What to wear on a hot windy day

Knowing what to wear on a hot day that is also windy can be a challenge. The following is my list of recommendations:

#1. A knitted hat or knitted hair net.

Why? Because it will keep your hair from flying all over the place, its stylish, not uncomfortably hot, and unlike broad brim hats it won't fly away in the gusts.

I would argue it even looks good on men. (Muslim wear a Kufi hat that is basically a knitted hair net.)

#2. Loose fitting shirt or blouse.

Depending on how hot it is you might even want to go topless (cause hey, its Canada and its legal), but going topless isn't FASHION (unless you count tattoos...) so instead I am recommending the loose fitting shirt.

Some of you might even want to go RETRO and get an 80s style tank top, but that is really your choice.

I am however going to recommend that the shirt be so loose that you can pull it over one shoulder and leave one shoulder exposed. Why? Because it was hot in the 1980s and its still freaking hot today.

In the wind a loose shirt will blow around a lot, but at least it will have a cooling effect on you.

#3. Shorts or Mini Skirt

Or even a Skort. It doesn't really matter. I try to find something with lots of tiny pockets because you can never have too many pockets in your shorts.

The shorts shown here are from Ralph Lauren.

#4. Sandals

I hate sandals. They hurt my feet. But they're still better than going barefoot in the summer. (And again, this is a fashion blog.)

My advice is to BORROW sandals from friends and try to find a pair you like that don't hurt your feet. Trying sandals on in a store you won't really know whether they hurt your feet unless you walk a proverbial mile in them.

It doesn't really matter what brand the sandals are (but please avoid flip flops and Crocs), comfort should come first when choosing a sandal that is right for you because otherwise they can dig into your feet and hurt. (Its basically the same reason I don't like high heels.)

#5. Sunblock that is sweat resistant. Remember to reapply every 2 or 3 hours.

#6. If traveling through mosquito infested regions I recommend "Muskol" mosquito repellent.

The Return of Cycling Chic

You may recall a post I did in 2009 entitled "Cycling Chic". Well its back baby! Here is more great ways to cycle and be fashionable while doing it (because wearing spandex tights is a fashion crime unless you do ballet).

The thing about cycling fashion is you want something which is comfortable, warm and snug, and preferably layers so if you are too hot you can take a bit off.

Shown here is 15 images I've collected which I feel exemplifies what you can do with cycling chic. Let your imagination pull you towards the fashion statement you feel best describes YOU.

Long Flowing Dresses

Maybe its all the fuss about the tv show "Game of Thrones", but I've encountered more than one person looking for "long flowing dresses" that look like they belong in a fantasy movie.

If you are looking for long flowing dresses (for fantasy cosplay or other reasons) for Spring or Summer then one of the websites I strongly recommend is ETSY. Handmade is always best.

Or maybe you just like retro clothing. In which case I strongly recommend you check out: Classic Gowns and Dresses

Or maybe you are just bored of little black dresses.

Whatever your reason there are lots of places out there to go shopping for find long flowing dresses. Zalando.co.uk for example has quite a collection of 250 dresses to choose from if you live in the UK and want to find a dress that is locally made. There are similar websites out there, but very few will have such a quality and broad selection.

Or you could make your own dress... not necessarily using old t-shirts, but a trip to your local fabric store might give you ideas.

The advantage of long flowing dresses is that they are very comfortable to wear and come with less draft in your nether regions and unlike mini skirts have less chance of people catching a glimpse of your nether regions.

Furthermore a long flowing dress is versatile for both formal and informal occasions. Works just as well for a friend's wedding as for a picnic with your favourite boytoy.

(And for the more nerdy women out there, long flowing dresses are also very useful for cosplay and LARPing, but that is another topic for another day...)

I recommend people focus on purchasing dresses which are easy to clean. Or if you do buy something that stains easily (ie. silk or satin) then here is a hot tip: SCOTCHGARD for Fabric. Its true they make the stuff for furniture, but they also make the stuff for clothing fabric too. Meh, accidents happen, so it makes sense to protect your really expensive dresses.

Retro Swimwear

There are lots of retro swimsuits and bikinis available now. Below are some of my favourites. I may post more in the future if people like them and leave comments asking for more.

Vintage Giorgio Armani Round Blue Mirror Sunglasses

What you are looking at here are the kewling, rarest and most desired pair of sunglasses ever made by the Giorgio Armani fashion house.

You can however find fakes for about $15 to $20. I had a fake pair years ago but someone stole them. (See what I mean? Sunglasses worth stealing so much that people are even stealing fake copies!)

They are beyond kewl. When I first got my pair years ago I was still in high school. I took them to school and EVERYONE loved them. Students and teachers were wanting to try them on and EVERYONE looked freaking kewl wearing them. Like a movie star.

Now you might ask, why is there so many fake copies of the Vintage Giorgio Armani Round Blue Mirror Sunglasses (also known as Vintage Giorgio Armani 117 707)?

Two Reasons!
#1. They are the kewlest sunglasses you can ever own.

#2. A real pair will cost you $425.

So... no wonder people are making cheap knock offs. And no wonder why I am looking for a good quality cheap knock off. (When buying a knock off you want to buy one that won't break immediately and still protects your eyes from the sun. Its worth paying a little extra to get a copy that is well made.)

Thus it is no surprise that the Vintage Giorgio Armani 117 707 sunglasses are considered to be the single rarest and most desirable pair of sunglasses ever produced by the famous Giorgio Armani fashion house. Yes, you can find more expensive sunglasses made of gold, platinum, diamonds on them, with brand names like Gucci and what not... but Gucci glasses are ugly and unkewl in comparison.

And frankly if you can wear something better for $425 (or a cheap copy) why would you buy a crappy Gucci pair that costs roughly the same amount?

Frankly I'd rather have a copy of something that looks GOOD.

The sunglasses in question come with round blue mirror lenses (because blue mirror is basically the kewlest thing you can put on a lens) and tortoise shell ear stems for comfort. The round lens Armani styles have always been extremely popular, but Armani produced very few mirrored lenses over the years and none of them was more eye catching than these fabulous blue mirror mineral glass lenses.

The classic shape of the front frame is complemented by the equally desirable tortoise shell ear stems, with brushed silver hinges and nose bridge and the blue mirror lenses. The unisex Armani 117 frame fits almost all adults (unless you have a giant or tiny head).

Original Giorgio Armani sunglasses will have the logo embossed on the exterior of both tortoise shell ear stems and the inside of one stem is marked Giorgio Armani Made Italy, while the inside of the other stem is marked 117 S 707 140 and the rear of the nose bridge has 48 23 impressed in the metal.

Finding a pair of Giorgio Armani 177 707 blue mirror sunglasses in mint, unworn condition is extremely rare... because they also don't make them any more (which also explains why they are $425 for a pair).

So really you have no choice but to buy the cheaper copies off eBay for $15 to $20 and pay extra for the shipping... or try to find a cheap copy locally in a store.

I did find a really cheap copy at http://www.hippieshop.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/10781 but shipping internationally rates are a rip off so I want to find a place locally that has better quality because I am dubious about buying a pair of sunglasses online without actually seeing them in person (its one of the reasons I prefer speed dating over online personals).

IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO SELLS COPIES OF THESE SUNGLASSES PLEASE POST THE LINK IN THE COMMENTS!

Knitted Bikinis

I know it isn't summer yet, but I can't wait to try out my new knitted bikini.

I think knitted bikinis are beyond fabulous. Yes, you could buy a store bought bikini like everyone else... but if you have a beautiful figure and want to REALLY stand out... then knitted bikinis are by far the kewlest.

You can find lots of really nice knitted bikinis on Etsy. Or you can make your own...

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN KNITTED BIKINI

Instructions for bra top are written for A-cup size. Any changes for B- and C-cup sizes are written in brackets. If there is only one figure it applies to all sizes. Bottoms are one-size. Standard abbreviations are used. Recommended for knitters and crocheters with some experience.

You need:
1 hank Butterfly Super 10 (125 g) pure cotton yarn, No. 3401 Orange
One pair of 4.5 mm needles OR whichever needles you require to produce the tension given below
One 4.25 mm crochet hook
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Clear elastic knitting thread
12.5 cm (5 ins) square of swimsuit lining in desired colour (optional)
Matching thread (optional)

TENSION

20 sts and 26 rows = 10 cm (4 ins) in stocking stitch. Work to exact tension with specified yarn to obtain satisfactory results. TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK TENSION.

BRA CUP (make 2):
With knitting needles, cast on 29(33,37) sts.
Row 1 (right side): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
*Row 3: K1, sl1, k1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 27(31,35) sts now on needle.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl.
Rep from * 4(6,8) times more, ending with right side facing for next row. 19 sts now on needle.
**Next row: K1, sl1, k1, psso, [yo, k2tog] to last 2 sts, k2tog. 17 sts now on needle.
Next row: Purl.
Rep from ** 6 times more, ending with right side facing for next row. 5 sts now on needle.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K1, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1. 3 sts now on needle.
Next: P3tog (top point of cup), sl rem st onto crochet hook and, with right side facing, ch 3, work 20(24,28) hdc evenly down first side edge, ch 3 at corner, work 21(25,29) hdc evenly across bottom edge, ch 3 at corner, work 20(24,28) hdc evenly up second side edge, then sl st to 2nd ch of first ch 3, fasten off.

HOW TO MAKE THE BRA TOP

With right side facing, sl st to ch 3 sp at bottom right-hand corner of first cup, then [ch 3, hcd] in same sp, hdc in each st along bottom edge to left-hand corner, ch 5, hdc in ch 3 sp at bottom right-hand corner of second cup, then hdc in each st along bottom edge of second cup to last st, 2 hdc in ch 3 sp at bottom left-hand corner of second cup, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: 2 hdc in first ch 3 sp, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last ch 3 sp, ch 3, turn.

Row 3: 2 hdc in first ch 3 sp, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last ch 3 sp, then work chain st to create strap 52 cm (20-1/2 ins) long, fasten off.

Sl st to first st on outside corner of rem cup, then work same-length strap in same manner.

HOW TO MAKE THE BOTTOMS

Cast on 41 sts (front top edge).
*Row 1 (right side): K1, sl1, k1, psso, [yo, k2tog] to last 2 sts, k2tog. 39 sts now on needle.
Row 2: Purl.
Rep from * 4 times more. 31 sts now on needle.
Work St st, dec 1 st at each end of needle on every alt row 8 times, place marker. 15 sts now on needle.

Work even in St st until crotch from marker measures 12.5 cm (5 ins) or desired length, ending with right side facing for next row.

Work St st, inc 1 st at each end of needle on every row 23 times, place marker. 61 sts now on needle. (Note: If desired, widen and lengthen back by inc number of sts in rows, taking into consideration that crocheted edging will add 1 cm/3/8 in at each edge.)

Work even in St st until back from marker measures 19.5 cm (7-1/2 ins), cast off to last st, sl rem st onto crochet hook and, with right side facing, ch 3, work 62 hdc evenly along first side edge, ch 3 at corner, work 31 hdc evenly across top front edge, ch 3 at corner, work 62 hdc evenly along second side edge, ch 3 at corner, work 40 hdc evenly across top back edge, sl st to 2nd ch of first ch 3, then work chain st to create strap 39.5 cm (15-1/2 ins) long, fasten off.

One at a time, sl st to each rem corner on front and back, then work same-length strap in same manner.

HOW TO FINISH

Using elastic, hand-sew line of running sts just inside each side edge of cups and bottoms. If desired, cut lining (having greatest stretch from front to back) piece about 6 mm (1/4 in) larger than crotch around edge, press under 1 cm (3/8 in) around edge; with matching thread, slipstitch in place to wrong side.

NOTE: THIS IS JUST ONE DESIGN. YOU CAN BROWSE AROUND ONLINE AND FIND LOTS OF OTHER DESIGNS.

4 Fun and Easy Summer Hair Styles

#1. The Messy Bun:

1. Gather your hair in a semi-loose ponytail in the place you would like the bun on your head.

2. With one hand gripping the base of the ponytail firmly, use the other hand to twist the ponytail until it starts to wrap around itself.

3. Continue to twist slightly as you wrap the ponytail into a bun.

4. Once wrapped completely, you can take a hair tie and wrap around the base of the bun making sure the tip of the ponytail is secure. You can also secure the bun by sticking bobby pins in and around the base of the bun.

#2. Bohemian French Twist:

1. Loosely gather your hair in a ponytail at the nape of your neck.

2. Very loosely twist your hair out (away from your head), then up.

3. Then loosely tuck your hair into itself and secure with a bobby pin.

#3. Braids:

1. Separate your hair into two sections, either down the center or where you part your hair.

2. Loosely french braid one of the sections of hair along the side of your head, and continuing into a normal braid. Do the same with the other section.

3. Once both sides are braided, wrap each braid around the back of your head, tucking them into the other braid and securing them in place with a bobby pin or two.

#4. A Twisty Ponytail:

1. Gather your hair very loosely in a low ponytail, away from your head a bit and secure with a hair tie.

2. Remember the "topsytail"? Well this part is sort of like that....only without the "topsy". Stick your finger in your hair, just above the hair
tie, parting the hair in two sections. Thread the tip of the ponytail through the part you've created, creating a twist just above the ponytail.

3. Now be creative!! With the ponytail, you can secure a bun just under the twist. Create a unique knot, or three. Make a braid to wrap in a knot.

Cycling Chic

FASHION - I've been doing some research and I think the hot new look for Summer 2009 is cycling chic.

And I've got the photos to prove it.



If you Google "cycling fashion" you will find a tonne of websites selling fashion for cyclists, both professional and amateurs. What I prefer however is clothes that is multi-functional, great for doing-whatever, but close fitting enough that you can ride your bike without hassle.



Note the text on the buttocks: Lucky Saddle. (Saddle is another word for bicycle seat for those out there not familiar with bike lingo.)



You may be tempted to go for the tight fitting clothing, which looks hot.



Or even a short skirt, which is cool too, but you will have to be careful about the length and how you sit to make sure it doesn't get tangled up.



A lot of girls, especially if its really hot out, prefer to shed some layers and maybe even opt for a tank top or bikini.



On cooler days you will want to maybe accessorize or wear something warmer because the breeze when biking can be chilly.



Think of your bike as an accessory. You don't want to ride any rusty piece of wheels. Think retro and fully restored, that or opt for something new and snazzy.



Depending on what you wear you start to realize how chic and hip you look. Definitely a way to attract hot guys who are also into cycling.



Don't be afraid to make your own riding uniform if you're planning to ride daily. Something that will allow you to shed or add layers depending on the weather, and won't show off your sweat (although some guys tell me there's nothing hotter than a woman dripping with sweat and smelling of pheromones).



If you get a summer dress just the right length you don't even have to worry about it getting caught or tangled up.



If you opt for something a lot longer, make sure its something you could hike up around your waist more or is more smooth flowing so it doesn't interfere with your ability to pedal.



Depending on where you are going (busy streets) you may want to get a helmet. You may feel a bit dorky so look for a helmet you feel makes you look hot, and while you're at it find a backpack or satchel so you can carry things easily. That or buy a bike with a basket.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Don't forget to keep your bike in tip-top shape by visiting your local bicycle mechanic for oiling, greasing, truing your tires, removing those nasty rust spots, replacing an uncomfortable seat and making sure the handlebars, pedals, etc. aren't behaving sluggishly.

After all, how fashionable will you be if your bicycle is a wreck and/or you end up in a crash and drooling out the side of your mouth all the time?