These items have been winners on my casual and smart casual clients recently. They are simple, but with design detailing that makes them more interesting than a simple essential. Most of the items are neutral, but some offer colour options.
- &.LAYERED Tie Front Sweatshirt: This knit top looks cuter in person. Better than a simple tee, and less sporty than a sweatshirt. A little flirty and very comfortable. Available in neutrals and stripes. Might run a little big.
- Frye Women's Billy 70750 Shootie: A fab Spring shootie to lighten and brighten outfits. Great quality and comfy for regular volume feet. After a little breaking in, your feet will thank you.
- Karen Kane Asymmetrical Twist Front Dress: A flattering and very comfy dress on those who can fill it out. Easy to launder and fab in motion. Comes in black and plus sizes.
- Rag & Bone Mason Stripe Top: A nice ribbed pullover for cobalt lovers. Despite the stripes and high neckline, it works well on a larger bust. Lovely quality and fab under jackets. Comes in another colourway.
- Finn Comfort Ikebukuro: An extremely well made and comfortable sneaker for high-volume feet and bunions that need arch support. The chunkiness has a '90s integrity. Available in colours and patterns.
- Boden Arabella Sweatshirt: A crisp and dressier sweatshirt with a rainbow party on the back as well as on the sleeves. Check out the back! Lovely fluid fit with a curved back hem. Better than basic. It earned a place in my wardrobe because it's quite structured and crisp. It became an instant wardrobe workhorse with my tomato red jeans for very casual days. Comes in other neutrals and a polka dot.
- Boden Sara Denim Dress: Dress this beauty up with heels and ballet flats, or down with sneakers and slides. Works on a straighter and curvier figure. Elegant length. It's 100% cotton denim with no give or stretch, but it IS quite soft. Runs a size big, so might need to size down.
- Boden Leonie Ponte Midi Dress: Super soft and traditionally flattering. Gorgeous on a curvy body type. I saw this dress on a US18 with a large bust, and it took my breath away. Elegant and playful. Comes in green. Easy to launder.
- Boden Wren Biker Jacket: This item was restocked up to a US16 because it flew off the shelves the first time round. It's a 100% cotton moto in a tailored fit with subtle hardware and BLUE. Unique, versatile, well made and flattering. Replaces a denim jacket. Runs a size big.
- Caslon Luna Pointy Toe Flat: A classic flat with rave reviews that can work on a higher volume foot. Lots of colours and patterns, of which the suede versions are the most comfortable.
- Everlane The Chore Jacket: A trendy chore jacket with a good fit and at a good price. It's more refined than the average workwear topper, thanks to fab fabric, flat patch pockets and streamlined fit. Comes in neutrals. Read the rave reviews.
- Donald J Pliner Britini Sandal: A comfy '90s sandal for regular volume feet. If you wear a lot of black and want a Summer update - try this sandal.
- Madewell Flower Statement Earrings: Flower Power Statement Earring Fabness.
- Madewell The Brady Block Heel Bootie: These are a repeat style because they're very comfortable, hip, and look great on the foot. Best on regular volume feet. A great way to update for Spring and Summer.
- Madewell Gingham Peplum Button Down Shirt: A masculine shirt with frilly charm. Lovely quality, fluid fit, and best on a straighter body type. Fun with white bottoms.
- Topshop Tortoiseshell Long Sleeve Mesh Midi Dress: Mesh dresses are crease-resistant, lightweight, easy to launder, comfortable, and great for travel. This silhouette is structured yet fluid. Quite fitted on the torso and sleeves so you have to be okay with that. A little earthier in person. The lining does not go all the way down the dress, which makes it quite breezy, Might need to size up.
- Madewell Hillside Daisies Peekaboo Sleeve Midi Dress: A fab '90s inspired dress that works well on a curvier body type. Add combat boots, tough topper or long cardi, and Bob's your uncle.
- Boden Ayla Jersey Top: Super cute boho-lite jersey top that's 100% cotton and super breezy, easy to wear, and pretty. Dressier and more interesting than a basic tee.
- SCOTCH & SODA Scotch & Soda Smocked Shirt | Nordstrom: This is the best tie-front top I've seen and fitted so far. The fabric is gorgeous, and the fit is flattering on most body types. Substantial, and a quality piece.The diagonal sleeves work well on a larger bust. Great with skirts. Comes in white on the Scotch & Soda website.
- SCOTCH & SODA Ruffle Sleeve Tie Front Cotton Dress: Emerald Green Shirt Dressy Fabness. The exuberant sleeves and front yoke detailing make it more than basic. Fab length and nice gently curved hem. 100% cotton.
- SCOTCH & SODA Midi Wrap Dress: Gorgeous wrap midi with more coverage than the usual wrap dress. It has interesting gathering and ruching detailing that is more streamlining than you expect. Works on both a curvier and straighter figure.
- Loft Peplum Open Hoodie: Super cute open hoodie with a peplum party at the back. Comes in olive and grey.
- Loft Floral Embroidered Sweater: Chilly Spring Sweater Fabness. Runs a size big.
- Boden Arabella Sweatshirt: A well made and ultra crisp sweatshirt that can be worn as a fun casual top with jeans. It has a longer, curved back that's flattering.
- Boden Isabella Lace Back Top: Much more interesting than a basic tee, if you enjoy wearing a pretty top. Check out the eyelet party at the back. Comes in colours on the Boden website. White is quite opaque.
- J.Crew Garment-dyed hoodie sweatshirt: The tapered hem on this hoodie makes it look a lot more crisp and tidy than a regular sweatshirt. I styled it with white pearls, a pastel floral raincoat, cropped jeans and pink sneaks for a client last week, and she loved her refreshed look. We pulled the hood out and draped it over the collar of the raincoat. Looking casually swish in 2019.
Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.
