Tag Archives: clothing

Sep24

Night Out Fashion Tips For Every Location

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Night Out Fashion Tips For Every Location

Weekends are for letting loose and having fun after a long week at work. It’s a time to get together with friends and potentially meet new people. Of course, you’re more likely to feel great when you look your best, whether it’s at a trendy nightclub, rooftop lounge, or laid-back coffee shop. Here’s a style guide for what to wear to different weekend hot spots so you’re both confident and comfortable:

Nightclub:

Think sleek and stylish as you consider what to grab from your closet to wear to the best nightclub San Diego downtown has seen. Figure hugging dresses, tailored jumpsuits, or fitted jeans with a top that’s a statement piece are all perfect choices for an evening at this popular weekend destination. Keep your footwear stylish while practical (although we all know that can be hard to find), as you’ll be heading to the dance floor. Keep it trendy but club-appropriate with wedged trainers or sturdy platforms, avoiding overly casual items like flip-flops.

Rooftop Bar:

Think chic yet comfortable for the outfit to wear here. Tailored shorts paired with a t-shirt, an oversized blazer, and a funky gold necklace make for a super cute OOTD. If the weather dips low during the night while you’re still there, you’ll be thankful for the warmth of the blazer. If it stays warm, depending on the time of year, simply take off it off! For shoes, stylish flats or loafers make sense for comfort as you curl up on cozy seating and chat the night away.

Coffee Shop:

Coffee shops call for casual and cozy for the OOTD. Then add a bracelet or earrings to take it easily from daytime to night-appropriate for wherever the day takes you after your caffeine boost. The relaxed look can vary from a tank top with baggy jeans to leggings and an oversized sweater. Sneakers mix style and playfulness as you walk up to the counter to order a coffee. A crossbody bag is where you can keep your journal if you plan to write while at the coffee hangout, or a book for reading at your favorite spot.

Food Markets:

Food markets are a wonderful place to explore new foods and meet new people. Casual dresses or shorts suit the atmosphere, as do sneakers or sandals, as they’re comfortable for walking from vendor to vendor. Take your sunglasses if it’s still light out, so you won’t have to squint to see which fresh options are at the stall in front of you. Wear layers, if possible, so you can stay warm if the air gets cooler as the hours go by.

When you dress appropriately for the venue, you’ll feel fabulous about the way you look, and that makes you more likely to have a blast. Cheers to a memorable weekend ahead!

Featured Image By: Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels

May20

Bikini Body

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Bikini Body

Hello!! Summer is about to bring the Hot Hot Heat (Who remembers that band?! LOVED them!) and with that comes a total wardrobe change. The layers are shed, long sleeve tops are traded for Ts and tanks, and jeans shorten into… shorts lol. For some, this is as natural as the seasons changing. For others, it can be a nerve wracking exercise in dressing for the weather and feeling comfortable about it. In this situation, I fluctuate from oozing a godlike charisma to wanting to hole up in a closet to wallow in poor self esteem and never come out.

If you are a long term reader of lifewithlilred, you will know that I detest dressing for summer. Part of it is simply aesthetics. I just love fall clothing – cozy cardis, gorgeous jackets, and all the accessories like scarves, gloves, and beanies. I wear these layers for looks, of course, but they provide an extra layer of protection as well. I don’t mind showing skin but it’s never high up on my agenda when I’m styling an OOTD. So when the transition happens to wearing shorts, crop tops, and tanks out of sheer necessity for the weather, that layered security blanket is tossed to the side and worry sets in. “Do my breasts look too big?” “How many rude comments on my tattoos am I going to get today?” “Is someone going to pull the old ‘grab my arm’ to get a closer look at said tattoos?” (The latter happens more than you would think!)

Like I said, to some people dressing for summer is whatever. For others, it is anything but. And, whatever that reason might be for a lack of self confidence in dress, rest assured that it will weigh heavily on the person who carries that burden. As everyone begins to don warm weather clothing, I always like to give a friendly reminder: What people wear is none of your business. Unwarranted comments on body type or clothing can do more damage than you could ever imagine and it stings even harder when it’s from a complete stranger. So ask yourself a question: Do I really want to ruin someone’s day with a comment? And, do I really want someone to ruminate on that comment for forever? Unless you plan on singing someone’s praises, the best rule of thumb is to say nothing and if you don’t like what you see, look away.

I will always be a recovering bulimic and I can give you exact moments in time when comments on my body were made that destroyed me. It could have happened years ago but in my head, it happened just yesterday. Every single person that you encounter is struggling in some way shape or form. So again, before you make a comment on body type or dress, ask yourself a question: Do I really want to make what that person is going through even worse? Every body is beautiful and should be celebrated. And, as the old saying goes: If you don’t have anything nice to say – don’t say it!

One of my favorite quotes via social media is that “Every body is a bikini body” and wiser words have never been spoken or typed. This summer, let’s dress for us and feel amazing about it because when you feel like the star you are – no one can tell you NOTHING!!

What is your favorite season to dress for? What is your least favorite season to dress for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun22

Getting The Right Gear For Your Favorite Workout

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Getting The Right Gear For Your Favorite Workout

Finding the right gear for your chosen sport or workout activity can be a bit of a nightmare. It can vary or depend heavily on a specific brand. It also can depend on the activity you are doing, which may even have rules for proper attire. Here are some tips to get you the gear you need, headache free:

Consider the Fabrics:

The world of sportswear is surprisingly technological, as most gear is designed around protection, comfort, and cooling. You may never wear synthetics in your daily life. But when it comes to sports gear, they are your best friend for comfort and protection. For example, the best golf rain gloves are made of synthetic microfibers that don’t lose grip. For working out, you are better off looking for gear that is made from well-known synthetics such as Coolmax and Supplex.

The Right Gear Depends on the Brand:

Brands aren’t everything with sportswear and gear. But more often than not, you will get what you need and desire if you opt for a well-known brand. You will also save money by paying for a quality brand that lasts, rather than cheaper ones you need to replace often. Major brands like Under Armor, Nike, and Adidas offer superb ranges for many types of sports and workouts. These are usually much higher quality and come with cooling technology built in.

Make Sure They Fit Well:

Your workout clothes are just as important as everyday clothes. Ill-fitting sportswear will feel uncomfortable and downright annoying. Look for sports gear just as you would casual clothing, such as fitting for your body type and whether you prefer loose or tight fits. Tight fits allow you to show off some curves or muscles from your hard work. Loose fits keep it more laid back.

Consider the Activity:

You must consider the activity and what it involves when looking for gear and clothing. This can be tricky, so here is some general guidance:

Tennis clothing: Loose-fitting clothes such as t-shirts and shorts allow for greater freedom of movement.

Yoga clothing: Yoga pants and leggings are common choices with a tighter fitting tank or top.

Gym clothing: Wear clothing that is appropriate for the workout you are doing. A more form fitting option tends to be best to avoid getting caught in a machine!

Outdoors: It is always wise to dress in layers when you exercise outdoors so you can add and remove clothing as you need. Sunglasses that fit well are a must for those early morning or mid afternoon workouts and can be very beneficial for those who enjoy long bicycle rides and runs. Don’t forget sunscreen too!

Buy Multiple Items:

Any activity or sport will make you perspire more and this means your clothes get dirty very quickly. As a rule of thumb for hygiene and saving embarrassment, never wear the same gym or sports clothes before washing them. So, of course, this means you will need multiple items for your chosen sport. This includes tops, bottoms, skirted leggings, socks, and sports bras. It also extends to accessories such as jock straps and protective gear which can become very unsanitary.

Set a Cleaning Routine:

If you go to the gym or do a sport a few times a week, the laundry can pile up. And this is on top of your normal clothing! Set aside time to clean your sports gear separately. A good idea would be a Sunday so they are fresh for the week ahead. Be sure to wash your sports and gym gear on a hot wash to get rid of any lingering bacteria and mold that can build up from perspiration. A 40 or 60-degree wash will usually work fine.

The right gear for whatever sport or activity you are doing is vital and will only enhance your enjoyment of your workout!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun15

Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

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Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Are you constantly replacing clothes? Or maybe your clothes aren’t looking as good as when you bought them? By learning to extend the life of your clothing, you could save yourself a lot of money. Below are a few tricks to make your clothing last longer:

Invest in high quality clothes:

Cheaper clothing typically isn’t built to last. After only a few months of regular wear with fast fashion purchases, you can expect shoes to have worn soles, sunglasses to scratch, bras to become loose, tights to rip, and sweaters to dethread. Paying a little more for higher quality clothing is often worthwhile as these items will last longer. You may be paying more upfront, but you won’t have to replace them as often – they could last many years without getting damaged. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of your clothes should be high-end designer items. Being prepared to spend $10 extra may be all it takes to improve the longevity of your clothes. You can often find reviews from customers online by entering a search for “Chummy Tees Review” (or the specific brand you are looking for). Take the time to read through them before making a purchase to ensure that other people are satisfied with the quality of the clothing.

Stick to timeless fashion pieces:

Another reason some of us regularly replace clothing is because we buy into fads. Such clothing can end up quickly going out of fashion. Instead of following fast fashion trends, try to stick to timeless fashion pieces. These are items of clothing that stayed trendy for decades. Prime examples include trench coats, blazers, little black dresses, blue denim jeans, black leather jackets, button down tops, black pumps, and ballet shoes.

Learn how to sew:

Sewing is a useful skill that can extend the life of many different clothing items. It can help you to sew buttons back on, repair broken seams, or even tighten clothing that has become too loose. You can learn to sew using a needle and thread or you can buy yourself a sewing machine. If you choose the latter, make sure to take the time to shop for high quality sewing machines. You’ll find many tutorials online teaching you how to sew clothes.

Follow washing instructions:

Many clothes end up getting destroyed in the washing machine because people do not read the washing instructions. For example, it can be important to consider the heat setting – heavy items like jeans should always be washed on a high heat setting, while stretchy items like yoga pants should be washed on a low heat setting. You may also want to avoid washing delicate items on a fast spin setting.

In most cases, you can find washing instructions on the label. Alternatively, you can find instructions online. Try to learn the best washing machine settings for each item so that you can separate them accordingly.

Hand wash delicate clothes:

Some delicate items like sequined dresses, silk blouses, lingerie, and cashmere sweaters can get easily damaged in a washing machine no matter what setting you choose. Hand washing these items is the best way to prevent damage. Yes, hand washing is more time-consuming, but it could help to save you money on replacing clothes. It’s also likely to use less water and energy, saving you some money on your utility bills.

Air dry clothes in summer:

Tumble dryers can also contribute to clothing damage. The heat combined with the tumbling motion can cause items to unravel or tear. To prevent this, consider air drying your clothes in the summer. If you’re not allowed to use a washing line in your neighborhood, consider simply using a laundry rack indoors. If it’s a hot day, the clothes should dry in a few hours. You’ll not only save money by reducing clothing damage, but you’ll also save money by using less energy.

When you know the ways to make your clothing last, you can keep that brand new feel all of the time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov7

The Comprehensive Guide To Dressing As A Sports Coach

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The Comprehensive Guide To Dressing As A Sports Coach

When you think of a sports coach, what do you picture them wearing? If you said a hoodie and sweatpants, you’re not alone. However, there are other clothing options available to coaches that can help them look professional and put together. This post will discuss the different types of clothing for different occasions and provide you with a list of clothes to avoid:

Everyday Clothing for Coaches:

For everyday wear, coaches can opt for a polo shirt and khakis. This is a comfortable and professional look that can be worn both inside and outside of the gym. If it’s cold outside, coaches can layer their polo with a quarter-zip pullover or a sweater. If it is very hot outside, coaches can wear sun-protective arm sleeves to keep their skin from getting sunburned. For information on arm sleeves, read more here.

Clothing for Games and Practices:

When it comes to game days and practices, coaches need to be able to move around easily. For this reason, many coaches choose to wear athletic clothing such as track pants, thick strapped tank tops, or shorts. In addition, coaches should make sure that their clothing is clean and free of any holes or rips.

Dressing for Meetings and Presentations:

When participating in meetings or giving presentations, coaches should dress in business casual attire. This means wearing dress pants or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse. Coaches may also want to consider wearing a jacket or sweater to complete the look.

What to Avoid Wearing as a Coach:

There are certain clothing items that coaches should avoid wearing, regardless of the occasion:

Clothing with profanity or offensive language:

It’s important for coaches to avoid wearing any clothing with profanity or offensive language. This type of clothing can certainly cause offense, especially if you are coaching a youth team.

Clothing that is too tight:

Tight fitting clothes are not breathable and will definitely be uncomfortable during practice or a game. Wear clothes that are easy to move around in so you can be fully efficient as a coach.

Flip flops:

Flip flops are not appropriate footwear for coaches. This is because they are not supportive and can be dangerous if you are walking or running. That’s an injury just waiting to happen! Athletic shoes are always the best as a rule of thumb.

Appropriate work attire varies from job to job. By following these guidelines, coaches can maintain a professional appearance and focus on what’s important – helping their team succeed!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb19

Best Practices For Keeping Your Clothes Like New

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Best Practices For Keeping Your Clothes Like New

Any fashionista wants their clothes to continue looking as good as it did the first time you tried it on in the store and that means knowing how to properly care for them. Keeping your clothes in great condition will allow you to get more use out of it as well as give you the opportunity to sell it on Poshmark once it is ready to retire from your wardrobe. Today, we’re going to go over a few best practices when it comes to taking care of your clothes to keep them like new for as long as possible:

Tend To Appliance Repairs:

A dryer that overheats or a washer that doesn’t fully rinse away detergent isn’t going to do your clothes any favors at all. Tend to all dryer and washer repairs when the problem arises to avoid an even bigger repair a month or two down the line as well as potentially ruining some of your favorite pieces. 

Store Your Clothes Properly:

Knowing how to store your clothes properly will help prevent wrinkles and creases which will limit the possibility of you burning your favorite top on the iron! That’s one of my nightmares, anyways. A good rule of thumb is to fold clothes that have a stretchy material like T-shirts and sweaters while using Luxury Hangers to hang up items that need their shape supported like a jacket as well as materials that can wrinkle easily like silk blouses. Learning the Marie Kondo method of folding will also help with the overstuffed dresser drawers that won’t shut!

Don’t forget to take care of your accessories too. Invest in a cute jewelry stand or a wall mounted fixture to display your bling while keeping them tangle free. Keep sunglasses in protective cloth bags and, if possible, keep your shoes stored in their original boxes. Remember to stuff your purses, shoes, and hats with tissue paper to help reinforce their shape.

Follow Washing Instructions On The Tag:

For some reason, people never seem to follow the cleaning instructions on clothing tags which provide a how to guide to the best care for the item. There is nothing more disappointing than a new favorite shirt that shrunk because you didn’t wash it in cold water! Following the instructions on the care tag will prevent the colors of your clothes from bleeding as well as the fabric from stretching, shrinking, or tearing. And, please, if it says “Dry clean only” just take it to the dry cleaner!

The clothing and accessories in our wardrobe were bought because we thought they were flattering so we want them to stay in great condition for as long as we can. Follow the best practices above to help increase the longevity of your clothes as well as giving truth to all of your “next to new” listings!

Jan13

Beauty Blogger Award

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Beauty Blogger Award

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! On Monday I was so flattered to be nominated for the Beauty Blogger Award by my sweet friend, Brittany. Make sure you check out her page at spontaneousencouragement! Thank you to everyone who has been nominating me for all of these fun awards lately – it’s much appreciated! With the Beauty Blogger Award comes a set of rules for the person nominated to follow. Check them out and then see my answers to the questions that Brittany asked to her nominees:

The Rules:

  • Tag and thank who nominated you.
  • Respond to the questions that your nominator gave you.
  • Nominate 10 new beauty/fashion bloggers.
  • Create 10 new questions for these bloggers to answer.
  • Tell the blogger that you nominated them.

Q & A:

What is something you are passionate about?

My family, my friends, my education, writing, helping people and animals.

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging since September of 2014.

What is your go to makeup brand?

For a majority of my makeup needs, I use The Body Shop but I also use Covergirl and Rimmel, as well.

What daily cleansers do you use on your face?

I don’t use a set in stone cleanser, I just buy whatever is on sale. Because my skin doesn’t experience problems such as dryness, acne, or unevenness I can get away with using a pretty basic cleanser. My only requirement is that it can remove my makeup. Right now, I’m using Simple’s cleanser but I don’t care for it too much. I’ll be looking forward to starting a new cleanser soon and I’m always up for suggestions!

Do you have a favorite clothing brand? If so what is it?

I don’t really have a favorite high end clothing brand but I love, love, love H&M! The closest H&M to me is about an hour away so it’s always such a treat when I can shop there.

Does makeup and clothing define your character?

I wouldn’t say it defines my character but I think it definitely enhances it. I’m a quirky girl with an edgy sense of style so I love playing that up with the clothes and makeup that I wear.

What makes you feel confident?

A bold red lip, a pair of heels, my piercings, and a sharp All Black Everything outfit.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

It depends on the day! When I’m tired, I find that I always take much longer to get ready but usually I can be done with my morning routine in forty-five minutes to an hour.

Could you live without mascara?

Hmm…I don’t think so. To me, mascara completes the way that I paint my face so if I couldn’t use it, I think I would feel and look very off.

If you could meet anybody in the world who would it be?

Oh jeez… I have so many people who I would love to meet but if I had to choose just one, it would be Jack White. I love him so much it hurts.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. Do you prefer a glam or natural makeup look?
  2. How old were you when you started wearing makeup daily?
  3. What is the best beauty advice that you’ve ever received?
  4. Do you buy makeup from the department or the drug store?
  5. Do you have any makeup tricks or hacks that you swear by?
  6. What is your favorite skin care product to use?
  7. Do you have a favorite fragrance?
  8. Do you feel comfortable wearing no makeup out in public?
  9. What is something that you consider a “no no” when it comes to makeup?
  10. Would you rather not style your hair or wear no makeup for two months?

Thank you so much again to my friend, Brittany, at spontaneousencouragement! You’re a doll! I hope all of you are having a fabulous day so far! How would you answer some of my questions for the bloggers that I nominated? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah