Summer is fast approaching. For many of us that means relaxing our dress codes, even at the office. Here are this week’s top picks across a range of wardrobe items. Many were winners on clients, and some earned a place in my wardrobe. Lots of good reviews, and an ample colour selection.
- Banana Republic Quinn Straight-Fit Cotton-Linen Shirt: This is an interesting cut because it's shorter and boxier than a regular shirt, and with quite the curved hemline. The silhouette looks FRESH. The fabric is lovely, and drapes well in the fluid silhouette. Fun roomy fit. To my eye, scrunching the sleeves is best to create some structure. Works well semi-tucked too. It's just the type of top I like to wear in blazing heat because it's made of natural fibres, breezy, and covered. It earned a place in my wardrobe as an updated classic. I love the white buttons and the tomato red is delicious.
- Banana Republic High-Rise Wide-Leg Cropped Jean: These fit well on a range of body types. They come in petite so try them in that size if you're short in the waist or rise. Great opaque white denim and no pocket grinning. Hem is easily hackable.
- Cinch Waist Knit Jacket: A very lightweight KNIT jacket that runs a size big and comes in seven colours. The part elastic waist provides a nice bit of structure to the fluid shape. Good side entry pockets.
- Banana Republic Cropped Denim Jacket: Extremely comfy soft denim jacket with stretch. It might run a little small if you need a fuller cut on the bust and back, Extremely soft and a bright white. Roomy sleeves. Great over dresses, skirts and wide crops. Comes in two denim washes too. I bought this in the white in my regular size. It's boxy on my waist, but I like that fit. Looks architectural.
- Karen Kane Women's Plus Size Asymmetric Maxi Dress: Casual Elegant Fabness. Flattering, comfortable, streamlined, machine washable and easy to wear. A little fashion tape will help if the V-neck spills open when you sit.
- Crop Wide Leg Jeans: These work well if you're regular or longer in the rise. Quite good on a curvier body type but might need waistband alterations. Good on apple-shaped body types. Fab opaque white denim. Easy to hem to a shorter length.
- Jen7 Women's Slim Straight Jeans: These are a repeat style that work every season. Extremely well made and gorgeous quality. Fab on a curvier body type. Size down if you're straighter through the hips and thighs. Great full-length jeans.
- Boden Helena Chino Dress: A cute and classic utility dress that has good reviews for good reason. Works on a range of body types because the cut is that good. Eight colours and comes in longs and petites. Goes up to a US18.
- Natesa Perforated Sandal: EXTREMELY comfy sandal booties that have worked on a wider foot if you size up half a size. Nicely tailored, and comes in three neutrals. They work with shorts, dresses, skirts, pants and jeans.
- Rebecca Minkoff Cyder Top: Dark Floral Fabness. Great layered under a jacket or worn on its own. Nice mesh fabric. Fab with a camisole that comes with the top, can be removed, and has adjustable straps. It's not as fitted in person, and quite forgiving.
- Banana Republic Petite Cotton-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater: The photo does not do this fun top justice. It's quite fitted, but with just enough fluidity. It has a subtle cabled panel down the front, and is a good length. It's great worn over most bottoms, and the length of the sleeve looks fresh. Fab under a jacket. I have this in navy and it handles the laundry well.
- 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.
- Ruffle Sleeve Paisley Tee: Mesh is fab because it does not crease. If you liked those iconic Sweetpea tops from way back when, you might like this. Very flattering on petites in the regular size, and it does not run large as Nordstrom suggests. V is not too low.
- Wilt T-Shirt Dress: Easy T-Shirt Dress Fabness with architectural drape. Works on a range of body types. In fact, this type of dress is beyond body type. The hi-low hemline adds excellent structure to the volume of the dress.
- Chaser Gauzy Cotton High Low Muscle Tank: Fun '80s graphic tee worn as is, under a blazer, or as a vest over a shirt.
- Helmut Lang Pocket Tee: This type of pricey Helmet Lang tee is a repeat silhouette that is worth a look if you enjoy wearing designer tees. Some of my clients adore them. They're quite fitted, neat and tidy despite the rips, and look interesting worn with dressier bottoms and footwear. A good backdrop to showcase statement jewellery.
- Madewell Resin Hoop Earrings: Super fun and VERY lightweight resin hoops that come in five colours.
- Robi Stripe Tee: Arty Statement Tee Fabness. Wear with slim bottoms, a pencil skirt, harem pants, over a pleated skirt, or with shorts.
- Darno Stripe Cotton Blend Tee: One of the best ruffled tees of the season. It combines soft flounce with graphic crispness and hard edge. Covered, yet alluring. I like it best semi-tucked.
- Stripe Midi Dress: A flattering dress that hugs and glides over all the right places on the body. The diagonal lines are interesting, and the bodice a little kimono-esque. Feel free to wear it with casual footwear.
- Endless Summer by Free People Drop Waist Midi Dress: A dropped waist dress is unique, and works better than you might expect, especially when it's A-line. You have to like the high neckline on this one though. The armholes are low so wear a pretty bra, cami or bralette.
- Front Knot Jersey Maxi Dress: An easy throw-on-and-go frock that works on most body types. The length can be hemmed to midi if that's your preference.
- Sam Edelman Kassie Loafer: A surprisingly comfortable and interesting espadrille-sneaker hybrid. Fits low and regular volume feet. Tailored and tidy on the foot. Wear them instead of sneakers.
- Ryde Sandal: If you have a Dystopian, Hard-Edged or very casual style - try these. Extremely soft and comfy, and make quite a statement. Runs a size big. Comes in four neutrals.
- Elax Slide Sandal: '90s flashback! Comfy and on-trend slides in four colours that work on a range of foot shapes.
- Catch Me Sport Sandal: Trendy sporty platform sandals that work on regular and higher volume feet. Lightweight and cushioning. The blush is pretty too.
- Bali Sandal: Super soft, supportive and comfy sandals for regular and higher volume feet but not very wide feet. All the neutrals are nice.
- Luckie Sandal: If you like flat bed sandals like Naots and Birkies, you might like these. They're supportive, very comfy, and go the distance. The grey is nice too.
Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.
