Fab Ways to Wear Teddies and Sherpas

I was revisiting Angie’s outfit formula post on Sherpas and Teddies last week, and got to wondering how our bloggers are wearing these cosy garments. The answer: each in a unique way, and with great aplomb, of course!

Cathy

Cathy has paired a black ribbed midi sweater dress that buttons all the way through with a plush hip-length teddy gilet in Winter white. The dress’s A-line shape creates subtle movement while the gold buttons echo the crisp lightness created by the white gilet. Tall black lug-soled boots add Soft Edge. The midi dress covers the top of the boots, which lengthens the leg line. Peachy lipstick that matches Cathy’s red locks and a black quilted bag complete the look.

Debra

This is a happy explosion of colour if I ever saw one! Debra has tucked a chunky knit turtleneck into on-trend, relaxed straight leg jeans. The cobalt sweater perfectly matches her statement faux leather coat with sherpa trim on the collar and sleeves. The oversized collar and big pockets add visual drama, as do the suede insets on Debra’s hot pink jeans. She’s cuffed the jeans to show more of the hot pink pointy-toed stiletto booties, which are a perfect colour match for the jeans. Our blogger’s cobalt cross-body bag with padded handle is the final stylish matchy-matchy touch.

Alexandra

Alexandra dresses down her V-neck midi wrap dress with a thigh-length tan relaxed-fit coat. The sherpa coat and pleated skirt on the dress add textural interest. The shimmery burnt orange fabric adds polished shine, and complements our blogger’s red hair beautifully. Chunky black lug-soled loafers with large buckles paired with black opaque tights ground this earth-toned look. Alexandra introduces a second sherpa piece with her playful cream and cognac crossbody. A silky patterned neckerchief, bright orange lippy and nail polish are the glam finishing touches.

Elle

Elle’s sunny marigold nylon and sherpa jacket steals the show in this otherwise neutral look. She’s layered the cropped boxy jacket over a long-line black and white striped sweater with button-up collar and a just-below-the-knee faux leather pencil skirt. The black skirt matches Elle’s dark hair. The black stripe in the sweater ties it all together. White hi-top Converse and socks match the white in the sweater, and add a playful touch. Elle finishes off the look with bright red lipstick and oversized sunnies.

Monica

Monica went all out with a sherpa two-piece suit in Winter white. She’s layered the cropped boxy bomber over a black tank top that matches the black accent pieces on the jacket. Pairing the jacket with the matching tuxedo-striped joggers makes a super fun style statement. The fuzzy Winter white sherpa gives the outfit a casual luxe feel, while the pants add a sporty après-ski touch. Black calf-length combat boots add Hard Edge and bookend Monica’s dark locks. A silver chain-link necklace, pile of bracelets and rings add subtle bling, while our blogger’s red lippy pops against the black-and-white look.

Alicia

Alicia’s eye-catching checked teddy coat is the statement piece here, but her cheerful yellow dress is no wallflower either. The knit midi turtleneck dress gives the illusion of being a two-piece top and skirt, but is indeed a one-piece dress. She’s topped it off with a midi coat featuring an oversized wrap collar and graphic black and white checked pattern that makes the yellow dress stand out even more. Refined black pointy-toed booties that fit neatly on the ankle echo the black in the coat. The structured black satchel is a clever choice here, as the white design details fit in perfectly with the two-coloured coat. Hoop earrings, glam oversized sunnies, and pink lipstick are the polished finishing touches.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of these wonderful outfits! Let us know in the comments, and do tell if you’ve been sporting cosy sherpa or teddy pieces too.

Trend: Large-Scale Florals

The ‘90s have been trending for several seasons, bringing with them busloads of floral-patterned clothing. Ditsy florals continue to come through many seasons into the trend, which surprises me. My guess is that they sell well at retail. But things are changing. Larger-scale florals are coming through too. And some florals are spaced, even very widely spaced, to showcase more of the solid background. As a navy wearer, it’s fun to see navy backgrounds come through instead of just black.

The collection below shows examples across varying colours, palettes, fabrics, silhouettes and wardrobe items.

Boden
Silk Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
2
H&M
Tie-detail Wrap Dress
View Info
Top Pick
2
H&M
Pointed-collar Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
3
Zara
Floral Print Dress
View Info
Top Pick
2
Mango
Satin Floral Dress
View Info
Top Pick
1
Mango
Floral Print Dress
View Info
Top Pick
1
Mango
Floral Print Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
2
Mango
Flowers Knit Cardigan
View Info
Top Pick
3
Mango
Floral Palazzo Pants
View Info
Top Pick
4
COS
Abstract Jacquard Pants
View Info
Top Pick
4

I wore ditsy florals back in the early ‘90s because it was hard not to. They were everywhere and there wasn’t much else available. But they aren’t my favourite florals, and I haven’t worn any for decades. I much prefer larger-scale florals, and especially widely spaced florals like the ones having their fashion moment right now. To my eye, the open spaces give the eye a chance to rest amidst the boldness of the pattern. Since I generally wear florals in the Spring and Summer, I am all too happy with this trend. I will wear a larger-scale floral in just about any wardrobe item if the details are right.

Over to you. What do you think of these large-scale floral patterns?

Floral Pull-On Soft Pants

A Change of Buttons Made This Jacket Perfect

Buttons can be fairly easy and affordable to change. I recently did just that to a warm-weather Summer jacket. As far as 100% cotton, utility jackets go, this one was a rare find because of the bright orange colour and fabulous quality. I pounced, despite wishing that the earthy brown tortoiseshell buttons were white, self-colour, or gold. That way I could keep the vibe more crisp than earthy, and wear it with more of my wardrobe in the late Spring and Summer.

I mentioned this to one of my clients who is a talented seamstress and she recommended I go to Stitches in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood. It’s a fabulous store that sells all sorts of supplies for people who sew, including a vast range of buttons. She kindly met me there, and together we chose the best buttons for the look I was after.

A set of self-colour, orange buttons were the hands down winners. Definitely better than the white and gold options I was also considering. We were lucky enough to find the perfect shade of orange in the correct two sizes, and thread to match. They were sewn on in two ticks, and voila! I’m awfully pleased with the results. The jacket is instantly more versatile.

Orange Jacket

Over to you. Have you successfully changed the buttons of store-bought items? Tell us about it in the comments section.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

Read More

Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

Read More

Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

Read More

Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

Read More

Trend: Greens and Blues

Many hues, tints, shades and tones of green and blue are having their fashion moment. In solids and patterns, and across wardrobe items and fabrics. Think green and blue pastels, mid tones, greyed tones, earthy tones, muted tones, jewel tones, brights, neon, and darks. Blue-greens and green-blues like teals and turquoise are included too. And of course, the blue spectrum includes all sorts of denim.

Here are some examples.

Mango
Pocket Tweed Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Ponte Flare Trousers
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Chore Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
3
Boden
Cotton Trench Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
2
Loft
Modern Rain Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
3
Boden
Ribbed Fluffy Tee
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Flare Trouser
View Info
Top Pick
3
Shopbop
AGOLDE Parker Jeans
View Info
Top Pick
2
Loft
Godet Midi Skirt
View Info
Top Pick
6
Boden
Cropped Tweed Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
6
Shopbop
VELVET Addison Dress
View Info
Top Pick
3
Aritzia
Wilfred tonka blouse
View Info
Top Pick
1
Aritzia
Wilfred upon dress
View Info
Top Pick
1
H&M
Rib-knit Sweater
View Info
Top Pick
2
COS
Chunky Knit Vest
View Info
Top Pick
6
H&M
Straight-cut Joggers
View Info
Top Pick
1
COS
Cropped Poplin Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
3
Zara
Cropped Soft Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
3
Shopbop
Marni Midi Dress
View Info
Top Pick
4
Shopbop
VELVET Lucie Sweater
View Info
Top Pick
2
Shopbop
RIXO Blake Blouse
View Info
Top Pick
3
Shopbop
IRO Uga Sweater
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Ribbed High Neck Tee
View Info
Top Pick
3
Boden
New Linen Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
2

We see greens and blues every season, but this year we will see more, and more variations, especially in footwear and handbags. If you have a favourite type of green and blue, chances are high you’ll find it this year. Interestingly, I also see navy coming through as a dark background in patterns instead of black.

Most of my clients wear some type of green or blue, even if it’s just blue denim or an olive utility jacket. Some wear a wide assortment of greens and blues and count them as their favourite colours.

Personally, I wear a lot of blue and have a wardrobe full of it. I enjoy light and dark blue denim washes. Navy is my dark neutral. I wear light blue specs daily, and like wearing a saturated pastel blue. I also love bright turquoise, and French blue. As for greens, I like them sour, bright, and on the yellow side. I love blue, but don’t like my greens in bluish, cool tones. Lime and apple green are my favourites. Chartreuse is an extremely green-yellow, or yellow-green. I’m unsure whether it qualifies as green, but if it does, I adore wearing it. I like neon green too.

Lime and apple green are finally coming through as fashion colours, after years on hiatus. Sour green is my colour of the year, and it’s a style goal to add more items in this colour to my wardrobe in 2023.

Over to you. Which are your favourite greens and blues, and do they feature in your style?

Wear Your Favourites Without Fear

Sometimes the items that are fashionable and available at retail match our sartorial preferences, complement our style, and suit our needs. Sometimes they don’t, and that’s fine too. Continue wearing the items, combinations, and silhouettes that work best for you with confidence and a happy heart. 

Favourites over Fashion

If earth tones, muddy pastels, jewel tones, and greyed tones are on trend, then that’s great for the people who love them and wear them well. But they might not be your colours. If that’s the case, continue wearing the colours that look good on you, because those are the best colours of all.

Make the most of it when your favourite colours, silhouettes and combinations enjoy a fashion moment. Continue to wear them long after the moment has passed. Trends are fun and inspiring. They draw us together. But your favourites are more important, because they are authentically you.