Fancy Diving, Too

 

Rachel Roy, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Resort 2010 - photos courtesy style.com

Bathing Suit Shopping.   Rarely can 3 little words bring such angst, such stress, such loathing of fluorescent lighting.  We live in a place where we're deprived of sunlight for nearly two-thirds of the year and then, come summer, are expected to strip down to practically nothing in a public place, thighs aglow in the harsh, unforgiving spotlight of the sun.  Does it seem even remotely fair?  Luckily, it's only April and you, my beautiful Bond girls, have time to engage in some serious pre-season preparation.  Okay, so we can't all be Gisele but there are a few things that we can control:  namely, buying some seriously cute bathing suits and...well, okay, that's really about all.  Self-tanner helps, as do squats and lunges, but above all else, a figure-flattering number is your greatest secret weapon when it comes to being enviably chic whilst poolside.  Real Life Runway Tip:  I'm not going to raise your hopes and say that there is a magic maillot out there that will erase all of your most dreaded flaws and transform you into Venus rising from the foam.  There are, however, a few invaluable tricks to help you accentuate your assets and move wandering eyes away from your less-than-perfect bits: 

For areas you want to play up:  Use bright or light colours, large prints, shiny fabrics, bows, belts, embroidery, beading and ties.

For areas you want to downplay:  Use darker colours, prints with darker backgrounds, all-over small patterns with lots of movement and matte fabrics.

Some cute little numbers are already making their way into stores.  Here are a few of the early entries: 

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P.S - Keep checking back for another swimsuit post in the coming weeks with even more bather buying tips.

If there's one sure bet this season, for better or for worse, shorts are going to be gracing the bottoms of every self-respecting stylista this summer.  Whether daisy-duke short or just above the knee, this is a style that, for most of us over 25, requires a bit of work to pull off.  Designers helped the short graduate from summer picnic to elegant garden party by dressing them up with sleek tops and perfectly groomed hair (read: please ditch the ponytail if you can handle the extra work).  This look from Michael Kors perfectly illustrates how tomboy shorts and brogues can look positively polished when matched up with a soft pastel sweater and silver accents.  You can go for brogue if you like but I'm always a sucker for a textured metallic flat.  Real Life Runway Tip:  It completely depends on your comfort level, your level of translucency and the state of your legs, but I would highly recommend saving this look for the weekend.  I'm not a big fan of fashion rules but unless you work for a summer camp, short shorts are never work-appropriate.  These paperbag shorts from Joe Fresh are super current with cuffs, pleats and a pretty bow-detail waist and are a perfect update from the capris you've been storing.  Now, step away from your computer and ready, set, lunge, and squat, and lunge...

Thank You from RLR

I'm taking a day off from posting to spend time with my fam but wanted to express my most sincere gratitude for all of the phenomenal support you've given me over the past month.  Real Life Runway is a true labour of love and I have been blown away by the response so far.  To my family for all of the behind-the-scenes cheering, to my sister for her constant stream of ideas, to my beautiful friends for passing on the site to others, and to all of you who have taken to reading Real Life Runway, thank you so much for everything.  A massive thank you especially to my husband who has been beyond supportive from the very beginning.  Love you all to bits and can't wait to keep sharing my favourite finds with you.  Keep sending any fashion questions and story ideas my way and check back Monday for another week's worth of spring gorgessity.  Happy weekend!

Have you Hugged a Tree Today?

                 

In celebration of Earth Day, I thought you should know about H&M's sustainable clothing initiative, a small but important example of how so many retailers are recognizing the need for more responsible, eco-friendly fashion.  Since 2008, H&M has made a commitment to increase its use of organic cottons by 50% each year until 2013.  In fact, many of H&M's on-trend, pretty pieces this spring are made of organic and recycled fabrics.  I'm loving their organic cotton make-up bags which come in an array of gorgeous prints, perfect for holding their new line of certified organic skincare.  Eco-chic fashion has thankfully come a long, long way since the heavy, dirty-looking hemp shirts of years gone by.  Here are a few more tips from H&M and Real Life Runway on how to give the Earth a big, fat smooch: 

• Build up a wardrobe of essentials that will last you for years and mix them with seasonal trends
• Wash your clothes at lower temperatures whenever possible
• Avoid tumble-drying.  Instead, air-dry your clothes when you can (just make sure you invest in some cute underwear so as not to offend your neighbs)
• Instead of throwing out your clothes, be sure to donate any gently-used items to one of the many charity clothing programs
• What to do with your husband's beat up old beer store t-shirts that he refuses to toss?  I've found that they look much less offensive when cut up into tiny squares, perfect for cleaning bathrooms (hypothetically speaking of course, James)

Happy Earth Day! 

Look Ma, No Hands!

C-wise from top L: Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, LV, Marc Jacobs, Spring 2010 - photos courtesy style.com

Everything has gone hands-free these days, leaving us to drive, carry our lattes and/or children relatively unencumbered.  The latest to follow the trend?  Handbags, of course.  For an everyday tote, it is so nice to be able to throw everything over one shoulder and forget about it.  At Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Tory Burch, the bags ran the gamut from tiny to massive.  I personally like the idea of a smaller version for summer frolicking.  Does anyone else feel as though there's not nearly enough time devoted to frolicking?  And if you're thinking of long-term appeal, the cross-body was all over the Fall 2010 runways so you can rest assured that it will have staying power for at least another season.  Real Life Runway Tip: This utility chic look contrasts perfectly with spring's ultra-feminine styles so don't be afraid of wearing this bag with a skirt or even a ruffled summer dress.  It is a much less obvious, much more interesting fashion choice than a proper, feminine handbag.  I'll visit the cross-body's polar opposite next week with my favourite cute clutches for all of the summer parties I'm hoping to attend.  Hint, hint.

Here are some chic finds that won't put too much stress on your credit card:

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Update on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 10:18PM by realliferunway

Check out my facebook site for a 25% off coupon at Roots, valid on everything in-store and online between now and April 26th!