Inspiration Archives

Collected / Back to Basics

posted on September 1, 2019

All right. Here’s another “look what I’ve been up to, surprisingly it’s something” Collected post. The first part holds a TW for death and implied suicide ideation. Take care of yourselves, guys.

My grandma died. Condolences to my mother are welcome; condolences to me are frankly wasted because just two days ago I had a nightmare where she didn’t and yeah… the nightmare was that she didn’t. I keep my room. I don’t have to run away. This is callous and I’m just so so very familiar with death as a concept that I can’t feel bad, because I’ve been so close to it so many times. My room is mine now — for good. My mom cleaned it while I was away, and I haven’t tidied but I intend to.

I was away because I was invited to do press at Hyper Japan. This is more my sister’s thing, generally, but the food pavilion was my thing. I had the sake experience, and I’m still waffling over whether I’m too ignorant to give opinions, but I could? Would you want me to? It was wonderful, I had thoughts, I would love to share them. I also tried wine, and some poke, and a few other things. I brought back soups and pasta for when it’s not 35C. I’m really glad I went. I’m really glad I had someone to go with me.

The whole time — almost three weeks — I stayed with my friend Leish. It was wonderful. I detoxed. I got sushi, we ordered in sometimes, we got weird burgers. I was in Bow and I liked it so much more than I expected to like somewhere in East London. They — I am also they; I came out as agender after my grandma’s death — were hospitable and incredible and I am so, so very lucky. They took me to the Tate Modern, which they love, and I dragged them to the Royal Academy, which was less newly free than it announced on the website.

I borrowed a crop top, and dungarees. It was one of the best trips of my life. I mainlined Schitt’s Creek and fell in love.

Also I’m obsessed with this Clothes Horse shoot. The color palette is exquisite.

I am dying for a new pair of glasses.

I took my gorgeous nightgown from UK Lingerie and failed to shoot it, but I wore it once, and took a couple of bad bad pictures for IG stories. I think it’s time for a little wishlist slash must shoot this sometime, which is what Collected means. This is what a week in summer calls for:

summertime dresses and fashion

sundress / navy shorts / black flats / janira chemise / suede sandal / leather bag

Fashion Inspiration Life + Style

Wishlist / Summer Shooting

posted on July 9, 2016

omg you guys so I got my new camera and I’ve got NOTHING TO WEAR. *tears hair out* *tears wardrobe out* I am MOST DISPLEASED. It’s easier in winter because I can mix and match things! But see, as soon as it’s hot outside I’m the kind of person who reaches for a dress and calls it even. I even get dresses I can’t wear bras underneath, just to wear fewer clothes. And here we are, having shot the mustard and the denim and the red scallops and the orange pattern, and now what? Now. What? I’m going to London and I’m going to Tallinn (expect a life post explaining this tomorrow, I’m committing to tomorrow) and I got nothing to wear that I can proudly post.

And so this wishlist was born.

Blue Maxi Dress (Boden) / Scallop Point Flats (Boden)
Jersey Top (Joules) / Bleach Roll Hem Denim Shorts (Miss Selfridge)
Navy Suedette Ballet Pumps (New Look) / Cream Canvas Wedge Sandals (New Look)
Print Handkerchief Dress (Simply Vera @ Kohl’s) — find discounts for Kohl’s here!
One-Piece Swimsuit (Speedo @ House of Fraser)

Gimme. Gimme all of it.

Books Fashion Inspiration Life + Style Pop Culture

Fashion / A Winter Capsule (With Books, Too)

posted on November 13, 2015

I’m not going to lie — when I say ‘capsule’ in the post title, I don’t really mean ‘clothes you can mix and match for maximum functionality’ this time (see previous capsules here and here). I’m thinking more about a receptacle in which you can live, like a cave where a bear hibernates, and the things you might want to have in it before holing up and not coming out until the sun does, like a bear when it hibernates.

These days I leave the house like, once or twice a week, usually the day after the wine runs out. I try to run all my errands at the same time, too; my town is pretty small so I might as well disrupt my routines as little as possible. I’m happy to tell you I’m no longer so unstable that going to the supermarket messes up my entire day, but I’m still lazy, and let’s be real, even if you go out every day, the best thing about winter is curling up on your bed or an armchair with a hot beverage, a book and your choice of ~~cat~~ furry pet, wrapped up in something warm and comfortable. Mmm, cozying up.

And so:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10

And just in case you forgot that a) I mentioned a book and b) I read, I come bearing book recs, too! Because I’ve looked forward to and tweeted about two fall releases far too much not to mention them here as well.

This fall, two of my favorite non-fiction writers released new material. First, it was the incomparable (shut up) Jenny Lawson, the Bloggess, who followed up Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, a book so hysterical I translated entire passages to my sister on the fly, with Furiously Happy. Furiously Happy is just as hilarious, but delves even deeper into Jenny’s experiences with depression and other disorders, including acute social anxiety, with passages as heartbreaking as they are, for me and many other people, massively relatable. Her flying fears are my flying fears! There are also (live) cats and (taxidermied) raccoons, and if you don’t think taxidermied animals can be fucking funny, you’re about to be converted.

The other new book I just started reading last night is Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell, who you may recognize from This American Life (a podcast I’ve only heard a tidbit of, though I mainlined its spin-off Serial) or appearances on The Daily Show (where I have in fact seen her; she was one of Jon Stewart’s last guests). I know very little about the period of American History in her book — or any other periods — though it’s getting a big fandom push lately with the Hamilton musical, which I swear I will listen to in time (Renee Elise Goldberry! My love, my light) — but I’ve inhaled about four of Vowell’s books, starting with probably my favorite, Assassination Vacation, and her writing style is just so goddamn engaging I know I will care. She probably shoulders 80% of the responsibility for my morbid interest in the Civil War era, so you know she’s got chops. Also, like, she’s Sarah Vowell. So give it a go if you don’t know her.

That should keep you cozy and entertained for a while! Now back to your cat.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. In fact most links are affiliate links. That means I may make a small commission if you purchase! And I mean small. But a commission all the same. Esprit unfortunately does not have an affiliate program that I’m aware of, but boy, am I in love with their collection… surprising absolutely no one.

Advice Fashion Inspiration Life + Style Travel

How To Pack Light For Your Summer Holiday + My Travel Essentials

posted on July 22, 2015

If you’ve been around for any of my moves on Twitter, you’ll know every time I complained about packing up until the fifth or last pack, at which point I finally thought to lay everything out on a bed and go SCIENCE.

I mean, it’s not science. Probably. But by the time you’re thinking about weight distribution, standing over your laid-out clothes and saying, loudly, “Step back! I’m going to try SCIENCE!” feels like the only way to hold on to your sanity for long enough to get you on your way.

Today, I’m sharing some tips on packing light for your summer holidays, and a few of my travel essentials! Just a heads up that by summer holidays I mean “holidaying somewhere it’s summer, and relatively warm,” so if you’re heading to Antarctica, even if it’s July, this may not help as much.

How to Pack Light for Summer Holidays / Lix Hewett

Photography by Lix Hewett / Model: Ling K Tang

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Fashion Inspiration Life + Style Wedding Inspiration

Style / Choosing Lingerie for Special Occasions

posted on June 13, 2015

This article is a guest post.

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Your go-to bra is perfect for everyday outfits, but when it comes to dressing for a special occasion, the average bra and panty set might not be quite up to snuff. As noted by Adam & Eve, the right undergarments can accent your fabulous, and this couldn’t be truer than when it comes to evening gowns and wedding apparel. So whether you have a special occasion looming on the horizon or you’re just looking for the perfect foundation pieces to add to your lingerie collection, keep these helpful tips in mind when shopping for shapewear.

Evening Wear

Office parties, fancy birthday dinners, anniversary celebrations, black tie galas—the list of occasions where you may need to wear a cocktail dress or evening gown is endless. But before you even purchase a gown, you should be thinking about what you’ll be wearing underneath, according to Women’s Health Magazine. For example, if you’re a C cup or larger, you may want to stay away from backless numbers, as backless bras rarely give ample support to bustier ladies. After you’ve found your dress, consider the little things. Rocking a slinky or clingy gown? Opt for seamless panties—and not much else in order to avoid awkward wrinkles and bulges. Have a more tailored, but fitted, dress in mind? Try structured shapewear for a line-free effect.

Wedding

Whether it’s your big day or you’re simply celebrating with the bride and groom, wedding wear requires the right undergarments. Much like with other formal occasions, there are a variety of dress styles—and just as many lingerie options to wear underneath.

For the Bride

When it comes to what to wear beneath your wedding gown, there are a number of factors to consider. Of course, you want something comfortable but pretty, hidden yet flattering. You likely spent hours searching for the perfect dress, but the fact of the matter is your undergarments have a big impact on how your dream gown fits when you walk down the aisle. The last things you want are visible straps, lumps, or lines. When shopping for the perfect wedding day lingerie (wedding night lingerie is a different story, and a different shopping trip altogether), look to the style of your dress first to select the perfect pieces.

Low or No Back

As mentioned before, backless gowns can be tricky for those women who have larger busts. That being said, if you fall in love with the perfect wedding dress and it just so happens to be backless, go for it! Ask your seamstress or the bridal salon handling your alterations to sew in cups or a bustier for hidden support. If you have a smaller cup size, opt for an adhesive bra or cups that offer strapless, backless coverage.

Plunging Neckline

For dresses with a plunging neckline, traditional bras and shapewear are out of the question. A bra or bodysuit with a special cutout in the front to accommodate low necklines is a must in this situation. While a bra in this style will likely have added support built in on the sides, a bodysuit makes sure everything stays put with a one-piece design.

Strapless

One of the most popular styles for brides, strapless gowns offer a variety of necklines, from straight to sweetheart. To keep from tugging on your top all night long, choose a strapless bra that features grips on the sides or a longline bra that has a corset like bodice. As Brides Magazine points out, some gowns, especially those that are particularly structured up top, may give enough support and shape that you can skip a bra altogether. Keep in mind that this can be true of all wedding dresses, not just strapless styles.

Formfitting

Many brides want to look sexy on their big day and opt for a gown that hugs their curves. Mermaids, trumpets, fit and flares, as well as sheath and column dresses all provide that va-va-va-voom effect. But the advantages of these shape-skimming styles are also their downfall. Wearing a formfitting dress often makes it difficult to achieve a seamless silhouette. This is where shapewear comes into play. Smoothing bodysuits and individual foundation pieces such as Spanx help give you added support where it’s most needed. Shapewear ranges from minimal to maximum coverage, so choose the type that matches your comfort level and preference.

While the timeline for buying your foundation pieces is more fluid than many other aspects of wedding planning, make sure to select your undergarments after the initial fitting (to adjust for any alterations that may happen) but before your final fitting appointment. Also, bring them with you in order to get a full visual of the finished look before the big day arrives.

Fashion Inspiration Life + Style

Style / Wishlist / Esprit Summer Capsule

posted on June 3, 2015

In one of my many contradictions, I hate the summer heat, I refuse to go out in it, it kills my brain cells, but I bloody love wearing summer clothes. They’re so light and comfy and sundresses exist and I love to show off my legs, even though they’re not particularly special, and it’s all just so easy and wonderful.

So today, I put together a little capsule wardrobe for summer. I loved doing the winter capsule wardrobe with Avenue 32 and I thought it was about time to do another full-on imaginary shop, this time on Esprit. It’s only missing a little white, but we’re all set if we add on my Very spring refresh wishlist.

Summer Capsule Wardrobe

01. Pale Blue Flowing Printed Jersey Top / 02. White Print Tee / 03. Striped T-shirt
04. Blue T-shirt with Turn-up Sleeves / 05. Short Sleeve Cardigan / 06. Green T-shirt With Burnt-out Motif
07. Retro Style Jersey Dress / 08. Pink Stretchy Capri Jeans / 09. Stretch Print Jacquard Sheath Dress
10. Non-stretch Denim Shorts / 11. Stretchy Denim Capri Pants / 12. Washed Stretch Jeans
13. Foldover Shoulder Bag / 14. Ballerinas with Woven Embossing / 15. Leather Bag
16. Leather Sandal with Wrap-Around Ties / 17. Textured Fabric Ballerina / 18. Cotton Fabric Trainers

Fashion Inspiration Showcases Sponsored

Wishlist: Dream Capsule Wardrobe for A/W with Avenue 32

posted on October 31, 2014

In a nutshell, this wishlist is the fashion equivalent of my interior boards on Pinterest. It’s a realistic look at what my closet would look like if I had the money and willingness to splurge and make it the closet I really want. It’s what my closet would look like if I were a character in a movie, too, and let’s be real, even if I can’t put my finger on any specific ones, movies — rom coms — are definitely an influence here. But so is knowing myself — knowing how picky I am about jeans, and that I’ll never wear skirts or dresses in the winter because I can’t stand tights, and that I walk a lot and I’ve given up on heels. It’s knowing I favor neutrals that aren’t nudes but still want a bit of color, selectively, and I’m easily cold and need thick sweaters and cardigans to cozy up in at home. It’s knowing how much I love looking put together without looking fancy, because fancy makes me feel self-conscious about my face, and like I should be making an effort with makeup, and that’s how I end up not wearing things. It’s knowing I’ll reach for the leather jacket (black or otherwise; the one featured here from BLK DNM comes in several colors, including emerald) time and time again because it makes me feel a little bit like I’m cosplaying.

It’s knowing I default to a few pieces and I’m okay mixing and matching because it’s what I’ve done all my life, and anyway, I like clothes to be a comfort — I like having favorites and wearing them because I already know I’ll feel good in them.

Avenue 32 carries a selection of products that fit all these bills, and it was a lovely, wistful experience putting a closet together with them. Of course this board can be used as inspiration if you have a tighter budget, as well. I would also add a few basic long-sleeve t-shirts to the mix to wear under the jumpers, something like this or this, just in case the fabric bothers me, but I couldn’t find anything basic enough on Avenue 32 — though some of the tops they carry look amazing for summer. Just not squeezed under a jumper for comfort. ;) I’d also add a pair of tan brogues to go with the coat and belt — a pair like this.

Have you given any thought to capsule wardrobes? What rules would/do you go by to build your own?

This is a PR collaboration post.

Fashion Inspiration Modeling Outfits Portfolio

5 Ways to Wear A Silk Scarf | ft. “Adrift” from LHP Collection

posted on February 28, 2014

So I made this pretty scarf. I ordered the fabric in November for a customer, and it never arrived, and it had to be reprinted, so it was quite a while before I could get my hands on it, but eventually it was here, and it was gorgeous, and I made a scarf with it. I spent two days fighting unruly thread and learning my way through hand-rolling a hem.

I was thrilled with the result, and was ready to model and photograph it before mailing it out. (The entire reasoning behind building this collection on preorders is that I can’t afford (nor have room) to make up things and hope they sell.) So I spread it in front of me…

…and I realized I didn’t have the faintest idea how you’re supposed to wear a silk scarf. A square silk scarf, to be specific. Actually, a square cotton silk scarf, but the problem was the square bit. I have plenty of long, mostly knit and crochet, scarves that I can do super crazy things with (that I also learned on the Internet), but I’m not a silk scarf person — I wear scarves to keep warm and silk has always felt weirdly in between — too warm and too cool at the same time.

I have to say, though, after researching it? I could be into silk scarves as neckties. Every other way I included here, though, is just for show.

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