Six Tips for Wearing a Corset Top: Part One

It’s that time again where I try some new things and give all you shy, reluctant fashionistas my tips for effortlessly rocking a new style.  This month, the lovely people at FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk sent over a couple of Corset Tops for me to style.  If you’ve been reading my blog for longer than five minutes, you know that I love to try to new things, but you also know I like to keep everything tasteful and modest, so something like a corset top may seem beyond the scope of my style.  But, it isn’t really and if you feel like me, I want you to know you can wear Corset Tops in a tasteful stylish way too.  So, in order to really explain everything properly and to give you the most outfit examples for this post, I’ve decided to split it into two separate posts and I’ll be showing you two different bustiers and the styles to go along with them.

Tip 1: Know Where You’re Going

Where are you going to wear this outfit is a question we should all ask ourselves every time we get dressed. The environment in which you plan to be makes a huge difference in how you style your look.  First of all no one should wear pajamas anywhere except to bed, and no one should wear yoga pants anywhere except during a yoga class—don’t even get in the habit of wearing them to and from the gym because you’ll end of wearing them all day.  If you are going to leave the house in uber comfortable clothes, at least go for something stylish.  FemmeLuxe has some really cute Co Ords and Lounge Wear Sets that I love, but they're specifically made to be stylish lounge wear.  Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s return to the topic at hand.  You wouldn’t dress for the club the way you dress for the office or for a brunch.  So first, know where you’re going.  The club life is a thing of the past for me, but a nice dinner at an exclusive restaurant is still very much a possibility, as is a business meeting where I need to dress to impress.

Tip 2: Cotton = Comfort and Vinyl = Confidence

A bustier or corset top in may sound a little too daring, so, choosing a comfort fabric like cotton or a polyester blend it can be a good way to ease into a new style.  It sends a little mental signal to your brain that this isn’t so scary, it’s more like an ultra stylish t-shirt.  Deep breath, we can do this-and then pair it with some high waist pants and wedges.  Voila!  The casual look.  As for me, I decided to be a little more daring than cotton or polyblends and start with this Black PU Corset Top in the Amy style bustiers from FemmeLuxe, because I really adored their style and loved the idea of a challenge.  Faux Leather is assertive, it says confidence, and maybe it takes confidence to wear it, but more than anything I think it gives you confidence when you realize you can wear it and look amazing.  If you decide to go with something edgy like PU,  there are plenty of ways to add a softness to the look and the easiest is to add a little lace.  I’ve mentioned this in past posts about vinyl that the best way to turn an edgy faux leather piece into a haute couture outfit brimming with femininity is to add a little lace.  In this case I chose a pink pencil skirt with black lace overlay.

Tip 3:  Start Basic

 While I did decide to choose an edgy fabric like a faux leather, I did want to start with a black corset top since black is a very basic, neutral color and it opens up my options for outfits possibilities and many people believe that black is slimming and whether or not that’s true, feeling that way can give a little comfort and confidence boost that will be projected to the world.  I would say that black is a “safe color” in that it doesn’t draw as much attention as bright colors, but let’s face it, Corset Tops are going to draw attention not matter what color they are, so it should definitely be the kind of attention you want.

As far as accessorizing this look, since it was more of an office to dinner style I think that chunky jewelry and a form fitting blazer are best and of course, some sassy sunnies say style like nothing else.

Shopping Info: Black PU Corset Top-Amy from: FemmeLuxeFinery.co.uk

A Few of My Favorite Things About Spring

My favorite things about spring are things I can't capture in photographs:  the smell of all the newly opened blossoms, the feel of warm sunshine on my shoulders, and the evening air full of the sounds of frogs singing their songs.  I also love finding these quiet little spots like this wild tree bent over with blossoms, hiding me away from the rest of the world so I can read my book in peace.

Shopping Info: Dress from Shein

Eternal Autumn

 I thought it only right that I should photograph this Wattle Dress from Australian brand Princess Highway in my fields of everlasting autumn since while we're looking towards spring, Australia is preparing for fall.  Here and there green leaves of grass are finally breaking through in the woods and trees, but there's still an overwhelming look of autumn to everything and it all looks so perfectly suited to this dress that I'm glad the golden brown oak leaves and wild wheat have lingered as long as they have.

Shopping Info: Wattle Dress from PrincessHighway, Heels from ModCloth

Fashion Mementos

I've had this fabric for over a year and now that the dress is finally done, I wish I'd made it sooner, but you know me and procrastination.  As much as I love the way this dress turned out, and the fact that it only took me a few hours of work to get it done once I finally committed to it, the true gem in this outfit turned out to be the shoes.  I'm not much of a shoe person, as is probably obvious from the fact that I wear my Zest is History Heels from ModCloth with practically everything, but these particular heels are a different story.

    My daughter was celebrating a birthday recently and in  of a party, she wanted to be taken shopping instead.  "Yes!"  I thought, "this is the day I've been waiting for!"  These days I'm mostly an online shopper, but she wanted to go to the mall, so we did.  Wow!  It was bleak.  I went to this mall my whole childhood and teen life and never was the parking lot so empty.  "Uh, oh," I thought, "this isn't a good sign."  
    Once inside the mall it was just as empty, not just empty of people, but empty of stores.  The mall, even just ten years ago, was a thriving hub of commerce and more importantly teenage socialization.  Now it was empty.  All that was missing was the lone call of some tragic bird and a hollow breeze blowing a tumble weed by.  No one seemed to notice but me, and since my girl knew exactly where she was headed we didn't really pause to take it in.  After we went to her favorite shop for accessories I suggested we look for clothes.  No Clothes-She was adamant.  But, I persisted and we found ourselves at Charlotte Russe.  

    When my daughter was a very little girl, just two or three, I used to shop at Charlotte Russe.  I loved their cute tops and sundresses, everything was cotton and comfortable.  My mother would go with us, and while I was trying things on, she would sit with my baby and let her try on all their glamorous heels.  It didn't matter how long I needed to try things on and try to find the right sizes, my girl was as happy as could be as long as she could try on those shoes.  We didn't go to the mall often, but it was a tradition that anytime we went we stopped to let my first and then my second daughter try on CR shoes.  So I was a little surprised and totally broken-hearted that the store is closing across the country.  She's finally old enough to wear these shoes and they're going away.  We didn't stay long; it was just too sad, but I couldn't stop thinking about all our happy memories there.

        The next day I called my mom, loaded her and both my girls into the car and drove back to the mall for one last shoe trying on extravaganza.  Oh, yes, we tried them all on while sitting on that fab couch in front of all the mirrors.  Of course we took a few photos and I'm not ashamed to say I cried a little.  I know it's just a store, but it was the place where my little girls felt so beautiful and so happy.  Now they're not little anymore and there won't be many more dress-up days of any kind, but I'm sad to see this one go so soon and yet grateful we got to do this one more time, just us girls.

On the way out I spied these fashionable heels and knew they'd go just perfectly with the dress I'd just finished sewing a couple of days before, and since everything in the store was 70% off, I nabbed them for a mere $10.  Not only do I have this wonderful memory, but I have a great memento of the day and I'll think of it every time I wear them.

Shopping Info:  Hoffman Digital No Weeds Here Botanical Flowers White Fabric, Heels from Charlotte Russe

What a Difference Spring Can Make

As you can see, my little hilltop may be eternally in love with autumn, but everywhere else is full of bright green and blossoms!  It's warm enough to take the bike out to the park without having to wear a hat and coat or else freeze in the chilly wind.  I still need a layer under my dress, but it's light and breezy and perfect for this beautiful day.

Shopping Info:  Top and skirt from Shein, Flats from ModCloth

Fields of Gold

I know that it's spring but the hills don't just yet.  The valley is blooming, but the mountain is still sleeping.  So even though the days are getting longer it still looks like a lovely autumn evening here.  I think that Sting said it best, so I'll let him do the talking today as I enjoy the warmth and the woods and walk in fields of gold.

You'll remember me when the west wind moves

Upon the fields of barley

You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky

As we walk in fields of gold.

Dress from: SHEIN

Shopping Info: Shirred Panel Bishop Sleeve Frill Trim Dress - $21.00
from: SHEIN, Necklace is handmade by me, Flats are from ModCloth

White Eyelet Endures

White Eyelet is back, though since it's been around for hundreds of years, maybe it's more accurate to say White Eyelet endures.  I've noticed the trend in summer dress for the last few years has been for this classic fabric and I'm tickled mostly because of my love for all things Victorian...except the rampant poverty, poor living conditions in the cities, and the occasional outbreaks of Cholera and Typhus.  Eyelet originated in the Bohemian area we know today as the Czech Republic.  The technique of cutting the small holes and sewing around them began in the 1500s but only spread to English culture in the 1840s.  At that time it was mainly used for women's undergarments, decorated sleeve cuffs and children's clothing such as pinafores worn by boys and girls, but I think we're all glad that white eyelet eventually made it to the light, because it is a summer time must for keeping cool while still looking stylish.

The best way I've found to style white eyelet is minimally: small jewelry, understated shoes, no belt or jacket.  This lets the eyelet standout and creates a more natural "bohemian" look.

Shopping Info: Dress from Shein
Eyelet info taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broderie_anglaise

Jumpsuit Business

I've never been much a of jumpsuit person in the past and you know I'm the last one to jump on a fashion trend, but I had the opportunity to try a jumpsuit from FemmeLuxe in this post and I liked the look so much that I thought I'd try one from Dropship-Clothes.  This pinstripe suit has an office wear feel to it and since I never see people around the office in jumpsuits, this seemed like a great opportunity to try something new.  What do you think?  Office Appropriate or switch to flats and keep this a casual look?

Shopping Info:  Black Frankie Jumpsuit $9.09 from Dropship-clothes.com, Claire's Tortoise Shell Cat Eye Frames - Brown - $6.99
from: Claire's, Heels from ModCloth

At the River

Another handmade dress, nautical of course, because I cannot resist a nautical print, and cotton, because if I had my choice, everything would be cotton....well, maybe not everything, but most things, and deep blue for the river.

The River by Richard Aldington

I

I drifted along the river

Until I moored my boat

By these crossed trunks.

 Here the mist moves

Over fragile leaves and rushes

Colorless waters and brown fading hills.

She has come from beneath the trees,

Moving within the mist,

A floating leaf.

II

O blue flower of the evening,

You have touched my face

With your leaves of silver.

Outfit Info:  Dear Stella Aweigh North Whale Ships Navy Fabric, Heels and tights from ModCloth, Vero Viva Womens Plaid Puff Short Sleeve Sweet Blouse Flower Patchwork Shirt Top