Complement Your Outfit with a Black Cord Necklace

Pendants, beads, rosettes, and gem stones that are strung onto black cord and worn around the neck are an iconic classic. The pendants, beads and stones can be any metal or colour. Black cord necklaces can make a simple and small addition to your look, or make a big and bold statement. Like most necklaces, they can be worn on bare skin or over a piece of clothing depending on the length of the cord and shape of the pendant.

This collection shows a range of examples.

COS
Stone Pendant Necklace
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Shopbop
XIRENA Kaya Dress
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Mango
Mixed Bead Necklace
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Mango
Heart Cord Necklace
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Zara
Pearl Cord Necklace
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The black cord necklace complements a look by repeating the black in the outfit. This comes in handy when you want to wear black on the bottom, but not near your face as a top or topper. The cord can be “just enough black” to balance the palette of an outfit. For example, black skirts, shorts, pants, belts and footwear worn on the bottom half of an outfit can be visually pulled together with a black cord necklace that’s worn up top. The same goes for wearing patterned tops and bottoms that have black in the pattern.

Furthermore, the black cord dresses down the necklace, making it an effective option for Team Casual. It downplays the amount of shine, and amps up a relaxed vibe. It also effectively repeats the black of black hair and black eyewear. Super causal versions have a carefree beachy feel to them too.

Outfit Formula: Relaxed Black Summer Skirt

If you’re on Team Skirt and enjoy wearing black natural fibre cotton and linen-rich skirts in Summer. this post is for you. Combine casual black skirts with casual patterned tops that have black in the pattern, or stick to solids. Wearing a solid black top with a black skirt is another way to go. 

The outfit needs a summery integrity to offset the heaviness of wearing black in hot weather. This means lightweight fabrics and showcasing skin to combat the heat.

Mango
Denim Midi-skirt
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Shopbop
Azeeza Avani Skirt
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Neutral solids are a slam dunk match with summery black skirts, and here are some examples.

1. Earthy

A pretty, black flared eyelet midaxi skirt is combined with an earthy brown knitted waistcoat that’s buttoned through. The bottom button is left un-buttoned to create an interesting V-shape at the waist. Black thong sandals and bag match the skirt, and a burnt orange necklace completes the look.

Earthy

2. Blue Denim

A casual black, form fitting knitted crochet midi skirt with fringe is combined with a light weight denim fluid and embroidered puffed sleeve blouse. The blouse is short with mini side slits, creating super duper outfit proportions when worn over the skirt. Black heeled thong sandals add a dressier touch, and match the model’s hair and skirt. Dainty gold jewellery adds shine and glam. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Blue Denim

3. Layered

A knee-length black pencil skirt with side vents is combined with a tucked mustard shell top for waist definition. A mustard cardigan is layered over the top to create a monochromatic twinset-effect. White sneakers add sporty to the luxe. An off-white and cinnamon bag add a crisp earthy touch. A gold pendant on a black cord adds a relaxed jewellery touch, and matches the black in the outfit.

Layered

4. Sporty

Last, a black midaxi cargo skirt is combined with an oversized high contrast white sporty tee. It’s tucked to showcase the waist and hip area of the skirt, and create some structure. White sneakers with black stripes that match the skirt are the sporty shoes of choice. A bag in white, black or blue can work well here. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Sporty

Puffed Sleeves: Yay, Nay, or Maybe

Puffed sleeves on tees, blouses, shirts, knitwear, knitted tops, bodysuits, jackets and dresses are everywhere, and have been trending for a while. The look is particularly strong at the moment because it aligns with the big Boho Chic trend. 

Tops, jackets and dresses with puffed sleeves come in all sorts of silhouettes, fabrics, fabrics, colours, patterns, and vibes. There are hot and cold weather versions. The collection below shows lots of examples.

Shopbop
Fanm Mon Maude Dress
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COS
Gathered-sleeve T-shirt
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COS
Gathered-sleeve T-shirt
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Bloomingdale's
Harper Top
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Nordstrom
DIARRABLU Una Top
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It’s important to understand the details of the design because they affect the volume and look of the puff. The variations can create a very puffy sleeve, or a more subtle one. One might be more to your liking than others.

1. Location of the Gathers

Gathers and fabric folds create the puff-effect. Sleeves create a puff when there are gathers on the crown by the shoulder point, or by the hem of the sleeves at the cuffs. Sometimes there are gathers in both locations creating maximum puff.

You might prefer a puffed sleeve that is NOT gathered at the crown, but rather at the cuff. Or vice versa. Puffed sleeves that are gathered at the cuff and not at the crown are more subtle.

2. Volume of the Puff

Puffed sleeves vary in volume. Some puffs are gentle and barely there, whereas others make an enormous statement. Some puffed sleeves can ovewhelm your frame, whereas others look architectural and dramatic. Choose the volume that is to your liking.

A sleeker puff is easier to layer under toppers, is less overwhelming on a small frame, and generally looks less frilly. A larger puff is more theatrical and dramatic.

3. Length of the Sleeve

Puffed sleeves can be capped, short, elbow, three-quarter, bracelet and long length. Choose the length that you find most attractive. Short puffed sleeves can be dead right on some, and “too cutesy” on others.

4. Fabric

Stiff and crisp woven fabric tends to make a puffed sleeve look more sculptural, big and hold its shape. Puffed sleeves made of knits are softer and more collapsable. They tend to be more subtle puffs than woven puffs.

5. Vibe of the Item

Puffed sleeves can look “more frilly” or “less frilly” depending on the vibe of the top. If the top, jacket or dress is flouncy, tiered, peplumed and ruffled, its puffed sleeves accentuate frilliness, for lack of a better way of describing it. A puffed sleeved top that is void of additional ruffles, bows, and tiers might be more your cup of tea.

I’m a YAY. My narrow shoulders enjoy wearing all sorts of puffed sleeves. They’re pretty, and add outfit interest. Better than basic, for my style. Some puffs are subtle, and some more dramatic. I like gathers on the crown, on the cuff, and in both locations. As long as the volume of the puffs don’t overwhelm my frame and the shoulder seams are in the right place, puffed sleeves work well. Here’s my current collection of puffed sleeved tops, plus a jacket and a dress.

Over to you. Are you a yes, no, or maybe for puffed sleeves?

Roundups

Simpler Items

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

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Assorted Items

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

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Casual Summer Vibes

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

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Summery Earth Tones

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

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Hints of Spring

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

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Dressier Items

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

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Stocking Up On Hard-to-Find Items

It’s easier to shop when fashion trends align with your sartorial needs and preferences. Conversely, it’s harder when trends are not your cup of tea, and work against your personal figure flattering priorities. Trends sometimes stick around for years, or even decades. That’s why I’m making a point of affordably stocking up on my favourite silhouettes and colours when they’re on trend.

Right now I’m stocking up on the following items, in this order.

1. Midi and Midaxi Dresses

The writing has been on the wall for a couple of years. Shorter hemlines are all over the runways, and there are plenty of mini and above-the-knee dresses at retail already. I am not wearing a short dress again, unless it’s worn like a tunic over pants. I love wearing dresses that are knee-covering, hitting me in the middle of my lower leg. I find the length elegant, and need the coverage for sun protection. 

Remember when it was impossible to find knee-covering dresses twelve to fifteen years ago? I went without dresses for years because they were too short. Now I’m stocking up while I can find them.

2. Lime Green, Citron and Orange Items

I can’t remember the last time acidic lime green items were in abundance, and it’s one of my favourite colours. Really hard to find. Citron items were easier to find about a decade ago, but not so much now. Dutch orange items are hard to find because orange is not a popular colour. I love wearing these sour brights, so I’m prioritizing their purchases when I see them in the right items.

3. Higher Rise Roomy Bottoms

I mentioned recently that I love the current jeans and pants trends with relaxed thigh fits, wider leg silhouettes, and, above all, higher rises. For the last seven years or so it’s been easy to find pants and jeans with 10 to 11 inch front rises in roomier silhouettes. I don’t want this trend to disappear when lower rises make a big comeback and most leg silhouettes are once again slim. Although retail is providing us with a pretty good mix of rise lengths and bottoms silhouettes at the moment, I can’t help but feel that the pendulum can swing the other way. So I’m stocking up a bit, not a lot, on bottom silhouettes that make me extra happy.

Although underwear is not as affected by trends, my new favourite bra is almost out of stock everywhere. I took it as a sign that they were discontinuing the silhouette. I bought two more and feel relieved that I now have great bras for a good long while.

Outfit Formula: Soft Green and Whites

Soft greens like light olives and sages are lovely combined with shades of white for Spring and Summer. The white component can be bright and cool like optical white, a little warmer like off-white and cream, or earthy like sand and tan. 

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Patterned Top and White Bottoms

A soft green billowing and patterned kimono blouse is worn over a column of white, which is made up of bright white cropped skinnies and a matching tank top. Earthy cinnamon slides complement the palette of the pattern. Gold hoop earrings are the jewels of choice. Add a white or tan bag to complete the look.

Patterned Top and White Bottoms

2. Sage Skirt

The same sage tiered midaxi skirt is styled in two ways. With a short, fitted cream square neck knitted top and tan slides on the left. With a white tank top, sneakers, and swingy cream barn jacket on the right. I see earthy bags in tans, toffees, and chocolate compete both outfits.

3. Earthy Co-ord

Summery co-ords are super easy to wear and style. For example, a linen shirt and pants set in a khaki green is separated by a white tucked tee. The shirt is worn open like a jacket with scrunched sleeves. A raffia bag and tan thong sandals add to the breezy, beachy vibe of the look. Dainty gold jewellery adds shine and polish.

Earthy Coord

4. Patterned Jumpsuit and Denim

A geometrically patterned fern and white jumpsuit with breezy wide legs is combined with a pewter belt, off-white sneakers, and a blue denim jacket. Gold hoop earrings add shine and glam. I see a gold bag add further shine to the look.

Patterned Jumpsuit and Denim

5. Floral Frock

Last, a romantic floral wrap dress in soft greens, pinks and blues is the star of the show. Cream pointy toe pumps complement the palette and add a dressy touch. Gold jewellery adds the glam. Add a bag and eyewear as desired.

Floral Frock