The Transition Mission – what to wear when the weather won’t play nice.

It’s Spring, no it’s summer, fark, it’s a throw back to biblical times with a flood and a rain storm like no other.  What the hell do I wear?

Yes sisters, ’tis the season of the transition mission.  That weird time at the beginning of Spring, when you get all hot under the collar for cutoffs and bikinis at the first hint of sun that warms you, but are thoroughly disappointed by its lack of committment.

So to save you the hassle of figuring it out, I came up with a quick fire list of my top five, trans-season, transition mission, Spring/Summer wardrobe staples.  You likely already have them in your wardrobe, but if you insist on investing, consider buying high-end, quality stuff (your country of origin/locally made if you really want to fly the flag) and have them in your wardrobe for longer than just this season.  That way, when Spring/Summer rolls around next year – funny how it does this annually but we always get caught out – then you have at least two of these options to tide you over. This quick-list of my 5 best options can be mixed and matched for daytime to nighttime looks and for casual to work-wear.

Jeans – seems obvious, but these are the staple you need all year around.  If you are trying to update the ones you have, check out the the look du jour 2016 in jeans which are often distressed (not depressed) with rips and a boyfriend cut.  There’s also a new cut called the girlfriend jean, think a little tighter than the boyfriend, cropped in the leg and, according to Marie Claire, with a more flattering  leaner silhouette than the boyfriend.  These baggier jeans look great with a t-shirt or shirt worn tucked but slouchy.  Team it with trainers for a relaxed look or this season’s hot shoe trend – the mule, for a more glam look.

Kaftan/kimono or sleeveless vest – the kaftan is a great layering option, soft and floaty and goes great over a sleeveless top or a long sleeve T-Shirt – which means it really is a transition mission star.  My personal fav kimonos are from Augustine and I see that they have re-issued the style that I love (and have two of) again for this new drop, in different colours.   A sleeveless coat is also a great spring and autumnal wonder-number.  I reckon they streamline your figure and a camel one that my friend purchased from Storm the other day, looked amazing over white, mixed with denim.  These two looks offer very different styles, but they essentially provide the same service – coverage and an extra layer while the weather acts like a turd.

Heeled Sandals /open toe wedges/clogs or mules. Some of these options will likely  be a part of your wardrobe already, because they are easily a summer staple too.  But if they’re not, consider investing.  I’m talking open toe, sandal, clog or mule. Check out Kathyrn Wilson, there are a tonne to choose from here.  Anything with a heel (this is essential in this inclement weather to keep your feet and the bottom of your trousers, dry for when the weather turns bat shit crazy.   Surely the look of the shoe season in 2016, is the mule. I wore them back in the early noughties, and just like Carly Simon sang, they’re “coming around again”.  My pick for mules are these Gucci look-a-likes, divine but for a very affordable price.  I don’t think you don’t have to be an early adopter for this look, but it may be worth hunting around for some, cause they are likely to be lingering for seasons to come.

Maxi and Midi Skirts – these perennial darlings are awesome.  I kept holding out for a Spell leopard print maxi skirt number and when I finally saved up and went to hit purchase, they had sold out :-(. But I will keep looking for one, just like I will for that elusive perfect white T-Shirt. But if leopard print ain’t your thang, have no fear, there are a stack of great looking maxi and midi skirts in all the prints in the shops at the moment.  Another favourite of mine, but I’m not convinced they suit my hips, are the pleated skirts that are showing up everywhere.  A longer line skirt (this one is from Ruby) for this transitional season means that you can easily forego stockings and not have to drown in fake tan by showing your lily whites just yet.

Culottes – I haven’t gone here yet, but man, am I tempted.  They are divine to look at and I always get a little fan girly when I see a sister rocking a pair.  I’ve spied these choice ones from Kowtow – with a cute paper-bag waist to boot.  The culotte can look like a skirt, but with the versatility of a pant.  It has the coverage for the transition mission, but not so much you feel swamped if it gets hot.  If you’re worried about them chopping you off at the calf, then wear them with a wedge or heel to give you height.

Hoping these options are helpful in keeping you dressed for success this weird and wacky season.  So come on sisters, share your style suggestions for Spring with the sisterhood, I’d love to hear your magic ideas.  And if you need some styling help, please get in touch with me, I’d love to help xx

Mmmmmwah, EJ, the mother of the sisterhood.  x emma@sisterhoodofstyle.com

 

White T-Shirt Tales.

Despite knowing better sisters, I have a deep love of white T-Shirts.  In my head, I look like a movie star, all oiled on the decollatage, perfect pointy breasts sitting nicely but not obviously in my tee, as I drape languidly in a chair sipping a wine on a balcony looking over Capri.  My long tousled hair gently falling over my shoulders and softly landing at the middle of my back.  We are eating a beautiful red tomato based meal as I  wear this white T-shirt and none of it slips, trips or falls onto it.  There are no stains or dirty hands, snot or otherwise near this beautiful crisp white tee.  None whatsoever.

Cut to reality.

White T’s and me have a love-hate relationship.  I love them, they hate me.  Well that’s not entirely true, but they don’t freaking love me all out like a teenage love, they just somewhat tolerate me and my boobs and hips and mummy-tummy, my kids snot, underarm “persperation”, makeup and pasta meals.

So why do I love them so much?  They are so simple to style well.  Dress them up with a blazer and necklace with jeans and call yourself done.  You can tie it at the waist, pop on a maxi skirt and look freaking gypsy chic sorted.  Wearing it with shorts, jeans, skirts, trousers, jackets, denim is all possible and I could go on, but I won’t ’cause white T-Shirts work with everything. End of story.

But there’s a hidden dark secret – finding  the right one can be hard.  Just like that elusive pair of great fitting jeans, white T-shirts can sometimes be an epic fail.  Especially if you have boobs, hips and a bit of under bra back bulge that white tee can be a little bit unforgiving.

So I’m on a mission my sisters, to find a great white T-shirt that can marry my boobs, my hips and my mummy tummy and tolerate my kids hands, snot and my deep love of pesto pasta.  I’m going to track it down before summer hits and I will let you in on the find.

In the meantime, here’s some that you could try for yourselves, because I absolutely believe a white T-Shirt should be in your wardrobe, ready at a moments notice to make you look effortlessly styled.

Kowtow clothing  recommended to me by an ace style maven,this tee has length in the arms, which I like – a lot. It’s choppy at $89 but could be a solid find.

ASColour is a favourite of mine, cause you can dress the whole family in T-shirts and sweartshirts with their special of 5 garments for $110.  Their fit is probably the most forgiving and I have high hopes of finding my summer tee here.  My only gripe is that the lower cut versions can be a bit gappy on the boob, but great fitting everywhere else.

Bassike I don’t own one, but I might, because I have heard on good authority they keep their shape and their cotton is durable and soft.

Then there are these options I recently found at  Decjuba .  I tried on all of their White tee offerings and it was an experience of great highs (I loved the look of all of them) and a brief low when I realised my assets got in the way.  🙂

So sisters, I haven’t found her yet, but I will persevere.  I will leave no white T-shirt unfolded.  I will prevail.

I’m a woman on a mission.  If you have found the perfect white tee, share it with the group.

Mmmmwah, love, the mother of the sisterhood of style.

EJ x