Friday Favorites: Muscle Tanks & Not So Short Shorts

TGIF! The temps are rising around here which means outfits are getting smaller in efforts to stay cool. 

circa Summer 2017

Still love these denim shorts

This is an area of anxiety for me as shorts are a Summer staple and I struggle to be confident with my legs despite the rigorous exercising I've been doing for decades. I literally pray and coach myself in working to be grateful for their strength, speed and health.  They've carried me nearly 38 years without fail, even through a few half marathons, and while they'll never be strutting down a runway, they are a gift.

I'm a petite gal, but proportionately my legs are a bit bigger.  It's a challenge to find shorts that fit the waist and hips while having ample room in the leg.

Ta-Da! I've found some! I still have to take a deep breath before walking out of my door in them, but I have yet to have someone not be my friend because of a little cellulite and cankles.

Nothing goes better with shorts than a classic cotton tank! 

I'm a tank over tee gal because I feel I can move easier, stay a little cooler and they create balanced proportions since I tend to wear more coverage on my lower body. And I actually like my arms and shoulders.

Stylistically, the muscle tank is on trend, but it's also functional in that you won't have to worry about concealing your bra straps and the wider strong shoulder helps create an hourglass silhouette. 

Here are my favorite tanks & shorts:

These Shorts are high rise and have plenty of room in the leg.

Sizing: I typically go down in jeans to a 24 in this brand, but in shorts I stayed true to size at 25

These are much lower in price than designer options and are better fit and quality in my opinion!

This tank is super soft with delicate pleating at the shoulder.

I have it in 5 colors (8 available) I love it so much. I have both sizes xs & xs petite

Fantastic price!

tank sold out :(

These chino shorts are very soft, sit higher on the waist and have a slight stretch for comfort.

I have them in 4 colors and took my normal size 0.

Wore this color yesterday - Best part, price is right!

2 fit options & 8 colors I chose the standard/modern fit

My top - lots of colors.

I also have these denim shorts. Lots of room in the leg!

These longer high rise denim shorts have received great reviews.  I have them ordered but I did size up.

5 wash/finish options

I like these for a dressier option.

I have them ordered in my normal size.

Muscle Tank - 3 colors

Shoulder Pad Tee

Dress Beautifully in Muscle Tanks & Shorts

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Pure White

Do you have a Summer uniform? Mine looks a lot like this. White on white on white.  It's my most favorite shade (can you call it a color??) to wear. I love the crisp, clean brightness of white. It makes me feel so fresh ... and so clean clean - now you have that jam stuck in your head #sorry.

Warning: don't try to wear this with your toddler!

These jeans are amazing! I actually brought them home from the store's sale section for $9.99. How's that for a bargain?!! They're still available and while they might not be as cheap as lunch they're still at a fab price.  I love the higher waist to hold it all in (pet peeve - jeans that stretch and slide down UGH)

And the leg extends straight down from the hip which is the most flattering and most comfortable, in my opinion.  I love a pair of skinnies as much as the next gal, but a little breathing room feels so nice.

I'm a basic white tank over tee gal. I prefer sleeveless tops for movement and feel that they elongate my arms/body and I'll take all the elongating I can get... Even if it's just the perception in my head. I also tend to style my outfits with more coverage on my lower body than upper. It's just the proportions that make me most comfortable. A muscle/straight sleeveless tank is best as it conceals the undergarments completely (I find it utterly atrocious to have your undergarments exposed in any compacity). 

I knotted this tank and added a gold necklace to shine up this monochromatic ensemble.  I continued the palette down to my canvas espadrilles. 

Anther great way to wear white on white is to add a belt for a little break in the canvas.

Be brave and step out in an all white outfit ... carefully!

Tank | Jeans | Espadrilles & Here | Necklace | Sunglasses | Hair Cream |

Dress Beautifully in All White

XOXO Sarah- Louise

Athleisure

Athleisure.  What does that mean anyways? Sounds like some word made up for marketing purposes.  Well it is; sorta.

According to wikipedia it 'is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as during work, casual or social occasions.'

spot on.

Now, I'm sticking to my strong belief that gym clothes are for exercise only and not appropriate elsewhere. But I am softening a bit and incorporating some casual and relaxed pieces into my weekend wear.

Gym clothes are NOT everyday clothes! They are meant for exercising, by all means do that daily.  I believe it all began when gals started wearing yoga pants as pants because they were stretchy. It's lazy, sloppy and unflattering! Stop reading if you must but leggings of any sort are NOT pants.
Only underneath a tunic/shorter dress with your derriere concealed is it acceptable.
Honestly, it's more effort to squeeze into those tights than it is to step into a pair of pants.

Think of it as wearing an evening gown to the grocery store - situationally inappropriate!

Off my soap box and onto what is appropriate for a casual and comfortable dressing...

These track pants with their soft, flat-front elastic waist and tailored leg incorporates elements of comfort with the style of a dress pant.  (wearing them as such in a later post!)

A semifitted tee/tank in a solid color or with a cute quote that shows your off your personality = Yes.  An oversized t-shirt you got for free at some promo event = Fail.

Add a light weight sneaker, denim jacket and cross body or tote bag and you're ready to go.

More options: a duster cardigan, field or bomber jacket, quilted vest, slip on sneaker, sandal and scarf

Please don't opt for: fleece jacket, heavy running sneaker, tight tank exposing undergarments and cleavage, or flip flops

It's all about the pant when it comes to athleisure wear.  You're basically swapping out your jeans or if you're guilty of wearing leggings/yoga tights (repent now) for a loose but tailored lightweight pull-on pant.

I'm obsessed with this pair! They literally look like dress pants. Flat front so no bunching or added volume around the hips, skimming yet roomy leg and ankle length with no elastic hem (ew).
These are perfect for ALL - even those gals that are expecting or post pregnancy.  It's a hard time for dressing but these make it easy.

Go get yourself a pair of these pants - I wear them at least once a week #truestory.  They define go-to.

Track Pants || Tank || Denim Jacket || Sneakers || Crossbody bag || 

Dress Beautifully in Athleisure Wear

XOXO Sarah Louise