Wear your wrap-around as an asymmetrical top

If you've had enough of halter and tube tops, one way to create a fresh look is to wear an asymmetrical top. The main reason why I love reversible multi-layer wrap-around skirts is that they give me more to work with without the added cost of a new blouse. If you have one, here is a step-by-step guide to help you re-create the asymmetrical top that I'm wearing in this picture:

1. If you have a reversible wrap-around, decide which side you'd like to wear as an asymmetrical top. Once you've made up your mind, hold the ends of the wrap-around skirt and spread it out in front of you. Your preferred side should be on the outside (I'm assuming that you'd be facing the mirror, so that should be the side you're seeing in your reflection).

2. Place the strap over one shoulder (whether you want it over your left or right shoulder is up to you), making sure that one end of the skirt covers your front well. Remember that you can only look good

when you're comfortable in and confident about what you're wearing--meaning, you're not worried about any embarrassing peek-a-boo moments.

3. Hold that end of the wrap-around in place with one hand. If it's your first time using a wrap-around, it may be difficult to continue the task with just one hand free, so I suggest that you use tape to hold the fabric snug across your chest temporarily. If you're wearing a tube or bandeau underneath, you may use a safety pin instead.

4. With one end of the wrap-around skirt secure across your chest, wind the other end under your arm, behind you, and out under your other arm.

5. Pull it snug around your body and across your chest. You are simply wrapping the skirt around your body in the same way those red stripes go around the candy cane. Make sure that when both ends of the skirt meet, one end goes UNDER the one that's over your shoulder and chest. If you want an empire-cut asymmetrical top, wrap it OVER the cloth covering your front, and pull it tight just under your breasts.

6. Most wrap-around skirts (waistline) can go around an average-sized body only twice, which is good, because your top could look bulky otherwise. Once the skirt is wrapped around you snugly--not too tight that you have difficulty breathing, but not too loose that the top might "unwind" and come apart--tie the ends of the strap together. The straps should meet behind you. You can tie the straps into a ribbon or twist them together into a single strap and secure it with a safety pin. 

TIPS:

Wrap-arounds are usually designed to have slits on the waistband. These are meant for straps to go into, so you can secure the wrap well and also create different styles. 

Buy or make reversible multi-layer wrap-around skirts at 2 or 3 different lengths (mini, medium, and ankle-length). Why? Medium-length skirts are good to wear as wrap-around tops or above-the-knee dresses, while ankle-length skirts can be worn as long dresses.

ways to wear a wrap-around

I love summer and sunny days! For one thing, they paint me a picture of white sand, turquoise waters, reggae music, and The Beach Boys. Sunny days are made for donning bikinis, board shorts, and wrap-arounds.

Duh, a wrap-around?

A wrap-around is a piece of garment, usually a skirt, that you can wrap around yourself in various ways to create a different outfit each time. Typically, a wrap-around skirt looks like an apron which overlaps in front when worn. It is also called a kilt-skirt by some, because a type of wrap-around resembles the kilt traditionally worn by men in the Scottish Highlands. Nowadays, wrap-arounds come in a variety of designs and fabric.

Make the most with reversible wrap-arounds

The most practical choice would have to be the reversible variety, as they allow you more versatility. One side of the wrap-around may be made from plain fabric, such as silk, and when you turn it over, the other side may be printed, such as paisley or plaid. When you know how to tie, twist, and knot it in several ways around your body, who knows just how many looks you can create? With just one fashion item that you can wear as a wrap-around top , skirt, or dress, you can still be in control of your budget, which is really important especially in these hard times. What's more, you won't have to worry about having someone point an accusing finger at you and shouting, "You are an outfit repeater!" (Gee, I do feel sorry for Lizzie Mcguire).

Get your creative juices flowing

If you're the creative type (or simply one of the gene-pool lottery winners who can wear their bed sheet and still come out looking fabulousa), lucky you! If not, don't be discouraged. Here are a few styles that can help you get started:

You can actually come up with more designs using just one fashion item. All you need is a reversible wrap-around skirt. I got mine as a present from a friend who went on a trip to Mexico (although I believe the fabric came from India), but you can actually have one made for you by a seamstress. When laid out, this looks like two layered aprons, with one layer smaller than the other. It also has strategically placed slits on the band through which you can slip one or both ends of the straps to make certain designs.

And that's a wrap.

My wrap-around is made by Kariza, and although I would have wanted to say that I came up with these myself, I must admit that the skirt came with an instruction DVD. Still, you can make a few tweaks here and there and voila! You can end up creating your own wrap-around style that's not on the DVD.

So whether it's spring or summer where you're at--or maybe where you're headed for a tropical holiday--you can start practicing the art of wrapping around. For traveling light, a wrap-around would be a good thing to pack in your suitcase. Live. Love. Laugh. Create! And do come back to give me feedback... even if it reads like "How I Spent My Summer Break" back in grade school. :)