Can you reshape your body with shapewear?

In the past few decades, shapewear has grown in popularity. People have driven this for a more sculpted and sleek appearance. Shapewear will create a more streamlined silhouette and smooth out lines. It also often provides a confidence boost. 

Many wonder if the best tummy control shapewear can reshape the body or if its effects are purely cosmetic. It’s crucial to understand how shapewear works, the benefits and even some limitations, to answer if it can lead to long-term changes in the shape of the body. 

Cotton Traders tops and t-shirt edit

GIFTED

As we eagerly await and hope for summer days with drier and warmer weather our wardrobes deserve a refresh with some lovely tops and t-shirts from Cotton Traders.

Floral

Blossom like the beautiful flowers of spring and summers with floral tops and t-shirts. This lovely textured stretch jersey top is full of flower power with the ivory floral colourway. With a hint of stretch and designed with short sleeves, this top boasts a beautiful floral design.

The light jade embroidered shoulder t-shirt is also a floral delight thanks to the fine embroidery on the front shoulder. The light jade offers a splash of seasonal colour or the t-shirt is also available in classic ivory.

Fun and Functional Winter Essential Wear for Kids

As the frost begins to form and the days get shorter, it's time to rethink our little ones' wardrobes. Winter brings the challenge of keeping children both warm and comfortable in their endless adventures. The key lies in choosing apparel that is as functional as it is fun. Even if choosing the ideal winter kit for your child can prove to be a bit exhausting sometimes, it’s always an activity that will help you involve them, bond, and understand what they like and what they don’t fancy. So without further ado, let's explore essential winter wear items that promise to keep your young kids cozy, comfortable, and stylish during the colder months.

Celebrity-inspired knitwear looks

Celebrities impact not just red carpet trends, but also everyday fashion choices. When it comes to knitwear, these fashionistas provide a wealth of covetable outfits that blend comfort and attractiveness. This article looks at several notable celebrity sweater combinations that have caused "sweater envy."

1. Emma Watson’s casual chic

Emma Watson, known for her casual style, has been photographed wearing a basic crewneck sweater. She radiates casual elegance by wearing it with high-waisted denim and ankle boots. This style exemplifies how a basic sweater can be transformed into an outfit that is both comfy and attractive.

2. Taylor Swift’s cable knit sophistication 

Taylor Swift's passion for vintage-inspired clothing extends to her knitwear choices. She has been seen wearing cable-knit sweaters in rich colors, giving a comfortable yet stylish style. This look appeals to individuals who value the timeless appeal of traditional knitwear.

3. Rihanna’s oversized edge

Rihanna's daring wardrobe choices include huge jumpers that radiate confidence. She wears these bulky sweaters with anything from tiny skirts to leather trousers, creating an edgy yet comfy look that draws attention.

4. Kate Middleton’s royal elegance

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, exemplifies how knitwear can be both royal and friendly. She frequently wears exquisite cardigans with dresses or skirts to give warmth and elegance to her outfits. Her look exudes classic sophistication.

5. Zendaya’s playful patterns

Zendaya's knitwear generally has bright patterns and designs. She wears sweaters in brilliant colors and eye-catching motifs with ease, demonstrating that knitwear can be a canvas for self-expression and creativity.

6. Harry Styles’s gender-fluid approach

Harry Styles' gender-fluid wardrobe choices break established boundaries. He's frequently spotted wearing big sweaters in a way that blurs the distinction between men's and women's fashion. His easy going and laid back approach to knitwear conveys a sense of personality.

7. Gigi Hadid’s athleisure twist

Gigi Hadid's style effortlessly combines comfort and trendiness. She's been seen wearing cropped sweaters with leggings and shoes, seamlessly adopting the athleisure trend while being fashionable.

8. Priyanka Chopra’s global fusion 

Priyanka Chopra's knitwear outfits reflect her cosmopolitan upbringing. She frequently wears sweaters with ethnic motifs or traditional materials, demonstrating the beauty of combining diverse styles and cultures in a single outfit.

Celebrities' knitwear selections are no exception to being a source of fashion inspiration. Each celebrity-inspired sweater design gives an insight into how to flawlessly blend comfort and style, from Emma Watson's casual chic to Taylor Swift's cable-knit refinement, Rihanna's oversized edge to Kate Middleton's regal grace.

A Flavorful Autumn Pair

This is the season for pumpkin spice lattes, comfortable nights in, and, of course, shawls. The article delves into the pleasant pairing of shawls with the iconic fall taste, pumpkin spice. Learn how these two fall components work together to produce a beautiful and soothing seasonal experience.

Dressing Sustainably: Your Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Fashion Materials

In recent years, the popularity of sustainable fashion seems to be increasing. We can find more and more brands competing to offer various ethical fashion products, from dresses, undergarments, activewear to accessories. In line with this, public awareness of implementing the principle of quality over quantity in choosing fashion products is also increasing. Of course, this is a positive trend, both for our planet and the fashion industry itself.

For some people, switching to sustainable fashion products is not that easy. We cannot deny that fast fashion offers many attractive designs and cheap prices. These advantages are a big temptation to shop, even if the quality is mediocre. On the other hand, sustainable fashion offers much better quality, but is still considered more expensive and lacking in design.

How Shapewear Can Help Change Your Posture

Shapewear is worn by women across the globe to slim their figure and enhance their body shape. These shaping garments can help to slim the back, waist, tummy and thighs as well as contouring the body for a more firm appearance.

These foundation wear come in a variety of compression levels to help smooth out problem areas such as love handles, muffin tops, belly pooches and more. They give an instant slimming and strong control underneath the clothes. A butt lifting shapewear can also give the derriere a lift.

Wearing shapewear has several benefits. It has now become a tool to help improve posture and also reduce back pain. Having good posture can contribute to the body's appearance and help to boost confidence. When a person has good posture, he/she is less likely to experience pain in the neck, shoulders, and back. For women who sit in front of the computer all day or lead a sedentary lifestyle, it is harder to maintain a good posture and later, may develop bad posture and pain on the neck and back.

Shapewear: An Easy Way to Be Stylish and Confident

Many women are always looking to follow fashion trends, some love experimenting with new styles, but whatever they choose to wear, they will always try and do it confidently. 

But thankfully, women can now find the right shapewear bodysuit for them and their preferences and look stylish and confident when they are out, no matter if they are wearing casual day-to-day clothes, office ones, or even elegant dresses for special occasions. 

Geektastic gifts with the Geek Shop

If you are looking for quality quirky and geektastic gifts for your geeky loved one or just want to treat yourself to some great geek products look no further than awesome Geeksoutfit.

This eclectic and eccentric Geek Shop is a developer-owned start-up business that designs geek products with love and trending design since Aug 2022!

They have the best quirky, geeky, nerdy, funky, and funny designs adorned on quality clothing for tremendous geeky apparel. 

Perfect parent and child clothing

If you are looking for super cute and creative clothes to twin your look with your little one then look no further than baby & kids clothing store beepumpkin who specialise in designing parent-child clothing that is made with love and creativity. 

Offering fresh styles and clothing to showcase beautiful connections between family members, beepumpkin have an impressive range of parent-child clothing. 

Spring and summer style from Cotton Traders - trouser edit

GIFTED

With the arrival of spring, and summer on the horizon, it is time to pack away the winter wardrobe and embrace a spring/summer wardrobe. 

As British spring and summer weather can be a tad temperamental with rain showers one day and bright sunshine the next, my spring/summer style often consists of trousers as they are great in all weathers. Trousers can offer protection from all weathers, warmth from the chilly rain and cover from the burning sun, as well as comfort and style. The beauty of a good pair of trousers is that they can be styled so many different ways and can be dressed up for a smart style or down for a casual, effortless look. 

Valentine’s Day with Cotton Traders - our date style

GIFTED

Valentine’s Day can be a day that sparks a special effort to spend quality time with loved ones. 

Whilst we believe that love is more than just one day and that showing we care for each other is done by gestures and moments throughout our daily lives, Valentine’s Day is a day that we celebrate love.

As we celebrate love and express affection on Valentine’s Day, we try to spend some quality time together to treasure each other.

Kasbah Clothing Christmas gift ideas

Get wrapped up for winter and party ready with stylish, distinctive and comfortable plus size clothing from Kasbah Clothing. 

Created by British designer Heather Griffiths-Benhrima who lives in Marrakech, the clothes showcase the Moroccan influence of her surroundings with bold prints and rich colours. The beautiful, quality garments and accessories are designed and made by a small team in Marrakech then shipped to the UK team in Lincolnshire. 

Kasbah Clothing have a wonderful range of clothing and accessories which are perfect for gifting to loved ones this Christmas. With lots of unique pieces of different styles and a personal size guide for each piece of clothing, there is something for everyone. 

My favourite women’s t-shirts

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My wardrobe is filled with a selection of staple clothes that are part of my everyday outfits. My style is a mix of skinny jeans, leggings or Boho skirts, strappy vest tops or t-shirts, and maxi dresses with flip flops, Vans or black biker ankle boots. 

I especially love t-shirts. In fact my 2020 lockdown style has predominantly been a t-shirt and PJ bottoms and I foresee this stylishness continuing in 2021.

The beauty of t-shirts are that they are versatile and comfortable plus are available in a wide variety of designs and colours. 

As I love a t-shirt and they have featured heavily in my lockdown look, when I have not been entertaining 3 busy kids during lockdowns and juggling home learning I have wisely spent my time perusing the internet for some new t-shirts to treat myself to as a little pick-me-up…..and so my postie can see me wearing at least a different t-shirt when they deliver the constant supply of parcels that weirdly keeping arriving at our home.

So if you love a t-shirt nearly as much as I do and are looking for t-shirt inspiration take a look below at a few of the lovely women’s t-shirts winging their way to me after a late night online shopping spree.

Snow Season Shopping with Simply Hike

Even though I bet as soon as the kids go back to school this September that we have a mini heatwave as we only have a handful of days left of the summer holidays and our family holiday enjoying the beach in the sun seems a lifetime ago my thoughts have turned to winter adventures.

I adore the snow just as much as I love the sun. Holidays in snowy climates are just as amazing as beach holidays. Over the years I have had incredible experiences on the slopes and love the feeling of skiing in stunning surroundings with the sun glistening on the crisp white snow.

Designer kids clothing

As the boys grow older I have seen their own special traits and characteristics flourish. Their unique characters shine through and they are develop strong opinions about their likes and dislikes. One area of life where I have really noticed them voicing their likes and dislikes is clothing.

Christmas party look

Christmas for us is a time for fun, family and celebrations. The whole month of December is awash with seasonal cheer and Christmas events galore.

Christmas school concerts, visits to Santa’s grotto, Christmas shopping trips and wonderful Winter Wonderland experiences are just a few of the events that fill my calendar in December.

Not only do I have family festivities to enjoy with the children but I also have the pleasure of letting my hair down for a couple of Christmas parties.

The only downside to having a few fabulous Christmas parties to attend is that I have to find the perfect party look.

Caring for clothes - care symbol labels

When I found I was pregnant with my first born I was very eager to start buying little baby clothes ready for my little bundle of love. After my first scan at 12 weeks Lee and I bought our little unborn baby’s first ever outfit. Then once we reached the halfway mark and had the 20 week scan where we were reassured that all was okay with baby we slowly started buying clothes ready for his arrival.

During the last few weeks of pregnancy I went into full on nesting mode. The house was cleaned from top to bottom in a whirlwind, spring cleaning blitz. The nursery was re-decorated with a jungle theme and furniture assembled all ready and perfect for baby. The tiny baby clothes were washed, dried, ironed and folded neatly into the baby’s wardrobe and drawers.

Boohoo Kids review

As Bug gets older not only does his unique character and personality shine through but also his own sense of style. At the grand old age of 5 and ¾ he takes a keen interest in the clothes that fill his wardrobe and what clothes to wear on a daily basis. Showing more fashion sense than I have he is also very particular about what clothes to wear together as a complete outfit, making sure that what he is wearing looks good together.

As my boy loves to be super stylish I knew he would love to try out a few items of clothing from Boohoo.

The popular fashion site Boohoo have recently launched a fashionable collection of kids clothes. Boohoo Kids is currently designed for both boys and girls between 5 and 12 years.

Browsing the site it is clear to see that they have injected current fashion trends into the range of kids clothing. Whilst the kids clothing range at the moment has more clothing aimed at girls than boys the items of clothing in the boys range are very trendy. I also noticed that stock levels were a little low for most sizes on the majority of clothes. However I am sure as Boohoo Kids becomes more established the range will increase and stock levels will be available.

The sizing at Boohoo Kids is rather annoying. For Bug the option was either 5-6 years or 7-8 years, with no option of 6-7 years which is his current size. As he has most definitely outgrown the majority of 5-6 years clothing he has from a wide range of retailers it would have been unwise and pointless ordering that size. However I was dubious that 7-8 years would fit and worried that they would be way too big for him.

With the sizing issue in mind we avoided ordering any trousers as the 5-6 years would be way too short on him and as he has longs legs but a slim waist the 7-8 years would be way too big on him around his waist (looking at the sizing guide they measure a lot bigger than his size).

As the size we would normally choose (6-7 years) was not an option we opted for 7-8 years because better to be too big and have room to grow into them than be too small. With Bug taking a keen interest in his clothes I made sure to let him decide on what items to get, take a look below to see what he picked.

As he is loving shirts at the moment it was no surprise to me that his first choice was a shirt, especially one in his favourite colour red. The boys tartan check shirt is great for a casual layered look with a t-shirt underneath or as a stand-alone top to complete any outfit. It can be worn casual and informal or dressed up for a more smart look depending on what trousers and shoes are worn.

The shirt surprised me that it fits perfectly on Bug especially as it is size 7-8 years without a huge amount of growing room, so I would say that the sizing perhaps runs a tad small. The shirt is perhaps a little thinner than his other shirts so needs a t-shirt underneath during this colder months but would be lovely and cool to wear on its own during hot summer days.

Bug also choose a Skull Print Gold tee. It fits Bug really well with room to grow and is a lovely soft material. Like the shirt the material is thin, with the material being so thin that when looking at it up close it is nearly see-through.

Bug loves the tee and the gold print skulls are lovely, they are quite detailed and sparkle stylishly.

Another item of clothing he picked was a printed tee with smiley face. As he loves emojis he adores this top. It is super soft and a great fit.

Lastly he picked a Dog Onesie. When he arrived he was overjoyed with the cute dog onesie which is super soft.

However I was a tad disappointed to see that it arrived with 2 holes, whilst repairable not something you expect with a brand new item. Thankfully Boohoo’s customer service were awesome and offered either a return for a replacement or partial refund.

Overall we are happy with Boohoo Kids. Ordering was very easy and I have noticed that promo and discount codes for the site seem to be plentiful which is great for saving money. I was very impressed with the delivery, even using standard delivery the items arrived within less than 48 hours.

Even though the quality is variable and the sizing off-putting as I hate dealing with returns and exchanges, the range is affordable and super stylish for trendy mini-me’s.

Disclosure: We were given credit to spend on Boohoo for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own. 

Standing out from the crowd with Stand-Out.net

One of the things Lee hates is shopping. He doesn’t have the patience to go from shop to shop on the high street to buy new clothes and finds it a nuisance to shop around on online shops with it being a hassle to have to visit and buy from a number of websites to get a complete outfit or two.

Thankfully I have found him a great online store that thanks to selling a variety of designer men’s clothing brands all in one place so that he can enjoy the best online shopping experience on just one website.

Stand-Out.net is all about men’s fashion. They boasts the latest trends and styles from over 60 fashion brands including Guide London, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Converse and G-Star. With a wide variety of clothing, footwear and accessories there is something for everyone and plenty of choices to appeal to Lee’s tastes.