Dear Daddy Likey: Short on Shorts, Over Short Shorts

Dear Daddy Likey,

I went shopping to find shorts to wear for this summer, and I was greatly disappointed by what I found. I am 5'11, and I am mostly leg. The shorts that everyone seems to be selling hardly cover my butt cheeks. I am at a loss as to where I can find shorts that cover more than my lady parts. Something mid-thigh would be nice. Got any suggestions?

Signed,
Short Tempered

Dear Short, I mean, Tall, whatever,

Boy can I relate. Well, actually, I can't, because I'm 5'3" and mostly torso, but I hate shopping for shorts too, so I think we can still be friends. I agree with you that this shorts season has been particularly brutal. Just the other day I blushingly picked up a particularly immodest pair of underwear only to realize that they were SHORTS, meant to be worn on the OUTSIDE. "Oh my!" I crowed like a Victorian missionary, and decided to focus on the following two shorts shopping strategies.

Suggestion #1: Find the Bermuda (Shorts) Triangle

God, I hate the name Bermuda shorts--it evokes an awkward and confusing mix of imagery of Old Navy ad campaigns and South Florida retirees that makes me feel dizzy and enraged. Therefore, for the remainder of this post I will call them Nebraska shorts. Anyway, Nebraska shorts (aahh, that's better) hit just above the knee, are super flattering and just as comfortable in hot weather as those crazy chocha shorts.

If you love your legs, try a crazy pattern or a bright color. If you don't, a pair of black, khaki, or vertical pinstripe Nebraska shorts will look effortlessly chic while concealing thighs and preventing the dreaded chafe (in related news, my friend Lindsay and I decided to start pronouncing it chafé in an effort to make sweaty thighs sound elite and Parisian). Add a simple tanktop, a couple necklaces, and ballet flats and you'll be the talk of the town (for looking good, not for accidentally flashing your lady bits to the local minister).

Now, the tough part--where to find these elusive little buggers. I hate to enable those awful Old Navy ad campaigns, but the store does deliver. They have a huge selection of Nebraska shorts online and varying lengths in store.

These come in like fifty different colors (OK, four), can be worn cuffed or uncuffed, dressed up or dressed down, and they're on sale for less than twenty bucks. Not bad.

Love the details on the pocket--these would be so cute with a black tank and sandals.

Favorite Bermuda--ahem, Nebraska--Shorts, $22, LadyLanguage.com

Plus Size Black White Pinstripe Bermuda--ahem, Nebraska--shorts, $44, Torrid.com

Also check out J. Crew's sale section in-store and online (I'm pretending their regular priced section doesn't exist...It's just too painful...) for semi-good deals on cute, mid-thigh length shorts. And keep in mind that if you don't love the length of your Nebraska shorts straight out of the store, most styles look good (or even better) cuffed or rolled up to your desired length.

Suggestion #2: Make your own.

Yep, that's right--get out your patterns and sewing machine! Tooootttaaallllyyy kidding--the last attempt I made at sewing was an embroidery of my name that got me so flustered I spelled it with three N's. Of course, if you are the type who didn't think I was joking about the whole sewing machine thing, I salute you, and also if you want to make me some shorts, that would be great.

But when I say "Make your own," I mean, get out a pair of scissors and an old pair of jeans, and cut off the bottoms. Extraordinarily difficult and complicated, I know, but if I can do it, you can do it.

The cutoff is my all-time favorite shorts style and an integral part of my daily summer uniform. They're free (a hard price to beat!), you choose the length to flatter your body, and if you cuff them and wear a plaid button-down you, too, can achieve my life goal of looking like one of the characters from Now and Then.


I'm gonna go watch that movie right now, actually. For real. Gotta go.

New in Plus - Paige Premium Denim

I love jeans. LOVE them. My office allows them on days when we don't have clients coming in, so I try to take advantage of that as often as possible. So imagine my surprise when I find out that Paige Premium Denim, one of the HOTTEST straight sizes jeans lines, has started making plus size jeans. This may be old news to some of you, but what with getting married and going on my honeymoon last month I've been a little out of the loop.

Paige Premium in Plus Sizes! This is c-razy! Interestingly, the jeans are exclusively being sold at Nordstrom.com. The site says they run a little small and you should order them a size up. Right now they are carrying 2 styles, "Mandeville Canyon" and "Las Palmas", both dark-ish rinse bootcut. You can see click on them both below:




The Mandevilles are pictured to the left and sell for $198, while the Las Palmas on the right are $209. It's a steep price to pay for jeans, and the jury is out on whether they are worth it (I am going to have to buy a pair to see).

However, I can't write a denim article without mentioning Svoboda Jeans, the plus size premium denim pioneers. Jessica Svoboda is constantly making new fabulous styles of her premium jeans, and I've got like 4 pairs (and soon to be more). I need to get my hands on the Trouser jeans before they completely sell out, and I love the new Sailor Trousers too!! I've pictured them both below:




The Kate Trousers on the Left are $118 and the Sailor Trousers on the right are $148. And for the sake of full disclosure, Jessica Svoboda is one of my closest friends, however I can testify that the jeans are as good as you've heard.

Dear Daddy Likey: Don't Make Me Pull A Kim Kardashian

Dear Daddy Likey,

I'm so happy that you've found a swimsuit that you love, and that flatters a part of your body you're not thrilled with. But I have a different problem altogether. My waist measurement is a 26 but my hips are a 42, meaning that I don't mind wearing bikinis because my stomach is okay, but my hips and thighs are all wobbly and squishy and dimply. (Cute, I know.) And there is NO swimsuit for that problem! I hate having to wear a sarong until the second I get into the water, and I don't want to go all Kim Kardashian and actually TAKE A TOWEL INTO THE WATER WITH ME, but I don't know what else to do!

Please help me! Are there any creative solutions? I can't think of ANYTHING!

Signed,
Stacy Sa-Wrong

Dear Stacy,

I'll be honest. My response to your query started out along the lines of, "Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your squishyness! Woo! Girl Power!" But then I realized that if I asked someone for advice about swimwear that camouflaged my stomach, and they said, "Wear a bikini! Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your Jack Black-sized gut! Woo! Girl Power!" I would have to track them down and strangle them with a conservative one piece.

So, with that in mind, I came up with a couple more realistic, less annoying suggestions for you.

Swim Skirts and Swim Dresses

For many of us, the term "swim skirt" triggers traumatizing visions of frumpy grandma suits, but a couple weeks ago, my friend Jess bought this swimsuit and showed me the light:

It's even cuter in real life, seriously. The gold details around the bust and the ruching at the waist really stand out.
Black Gold Stud Halter Swimsuit, ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

When she came over to show me and take a dip in the pool (which, because it's located in a condo complex with a large retiree population, has seen its share of scary swim skirts), I was blown away: it was glamorous, flattering, unique, sexy, and SKIRTED. And here's the thing, it wasn't glamorous, flattering, unique and sexy in spite of the skirt, but the skirt actually contributed to all of those things. Paradigm. Shifted.

My beautiful plus size readers can enjoy Jess' lovely swimsuit above and the equally chic skirted suit below:

Hot-Pink Star Print Halter Swimsuit, also ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

This one is so cute I want to wear it everyday, not just to cover up a little extra junk in the trunk:

How cute would it be with a simple black bikini top?
Coral Floral Flirt Skirt, $28, venus.com

Adjustable Gottex Skirted Bikini Bottoms, $74, nordstrom.com

If you like the look of the skirt above, but prefer not to spend so much, this two piece set is only $18:

Going Dotty Swimwear, Target.com

How freakin' amazing is this swimdress? You could wear it to the Oscars, and then go for a dip in the pool, and then wear it to the Grammys. SO chic.
Anne Cole Swimwear Shirred One Piece, $112, nordstrom.com

Also check out this amazing DKNY swimdress, which is kind of cuter than any of the regular dresses I own, on sale at Macy's.

Board Shorts

These can be a little tougher to work into your swim wardrobe unless you already prefer a more athletic look, but with a million different cool prints and varied lengths, you're sure to find one that fits your style.

Board shorts are a much better option than wearing a towel into the water, if just for the simple fact that you won't be clinging to a giant waterlogged piece of cotton while sinking to your death and shrieking "Don't look at my thighs!!" Pair them with a bikini top or slip them over a one-piece, and you've got yourself a hip-covering and functional swim ensemble.

Here are two bright and crazy options (my personal favorite), but just google "boardshorts" for about seven billion different options, including solid colors, designer, and knee-length styles.

Billabong Flower Child Board Short, $38, swell.com

Roxy Polka Party Boardshort, $37, amazon.com

Feel free to share your suggestions for Stacy in the comments!

Short Sleeve Sweater with Printed Collar and Cuffs

Crisp and fresh, this sweater will bring a polished look to any summer outfit.

$29.99 ; (sale) at Ann Taylor.

The Only Danger: Being Hugged By Giant Pandas

Naomi sent me this link, from Ramona West Vintage. I love that applique -- so pretty and fresh.

The dress is $65, and measures B37/H43.

I wish it had pockets, because I think it would look great with these random shoes I bought on eBay over the weekend:



After I hit "Buy it Now" I realized that I didn't remember the last pair of shoes I'd purchased in a real store, which is pretty weird. (And I count discount chains like DSW and Loehmann's when I say "real stores".) I don't have particularly hard-to-fit feet (8.5, you are my friend) and I'm willing to pass along failures pretty speedily (or turn around and relist them if they don't fit). Has anyone else decided they can do all their shoe-shopping on Zappos and eBay?

Robin Phillips Jewelry

Handmade Cloisonné and Champlevé Enamel Jewelry

Robin Phillips has a passion for designing and creating handmade enamel jewelry, as well as gold and silver jewelry. One of Robin's specialties is Cloisonné enamel and silver jewelry. Cloisonné is an enameling technique, in which the colored areas are separated by thin wires of either pure gold or fine silver. The wires also create a design within the piece of jewelry.





'Lily' Cloisonné & Champlevé Enamel Brooch/Pendant

This piece shimmers with depth of color. It comes with a handmade finding that slips over the pin so the piece can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant.

$950 AUD



Cloisonné and Champlevé Enamel

The term Cloisonné is derived from the French cloison, meaning partitioned cell. Champlevé refers to a technique where a recess is made in the silver either by incising, etching, or making a framework that is soldered onto a fine silver plate. In this process, thin metal wires of either fine silver or gold are first laid down to separate the enamels from one another. Wet enamels (finely ground glass and lead) are painted onto the plate of fine silver using the cloisons as dividers.



After the first layer of color is applied, the piece is ready to be kiln-fired at somewhere between 760 - 850 degrees Celsius. The enamels continue to be built up and fired repeatedly until the colors become vibrant, and there is a feeling of depth to the piece (each piece may be fired over twenty times).



Using a series of diamond files, the piece is then gently filed (from coarse to very fine) to remove any excess enamel and to reveal the cloisons. Then a series of diamond papers, up to 12,000 grit, is used. The piece is then cleaned with a glass brush, allowed to dry and placed near the kiln to warm up for its final firing.





'Tulip' Cloisonné Enamel Brooch/Pendant

The colors in this piece are vibrant! This piece is hand-engraved and set in Sterling Silver with 18k Gold 'bubbles'. It comes with a handmade finding that slips over the pin so the piece can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant.

$1100 AUD



Robin's handcrafted Cloisonné jewelry, and particularly her pendants, are vibrant with color and imagery. Much of her inspiration comes from natural imagery such as landscapes, light, movement, organic shapes, and often a specific theme or a certain gemstone. Her fine enamel gold and silver jewelry is available at high quality craft and jewelry stores, and select craft shows.





'Splash' Cloisonné & Champlevé Enamel Brooch

This little brooch was inspired by the ocean at dusk.

Materials: Fine silver and vitreous enamels.

$695 AUD



Robin Phillips received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in pottery, in America in 1973. She then worked for a number of years making pottery, and as a pottery teacher. Moving to Sydney influenced Robin's decision to study the art of jewelry design and jewelry making under a master jeweler. Her desire was to design and create original enamel gold and silver jewelry using her own individual style and skills.



Robin's fine handmade jewelry is created predominately from gold and silver, and consists of a collection of one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces. Her clients have commented that the pieces they own will become family heirlooms, handed down from generation to generation.



Women have been wearing fine jewelry for personal adornment for centuries. Robin believes that women who love jewelry want it to be well designed and finely made, whether it is gold or silver jewelry, diamonds or pearls, emeralds, opals, or Cloisonné.



Artist Statement

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the USA in 1973 majoring in pottery, and worked as a production potter and pottery teacher in the US for some years. After moving to Sydney, I studied under a master jeweler and made the transition to jewelry design and making.



Color, texture and three-dimensional form were what initially drew me to work with clay and it is these same qualities that translate so well to metal. Although these mediums have inherent differences, both lend themselves to fluidity of form.



Both can be colored, either by glazing for pottery, or enameling or introducing heat to color precious metals. Both are very tactile materials lending themselves to a variety of finishes such as texturing, burnishing, high gloss, or a subtle satin.



Natural imagery such as landscapes, light, movement, organic shapes and simplicity of form continually inspire my work. I enjoy designing and creating my jewelry around a specific theme or stone, and often the stone dictates the direction the piece will take.



Using a combination of gold and silver adds depth and dimension, enhancing style, and simplicity. Living in Australia allows me access to exquisite opals and pearls which I love using in my jewelry.



Many of the pieces I make are one of a kind, and I am always changing my designs. I become bored making the same thing over and over, and I am always happy to take on commission work. I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much as I've enjoyed making it.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Robin Steele Jewelry - 26 August 2006

Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008

Susan Marie Designs Jewelry - 04 July 2008

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An Imagined Conversation Between Myself and This Shopbop Model

Me: So, how are things?

Shopbop Model: Good, good. Things are good.

Me: How's the family? The family good?

Shopbop Model: They're fine, yeah, they're doing well.

Me: Good. And work? How's that going for you?

Shopbop Model: It's really great. This shopbop gig has got me some other offers and I think it's gonna be a really good year for me.

Me: That's fantastic! How about your love life?

Shopbop Model: Umm...Actually it's not so good. It's really bad, to be honest. It's kinda hard for me to talk about, but, well, I walked in on my boyfriend having sex with my mo--

Me: YOU'RE WEARING A TOWEL.

Shopbop Model: What?

Me: WITH HEELS.

Shopbop Model: Wait, this? No, no, this is a dress.

Me: Yeah, that's a towel.

Shopbop Model: But it costs $500!

Me: Yeah, that's a really overpriced towel.

Shopbop Model: But it has sequins!

Me: I bought a sequined towel once. From Hilo Hattie. It said "MAUI" on it in silver sequins. And it was a towel.

Shopbop Model: Really? Why would you buy a sequined towel?

Me: I don't know. It hurt really bad so I gave it away.

Shopbop Model: Good call.