Melon Lace Dress: Smart Fashion Tricks for Modest Women on a Budget

Two Ways to Wear One Short Shift Dress, including Five Tips to Make Your Outfit Smarter

It's Spring and I currently spend much of my time getting grubby amongst plants, so it was nice to have an opportunity recently to dress up a bit.

My parents came to visit on the day the latest lockdown lifted, for which exciting event I planned a special outfit. I woke up to see the sun shining on it...

This thriftshop dress is cotton lace with gold plastic buttons. It came with a matching nylon chemise which the factory had sewn in back-to-front - probably why the previous owner gave up wearing it. It was a simple task to detach it from its moorings with an unpicking tool.

CASUAL DRESSY

The forecast temperature was a bit chilly, so I chose to wear a long-sleeved tee shirt underneath, a white chemise over top of it, and white spandex trousers, keeping all the under layers unobtrusive.

The jacket is a cheap and baggy fleece I've had in my closet for a while and not liked very much other than the colour. To improve the fit and add some class, I pinched a pleat at each side of the back of the jacket, and sewed a pretty button on top. I think I shall like it a lot more now.

My mother liked my outfit so much that she wanted to take photos of me. I'm happy that my clothing choices brought her pleasure. Other people have to look at me far more than I look at myself. I like to know that what they see is a well-groomed and attractive picture, a good representation of a King's daughter.

MAKING IT SMARTER

Here are five fashion secrets that can upgrade the classiness of nearly any dress.

UNDERLAYERS
If underlayers can't be hidden, but without them you feel exposed, you need a change of plan. Here I've ditched the tee shirt, and switched to the matching melon chemise which blends seamlessly with the dress and hides the waistline of the trousers.

OVERLAYERS
Instead of underlayers for warmth, a tailored hip-length jacket or longline coat will maintain warmth as well as style.

TREWS
Choosing a pair of tailored trousers adds a more formal touch to the outfit. The stiff, wide drape of these trews works well with the slimline pencil dress, and the textured stripe is a stylish contrast to the soft lace fabric.

SHOES
Granted, any shoes will look dressier than socks, although dare I say bright pink socks are rather snazzy. Choosing a chic pair of sandals or heels will immediately elevate the smartness of your outfit.

PURSE
Carry a pretty purse and viola! your outfit upgrade is in the bag. It was a simple task to transform this plain gold gift bag by gluing on a strip of craft card, adding an interesting swing tag, and attaching a fabric flower. The flower has a crocodile clip on the back, which slides onto a tab which I glued on the front of the bag.

I hope you've found something beautiful and inspiring here today. Now you know some simple fashion tricks for creating different outfits using the same dress.

Look out for more Boutique Narelle posts detailing liberating modest fashion techniques.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Discover the Potential of a Multipurpose Shirt: Smart Fashion Tricks for Modest Women on a Budget

Do you have a solid wardrobe staple that you're tired of wearing? Let these ideas bring fresh inspiration and help you love that garment again.

one shirt or tunic

worn at least three different ways

This Boutique Narelle tunic is made from a quality quilting cotton which has proved durable and held its colour well. I bought the fabric at an Everything Half Price closing down sale, paying an extravagant NZ$13/m when I would normally look for yardage in the $6-$8 range. It has proved worthwhile.

The cotton is soft and breathable, comfortable to the skin, good protection from the harsh southern sun. The dark colour with subtle floral print is feminine without seeming impractical for the outdoor adventures I've worn it on, yet easily adapts to more elegant occasions.

This was one of my early explorations of tunic styles. Princess seams have remained a favourite for the classic streamlined look they give. Other features recommended for a classy look are topstitched seams and lots of buttons. As trouser leg fashion has narrowed, I've lengthened my tunic hems to maintain a balanced silhouette. This length works well with wide-leg trousers.

Recent photos show the tunic with pleats over the shoulders. When an overzealous washing machine tore a hole in the shoulder, I decided that pleats would hide the rip and give me a better fit at the shoulders, which were a bit wider than I needed.

You can increase the styling contrast with:

• different hats
• different shoes
• hairstyle changes
• carrying a purse, wallet, or bag
• rolling up the sleeves
• buttoning up the collar

I hope you've found something beautiful and inspiring here today.

Look out for more Boutique Narelle posts detailing liberating modest fashion techniques.

Fiat lux!
Narelle 

EASY MODESTY FIXER: how to make a lace wrap

Got a problem sleeveless dress with gaping armholes? Or a top with a low back? Try this quick and pretty project for a modesty fixer.

The info-graphic below demonstrates how to make this lace wrap which was featured in my music video "The Steadfast Love of the Lord: comfort through your grief".

For more details on the making of the music video, go to Music Video Wraps in Lace: meeting the modesty challenge at short notice.

Fiat lux!
Narelle

Style Transformation: how to simplify your life using the ten-item wardrobe

One of the very strange side effects of having too many clothes is that we still have nothing to wear!

We are operating under the misconception that the more clothes you have the easier it is to get ready in the morning, when actually the opposite is true. The less clothes you have, the less choice you have, the more thought and organization you put behind your wardrobe, the easier it is to get ready in the morning.

So how simple can you get?

Jennifer discovered the ten-item wardrobe concept while living in Paris with Madame Chic and her family. In this 13-minute TED talk she shares her endearing story, tips on how you can make a ten-item wardrobe work for you, and why living with fewer clothes can not only improve your style, but change your life.



Jennifer L. Scott is the internationally bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic and At Home with Madame Chic (Simon & Schuster) and creator of the blog The Daily Connoisseur. She is a contributing writer for Huffington Post Style and has been featured on CNN, BBC, and CBS News, and in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, USA Today, Newsweek, and The Daily Mail. She lives with her family in Santa Monica, California. To learn more, visit www.jenniferlscott.com

Spring Bridal Fling and a Leather Jacket

Here in New Zealand we're enjoying a patch of bursting springtime warmth, and this morning I went on an errand to town, feeling nifty in a monochromatic outfit topped with my thrifty faux-leather jacket. I was shopping for a bridal-looking gift bag.

I didn't find quite what I was looking for, but necessity does spark inspiration, and I came home eager to dig out the ribbons, paper, and glue gun for a shot at a pretty alternative to a bridal bouquet.

Why all this bridal talk? I'm involved in the local Girls' Brigade annual fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child, and IT'S A BRIDAL PARADE! I don't know how long it is since I first heard of such events and longed to attend...and then began to dream of participating. What's happening two days from now is that dream coming true.

I've spent the past four weeks in a whirl of organizing dresses, shoes, hair styles, music, and promotions. I stopped by here to say it's happening, and I hope you'll join in the fun via the photo album I've made public here.

At the parade rehearsal I wore "Bluebelle", a self-striped polyknit made for me last month by a friend. (Yes! Drapey knits can be modest!) I will be wearing an amazing (and modest) bridal gown on the night.

I found that the faux-leather jacket switched sweetly from daywear to evening wear. I'm happy to say I even have low-cost shoes to match (thanks to a friend going shopping for her wedding and sharing with me what she found).

CLOSET TIP
Its ironic that when pondering my closet recently to judge whether its contents were earning their keep, I considered giving the jacket evacuation notice because I've only been able to wear it a couple of times since I bought it four years ago.

Then this week I wore it three days in a row, and I realized that all it needed was the right climate and the right dress to wear it with. Too warm for summer, not warm enough for winter, its an overlayer just right for sunny Spring days that are kept fresh by cool winds off the snow-combed ranges.

And do I love those handy jacket pockets...especially when wearing a dress that doesn't support convenient cavities.

Bridal hairstyle?...well, I'm still fiddling with that.

If you're in the Tararua this Wednesday evening, we hope you'll join us, 6:30pm at Knox Church, Dannevirke, for "Brides Through the Ages".

Tips for Wearing Wool Fabric

WOOL GARMENT TIPS
(courtesy of newCreationApparel.com)

• Invest in a good wool garment. It will serve you for years.
• Fine wool is naturally insulating, supporting, and resilient, offering great wearability.
• Wool is comfortable and wrinkle-resistant; it breathes and wicks away moisture from the body.
• Never bleach wool. Never put wool clothing in a dryer. Never use strong detergent or direct heat when pressing.
• Best hang in a steamy shower or washroom to refresh a wool garment.

newCreation Apparel is excellent at providing detailed information about the style and fabric content of their garments and how to select the appropriate size, plus an image enlargement option. But if you're not planning on trans-oceanic shopping, take a tip: keep an eye out for wool garments or fabric in stores near you!

More Boot-Buying Tips

If you're shopping for boots, you may find the following reader comments helpful.

Sarah says:

"I have loose ankles (my ankles twist really easily, the opposite of strong ankles, I suppose -- if my shoes don't have a supportive heel, my ankles will be twisting all day) and my left arch is quite high, so I have to make sure that the boot is a neat fit for support but doesn't put pressure on the top of the arch, and that my heel has an adequate platform to stand on. I must have a full zip, otherwise I can't get my foot in. There mustn't be any seams on top of my foot because these create pressure points. I definitely have to stand and walk around in the boots for a couple of minutes to make sure there's no excessive sideways wobble and that I can confidently put most of my weight on my heel. This fact alone makes me hesitant to try mail-order boots, as I might love the look of it, but there's no way you can tell by the picture if boots have too much slope under the heel so that most of the weight is constantly sliding forward onto the ball of the foot. I think that would always be the case once the heel is over three inches, and these are the boots and shoes that give the wearer very sore feet after a short while. The ball of the foot is not designed to carry one's full weight for any length of time.

"The only difficulties I have with high heels is when driving and trying too walk fast! I fix the first problem by having more comfortable footwear along for wearing in the car, and the second just requires practice.

"For the rest of the purchase decision, it's a matter of finding decorations I like [accents such as tassles, studs, or ruching], and a toe shape that fits and suits my foot. A softly pointed tip (nicely rounded) looks good on my feet and fits my narrow foot and tapering toes (second toe longer than the rest)."

An avid boot lover, who admits to owning 7 pairs, says:

"When buying boots, I recommend you go for comfort. There are some lovely flat boots around if you want to be mega-comfortable, but if you want to feel a bit fancier and want a heel, I would say a wedge is a great idea. They're fashionable, but comfortable and they don't have the teeter factor that thinner heels have. I stomp around in mine all day long and don't get sore feet and I have very wimpy feet. Overland Shoes have some of the nicest and most comfortable boots I've ever tried on. They have an Italian brand called "Isabelle Anselmi" and though they're usually a couple of hundred dollars a pair, they last forever and are lovely.

"My favourite boots are the ones I'm wearing now. They're a rich chocolate brown with a stacked wooden wedge heel. I polish them with bees wax.

"I think the look of boots with a mid-calf length straightish skirt and a long coat looks great in winter!"

For expert advice on boot care and how to measure your feet, ankles, and calves to get the appropriate size and style, visit DuoBoots.

When Skirts are Too Cold, Part I

When chill airs and wintry winds get close and friendly, is it possible to wear skirts and be cosy? I've heard many say it isn't, but I know otherwise.

Are you ready to receive impowering information?
How to be warm in a skirt:

1. Wear layers underneath. Undercover solutions discussed below.

1. Line the skirt. Illustrated directions on how to do this coming soon.

1. Wear boots.

Introducing Damart

The heart of the Damart story is a unique fabric called Thermolactyl, which provides lightweight insulation against the worst of weathers. A classy, modern 'long-john' provider, the company is very sport oriented, with a number of sponsorship affiliations, keeping fit young sportsmen warm during the the winter and helping prevent muscle injuries.

The ability of Damart underclothes to provide the best thermal environment whilst still keeping the body dry and able to function normally has meant that Damart has travelled successfully to all corners of the earth and up some of its highest mountains.

But what does this have to do with attractive, feminine modesty?

It's not only the old who feel the cold. Lightweight but wonderfully cosy, a thermal under-layer makes a world of difference to what you can do (or wear) when it's cold! For instance, you can comfortably wear that pretty dress or blouse considered more appropriate to autumn than winter. Long-johns under trousers prevent the frozen thigh syndrome that frigid winds invite so readily. They form a happy temperature arbitration when sitting on cold stone steps.

Notice the different Thermolactyl grades.

The undercover range is dainty and colourful, but there's also a delightful range of outer clothing, some of it incorporating the famous Thermolactyl or a new blend of Thermolactyl and silk. Damart supplies a wide range of sizes and colours, and comfortable shop-from-home features. I have noticed that the website takes a while to display the latest catalogues, so if you want up-to-date product and sales information, go for the mailed version rather than the website.

Browse Damart here:
Damart New Zealand
Damart Australia

Overseas outlets include:
www.damartusa.com
www.damart.co.uk

If you prefer to see before you buy, use the website's Store Finder feature.