"Vote" Fashion — Noteworthy but No Thanks

     Now that the U.S. Election is over, what will happen to all the Votewear out there? More for the landfill I suspect. In every respect except one, Votewear is a No Thanks for me. If you have visited here before, you know that sports promotional wear and most advertisements on clothing is a No Thanks for this blogger. 

    The one positive and it's not so much a Nice but a Noteworthy — if it made a difference in the numbers of people who went out to vote, then I suppose it is Noteworthy, but how does one discern if it made a difference to anyone except the wearer?

    Now, if the article of clothing is blue and says vote, does that indicate a vote for the Democrats? Logical I think. Therefore, if the article of clothing is red, does that indicate Republican? Logical in the United States; if it works for one it works for the other. However, red in most of the world traditionally indicates communism lead by a dictatorship. Really? Well, that's my perception. Thank goodness, they have a constitutional basis that should save them from a dictatorship but we on the outside see the similarities between the Republican's choice for the presidential candidate and dictatorships filled with "yes-men" and family members who have no business running a government.

    Does what we wear influence anybody? Designers believe so since they blatantly expose their mark on clothing, footwear, and purses along with every other accessory. I'm not a fan of that either. I have a classic Louis Vuitton purse I bought with the cheque from my first writing assignment and have barely worn since. It was a small purse. I have a pair of Tory Burch boots that will soon be on Kijiji because I just don't like the extra branding. It serves no purpose on the boots and well, you know how I feel about that. What will happen to the Michael Kors cashmere sweater with "vote" in full-frontal exposure? Symbolically it was black and white. 100% of the profit from the sales of $850. USD sweater went to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and so I suppose, one can rationalize for the swag that the sweater became.

    Back to the political situation in the United States. Blue or red, the ex-pats I know living in Canada and France are hoping for blue. When you ask any of them why they love their new homes, one of the reasons is the health care systems — a blue clincher, yet Republicans call it socialism or communism. I don't think they know the definitions of either. Of course, there are many other reasons but it would be interesting to know how ex-pats voted. 

    Excuse me for the scattered rant. I only know I am very grateful I live in Canada for six months and France for six, but I wish we were not so close to the political or economic influences of the United States. We wait for the final decision — blue or red?

Changing a Cluttering Habit

Closet Fashion Analysis: A Place for Everything . . .

No Thanks: I have the unfortunate habit of leaving my shoes wherever I settle. So that there will be flip flops adjacent to the chair I am sitting, under the table at my place, and at various entrances to and from the house. I know this exacerbates my husband but for some reason, he's never gotten into a snit about it.

Nice: However, the other day, I found the various pairs of shoes that were laying around the house all lined up and positioned to be entering our closet. I began to laugh and continued until I came downstairs to thank him. I'm getting better, at least for the last couple of days, at putting my shoes where they belong.

Note-Worthy: A friend, décor and colour consultant, Janet Parkinson, is working on a de-cluttering guide eventually to be featured on her website. Many who hire her for decorating, staging or move management services need to de-clutter their spaces first and so we have collaborated to create a guide that will help anyone and everyone through the process. She'll be making it available on her website. I'll update this post when it's ready to go.

Obviously, I must practise what the guide preaches but it got me to thinking about the strategy my husband used. It made both of us laugh and I learned my lesson. How much nicer is it to remind people to put things back into the places they belong with a giggle rather than a grimace?

I'd love to read about how you have helped someone change a habit in a light-hearted way rather than in an agitated way. Leave a comment to help us all develop better habits especially when it comes to de-cluttering.

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

Buy my Guided Journal 

A Box a Day: A 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter 

Your Personal De-Cluttering Guide

The Best Scarf and the Worst

Closet Fashion Analysis: 
What Makes the Best and the Worst

Photo Source: JoyD

Nice: Last year for my birthday, my friend Shirley gave me a silk floral scarf. I'm not big on florals but this is a chameleon scarf and I love it — I can wear it with anything. It seems that every colour is in it but not in a garish way. It blends with blues and greens and highlights reds, purples and pinks. 

It's a huge square and the silk drapes beautifully. Truly I have never owned a scarf with so many good qualities. This one is my once in a lifetime scarf. 

So not only is it now my favourite, it is also my most precious. She hand-rolled, and hand-stitched the hem. And this was before COVID isolation practices. I am still in awe, seven months later. 

As well it not only adorns me but I have it in my living room, draped over a chair and the effect is better in real life than what is represented by my amateur photography skills. 

Photo Source: JoyD

Note-Worthy:  I have many  favourites but they are relegated to particular outfits and can only be worn with one or two items. My blue, red, brown and beige scarf is limited. It complements the colours within it and that's it. Besides, it's a fine wool and is too warm to wear in the summer although it doesn't look or feel heavy. Besides, it's in my French closet so it's not working for me while still in Canada owing to "the Covid".

Photo Source: JoyD

No Thanks: Then there's this one. Why I ever bought it, I still can't figure out. It's only redeeming feature is that it is silk but it is a difficult-to-do-anything-with size and goes with nothing in my wardrobe. 

Perhaps I should have a scarf exchange - invite fewer than 10 people with instructions to bring their least favourite scarves and then put them out for grabs. This of course would best be complemented by drinking wine and since it's summer, a French rosé would be perfect. Add some open your own snacks and munchies and you have a healthy compliance to pandemic morés.

Check out a previous post on scarves, shawls and pashminas. 

In Readiness to Return to Work

Over the next week, certain districts in North American and European countries will be allowing shops to re-open under particular guidelines. Our prairie newspaper (retrieved April 23, 2020 from Saskatoon Star Phoenix) reported: "Some of those guidelines are geared to specific businesses, including bans on trying on clothes at clothing stores, which will also be encouraged to use online purchases and adopt no-return policies." Since then guidelines have been changed and adapted to more realistic limitations. With the original guidelines, customers like me, asked, "What's the point?" Government policymakers listened to retailers and now guidelines are much more reasonable for the face to face shopper.

Although I recognize it is much easier to buy online, I do not want a world where that is my only alternative therefore if we do not support storefront businesses, they will go bankrupt and I certainly don't want that. 

As we check the days of the calendar in anticipation of hairdressers and more retail outlets re-opening between now and the middle of June as the flattening trend continues, it's time (if you haven't already) to get your wardrobe work-ready. 

Instead of saying, "I have nothing to wear", you can say "everything feels new again".

Re-organize - take out all winter wear and if you have the luxury of another closet, place everything you won't need this summer. Make sure they are clean, mended and stored properly whether in drawers, bins or closets. This is also a good opportunity to place winter things in a "donate" bin for things you know you won't wear again. You will be ready when clothing donations will be accepted.

Organize your closet by colour and category. Place all tops starting with white, followed by colours - light to dark with black ending the "tops" category. Now do the same for skirts, followed by shorts, capris, jeans and pants, and dresses.

You probably have noticed that you have a particular colour palette represented in your closet. In summer, my colour palette is what I affectionately call, "sea, sand and sky" — basically blue, beige and white. Kick it up a notch with yellow or red and you can portray variety with essentially a limited numbers of pieces. 

Summer wear also means more casual wear and after working at home or not working for two months, we may have become a little too lax, a little too informal. 

Greek Designer. PhotoSource: AngieB

Appropriate casual workwear can be characterized by 4 features:

1. Nice and simple as in this sheath dress. The design encorporates textural detailing without being over the top.

2. cover up — nothing revealed. Say "No thanks" to too short shorts, bosomy cleavage, cropped tops and sheer sheer fabrics."

2. clean up — nothing grungy, nothing sloppy. Say "No thanks" to oversized t-shirts and badly fitting denim. 

3. add to — upgrade your look with natural fabrics, simple but well tailored pieces, and  statement accessories and make it "note-worthy". In the sheath dress photo, notice the shoes — simple nude heels which don't compete with the dress. Yet summer suggests colour so play with it in your accessories.

Photo Source: Zenka

Accessorizing is where you can play with colour. Scarves, belts, shoes and jewellery express your individuality. As with all advice at this time . . . do it creatively but do it responsibly.

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.

My Life-Style Choices During COVID -19

There are times I digress from writing about clothing in one's closet and this post is one of those digressions. To quote myself, this "can be rationalized for health sake and so . . . do what it takes. Take care of yourself so that you can enjoy the clothing, the shoes, the bags, the jewellery, the accessories . . . and look great in them." 

Nice: First and foremost I am employing relative self-isolation. The extent of my excursions: a local grocery store, recently the plant and seed store and the pharmacy. I have done some food deliveries for friends but generally I have not see or spoken to anyone who wasn't at least 2 meters away from me. I wash my hands. I wear a mask. I don't touch my face while out. I have a box of those blue plastic disposable gloves for grocery shopping.Oh yes and I take my temperature twice a day.

No Thanks: To meeting with my friends for a glass of wine or dinner (this saddens me the most and is my greatest sacrifice). I am planning a strategy to meet with another couple of friends but I haven't worked out the details yet. I suppose I don't want to jeopardize anyone's safety even though I think I am healthy but we just don't know. That being said, I am a Type I diabetic and do not know how the virus will manifest in my body at this time. I care not to find out.

Note-Worthy: There are strategies I am employing during this pandemic that are not considered effective or valid. No, it's not that — I guarantee you. I am not drinking bleach or ordering holy water nor am I hoarding anything.

Essential Oils: I do use essential oils for aromatherapy and for topical application. I like them. They make me feel good. I don't wear perfume and I seldom wear make-up. And yes, I do believe they have have some therapeutic effect. So to those who are telling me that I am wasting my money because nothing works against COVID-19, all I can say is, we choose where we want to spend our money. Do I think thieves blend or eucalyptus, lemon or ravintsara oils will keep me safe from COVID-19? For the most part, NO. It is very improbable but not entirely impossible (disclaimer - no scientific evidence therefore this is not a recommendation). Do I still admit to using them? Yes, I believe they have properties that can lessen effects of normal flu bugs and I know enough about how to use them that they're not going to hurt me, so I put them in my diffuser at night and rub them on my neck and upper chest when I go out. Remember I still maintain social distancing and wear a mask but I believe I'm adding an extra layer of protection, at least, in my mind if not in reality.

Supplements: I am also taking supplements, which I have always taken in my adult life. There is nothing new in my regime, except for one that deals with helping to lower blood pressure, Quercetin. The others are the usual, which I take rotationally — not all of them all the  time: Omega 3, Vitamins C, D and E, Zinc, a Mushroom blend (I have taken this for years to boost my immune system), Magnesium and a combination including Collagen for hair, skin and nails.

Meditation: I meditate and listen to hz sleep music while I'm trying to and am falling asleep. Does it help? I believe so. It certainly does not hurt and I am falling asleep more quickly and sleeping through the night. Is it the music or the Magnesium? I don't know.

Eating and Exercising: I'm eating healthfully and exercising, not as strenuously as I was when I was going to the gym but I am maintaining my weight and I am pleased about that.

The point of this digression is simply to remind everyone who is reading about fashion and trends and other frivolous stuff, to take care of yourself and no matter what else you believe will keep you healthy, make sure you do not jeopardize your safety when going out.

I have written about oils before: 
Not a Closet and No Clothing Within: Essential Oils in a Wine Box

Cleaning Jewellery

Necessary (but something I tend to avoid)

Nice: The safest and most highly recommended jewellery cleaner - a few drops of Dawn dish detergent (I've also used baby shampoo) and lukewarm water. Let soak for a few minutes. Use a soft bristle new baby toothbrush or a cotton or linen cloth to gently cleanse away any determined dirt. Rinse in lukewarm water, approximately the same temperature of your soapy solution. Set on a towel and using the coolest setting, blow dry your pieces.

Gemstones (other than diamonds, sapphires and rubies), should be cleaned professionally since even water temperature can do damage.

No Thanks: salt, bleach, baking soda, vinegar - anything acidic can potentially damage all jewellery.

Noteworthy: Costume jewellery can literally fall apart if you use harsh acidic products. I once used a bleach solution which lifted the coating on a bracelet. To add insult to injury I thought the bracelet was real silver. It was a double "Merde - Oh Shit " moment.

Chemical cleaners can often change the colour of costume jewellery in the same way sweat, perfumes and hairsprays can (which is why you should clean your costume jewellery). Stick with the many who suggest putting your jewellery on after all your primping and spraying.

Even water itself can cause spot damage or loosen glue on costume pieces so instead of soaking a few minutes, soak a few seconds and dry quickly. Another reason to use a blow dryer.

Regarding Silver: Bob Vila suggests on his website: "Simply pull out and uncap a bottle of ketchup, then squirt a tiny amount on a paper towel. Next, gently rub the condiment along each piece of silver anywhere it appears tarnished. If it doesn’t come right off, let the ketchup sit for 15 minutes, then wipe the red away with a dishtowel and rinse your silverware clean." (Retrieved April 6, 2020 from https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-silver-polish/) 

No Thanks: Result - little noticeable removal. 

Noteworthy: Maybe the pieces were too heavily tarnished. Will try it on lightly tarnished items. After my husband watched me do this for several pieces with no discernible results, he took my jewellery and began using a commercial silver polish, which of course worked beautifully.

After all that, silver is silver and no amount of elbow grease or Dawn® liquid detergent or Ketchup is going to result in removing tarnish. Unfortunately a chemical silver polish is about the only solution I have found to do the trick. 

I have used the foil, baking soda and hot water trick which does work and can be used on cutlery but there's loads of advice out there saying it should not be used on jewellery.

Store your silver pieces in plastic or cloth bags to protect from humidity and sulfur in the air, which contributes to tarnishing along with skincare products and hairspray.

I may continue looking online for less caustic solutions but for the moment, I will use the silver polish, at least until it is finished.

NEED: Someone to comment and give me an alternate to commercial caustic silver polish. 

Jewellery Trends 2020

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

Big, Colourful, Chain Links, Pearls, Ankle Chains & Single Earrings

Asymmetrical Pairs from days gone by.
by JoyD. Photo Source: JoyD

Three major themes in jewellery trends for 2020 are colourful, chain links and big. And this year the single earring, pearls and ankle chains are recurring. 

Good fortune for those of you who have kept any single earrings after losing the other. Or if you bought an asymmetrical pair several years ago when that was the trend. Lucky you, now you have two choices to use for a particular colour palette. The single earring trend is one of the most creative and cost effective trends for jewellery makers. We get to use up those single over-sized baubles. 

All of the above are themes that always return in some variant form - I guess that's what makes a trend — the variant forms. And summer is always a time when flamboyant fashion jewellery appears. Throw colourful and summer into the mix for a jewellery crafter and it's time to play!

Fashion during recessions tend to become more minimalist and luxury items plummet in sales. Yet we as consumers look to lift our spirits, even through something as superficial as fashion and since the money is not there, we do it through trendy accessories. Coincidentally we are in a situation of economic difficulty and uncertainty about returning to a normal lifestyle, whatever that may mean to you, and both are happening as summer approaches, at least for us here. (My apologies to those in the Southern Hemisphere, where, of course winter is approaching. But with less sunlight and greyer days, colourful just may be a therapeutic choice.) 

If you are looking for something to cheer you up, to conjure a less pessimistic view of the world owing to this COVID-19 predicament, perhaps we can try to do it through something playful and superficial such as . . . 


Big and Colourful: Imagine super-sized hot pink hoops or just one matching a pink and yellow patterned face mask.

Statement Necklace by Joy D. Photo Source: JoyD

Pearls: Marie Claire tells us "pearl everything". Take a look at the page Statement Necklaces by JoyD for past pearl creations.

Ankle Chains & Shoe Chain Jewellery: As far as the ankle chains go, I don't want to admit how long ago I wore an ankle chain and I know a woman who hasn't taken hers off since then. Marie Claire writes, "Jewelry isn't just for your wrists, ears, or neck anymore . . ." Really?

Photo Source: Harper's Bazaar -
 Brandon Maxwell Design
Getty Image

Oversize and Chunky Chain Links: We've been there — it was about 7 years ago or so.

The one below with silver chain link and turquoise stones is one I made back in 2014 or 15. It was a favourite that I kept and have worn many times over the last five or six years. I keep carrying it back and forth between France and Canada.

Statement Necklace by JoyD. Photo Source: JoyD

What Would Happen If . . .

Closet Fashion Analysis: 

A Necessary Fashion Statement

Since face masks have been recommended, I decided to do a creative thinking exercise which predicts possible consequences - "What Would Happen If . . . ?"

WWHI face masks were mandated for use in all interpersonal contact outside of one's own home for an indeterminate amount of time? 

My thoughts, from my inner fashionista are . . . 

Face masks would become more colourful, more unique reflecting personal preferences and idiosyncrasies, thus becoming more fashionable, and more outlandish. There would be face mask trends to watch every season.

We don't have to go far, it's already happening. I bought this

Photo Source: JoyD

one yesterday at Nature's Health Centre where I buy my supplements and essential oils. A local seamstress has taken the opportunity and a local business is promoting and selling her wares. Grassroots commerce - love it!

WWHI we went more high tech . . . Cyclists have been

Photo Source: respromasks

 using pollution face masks in major British, European and Chinese cities for awhile now and Respro™ masks, manufactured in the United Kingdom, are being re-invented by consumers to deal with the predicament we find ourselves in now. When Respro™ was asked,"Can a Respro™ mask protect against Corona virus?" they responded with a technical explanation only they can do and not many can understand. Visit the Respro™ FAQ page for that explanation. 

Photo Source: Airygal.com

WWHI? Well, this too is already happening - "fashionable" alternatives being influenced by safety supply manufacturers. How much safety this actually offers may be debatable.

Ah but all that is still too ordinary - let's predict outside the patterned fabric face mask, cyclist pollution mask and safety-influenced samples.



Think more outlandish consequences for fashion trends such as elaborate designs re-creating, modifying and applying elements from Venetian eye masks . . . 

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

or Jester masks . . . 

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

or this Bauta Musica Masquerade mask. . . . hmm? Indeed, what would happen if . . . ?

Photo Source: Simply Masquerade

In Readiness to Store: Washing by Hand

Closet Fashion Analysis:

Storing Woollens

A closet in readiness to return for work is the goal over the

Photo: JoyD

next while for my posts. As we transition from winter to spring, our closets need to be re-generated and re-invented. Today I will be sharing helpful hints regarding the chore of washing woollens and storing them over the summer.

Necessary - Washing by Hand

Handwash all your sweaters and tops, no matter the fabric content - well, maybe not t-shirts - especially wool, cashmere, and all natural fibres including silk. Those with dry-clean only labels are there because most people do not know how and so the manufacturer errs on the side of caution and recommends dry-cleaning of your merino wool sweater when in fact it is safe to wash by hand. Other than blazers, I have even washed camel hair pants by hand and ironed them myself.

Having said that, you must remember to:

• Always use cold or cool, never warm or hot water. 

• Use a lanolin based soap or baby shampoo for all woollens from cashmere to mohair to angora to camel hair.  

• Gently manipulate by pressing the suds through the fabric without any scrubbing friction. You can use stronger action on reinforced areas like collars and cuffs but hold off on a lot of friction. 

• Rinse by letting the soapy water drain and refill the sink with more water.

• Rinse at least twice with the same gentle touch you used to wash. 

• Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar to the last rinse. 

• Do not wring out between rinses. 

• When the water no longer appears to have any soapy residue, drain the sink and press as much water as possible out with your hands pushing the fabric against the side of the sink, then . . .

• Roll the item within a thick cotton towel to remove excess moisture. 

• Lay flat, reforming shoulders, sleeves and body into proper position on a clean dry towel. 

• Lay on a flat surface or on top of a clothing drying rack. I usually lay it on the floor to dry. 

• Check in a few hours or a whole day and turn the item over. Replace with a dry towel if the towel if damp.

• When dry you may want to iron out the creases and you can but with great care. Using a barely damp clean white cotton, or other natural fibre cloth such as linen, spread out on top of the article you want to iron. Making sure you have a low temperature setting, lightly pass the iron over the creases. Have patience, it will take some time and it will work, but not too much heat. 

It's a time consuming process but you have time. Space to dry for more than a day can be an issue so only do as many as you can dry properly at any one time. For me that's three maximum.

Necessary for Storage

• Make sure your articles are completely dry before you store them. 

• Roll, so you don't get any fold lines, and tuck in a dryer sheet to give a fresh scent or add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil to an unscented dryer sheet and tuck into the rolled article. The lavender or peppermint will also deter any insects and save you from the anguish of finding a tiny holes in your stored woollens. (I absolutely must do this when in France.) Cedar blocks sold especially for storage purposes are also a good idea. 

• Store rolled in a drawer. Do not hang or else you will end up with "hanger bumps" on the shoulders and a stretched out body. I also shy away from storing in plastic bins.

I know what you're thinking - but really beautiful wool, cashmere and mohair sweaters cost a lot and in order to get your money's worth, you need to do this. If you don't want to, consider buying acrylic next time 😉 but you still need to wash them for storage.

Any helpful hints and your comments are always much appreciated. 

😃Spring 2021 Update: Does dis-order in your life overwhelm you? Changing Spaces by Design has recently published a guided journal with inspiring affirmations, suggested daily strategies to create clutter-free spaces, time management recommendations, and charts to record your project. Shirley B says, "I embarked on the process and am pleased to say that it really does work. I put my stuff in order, found stuff I had forgotten I owned, and got rid of stuff I no longer need (that is somebody else’s stuff now). The result – I know what I have, and where to find it. Amazing!"

You can check out their launch page at 30 Day Journal to Triumph Over Clutter.

Brian's Choice Re-invented

Closet Fashion Analysis:

Ballet Flats with a Conscience

Nice

Brian, my ballet flats expert has turned his allegiance from Tory Burch to Tieks – In an email last week he told me, “2 years ago I bought myself a pair of Tieks ballet flats. Today I now own 22 pairs. I still like my Torys but I'm more of a Tieks guy these days.” 

Considering the Tieks motto is “the ballet flat reinvented”, I think it an appropriate choice. For those of you following this blog, you know that I prefer subtlety when it comes to wearing “marks”. I like Tieks because their signature is the teal blue sole and vertical heel strip whereas Tory Burch emblazons her TB in almost a garish way. Now you know how I really feel.

Tieks has also endeared me to their product with Operation #SewTogether: Their ads tell us, “We’re giving a $50. Tieks Gift Card to anyone who stiches and donates 25 masks, or a $100. Tieks Gift Card for 50 or more masks.” They are distributing these masks in the Los Angeles area and as this promotion expands, I am curious if Tieks will expand their donations elsewhere. The Tieks web page for #SewTogether also keeps a running tally of how many masks have been produced. On my last visit (April 16, 2020) they have provided 260,167 lower-grade homemade masks to free up the medical-grade ones for doctors and nurses who deal directly with COVID19 patients.

Not only this but the Gavrieli Foundation maintained by Tieks provides financial resources for women entrepreneurs around the world “in the broader fight against global poverty”. Nice.

Like any other mark, Tieks has an enthusiastic following and Brian has become part of that as well, “I've met lots of great people thru the Tieks group I'm part of. A few have been real life meetings in Arizona and Calgary.”

“Women seem to love this brand,” Brian reiterates, and from the website, I can see why “. . .  and there's a handful of guys that also wear them . . ." 

Tieks . . . a perfect spring choice for anyone who has a social conscience (and an aversion to showy marks) ". . . and they come in a rainbow full of colors” . . . and they're foldable!

Photo Source: Tieks