With all of the strapless and off-the-shoulder styles popping up this summer, the most popular question in my inbox and DMs right now is, “What is the best strapless bra that stays up?”
So today’s post is short and sweet: the Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra is the best strapless bra I have ever worn and is deserving of its almost cult-like following.
There is a common misconception that a bra’s straps are what keeps it up and in place. But the truth is that the bra’s construction, and making sure you are wearing the correct size, matter most.
The basis of any great outfit is appropriate undergarments. We all need a little bit of extra help. I know I do! After three babies, I need all the support and shaping I can get. This bra not only stays up all day without having to fuss and put yourself back together constantly, but it’s comfortable.
It has molded underwires, and an very light padding that molds to your body. The gripper strips on the inside help it stay up and in place. It also comes with removable straps, but I’ve never used them.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Collectively, is it fair to say that we are all exhausted? I know I am just totally worn out from this bonkers year and a half.
So to say I’m thrilled the school year is ending and we’re heading into a more relaxed summer routine is an understatement.
Especially now that life, for the most part, is back to normal.
Hopefully, you have some fun plans for the summer and get some much-needed rest.
I think we can all use a mental and physical break.
For the next few weeks, the blog will focus on easy seasonal pieces, options to help you get dressed for summer weddings and pack for trips, more tutorial content from series like Pinterest in Real Life. We’ll continue to talk about body types in our How to Dress Your Body series. This Thursday, we dive into the hourglass shape.
As always, share your thoughts and questions in our comments, and be sure to join our Private Facebook Group for more in-depth discussions and connections with our community.
So let’s kick off June with a roundup of the Best Sellers from May. There is some great variety here, so be sure to scroll to the bottom to see our readers’ top picks.
These Cole Haan Wedge Sandals were the best-selling item in May, and for good reasons. They are an elegant, go-with-everything summer wedge that you can wear dressed up or down for under $100.
Coming in as a close second are these nude wedge espadrilles from Bandolino, being praised by our readers for their comfort and versatility, especially if you have an outdoor event standing on grass for any length of time.
My new trick for always having polished nails is these updated press-on nails from Kiss. For $8, you can have a fresh from the salon look that doesn’t chip and lasts all week. The trick to a natural look is to buy their “better than salon nude” in “real short” length.
They are seriously so easy to apply; I put on a new set while we drove 10 minutes to a birthday party this weekend.
If you are looking for an easy-to-maintain sunless tan, give the Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer a try. You’ll get a subtle yet healthy glow just by applying this lotion to your wet skin right after you shower.
Use these inexpensive facial razors from Tinkle to remove unwanted hair from your face. They are great for cleaning up your eyebrows or getting rid of pesky peach fuzz. I use it about two times a month as an at-home version of dermaplaning, and my skincare and makeup apply so much better.
If you’re heading back to the office and need seasonal black pants, you may like this cotton ankle-length option at Nordstrom for under $80. Available in sizes 00 – 16, they have a high waist, slim leg and look great with heels or flats.
Summer tops that are basic but not too basic are always a challenge, that’s why I featured this cap sleeve blouse (also from Nordstrom) last week. It’s just an easy blouse to pair with your favorite bottoms that’s better than a tee or tank. It’s available in XXS.- XXL in an array of solids and prints.
Rails is one of my favorite brands for button-down shirts with a laid-back yet polished vibe. I was so happy to see this option on our bestseller list. It’s so soft and drapey, and from my experience, washes and wears well. Pair with your white jeans or favorite pair of shorts.
One of the most popular bottoms from the entire season are these girlfriend chinos from J.Crew factory, now well under $40 with all of their discount codes. Available in all sizes from 00 – 20 in regular and petite in four classic colors.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Next week, our Brand Spotlight will highlight M.M.LaFleur. I have a million good things to say about the company. But this particular pant has so many beneficial features; I think they warrant their own post.
If you are looking for an investment-style pant to help fill a void in your work wardrobe, consider these a fantastic choice.
Consider these if you are looking for an investment-style pant to help fill a void in your work wardrobe.
It’s important to note that these are not jeans; instead, they are a cotton stretch fabric, that’s why they are calling them “Better Than Denim.” You get a straight, curve-hugging fit, with a clean line that you can pair with a variety of tops and shoes.
Here’s why I love them. They are high-waisted, which is fantastic because, as you’ll learn in our Dressing Your Body Type series, flatter all body types. They are also machine washable and wrinkle-resistant, so perfect for traveling or if you just have long, busy days.
Now, here’s the best feature. File this under why doesn’t everyone do this?
The hem is adjustable!
You can easily adjust between heel heights by lengthening or shortening the hem with easy-to-use snaps. So you no longer have to choose between wearing flats and heels, you can wear both.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
If your calendar is filling up with events for this spring and summer, you are not alone. We are entering wedding, shower, and graduation season, and since life was canceled last year, people are celebrating big this time.
Almost all of these events will be held, at least partially, outside, which means we need to give extra thought to our shoe choice. Heels on concrete get uncomfortable fast and are a no-no on the grass.
What we need is a pair of neutral wedges that work with everything from pants to dresses.
Today, I rounded up five options, that will work for any outside party you have lined up this season.
Wedges are my favorite shoe in the summer. They provided extra height, which is necessary if you wear a long, flowing dress or skirt. As a bonus, they tend to be more comfortable than spending hours in a thin heel, mainly because the wedge helps distribute our weight more evenly.
There is something for any occasion below, from a backyard BBQ to a garden wedding. Please note, sizes are limited, so if you see something you like, don’t wait, there are few appropriate options at reasonable price points despite the growing demand.
Another style meets comfort option is from Trotters. Their Raffia Wedge has a two-inch heel and a touch of texture. You can wear this with pretty much anything from a casual pair of linen pants to a long maxi dress.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Mother’s Day is a little less than two weeks away, so let’s talk gifts
First of all, moms have been exhausted since last Mother’s Day. I spoke with some friends last week, and we all agreed that we were running on fumes around last July.
Now, it’s like we’re operating with short bursts of adrenaline, feeling like we could physically crash at any moment.
And even though many of us could fall asleep standing up, we stay up too late because it’s the only time we have to ourselves all day.
We have had zero time to recover from the most insane year of parenting so sleeping in on Mother’s Day isn’t going to fix our level of exhaustion, but it would be a welcomed start.
I plan on sleeping in, having coffee in bed until I want to get up, and then honestly, I just want everyone to keep it together for a day. Make their beds, find their shin guards, put their cups in the dishwasher—little things.
And if my family wants to throw a few gifts my way that would be nice too.
So here are some of my favorite gifts, from Gift Guide staples to a few new finds, perfect for any mom on your list.
These are the short version of my favorite pajamas. I have six pairs and counting. They feel incredibly luxurious, at a price point that can’t be beat. I have washed them dozens of times, and they still look like new. Available in XS – XXL, run true to size.
So cliche, but this is is what I want this year. I could vacuum and sweep our floors a hundred times a day. I don’t, but I could. This Roomba is on my wish list so I can set it and forget it.
There isn’t a WDL Gift Guide without Vintner’s Daughter. This is my holy grail, stranded on a deserted island beauty must-have. It’s healed my skin in so many ways, from helping clear my acne and redness to giving me back the glow I had in my youth.
An indulgent fragrance is something mom would love but would maybe not buy herself. Years ago I bought a small bottle of Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede and was instantly hooked. I’ve never received more compliments on a perfume before and since then it’s become my signature scent.
Another Gift Guide staple is the Yeti Rambler ($30). We use this in our house to keep our coffee piping hot during early morning chaos. It’s a fantastic gift for mom friends, or save the idea for the end of the school year as a teacher thank you gift.
Long time readers know, Tatcha is one of my favorite skincare brands. I adore their Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser – my first step in double cleansing at night, and the Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating is a lovely, super hydrating moisturizer for morning and night.
I haven’t tried the Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder or the Essence Plumping Skin Softener, but they are also in the gift set for only $60, so I’m excited to test them out.
This one goes out to all my sports mamas who have made an art form out of tournament weekends. If you have ever sat in the cold watching your kid all weekend, this chair will make your heart sing. It’s heated. HEATED! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat under a blanket, shivering for hours watching one of Ava’s games. Now you can not only keep everything you need at your fingertips, but your tush will be toasty warm for hours.
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
I hope by now you know that I don’t push content for the sake of pushing content. Rather, I make sure that every post provides value. Recently, I realized that while I mention our Private Facebook Group regularly, I’ve never explained what it is or how to join.
When I was a private stylist, the most fulfilling part of my job was the relationship I developed with my clients. I immediately noticed how vulnerable we as women become when we’re in a dressing room (or standing in our closet), trying on clothes, talking about our bodies, frustrations, and insecurities.
I started calling it “the dressing room experience.” As my business grew and I brought on additional stylists, this experience was the most important to get right because we had the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our clients. The language we used was crucial; the support we gave, the patience we had, all of these things made the experience positive.
I believe that getting dressed and playing with fashion is far from frivolous. Yes, it’s fun, and fun is wonderful!
But it’s so much more. We’re talking about feeling confident. Accepting and loving ourselves for who we are, embracing our bodies, and celebrating them for the miraculous work they do every day.
We all deserve to be confident women, and the world needs more confident women.
I started thinking about how to create “the dressing room experience” with our readers. How could I mimic the support, the fun, and the positivity we worked so hard to create for our clients?
The Well Dressed Life Private Group
So about a year ago, I started The Well Dressed Life Private Facebook Group, intending to create a safe space, away from the threat of internet trolls, where women could talk, ask questions, share concerns, and swap ideas about fashion, style, and personal image.
NEVER in a million years did I think our little group would turn into the lovely sisterhood of women it’s become. And I mean it’s a sisterhood.
Over the last several months, we welcomed over 5,000 women – not a huge number in the online space, but remarkable considering we came together solely through word of mouth.
What’s more remarkable is the quality of women who seem to have magically come together: every age, race, and season of life from quite literally all over the globe. I am sure there are opposing views and political affiliations within our group – but you would never know it.
In a year marked with what feels like nothing but hate, loss, stress, and fear, I say with no hyperbole, our group has been a bright light for me, personally, every single day.
You really have to see it to believe it.
Creating a true community is the number one priority of my business. It’s what creates the heart and soul of this site and the INSIDER.
Join Today
Joining is simple and free. Simply head over to our Private Facebook Group here; you’ll be prompted to answer three membership questions (this is how I keep the trolls out). Please answer all of them. I personally approve every new member and respond to all posts and questions throughout the day.
Our Style Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
Today, we’re talking about the best white tee shirts for women.
A white tee shirt is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. Especially in this era of dressing casually, having a few fresh white tees to throw on can make getting dressed a whole lot easier.
When your personal style leans classic, you need to strike an important balance. The basic items that compose the foundation of your outfits need to do a lot of work. Getting those pieces right make getting dressed a whole lot easier.
So they should be of better quality, fit well, and maintain their integrity wash after wash.
In many cases, I say spend a little more on these items. Buy the best you can afford.
But here’s the thing, prices in recent years have gone off the deep end.
I’m at the point in my life, and maybe you are too, where money is literally growing wings and flying out my front door.
So a simple white tee shirt costing $100 or $200 is downright offensive. It’s also insane because almost all of the expensive tee shirt brands I have tried over the years are 100% sheer.
Today, I rounded up my recommendations for the best white tees for women.
Qualifications for a top spot are affordability (these are all under $30, and in most cases well under $30), quality, durability, and of course, the sheer factor.
I started by ordering a crew and v neck style white tee shirt from the blog’s most popular brands: Talbots, Old Navy, Everlane, J. Crew, Target, Banana Republic, Lands End, and Quince.
Then, I inspected each one for quality, tried them on for fit, and did a “sheer” test. To be considered one of the best, the tee had to check all the boxes AND offer a range of inclusive sizes.
As per usual, this post is not sponsored. I personally purchased each one of these and ended up keeping my five favorites.
Testing Out the Best White Tee Shirts
Below, I rounded up my five favorites. I am keeping all of these, because you can never have too many white tees this time of year. They are in order from highest to lowest price – prices are subject to change.
It makes sense that Lands’ End would make one of the best white tees. Their focus on quality and practicality is at the heart of their brand. I like this option because it has a bit of shape, but doesn’t cling, a nice sized sleeve (I hate when the cling to your arm) and a length that let’s you half tuck, full tuck or leave out. They also wash and wear well.
I ordered two white tees from Banana Republic, the SUPINA cotton crew, (above) and their “Cozy Slub V neck”. I returned the “Cozy Slub” because it was entirely see through.
The SUPINA cotton crew is wonderful. A great, better, every day tee.
Good Old Target rounds out or list with a $5 tee shirt. The value here is wonderful, and the price point allows you to buy multiple to keep them fresh all season long. You need to be thoughtful about the bra you wear; anything with detail will show, but a neutral-to-you tee shirt bra will work perfectly.
Here are the options that didn’t make the cut and why:
Old Navy’s Everywear – see-through.
Banana Republic Cozy Slub V-Neck – see-through.
J Crew Vintage Cotton Crew – see-through and boxy.
Quince Crew and V-Neck Tees – see-through and had a yellow undertone.
Everlane – this one is a bummer because I use to LOVE their tees, but the last few times I ordered them the quality wasn’t the same.
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White Tee
Our Style Content is Inspired by Our Readers
Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers.
Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail.
Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.
If you enjoy our content and would like to help us grow, please follow on Instagram and join our Private Facebook Group to access more advice and exclusive in-depth conversations with other like-minded women.
