KristieRebuilds

Tag: style tips

  • Sustainable Fashion: Is BLB Contributing?? 🤔

    Sustainable Fashion: Is BLB Contributing?? 🤔

    Sustainable Fashion. It was something that I’d heard about here and there. Through all of the articles I read each day, one that was discussing details about sustainable fashion, wasn’t a topic that I considered to be click worthy.

    Until recently.

    My intrigue increased during one of my Netflix and chill sessions. I ran come across some documentaries that was about sustainability in fashion.

    Then, members in a few groups that I’m in posted about watching some and highly recommended them. I took note.

    After doing my research and finding out exactly what sustainable fashion was, I wondered if my business would be considered sustainable??

    The process of taking a garment from nothing to something can greatly effect the environment. From transportation emissions to filling up landfills with tons of unused fabric. More than 20 billion tons according to some reports.

    Sustainable fashion is meant to curb that. If you arent familiar with the term, Sustainable Fashion basically refers to apparel companies who take certain measures to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be done reducing their factories, changing their dyeing process, reducing textile waste, etc.

    Without intention, here are some ways BLB is contributing to sustainability. (I think.)

    Cutting fabric patterns

    • The fabric used to make the handmade collection, Fashion Not Fear, is purchased in very small quantities.
  • Making handmade styles
    • The remaining scraps are used to make random small things…headbands, crops, belts, headwraps, etc.
  • Handmade matching burgundy top and skirt set
    • Pieces are sold in sets. The more someone can switch up the same style, the less they might waste but something they will never wear.
    • Big companies use multiple trucks and factories to run their business. Blue Labels Boutique using a compact SUV for everything. Besides the Priority Mail used for shopping.
  • Spools of fabric
    • Textiles used to make Fashion Not Fear come from various places. I make it a priority to shop from small mom and pop style shops. Shopping with them keeps us and them from contributing to impacts on the environment.
  • Spools of thread
    • Any fabric that absolutely, positively can’t be used is donated to various charities.

    Does it sound like BLB is contributing to sustainability? Does sustainable fashion matter to you or no??? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • With Or Without The Belt?

    With Or Without The Belt?

    The Little Red Dress and Red Lace Duster was released a few months back.

    The Little Red Dress is the epitome of sexy with its short hem and deep v-neckline.

    It was made with a belt. But I’ve found that some love wearing it with a belt. Then there are others that prefer to wear it without it.

    But I’d like to know your thoughts on it.

    Red handmade women’s dressRed handmade lace Duster and red dress

    Sooo, how would you style this handmade beauty…with or without the belt? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

    Red handmade women’s dress

    Little Red Dress $69 | Lace Duster $65

  • Tips On How To Find Your Signature Style

    Tips On How To Find Your Signature Style

    There are some serious benefits to finding your signature style. To name a few:

    • Online shopping is much easier.
    • It helps to build one hell of a capsule collection! (Because all of your pieces can be styled together.)
    • Saves you time on planning outfits for events (Because you know what works.)

    Now, that the surface has been scratched on the benefits. Let’s take a look at how to harness your signature style.

    Unleashing the beast is much easier than you might think and can be broken into 4 main categories: Fit, Fabric, Feelings, and Accentuation.

    FIT

    If the fit is off; you might as well stay at home. Being real about your size is important in obtaining your signature style. You can buy a size 8 but if you wear a 12; then the fit on the 8 just won’t do. And that’s okay! Size doesn’t matter, fit does.

    Georgia Peach Dress – Drusilla Shay

    There seems to be a misconception that wearing something really tight with make you look smaller. But that’s completely wrong! The opposite happens. The only thing wearing something too small does is push what was supposed to fit comfortably in that skirt somewhere else. You end up with a belly roll you didn’t have before. Get measured, try on, purchase made-to-measure pieces…do whatever necessary to ensure a proper fit. Wearing your signature style should not feel uncomfortable.

    Fabric

    This is probably one of the most underrated elements in garments for shoppers. See it, like it, buy it…is usually how it goes. But taking an extra minute to analyze the fabric will help you tremendously.

    Black floral printed handmade dress for women
    Gallant Dress

    Touch the fabric…

    Does it stretch? Is it transparent (when it shouldn’t be)? Are the seams falling apart? Does it feel cheap? When buying online; how does the store describe the fabric? Will it feel comfortable on your skin?

    You won’t regret taking the time to check out the fabric. Think about wearing a pair of white pants that are made from fabric so thin that you can your underwear? Not cute. 🤷🏽‍♀️

    Feelings

    How does the look make you feel? It’s that simple. Wearing something that makes you feel good changes your walk, talk, pushes your shoulders back, and your head up.

    Blue skirt with front split
    Always Royal Skirt

    I always feel better about life when I’m wearing something that I love. How about you?

    Accentuation

    What’s your favorite part of your body? Hips, butt, tummy, legs, maybe your cleavage is amazing…whatever it is; this is the area you should accentuate.

    Red handmade tank top for women
    Lipstick Top

    As a matter of fact, all of your styles should accentuate that area. Here are some styling tips to help highlight your hotspots.

    Best ways to accentuate cleavage: v-necks, scoop necks, leaving some buttons open on a top, and sheer tops.

    Best ways to accentuate your waist: fit n’ flare silhouettes, peplums; accessorizing with a belt, tucking in the front hem of a shirt, tie back tops, and cropped styles.

    Best ways to accentuate your legs: short dresses and skirts, wearing high heels, fishnets, skirts/dresses with splits, and high low hems.

    Best ways to accentuate shoulders & arms: tanks, strapless, and off the shoulder styles.

    Best ways to accentuate butt: bodycon dresses & skirts and belts to pull in waist.

    Smiley face handbag
    Smiley Face Bag

    Bonus tip: Confidence and a Smile. They make everything look better!

    Thoughts on these tips or want to add your own?? Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Can You Dress Too Young For Your Age?

    Can You Dress Too Young For Your Age?

    Have you ever considered your age before buying something new to wear?  Do you look  into the mirror sometimes after getting dressed and think, “I’m too old to wear this.”  To be honest, its not really something that has ever occurred to me…until lately.

    woman wearing brown floral print coat and pants sitting on car
    Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

    Every week, I somehow seem to find myself out shopping with my mom and aunt for hours. They are always on the hunt for a home decor item or a new dress to wear to church or upcoming event.  During these trips, I might suggest a fit n’ flare dress for my mom and a flowing dress for my Aunt to try on.  But if my suggestion is anything slightly different from their normal shift dress, they always seem to give me the same answer, “I’m too old for that.”  Although, we aren’t close in age, I can’t help but to wonder; why do they feel that way?  If there was a picture of My Lil’ Pony on the front I would understand it more!

    It came up again recently as I ran across an article where the writer was discussing what it is like to “dress like an adult”.  After reading it, the only thing I got out of it is that when women get to a certain age; they should alter the way that they dress.  According to them, your pants should get looser, skirts should get longer, and Lord forbid you show a bit of your stomach.  You’re really trying to dress like a teenager then!  🙄  Not my words, of course.  Does “adult dressing” mean you should cover up more, wear drab colors, and stay aways from sheers and lace?

    woman in white and blue acid washed short sleeved shirt
    Photo by Dazzle Jam on Pexels.com

     Hairbows and lollipops might be too adolescent for a grown womens style but I can’t think of much else.  I’ll admit that I do understand how someone can dress too old for their age.  I mean as a little girl, there are certain styles that are too mature for a young womens body.  Then again, I feel like wearing an oversized, shapeless muumuu with ratty house shoes can add age to any woman.  There has to be a balance.

    After the article and recalling the way that my Mom and Aunt respond, I started to analyze myself.  Damn…do I dress too young for my age? Most of the people that I spend free time with are older than me at a least by a couple of years, they are moms, and work for corporations (not that it matters.)  But I can honestly say that I DEFINITELY style myself differently from them.  For instance, we met up at happy hour to watch a football game.  One wore a safari style jacket with jeans, baggy tee, and flats.  The other was in jeans, tee, and sneakers.  Don’t get me wrong, they both looked nice.  What did I wear?? Skin tight jeans, a fearless women tee tied at my waist, sky high heels, and let’s not forget my red lips.  The weekend before that we have couples night by having dinner at a popular food truck spot and drinks at a nice bar after.  That night you would’ve f found me in a fuchsia wrap skirt, tank, and sky high sandals when everyone else were in their trousers and flats.  “You always doing too much.” is something I’ve heard from my older brother often when we go out.  Although, there is no such thing as doing too much if you ask me.   I wear what makes me feel confident.

    shallow focus photography of clothes
    Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.com

    It seems to me that dressing like an “adult” should be more about wearing what makes you feel good.  As the saying goes…You’re only as young as you feel.  I truly believe that!  There are only two things to consider when “adult dressing”.  #1.  Does it fit properly?  (By now, you should know what fits and what doesn’t.) #2.  Is this look okay for the occasion?  (Because mini skirts should not be worn to your kids PTA meeting.)  Other than that…just do it!  Style should make you feel good, confident, happy, and ready to take on the world.  If your outfit doesn’t make you feel like that; you need to change clothes!  What does age have to do with it?  I want to know what you think. If there a such thing as dressing too young for your age?  Why or why not??  Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

  • Woke Wear: Easy Ways To Make More Ethical Fashion Choices

    Woke Wear: Easy Ways To Make More Ethical Fashion Choices

    woman wearing yellow sleeveless dress
    Photo by Godisable Jacob on Pexels.com

    We all know that it’s not always easy being a fashionista. There was a time when we had to wait an entire season to see fashion must haves that could wreak havoc with our bank balances. Now they seem to come from out of nowhere on a weekly basis. Have a care when dating us because we can spend hours getting ready before deciding the moment before we reach the door that we need to completely change our outfits. But in the information age, fashionistas must also grapple with the moral implications of the clothes we choose to wear. But while we know more about the moral cost of looking great these days, the good news is that we can still look amazing without it coming at the expense of the environment or the liberties of the people who make your clothes. You don’t have to completely change your lifestyle, just follow these easy guidelines.

     

    assorted hanged clothes near white light bulb
    Photo by H E N G S T R E A M on Pexels.com

     

    Forego fast fashion

     

    In today’s increasingly fast moving world it’s easy to see why fast fashion holds a certain appeal. In an age where we can’t get enough of the latest big thing, fashion bloggers and their following need a constant stream of content to sate their appetites. But the simple truth is this… Fast fashion cannot exist without exploitation. As easy as it is to turn a blind eye to the human suffering that’s behind every low cost garment you see on the shelves, woke fashionistas are no longer prepared to feed this beast. Give your money to smaller designers, online boutiques, second hand thrift stores and brands who have chosen to take a stand against this exploitative practice that profits from child labor.

    assorted color button pin on brown surface
    Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

    Buy less, repair more

     

    Textile waste is an unspoken but egregious contributor to the environmental damage we’re doing to our planet. In fact, it’s estimated that in the US alone the average person generates 82 pounds of textile waste a year. That all adds up to a whole lot of damage to the environment. Just because we want to look gorgeous all year round doesn’t mean that we must continue to contribute to the disposable mentality that sees many fine items of clothing thrown in the trash when they can be totally redeemed with a needle and thread, a couple of YouTube tutorials and just a dash of patience.  

     

    Wool gotta go

     

    We all know that fur is murder, but far fewer of us think twice when deciding to wear wool. After all, we may tell ourselves, sheep need to be shorn anyway just as hens need to lay eggs. Why shouldn’t we reap the benefits? But while these statements may both be true in principal they oversimplify the matter and overlook the fact that both the wool and egg industries have been responsible for the mass suffering and slaughter of innocent animals. The argument that sheep are supposed to produce wool is a fallacy that leads to the inhumane and painful handling of animals that leads them invariably straight into the slaughterhouse. While wool is ubiquitous, it can be replaced by organic cotton, linen or hemp.

     

    Looking good needn’t have a huge ethical price tag.  

    Contributed Post
  • Your Wardrobe Is Incomplete Without These Items!

    Your Wardrobe Is Incomplete Without These Items!

    Most of us have one big problem when it comes to clothes and that’s the fact that we all simply own too many of them. That probably sounds kind of backwards.  After all, if you really love looking stylish then why would you ever want to own fewer clothes? Surely the more choice you have, the more stylish you can be! Well, it turns out that’s not the case. What actually ends up happening is that you buy clothes that you’re never actually going to wear and all that happens is that they end up taking space in your closet while you wear the same outfits day after day. What you actually need is a few key items that you can use in a bunch of different combinations. In order to help you get the most out of your wardrobe, here are a few incredibly versatile pieces that every fashion conscious lady needs to have in their closet.

    A pair of comfortable jeans

    blue jeans
    Photo by Mica Asato on Pexels.com

    There was a time when the only pair of jeans that any women had in her closet were her favorite pair of skinny jeans that fit better than any other. Of course, no one is going to take away your skinny jeans, but there are other options available to you now. High-waisted mom jeans are great for staying comfortable while embracing that super trendy, hipster style. Boyfriend jeans are perfect for lounging around the house on lazy days.

    A summer dress

    When the sun comes out, it’s just as important to stay comfortable as it is to look great. After all, not only will you end up sweating and feeling uncomfortable, but you could end up getting seriously ill! Because of that, finding the perfect summer dress is pretty much essential. There are whole lot of different styles out there, from a plain white sundress to an all out maxi, so try different things out and figure out what style is right for you. Either way, it’ll give you the chance to look great while staying cool!

    A few simple t-shirts

    photo of printed shirt hanging on the wood
    Photo by Alex Broski on Pexels.com

    There really is no item of clothing more versatile, and more underrated, than the t-shirt. The thing about a t-shirt is that they work for just about any occasion. Weather you’re lounging around in the house in something oversized, or you’re going for the classic look of dark jeans and a plain white T, there are so many different ways to wear it. Not only that but there are so many different styles and designs out there design custom t-shirts so that you have a totally unique and personal design on it. It might not be the most exciting clothing item out there, but don’t let that fool you into the thinking that the simple t-shirt isn’t an essential addition to any wardrobe.

    A decent sized bag

    There’s a good chance that half of your closet is taken up with bags of all shapes and sizes, most of which you never use. You might tell yourself that you need a large bag for taking trips and a tiny one for formal events, but in reality, a decent sized bag can not only work for all of these events, but it can make a seriously stylish accessory too. Pick something simple and elegant, that way you can match it with just about everything as easily as possible. Bright patterns and colors might be enticing in the store, but all that will happen is that you’ll never find a reason to actually use it.

    An oversized sweater

    wool
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

    When the weather is awful, and you’ve got nothing to do all day, what’s better than slipping on a soft, oversized sweater and just relaxing? Life can be so stressful a lot of the time so why not have an outfit that is perfect for putting all of your responsibilities to one side for a little while and curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. It’s the perfect way to make rainy days that much more bearable than they would otherwise be.

    Of course, fashion is one of the most personal things that there is so there’s a pretty good chance that you have your own list of different things that you may want consider to be total wardrobe essentials. Whatever it is that you honestly couldn’t live without, the key is to be brutal when deciding what you don’t actually need. Sure, it’s not always easy to throw or give away clothes but if you can’t then you’re just going to keep accumulating more and more of them until your wardrobes are spilling out everywhere and it takes you an hour and a half to figure out what you want to wear every day.

  • Curating a Unique Style of Your Own

    Nowadays, fashion is more accessible than ever. While there will always be high-end designer brands that are way out of the majority of people’s budgets, high street brands offer hundreds of thousands of different items for us to wear to various different occasions – from basic day wear to office wear, beach wear, formal party wear and even themed costumes. Clothes are also reducing in cost significantly with huge brands offering basic lines for those working with a tighter budget. What’s more? Online brands such as The Iconic, ASOS, Boohoo, and Misguided allow us to purchase clothing from the comfort of our own home with fast delivery options. It’s never been easier to make yourself look good! However, with such easy access to clothing, there are now increased chances that you are going to roll up to an event somewhere down the line wearing exactly the same get up as someone else. Avoiding this situation entirely would be preferable. After all, when two people are spotted wearing the same thing, people generally revert to “who wore it better” conversations which inevitably end with someone feeling hurt or disappointed. So, how can you make the most of easy-access clothing while maintaining a completely unique look of your own? Here are a few different ways!

    pexels-photo-192774.jpeg

    Image: Pexels

    Use Lookbooks as Inspiration

     

    A lookbook is essentially a portfolio of photographs showcasing a fashion designer’s latest collection. They are most generally released at the start of each fashion season. The two major seasons on the fashion calendar are “Spring/Summer” (or “S/S”) and “Autumn/Winter” (or “A/W”). Spring/Summer tends to begin in January and wrap up in June. Autumn/Winter usually runs from July through to December. However, individual designers or brands may release lines as and when they please, so always keep an eye out for new lookbooks being released. They can serve to give you style tips, exemplifying different ways to wear individual items.

    pexels-photo-994517.jpeg

    Image: Pexels

    Pick Up Vintage Pieces

     

    People generally tend to think that if you’re going to wear vintage clothing, you have to go all out, completely recreating a look from eras gone by. While this may suit some, many of us want to maintain a more modern and up-to-date look. Bear in mind that you don’t always have to go to extremes. You can easily combine individual vintage items with high street pieces too! This gives your usual look an edge. What’s best? Other people won’t be able to recreate the look you’ve created, as vintage pieces tend to be one-offs! So, head into your local vintage store and have a root around. Make sure to look over everything before purchasing, as certain items may be damaged or have stains and you may not be able to return them later. It’s also a good idea to try vintage clothes on for size, as labelled sizes have changed over the years.

     

    As you can see, there’s always a way to make your outfit stand out from the crowd! Sometimes you just have to think outside of the box.

     

  • What Do Your Style Choices Say About You?

    You don’t have to be a regular guest at any number of the fashion weeks across the globe to be in the know about how your dress sense can be perceived. In fact, you don’t even have to be the savviest shopper to know that. You know that the things that you buy for your wardrobe will be sending out messages to those around you. You may even know that everything down to the colour of the items that you wear can say things about you and who you are; clothing has that effect. We live in a world where we are told on a daily basis not to judge others, not to take things at face value and not to put a story to a face until we’ve spoken to them. We are told this while at the same time being shown how to dress, how to stand and how to speak. Our clothes, our hairstyles and even our makeup sends powerful messages to those around us. We use our style to project exactly what we want people to see.

    pexels-photo-1021306.jpeg

    Image Source

    For example, you wouldn’t wear a white dress to a wedding; the bride has that privilege and as a guest you would know that white would upstage the bride. You wouldn’t wear a jeans and sandals to an important business meeting either, because the image you would be projecting is one that is casual and not bothered about the seriousness of the meeting. It’s all in those early morning choices that you make. Every woman out there knows that there is power in Billini shoes over flip flops, so which would you choose to wear to a meeting? It definitely wouldn’t be the flip flops! Everything from our personal lives to our professional lives is impacted when we make the conscious decision to dress in the morning. Men are often – surprisingly – more self-conscious than women when it comes to clothing choices. As times change and move forward, there is now a pressure on them to dress more metrosexual and on trend than ever before. Whether you are a man or a woman, though, the choices that you make when you wake in the morning have more to say about you and your self-image than even you may know. The colours you pick may subconsciously reflect your mood for the day; this in turn will affect the way that people treat you. The clothes you choose can even influence a job interview.

    It’s not always been this way, though. Clothes are now about our fashion choices and style trends, whereas they’ve previously just been something to wear that was in keeping with the time. Early years shows that clothes were made to keep us dry and warm, which in turn kept us safe from illness. They’re no longer just a practical item that we wear in public; they’re a social statement. They affect the way that we view ourselves and even impacting our self-esteem. There are still some societies where clothing is seen as an indication of our social status and wealth status; think kings and queens in opulent gowns and robes. Think $2000 suits that are personally tailored. These types of clothes can show off wealth, because those on a budget aren’t going to be thinking about $2000 suits when trying to put bread on the table.

    pexels-photo-1022809.jpeg

    Image Source

    Your clothes can say an awful lot about you, that much is established, and we’ve all done that quick side-eye and judging someone based on their clothing style. We wouldn’t see someone in slouch pants and a backward cap as wealthy and a CEO of a company, but that is a big generalisation. So, what does your own style say about you to the world around you?

    The Repeater. If you are picking out the same styles of outfit every morning, you’re either feeling hugely uninspired or you’re a parent anticipating baby sick down your clothes. You may not realise it, but this uniform of the same styles every day (let’s go with jeans and tees) is going to send out signals to others that there is a lack of inspiration there. You want to be able to show people that you know how to dress for yourself and that you plan to be a little quirky sometimes, so add a flower to your hair, a funky belt or crazy socks to splash a little of the fun side of your personality.

    The Rainbow. Blue jeans, red top, yellow belt, green shoes, black jacket, orange jewellery: all of these things have a place in a wardrobe but having them all together on the same outfit basically shows off to others that you haven’t a clue how you feel that day. Wearing colourful outfits says a lot about you but sticking to individual colours is far better for your look and how you inspire others.

    The Solid Black. Black is a fashion colour; it’s slimming, it’s versatile, it exudes taste, but it’s also depressing sometimes! You can be very sophisticated in black, but you can also imply that you are closed off and serious. Of course, this could be the very look that you are trying to convey. However, if you want to be more approachable, it could help you to tone down the solid colour and break it up. Black pants look great with a tropical coloured top, so break the colours apart and you can still look like a professional.

    The Designer. Gucci, Louboutin, Versace; big names, even bigger price tags. If your wardrobe is full of labels, you could be two things; very wealthy, and very insecure. Caring about what people think of you is the downfall for most. It’s nice to have nice things but try not to mix all those names together in one outfit. You want to show people that you’re more than just the designers that you wear.

    Before you get dressed every day, think about what you want to tell people with your outfit. Then go out there and rock it!

  • Style Corner: Vest Dress; 3 Ways

    Style Corner: Vest Dress; 3 Ways

    How to wear the the Tangerine Dream Dress at work and play…

    Which style is your favorite?!  Let me know in the comments…

    Stay Fearless 💋

    Vest Dress | Sweater | Wrap Skirt 

  • How To Pick A Dress (Based On What You Want To Show Off)

    How To Pick A Dress (Based On What You Want To Show Off)

    Wearing a dress you love is important.  Knowing the style you’re looking for can be even more important.  Here is the style of dress you are looking for.  Based on what you want to accentuate.

    Guide to picking the dress

    What style of dress is your favorite?  Off the shoulder, mini, etc…let me know in the comments.

     

    Stay Fearless 💋