May 2: Week in Review

Weekend Reads went out on Wardrobe Oxygen today. While Wardrobe Oxygen is primarily about style, my Saturday post is a hodgepodge of interesting articles I read, what I’ve been watching, music, art by women, sales worth checking out, and I usually have a bit of style inspo - one of my mini capsules, picks from a retailer I like, info about a new collection… that kind of thing. Weekend Reads is by far my highest traffic post all week.

That being said, I had two style guides publish this week that are kicking ass. Traffic, sales, and IMO, the quality kicks ass too:

• Best bras for big busts: I went from a B to a D the summer after senior year of high school and at 51 I am now a gravity- and breastfeeding-blessed 36F. I’ve done a lot of research, a lot of shopping, a lot of returns and share my favorite everyday, t-shirt, wireless, strapless, sports bras, and even pretty bras for those of us blessed with big boobs.

• Best shorts for grown-ass women: Any person can wear whatever they want. There is no specific look for a specific age. I don’t subscribe to that noise. But I also know a lot of grown women give up on shorts because they aren’t comfortable or don’t offer confidence. But if you feel you want or need shorts and struggle to find ones you like, this guide is for you. Misses, petite, plus size, tall, and curvy options for denim, linen, chino, active, dress, and more.

A bunch of items I mentioned in my recent Eyeing & Buying arrived this week and there are wins, and some losses:

This is the FARM Rio top, and a pair of Eileen Fisher wide leg linen pants from Nordstrom Rack. Both are going back. I got the pants when Elizabeth (hi, Elizabeth!) emailed me and shared there was an EF drop on Nordstrom Rack. They fit well, but they are not typical EF quality and as you can see from the photo, super transparent. Like so transparent, I could see my Soma Vanishings in my exact skin color through them. That being said, if I needed the other colors I’d get them.

And the top, while fitting well, is kinda weird in person. Maybe I could steam out the flower so it’s not so flat, but the color is also flat. It’s hard to tell in photos, so I took this one with it next to my Universal Standard Ashley Tee in “Green Park.” I was expecting something a bit more… cheerful.

The Lands’ End dress arrived, and the fit in LP is perfect. The skirt is lined with a lightweight cotton voile, the pockets are deep, the back is smocked and has a scoop but not so low I can’t wear any old bra in my collection. I am a big fan, and if I were Lands’ End I’d make this dress in a dressy fabric like taffeta or a faux silk dupioni.

I also think it should be made in black and white poplin and maybe some other prints; the pink floral is pretty but not my personal style. Lands’ End has something very simple yet excellent with this dress.

With ShopMy, I get a lot of gifting. A lot I say no to, but when it comes to body washes, I usually say yes. And OMG this one? Do you remember Satsuma from The Body Shop? I worked as a trainer for The Body Shop back in 2001-2003 and was obsessed. But when the company was sold to L’Oreal, Satsuma was never the same. This isn’t Satsuma, but it’s like an elegant grown-up version and both my daughter and I are obsessed. Also a little goes a long way.

I’ve been on a hair growing journey. I began noticing my hair thinning in my early 40s and it’s a big reason why I went curly. I’ve been playing with products, lack of hot tools, massaging, etc. And this week I’ve noticed that the thin spot at the back of my head isn’t really there ad my receding hairline is growing in. I am on Month 4 of oral minoxidil through Alloy which I think has made the biggest impact. It takes a couple of months to kick in; I haven’t had any side effects and have had a good experience with Alloy and getting personalized care with the doctor (I am one to text often).

But I also switched to New Wash from Hairstory at the beginning of the year and I think that too has helped. I use a massager to scrub it in, and with New Wash I only need to wash my hair maybe twice a week. It doesn’t get as greasy, I don’t need to use as much product, and it makes my hair more manageable while looking super healthy. And it doesn’t strip color. I am a big fan; I’ve upgraded to the big bottle and am on a subscription plan to get the refill bags.

Tommy Bahama sent me a few of their shorts and linen pieces. I haven’t had a chance to try them on yet but hope to have a review by next weekend!

I didn’t capture any of my outfits last week except this random one from yesterday. These horseshoe jeans from Gap are a favorite when working from home because they are so big and comfy with deep pockets. I’ve had them for almost a year; they have held up so well. If in doubt size down; I’m wearing a LP. The t-shirt is Universal Standard (XS); the sweater is an old cotton Drifter from Lands’ End (L); the earrings are Lele Sadoughi.