We’re hitting the height of the Spring & Summer retail season, and there’s a lot of great stuff in stores. Interesting dresses and skirts with length, V-necks galore, sneakers and sneaker hybrids galore, interesting jeans, fab body-con tops, more tailoring, and better fabrics than what we’ve seen in a while. Snap things up now if you’re a dressier gal, because in July and August retail is about tees and shorts. The industry forgets that some of us are NOT at the beach and pool all Summer.
On to the picks.
- Walking Cradles Walking CradlesOrleans: A breezy slip-on sneaker hybrid that's as pretty as it is sporty. Comes in an assortment of colours and metals. Bless them for coming in FOUR widths. I nabbed them in white in a narrow width and they are the FIRST slip-on- sneakers to EVER fit my low-volume feet! LOVE THEM. Absolutely perfect, lots of cushioning and very comfortable. I'm getting another pair. Read the rave reviews.
- Boden Isabella Broderie Back Top: A better than basic mixed media tee with an eyelet party at the back and on the sleeves. Works well on Team Tall or Team Long Torso. Gentle fluid fit. Not see-through, and lots of colours.
- Banana Republic Cotton-Blend Textured Stripe Sweater: If you like to wear crisp cotton knit pullovers in the chilly Spring and on a cool Summer's day, give these a whirl. Fun textured shadow stripe. A beautiful clean fit and tidy neckline. Tapered welt adds lots of structure. Not too long. Fab fluid fit, and awfully neat and tidy. I bought the white and coral, and have just duplicated the white because it's a wardrobe essential for my style. The tomato red is CORAL and not red. They machine wash and air dry beautifully. No creases.
- Ecco ECCOGillian Side Zip: Fabulous comfy and crisp slip-on sneakers that are orthotic-friendly. Works on higher volume feet. Works on lower volume feet with extra insoles. They look fashion-forward from the front because the vamp is extra long. Comes in three colours.
- FLY London Women's Piat Wedge Pump: Super cute ankle strap wedges that work best on a wider foot. Extremely comfortable.
- Boden Claudia Embroidered Blouse: It's awfully pretty and has a gorgeous lattern sleeve. It's quite warm, so not for those who run hot.
- Boden Gemma Jersey Top: It's knitted, not woven, and excellent on Team Tall & Broad Shoulders. Better than a basic tee, and fun with shorts, utility pants or jeans. More colour options on the Boden site. I've seen most of them, and all are fab.
- Boden Lorna Faux Wrap Jersey Dress: AMAZING dress on everyone who has tried it on in petite, regular and long. Flattering, polished, yet very casual and easy to launder.
- Boden Ayla Lace Trim Top: Super cute boho top that's KNITTED and runs a size big. Comes in colours on the Boden site and the white is not see-through. Better than a basic tee.
- White House Black Market Chiffon-Sleeve Floral Polished Knit Shift Dress: Super cute classic dress that can work on a straighter and curvier body type because the substantial fabric moulds to the body.
- White House Black Market Floral Full Midi Skirt: Big Skirt Fabness, and has a shell top to match to create a two-piece dress. The matching shell top is UN-TUCKED which lengthens a short waist, so don't think you can't wear this when you're short-waisted. Comes in petites. Runs a size big if you need a narrow fit.
- White House Black Market Polished Knit Stripe Maxi Dress: A structured and polished maxi dress that works on a range of body types because of the substantial fabric and magical diagonal lines. Length can be hacked to create a midi. Might run a size big.
- White House Black Market Floral Bodice Top: Very pretty shell top that can work with jeans or the matching skirt. Can be altered to create a good fit if it's slightly off. Size up if you need a more generous cut. Great reviews.
- Boden Kassidy Jersey Midi Dress: Fabulous dress on those who enjoy V-necks. Flattering, comfy, and easy to launder. Longs work great for Team Tall. Comes in bright red.
- Boden Amelie Jersey Dress: Most who wear a cap sleeve have loved this dress across a range of body types. It's just about flop-proof, and comes in longs if you need length.
- Boden Carey Top: A classic top in dressy fabric that works on those who like high necklines. Fluid fit. Fab layered under jackets or worn on its own. VERSATILE. Ten patterns and colours to choose from. Read the rave reviews.
- Boden Cropped Utility Jacket: A fun trendy chore jacket that's quite structured despite the boxy fit because of the cropped length. Excellent with skirts and dresses, and on petites. Comes in olive. Nice buttons.
- Boden Linen Pintuck Jersey Top: Best mint top I've seen all year. Fresh, pretty, flattering, and better than a basic tee.
- Boden Fiona Embroidered Top: This '70s top looks SO fresh and fun with jeans and shorts. It flew out of Nordies and was sold out fast. Fab fluid fit and very breezy. You have to be okay with the short sleeve and boxy cut.
- Boden Frill Jersey Tank: Best fluid tank top of the season, and the white is not see-through. NOT fitted. Comes in colours.
- KUT from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend Cutoff Shorts: These shorts continue to work every season on an assortment of body types because they are comfy and flattering. Straighter figures size down.
- Sam Edelman Sam EdelmanKassie: Super cute espadrille-sneaker hybrids that work best on lower and regular volume feet. Leather and suede options are the most comfy.
- White House Black Market Snap-Front Cardigan: A classic blue-red cardigan to wear as a top over skirts or over sleeveless dresses. Works well with pink and orange.
- Eileen Fisher Notch Lapel Boxy Jacket: Best unstructured knit jacket of the season. GORGEOUS textured fabric. Comes in petites and runs a size big. My curvy 4ft 10 client tried it in a petite, and took my breath away. After we both squealed with joy, she decided she could not live without it.
- Eileen Fisher Jersey Midi Dress: T-shirt dresses can look sloppy and stretch out, but this one is substantial and quite polished. Comes in regular, and might run a size big.
- Eileen Fisher Grid Stretch Cotton & Tencel Blend Jacket: An architectural piece in a beautifully textured knit fabric with smashing side-entry pockets. Size down.
- Eileen Fisher V-Neck Jersey Tunic: Flattering and breezy tunic fabness. The tailored sleeves add ample structure to the draped silhouette.
- Eileen Fisher Wide Crop Yoked Pants: Easy '90s style pull-and-go knitted wide crops. Size down.
- SCOTCH & SODA Scotch & Soda Wrap Blouse | Nordstrom: The wrap-front blouse is an excellent shape for an apple-shaped body type with a larger bust and shorter neck. The tailored cuffs on this version add refinement and structure. The snap on the neckline keeps things modest. Fab on Team Tall. The citron is unique and it might run a little big. Comes in a black floral.
- Halogen Wrap Front Top: A wrap top with a good fit and in fun colours. Needs a cami. Good with skirts.
- Foxcroft Crinkle Gingham Stretch Cotton Blend Pants: A beautiful clean fit in fabulous fabric. A fun classic with a high longevity factor.
- Komarov Handkerchief Hem Cocktail Dress: This is a repeat style that has worked on every extra curvy client who tried it on. Classic streamlined elegance with lots of swoosh. My tall size US16 client took my breath away in it. Comes in regular across a selection of muted colours.
- Halogen Modal Jersey V-Neck Tee: Fabulous tee on a curvier figure. Flattering, but not tent-y. Comes in colours and the white is not see-through.
- Boden Imogen Jersey Dress: Amazing fit on an inverted triangle body type. Easy and casually elegant. Fab with sneaks.
- RACHEL RACHEL ROY Stripe Water Repellent Trench Coat: STUNNING statement stripe trench coat with a streamlined fit. Lovely fabric, and works on a range of body types.
- Stripe Tie-Waist Shirtdress: A great shirtdress for a curvier figure. Fab on petites. The tie looks good left as a tie and not a bow, which is less fussy. A cool toned blue.
- Ruched Sheath Dress: An easy jersey dress with magical diagonal lines. Works as well for a curvy figure as it does for a straighter one. Flattering.
- Banana Republic Linen-Blend V-Neck Sweater: A stubby and gauzy Summer sweater that is fabulous on petites in a petite size. Relaxed elegance with white bottoms or shorts.
- Banana Republic Cropped Denim Jacket: Super cute short denim jacket to wear over flared skirts and dresses. The light blue is pretty and Summery. Comfy with a dash of stretch.
Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.
