Outfit Formula: Spaced Summery Florals

Unliked ditsy florals, spaced florals have larger flower motifs that are spaced widely apart. The background is often solid and is a larger component of the pattern. Some florals are more widely spaced than others. Sometimes the floral motifs are realistic, and sometimes more graphic and abstract. Some spaced florals are multicoloured while others have fewer colours. 

Personally, large spaced florals are my favourite type of floral pattern both in brights and neutrals. I like them in tops, pants, skirts, dresses (and for knitwear in Winter). Onto some outfit inspiration:

1. Dress

A gorgeous dressy spaced floral kaftan in tropical brights is the star of the show, and doesn’t need much else. A pair of metallic sandals and statement earrings complete the look. Add a metallic bag, or one in a colour that matches the pattern. Easy!

Dress

More summery spaced foral frocks:

2. Top

A fluid printed spaced floral tee in black, white and grey is worn over a pair of full length slouchy and wide white jeans. Flat black sandals match the tee, the sunnies, and the model’s hair. A grey and black tweed bag adds texture and a subtle form of pattern mix. Its black strap matches the sandals.

Top

More summery spaced floral tops:

Zara
Ruffled Print Shirt
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2
Bloomingdale's
Printed Top
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1

3. Pants

Floral pants are a festive way to mix things up for Summer. Here, an abstract spaced floral motif is combined with a swirly background design to create a maximal pattern in earthy greens, white, black, and a bit of blue. A seaweed green tee with eyelet sleeves is tucked into the floral pants. Ecru sneakers are the casual shoes of choice. A wicker bag in the shape of a shell adds a darling beachy touch.

Pants

More summery spaced foral pants:

4. Skirt

Last, a cinnamon midi skirt with a white, light blue, and navy spaced floral design is combined with a tucked white tank top. An oversized light blue shirt is layered over the tank and tied in front to shorten the length and create waist definition. The sleeves are rolled to showcase forearm skin. Flat cognac sandals dress down the shine of the skirt. The straw bag adds another relaxed touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, hat, and watch as desired.

Skirt

Mango
Floral Sarong Skirt
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Shopbop
Figue Myra Skirt
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Team Shorter or Longer Shorts

This week’s poll is a particularly summery one. You are on Team Shorter Shorts if you prefer wearing shorts with a shorter hem. You are on Team Longer Shorts if you prefer wearing shorts with longer hems. Note that shorter shorts have hems that finish mid-thigh and shorter. Long shorts have hems that are just above, on, or below the knee.

Personally, I don’t wear shorts because I prefer wearing dresses, skirts, and cropped or long summery pants in the Summer. But if I did, I’d be on Team Longer Shorts. I LOVE the look of knee-covering shorts. Always have! There is something about the length that looks elegant, playfully polished, unexpected, and swish to my eye. I wore dressy and casual long shorts a lot in the ‘90s, and felt great in the vibe. The pleated styles were like short culottes and super cute. I also wore clamdiggers in the ‘00s, which I much enjoyed too.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Shorter or Team Longer Shorts? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, you’re on the bench with me. I’m serving salmon curry and rice, cucumber and red pepper salad, and lemon bundt cake with cream cheese icing, so feel free to sit this one out. I suspect Team Shorter Shorts will win this poll. Let’s find out.

Creating Closet Calm

A calm closet is a sanctuary of self-expression. My walk-in-wardrobe, its contents, and dressing area are energizing, therapeutic, and confidence-boosting. This peaceful space is where I prepare body, mind, and spirit for the day. The daily ritual of creating the right outfit is a meaningful component of my self-care regimen, and one that I thoroughly enjoy. 

Of course, I’ve experienced the opposite of closet calm. That’s when my wardrobe and dressing space were a source of daily frustration and stress. Over time, I made the best of it by improving things as I was able to. It’s taken decades of thoughtful planning and resources, lots of trial and error, patience, some soul searching, and a bit of luck to get there. I’m at a point where my closet is the calmest and happiest it has ever been.

Personally, I’m calmed by a mix of visual order, practicality, and emotional ease. Here are eleven ways I’ve created a calm closet.

1. Organized Space

Wardrobe items that are stored and displayed in a neat, clean, tidy, and orderly manner makes me feel in control of what I have, and it looks nice. It gets the creative juices flowing, and fabulous outfit combinations are amplified.

2. Practicality

Wardrobe items have to be visible and easily reachable, or I get annoyed and forget about the items I cannot see. It’s one of the reasons I do not swap out seasons. I need to see everything at all times. That, and the fact that there is nowhere to store non-seasonal wardrobe items in our loft where space is at a premium.

3. An Edited and Curated Wardrobe

Having a wardrobe that supports my lifestyle, sartorial preferences, and style goals simplifies life. It encourages an efficient and intentional way of dressing, and mindful consumption. Items have earned their place and work hard.

4. A Mid-Size Wardrobe

A mid-sized wardrobe suits my needs because it allows for plenty of variety across a four season climate, and it’s easier to manage than a large wardrobe. I like to have loads of options, but not to the extent that I’m wearing most items infrequently because I have too many of them.

5. Pretty Palettes

Colour is a very important part of my life because it creates positive emotions. Opening closet doors and drawers that are brimming with an abundance of my favourite colours puts me in a good mood.

6. No Holding Zone

I used to have a holding zone with items that I no longer wanted in my wardrobe, but didn’t want to pass on. This strategy works really well for many of my clients. However, I’ve learned that it doesn’t work for me. Once I’ve decided to pass on an item, that’s it. I move on and forget about it. So a holding zone is superfluous.

7. Wearing, and Not Staring

Searching for, nabbing, purchasing, and beautifully storing wardrobe items is a fun process in itself. But the best part about shopping for an item is WEARING IT once it’s yours. Decades ago, I used to stare at my gorgeous pieces, but fail to wear them for all sorts of reasons. Thankfully, I don’t do that anymore. Life is too short, and if not now, when? Being on team Wear As Soon As Possible And Frequently, is calming.

8. A Mix of Old and New

I enjoy refreshing my wardrobe seasonally with carefully chosen items that are on trend, or wildcards, or simply signature to my style. After all, I’m a fashion and style professional making it somewhat part of my job. That said, it is absolutely essential that I successfully remix new items with old items. Giving old items continued limelight is satisfying, sustainable, and calming. New items are exciting, and old items are well loved.

9. A Mirror In Natural Light

I’ve had my fair share of full length mirrors is bad light, and sometimes it can’t be helped. Having a mirror in good natural light makes a big difference. I make better outfit choices because I can see the colours and details clearly. I appreciate my wardrobe and outfit more because I see the best version of it in great light.

10. Basics Are Not Neglected

Wardrobe basics like underwear, sleepwear, socks, loungewear, and workout wear might not be fun to shop for or spend money on, but they are wardrobe workhorses that deserve our time and budget too. Once I understood the importance of having my wardrobe basics fully and beautifully sorted, I felt better about my entire wardrobe and style. Wearing superb undergarments is also greatly underestimated.

11. A Digital Representation

Keeping an updated digital representation of my wardrobe through YLF Finds is indispensable to me. I can see my wardrobe at the press of a button so that I always know what I have. This is easier and faster than looking at my wardrobe (especially when I’m not at home). Seeing items more easily allows me to make sense of what I have, which helps control and manage my wardrobe. A digital wardrobe representation makes putting together travel capsules and other capsules easier too.

Over to you. Do these ways of creating closet calm resonate with you? How do you create closet calm?

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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Outfit Formula: Fruit & Veggie Chic

There’s a summery micro trend that celebrates the freshness of fruit and vegetables. We’re seeing fruit and vegetable patterns on dresses, tops, skirts, pants, scarves, bags, and shorts. It is also on jewellery, and embroidery. The collection below shows some examples.

I love the colour citron, so I often end up with patterns that contain lemons, regardless of the trends. In the past I’ve had lemon patterned pants, tops, bags, and mules. Currently, I have a pink silk blouse with a lemon pattern. I like wearing it in the Summer with white pants or light blue jeans. I have pink specs and a citron bag to match.

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Veggie Shirt and Shorts

A blue and white striped shirt with a vegetable embroidery peeking out from above the patch pocket is paired with a pair of red shorts. The red shorts match a component of the embroidery. It’s tucked, but you can leave it untucked. Casual black crochet bag and espadrilles amplify the relaxed vibe and match the model’s hair.

Veggie Shirt and Shorts

2. Tropical Skirt

A flared patterned skirt complete with pineapples, clams and lobsters is paired with a fitted and tucked tank top. A tan raffia belt and structured cognac and cream satchel add a dressy integrity to the beachy look. Conversely, cream and pink striped slides add back a relaxed and casual vibe. Dainty layered necklaces glam up the look. Fun outfit.

Tropical Skirt

3. Dressy Fruit

A dressier shirtdress adorned with pineapples and kiwis in a turquoise, white, and earthy brown palette is playfully unexpected. It’s completed with dressy cognac sandals and gold jewellery. I see a white, gold or brown bag to match. Fruity Fabness.

Dressy Fruit

4. Celery, Cucumber and Sage

If patterns aren’t your thing, feel free to support the fruit and vegetable trend in a subtle way by sporting soft greens like celery, kiwi, cucumber, sage, honeydew melon, avocado, grape, and jackfruit. For example, here’s a sage striped blouse that’s combined with a pair of white wide leg jeans. Dark brown belt and shoes are the contrasting complement that match the model’s hair. Add jewellery, bag, eyewear and watch as desired.

Celery, Cucumber and Sage

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Top Picks for 2025

This is my 21st Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS). It’s by far, my favourite sale of the year, although some NAS’s are better than others. I never know what I’m going to end up with because it’s a crapshoot. Yet, my wardrobe is filled with NAS treasures, so I’m excited every time it pops up on my calendar. I go in with low expectations and usually have a great sale. Some years I find more items than others, but it’s good.

I spent most of last week helping Nordstrom card holding clients pre-select items for their wardrobes. That’s when Nordstrom launches brand new Autumn and Winter collections at discounted prices for two weeks only. Prices go back up at the end of July.

Colour palettes took me by surprise. Lots of browns, greys, dark blue, black, olives, muted tones, and pastels, which is great if those are colours you wear. If they aren’t, you have to look harder, or look elsewhere. Nordstrom took a risk putting all their eggs into one basket by offering limited palettes. If you don’t like the colour, you won’t buy the item no matter how fab it is.

Many items are only available online and not in brick and mortar stores. So as my clients, our forum members, and I receive our online orders, I’ll update the top picks collections. In the meantime, these items emerged as winners among my clientele. Remember to browse all the colour and size options. We also have a very engaged NAS section of the YLF forum, where forum members share thoughts about what they bought, and how it fits.

The strengths of this year’s NAS were jeans, pants, footwear that was NOT boots, athleisure, and jackets. Generally, items are of higher quality than the last few years. I was pleased with the improvement. House brand offerings are better too. The underwear is stellar, and so is the menswear and homeware. Feel free to ask questions about items in the comments section, or start a thread on the forum. I’ll do my best to help out.

1. Jeans and Pants

Wit & Wisdom pants and jeans were the star of the show, and especially great fits for petites. That said, their jeans fit my tall clients too. Kut from the Kloth has lower rises all round, if that’s your preference. Rag ‘n Bone and Frame jeans ran TTS or a size small. There is a great selection of lengths, silhouettes and washes. Full lengths and cropped.

2. Jackets and Coats

Generally, there was a better selection of jackets than coats. Lots of casual jackets, and a few dressier blazers. Ralph Lauren items are particularly good. Liverpool, Avec Les Filles, Sanctuary and Caslon might run big. AllSaints runs small. Faux suede items are particularly nice quality and affordable.

3. Knitwear and Tops

Natural fibres and machine washable items were a plenty at this year’s NAS, which made my clients and me happy. The cotton knitwear is particularly good. The quality of the Nordstrom brand cashmere is super. Halogen and Caslon tops and knits run big. Size down in most of the shirts and blouses too. The Madewell tee has great back detailing and was a hit with everyone who tried it.

4. Atheleisure and Loungewear

Zella items are stellar this year. Superb quality and EXTRA cosy fabric. Their tops run big, and the bottoms TTS. Almost all Save the Duck items made my top picks list because they are that good. An Italian brand, and hands down my favourite brand of puffer jacket. They tend to run a bit narrow so size up when you like a roomier fit. Barefoot dreams toppers always go down well, and there are lots of cute pyjamas.

5. Footwear

The boots assortment was disappointing, although the flats, mules, pumps, and loafer offerings are great. I expected to see a lot more snakeskin, but saw an abundance of browns instead. Brown is definitely the new black. A good time to stock up on holiday footwear. Lots of metallic shoes.

6. Accessories

Belts are fab at this year’s NAS, and almost every client went home with one or a few. The jewellery is also good, as are some of the earthy and cream bags. Shout out to Monica Vinader items. There are fab classic scarves too.

Happy shopping, everyone! I’ll share which items I end up with in a blog post next week.