Today I want to share two recent style inspirations. One is quite general, and the other is very specific.

I spent a lot of time in the Netherlands last month. As always, I was inspired by how pulled together and interesting people look, in the most practical and real way. The street styles are hip, practical, casual and Trendy Classic. I especially admire how those older than me get on with life with verve, stamina, humour, and a great sense of style. People frequently wear jeans and pants because the Dutch bike and walk almost everywhere, although you see a lot of shirt dresses and flared skirts in the Summer too.

Generally flat, with an incredible system of designated bike paths, the country is set up for biking. It’s a very healthy way of life, and I love it. It definitely impacts what people wear, which is generally casual, current, comfortable, and with shoes that go the distance. My own style is a little dressier, yet I relate to a lot of how people dress in the Netherlands. I aspire to dressing just as stylishly when I grow up.

Second, I’d like to thank an 80-year-old client who I’ve had the pleasure of working together with for fourteen years. She has a very good eye. Five weeks ago, she wanted my opinion on a pair of Pilcro floral slim boyfriend jeans from Anthropologie. She modelled them for me, and I absolutely adored them on her. They are fun, very flattering, fluidly tailored, lightweight, comfortable, and fably on-trend. My client wears them with panache and confidence, which is just how it should be. I could see them becoming wardrobe workhorses for her style, and gave her the big thumbs up. Pandering to my own gung-ho-pattern gene and affection for patterned pants, I got a pair for myself later that week. They were instant Summer favourites that I took with me to the Netherlands, and I’ve worn them many times. Without seeing them on my client, I’d have missed purchasing and enjoying them. Thank you, so much! 

I remix the floral slim boyfriend jeans with a variety of white, blue and blush tops, a white lace camisole, dark and light denim jackets, white sneakers, light blue loafers, and a light blue and blush bag. Here are the exact items from my wardrobe that I used to create outfits with the new blue floral jeans. Yes, I wear denim on denim. Yes, I pattern mix, and yes I’m wearing neutrals from head to toe for a change.

Over to you. Have any inspirations positively impacted your own style recently? If so, feel free to give them a shout-out in the comments below.

A new outfit from Veronica Popoiacu of Bittersweet Colours, whom we introduced to YLF in August 2013.

Veronica’s striking dress steals the show in this polished casual look made for Summer. The sunny marigold is eye-catching, and the design details on this fun frock remind me of 1960s style. The voluminous A-line silhouette and above-the-knee length make it playful. The tiered layers create horizontal lines that are countered by the vertical pleats running from top to bottom. The high neckline creates structure while the flowy sleeves are fluidly dramatic. Pairing the dress with pointy-toed flats in a black and white check pattern is unexpected, and adds extra pizzazz. The white sunnies bring retro glam to the look. And, as always, Veronica picked the perfect bag that both echoes her yellow dress and the colours and pattern of her footwear.

Most of my sneakers are white or blush. They get a LOT of wear because I walk almost everywhere — rain or shine — and they do get dirty. But I like to keep them looking clean and pristine because it amps up the crispness and polish of my style. So I clean them regularly. I do a fair bit of easy and fast daily wiping, and haul out the OxiClean for extensive cleaning.

My sneakers are leather, not canvas. I’ve found that wiping them down with a damp sponge or some paper towel every day, or every few days, takes the edge off the dirt and grime that accumulates over time. It absolutely keeps the white soles looking cleaner for longer. When my sneakers get really dirty, I unthread the white laces and soak them in water and OxiClean for a day. After rinsing and air-drying, I marvel at how sparkling white they are. I also use OxciClean to clean the leather and soles of the sneakers.

Dissolve a bit of OxiClean in water and scrub the sneakers. Scrub the soles vigorously and the leather gently. Allow them to dry in the sun or indoors. Thread the laces back into the sneakers, and Bob’s your uncle. Clean!

Some of our forum members have successfully put their white and light leather or canvas sneakers in the washing machine with stellar results. I haven’t tried this yet, but might do so in future. How do you clean your white and light sneakers?

Who remembers wearing a flowing soft top with a pair of soft wide pants in exactly the same Summery patterned fabric back in the ‘90s? I do, and I enjoyed wearing the combination. It was one way to stay cool and covered, and very comfortable in hot Asian and African heat. The soft drape of the fabric tempered the boxiness of the silhouettes. I also remember feeling casually pulled together when completing the look with a pair of flat strappy sandals, slides, or platform sneakers. Fabrics were silky, cotton-rich, crepe-y, or viscose based. The ‘90s revival is big at the moment, so the look is back as a fringe trend.

The combination can look a little pyjama-esque, which you either like or you don’t. So take it one set at a time, and decide whether the vibe works for you. If I lived in a climate with a long, hot Summer, I’d be adding a couple of sets to my wardrobe because they are so easy! Here are some versions I particularly liked.

1. V-Neck and Bootcuts

A V-neck blouse is paired with a pair of soft and roomy bootcut pants in the same patterned fabric. The curved hem of the blouse adds structure to the fluid silhouette. The extra long hems of the pants look luxurious, but are treacherous. Please hem them to a safer length. Strappy sandals look gorgeously Summery, and add a bag to match. The sandals bookend the model’s hair and match the pattern.

2. Avant Garde

This version has lots of volume and I bet looks great in motion. The top is tunic length, and looks a little like a jacket with its patch pockets. The sleeves are cropped, which tempers the volume of the top. The look has been dressed up with dressy heeled sandals. Feel free to also dress it down with a flat Summery shoe.

3. Resort

Maybe the combination is a good one to wear to a resort at the beach and pool, or over a swimsuit as a cover-up. I’m not sure how practical that is, but visually I like the idea. Here the oversized shirt has been semi-tucked into elastic pants to showcase some waistline, but you can leave it untucked and flowing. And of course, you can add shoes. You can also add jewellery, eyewear, bag, and watch, as desired.