Swimsuits-DON'T PANIC!

Swimsuits-DON'T PANIC!

This post is early because I've been thinking about swimsuits and because I want us all to relax. There are some good options out there. Trust me.

The other day, I was at Target trying on every maxi dress that they had so that you didn't have to and so I could choose my favorites for spring and summer. (If you don't follow me on Instagram, you should!) I love a one-piece outfit for the warm weather, don't you?

However, while I was there, I was horrified to check out the swimsuit section. It used to be that my best friend and I would flounce into Target in late spring and leave with bags full of bikinis. Lately, however, I find myself less and less interested in triangle tops and tie bottoms. Even if I find a bikini that holds my chest in during, you know, actual swimming, I find myself increasingly in pools full of children and families. I don't have children of my own, but I don't want to feel too revealed.

The Target selection, like many you might walk past, is skimpy. I'm not sure what the demographic is, but they seem to really favor strapless tops. Yeah, not for me!  I offer, for your review, a few more appropriate, but still stylish, alternatives.

Ruffles

This top is not cheap, but it's amazing. I purchased it in bubble gum pink a year plus ago when we went on a cruise directly after fertility treatments. I felt bloated and miserable and like I was pregnant, but I wasn't. Hence the miserable. This pink beauty was what got me into a bathing suit at all so I felt it was worth it! I just paired it with a variety of bottoms that I already had in complementary colors.

It's very flattering even for a larger bust; it's supportive, and it covers any and all stomach issues you might be feeling at the moment. The ruffles just flow away from your body in such a comfortable way! I will note, however, that the ruffles hit you in the face in the hot tub. It's a hard life...

RashGuards

This is a trend that I'm very excited about: rash guards. Ok, the name is gross and kind of sounds like something you'd buy at the pharmacy, but the concept is one that's been long due. Think of it as a swim shirt, like you'd wear if you went surfing. Then, get one in a classic pattern like a stripe and pair it with any sold bottom. The best ones are SPF 50 or above!

The one above from Athleta looks like it's not too clingy around the waist, which would be what I'd look out for. Interested in a tighter one that will likely stay put for more intensive sports? JCrew has a bunch, like this cute dot one.

Bra-Sized Tops

For a long time, I just assumed that swimsuits came in sizes like t-shirts. Then, I found that Victoria's Secret made bra-sized swimsuits. Then, I found that Victoria's Secret made incredibly padded swimsuits, and I was disillusioned. However, all is not lost! Some of the most athletic stores make the best bra-sized tops that will actually stay on and allow you to do things by or in the water like chase children, swim, or play volleyball. I am really intrigued this season by Athleta's Tara Halter Bikini, shown below. 

The comments and ratings from customers are really good, and they say key things like "secure" and "comfortable," which is key because I think a halter can be very hard on the neck with a bigger bust if the suit is not well made. One the other end of the spectrum and looking for a great suit for a smaller bust? Here's my pick for you!

Go Retro

What I've learned is that bathing suits used to be far more functional. A retro-styled suit can often provide support in a way that looks feminine at the same time. I love the thicker straps on this suit from Asos above. You can pair it with a high-waisted retro bottom if you want, but a more modern look would be to go with something like a boy short or other current fit.

Also, Asos says that beach pants are a thing. I'm not sure that they didn't just invent them, but I'm in! I'd love to wear these to the pool or in the early morning at the beach when it's still a bit too chilly.

I love the combination of the retro top with the 80s-inspired "beach pants." Very modern, indeed.

So that's my take on adult swimwear. I know that I've left out some things that might be of interest, like covering up more on the bottom or petite options so please leave a comment if you have a specific need that you'd like me to address. Happy to do so!

Personal Styling with Debbi

Personal Styling with Debbi

"Without a doubt, this was the best thing I've done for myself since becoming a mom."

Can you believe that's what she said?! What a doll! And let me tell you, Debbi is so much fun to hang out with! We had a ball together trying on a million outfits so this is going to be a picture heavy post! I want to pause for a minute and talk about the picture above.

I paired the sweater with the round necklace because I love to echo a pattern in clothing with the same shape in jewelry. The necklace is close enough to her neck that she might be able to wear it around her twins, too!

For days when she's going into the office, lunching with clients, or even on video from home, we put together some business casual styles that she can also throw in the wash. We ignored everything that was dry clean only and focused only on clothing that was versatile and washable.

Then, we layered up some polished casual looks made up entirely of ready-to-wash fabrics so she can wear them during the work day and with her kids!

I love her in those bright reds, blues, patterns, and leopard, and we also loved her in as many neutrals as we could find! 

For a casual night out without the kids, I tried her in a white blazer from her office days with a soft, casual baseball tee and pants. I would love this with an orangey-red lipstick.

And we also played with some casual, around-the-house outfits! The bottom outfit even features her teething-friendly necklace while the top outfit includes leggings and that same baseball tee.

Here's what Debbi thought about our session together:

"I always felt like I had tons of clothes but nothing to wear.  I always admired how other people played with color and looked so polished, but never felt that I could manage to get my act together to do it. After I became a mom, add in my complete lack of time to even care. ;)

My twins arrival really rocked my world in every imaginable way, and my ENTIRE life changed. I went from managing a team of 11 and a multi-million dollar business to being a spit up rag who never left my house. Now that I'm working from home, it was a good impetus for me to get my act together, fully accept my new  life and start feeling like a whole human again.

Our time together was SO wonderful and I learned so much in such a short time. I feel so much better getting dressed each day and my husband has complimented me every day too!

Without a doubt, this was the best thing I've done for myself since becoming a mom."

Thank you, Debbi! And thanks to Tahira and Rose for their guest posts this week! I love looking into the closets and lives of other women, don't you? Next week I have a favorite friend writing about shopping when you're tall. Stay tuned!

Polished Casual, a Guest Post

Polished Funky Casual, a Guest Post

 

How thrilling to be a guest on StartCloseIn! I was so flattered to be asked to contribute something about my point of view on style this week. You'll probably recognize some serious Ella-influences in my post (ahem, three elements to an outfit...)

Last week I began a new job as General Manager of a tapas-style Spanish restaurant in the West Chelsea neighborhood of New York. I have been working as a restaurant manager for the last several years and it's thrilling to be taking this step forward in my career. While a lot of my day to day work looks like any work- which is to say it looks like spreadsheets- the highlight of my job is working service. Even on a rainy Tuesday, every person who walks through our doors in expecting a fun night out. It's a wonderful energy to have as a daily influence.    

You won't be surprised to learn that the question is: what the heck do I wear for this job?! My role is a lot about setting a tone for my staff and our guests. It's important to me that guests who might have a problem (a hopefully rare occurrence!) immediately recognize me as a responsible, professional authority in the restaurant. In a more formal restaurant managers wear suits to work everyday. In my restaurant a suit would be totally tone deaf. I'd look more like a clueless undercover cop than a manager. In my vision of a great restaurant, the staff are a seamless part of the dining ambiance. So the criteria are: 1) recognizably professional, 2) not corporate or formal, 3) fun! (but not too sexy or casual). 

Tough right? I have developed a strategy for creating appropriate work outfits. You could say that it's a sort of equation based on the criteria above. Take one piece that is formal, one that is casual, and one that is fun, combine, and hope that you have shoes to go with it!

 

In the first outfit, the formal piece is a blazer. This one is a sale find from Urban Outfitters and has a racy leopard print lining. In my book, blazers read as serious no matter what. For my casual piece I chose my favorite summer maxi dresses with a beautiful batik print- totally hippy, casual. For a bit of fun I chose these long black feathered earrings. 

 

 

They're dramatic but not over the top and add a bit of dressy-going out fun to the ensemble. This outfit also uses lots of different dark tones. The navy/black of the blazer and the brown/black of the dress. I love not having to choose just one! I'll wear this on a weekend night when our guests tend to be a bit more dressed up. 

 

In the second outfit I have the "business on the bottom" with a navy sweater knit pencil skirt. In the past I have styled it with a blazer and and it comes very close to looking like a suit.  Next I add a super easy going denim, cowboy-style button down. It has snaps! The most casual of all fasteners. Finally, my fun element is this green and silver statement necklace. A dear friend got it for me years ago and the color is so vivid. It breaks up the blue on blue of the skirt and top a bit also. This is a great outfit for a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. 

Et voila! Two outfits ready to welcome guests, open wine, fix toilets, interview cooks, compute sales, and all manner of other tasks that might come at me in a day.

In a perfect world, my equation would mean getting dressed in the morning is a simple, stress free enterprise. But in this imperfect world, we have to wear shoes. 90% of the time I end up wearing the boring, unsupportive black ballet flats that live in my office. Hopefully Ella will devote a post to cute/professional/comfortable shoes soon! ;)

 

Thanks, Rose! What fun to get a glimpse into your life-and your wardrobe! Congratulations on the new job! -Ella

One Shirt, Three Ways

One Shirt, Three Ways

Last week (or was it the week before?) I took a trip to Target, likely for something completely unrelated to clothing, but of course my eyes started wandering. And I spotted these two blouses. I love the bikes, especially!

Since I'm considering buying it, I thought through how I'd wear it.

With Bright Blue

What about with a bright blue? Blue, a contrasting color from the pink/orange of the bikes, is a natural fit for this top. I love these bright chinos from Old Navy because they're a similar deep tone as the bikes. 

For now, you could wear them with low boots like the model, or you could try flats, slip on sneakers, or even sandals when the weather warms up. I think she has them rolled just a bit too high for cold weather, but in the spring you could wear them just as high. The goal is to show off the ankle bone or higher. Simply Be has a great selection of pencil skirts in bright blues, too.

You could add a blue necklace, but I'd go with a different color blue so that it doesn't feel too matchy-matchy. This one is pretty, or you could pull in some orange (same color family with pink, remember!) like this beauty.

Tucked into Something Green

Speaking of opposite sides of the color wheel, what about green? I'd love the bike shirt with a bright green. Is there anything that screams spring more than this green pencil skirt? I don't think so.

For now, layer on a neutral sweater or blazer on top, and for the spring try a bright orange flat or brogue. I'd love to layer on some more green, maybe something like this beautiful necklace!

With Neutrals

How about with white jeans? (Kohls has some great pairs, too). In the summer, it would be cute to go really preppy and roll them up with these top siders, but I'm also partial to these incredible mocs, both from Zappos.

Maybe top this preppy, boyish look with bright lipstick?

Part Time Styling

Part Time Styling

Hello folks! Since Ella was snowed in earlier this week, I offered to do a guest post from my sunny spot in Texas, but because I have a one and a two year old, my "quick response" intentions became a "thank goodness they are napping/yay for spring forward" execution on this lazy Sunday.

My name is Tahira, and I have been Ella's dear friend for 13 years now through college, grad school programs 1, 2, and 3, two weddings, and my two tots. I am a part-time federal employee, full-time mom, and a run a small travel agency out of my study. I am what you might call busy.

Ella couldn't have started her personal styling business at a better time FOR ME. I have a one and a two year old and "suffer" the same styling roller coasters that every newish mom has. At some point, you just aren't sure if it is worth wearing anything other than yoga pants and a t-shirt. If the pants are LuluLemon, then it counts as dressing up. Trust me, I've been there. But, as a manager in a real office job, and a mom at home, Ella has helped me come to find that I can create outfits that blend from work to play and simple ways to make each outfit transition that doesn't require yoga pants (always). I usually head into work when my kids go down for nap, so I truly have to dress for EVERYTHING.

Here is my weekly roundup and some keys to making something for work or play or BOTH. Perhaps we should call it "What would Ella do?"

First up, Tuesday: a true 1/2 work, 1/2 play day. This Banana Republic Oxford is one of my faves for these types of day: it doesn't need ironing, has fun blue detailing and a stripe. Ella would approve. You know this outfit was heading out to work because I am wearing a necklace and a bracelet. Necklaces are luxuries I choose to forego when home with my little girl. I wore casual black slacks and gold sequin flats. I am sure Ella would have tucked it in for the work part, and I will do that next time. Untucked is definitely my look for Library Toddler Time and I just carried it throughout.

And here is my little lollipop. See, it works both ways!

Wednesday I had a work meeting so I am a bit more polished here. Though the photo is twice as bad.

This is a pairing truly inspired by El. Mixed textures, stripes, cohesiveness by using only jewel tones. I paired this sweater and blouse with navy blue pants and black suede boots. Also, if I hadn't discovered layering under this sequin top, it would have been a donated item because its so itchy. When I got home, I ditched the (HEAVY) necklace, traded the work pants for skinny jeans and invited the neighbors over to make homemade pretzels. Perfect!

Thursday is a day "off" for me (where I work much much harder as a full time stay at home mom). A less refined version of myself, circa 2011, would have never believed that a button up could be for play. But this Old Navy Men's X-Small number was a thrift store find at $2 and definitely isn't cut out for work. Being at home means scarves not jewelry, but you can see the fun details and crumply collar that mean its a play day.

And Friday, I snapped this shot while walking the kids to our local taco stand on a half day. The lighting was good but the camera lens is apparently dirty beyond words on my phone. Ha ha. Monochrome, two necklaces (one is technically a teething tool), and belted at my middle. I think I nailed it for Friday work casual in my already casual office. (The men were wearing jerseys.)

So, how'd I do, Bell? Style me!

Thanks, Tahira! You did GREAT! I loved seeing how you choose outfits that travel with you from home to work and back again! And thanks for shining a bit of that Texas sun on us! -Ella

Personal Styling and Shopping for Danae

Personal Styling and Shopping for Danae

What a week, guys! Thank you for bearing with me as my posts got fewer and fewer! Last week my husband and I went to visit family in South Carolina, and we got snowed in there. A dear friend of mine was in early labor before we left, and I was honored to be asked to be with her and her husband during the birth of her son, too! He was born on Friday afternoon. Last night I slept for 13 hours, and I'm planning to do the same tonight, Saturday. To say that I'm exhausted is putting it mildly, and I'm not even the one who had the baby! I have so much admiration for every mother. It was an incredible experience.

This week, I've got new clients to show off and even a guest poster-or two! So let's get started with Danae! Danae is a new mom who wrote to me looking for a fresh look at her clothes. We talked a lot about how to maintain her modesty guidelines while also feeling fresh and young. The style we found that she liked was layered, colorful, and just beautiful!

Here are a few early looks from her closet. Later on, we went shopping, but I didn't snap any pictures for you. Sorry! We got caught up!

Here, I laid out two outfits using contrasting colors: pink and blue on the left and pink and green on the right. I loved how the pink brightened up Danae's face!

Here, we layered two patterns! She was nervous about it at first but realized that the blue reads as a solid in many ways. Since she'd be comfortable with this plaid and blue jeans, why not with the blue cardigan?

And, you know me, I had to get her in something outside of her norm-something that would make her give me THIS face!

Here's what Danae had to say about our time together!

"In less than three hours, I had a completely new outlook on my wardrobe!  For weeks, maybe even months, I had been wanting to go buy something new, but I waited in anticipation for this styling session.  Ella showed me that I didn't need to go buy that much!  I couldn't believe the outfits she put together!  She helped me get rid of all my "old rules" and learn new ones that actually make sense!  It's interesting and kind of sad how we make false conclusions about ourselves and our bodies.  Ella is so supportive and honest, while at the same time so fun!  In addition to showing me how to enhance my styling techniques, she helped me see myself in a better and truer light.  It was totally worth it, and I do not doubt that I will have her coach me again in the future. Thank you so much Ella!"

Aww! I have the best clients. Thank YOU, Danae!!

You've Got To Give A Little

You've Got To Give A Little

Via

This time of year, many of us are thinking about giving something up. Sometimes my husband gives up Diet Coke, last year I started doing something positive instead of giving up, and today people at work are swearing off one food or another.

What about when it comes to clothing or style or fashion? 

What would it look like if you stopped _______________?

Stopped wearing black for a month?

Stopped criticizing yourself for a month? Started talking to your own reflection like you would talk to a dear friend instead?

Stopped wearing pants for a month-and pulled out your favorite dresses or skirts?

Stopped straightening your hair-and wore your hair with its natural consistency?

Stopped wearing anything uncomfortable- and wore only things that nurtured and held you?

Stopped hiding behind your clothing- and started revealing yourself?

Stopped dressing for someone else- and started wearing what you like?

Stopped dressing like everyone else- and started wearing what you want to instead?

Stopped wearing things more than once a week- and started wearing more of what you have hidden away?

Who could you become after a month?

Full Midi Skirts

In Love with Full Midi Skirts

Maria On Point via Washingtonian.com

This is going to be a fun week around here! I'll be featuring other blogs and bloggers I love and hopefully introducing you to some new women you'd love to follow!

I was TICKLED (thanks for the edit, Sarah!) to see that Maria on Point was featured in The Washingtonian's article on full midi skirts! She writes a blog about style in three languages, and I love her bright, feminine approach to dressing. She has a timeless way of dressing that I think appeals to women of lots of ages. Check her out!

Oh-and Maria doesn't know I'm in love with her blog. But if you read this, hi Maria!