Trending Lightly

Observations in Fashion

The Problem With Sizing And How To Get Yours Right

by //

Have you noticed that sizing is inconsistent? Not only is there no standardization of sizes between one designer to the next but there can also be no consistency of size even within a particular brand. Couple that with the “plus size” labeling of anything larger than a 12 and we are looking at a perfect storm for hysteria when it comes to shopping.

But sizing wasn’t always as crazy as it is today. Standardized sizing has been around since the 40s. And in1958 the National Bureau of Standards re-examined the sizes of women. From this study they developed a newer standardized size chart using the measurements of  women in the Air Force.

This study was flawed as this group did not represent the average measurements of women.  Service women tended to be more physically fit than the average woman. But it was a step in the right direction as it attempted to create some sort of consistency in sizes throughout the industry.

Have a look at this size chart from the 50s. It is worth noting that size 0, 00, and 000 did not exist even though the average woman was smaller and shorter than the average woman is today. It’s also worth noting that the smallest size on this particular chart is a size 10.

Fast forward to the 70s when some genius figured out that if the size label reflected a smaller number then more items would be sold. This was the beginning of “vanity sizing”. Today a size 14 from 1968 can be anywhere from a size 4 to a size 8 today.

To make matters even more fraught, the marketing minds of Madison Avenue delivered the final offense by defining standards of beauty not only by age but by size. Anyone above a 12 (whatever that size is today) is labeled “plus size” which adds yet another layer to the body shaming of women.

Sizing is very confusing—no wonder shopping has become so painful.

Here are a few tips to defuse the agony of shopping by getting your size right.

-Find a good tailor. It is rare when a garment fits perfectly on you right off the rack.

-Know your bust, waist and hip measurements. You will need to invest in a tape measure. It will be the best investment you make when it comes to shopping.

-Before you purchase anything online have a look at the size chart. Never purchase anything based on what size you think you are.

-As I mentioned It is very difficult to get pants to fit perfectly right off the rack. Choose a pair that closely fits your largest area. Then take your pant to a tailor and have the pant taken in where it is too large.

-And most importantly never buy the size you think you are, buy the size that fits!!

All The Reasons You Love Fall And A Few More You’ve Never Thought Of

by //

We all hate to see the long vacation-filled days of Summer end unless, of course, you are not a fan of hot and humid weather. In this case you were over Summer during the first stretch of unbearable heat. Whether or not you hate to see Summer go we can all agree that Fall is our favorite season.

And what is not to love about Fall? The weather is warm during the day and crisp at night, the colors are divine, apple season is in full swing, and all of your favorite Fall clothing is ready to be worn again! 

You can put away your tank tops, bathing suits, and sandals. This is the season to live in the comfort of cashmere sweaters and wrap yourself in luxurious coats. In addition you can say bye-bye to callused feet because you will be wearing socks with your shoes instead of walking around with nothing more then a thin piece of leather protecting your feet from the hard and hot concrete of city streets.

But there are a lot more reasons Fall is a standout season.

~Traveling is easier and less expensive. Anyone who flies during the Summer months can tell you it can be painful. Flights are more expensive and even more packed than usual from June though August.  During the months of September, October, and November (with the exception of Thanksgiving) flying is less stressful as flight loads are reduced and cancellations due to bad weather are not as frequent as in Winter.

~It’s not just apple season, it’s pumpkin season, pomegranate season, fig season, and pear season. Let the pie baking commence!

~Your skin feels better. Extreme weather can affect your skin adversely—too hot and you feel greasy but hot weather can also lead to skin issues like blemishes and rosacea, too cold and your skin dries up like a piece of beef jerky.

~We sleep better in cooler weather. According to sleep scientists the optimal temperature for sleeping is anywhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets cold it’s easy enough to add a big cozy comforter but keeping cool in the heat is often futile unless you’re lucky enough to have AC.

~Halloween might not be everyone’s favorite holiday but it’s mine! It’s no surprise that Christmas ranks as the most popular holiday but personally I prefer the holiday where we engage our imaginations by wearing whatever the hell we want. The more outrageous our outfit the better—no negative judgments, simply a lot of fun.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

Trends That You Can Wear All Year Around And For Many Seasons To Come

by //

Some of the “must have” trends of summer 2019 are now on sale. Regardless of the praises fashion editors have bestowed on these “must haves”, no one wanted to wear them. Then there were the styles that grabbed your attention without a single editorial written about them. What you really wanted was function, ease, and value. And most importantly what you want is something that you can wear for years to come that looks fantastic on you.

There were some trends from Summer 2019 that are still worth investing in because they are everything you want. Here are a few standouts.

Oversized Sweaters

Everlane’s Soft Cotton Square Crew $68
Available in 6 colors

I don’t need to tell you just how comfortable oversized clothing is to wear so investing in this trend is an easy sell. But wearing an oversized top with an oversized bottom will appear sloppy. If you find oversized tops appealing be sure to pair them with slim pants.

Acne’s Oversized Sweater $340-$360

If you want to show off a bit of a waistline simply tuck a small portion of your top into the waist of your bottoms.

Funky Heels 

Sarah Flint’s Emma Sling $345
Available in 3 colors
Zyne’s El Nido $600

I don’t know about you but I am trilled that the prolific high heel trend of the last decade is over! The death of this trend by no means suggests you cannot wear heels. It simply means that most women are demanding more comfort in heels which translates to a shorter heel height.

Sesto Meucci’s Megs Sequin-Embroidered Pumps $225

The other wonderful tidbit of news is that the selection of shoes with shorter heels has improved  as well. The classic kitten heel is still a great look but if you are in the mood to branch out there are some funkier choices that will make your most basic of outfits the ultimate in chic.

Small Handbags

The itsy-bitsy handbag trend was all the talk last season and was proclaimed as the “it” bag. But the fashion editors had it all wrong. The itsy-bitsy bag was not the huge trend that it was forecasted to be because it was simply too small for anything more than a phone and a credit card. And what is the point of that?

Cuyana’s Half Moon Mini Bag $395
Available in 2 colors
Angela Roi’s Ella Ring Handle $175

If you love this trend then the world is your oyster because they are all on sale. On the other hand if you are someone who prefers style and function then go for something bigger.

Tailored jacket

Veronica Beard’s Double Breasted Dickie Blazer $695
Available in 2 colors

I have been living in slim cut pants and various shades of neutral colored basic knit tops lately. I don’t normally opt for something so mundane but that has been my mood lately. I have a good collection of colorful scarves which I always throw on to brighten up my outfit but that was not enough to make me feel pulled together. What I added was a tailored jacket.

Everlane’s Cocoon Coat $250
Available in 4 colors

Don’t just think of the ubiquitous menswear jacket (which is not for everyone). You have many other choices when it comes to a tailored jacket.

Eat well, laugh a lot, ad be chic!