Swimwear 101

It's really hot outside. Not just sunny hot, but your hand can almost push through the air because it's thick with moisture; if you live in the South, you know what I mean. It becomes so hot the only thought pulsing through your head is cool water... the pool, a lake, a pond, the beach, even the sprinklers on the lawn.

It's so tantalizing, yet, do you ever feel you shouldn't? Sort of like an awkward guilt because you want to be modest, but part of you just wants to be in your scants cooling off under the lovely feel of refreshing water! Finding a balance in enjoying the sun and decently covering our bodies can be hard. 

Can I wear spaghetti straps?

What about halters?

Or backless?

Can I wear a tankini?

Should I wear a swim skirt or shorts?

How long should a swim cover be?

Would a tube cover be appropriate?

Is a bikini always forbidden?

What about support built in a swimsuit?

How do I stay cool when it's so hot out?

What about surfer wear?

AND SO MANY MORE!!!!!

Instead of going through each question, let's make things simple. 

1. Swimwear as clothing, not just unmentionables

What I mean by this is applying the same principles to swimwear as you do clothing. You wouldn't wear a top without the proper support under it. You wouldn't wear a skirt without your unmentionables. Think about a swimming outfit! Buy items made from swim material, a supportive bikini for your foundation, a swim top or tank, board shorts or a swim skirt, then add a fun wrap skirt or dress. If we think of swimwear more like the layering we already do -- remembering we'll be more active and in the water -- we will be more successful in dressing.

2. Keep with your personal style

If you like classy, don't buy a sport swimsuit. Keep with your personal style choices when choosing swimwear. It should be a pleasure to get dressed :)

3. Make Adjustments

If you purchace a one-piece with a plunging neckline, buy a little swimsuit fabric and add a trim. Move straps and bows or ruffles. Get handy with a needle and make things work!

4. Seek Advice  

If you don't know your parents' thoughts on this subject, ask! Knowing what they approve or disapprove of will be your starting point. If you have stylish/modest friends, ask how they handle swimwear. They can be very helpful with tips on where the best buys may be in your hometown.

Swimming Upstream

This is a big week for Silk and Purple! We want to talk with you on a subject that many girls talk about around this time of the year... swimsuits! We are calling this series Swimming Upstream -- all about beating the heat from the surrounding culture and the summer sun! 

Why "swimming upstream"? Unfortunately, we will be considered weird for talking about and practicing modesty in this way. We will probably offend a lot of people, but it must be addressed -- not only in our thoughts, but how to practically wear swimsuits on a hot beach in the middle of July.

Below is a video that seems to be getting a lot of attention lately, and rightfully so. I love this video and hope you enjoy as we kick off this series!

Spring Trends ~ Sporty

Spring Trends ~ Global

Global style is filled with bold pattern mixing, large jewelry, and bright colors! From dusty Spanish roads, to climbing the Great Wall, a globetrotter travels collecting the beauties of different cultures.

Spring Trends ~ Mint

Mint is one of the season's freshest colors, but be careful, it may not be the best color for you.

Find the right tone of mint for your skin, eyes, and hair. Or wear the color as a skirt, pant, or shoe away from your face.

Spring Trends

Spring is upon us! I have been watching some cute trends this season. Trends are not to become a driving force behind your wardrobe, but it is fun to change things up a bit to keep yourself looking fresh and sunny.

Dots

For Laughs

A few laughs for this happy day of April the First!

Wedding Attire - Part 3

Wedding Attire - Part 2

Let's apply what Season told us about dressing for a wedding. 

Find the chart here!

Clothing Guide

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I found these clothing guides and couldn't resist sharing!

It's really helpful to know varying types of cuts and styles in clothing so you can find what best suits your body type. We will talk more about cuts and styles in posts to come. For now, study the charts above so you can know what it means when I say yoke dress.

Traveling Girl

You may be taking a train, plane, boat, or car, but getting to your destination doesn't mean you have to look like a sloven. It's important to stay comfy on a long journey, so soft fabrics and minimal jewelry is best. Check out these looks.

Texture

Layering with textures adds a lot of interest and warmth to your outfits! Take a look at these inspirations to help create your own textured ensemble.

Personal Style Challenge Results!

So we received some lovely stylish outfits for our personal style challenge! Take a look!

LysNicole ~ Here is my entry for the Silk and Purple Personal Style Challenge. I believe these colors fit me best because this is what I usually wear during the fall/winter -- black, gray, & white have always gone good with my skin color and personality.

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Emily ~ I've always been "the girl with the guitar" because I love to play my guitar and I love music. This outfit expresses my style and personality and I hope you all enjoy it!

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Kathryn ~ This outfit is me because it's simple and comfy, and absolutely perfect for collapsing into one of the big Samford library arm chairs and reading some Augustine. Minimal, comfy, and stylish -- this outfit has me, a cup of mocha, and an afternoon of studying all over it.

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By Clara

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By Gracie

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These are some from the Silk and Purple team!!

From: Season

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From: Hope

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From: Meghan

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From: Abby

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Personal Style Challenge!!!

You've been seeing a lot of personal style inspirations -- it's now time for a challenge!

Create an outfit on Polyvore that reflects your personal style!! Cowgirls and city gals are all welcome to join in the fun! We will post them here on Silk and Purple, but first read the guidelines.

Outfit Guidelines

1. Outfit must be, first and foremost, modest and feminine.
2. There is no budget! Use your imagination.
3. Express what you would personally wear.
4. Give your style a name.

Submissions

Submit your creation and a short description of why this outfit best fits you to our email address: silknpurpleprov31@gmail.com.

To create your outfit, go to http://www.polyvore.com and click create!

Please send us your creation by Sunday, November 25, 2012. One entrant per person.

**The Silk and Purple team reserves the right to not post outfits if deemed inappropriate for blog.**

Heart Reflections ~ Part 3

We've been chatting a lot about personal style and how each young lady has her own style!

One of the heart reflections is:

"Can I move comfortably without thinking and adjusting my apparel?"

This is a good question I often ponder. I may like a garment, for instance a top. It's just my style and color, but if I'm teaching a class where I'm constantly bending over to assist my students, I have to think about whether the top is going to have the tendency to gape too much. If so, then this top is not serving its purpose very well.

Oftentimes clothing is merely decorative, rather than practical. Recent trends have been wool shorts for winter, body cone dresses that are so tight you can't move, and the strappy, bustier tops. Though these items are less than modest, they are also simply impractical for an active young woman who should always be ready to serve others as the occasion arises. 

Impractical clothing can cause us to become self-centered. Thinking more about how I am going to cross a room in 6-inch stilettos rather than what my friend might be crying about is a sure way to discern I'm thinking more about me, myself, and I. Impractical clothing doesn't only have to be eccentric; it can simply be the choice of wearing a fitted pencil skirt on a hike. It's very important to gauge the outfit's practicality to an occasion -- be it shopping in Walmart or attending a wedding.

But does practical clothing have to be ugly or dull? 

Absolutely not!

Clothing (as I hope you've seen on Silk and Purple) can be both! As an art teacher, I am constantly surrounded by loving little hands covered with paint, glue, graphite, charcoal, and ink. But does this mean I should only wear tee shirts and an old pair of jeans to class? Nope. It means I choose comfy, affordable, yet becoming clothing that I won't cry over when red paint inevitably gets on my blouse, but still allows me to look like the teacher, not the student.

Fiddling, adjusting, pulling, and pinning a garment might mean you simply are not wearing a great fit.  Body type is a big factor as well -- what one girl may be able to wear doesn't mean it's best for all girls.

So keep these thoughts in mind as you dress next time and fuse the practical with the pretty for a wonderful balance.

Personal Style

More personal style inspirations! So many different types of young ladies -- which are you most like?

Find more on personal style here!