I’m always on the hunt for versatile, high-quality pieces to add to my travel wardrobe, and I’ve recently discovered a new favorite in the Everyday Twist Top from Encircled.
It’s a simple, elegant design with one small but ingenious addition that allows me to create an assortment of different styles effortlessly, so I can transition from one activity to the next with just as much ease.
But before we dive into the details of this beautiful top that can be worn at least six different ways (that I’ve discovered so far, anyway), I want to take a moment to sing the praises of the company responsible for gifting the Everyday Twist Top to the world: Encircled.
It won’t be the first time I’ve shared my love for Encircled and it won’t be the last.
But that’s what happens when a company goes the extra mile to make products that are not only practical but stylish and ethical to boot.
People can’t help but talk, and the good word spreads like wildfire.
So who is Encircled, anyway?
I’m glad you asked.
Encircled is a Canadian fashion brand built on the idea that less really is more. We don’t need to fill our closets with mountains of cheaply made clothes, but rather a few quality pieces that can play many roles.
When we own less, we can do more, travel lighter, create less waste and spend our time more wisely.
Encircled believes in a mindful approach to production, ensuring that sustainability is practiced every step of the way–from the fabrics they source to the shipping materials in which their clothes are packaged.
They believe in minimalist fashion and want to help travelers like you and me build capsule wardrobes that not only help us pack in record time, but keep us looking amazing no matter the occasion.
On top of all of this, Encircled believes in transparency. You’ll never have to wonder where your clothing comes from, and they’ll happily share information about their Canadian-based sewing studios at any time.
In short, this brand holds itself to the high ethical standard to which we should all aspire.
These are just a sampling of the many reasons I can’t help but support this fashion brand, and I invite you to learn more about their admirable ethics here.
Their Eco-Fabrics
Besides looking great, feeling wonderful against your skin, and draping beautifully over every type of body, the fabrics used by Encircled are high-quality and environmentally friendly.
They employ blends of modal, Tencel, and bamboo as their core fabrics.
These are resistant to wrinkling (which every traveler can appreciate) and resistant to shrinking, and they naturally protect against harmful UV rays.
Furthermore, the pieces I’ve owned for some time now have maintained their shape and fit and show no signs of pilling whatsoever.
These clothes are designed to last, my friends, and their classic, minimalist designs won’t be going out of style anytime soon.
The Genius of Two Tiny Snaps
You might be wondering how I was able to create the various styles shown at the top of this post, and the answer lies in the ingenious addition of two metal snaps at the bottom of the open flaps.
Not all of the styles employ these snaps, but they come in handy anytime you want to make the top a little shorter and less flowy.
Snap them together and put the newly-created loop behind your head. Twist it first or leave it untwisted–that part’s up to you! It’s really that simple, but this unassuming little feature is what puts the Everyday Twist Top in a league of its own.
1 Day, 3 Ways: How to Style the Everyday Twist Top
I wanted to show you just how versatile the Everyday Twist Top really is (and why every traveler should add it to their wardrobe) by wearing it three different ways on a weekday outing with my sweet mother.
When we’re traveling, we never know what kind of opportunities will present themselves–we may find ourselves having outdoor adventures one day and fancy brunches the next, and we’ll save ourselves enormous amounts of time, energy, and stress by packing pieces that can do it all.
The Everyday Twist Top is the perfect candidate for such a task. Allow me to demonstrate.
First, we decided to make the most of a gorgeous spring day by getting outside to soak up the sunshine in our hometown of Leavenworth, Washington.
Spring still hadn’t officially arrived yet, but it was warm enough in the early afternoon to forego a jacket, and my Everyday Twist Top (in Dark Heathered Grey) made the perfect light layer for our snowy walk.
I took the right snap in my left hand and the left in my right, crossing the fabric before connecting the snaps behind my head to create a short drapey style perfect for an active outdoor pursuit.
I paired it with black skinny jeans and a pair of waterproof boots from KEEN, and wore a white camisole underneath. To accessorize, I threw on a pair of shades that proved a perfect match to my blue boots and the cloudless blue sky.
We headed to a popular local spot called Blackbird Island (thankfully crowd-free now that Leavenworth’s Christmas season is behind is) and enjoyed some of our favorite views of the Wenatchee River and the Cascade Mountains.
As we meandered along the snow-covered trails, we encountered only a few other people and felt a world away from civilization even though we were just a few minutes from town.
Once our fingers started to protest the chilly air, we began the short walk back toward Front Street so we could enjoy a light lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.
Transforming my outfit into something a little less casual was as simple as unbuttoning the snaps of my Everyday Twist Top and throwing on a nice pair of grey flats.
I was also now carrying another accessory, my favorite little black purse from Kate Spade.
Faster than you can say abracadabra, my second look of the day was born. Letting the front of the top hang open, it flowed freely, giving my outfit a fun bohemian vibe.
It swished back and forth as we strolled through downtown Leavenworth past the adorable Bavarian-inspired storefronts, and my mom uttered the same phrase that leaves every tourist’s lips when they see Leavenworth for the first time:
Isn’t this just the cutest little town?
There’s no denying that Leavenworth has charm up the yang, and it’s always nice when we remember not to take it for granted.
It may be our home, but we can still get excited about it–especially when we have the streets all to ourselves on a sleepy weekday afternoon.
Just a few blocks from Blackbird Island was our lunch destination, a funky little restaurant offering a mix of Latin American-inspired dishes and cocktails.
South is a popular dinner spot and can be quite noisy when it’s packed, but for a lunch date, it’s the perfect place to enjoy good conversation with good people.
In an attempt to will the arrival of spring, I ordered my first glass of rosé of 2018.
For my meal, I couldn’t pass up the vegetarian tacos; my mom ordered a plate of fish tacos to take home and eat later, and we grabbed a plate of sweet potato enchiladas to take home to my sweetie.
Once we’d reached the bottom of our wine glasses, we decided to head across the street for one more at our favorite local winery’s tasting room.
By the time we made our move, the sun was beginning to set on little Leavenworth, which called for an even more sophisticated evening look.
This time, I turned the Everyday Twist Top around and tied it behind my back with nothing but a black bandeau top underneath, and added a vintage gold statement necklace to really glam things up.
A swipe of red lip color was the finishing touch on my third and final outfit of the day.
It was the perfect complement to the beautiful setting in which we were about to enjoy our wine.
Icicle Ridge Winery has been a favorite of ours for a long time, and not just because Hans has a long history of playing live music at their nearby mountain lodge.
We love their fruity wines and are lucky enough to call the owner a friend, and their beautiful tasting room in downtown Leavenworth is without a doubt the most gorgeous one in town.
White walls, wood accents, and a name written in lights makes this place a photographer’s dream, so even if wine isn’t your thing, you might want to pay them a visit the next time you’re passing through, if just to take it all in.
I made sure to pose with the white piano, too, not because I play, but because I was giving myself permission to feel fancy as hell.
By this point in the day, our conversation was really flowing. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend so much quality time with my mom while living in Washington; she really is one of my very best friends.
Oh, and to give credit where credit is due, she is becoming a damn fine photographer as well! Every photo of me in this post was taken by her–show her some love in the comments!
Overall, our day out in Leavenworth was a smashing success–I got to experience the versatility of the Everyday Twist Top while spending quality time with someone I love, in a place that’s pretty easy to love, too.
I’ll leave you with a few more of my favorite looks, in case you’re not already convinced that you need Encircled’s Everyday Twist Top in your travel wardrobe, stat.
More Ways to Wear the Everyday Twist Top
In the following photos, I’ve paired the Everday Twist Top with the Flipside Legging, another great piece from Encircled.
Tied in front
This one is super simple, no explanation required!
Over the head with faux pockets
Just connect the metal snaps and put the loop over your head! Use the resulting folds as faux pockets.
The Wrap
To create this look, I simply crossed the fabric in front of my body and tied it in a knot behind my back.
How would you style the Everyday Twist Top?
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Many thanks to Encircled for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed in this article are those of The Sweetest Way.