Pumped up kicks

Well, I did threaten another post about work-out clothes, so if you are afraid of exercise, look away now! And then look back and commit to moving your body just a little bit more today. I promise it will pay you back by making you feel better!

One of the problems associated with weight training is all the mirrors. Whilst the singlet and crop combination I showed you a few weeks ago is fine for most exercise, it does worry me a bit when I do push-ups or rows or any other exercise that involves bending right over. Especially in front of the mirrors. With all the bros. This top has solved that problem for me nicely.

Top:Lululemon

Tights:Lorna Jane

As you can see, this top has a halter neck that makes any inadvertent chest exposure impossible. I think this was designed as a yoga top to prevent Down Dog related incidents, but it works very well for my purposes. Just as with the crops, this has a shelf bra with padding built in. I didn't think the padding was as well-constucted as the Lorna Jane ones, so I took them out and I pop in the Lorna Jane ones when I am going to wear this.

I have had to be careful to make sure the top is pulled up high enough, as it cuts away fairly sharply at the back, but I usually find that if I get the elastic bottom of the shelf bra positioned correctly right at the beginning, I don't have a problem.

The only downside of this style is that it does show quite a bit of skin at the back. I suppose if you are doing hot yoga that would be a good thing. I figure exposing large tracts of skin at the back is better than exposing large tracts of skin at the front and I am sure the bros at the gym would agree!

Back to Black

I am not a big fan of black in the Queensland summer, but this season I have found some items in black that feel so cool and comfortable on that I have put my reservations aside.

                                                             Pants: Veronika Maine
                                                             Top: Cue
                                                             Shoes: Joanne Mercer

The wide-leg pants are in a thin fabric that swishes satisfyingly when I walk, providing the sensation of ventilation and the top has a cut-out back that keeps me cool. The top also has an interesting neck detail that provides volume  and movement over my chest in a way I think is quite flattering.

Cue have had a few tops in this style this season, for which I have been grateful as I like to  have enough work-appropriate tops in my closet to get through the week without laundry. This top is my favourite though, because the pattern has enough colour to make it versatile without being too boring.

The silhouette of this outfit kind of reminds me of Astroboy, but I think the drama and movement of the pieces when I am moving creates enough interest that I am not mistaken for a cartoon. What cartoon character would you be, if your clothes were the basis for your character?

 

 

Raise Your Glass

When I first started receiving corrospondence from the various breast cancer support organisations, the first thing that went through my head was "Wow. That is a LOT of pink". Pretty much everything to do with breast cancer seems to be pink. I have never really liked or worn pink, and I wondered if I would be thrown out of the club.

Top:Veronika Maine

Pants:Veronika Maine

Shoes:Joanne Mercer

However, a blog post http://youlookfab.com/2013/10/08/the-versatility-of-blush-pink/ by Angie at YouLookFab convinced me that maybe I had been too hasty in my dismissal of pink, and so here is my first foray into the world of blush.

I have not been nearly so daring with my colour matches as those the original post showcased, but I have to admit to enjoying the softness and femininity of this outfit. Short hair, strong features and no breasts can send a mixed gender message but I think this outfit is unambiguously girly.

This tops is of a light, thin fabric and does not provide a lot of volume over my chest. However, I feel it has a 1920's look about it, an era when straight figures with small breasts were considered very fashionable indeed, so I decided to channel the spirit of the times and embrace the flatness. It was quite a revelation to me to realise that I don't always have to dress to disguise my lack of breasts. For some styles, it can actually be an asset to be flat-chested. The 1920's may be my new favourite era!

Just don't ask me to do the Charleston. That can only end in tears.

Every 1's A Winner

Yesterday was Melbourne Cup day, and although up in Brisbane we don't get a public holiday and although I was going to work rather than the track, it still felt like a good excuse to frock up.

 

 

I think this dress will be a favourite this summer, as it is soft and light to wear and the print is neutral and works with lots of different accessories. I have had a lot of trouble finding dresses that look good since my mastectomy. So many of them have been cut to accomodate breasts, and there is something a little sad about that empty fabric when I try them on!

 

 This dress has gathers at the neckline and an A-line shape that provides a bit of volume. It actually looks quite cute without the belt, too, but I wanted to define my waist on this occasion.

Dress:Stella

Jacket:Cue

Booties:Wittner

I was listening to some Melbourne Cup fashion advice on the radio a few days ago, and the stylist cautioned that it was OK for expose the knees OR the shoulders, but not both. Since I would hate to be arrested by the fashion police, I added a jacket over the dress.

I think the trapeze shape of the jacket works well with this dress. I have struggled with styling this jacket, as it is such a modern shape, but I think the key may be to pair it with a little more volume on the bottom.

It's always good when you feel like you picked a winner, whether it is on the track or in your wardrobe! I hope you all enjoyed the race that stops a nation, especially those of you lucky enough to live in Melbourne!