It’s midseason and it won’t be long before US retailers clear out regular Fall and Winter merchandise to make room for party wear. In the meantime, here’s a list of items that recently worked on my clients, or that simply caught my eye. Be sure to browse all the colour options, and check for extended sizes if you need them.
- Linea Paolo Linea Paolo Teigan Moto Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: A fairly refined pair of pewter moto boots that are lightweight and comfy. Might need to size up half a size for higher volume feet. Do the '90s thing and wear these with skirts and dresses. Comes in dark camouflage and black.
- Leith Leith Gillis Stretch Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: A festive bootie for high heel wearers with lower volume feet. Moderately comfortable.
- Linea Paolo Linea Paolo Tate Platform Chelsea Boot (Women) | Nordstrom: '90s Chunky Bootie Fabness. Comfy, warm, lightweight, stompy, and best on a wider ankle and calf. Comes in black. Read the rave reviews.
- Sheridan Mia Sheridan Mia Casey Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: A rather gracefully casual mid-calf bootie that is as nice in the muted red. Comfortable and fabulous with casual midi skirts and dresses. Works on an assortment of foot shapes.
- Linea Paolo Linea Paolo Rhys Pointy Toe Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: Sleek, dressy and festive. Can be paired with just about any outfit. Best on lower volume feet and narrower ankles. The gold leather is soft and pretty.
- Rag & Bone rag & bone Aslen Boot (Women) | Nordstrom: Gorgeous quality, and with an excellent tailored high shaft for cropped jeans and pants. Soft and comfortable. Best on lower volume feet and narrower ankles.
- Michael MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Ace' Wedge Sneaker Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: This style is for Team Sporty. Fits a range of foot and ankle shapes because the sock style moulds to the foot. If you wear a lot of black, white and grey - try these. The 2018 way is to combine them with skirts, dresses, culottes, wide crops and dressier cropped pants.
- Jeffrey Campbell Jeffrey Campbell Luzbel Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: Dramatic '90s Fabness, and comes in black. Makes your foot look extra long so you have to be okay with that. Comfy if you can manage the heel height. A stretchy style that moulds to the shape of the foot.
- Miz Mooz Miz Mooz Lane Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: Comfy, rugged, and a divine shade of distressed cognac. Might run a little short in the toe box.
- TARYN ROSE Taryn Rose Bryanna Genuine Calf Hair Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom: A beautifully made loafer with arch support. Works on wider feet.
- Boden Alicia Heeled Loafers: I haven't seen these yet, but have the red on order as my new party shoes based on the rave reviews. They look more current and on-trend than red pumps, and are more stable too. Comes in black and leopard print. Will keep you posted.
- Boden Boden Relaxed Colorblock Wool Cashmere Blend Sweater | Nordstrom: Fabulous fluid pullover that works on an assortment of body types, and especially on Team Tall. Gorgeous quality. Crisp, sporty, and polished. Runs a size big
- J.Crew J.Crew Yuna Teddy Faux Fur Jacket | Nordstrom: Light Blue Teddy Bear Fabness. Avant-Garde, and will not date. Works over an assortment of body types. A fab, casual and cosy way to make a dramatic statement. Read the rave reviews.
- Boden Boden Double Breasted Blazer | Nordstrom: STUNNING Modern Classic blazer. Impeccable quality, and fun lining too. It works extremely well on a larger bust and curvy body type. My client who wears a US12 wowed me in it. The button positioning creates a V-shape which visually narrows the waist and streamlines the silhouette. No need to fasten the double-breasted buttons in front.
- SOREL Sorel Ainsley Conquest Waterproof Boot (Women) | Nordstrom: Casually fab weatherproof boots for snow and ice. Works well on higher volume feet because you can adjust the width with the laces. Unusual colour combination.
- Cartonnier | Anthropologie Plaid Wrap Blazer: One of the best belted jackets of the season, and in on-trend earth tones too. A great fit and comfortable despite the structure. Soft and sharp in a RELAXED way. Does not look good unbelted so don't try that. The navy lining looks nice turned back on the sleeves to create a cuff.
- If By Sea | Anthropologie Kenton Surplice Top: It's unfortunate that this was styled tucked in the photo because it's best left UNtucked and worn over all sorts of bottoms. It's quite soft as far as lurex fabrics go, and has a manageable blouson sleeve. It glides over the body in a fluid and dainty way. Works well on a shorter neck and larger bust. Might need a camisole. I did not find it short like the reviews suggest. A versatile party piece.
- Maeve | Anthropologie Chevron Shine Skirt: Very fun sparkly '70s midi. It's long, but can be easily hemmed. The chevron stripe creates a visually streamlined effect because diagonal lines are magical that way. Fabulous in motion. Despite the elastic waist, tops look good semi-tucked. Can be worn with hosiery despite the knitted fabric.
- Hinge Hinge Print Midi Dress | Nordstrom: A fabulous fit on a curvy hourglass or pear-shaped body type with a larger bust. Elegant, and comfortable. Can work well on petites and is hem-able.
- J.Crew J.Crew Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat (Regular & Plus Size) | Nordstrom: AMAZING statement leopard print plush coat that runs TTS. It works over just about anything, and is easily pattern mixed. A versatile length, crease-resistant, and a good fit. LOVELY fabric, and available in plus sizes too. Works on most body types.
- Jonathan Simkhai Rinsed Denim Cig Jeans: Avant-Garde Jeans Fabness. This one is for Team Gold because the hardware is gold and glitzy. They are dressy, dramatic, and can function as a party piece. The high rise is girdling and comfortable. The denim does not bag out, and is thick and substantial. If you want them to fit like the model, they run TTS. I wanted a snugger fit so I sized down. They remind me of '80s Versace which makes me smile. Pricy, but will not date. A quality piece that oozes a luxe integrity. They earned a place in my wardrobe, and can work for holiday parties.
- Madewell Pleat-Sleeve Sweatshirt in Leopard Dot: Super cute polished sweatshirt for Team Cinnamon. I LOVE the '80s dropped shoulder seam with puffed sleeve and long cuff. Welt creates great structure.
- Madewell Madewell The Delilah Mary Jane Pump (Women) | Nordstrom: Blush Glitter Rose Gold Retro Fabness. Very comfy on a low and regular volume foot. Excellent on those who like low heels and a secure pump. Beautifully made, and the glitter does not come off. The surface of the glitter is hard, but the inside of the shoes is very soft. Good with or without hose. Looks like a Jimmy Choo, but at a fraction of the price. More comfy too. They come in a warm brown suede. The pink glitter earned a place in my wardrobe. Dainty and delightful.
- Madewell Madewell Starry Night Quilted Puffer Parka | Nordstrom: If you like astronomy, galactic patterns, and starry nights, try this fun puffer. It's well made, unique, and works over most items these days. The interesting pattern gives it a dressier integrity.
- Madewell Quilted Military Coat: Equestrian Fabness and best on Team Tall. It has a very straight and architectural fit that screams Tomboy. It can though, work well on a tall curvy person with a larger bust.
- Madewell Sherpa Portland Jacket: This sherpa topper is a beautiful shade of toffee and not orange like the photo. Gorgeous quality, and fits like a bomber jacket. Straight and boyish so best on a boyish body type.
- Madewell Northward Cropped Army Jacket in Cottontail Camo: Sherpa Edition: The back of this jacket is trapeze and fun. It billows out and creates a straight architectural drape. On-trend and interesting. Works on a range of body types as long as you like volume.
Go to the collection page to see pictures of the items alongside my descriptions.
