versatile and I wear so much is this T-shirt dress from Jenni Kayne. The leopard is so small it’s basically a neutral, but it’s a great basic to go anywhere. My only gripe is that the viscose wrinkles easily, but otherwise, I love the style and I can dress it up or down.

I also just bought this fun leopard shirt dress from H&M. They have a lot of leopard now. I bought this to wear as a top, a tunic, and a swim coverup as well as a dress.. The stores have a lot of this shirt dress, but it looks gone from the website! The material is the same as this dress, also cute in leopard.

Where do you stand on leopard and animal prints? I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts and I can’t wait to read Cindy and Sarah’s blogs today about leopard! Stop by their blogs at:

Cindy Hattersley

Sarah London Style

Thanks for being here!

Kim

You might also like the post, ‘Reloving What You Own- Signature Style.’

Some links will generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Signature Style – Trending Now the Leather Look

October 12, 2021 By kimwheeler 16 Comments

It’s that time again for the monthly Signature Style with Cindy and Sarah! This episode we are talking leather or more specifically, the leather ‘look’. The items I am going to show today are mostly vegan leather except for a vintage jacket. The items I am referring to as leather have a leather look, lest there be any confusion. It’s the vibe we are aiming for here and the new vegan ‘leather’ is more comfortable and affordable than the real thing and kinder too.

Leather looking skirts and looser joggers have been all over Vogue and on the streets during recent fashion weeks. It looks like leather is here for again for fall and it’s becoming a bit of a classic. I have never before owned a pair of leather pants, but I do love the look of them with a soft sweater. When I think of leather pants this is the image that comes to the forefront of my brain- Olivia Newton-John and her albums… If you grew up in the 80’s she was the girl everyone wanted to be.

Still looks pretty great doesn’t it?

For those not hitting the bars or traveling with a band, think of ‘leather’ pants as a cooler option to the classic black pant. Why not? They add a touch of luxe and a bit of rock n’ roll to an upscaled outfit. Also, being over fifty, the traditional black dress pant can scream old school slacks to me and I want to avoid that!

I recently found two pairs -a slim fit legging type and a jogger pant in ‘leather.’ They felt much more comfortable than I expected and do elevate everything I put them with. A few of the looks I pulled together with these two pants..

Try a pair of slim leather pants with a longer top or oversized sweater for a more polished everyday look that’s still comfortable. These below, are a little more like a pant. Below, the straight leg pull ons with a long white button up, sneakers, a sweater for wrapping around the shoulder and a Rebecca Minkoff chain bag. An elevated errand day look!

Similar, but a bit more fitting-and very popular by Spanx are their Faux Leather Ankle Skinny Pants. My friend just bought these to wear with pretty blouses for parties and the holidays. Note: many of these pants run a bit large so read the sizing reviews.

The leather joggers are soft and something that you can have fun with. I dressed them up with an Ulla Johnson blouse I found on consignment and dressy sandals- modern and pretty feel for a dinner out. ( Also just for the record the day I took these photos we had hurricane winds, so I look a little crazy!)

Below, a super comfy look using the joggers with a denim shirt, shearling Birks and a cross-body.

Leather looking skirts of all lengths are also back and wrap and gathered waist versions seem popular and more livable than your traditional skirt. I don’t have a leather skirt, but I do like the newer relaxed looking versions like below.. so cute!

(Lisa Aiken Neiman’s new Fashion Director- link to her below also)

One perennial classic is the moto jacket. I never really coveted a motorcycle type jacket until a summer trip to Europe a few years ago. It was July and as it was Northern Europe, I was freezing my butt off and this California girl’s denim jacket wasn’t cutting it. I noticed in Germany, Belgium and all the towns we stopped, so many stylish women were sporting a small moto jackets. They looked cool and flattered all body types. After wearing a blanket over my denim out at night (truly), I hit the high street in Salzburg and found a jacket at the first shop for 40 Euros. Sold! These little jackets are a staple for women in Europe and a good classic to have in the the wardrobe. I still have the original and another in real leather from years ago.

My original Salzburg jacket- worn over a Jenni Kayne T-shirt dress I love, (link below) dressed up and dressed down depending on footwear and accessories.

Don’t be afraid to occasionally add a nice looking sneaker to your dresses if it will make you wear them more. These bootie sneakers are good for a day in the city, museums, etc with a dress. My husband says I look cool when I add them to dresses! He doesn’t remark on a lot.

Finally my real vintage leather moto jacket worn dressed up. This is over my favorite DVF silk dress . I added some lug sole Paul Green combat boots (similar on link), I bought before the pandemic. I think they give this a bit of a younger feel than heels. My very favorite way to wear this jacket is with a big black sweater, white jeans and black flat boots or sneakers.

Below some leather looks that have inspired me lately..

Lisa Aiken, Neiman’s Fashion Director in a vegan ‘leather’ wrap skirt and friend with looser ‘leather’ pants.

I hope you are excited to look at leather looking pieces and see what might add some cool to your fall wardrobe game. Go through the closet and drag out those leather pieces you might have for fall. Husband’s jackets are fair game too as the oversized look is in! Consignment places as always are a treasure trove also.

If you need to add a piece your collection below a few good vegan leather options in all price points..

Astars Inverness Skirt, Side Split Pencil Skirt, Bardot Pants, Cropped Joggers, Alice & Olivia Combo Pant, Belted Tan Pants, Laundry Pull On Leggings in Bordeaux, Halogen Joggers, Avec Les Filles Vegan Moto Jacket, Blank NYC Faux Moto Jacket, Jenni Kayne Leopard T-Shirt Dress, Bias Cut Printed Slip Dress, Target Tapered Ankle Pants, New Day Ankle Leggings,

Now please stop by Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London’s blogs and see what they do with leather. I am always getting ideas from what they share and both have so much personal style.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you have any thoughts or things to add about today’s leather theme!

Kim

Links may sometimes generate a small commission. Thanks for supporting the blog.

SIGNATURE STYLE – FALL DENIM REPORT

September 9, 2021 By kimwheeler 24 Comments

Can you believe it’s September? As much as I love summer, I am ready for the change to-fall and warm clothes. Denim is always uppermost in my mind when I think of my fall wardrobe. Here in California it’s our uniform so much of the time, so I was excited that Cindy and Sarah wanted to do denim for our Signature Style series this month. I do get a lot of inquiries throughout the year from readers who want flattering jean recommendations. Hopefully this post will help and I’ll share my personal favorite brand and a few new discoveries for Fall 2021.

This year it looks like the straight leg is gaining more traction, and as women embrace more comfortable clothes after a year plus at home the momentum for them is just getting stronger. The challenge is finding the right pair that suits your body type. I prefer the straight legs that are cropped and have a more slim cut as a petite person. The ankle flair is also a strong second to the straight leg and that jean shows off your sneakers and booties. Wide legs and mom jeans are also trending, but you have to find what feels good and flatters you. I think we can all agree the skinny is slowly going out.

Before buying any jeans, I urge you to look at what you already own. It takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow the cotton to produce just one pair of denim jeans. The manufacturing processes also use toxic dyes. Many companies, especially those who manufacturers premium denim in the U.S., are using uprecycled cottons and less toxic chemicals and less water in manufacturing. Buy mindfully and consider denim from places like Crossroads Trading and other consignment stores that have great denim collections. Upcycling is what all the young people are doing, and we need to get onboard. I have found one of my coolest pairs of jeans that way.

Take some time and bring all your jeans out, try them on by a full length mirror and see what you still love. Keep only what feels and looks good. You can also have some altered to be ankle length or ankle flair, which is great with booties. If you’re brave, take a pair of sharp scissors and cut them to be ankle grazing if you want a change.

Assesing my jeans I have 12 pairs, including an almost 17 years old pair from Gap. I don’t know how it kept making the cut, but it’s a straight leg, mid-rise and no stretch classic pair. I would say most of my jeans last me at least 5-6 years and are a mix of Frame, Paige, Anthropologie, and a few other premium brands, and some found at consignment.

Right now the pair I love best is from Frame and I have had at them 6 years, and they still sell the style, Le Garcon . They feel great on and don’t have too much stretch, are slim at the lower leg, but not tight at the waist and hips.. That’s a great cut that is slimming, but doesn’t feel like a skinny jean. About a year or ago, I realized they would look more updated with the hem cut and a bit shorter so I carefully cut them.

Here I am wearing them back in 2016 on a trip to SFMoma..

Frame is considered premium denim, is made in California with higher standards and sustainable practices and materials. They have a section of extra sustainable styles- like the straight leg here (below left)and I especially love this slouch pair, (center), and this gorgeous pair made in Italy , (right.)

I also did a trip last weekend to Anthropologie to see what they have as I have bought a few of their house brand denim, Pilcro and like them. I tried three pairs and the Slim Boyfriend Jeans below, were my favorite. I bought these in regular, but they have petite, tall and plus sizes in these.

I appreciate that they are 32% recycled cotton which is good for the earth. If you’re on the short side like me, or are short-waisted, consider petite as the rise is 2.5 inches shorter, so they won’t feel like the waist is too high. The regular size has 9.5 inch rise, which wasn’t extreme. The gauze blouse is new from Cloth & Stone, one of the best brands. I loved this color for fall!

Another way to style these same jeans is with the cuffs pulled up instead of rolled. I especially like this look with boots. Try it if your jeans are usually rolled for a more structured look.

This rose cashmere sweater was another item I fell in love with at Anthro. I’m a sucker for florals.

Also by Pilcro, Anthro’s in house denim brand, is The Wanderer Jean, which I would call a painter’s pant back in the day, and are deemed ‘relaxed’ fit, but they also say ultra high rise. Those two don’t go together in my mind. Still, they are cute and new and will give a updated look to the wardrobe for sure. I’m still thinking about them.

It looks much cooler on the model and I like how they have clogs with it. A perfect transitional autumn look and feel!

This jean comes 3 different washes, and petite and plus sizes, and the cotton is from a special mill in Turkey that is dedicated to environmental practices. Many of the Anthro jeans are coming from places like this. Look at the details in the description before you buy!

I also tried the Selvedge Borrowed Boyfriend Jean by Pilcro and it’s made at a mill in Milan, which is called ‘the greenest mill in the blue world’ and does not use any toxins at all in their process, which can pollute waterways. I love that so much. It comes in tall, petite and plus and is what I would call an old school jean, not much stretch, but won’t sag on you and I think will soften up over time. It’s a classic straight leg and because of this special mill and cotton, this jean is a bit more expensive.

The super soft Pointelle Cardigan was another good find and a classic I’ll wear a lot this fall. I’m thinking of getting another in black while they have them..

Speaking of cost for denim, an Instagram friend read I had my old Gap jeans and she remarked she still had her Guess jeans! Do you remember those? They were quite pricey back in the 80’s, like near $100. I remember saving for them. That was nearly 40 years ago. You know what’s remarkable about that? Costs of denim haven’t gone up much in 40 years. You can still walk into Gap and buy jeans for $50 or less. Is that a good thing? Not necessarily. Beware of cheap denim, the labor may be child labor or people working in horrible conditions for low wages and it may be made with polluting chemicals.

Since I called out Gap here, out of fairness I checked out the denim they did have that was made with their new Washwell program which saves millions of liters of water. No initiatives yet for the chemicals or information on factories and labor practices, but it’s something. The Mid-Rise Girlfriend was a decent jean with almost no stretch, but a classic look and unfitted leg. I think these had a lot of extra fabric in the hip area, so you can size down, but actually felt okay on and comes in petite and tall and run $48 (online), or $69 regular price in store.

I liked the wash and with their classic Gap Organic Button-up shirt button down you could do worse. The Deconstructed Mid-Rise Girlfriend (center), is also cute and I like the raw hem. High Rise Vintage Slim Jean (right), which wasn’t at my local Gap, but looks like a chic simple cut too.. All below are using the Washwell technology.

Gap has a lot to choose from, but still had a ton of ‘jeggings’ at my local store. I’m not sure why you would buy those, but they have truck loads. They could also give the store a good vacuum and clean the fitting room mirrors, but I digress..I was kind of saddened the brand is not being cared for like it once was.

In other news, Vogue just has an article that Old Navy will be the first retailer to integrate plus sizes into the regular women’s up to size 30. Old Navy already has done this and so you can shop for the denim in all sizes which will be helpful and more equitable as half of women in America are considered plus and now their sizes will be with all the others, not off in a corner.

J. Crew is also expanding their denim and has up to size 23- 37 in jeans. These Vintage Slim Jeans seen like a perfect straight leg look… I’ve been wearing their white jeans all summer and plan to continue.

Please share your musings on denim in the comments. Do you like the new straight legs or are you still a skinny jean person? What brands are your favorites and have you shopped thrift or vintage for upcycled styles? I’d love to hear.

Please visit Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London with their own takes on Signature Style for denim on their blogs today!

Kim

For more inspiration and more ideas for to style denim, you can follow my Pinterest Board, Jean Love.

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Signature Style – The Seasonless Skirt

August 3, 2021 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

Welcome to August’s Signature Style post ! This month we are talking skirts. I think this is a timely post as they are the ultimate transition piece bridging the gap between seasons. We could all use some good skirts in our closets and I’ll show you a few ways to style the ones you might already have- and a few you might want to add to your closet!

I’ve been wanting to add a few longer midi or maxi skirts to my closet for a while, so this post was a great time to do it. The skirts I found I can wear for an upcoming anniversary getaway with the hubs, but also for fall and winter.

First up is a fun gingham tiered skirt. This can be dressy for a party or dinner paired it with a floaty tank, long pearls and and some skinny strapped flats.

This skirt is from TopShop and is no longer available, but I found similar gingham versions here at Bloomingdales, this cute version with pockets. The shell tank is from a past season, but a very close version in white or black here. Isn’t the gingham kind of fun?

The modern sandal was from Everlane years ago, but an nearly identical (maybe even better version) here at TKEES. I’m thinking of getting the tan too. I love that their sandals come in skin colors of all shades, so pretty.

When fall is here I’ll pair it with my camel color J Crew jacket, black sneakers and my Burberry bag.. If I’m out I’ll add my black fedora . I like the idea of keeping the outfit all tan, black and white. The idea is to take a ‘dressier’ type skirt like this and make it work for daytime with sportier accessories. Why not use it, if it’s a cute skirt instead of letting it gather dust in the off seasons?

The second skirt I bought is pleated black classic skirt. A black long black skirt is a hugely versatile piece for your wardrobe. Ive had a black skirt on my radar for a while and I found this Max Studio pleated version at The Nordstrom Rack. It’s a pull-on with a built in slip. Pleated skirts are very popular now and there’s a Tahari version too.

I will wear it on vacation with my favorite Cinq a Sept silky black tank, Tory Burch black sandals and a black bag. To make it more casual add some chunky sandals and a cotton t-shirt or even a sweatshirt.

When the weather turns chilly, I can pair this with a chunky sweater, a moto jacket, sneakers or some combat boots. I just bought the Zadig & Voltaire sweater for fall on pre-sale here at Bloomies. My sneakers are super comfy and on sale here.

My third skirt is a super soft pull floral skirt. I had to buy this because it felt so good on and I knew I would want to wear it a lot. These pull on bias cut types remind me of the skirts I wore so much as a working gal in the 90’s.. Bias skirts flatter most everyone and though look tight, don’t feel like it at all. This one falls around the calf and for that reason is more casual.

I paired it with a white tank and a white linen blazer (similar here), leather flip-flops and a cross-body (here in natural and in black.) This could work for a sightseeing day of travel in a city or a dinner out. I also love floral skirts with khaki and paired it with an older bomber jacket and the same sneakers. This is a great early fall look!

And just for fun, I added a graphic t-shirt. I love the look of a skirt paired with a fun t-shirt and sneakers. Just as easy as jeans and a t, but a lot more stylish and cute. Similar fun pull-on printed skirts here at Bloomies, and this one at Anthropologie, and this at J Crew.

Considering what to add to the closet and use throughout the year, you’ll get a lot of mileage out of a floral or cute print skirt and a classic black one. I really love the midi and longer lengths now and they look modern!

Here’s a few more standouts in the skirt category to consider..

I absolutely love this Madewell pull on daisy skirt made of upcycled polyester. I’d wear it with slides and a white button up and in fall just as they show with sneakers and a sweater..

I also think this pull on drawstring skirt would be easy and flattering for so many. It’s got one shirt side slit and because of the drawstring, it’s easy to adjust the fit. This is a very versatile and cute print! I love how they show it with the modern sandals.

Similar modern sandals as above- here ,here and with a stripe and with a contrasting sole.

For now, and into fall how sweet is this Madewell button-front tiered skirt? The color and pattern are so pretty.

This pull on leopard skirt from the J Crew factory is an easy go-to! Love it with the denim jacket.

Lastly, this wrap skirt from J. Crew is just adorable. I’d wear this with clogs and a sweater in autumn! I may have worn a similar outfit in third grade..

I hope you enjoyed my dive into skirts. I’d love to hear do you love them or not? Which skirts are your favorite? They are such an easy and feel-good piece to wear more often. Don’t forget about them! I’ll addd more skirts to this post when good ones pop up.

Our Signature Style is a collaborative event please visit Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London and see what fab skirt ideas they are sharing.

Thanks for being here!

Kim

Some links may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Signature Style-Five Hats to Love

July 6, 2021 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

Today I’m joining up with my Signature Style compadres Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London for some chat about hats! Summer is here and this is the opportunity to add a hat to two to the repertoire and why not? Hats not only are an excellent way to save your skin, they give you instant style cred and let you stand out in a good way..

You may be one of those people who aren’t hat people. My own mother wasn’t a hat fan. She said she didn’t have a good face for hats. I don’t believe that is possible. The truth was she felt a little shy in them I think. There’s a hat for everyone and you just have to find what feels good on you. If you get used to popping one on as you leave the house, after a while you won’t even give it a second thought. I love having them by the front door- and they make cute decor too.

Hats have always held bit of romance for me. Even as a very young girl I’ve been in love with them. One of the first memories I have of someone with a hat style I wanted to emulate was Jane March in the film, The Lover. It’s a semi-autobiographical story by Marguerite Dumas about a young French expat in 1920’s in Colonial Vietnam. I recently rewatched it and honestly had forgotten how racy it was. (Well the title, no duh.) I just remember obsessing on the style of the young woman and how she wore a man’s hat as her signature at a time when women did not do that.

Jane March left in The Lover and a photo of myself around the same era trying to emulate the Jane March look, but backpacking..I was almost not going to share this, as I’m clearly pretty goofy and nothing like Jane..

Something about wearing a man’s hat is great too. They are often more roomy, made tougher and cost less, so don’t bypass them. Even better, see if you can borrow one from the men in your household, if you are so lucky to have a hat wearer in proximity.

Five Hats For Your Wardrobe

A wool felt hat will last forever and can be worn all year. My all-time favorite hat is a men’s felt hat that was bought in a hardware store in Wengen, Switzerland. I have worn this hat all over the world. A felt hat is great all year long and I wear mine in both summer and winter. Just last night, I wore it on the beach to watch fireworks.. It’s my camping hat and farmer’s market hat and for days I am exposed to more sun than usual or cold. I’ve worn it with a sundress as well as hiking gear. I particularly like it when walking in the woods to keep inadvertent things, (okay bugs) from dropping onto my hair. I keep it in my car most of the time so it’s always available. I think this hat looks cute on my husband too.

This hat by Brixton is a wool like mine, packable and comes in a pretty tan and a black. The tan looks very luxe and the black is chic and versatile..

And Madewell has this cute felt rancher hat ..

During summer I naturally gravitate to straw and woven hats and natural materials and it’s wonderful many more are online and in shops.

My latest is this straw hat I bought with my friends in Soquel. Below, Cindy Hattersley and I did a little hat shopping after lunch with friends Heidi and Mary Ann. I was trying on a Tula Garderner’s Hat from Wisteria Antiques and Garden Shop in Soquel, and Cindy has a lovely one too. Which is why you have to pop on over to her blog after this.

I’ve been wearing this ‘rancher’ hat in Tahoe this summer for biking and on the beach. I just think it’s a staple hat everyone could use. It has a little straighter feel and rises on the sides. Oh and someone called it the Bo Derek hat, so that sealed it for me. Could I just put the hat and magically be Bo?

Similar to my hat above is this Jesse Woven Rancher.

Anthropologie has this Braided Fedora

Also cute..this Lack of Color brand hat.. Love the shape, color and the leather cord. (You need this for biking and windy days.)

And then there is the Sage Hat by California company Wyeth, made with an adjustable interior sweatband so you can customize the fit and a cord. Did you know they are called stampede straps? I kind of love that and somehow it gives me visions of being like Jesse in Toy Story.

I also have worn a unisex Panama Hat by the lovely Montecristi Panama Hat Company in Napa for years. I have had three of these and adore them. If you can get to Napa, it is worth the trip to go to the fun shop and meet the lovely family that runs it. They are wonderful people who will help you fall in love with a hat that suits you. They are a very humble family, but they have big stars and celebs that always make a stop at their shop when in the Napa Valley.

If you can’t get to their shop Cuyana has one hand crafted in Ecuador for a good price.

These hats have gone all over with me, but they aren’t crushable so you need to do carry-on with them – aka wear on the plane!

I also love this man’s hat by Wallaroo and of course great price and so cool. I noticed a few women posted pics of themselves wearing it, so others are doing this too.

Can you just see this for with a sundress and sandals or even a white blazer and a skirt? Very Ralph Lauren to me!

Another great option is a woven Fedora Hat and it’s the other hat I bought this year. My black Banana Republic Fedora has been great and IS crushable. On the way to Hawaii recently it got loose on the TSA and was terribly smashed between two trays! My heart sank when it emerged from the X-ray machine, but came out unscathed. A great little hat! Also comes in a natural and 40% off currently, so about $34!

Lastly, a cool new hat that has come on my radar and intrigued me is a rollable hat from Anthropologie like these Woven Visor Hats. They look like a regular hat on, but are easy to throw on like visor, can accommodate a ballerina bun, as one reviewer said, and as they roll, super transportable. Your head does get some sun, but sometimes you want the air ventilation. I guess it depends on the hair and person. This comes in a black and a soft mauve too. Great idea to have rolled up in your purse and ready to go when you are unexpectedly caught out having lunch or anything in direct sun. I tried one at our local Anthropologie and they feel great and do look quite cute!

There are so many fun and chic hats out there. Don’t be afraid to start trying them and find what you like. They are wonderful for keeping your complexion less spotty here in California where we get so much more sun than we realize every day.

I’d love to hear what your thoughts are on hats. Are you a hat person or not?

Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London , my Signature Style pals both wear hats brilliantly and have so much style.. Please pop over to their blogs and see what their take on hats is. I’m sure you’ll be inspired by these ladies!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kim

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Signature Style- Resort Wear and What to Pack for Hawaii

June 10, 2021 By kimwheeler 20 Comments

Hello it’s that fun time where I get to join up with the stylish Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London for a Signature Style Post. This month we are talking resort wear.. and just in time as we in the states are finally beginning to safely venture out a bit for summer vacations. As I write this, we just came back from our first holiday in a year and a half with the family in Hawaii. I have a lot to share, but hope you’ll find some of it helpful!

In Hawaii, resort wear is extremely casual, and even in the nicest resorts, I’ve never worn a heeled sandal. The best part about a Hawaiian vacation is the ease. I spend most days in a swimsuit, with air-dried hair, and rarely put on makeup except a little lipgloss and mascara to go to dinner. I find I always pack too much for Hawaii. When I’m there I never want to fuss with jewelry, heels and blowdryers.

Enjoying a mango ice tea on my first day in Hawaii.

To avoid overpacking I remember a little tip from my mother. She would always say buy a few new things before you leave and you won’t mind repeating them on the trip. You should bring things that can do double duty like a dress as a coverup and silky shorts that you can dress up or wear with a tank for daytime. Pack shoes that work for more than one outfit and wear your heavy ones, like sneakers on the plane. I know there are those people flying in long dresses and flip-flops, but they just look dumb when the plane temp goes arctic. I wear layers and strip some off when I land.

Most importantly-you need a swimsuit that fits and feels good on. If you are struggling with this as most of us, read my recent post on bathing suits and body image for some inspiration and good choices. I noticed on this trip, a lot of women choosing the new one-shoulder look and it’s flattering for so many body types. It looks good on the curvy gals as well as those with leaner proportions. J. Crew is hands down my favorite retailer for quality, choice and fit. This is the suit I wore the whole Hawaii trip..

They also have these other pretty one shoulder options. Summersalt also has a popular one that comes in more sizes and color variations.

Another look that is chic and I saw all over Hawaii, is the long sleeve top with a bikini bottom. This is usually a rash guard own top, often with UPF built in. This look is appealing and for someone like me who can find a good bikini bottom, but not a supportive bikini top I like, you can wear comfy sport bra under the rash guard for more support. This look is stylish and is smart as we get so much sun damage on areas like the back and shoulders.

Everything But Water has this cute look in white and black..

There are also choice by Cover, below, in the scalloped top or a bit longer top in regular – also in black and white. They sell the hipster bikini bottoms too. Everything by this great line, including skirts, full suits and leggings have UPF 50 here. Also more on their own website. All Cover items are made in California! I love that. Do you know a recent study showed that 50% of all UVA exposure occurs in the shade, so your the beach umbrella isn’t enough.

I love the look paired with a hat. I just bought this straw hat from Banana and they have a similar one now..

My favorite coverups are always the white ones and I always find new ones while traveling. A few pictures of me in coverups last week.. one with my oldest Jackson.. I think I have too many, but I love them and use them as tops if they are short and dresses if they are longer.

Other white coverups are this cutie by Tommy Bahama. It can also double as an out to dinner dress.

This Melissa Odabash coverup is in many colors and so feminine.

I also really like this gauze offering at Anthropologie in a few colors..

So what else to pack? Well, this year it’s all about the new longer and more feminine shorts! I needed some so bought a few new ones for this vacation. They seem to be a fresh look and I loved the dressy versions out now. I like that packing them meant I could have options for daytime treks and also evenings too. I added three pairs this year to my closet.

Banana Republic has a new look and I found two beautiful made pairs there- this linen blend short in a fresh yellow.. Sorry for the wrinkles on my flat lay, but they are linen, and even the store display shows them like that. If you love linen you have to get past the wrinkles. (People in Europe don’t even iron their linen, just smooth it and flat dry. It’s bad for the fibers to iron and starch.)

The black ruffled top is a new versatile tank I love from Cinq a Sept. It is so popular and such a flattering staple, they carry it year round at Neiman’s. It was a bit of a splurge, but my friend Jeanne wears hers all the time and it’s even lovelier in person with a side stripe of grosgrain. It’s beautifully made, light and doesn’t wrinkle. I also wore it on the plane on the way over. The scalloped sweatshirt is by Frame and my Perry Bombe cross-body bag by Tory Burch I take on all my trips. The ribbon espadrille slides (above) are Tory Burch. Black sandals are a few seasons past, but something similar here.

I also bought these Banana Republic Flyweight shorts (above and below),made of recycled materials. They are travel perfect as they don’t wrinkle, are temperature regulating and have UPF 50! I wore them on a hot day out to do some sightseeing and also dressed them up with the tank at night with some pretty necklaces and sandals. ( love the necklaces from Ippolita)

While in Hawaii this Twin Palms raw edge linen jacket caught my eye at Tommy Bahama. I have needed a light jacket and I wore it with the some my new higher waist shorts and a soft linen tank I’m in love with on the plane ride back. The Leaf Jacquard Scarf was a find at Tommy B’s when I was buying the jacket and it was great for a wrap in the evening as well as warmth on the plane. (Can you tell I hate being cold?) I loved the Hawaiian vibe of the scarf too.

Paige jean shorts and Tory comfy Miller Cloud sandals.

During this trip I discovered Tommy Bahama. It’s not usually on my radar, as we don’t have one near me. They have some very cute summer dresses in linen if you want a resort ready dress. Don’t forget about them as a great vacation resource. We went to their fun restaurant on the Big Island and the shop is right below it.

This darling ruffled linen Tommy Bahama dress comes in 7 colors and is the softest linen. I also loved the look and feel of this linen blend dress in 11 colors which can go off the shoulders or not.

Their Raffia tote can go from the beach to evenings out.

A resort look that was new for me was a pair of fun track pants from Anthro and a strapless top. This is a modern evening look and I will use the pants so much with white t’s etc. ( They also come in a cute tan and navy.) The strapless tube top was a little out of my normal comfort zone, but I thought why not? The top warranted a pant or something longer for evening dinner out to me. They were long for me, but they were cuffed when I bought them and I left them like that. This tube top matched the bees on the pants perfectly. I added longer earrings and a woven clutch I’ve owned forever. The tube top comes in a lot of fun colors and can be a great look under a white blazer.

Not the best pic, but the guys weren’t into waiting for photos on vacation.

Another fun and flattering look on most everyone for the vacation bound is a one shoulder top. I have this Isabelle Marant I wore on this trip and always take it on holidays.

It’s no longer available, but Rails has a darling white version with a puff sleeve I want and the cutest paper bag shorts. I love this look! I think a one shouldered top is made for resort wear- daytime or nights out. A lot of people wonder if you need a strapless bra with these one shoulder tops. So far I’ve just worn a regular bra and tucked the strap for the other in the bra band.. It works.

I wore slides most of the time in Hawaii and packed my favorite leather sneakers for the plane. I just love these trainers from Banana that are light and comfy and sporty cute.

Other sandals that are resort worthy.. Can you tell I love the new modern look of these comfy slides? I couldn’t choose so I just put them all on here.

These Seychelles Puffy Woven Slides in a zillion colors, Seychelles Low Key Slides, Kaanas Patterned Slides, Vince Sueded Buckle Espadrille, Silent D Woven Slide (in black and khaki), Beek Pigeon Slides, The Day Crossover Sandal from Everlane, The Dayna Lugsole Slide Sandal from Madewell, Pacific Leather Thong ( 3 colors) from J.Crew, Frances Valentine Gardenia Sandal, Tory Burch Miller Cloud in Spark, Tory Rope Slides.

I hope there is a vacation or a holiday you are planning in your future. I’ll share some more of my Big Island getaway soon.

Now please stop over to Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London’s wonderful blogs to see what they have for you in resort wear ideas for your vacation plans!

Happy Summer!

Kim