A Note About the A-Z Challenge 2025

Hey, for anyone who's been keeping up with my incredibly short dive into this year's A-Z challenge and enjoyed it (how??), I have some bad news. Life has seriously gotten in the way of a good time and due to my poor preparedness I had to really put this on the back burner. 

I actually don't want to abandon this foray into fashion but I also know there is no way to finish it in April (duh, it's the 30th!). Still, I plan to continue to make these posts sometime in May and maybe even June, at my own pace. 

I think now that I have made this trial run, next year will probably be a little smoother. No promises! So, if you are still reading, there will be some more, but on a different schedule. I know this is totally failing the challenge but I'm okay with that. Wish me luck!

 

 

 

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Day #04 Dame or Diva? {Drop-Waist Dresses}

Day #04 Dame or Diva? {Drop-Waist Dresses}

Do you have a favourite type of dress? The empire? The mermaid? The babydoll? It's not as easy question to answer and what's the point of sticking to just one? Even so, I can't help but always be drawn to the look of the drop-waist dress. If you've read the previous entries, you know how this goes, it's history time.

What is a drop waist anyway? It refers to horizontal line found quite low, around the top of the hips on a clothing item. It causes a bit of a visual trick, where the torso seems longer than it actually is. As someone who is short, I'm often told to avoid this technique as it makes me look even shorter. My opinion on this is that I don't care, I'll wear what I want and I don't care if you call me a Hobbit extra, this no longer hurts my feelings.

I'm sure you're aware that this silhouette was very popular during the 1920s, also known as the Roaring Twenties, which was a huge boom and expansion in the arts, including fashion. Louise Brooks, a notable star of the era, had many wonderful looks both with and without a drop-waist.

She's a character in herself. Having purposefully public friendships and dalliances with lesbians or bisexual women (including Great Garbo!) while having a preference for men, she claimed that bisexuality didn't exist and that she tried it, didn't care for it, and kept on believing that in the end were all 'one-sexed'. I know under the current climate she can easily be branded bi-phobic and tossed aside but as a bisexual person, I can sort of relate. Often I exist in a kind of nebulous state of queerness where I'm left wondering what the point of these feelings even are if I end up with nobody, or worse, in a monogamous relationship (that's a joke). I will default to being a lesbian or a straight girl, and that's what I thought for a long time. I know that's not true, even if I prefer girls I can still make allowances for some guys or non-binary folk. If I end up with someone, I'm still going to be the person I was before them, but with them from now on.

Er, sorry, this was about dresses, yes? Okay, tangent over (for now, do not forget that on this blog you are NEVER safe). 

The famous flapper dresses of the time would often feature a drop waist and substantial embellishments and decoration including but not limited to rhinestones, beads, and fringes. The actual fit was usually lose and a bit rectangular in the shoulders. For the time, the knee-length associated with the flappers was considered short. The behavior of flappers often involved smoking, sexual liberation, drinking, ease of movement due to the more widespread introduction of automobiles (and a goodbye to corsets) and increased work opportunities for women. There were some negative effects, such as the increase of consumerism under the guise of providing freedom and life fulfillment. All in all, the conservatives of the generation claimed that flappers were stupid, practically naked, reckless, and careless. These flapper people sound great to be honest.

Basically, the social and political atmosphere, like it always has, impacted the fashion sense of young people. The drop-waist was one of the things that came to prominence. Beyond the 1920s, the wasitline never really went away. It was more commonly seen in children's wear in the 1960s and 1980s, but it's presence is still felt to this day. 

Let's travel to my favourite decade, the 2000s. Here's a few looks. In order: Beyonce in a tan leather and fur combo in 2003 and Paris Hilton in a white tattered dress in 2004. In my unqualified opinion, the drop-waist dress was broken down to it's essentials in the 2000s and focused on more exciting necklines and textures and less on embellishments and pattern.

In the early 2010s we see it in celebrity, consumer, and runway fashion. Below: Chanelle Houghton in a shimmery white dress from River Island in 2013 and a look from a 2012 Marc Jacobs show.

 

In the present day, the drop waist dress enjoys many, many forms. Top designers such as FROLOV provide a new take glamour on the 1920s by using gorgeous textiles, gems, and added volume and form. Have a look at two ensembles, Sabrina Carpenter in a custom Heart corset in pink from early 2024 and Katy Perry in a delicate silver-blue dress from late 2024.

 

Of course for those of us who cannot afford thousand dollar dresses, there are other options. The Etta dresses are a real mod dream with their straight lines, distinct colours and patterns, and fun pleats. Actually they are 75 dollars so I still can't afford them but wouldn't it be nice?

 

Fast fashion or mass production firms have been focusing on pairing the bubble skirt with a dropped waist line such as in these examples from Tamilo and Klaita:

However, I find that people prefer to buy second hand and vintage to meet their drop-waist needs. So I think you're more likely to see items from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s that evoke the 1960s from the internet fashionistas.

The best thing about the drop-waist is that you can emulate it at home! That's right, if the hem of your top is relatively straight and reaches your hips, you can DIY a drop-waist shape. Even skirts with a drop-waist feature exist and can be paired with any top and still have a little of the 1920s flair. Isn't it crazy how far a single waistline has come?

 

Thanks for coming on another adventure through the fashion world with me. I feel a bit better about the challenge now that I have made more than one post. Still, I'm not going to hassle myself too much about it as it's turned out to be a busy month. See you next time!

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Day #03 Clever Combinations {Cardigans and Camisoles}

 Day #03 Clever Combinations {Cardigans and Camisoles}

Ever since I was a child, I thought that fashion had a lot of pretty words. Cashmere, velvet, satin, chiffon. Two words that I found incredibly appealing were cardigan and camisole. I can't really tell you why that is, half the time I didn't even know what a camisole was, but something about them scratched my brain the right way. It doesn't hurt that paired up, they go really well together!

The idea of them together is nothing new but it came to me when I was playing the first Style Savvy game. In the game you run a boutique and outside dressing your customers and joining competitions you can also browse the local magazine, Nuances. It's full of tips, the current fashion ins (in the game world, but also in my heart), and more. Here's the pages that inspired me:

It's a perfect spring option. Too cool? Put the cardigan on. Too warm? Stay in the cami. You also have the options to layer and pattern-mix, not to mention do whatever you want with the colour combinations! The two go well with a skirt as much as nearly any type of pants. Shorts, jeans, capris, a cami and a cardigan are at your service.

Camisole is a French word that has it's origins in Italy or Spain. It's based on a diminutive word (camiciola/camisola) that means nightgown or shirt (camicia/camisa). Cardigan comes from the 19th century, named so after James Thomas Brudenel, 7th Earl of Cardigan, whose troops wore such outerwear in the Crimean War.

So nightgowns and military uniforms. Sort of dainty and girly, I guess? Both items have evolved greatly over time and don't really belong to a specific time period or fashion nook. Their universality and diversity have essentially classified them as necessary basics. However, your cami and cardigan don't have to be so plain. The way you wear and embellish them can really elevate your outfit. 

We'll stay on theme and do a fun little exercise: matchmaking. I have a list of cardigans by type, colour, or accent and I have to find them a good camisole match that I think fits.

Cardigans in Dark Colours

The classic black cardigan can almost never go wrong. You can go bold and style it with a very vibrant top, glamorous by pairing it with something silky and shimmering, or even make it casual with a sporty tank-top. My favourite way is to pair it with a simple cotton cami in a pastel pink, blue, or cream. The complexity is not in the colour but in the details and silhouette of the cami which I think looks just elegant.

Cardigans in Pastel Colours

It's a little harder to mix and match with pastels but by no means impossible. For something more sure, try any pastel with a cream, white, or even pale yellow. More vibrant colours can be a fix too, imagine a pastel blue with a lime green or a pastel pink with a vivid red.

Cardigans in Bold Colours 

I know what you're thinking: Green with green? Are you insane? The answer to the question is always yes but I have more. If you're already picking out a wild colour for your cardigan, why stop there? Pairing something vibrant with a black or white is good and all but it reminds me too much of girlboss colour-blocking of the mid-2010s and I personally can't enjoy it. Plus I love a monochromatic number with a variety of tones. Two shades of a colour can be balanced well with a more neutral bottom such as a gentle denim, a canvas beige, or pretty much anything that rivals the tops in texture but not contrast. Still think that's too ridiculous? That's fair but I think it's worth a try to see how you like it.

Cropped Cardigans

Cropped means you can do much more with the cami closer to your hips. And you should! Take advantage of the cut to make a fun silhouette and juxtapose the shortness of the cardigan with a longer camisole. Especially if the top is fitted, you can try something fun with the volume at the bottom of the cami. An exciting hem, interesting seam lines, a cute and detailed print, random frou-frous, or a decorated waistline. Everything below the crop of the cardigan is free real estate as far as I'm concerned.

Fitted Cardigans

If the cardigan is very snug and tight there isn't much to do with the actual shape. I suggest taking an equally fitted cami but experimenting with pattern and colour. The layering provides a nostalgic 2000s look so you should embrace your inner Regina George or Bella Swan, depending on your mood.

Over-sized Cardigan 

Whether it's the extended sleeves or the entire length, the oversized cardigan can seem a bit frumpy but is actually quite fun. Pairing the grandpa-style outerwear with a girly or cool cami (especially if it has a fun graphic print) can make it fresher. Again, my ass cannot keep away from the contrasts but I always think bashing the old and the new together is an excellent strategy. It gives you an ironic flare, some may say you don't know what you're doing and put on the first thing you came across while others may realize your fashion-forwardness and respect you. Nothing is guaranteed.

Short-Sleeve Cardigans

I think the short-sleeve cardigan, especially if cropped, allows for the most experimentation with form. A shorter sleeve can look pretty cute with a nearly bubble-like cami. Keep it unbuttoned if you worry that the shape may look weird due to the cami's volume. 

Wrap-Style Cardigans

The most ballerina-like cardigan of them all. It's time to do like the Tiktok girlies and pretend you're a professional dancer struggling with a dysfunctional relationship or an eating disorder. No, don't do that. Please. Just try a wrapped cardigan with something dainty and cute. I think camis with small floral prints are perfect for this. Extra points if they are a similar colour to the cardigan.

Bolero Cardigan 

The bolero typically has a bit of a gap in the bust. This means its time to find a cami with a great centerpiece. Bows, buttons, pins, whatever you want, make it visible and prominent and the bolero will nicely frame the final look.

Collared Cardigan

The collar is probably going to be the statement part of your outfit so try and tone the cami down a bit. I think it's pretty fun to pair it thematically. If you're collar is made of fur, try a lady-like and posh cami. If it's a sailor collar maybe try a little nautical stripe on the cami. It all depends how much you want to give into the central theme of the outfit.

These are not all the cardigan types ever of course, just ones I am especially interested in. If I missed one of your favourites, please let me know about it in the comments. For those following me this challenge, everything will be late and I'm not sure that I'll be able to catch up this Sunday. But I will be trying my best. See you there.

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Day #02 Bell Bottoms {Boot Cut Jeans}

 Day #02 Bell Bottoms {Boot Cut Jeans}

Bell bottoms, flared pants, boot cut jeans. You give it a name, I'll talk about it at length and annoy everyone! As a teenager of the early 2010s it was hard to dress outside the box, the box being very tight and fitted skinny jeans circa. 2009-2015. It's not cool to hate on what others like or on your past self, so I'm not here to trash skinny jeans. Many people still like them and I can respect that. But I also realized that me and skinny jeans are just not meant to be. Me and boot cut jeans, on the other hand...

One of my first experiences with the boot cut was when I was still very young. Our class had to sing ABBA's Dancing Queen for a talent show and my aunt got me dressed up in 'vintage' dress. Really these were her boot cut jeans that had a resurgence in the 2000s, a dressy top, a braided headband, and big, ombre sunglasses. I looked pretty awesome but soon enough the boot cut would go out of style. They wouldn't be at the shops, the cool kids weren't wearing them. The 20 year cycle rears it head right on schedule.

Still, that one moment of dancing and clapping on stage, with the satisfying swoosh of the flare was now cemented in my being. Sometime 3 years ago, when the 2000s were back on everyone's minds, I saw a pair of light denim boot cuts and something in me broke. I needed a pair. 

I can't say I'm a collector but I currently have 4 pairs which is probably at least 2 too many. They're fun to style, they're easy to wear, and I cannot resist the silhouette they produce. So, where did they come from?

The Origins

Bell bottoms or boot cuts are defined by a tighter fit in the upper part of the pants and a wider flare below the knee to the ankle. So, this exact pattern is actually ancient largely due to it's utility. The modern rendition has roots in the navy, with 19th century sailor pants being described as having 'bell bottoms'.

The Popularity 

The jeans variant of the boot cut grows prominent in the 1960s, first for it's comfort for rodeo riders. Soon enough, it's a fashion statement, it's unisex, it's everywhere. A lot of the 1970s popularity is attributed to Sonny and Cher who would be wearing them on television. Television and celebrity will be a recurring source of fashion inspiration throughout my blog. As early as the 1970s, the bell bottoms were often paired with Chelsea boots or platform shoes to further elongate the curious silhouette. This is something I still really like and how I style my boot cut jeans.

The rise of punk-rock in the late 1970s popularized tighter fit jeans and soon enough the bell-bottoms were left behind. However, the flare was not limited to the mainstream in it's next resurgence.

The Return

The 1990s signaled a return of the style, partially in a direct nod to the vintage coordination but also as an updated version suitable for the 90s. Here they actually start to be called boot-cut instead of bell bottoms. The materials were never limited to denim only and this is true for this decade as well. Here are the Stone Roses:

The boot cut stayed strong for nearly a decade but by the time of the mid-2000s skinny jeans were back in. The 2000s boot-cut was also more frequently low-waist. The impact of celebrities was fundamental to it's popularity. The silhouette was not solely found in the mainstream fashion scene and was seen in alternative styles too.

The Return 2: Electric Boogaloo

I'm sure you're well-aware that the boot-cut has been back since the late 2010s. It has officially been nearly 20 years since they were last popular, or perhaps it was even less time due to the hyper-active trend cycle of fast fashion and social media. Either way, they will not go out of style for me ever again.

The modern presentation is quite loyal to the version of the 2000s, though perhaps it interprets the trend in an idealistic manner. Certain faux-pas notions of the past are ignored by bigger names while others wholly absorb the aged influences. Many denounce the dress over jeans combo but I personally love it and it seems to still be prevalent online.

I think that due to it's versatility and comfort, the boot cut will remain in the public eye for a while longer. Take for example the recent discussion over Kendrick Lamar's outfit to the Superbowl. I will keep wearing them regardless.

Now, let's talk a bit about my favourite ways to style a pair of boot-cut jeans:

Sporty

More casual, a direct reference to the popular wear of the jeans directly from the 70s and 90s. This method pairs the jeans with a tight-fitted or cropped t-shirt, a slim track jacket, and platform or flat sport shoes and sneakers. It's an easy go to and has a level of cool that is pretty effortless.  

Girly

Another nod to the past but perhaps more subtle. This hippie, bohemian installation pairs tunics, long-sleeved and flowy tops or even dresses with lighter or more nature-coloured jeans. Foot wear can range from mary janes to boots but should evoke a laid-back and softer vision. There is more accessories and even more variety in silhouettes.

Witchy

This style can be categorized as Fairycore and likely is by many. You are more likely to see torn jeans in darker browns, blacks, greys, blues, and greens. There is significant layering and unique texture. This is often tattered, torn, or otherwise distressed materials. The style is not explicitly gothic or punk but some details such cross necklaces, straps, and chokers evoke a similar mood. The colour palette is significantly muted and even splashes of colour are rare. I really love alternative styles but do not commit to any one completely so what I love most is outfits that are able to uniquely incorporate features of subcultures in their essence.

These are not defined and strict categories, don't worry about labels and aesthetics when making your own outfit. If you like and if you're trying something new and fun, go for it. It doesn't matter what you or others call it, in the end it's all just marketing ploys and micro-trends.

On a personal note, I have not been keeping up with the challenge because I wanted to also style and photograph outfits with each entry. I just cannot keep up with that while I also have to write them and do so much life stuff. So I decided to just write about my favorite fashion pieces, elements, and trends this year. Next year I will probably return to these analyses and coordinate some outfits to reflect my passion for these things. So, wish me luck catching up! 

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