They were everything I hoped they’d be and more.

See? They even make babies happy. (Not my child, btw.)

These lovelies are currently on sale for $50 (!!!), but there’s only a large left. If you’re tall (5’8 or above) and wear a size 8 or above, the large will work for you. I got a medium, but would totally sport the large for a baggier look. FYI: Oversized clothing is coming in hot for fall.

Check out some other gems from South Moon:

Tolani chevron print pants ($174) / Ark & Co. Hawaiian print pants ($69) / Flying Tomato tropical tribal print pants ($50) / Flying Tomato neon tribal pants ($64)

Palazzos are perfect with crop tops (this Alternative piece is money), simple tanks (even tuck in and belt like this), or form-fitting tees. Then in the fall, you can transition them with chambray! Depending on the length of the pant, you can do flats OR platforms/wedges. And the best part: They’re loose and airy (read: less risk for a swamp ass situation).

So grow get a pair.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post Printed Palazzo Pants [2022 Summer Obsession] appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

Sorry that was harsh, but those a-holes deserve it.

We all know TIGHTS are not pants (which your mama should have learned ya’ by age 6), but leggings are a beautiful thing–they’re comfortable, versatile, HAVE AN ELASTIC WAISTBAND but are still stylish (um, hello?), and can be super flattering (when you find the right ones).

This season, my official uniform has been leggings, silky blouse (a longer/tunic cut if my ass is feeling fat), fur vest, and Frye boots.

Now I’m not suggesting you wear Lululemon pants on a first date (I mean, you COULD…), because there are different levels of leggings these days from “workout only” to “lifestyle/everyday” and many in the gray area, which I’m going to address.

The most important thing is that they make your butt look lifted, legs skinny, and camel toe nonexistent. Below are my top four leggings-for-no-cameltoe favorites with rankings from 1-5 (5 being the best) in the “Work Out” and “Go Out” categories. Read on!

1. MPG

It was immediate obsession when I tried on the MPG Avert Legging ($54-$70) at DEKA Atlanta. Super slimming, muffin top minimizing, AND they are extra long with multiple seams at the bottom, so you can actually cut them to your desired length or keep ’em long to go over your heels. I’ve been wearing them every time I travel, and like, I want to buy ten pairs in case they ever get discontinued.

Work Out Rating: 5. Great for running, cycling, barre, etc. because they stay up and move well. Plus, they keep your legs warm in cold weather and moisture wick in warmer temps.
Go Out Rating: 4. You can totally rock these at happy hour; the only drawback being a small logo on the left leg revealing that they’re fitness gear. BUT…high enough boots will cover it up #ForTheWin (my Fryes do).

2. Bia Brazil

First things first–these pants are one-size (WTF). I tried on the crop legging at DEKA knowing I would barely be able to stuff myself into them, and when they were halfway up my thighs and I was breathing heavy, I gave up and threw them out of the dressing room politely handed them to a sales associate yelling, “THESE ARE BABY PANTS!” But somehow, I fit in the full-length leggings (must have been a factory flaw on that pair) and absolutely love them.

These gems are designed to make your butt look like a Brazilian bikini model (ish), and the wide waistband sucks in the stomach. I have dark gray ones with faux pockets for extra “everyday” appeal (and booty flattering). They do come in crazy prints and colors, but I’m sticking with dark neutrals as my personal goal with leggings is minimizing my bottom half, not enhancing it with a skintight solar system.

Work Out Rating: 4. A lot of women (and fitness instructors) swear by these and I do think they’re awesome, but the one-size aspect brings them down a notch in my book (but maybe I’m still bitter about the aforementioned dressing room incident).
Go Out Rating: 4.5. They’re made to wear everywhere, but again, there’s a small sporty logo at the waistband to cover if you’re trying to pass them off as fancy pants.

If you’re in Atlanta, pick up Bia Brazil at DEKA because, well….

Can someone please get that middle mannequin a sandwich?

3. Lysse

Does everyone know about these?!

I actually saw my mom sporting a pair over Thanksgiving and was like, “Um excuse me, what are those?” She enlightened me about this incredible brand of high-end, super slimming (and REVOLUTIONARY tummy controlling) leggings that come in a ton of styles and fabrics. I love the denim ($68) and am lusting for the Ponte Equestrian ($84) and a comfy cotton pair. Also, they come in sizes up to 3X (ahem, did you hear that, Bia Brazil?).

Work Out Rating: 1. Meh. You could certainly Prancercise in the cotton ones, but these lovelies are designed for sweat-free style.
Go Out Rating: 5. Duh.

4. Elisabetta Rogiani

So, the tagline for this brand is “couture fitness” (gag) and some of the clothing is ridiculous and impractical, BUT…the quality and flatter factor are major. The first time I tried on Elisabetta yoga pants in Atlanta Activewear, I was like, “Wait…is that MY ass?” All the leggings are superb–it’s just a matter of preferring a roll-down or sport waistband (if you’re shorter, stay away from the roll-down) and an ankle gather or not ($87-$98).

I also dig the stirrup pant because it reminds me of my early ’90s childhood (even if the model looks like a stripper on break). Yes, these pants are pricey, but they’re going to last a very long time, and as I mentioned, they flatter like whoa.

Work Out Rating: 5. They’re made for fitness. COUTURE fitness, that is.
Go Out Rating: 4.5. Almost perfection, but they could use a tad more sheen to get you to full-on fancy pants territory. But still, wear them out with boots/heels/whatever and feel free to let the label show (after all, it’s COUTURE).

Disclaimer: I’m not a Lululemon gal (maybe it’s their fat mirrors), but in case it is your jam (and you like fat mirrors), I did consult our friend and style expert Lillian on the best Lulu leggings and she recommended the Skinny Will (it has pockets!) and Wunder Under (not to be confused with Thunder From Down Under).

So say no to camel toe, get your gams into some badass leggings, and if someone says they aren’t pants, you send them my way.

LYLAS,
Ashley

Do you have leggings you love that I didn’t mention? Let me know with a comment!

Two words strike fear into the hearts (and crotches) of women everywhere: Camel. Toe.

It can creep up (literally) when you least expect it, even when you think you’ve stuffed yourself into a pair of leggings that has your lady business in mind. If you exercise, you probably own a pair of capri tights—the standard, flattering workout pant for all females. So I took it upon myself to do extensive research (read: shop) to find the best and worst out there when it comes to the dreaded camel toe AND also address another two-word concern–muffin top. My rating system is from 1 to 5 with the following descriptors:

1: Worst camel toe ever. Like, a camel literally crept into your pants and stuck its toe between your legs.

5: No camel toe here. You can run, Fly, cross your legs, do yoga, rub up on a dude, whatever without the slightest hint of a hoof.

Now let’s get into these pants…

The Pant: Lululemon Run: In the Sun Crop, $88 (and pretty much all Lulu pants for that matter)
Rating: 5. Of course it is. Lululemon’s ad campaign is “Say No to Camel Toe” and they reign supreme when it comes to fitness gear.
Perks: Where to begin? Super lightweight “Luxtreme” material keeps you and your lady business cool, they’re chafe resistant, the wide waistband minimizes muffin top, discreet pockets can hold a key and/or iPod, etc.. Oh, and Lulu pants come in true sizes (2-10) for an even more perfect fit. They would.
Bummer: They’re $88. When it comes to performance workout gear, you get what you pay for.
Where to find: Online and at Lululemon stores (in Atlanta, at Shops Around Lenox).

The Pant: MPG Simha Capri, $54-$58
Rating: 5. I freaking love this pant. I have yet to see camel creep in.
Perks: The thick, high-rise waistband with the dip in the front literally takes away your muffin top. As in, you’ll wonder where it went (but you won’t miss it). This pant feels like a second skin and is moisture-wicking and quick-drying.
Bummer: It’s not as lightweight as the Lulu pant, but that also means it can carry over into the cooler seasons.
Where to Find: Online and in Atlanta, at Atlanta Activewear.

The Pant: Adidas by Stella McCartney Run 3/4 Tight, $90
Rating: 4. If you’re so skinny that you never have to worry about muffin top (bitch), you can wear these lower with no camel toe. But if you need to ride your pants up a bit higher like the rest of us, a little bit of C.T. can sneak up occasionally.
Perks: They are ultra lightweight and make your legs look so thin, it will be worth a little bit of crotch crease. And like, they’re Stella McCartney. I rock them all over town with no shame.
Bummer: Outside of NYC, the line can be hard to find and is pricier.
Where to Find: Online and in Atlanta, at DEKA. Try some discount sites to land them on sale.

The Pant: Under Armour Escape Fitted Capri, $44.99
Rating: 3. I’m usually a fan of Under Armour and these pants are okay. Every so often, a bit of camel can surface, but for the most part, you’ll get a comfortable, non-awkward wear out of them.
Perks: The ruching and wide waistband is super slimming/muffin minimizing and UA’s fancy “Moisture Transport System” keeps you cool and dry. (Also, I’m LOVING UA’s What’s Beautiful campaign right now.)
Bummer: Since they’re a cheaper  material, they won’t feel like a second skin and will lose their elasticity quicker.
Where to Find: Online and where Under Armour is sold.

The Pant: C9 by Champion Knee Tights, $34.99
Rating: 3. You’re going to get some toe, but these pants are still totally wearable. Let it be known that I ran my first half-marathon in Champion pants from Target before my obsession with fancy “performance gear” began and it was all good.
Perks: These pants are cheap and available at Target (always a plus). The wide waistband minimizes muffin top and they’re comfy.
Bummer: Again, cheaper material = no orgasmic, second-skin feeling you get when you pull on a pricier pair. And you know you’re not leaving Target without spending $65 more on stuff you may or may  not need.
Where to Find: Target stores and online.

The Pant: Nike Tech Women’s Running Capris, $58
Rating: 2. Oh, Nike. I am on my eighth pair (seriously) of your Air Zoom Structures and will never wear another running shoe, but your pants need WORK, girl. I want to love you, but I just can’t.
Perks: The Dri-FIT material does keep you dry. Hence the name.
Bummer: The thinner waistband (with drawstring, ugh) induces muffin top and you may as well have a full camel foot inside your pants. Also, the image of the pants on a gray background is really screwing up the aesthetic of this blog entry.
Where to Find: You sure you want to?

I hope this helps you fine ladies on the search for your dream tights, but keep one thing in mind while shopping: Per the pants experts at Atlanta Activewear, it’s the fit (not your hoo-ha) that determines whether a hoof makes an appearance. Don’t assume you’re going to be the same size every time (I always bring two sizes into the fitting room with me).

Let me know with a comment or a tweet if you have another top pick or complete disaster when it comes to camel toe and muffin top!

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post The Best Leggings for No Camel Toe appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

1. Exfoliate. Silky smoothness and exfoliation go hand in hand limb in limb. You need to slough off the deadness (no one has ever said, “Damn, her flaky skin really turned me on”), and if you’re using any sort of tanning product (we’ll get to that), it primes your bod for primo bronzing. I swear by the peach sugar scrub exclusive to Sweet Peach Wax & Sugaring Studio, but if you’re not in Atlanta, try Fresh’s Brown Sugar Body Polish ($38) with a to-die-for scent, or any grainy sugar scrub at your local drugstore. OR get all modern-day Martha Stewart and make your own with this easy recipe!

2. Tanning. I can take my legs from wintertime pale to beachy bronze in 10 minutes flat without using a potentially disastrous self-tanner (swear). I evenly apply one coat of L’oreal’s Sublime Glow moisturizer ($10), let it dry (if I’m in a rush, I’ll take a blowdryer to the area), apply a second coat, and voila!  You can try this with any of those gradual bronzing moisturizers; I just prefer L’oreal. It does have a scent that’s not my favorite, so I don’t rub this all over my body, but my legs are far enough away from my (and other people’s) nostrils that it’s fine. Also, after you shower once, the scent is gone, but you still have the color. Wham, tan, thank you, gams. Note: If you want to use real-deal self-tanner, click here for the best products and tips.

3. Moisture/shine. If you’re skipping the above step because you already have a perfect tan (bitch), you still want your legs to have a glowing sheen, but not look like a stripper or fitness competition contestant. I recommend mixing coconut oil (or even baby oil) with your regular body lotion (more on that here); use about one part oil for two parts lotion, but you can do half and half if you have drier skin like me. If you’ve done step 2 with the gradual tanner, your legs are already moisturized, so just do a very light layer of oil on your legs from the mid-thigh down (keep it away from your butt/upper thigh or you may run into a swampy situation).

4. Nude heels. I remember reading my friend Lauren’s blog post years ago about how nude heels elongate your legs and running out to buy a pair immediately even though my legs are already kinda’ freakishly long (read: I looked extra awkward in middle school). Now when it comes to footwear, I want to be nude all the time. I die for my Cole Haan Chelsea pumps (pictured; $298) and am probably about to pull the trigger on the other pair pictured, the Cole Haan Paley High Sandal, ($228) even though they will make me 6’3″ and take away from my happy hour fund.

Follow these steps (now you have an excuse to shoe shop!) and you’ll be hearing “nice stems” on the reg.

LYLAS,
Ashley

The post Show Some Leg! 4 Steps for the Sexiest Stems appeared first on Witty + Pretty.

Which, as you ladies know, means two things: boob sweat and swamp ass.

I don’t consider myself an excessively sweaty person, but when it’s 90+ degrees and you’re tailgating before a baseball game, sitting on a patio, or day-drinking at a festival, you are a prime candidate for a damp situation under your bosom and/or booty.

Even in a lightweight dress, you’re hesitant to get up during happy hour on a patio because of your rear view. Or is that just me because I sit and drink margaritas for four hours? Anyway…

Here are some of my tips and tricks for minimizing moisture.

CLOTHING

I live for wife beaters, excuse me, ribbed tanks in the summer, but prominent perspiration often comes with the territory.

So for our Braves tailgate on Friday, I wore my absolute fave shirt of the season so far–a light, billowy tank from Urban Outfitters ($40) that’s shorter in the front (also super cute with jeans and heels for a night out).

Clearly I’m saying, “See? No boob sweat here!”

Urban has lots of tanks in this airy style, and I’m also loving Alternative Apparel’s watercolor Luzon tank and striped pocket Zion tank, both super chic, lightweight, and a tad shorter in the front.

Voila! You’re foxy, stylish, and most importantly, won’t be trickling under your ta-tas.

LOTION

I had to learn this the hard way. I moisturize daily (a must for keeping a tan), but when you mix lotion and warm temps, you have a slick, sweaty mess on your hands. So I recommend only slathering your arms, chest, and below-the-knees if you’re going out in public in the heat. You can lube up the rest when you get home/before bed or on days when you’re laying low. If nothing else, just keep the moisturizer away from your booty and back of your thighs before you head out or your friends may start calling you “Swamp Thing” (if they haven’t already).

UNDERWEAR

Unless you have an aversion to bras and panties (which is totally fine by me), you may as well invest in a few pieces for those unavoidable sizzling days.

Amoena Mia is the world’s first lingerie line with temperature equalizing technology for your comfort to help you finally prevent swamp ass.

In other words: the anti boob sweat bra. I’m going to be honest with you guys: I haven’t worn one. But per my research, they are revolutionary and truly work. So I’m just going to have to get one, put on two fleeces, and run around town in the middle of the July to test it. Stay tuned.

I AM, however, a first-hand believer in Under Armour’s NEW heatgear underwear with moisture wicking. These hipsters are so comfy and you gotta’ love that sexy, boyish waistband.

They must have used my body double for that ad. Weird.

The boy shorts provide even more coverage (read: less swamp), and are perfect to wear under a dress. Plus, they combat chafing (just in case that’s a concern).

If you can prevent some perspiration with a few small changes to your wardrobe and beauty routine, summer will be a whole lot easier. I mean, how can you flirt with a cute guy/try to seduce your man knowing sweat is dripping down your back?

You’re too cool for swamp ass and boob sweat. (At least, let’s hope so.)

The post How to Prevent Swamp Ass [and Boob Sweat!] appeared first on Witty + Pretty.