The roomy funnel neck topper is trending at the moment, and it’s one way to refresh your jacket capsule. Many have exuberant long sleeves so there’s a lot of movement in the silhouette. The idea is to wear a funnel neck jacket over anything. Allow the proportions of the outfit to take you on an interesting adventure, and enjoy the ride. 

Importantly, the funnel neck detail can be worn down so that it lies flat against the shoulder neck points. That way you can choose to sport it high to cover your neck, or down to give your neck some space. Wear a funnel neck jacket open or closed.

Onto some outfit inspiration. Choose any colour palette if these are not to your taste. Be inspired by the proportions of the outfit rather than the palette.

1. Columned

A pair of black wide and pleated trousers is paired with a tucked rich earthy cinnamon top. A black funnel neck jacket is worn over the top, and open to create a column of black and showcase the contrast colour of the top. The column of black tempers the volume of the items. Dressy black boots match the black in the outfit, and booked the model’s hair. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

2. Skirted

A satin and lace patterned asymmetrical skirt is combined with a tucked black mesh top. A big black funnel neck jacket tops the combination and is worn open. Tall dressy black patent boots add shine and glam. Sheer black hoisery looks pretty too. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

3. Tiered

A pair of cropped black barrel jeans is combined with a top that we cannot see, and stompy black lace-up boots. A tiered and asymmetrical grape funnel jacket is zipped up and worn over the top. The black trim on the jacket matches the black bottoms. Blue, grey, or cream jeans would work well too. So would cream boots to match the model’s hair. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

4. Knitted

There are soft and cosy knitted funnel neck jackets if woven versions aren’t for you. Here, a melange seafoam sweater is combined with a pair of ecru corduroy wide cropped pants. Mismatched black belt and olive boots are an element of surprise. A knitted seafoam funnel neck jacket with subtle grey striped sleeves tops the lot. It’s buttoned through up top to showcase the high neckline. Add jewellery, bag, watch and eyewear as desired.

Today we’re choosing between your favourite types of non-neutrals. Pastels have a lot of white in them. They are light, soft, muted, and have low visual intensity. They can feel delicate, pretty, and romantic. Mid-tones sit in the middle of the light-to-dark colour spectrum. They aren’t very pale and they aren’t very dark. They can be muted or vivid, and visually versatile, calming, interesting and balanced. Brights are high-saturation colours that are vivid and intense. They are visually strong, impactful, playful and energetic. Darks are rich and deep. They can be grounding, romantic, serious, elegant and dramatic.

I wear pastels like light pink and light blue. I have eyewear in both, which I love and wear daily. I also love light blue denim. I don’t wear many mid-tones or dark colours. I wear sour brights, and have a very large assortment of them across all wardrobe items. When it comes to non-neutrals, I bat for Team Brights. I feel calm, happy, honest, and energized when I wear citron, lime, chartreuse, shocking pink, tomato red, Dutch orange, and bright turquoise. I remix different brights in one outfit and find them very versatile. They work well with my core neutrals, which are all sorts of whites, tans, navy, and toffee.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Pastels, Mid-Tones, Brights, or Darks? Tell us why, and no batting for more than one team. If you can’t pick a side, you’re Team Bench. I’m serving Asian eggplant in peanut sauce, sticky white rice, pickled Perison cucumbers, and kale salad. I’ve run out of time, so please bring dessert.

I love to browse and shop in department stores. A couple of weeks ago, I was in Scottsdale, Arizona for vacation, and visited a department store called Dillard’s for the first time. In short, I was blown away by its fabness, and left wishing we had one in Seattle. I later learned that this was the largest and fanciest Dillard’s store in the US. Their flagship. 

I was in the company of fantastic friends who are very familiar with Dillard’s. They patiently took me to the footwear, handbag and clothing areas, where we stayed for hours. They rate it as the best department store in the US, and I understand why. The assortment is vast, varied, and value-driven. The prices are much more affordable than Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus. The merchandise is different and diverse, and there are discounts available too. One of my friends describes Dillard’s as Macy’s back in its heyday.

I was like a kid in a candy store, and I gobbled it all up. I saw familiar brands and items I had yet to see in person. There were new-to-me brands that are now on my radar. I saw favourite brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, which was reassuring. Dillard’s house brands looked very promising. There was a huge petites and plus size area. And the endless racks of amazing dresses and skirts that you can simply take to the dressing room and try on was very appealing.

The handbag section launched me into orbit. It was huge, budget-friendly, oozing with high quality and pizazz, and some discounts too. So much gorgeousness, and my friends scored big time. I could have bought two on the spot, but didn’t. That said, I have the cream darling on the right in my wishlist.

As I was browsing the offerings, I could see items that my diverse set of clientele and friends would like. I could take any of them to this Dillard’s store, and we’d find come back with wardrobe winners. I cannot say the same about Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, as much as I adore those department stores too. It really opened my eyes, and I’m grateful for the experience. The Dillard’s website and their search function does not do the offerings justice. It’s not as extensive as the in-store assortment either. That’s the reason I wasn’t as impressed with Dillard’s from afar. Now that I’ve spent time in their top store, I’m much, much more impressed.

The experience reminded me how important it is to visit stores in-person, when we can. I can get bogged down ordering more and more items online, when we have excellent malls in Seattle. The Dillard’s mall in Scottsdale – Fashion Square – was absolutely buzzing in the middle of February. I left feeling exhilarated and bouncing off the walls. I’ve promised myself to do more in-store shopping. I love to shop online, yet brick ’n mortar shopping has my heart. Especially when you’re joined by fab friends and loved ones.

Keep Dillard’s on your radar as a go-to shopping destination because of their more affordable and diverse assortment. Get to a brick ’n mortar store if you can, although some stores are better than others. I am checking out Dillard’s very frequently these days, although I have to order online.

Feel free to share your thoughts on Dillard’s in the comments section.

These T-shirts have been winners on clients and friends. The people that liked the same styles differed in size and height, which makes me more impressed with the fit of these tees. They worked across a range of body types, sizes, and from petites to talls. Items have been laundered and so far, no complaints. 

Remarkably, what I loved most about all these tees is how neat and tidy the necklines and sleeves are. To my eye, that makes them look polished, and are therefore more versatile. You can wear them casually with anything, or dress them up with business casual items. They layer beautifully under dressy and casual jackets, and cardigans.

The COS Clean Cut T-Shirt comes in short and long sleeves. Might run narrow, so maybe size up. The fabric is thicker and has heft. It drapes well and it not overly short. It looks fantastic worn out over all sorts of pants, jeans, shorts and skirts. The Nordstrom Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt is especially good if you want a slightly longer tee that you can tuck, or semi-tuck. The subtle biscuit stripe is lovely. Lightweight but not sheer. The white is a little sheer, though. It has substance, and feels good on the body.

The Polo Ralph Lauren Cotton Slim Fit Long Sleeve Tee has a particularly nice broad bound neckline that looks as relaxed as it does refined. It’s very soft, cosy, and unfortunately a bit pricey. The Ralph Lauren Louben Stretch Cotton Long Sleeve Tee is cheaper, and has lots of colours. It comes in plus sizes, and is selling like hot cakes. It has a bit of stretch and feels fantastic against the skin. It’s thicker, and feels like you’re wearing a good quality tee that won’t stretch out, shrink, or disintegrate after a few wears and washes. Might run a little narrow, so size up. It’s quite long, and the petites are sold out.

I bought the Ralph Lauren Louben Stretch Cotton Long Sleeve Tee in an orange and cream stripe to wear under a few dressy jackets. I tuck it into high rises, and semi-tuck it into lower rises. I also leave it untucked. It looks great, and pattern mixes well too.