Cotton Style Files

A Beach Weekend

Emily Thompson — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:41:04 +0000

A Beach Weekend by cottonfashion featuring a halter swimwear

Are you heading out of town this weekend? We’re hoping to fit a little beach time in, and we can’t wait. Over on Polyvore, we created a quick board with some of our go-tos for a weekend at the beach: an adorable cotton crochet bikini and a bright green cover up; a cute beaded tank for a night out on the town; and skinny jeans and a striped top for a casual Saturday. And it all fits in a super stylish denim duffle. What are your picks for a weekend away? Do you pack light, or do you like to bring your whole wardrobe with you?

Get Hayden’s Style: Dressing Up a White Tee

Emily Thompson — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:38:49 +0000

Actress Hayden Panettiere, star of the tv show Nashville and the latest celebrity to be the face of The Fabric of Our Lives® campaign, has a personal style that’s all about relaxed glamour – and we absolutely adore it. Her style definitely comes across in the commercial, and also in her behind-the-scenes videos she filmed especially for us.

One of our favorite parts? That as much as she loves to get dressed up, she also feels right at home in a well-made cotton tee. We couldn’t agree more. A great cotton t-shirt is the perfect blank slate for any outfit; your options are endless. The white t-shirt goes everywhere you do, from work to the weekend and everywhere in between. One great way to dress up a white tee is with a suit jacket, shorts, and heels – perfect for a dressy brunch with the girls. How do you dress up your favorite cotton tee?

Jil Sander Cadet Blue Cotton Gabardine Blazer, $1,770, stylebop.com

Christian Louboutin Batignolles Patent-Leather Pumps, $625, net-a-porter.com

Michael Kors Tailored Stretch-Cotton Shorts, $495, net-a-porter.com

Rag & Bone pocket tee, $120, mytheresa.com

Happy Birthday, Blue Jeans!

Emily Thompson — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:47:36 +0000

Denim Fit Guide by cottonfashion featuring plus size low rise jeans

On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for the use of copper rivet fasteners on denim trousers — and thus the blue jean was officially born. One hundred and forty years later, the blue jean has evolved from a utilitarian work pant to a wardrobe favorite – thanks in part to the great variety of fits available today. And while consumers are always on the lookout for the next great thing in denim, they tend to agree on one thing: that their blue jeans be made of cotton.

“The majority of consumers (66%) told us that they were bothered that retailers and brands might be substituting synthetic fibers for cotton in their denim jeans,” says Kim Kitchings, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Program Metrics, Cotton Incorporated. “More than half (55%) of respondents actually said they would be willing to pay a slightly higher price to keep cotton in their denim jeans.” According to Lifestyle Monitor™ data, 96% of consumers prefer their jeans to be made of cotton or cotton blends. And the average U.S. consumer owns an average of seven pairs of blue jeans.

What’s next for those baby blues? Among the more futuristic possibilities for denim is digital printing, a dye-free process that works on the same principle as a paper printer. “You can duplicate the look of pristine indigo-colored jeans, or distressed color variations, whiskering, and other effects very realistically,” explains Mary Ankeny, Director of Dyeing and Finishing at Cotton Incorporated, of the process. “We’ve even used it to create 3-D jeans, where the creases and whiskers are visible using 3-D glasses.”

No one can say for sure what the next 140 years will hold for denim but, as Lifestyle Monitor™ data reveal, 86% of consumers agree that denim is definitely a part of their future.

Dressing a Plus-Size Figure: Tips for Finding Styles That Work

Emily Thompson — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:31:55 +0000

Thanks to top brands like ASOS and Topshop, you don’t have to be a sample size to find fabulous clothes. But sometimes it can be difficult to find dresses that flaunt and flatter your curves. Below are some plus-size dresses we found and loved, with a few tips on how to work it for your wardrobe.

What are your favorite tips for finding flattering clothes that fit?

Elegant Lace Dress, $99.95, coldwatercreek.com

Sheath dresses are universally flattering, and the lace detail provides added interest. The ribbon detail defines the waist, and because it’s slightly raised it will draw the eye upward. This is truly a #CottonShowstopper dress!

ASOS CURVE Skater Dress with Ballet Wrap, $42.43, asos.com

If you’re feeling self-conscious about your arms, this long-sleeved swingy skater dress might be perfect for you. The fit-and-flare style is easy and flattering, and because it’s cotton, it’s comfortable and will move and breathe with you. Plus, the v-neck wrap front shows off some skin without being revealing, all while drawing the eye up to your gorgeous face. It’s perfect for #CottonAroundTown!

Crinkle Cross-Front Dress, $59.99, eddiebauer.com

We can’t say enough good things about an empire waist – especially one with a self-tie, so it can fit you perfectly. This adorable printed dress hits at the knee, so it’s not too short and not too long. Plus it’s got a full cotton lining. We vote taking this little number out for a spin on a #CasualCotton Friday.

Joan Dress, $188, Pendleton-usa.com

Sheath Dress? Check. Princess seams? Check, check. The knee length look we love? Ok, we’re fans. The thing that puts this dress over the top is its graduated pattern. The floral print is darkest at the hem, getting lighter and brighter towards the top of the dress – and drawing your eye with it, too. #9to5Cotton? Don’t mind if we do.

Cute Cotton Flats

Emily Thompson — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:11:08 +0000

G.H. Bass Zoe, $59.99, 6pm.com

Collection Cece Liberty Floral Ballet Flats, $198, JCrew.com

Etro 10mm Floral Cotton and Swarovski Loafers, $546, Luisaviaroma.com

Polka Dot Loafer, $95, AmericanApparel.com

Splendid Women’s Cannes Flat, $59.97, Amazon.com

Stella McCartney cotton espadrilles, $278.23, farfetch.com

TOMS Classic Circle Slip-on, $53.95, Nordstrom.com

Charles Philip Tropez Cotton Flat, $155, modaoperandi.com

Summer is finally here – finally! – and with that means embracing light, breathable fabrics like cotton. We’ve already been turning to our embellished tees, but don’t forget your kicks. Cotton flats are super cute and ideal for the warmer months – a great alternative to synthetic fabrics, which can keep the heat in.

We found some adorable options for this summer, so roll those pant cuffs up and show these off! Loafers are in, and we found lots of fun options, from floral to studded and the ever-trendy stripes. Which one is your pick?

Explore Hayden’s Closet and Get the Looks for Less

Emily Thompson — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:55:46 +0000

We can’t be the only ones watching Hayden’s new commercial on repeat so we can ogle the fabulous clothes she wears, right? Some of her outfits are a little beyond our budget, but that hasn’t stopped us from dreaming big – or from scouring the Web to put together a fab closet of gorgeous cotton fashions inspired by Hayden’s own wardrobe. So if you’re also dreaming of getting Hayden’s look, look no further. Check out a couple of our favorites from Hayden’s Closet; click on the images to purchase.

And if you’ve been inspired by The Fabric of Our Lives® Campaign, upload your own cotton style to Instagram and include one of the 10 hash tags – whichever occasion it’s perfect for. You just might see your photo on TheFabricofOurLives.com!

#CottonShowstopper Thu Thu Tribal Embroidered Cotton Dress, $770, Brownsfashion.com

#CasualCotton Hand Crochet Knit Jumper, $69, Bodenusa.com

#DateNightCotton Keepsake the Label 'Day Dream' Print Fit & Flare Dress, $148, Nordstrom.com

#CozyCotton AE Lightweight Boyfriend Cardigan, $30, AmericanEagle.com

Fab Finds Under $50

Emily Thompson — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:40:43 +0000

Check out our set over on Polyvore, where we found four great dresses all well under $50. They’re so adorable and so trendy – and all cotton, of course!

We were so inspired by our dressy finds that we decided to put together a whole gallery of fab clothes, all under $50. Sometimes, the perfect way to kick off the weekend is with a little retail therapy! What’s your favorite pick?

DIY Cotton: Embellished Tees

Emily Thompson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:32:08 +0000

We here at Cotton Style Files are huge fans of a well-made embellished tee. They add a nice sparkle and a little bit of oomph to what might be an otherwise hum-drum outfit. And especially as the summer heats up, wearing a cotton tee with a little bedazzling is such an easy way to look sophisticated while still keeping cool.

But embellishments, whether sequins, ribbons, or appliques, can make designer tees quite expensive. So we scoured the web for some DIY techniques that yield equally impressive results, without breaking the bank. Which DIY will you try?

An embellished striped tank top: http://www.studs-and-pearls.com/2010/09/diy-embellished-striped-tank-top.html

Iron-on letters are easy and fun: http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2013/04/10/we-made-this-the-embellished-tee/

Embellishing a Tee with Natalie Chanin: http://jezebel.com/5911540/how-to-embellish-any-t+shirt-with-designer-natalie-chanin

No-sew appliques make for an easy DIY project http://www.ispydiy.com/2012/03/my-diy-embellished-tank.html

A corsage-style t-shirt with handmade flowers: http://thecraftingchicks.com/2010/07/would-you-like-some-flowers-with-your-t-shirt.html

What to Wear to a Wedding

Emily Thompson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:31:19 +0000

Has wedding season already begun for you? The next couple months are usually a whirlwind of weddings, bridal showers, bridal luncheons, and the like, which means it’s high time we figured out what we’re going to wear. From lacy little numbers to figure flattering sheath dresses, we found so many fab cotton options that we’re having trouble choosing! We love that they are each so versatile, regardless of the occasion. Whether it’s a garden wedding, or a barefoot-on-the-beach ceremony, or a dressy bridal shower, they’re all appropriate. Click on the images to purchase. Which ones do you love?

¬¬¬4.collective Print Cap Sleeve Cotton Sheath Dress, $315, Nordstrom.com

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Tile Print Cotton Poplin Tunic Dress, $343.74, my-wardrobe.com

Black Halo Jackie Cotton Lace Dress, $390, neimanmarcus.com

Collette by Collette Dinnigan Portobello cotton-lace dress, $410, Net-a-porter.com

Jil Sander cotton-blend dress, $544.98, TheOutnet.com

Max Mara 'Bingo' Floral Print Stretch Cotton Dress, $750, Nordstrom.com

Otto Printed Cotton Dress, $265, Reiss.com

Thakoon Addition Floral-print cotton-blend dress, $275.03, TheOutnet.com

Tangerine Dream

Emily Thompson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:05:35 +0000

Tangerine Dream by cottonfashion featuring mata traders

One of our favorite trending colors right now is tangerine. It’s bold, bright, and beautiful – and best of all, flatters many skin tones. It’s a quick way to add a healthy glow to your wardrobe, whether you’re sporting a gorgeous pleated skirt or just some fun accessories. From dip-dyed cotton shorts to a gorgeous printed dress, we love how brands and designers have incorporated this fab color into their line up. And best of all, it’s a color with staying power: pair that cotton sweater with skinny jeans and ankle booties come fall for a cool weather wardrobe win. How do you dream in tangerine?