As part of this season’s 90’s fashion revival, utilitarian cargo pocket pants are trending for Spring. I have mixed feelings about cargo pocket pants so I vote both yay and nay. Some cargo pocket pant styles look very unflattering to my eye. Yet I adore the look of others.

I like knee length cargo pocket pants best, particularly in silk blends and worn with heels as shown in the pictures above. I also like this style in casual fabrications worn with flats, which is a look we discussed last season. So for me, cargo pocket pants are a yay when they’re short and I like them even more with a dressy touch. Ironic, since they’re supposed to be casual bottoms.

I don’t like the look of long cargo pocket pants worn casually, like those below, nearly as much. It’s especially unflattering when you carry a little extra in the hip and thigh area. Pear shaped body types stay away!

Needless to say, the cropped lengths that end just above the ankle and below the calf with wide hems that are worn with flats give me heart failure. Extra long and slim legs relative to the rest of the body are prerequisites for the silhouette. So if you’re a tall-ish inverted triangle, you’ve definitely got a head start on making this look work.

I wore long khaki cargo pocket pants 15 years ago along with the rest of the world. They didn’t feel right then and they don’t feel right now. But I’m still after a smarter silk pair in clamdigger length so I might give the top styles a go. What’s your perspective on cargo pocket pants?  Yes, no, or maybe?

I don’t need (or want) to sport every fashion trend every season. But I have a trendy fashion persona and I do like to sport the trends that tickle my fancy, especially if they’re a little more daring and controversial. Wearing the same wash of denim both on top and on the bottom is an example of one of these trends. I was excited to give it a bash – my way.

When I first started seeing this trend pop up on Spring Fashion Week catwalks last September, I didn’t like it at all. But after seeing more and more creative ensemble combinations interpreting the trend, my eyes started to adjust. I began to appreciate how these outfits can work when the right amount of textural interest is added back into the look.

For this particular outfit I first added in a white camisole to break up the expanse of denim. I then added knee-high boots and a black boyfriend blazer to break it up even further. By covering large portions of the denim and making the shirt function more like a layering piece, I feel that I can successfully sport the trend. I’m also happy swapping out the boots for shoes, thereby exposing more of the jeans. But I wouldn’t be happy omitting my blazer and wearing the outfit with shoes alone. That would be too much of the same denim in one outfit even for my liking.

I am not wearing any accessories here other than my usual watch, wedding ring, handbag and specs. I have started to enjoy wearing fewer accessories per outfit, just because it pushes my fashion envelope.

Revealing more skin with this trend is another good way to go as it reduces the amount of denim coverage on the body. Swapping out the jeans for a denim skirt and the jacket for a cardigan are great also substitutes. Throwing in a scarf will work too.

You either like the advanced denim on denim trend, or you don’t. I warmed up to the look fairly quickly and enjoyed the challenge of making it work for me.

Wearing denim on denim is no longer a fashion faux pas. In fact, it’s one of the hottest trends this season. For hardcore trendy fashionistas that means wearing a blue denim shirt with jeans in a similar wash.

I totally get that wearing the same denim wash both on top and on bottom is hard to swallow. So for starters, try a different denim wash or colour for on the bottom. The obvious choice is to mix in black denim jeans (or skirt) with the denim shirt. I wore this Levis combination to death in the 90’s so I think I’ve had my fill of that look. In Spring and Summer though, white becomes my black, so the obvious pairing for my style was white jeans. White looks pretty with some of the lighter denim shirt washes and picks up the sparkle of pearlized snaps well.

I finished off the ensemble with turquoise and yellow accessories because I fancy fresh colours with white as temperatures begin to rise (you might recognize the turquoise belt from last Spring).

You can substitute white bootcut pants or jeans, clamdiggers, walk shorts or a skirt. Adding coral or fuschia into the mix would be right on trend too. I also like the idea of a  matching a denim shirt and white jeans with a weathered brown belt, cognac shoes and wooden accessories for a more earthy vibe.

Alternatively, you can swap out the white completely and opt for dark blue washes, red or or grey jeans (or a skirt in one of these colours). Forum members Laura, Tam and Julie have been experimenting with their own denim on denim looks and look fab. Be sure to take a look at their outfits too.

In these pictures I am wearing my denim shirt from the Gap and a new extra-long glass beaded necklace from Nordstrom.

I adore the look of 50’s and 60’s plastic and glass beaded necklaces. This style of vintage jewelry appeals to me in fun colours like turquoise, red, green and yellow, but white really speaks to me too.

This type of jewelry aesthetic adds a great casual sense of humour to an outfit, whereas pearls, which have a vintage flavor too, feel a lot stricter and dressier. Pearls are a lot more buttoned-up. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I’m so fond of wearing pearls since I’m in tune with my serious and strict side.

Vintage white beaded necklaces can be your fun, carefree and casual alternative to pearls. Imagine them with breezy Summer dresses and bold patterned tops. Very fab.

Etsy has a wonderful assortment that’s cheap as chips. There are long and short strands, single and double strands, and a good variety of bead sizes too.

It’s fun to watch styles filter down from prêt a porter collections to mainstream fashion. Remember how denim shirts started surfacing as fringe fashion 6 months ago?  Well, true to the resurgence of 90’s fashion, edgy denim shirts are popping up everywhere in all sorts of styles, weights, washes and price points. Sister to the denim shirt is the preppier, blue chambray shirt and that’s making a big comeback too.

This might not strike a chord with you immediately, but I’m making the denim shirt a “must have” for Spring. It’s versatile once you’ve got your head around how to wear the item both casually and with more dressy pieces. It also double duties as a great layering piece for Autumn.

It starts with selecting the right style for you. For some this means a regular shirt, and for others it means a tunic or empire cut style. It took me ages to find the right denim shirt because I was fussy about the details. It had to be soft and lightweight like a shirt and not feel heavy like a jacket. It also had to be in the right wash and fit just so. I didn’t fancy the more clean-cut chambray shirting styles either, feeling that they’re too preppy for my fashion persona – but again, this might be a nice option for you.

I eventually found the perfect denim shirt at the Gap (top left in the pictures above). It happens to be very similar to a Levi’s denim shirt that I wore to death in the early 90’s. I fell in love with my new shirt’s pearlized snap-buttons which, of course, are a great match with my unending assortment of pearl necklaces.

Once you’ve found the denim shirt that’s right for you, try wearing it in these easy ways:

• With black bottoms or micro check pants: Matching a denim shirt with a casual bottom in a different colour or fabrication is a no-brainer. Black jeans, Ponte knit pants or woven cigarette pants are the easiest options. Create outfit interest with items like a belt, lacy camisole, scarves and a jacket. Julie showed us how to wear this look with sass and style a few months ago.
• With white denim bottoms: For an effective fresh edge, substitute black bottoms for white jeans or a white denim skirt.
• With a dressy skirt: Adding a dressy spin to a denim shirt is my favourite way of wearing the item. The J Crew outfit (bottom left above) is a fabulous example of this concept.
• Over leggings: You’ll need a denim tunic like the Esprit style above for this look. Add boots or ballet flats and you’re set. So easy for gals on the go.

For years it’s been a fashion faux pas to wear denim on top of denim (for example, a blue denim shirt with jeans in a similar wash). Believe it or not, it’s this very faux pas that’s become all the trendy rage. (I love it when fashion reinvents itself to make old faux pas stylishly acceptable). I believe that denim on denim can work when the rest of the outfit variables are right. You’ll need to pick your denim items carefully and add in a good amount of additional textural interest to the outfit – a topic for another day. I’ll be sporting both mainstream and more daring denim shirt looks over the next few weeks so stay tuned for examples.

Women have always borrowed items from the men in their lives, but at some point it actually became a fashion trend. We saw some of this in the 80’s, when we were literally borrowing tops and jackets from our fathers, brothers and boyfriends.

In the last few years the trend returned along with the 80’s revival, and this time it got a name. We started hearing about…

• Boyfriend blazers
• Boyfriend cardigans
• Boyfriend jeans
• Boyfriend shirts

These items are still very much in style, which means that they are more than just a fad. But are they here to stay? So far, the only “boyfriend inspired”  item I can think of with real longevity is the oversized, masculine watch.

Do you think any of the others will become a mainstream basic? Are you wearing boyfriend inspired items?

Here’s the second tunic shirt outfit in action. This time it’s smart casual (if you haven’t seen it already, take a look at the casual interpretation I did yesterday). Once again, the outfit is true to my style, so it might not be to your taste. Substitution is the name of the game so have fun with the look and make it YOURS.

For the most part I prefer this shirt sans the belt because I get a kick out of surrendering my waistline. It makes me feel a little naughty and rebellious but in a lady-like way. A little weird perhaps, but at the end of the day it’s all about how the outfit makes us feel, right?

I added structure to the shirt by adding the layer of a fitted cardigan. I buttoned the top few buttons to accentuate an A-line silhouette, thereby leaving me with a strong shoulder line but a voluminous midriff and hip area. My cardigan has crazy 80’s ruched sleeves but you could have layered any type of cardigan and belted it at the waist for added definition. Instead of a cardigan, add a jacket, waistcoat or moto vest for even more structure.

I chose skinnies and dressy flats because that’s how I’m most comfortable when charging around town, but you can wear bootcut jeans and heels to create a longer and leaner line. I also chose a necklace, but earrings and a scarf are just as fab. Finished off the look with pearls and a great bag and Bob’s your uncle.

Tomorrow I’ll cover how to wear the tunic shirt in a creative business casual setting.

Here’s the first tunic shirt outfit in action and I’ve chosen to wear it casually. I opted for a white tunic shirt with fun side entry pockets because crisp white cotton-rich button downs are close to  my heart. But you can choose any colour or pattern in a similar silhouette and the look will translate just as well.

I’ve matched the tunic shirt with faded jeans, 20 eyelet Dr. Martens and a slouchy handbag. I’ve accessorized with a dainty vintage pearl necklace. The biker jacket will keep me warm if it gets chilly.

Remember that I’m wearing the tunic shirt true to my style, which might not be to your taste. For example, you can substitute my combination with boot cut jeans, casual ankle boots, a blazer and scarf if that’s more your look.

I prefer my tunic shirt loose and flowing because it spells arty and fun. But you can also add a waist-cinching belt for more structure. I also like to pop the collar and scrunch up the sleeves of all my shirts for extra textural interest. The effect is a thrown together, yet pulled together look.

Simple, clean, easy and very comfortable.

Tomorrow I’ll cover how to wear the tunic shirt in a smart casual setting. This will be an easier interpretation because button down shirts are generally thought of as more dressy than casual.

The long button down shirt wafts in and out of fashion. We saw it make a huge statement in the 80’s and then it disappeared. It came back in the 90’s sans shoulder pads, but disappeared again. It’s been an on and off trend during the noughties too, especially since the resurgence of tunic length tops. I don’t know if the tunic shirt will ever be as popular as it was back in the 80’s but it’s making a strong comeback for 2010.

I fully understand the challenges with classic, hip-length button down shirts because they are hard to fit. As soon as they work on the bust, they’re ill-fitting everywhere else. Or they’re too short, too long, too constricting, too boxy, too matronly, or just too blah. But hear me out because the new roomier button down tunic (or tunic shirt) might change your mind.

This style is not as voluminous as the painters shirt, but not all that tailored either, meaning you’ll get away with a boxier silhouette. In fact that’s how the style is supposed to look. Leave it free flowing over skinnies or cigarette pants, adding heels and a statement necklace. Pop the collar and scrunch up the sleeves for instant textural sass. Or add a belt for extra waist definition. If you’re allergic to belts, layer over a fitted item like a jacket or cardigan for more structure. Empire cut tunic shirts are also an option if you prefer torso definition and volume on the tummy and hip area.

A well made tunic shirt can be worn casually, smart casually, incorporated into a biz casual ensemble and take you to a semi-formal event. I’m going to show you how this week so stay tuned.

I’ve been a button down gal forever. I think of the item as a vehicle that enables other items to shine and not just as a wow-top that stands alone. So needless to say, I adore the tunic shirt because it looks crisp and has endless versatile layering possibilities. Remember that you don’t need to choose white either. Some colours look more crisp than others, but most colours in this silhouette are fab.

Every day I see countless people wearing jeans. Men, women and kids of all ages sporting jeans in all sorts of ways, all over the world, at any hour of the day. Jeans have got to be the most worn item in the world, and one of the largest money spinners in the fashion industry by sheer production volume alone.

So what would happen if we suddenly lived in a world without jeans? Total chaos! Half the population wouldn’t know what to wear. People would need to think much harder when picking an outfit in the morning. Shopping would be harder because stylish casual pants are hard to find. At least women could fall back on non-denim dresses and skirts. Blokes would have a much harder time of it.

As much as I love wearing jeans and enjoy sporting them regularly, every year I wear them less frequently than the year before. It’s quite liberating actually and definitely part of my style evolution. There is fashion and style life beyond jeans if you force yourself to choose other options. Could you live in a world without jeans?