5 Perfect White Grammar Shirts And 5 Beautiful Body Shapes

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Dressing your best is simple when you know, understand and love your body shape; and with Grammar’s five perfect white shirts, made locally in New York’s garment district from 100% organic cotton, you can go from day to night, work to casual with ease all while fitting your body shape perfectly. Learn your perfect fit based on your body shape and get your white shirt working hard for you:

The Preposition

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Best for: Oval Body Shape

Goal: Add volume and width to your shoulders, draw attention above your bust line and accentuate your slender legs.

How the Preposition works for you: The collar extension and structured shoulders draw attention to and add width to your shoulder line. A loose silhouette skims over your bust and flares out to obscure your waist all while creating a flattering diagonal line at the front and back hem across your hips and booty.

Style your Preposition: Highlight those pins with slim pants or jeans and add a heel for extra impact; a low vamp will create the most flattering line. Use a statement earring and/or bold lip colour to further draw attention above your bust line.

Also good for: Rectangle and triangle body shapes, short/petite ladies and those wanting to camouflage a booty.

The Dangling Modifier

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Best for: Rectangle Body Shape

Goal: Create curves by enhancing your upper body, forming a waist and adding volume at your hips.

How the Dangling Modifier works for you: Waist darts at the front and back work in harmony with your body shape by following your natural body line. Structured shoulders enhance your upper body while the longer length creates interest and volume at your lower body.

Style your Dangling Modifier: Add extra focus and create curves by belting at your waist and for a more casual look roll the sleeves to sit at your waistline.

Also good for: Inverted triangle body shape and those blessed with height.

The Split Infinitive

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Best for: Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Goal: Balance out your top half by adding volume and drawing attention to your lower body.

How the Split Infinitive works for you: The slightly dropped shoulder seams help soften and minimise your broader shoulders while those stunning billowy sleeves help draw attention to your lower half.

Style your Split Infinitive: Add a long necklace over a buttoned up look or wear buttons undone as low as you dare to further balance out your top half by drawing the eye down. Tuck into a full skirt, think bright or printed, or wear with relaxed fit jeans to focus attention on your lower body.

Also good for: Oval body shape and those wanting to show off their booty.

The Conjunction

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Best for: Hourglass Body Shape

Goal: Frame your balanced body by highlighting your bust, waist and hips.

How the Conjunction works for you: Drawing attention exactly where you want it, at your defined waist, the knot design detail makes a statement while working in harmony with your body shape. Back darts make sure this silhouette fits close to the body and is flattering your natural curves from all angles.

Style your Conjunction: This style speaks for itself but for added drama tie hair back in a sleek pony or bun, add a bold lip and use your footwear and outerwear choice to set the tone...an oversized coat and kicks for daytime and a blazer and heels for later.

Also good for: Rectangle body shape and those wanting to accentuate a smaller bust or show off a fuller bust.

The Verb

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Best for: Triangle Body Shape

Goal: Balance out your bottom half by adding volume and drawing attention to your upper body.

How the Verb works for you: A structured collar and fitted shoulders help broaden and accentuate your shoulder line while bust darts and a centre back seam create a perfect fit through the body. All finished with a curved hemline that flatters your hips with a soft diagonal line.

Style your Verb: Pair with darker colored pieces and streamlined silhouettes on the bottom of your body to further balance out your bottom half and help draw more attention to your upper body with bold earrings, a statement necklace or bright lip.

Also good for: Hourglass body shape (especially when tucked in to accentuate that waist!) and anyone wanting a classic shirt with complete versatility to be styled to suit your body shape! 

This post was created for and originally published on Grammar NYC

5 Sustainable Brands For Your Baby's Wardrobe

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When it comes to dressing your little one there are so many adorable options to choose from, I mean what isn't cute when it's in a miniature size?! But, as we know, not all clothes are created equal. When you consider how delicate newborn skin is, what you choose to wrap your baby in becomes all that much more important.

Naturally my first stop when I found out I was pregnant was to check out the huge variety of baby clothes out there, and of course make a few purchases. Over the last few months I've discovered some amazing brands that are not only ridiculously cute but also offer ethical and sustainable baby clothes that are reasonably priced. So here are my top 5 brands to get your little eco baby on his or her way to a sustainable wardrobe:


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Nature Baby

Focussing their range on organic cotton and merino wool fabrications Nature Baby ensures it's garments meet babies needs for softness, breathability, warmth and durability while taking care of the world in which they will grow. The brands GOTS certified organic cotton is sourced in India and produced on farms that have become self sustaining while also offering factory workers fair conditions. This is achieved by paying above the minimum wage, providing equality between male and female workers and having zero tolerance for child labour. Merino wool is locally sourced in New Zealand, where Nature Baby was founded, and is ZQ accredited to ensure it comes from happy, healthy sheep.

Feel confident with Nature Baby for your sustainable little ones wardrobe from newborn to 4 years old, plus you'll find a selection of bedding, toys and necessities for Mum. 

www.naturebaby.com


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Purebaby

With a vision dedicated to creating beautiful baby clothing while never compromising on social responsibility, Purebaby's range is created predominantly with GOTS certified organic cotton fabrics that have been dyed with GOTS certified natural dyes. The brand substitutes only natural fibres where organic cotton fabrications are not suitable, ensuring their garments are soft, durable and strong while also allowing young, delicate skin to breathe. Purebaby partners with social organisations, St Kilda Mums and Global Sisters, to give back to the community and also offer Nesting Workshops in their stores to pass on practical tips to soon to be parents. 

Clothe your babes responsibly from newborn to 4 years old, plus Purebaby have you covered with beautiful nursery and gifting options.

www.purebaby.com.au


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Huxbaby  

A minimalist approach is what sets this brand apart. Focusing their range on gender neutral designs in a minimal colour palette, think black, white and grey, combined with graphics that pop, Huxbaby wants parents to buy once and buy well. As well as offering thoughtful designs, Huxbaby primarily uses GOTS certified organic cotton and AZO free dyes to ensure their clothing is of the highest quality, constructed to last and most importantly delicate on your baby's skin. This range of basics that are anything but basic will work hard for you well beyond baby number one and ensure your entire brood is clothed in timeless and sustainable style.

Dress your little minimalists in Huxbaby from 0-3 months through to 5 years old...and all over again as your family continues to grow. 

www.huxbaby.com


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Milk and Masuki

As well as their namesake brand, Milk and Masuki offer a curated selection of the best organic kids products from Australia, New Zealand and around the world, all of which align with the brands ethics and aesthetics. With a commitment to organic cotton from the outset this brand offers creativity and unique designs through their hand painted prints and are proud to be part of an ethical and environmentally friendly supply chain. Designs featuring koalas and kiwis mean you can represent your baby's homeland in a completely adorable way, plus you'll find a beautiful selection of responsible accessories for Mum so you can treat yourself too.

Clothe your kids in creativity from newborn right through to 8 years old with Milk and Masuki's unique range and more from their handpicked selection of local, ethical and sustainable brands.

www.milkandmasuki.com


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aden + anais

Standing firmly behind their preferred fabric choice, this brand has become known for it's signature muslin products which provide softness, breathability and comfort for your little one as well as durability. Beginning with the multi functional swaddle, aden + anais now offer a full range of clothing, sleepwear, blankets, bibs and bedding made out of this natural fibre they believe so much in to keep your baby safe and comfortable. Because of its aforementioned durability muslin is easy to wash and will last for years, plus aden + anais now offer ranges made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and a silky soft muslin which is combined with rayon made from bamboo.  

Wrap your babies in natural comfort with these infamous multi purpose swaddles from aden + anais that will last for years, plus clothing from newborn to 18 months and sleepwear up to age 4.

www.adenandanais.com


This article was originally published on The Green Hub

Shop Your Wardrobe Like A Pro In 5 Simple Steps

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After experiencing a bit of a style rut of late (because let's be honest, below freezing temps combined with a limited portion of your wardrobe fitting you can pretty easily result in feeling uninspired by your clothing options!) I started thinking more about the concept of shopping your wardrobe. While it may seem pretty self explanatory it can also be one of those tasks that's easier said than done. So next time you're feeling the need to add to your wardrobe with some "retail therapy" instead try these 5 simple steps to successfully shop your wardrobe:

1. Set Up Shop

Start by grouping together each garment type and only having out items that fit you and are season appropriate. Imagine it like you're walking into a store where everything is your size and available for you to wear straight away. You don't want to be distracted or disheartened by items you can't currently wear! Dividing your wardrobe into categories like pants, tops, jackets etc. will then make it easier to recognise what you wear the least, what you wear the most and will also be helpful when it comes to putting outfit combinations together. 

2. Highlight Neglected Items

Within each category pull out any items that may have been neglected of late and ask yourself why. The fun part is figuring out how these pieces can be brought back into the rotation of your wardrobe! Does it need to be made more weather appropriate? Maybe some layering with other items will make a piece workable. Is a particular item not making you feel great anymore? You may be able to pair it with an item you love or style it with accessories to make it work for you again. Or are you simply feeling bored with an item and need to hit the refresh button? Then get creative! Have some fun and play around with different ways you can incorporate neglected items back into existing favourite outfit combinations or even create totally new ones with them!

3. Incorporate Loved Items

Rely on your most frequently worn pieces to pull your looks together and help restore your love in those neglected items. You may also want to consider how these pieces can work harder for you...chances are they might be in need of a little revival themselves as their high rotation in your wardrobe could have you feeling little bored. That's where creating new combinations in the previous step comes in, a neglected item may breathe fresh life into a loved piece, and how you can maximise a garments feel good factor by making the most of accessories in the next step...

4. Focus on Accessories

Just like with your clothing it's likely you have your favourites when it comes to your accessory collection too. What's key to keep in mind is that there's nothing like changing up a necklace, wearing those boots that have been at the back of your wardrobe or even adding a bright lipstick to make your outfit feel new and fresh. It's easy to overlook the small details and go for the same tried and trusted accessories but in reality it's these pieces that can make the biggest impact. So focus on how you can make the most of your accessories, all of them, by pulling out those pieces you haven't used in a while and really considering how they can add to an outfit.

5. Reflect On Photos

As well as taking snaps of any new outfit combinations you come up with it can often be useful to look back on photos from 12 months ago and provide yourself with some inspiration through the outfits you wore last year. It's surprising how often all it takes is to be reminded of a look that you loved last season and are yet to wear this year. And you never know, it may even spark an idea of how a piece could be worn differently with this years style in mind.


Most importantly, the next time you're in a style rut and feeling uninspired or like you have nothing to wear, try to remember this...you're the only one that sees your wardrobe everyday! Yes it's easy to get sick of your clothes and even easier to get caught up in the notion of needing new ones, so instead flip these thoughts and reverse them, be proud of your wardrobe and get creative with your style!

5 Fabrics You Need to Know to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe

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How important is fabrication when it comes to building your wardrobe? Very! Not only does wearability and durability factor into your fabric choices but they also play an important role when it comes to the sustainability of your wardrobe. For obvious reasons it's best to stick to natural fibers where possible, synthetic or man made fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylic are petroleum derived fibers, cause micro plastic pollution when washed and are not biodegradable. 

So let's get to know the fabrics you should favour with the most common natural fibers you'll find in your wardrobe and how you can make the most of them:

Cotton

Qualities: Absorbant, Breathable, Soft and Comfortable 

What You Need To Know: Conventional cotton is known for it's use of pesticides to speed up the growth process, and because of this requires larger amounts of water. Organic cotton is always the better choice for people and the environment as it causes no harm at any stage of it's lifecycle.

Linen  

Qualities: Absorbant, Breathable, Durable, Lightweight

What You Need To Know: Although, as we all know, linen wrinkles easily it is also the most breathable and lightweight fabric for warmer weather. Pesticide use in growing flax plants is less common than with cotton and it requires less water, plus it decomposes quickly. 

Wool 

Qualities: Moisture Wicking, Hypoallergenic, Durable

What You Need To Know: Wool production is generally an organic process without the use of chemicals and because it's a renewable resource it's completely sustainable. However, the practice of mulesing, removing wool-bearing skin around the breech of a sheep to prevent flystrike, is still used by some farmers presenting animal rights concerns. 

Silk

Qualities: Absorbant, Excellent Drape, Durable

What You Need To Know: Conventional silk is a sustainable fabric derived from boiling the inner cocoon of a silkworm, however most commercial silk is produced by boiling the entire cocoon before the silkworm emerges which causes the single silk strand to break. With little to no chemical use in production and silk being a natural fiber it is readily biodegradable.

Rayon

Qualities: Highly Absorbant, Soft and Comfortable 

What You Need To Know: Rayon is produced using the cellulose from wood pulp, but although it is derived from trees it is actually a semi-synthetic fiber. This is because of the sodium hydroxide required in the processing of this fiber to break down the wood into a pulp and then a fiber. This is also the case for other forms of Rayon which include Viscose, Modal and Lyocell fabrics, plus Bamboo which also has a plant base.

The Psychology of Fashion

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Have you ever considered the fact that your wardrobe has a psychological aspect?! Well I think it's time we delve into and recognize how fashion affects us psychologically, because it does. Of course fashion has always played a role in society and how we form perceptions, it serves as a visual indication of our status, culture, beliefs, gender and so much more. But how did what we wear become something we buy into so emphatically that it's now normal to shop and consume constantly? In fact, the act of shopping has become so normalized that it is widely considered a hobby and an acceptable social event. 

Is it the rise of social media, constantly feeding into our desire to fit in and not miss out on a certain trend or style. We simply must have a garment just because everyone else has it. Or could it be the abundance of shopping malls that offer everything one might need to spend a whole day all under one roof. Maybe it's the retail landscape in general, with companies continually driving their revenue through sales that offer too good to be true bargains. Whatever the specifics of how we started down this path we need to acknowledge our reality. We've reached a point where making a new purchase and wearing something new actually impacts our emotions and makes us feel what we think is happiness. 

So there it is, happiness. The whole truth of how fashion and psychology are related comes down to the belief that it fuels our happiness. This isn't a completely bad thing, of course something you purchase should evoke happiness inside you, why would you buy it otherwise, but when is enough enough? What amount of clothing will make us happy, or is it simply the act of purchasing that makes us happy? Why can't we be happy with what we already have in our wardrobes?  

I want to share two personal examples to help illustrate how psychology plays into fashion:

Case Study 1

A few months ago I discovered a beautiful pink top at a second hand store which made me so happy because it's the perfect colour, style and price at only $20...so of course I immediately bought it. What I've since wondered is, would I have been as excited if I'd found this top in a fast fashion store? And conversely, did the fact that it's one of a kind impact my desire to buy it and therefore not miss out? Thinking back on the last three months since I've owned the top I've probably worn it a grand total of five times...so how happy does it really make me? Granted, not all clothing is going to fit into the high rotation portion of your wardrobe and as long as you're confident it will be something you'll wear for years you're sure to reach the 30 wears benchmark making it a purchase that is deemed ok. So yeah, it was a guilt free purchase but it also fed my psychological need for something new at the time even though it fit the criteria of a top I'd been looking for.

Case Study 2 

A brand I recently made my first purchase with was having a sale last week and I considered buying a second colour in a striped dress that I already own, and absolutely love. I have had so much wear out of this dress since it arrived in my wardrobe that having a second colour made complete sense...and it was on sale, half price in fact! But I didn't trigger the purchase. Instead I acknowledged the psychological push behind the purchase and understood it wasn't going to change my life, yes I'd feel joy on that day and on the day it got delivered but if I wanted another striped dress I could find one at any point in my life and right now I don't really need it. I already have clothes to wear! Plus do I really need the same dress in two colors, maybe, because I wear it so often, but wouldn't that mean I'd just wear the one I already have less?!

The point of these stories is not to say that purchasing the same garment in multiple colors is bad or that you should only make purchases that will be in high rotation in your wardrobe. It's simply to highlight how psychology played into two different shopping scenarios and how we can all become more aware of the pull of happiness in order to positively impact our purchase decisions.

So next time you're considering a new purchase, be cognizant of the role psychology is playing. Address your motivation behind the purchase and acknowledge whether the purchase will evoke happiness for a long time...you should feel the same emotion time and again from a garment.