Etsy Shop of the Week: Eynat Klipper

Shop: Eynat Klipper

Why We Love It: I'm not sure who decided to start making swimsuits that offered considerably less support and coverage than a demi bra and bikini panties, but their idea clearly took off. The stores are full of flimsy, poorly made suits. Eynat Klipper suits come from a blissful alternate reality where swim tops have underwires, suits have a retro vibe yet still feel modern, and swimsuit shopping probably doesn't end in frustration and wearing last year's threadbare suit to the beach. 

Price Range: $44 - $155

Favorite Items:

Pictured: Underwire Tankini Set $155 / High Waisted Bottom $49 / Underwire Bikini $99 (pictured above)

Summer Travel Must-Have: Crinkle Skirt

Summer, with its sunshine and lack of school, is generally thought of as vacation season. But travel can be a beast even without heat. For my husband and I, traveling means we're driving at least a state away. I stay comfortable and cute with a crinkle or broomstick skirt. They are light and breezy to combat the heat. Their length protects my skin from the sun, keeps my legs from sticking to my seat, and allows me freedom to wiggle around without showing the passing trucker my bum. Bonus, because they are supposed to be wrinkled, all that creasing that happens on a long car trip won't matter. Are crinkle skirts the chicest thing on the planet? No. But I didn't get into the car looking like Karlie Kloss, and four hours of roasting in the car won't make me any more of a supermodel.

floral print skirt, Sierra Trading Post $20 (sale)
linen bag waste skirt, ASOS $48*
neon yellow skirt, J. C. Penney $45
orange Ikat print skirt, $40 (sale)

*While the linen skirt isn't a crinkle skirt, if you twist it after washing, it will dry as crinkle skirts.

The Horror: All The Prints!

This swimsuit -- like this one -- is for surfers, which is why it has sleeves. That is not the issue. The issues is that the "sandy" paisley against the black and white stripes is crazy fugly. Were there no other fabrics? Could they not mix stripes or add polka dots? Paisley wouldn't even be bad if it were, say, white and blue. The cardinal rule of print mixing is that the opposing prints need to share colors to create cohesion. This looks like someone thought her strapless one-piece was too daring so she decided to layer with the shirt she wore yesterday.

Chambray Inspiration

Denim is a twill, which means that the weave is thicker and in a diagonal pattern. Twills are often used for pants, jackets, and other items that receive heavy wear. Chambray, however, is a woven fabric made with the standard warp and weft (up and down) weave. That makes it much, much lighter. As summer's heat really starts to roll in, we all want lighter. I have my eye out for the perfect chambray shirt or shirtdress this season. Take a peek below for some chambray outfit inspiration.

Saturday Girl by fashionmefabulous

Summer Meadow by fashionmefabulous

Summer Date Night by fashionmefabulous

Retro Red, White and Ice by fashionmefabulous

Flower Shopping in a Seaside Town by fashionmefabulous

Etsy Shop of the Week: Fulyas

Shop: Fulyas

Why We Love It: I'm imagining these as part of a romantic comedy plot. Our protagonist, we'll call her Stacey, has it all--the man of her dreams, the engagement ring, the professionally planned island wedding where they will get married, barefoot, on the beach. They thwart all the traditional wedding trappings, including her families tradition of handmade wedding shoes, for their bohemian soiree. However, once on the island, things start to go wrong. All the "bad luck" superstitions start to come true. Soon, Stacey is stranded and she must find her way back before her wedding. She must all get a pair of wedding shoes before everything is doomed. She meets a mystic on her way who guides her not only to these barefoot weeding shoes, but also to the true meaning of family and tradition.  Pictured: Organza flowers barefoot shoes, $43

Price Range: $29.50 - $62

13 Size 13 Shoes

Having a large foot can feel limiting. I wear a size 10.5 to 11. It's frustrating, but at least I can shop at most shoe stores or try on the size 10 to get an idea of how an 11 will fit. When you move into a larger size, it gets even harder to shop for shoes. I find sales people aren't terribly helpful. They love to tell me that no one makes a 10.5. They also love to say that shoes aren't even made in anything past an 11, maybe. Thankfully, they are wrong. Their store just doesn't sell them. There are a lot of places to shop for sizes 11 and up without sacrificing style. (Pictured Right: Spike Flat, Barefoot Tess, $191)

 

Pictured: Criss cross wedge, Barefoot Tess, $139 / Contrast Bootie, Barefoot Tess, $137 / Retro Pointed Flats, Barefoot Tess, $119

There are several sizes for larger shoe sizes, but BarefootTess.com is by far the best. They carry extended sizes of regular brand so you can find those cute Steve Madden or Rocket Dog shoes that your friend just bought. Many of their shoes are exclusives in those sizes, which means you often have to pay full price. The selection, though, cannot be beat.  Zappos and their sale site 6pm.com also have a decent selection.

Pictured: Tory Burch Flat, Nordstrom, $250 / Floral Low Wedge, Barefoot Tess, $44 / Patent Pointed Flat, $29.99

And don't despair that large feet doom you to the realm of online shopping. If you live near a Nordstrom Rack (or within reasonable day trip distance), give them a call. Find out when they have extended size events. The stores will be stocked with large sizes at discounted prices. Regular Nordstrom stores do this too, but without the discounted prices. Plus size clothing stores are also a great place to size up shoes. You may not wear the clothing, but they tend to carry 11 an up sizes. In fact, Torrid appears to have a lot of shoes in large sizes for really low prices.

Pictured: Striped Flats, Torrid, $28.50 / Pewter Bow Heels, Zappos.com, $99.95 / Gold Comfort Sandals, 6pm, $111.99

Another great way to find shoes in your size is just to keep track of brands that make your size. Go to Shopstyle.com, click on shoes, sort by size and pick yours. You can also narrow it down by price and color. Not only will you find a bunch of shoes, but you'll be able to figure out what brands actually make shoes for you. Keep and eye out for those brands and where they are sold. You should be able to broaden your shopping horizons that way.

 

Pictured: Cork Wedge Sandals, Nordstrom, $79.95 / Faux Leather Flat Sandal, Nordstrom, $59.95 / Ankle Strap Sandal, Nordstrom, $59.96

Pick of the Week: Gingham Surprise

As you've heard a hundred times by now, black and white is in this season. While that doesn't always translate well into summer, warm weather is woven in the threads of black and white gingham. It's both classic and quaint. The gingham "Studio Sweetheart" dress from Mod Cloth has a nice 1930s style and a comfortable shape.

Even so, it's not an outrageously cool dress. But wait! There's more.

In addition to sleeve shortening epaulets, there are strings underneath the dress that allow you to shorten and balloon the hem. So cute and fun! It reminds me of the Homecoming Queen Skipper doll I loved so much as a kid.* Do I want to pay $140 for it? That's a bit much even considering that it's two dresses for the price of one; however, I will certainly be watching for it to go on sale throughout the season.

*She wasn't well loved just because of her awesome dress. My 17 year-old-brother spontaneously decided to buy me, his 5-year-old sister, that doll with his allowance money for absolutely no occasion. It blew my mind then, and I still have no idea why he did it. (He is a miser.) When she broke years later, I cried and blubbered like the world was over.