Silky lace trimmed camisoles are trending as much as lace trimmed skirts. A matching pair can be worn together to create a two-piece dress. The vibe is another nod to early ’00s fashion, which is influencing current fashion. Most are a longer tunic length, although there are short versions too. Lace trims adorn necklines and hems. Lace is contrasting or self-colour. Some hems are asymmetrical. Most camisoles have spaghetti straps and some have built-up shoulders. Colours run the gamut. Most are solid, and some are patterned. The collection shows an assortment of examples.

The idea is to wear lace trimmed camisoles as a very summery strappy top with casual pants, jeans, dressy trousers, shorts, and skirts. That’s how many of them are styled by retailers. Of course, that might leave you too exposed, which is why I’m suggesting the LAYERING route. A long lace trimmed camisole can be a pretty, romantic, interesting, and alluring layering item. Feel free to wear a regular bra under the camisole when you layer it under a third piece.

Here are lace trimmed camisoles layered under blouses, tailored blazers, and a denim jacket.

Here are examples of lace trimmed camisoles layered under bomber jackets, oversized blazers, funnel neck jackets, and sweaters. Unless the pullover is much shorter, it covers most of the camisole apart from the lace hem. Feel free to use a cardigan as a topper instead of a jacket to showcase more of the camisole. Cardigans layered over camisoles are toppers you can wear more comfortably at home.

I’m a fan of a bit of lace peeking out from under layers. I have short cotton camisoles with bits of lace on the neckline that I enjoy wearing under some shirts, blouses, and dresses. I’ll be looking out for just the right long one to layer under a few pullovers and jackets. The neckline needs to come up quite high for it to work for my style.

Over to you. What do you think of this trend?

Shiny soft satin skirts trimmed with lace are having a fashion moment. Lace trims vary from contrasting to self-colour. Lace trim is positioned on hems, waistbands, around the edges of slits, down side seams, or cut into a shape and inserted. Lengths vary from mini to maxi, although knee-length and midi lengths are common. Many silhouettes are column, cut on the bias, or slightly A-line. Some styles are asymmetrical, and some are flared. Most lace trimmed skirts are neutral and solid. Non-neutrals and patterns are less common. The collection shows examples.

Soft silky lace trimmed skirts form part of the Modern Romance trend. They take me back to the early ’00s, which is one of the decades influencing current fashion. Back then, most of them were cut on the bias and knee-length. They sat lower on the waist too. Slinky, clingy, and not that easy to wear. This time round waistbands are higher, lengths vary, and silhouettes are more than simply bias cut. There is added ease and coverage to the skirt which are fit and style upgrades to my eye.

These are flimsy, breezy and lightweight skirts, so best in mild, warm and hot weather. They can be paired with lightweight knitwear, tees, tank tops, fitted button down shirts, boxy button down shirts, button down shirts tucked or tied at the waist, mesh tops, or matching lace trimmed tops. The idea is to wear a Spring jacket or coat over the top like a blazer, moto, short trench coat, funnel neck jacket, denim jacket, bomber, or bubble hem jacket. Shoes vary from tall boots and booties, to Mary Janes, sandals, flats, pumps, and sneakers.

I like the look of the upgraded lace trimmed skirt and how it’s styled with a simple top, short jacket, and pretty shoes. The jury is out as to whether I’ll sport the trend though. Personally, I don’t want to wear a clingy bias-cut version, but I might wear a silhouette with movement. My version would look more like a skirt and less like a slip, like the patterned ones or flared silhouettes. If the right version finds me, that’s fab. If not, no problem. I’m more of a dress than skirt wearer, anyway.

Over to you. What are your thoughts on this trend?

Soft pinks are trending in most wardrobe items, like they do almost every Spring. Pastels have their pros and cons, so you either enjoy wearing them or you don’t. Wearing pale pink in specific wardrobe items, and styling them in specific ways can create the correct outfit mood for you. You might prefer wearing pale pink on the bottom instead of on top, or vice versa. You might prefer soft pink in patterns rather than solids. Or you enjoy wearing soft pink shoes and accessories best of all.

These outfits show the versatility of soft pink, and specifically, how well the pastel remixes with stronger colours to create a high contrast. Creating a high contrast is one way to prevent feeling “washed out” when wearing pastels.

1. Yellow

A soft pink oversized patterned shirt is pattern mixed with a high contrast yellow and pink floral on the same garment. The shirt’s yellow collar adds high contrast too. The swingy top is worn over high contrast blue barrel jeans. White hi-tops add a sporty touch. A white or tan bag would complete the look.

Some soft pink and lemon combinations. The pink on the left is brighter although the visual effect is soft.

2. Red

Soft pinks work well with bright and dark reds. Here, a bright red collared top is paired with a pair of wide soft pink trousers. A chocolate animal print belt and chocolate sandals match the chocolate blazer that tops the lot. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Soft pinks work well with deep reds like merlot, wine, maroon and raisin.

3. Brown

Soft pinks are lovely with mid-tone browns like biscuit, toffee, caramel, whiskey, cognac, gingerbread and cinnamon. Here, a soft pink, chocolate and cream paisley patterned dress is combined with an oversized pinstriped toffee blazer. A chocolate bag co-ordinates with chocolate in the patterns. A soft pink cardigan draped over the bag is a topper alternative to the jacket. Black sandals match the model’s hair. Sandals in a shade of brown would work well too.

4. Grey

Soft pinks are a classic pairing with greys, and a combination that takes me back to the ’80s. Here, the outfit on the left is from ME + EM, which combines light wash blue jeans with a soft pink top, and a grey and cream houndstooth Spring tweed jacket. Snakeskin flats in greys and creams pattern mix perfectly with the jacket. The outfit on the right is from Lucky Brand, which combines a soft pink tulle skirt with a grey sweater, chocolate harness boots, and a chocolate studded moto jacket. The hard-edged jacket and boots create a fab bit of tension with the floating ballerina-esque skirt.

5. Black

Last, a ’90s inspired version that combines a soft pink full skirt with a dressy short black buttoned-up jacket, black opaque tights, and chunky heeled black patent loafers. The black adds hard edge to the soft pink full skirt thereby toughening it up. Add jewellery, watch and bag as desired.

This top picks assortment is for Team Belts, which is a small and meaningful team. If you wear belts, you’ll appreciate how effectively they finish off an outfit, add polish to a look, and pull a look together. They hold up bottoms that are too big on the waist too. Personally, I find belts an effective styling tool because I like to tuck and semi-tuck tops. Filled belt loops look complete.

Belts don’t need to match your shoes and/or bag, although it’s a good guide to follow. There are belts that work well with jeans and trousers, and belts that are better over skirts and dresses. Click through the styles to view other colours.

Shout out to Anthropologie for keeping their prices more affordable, and for offering beautiful quality belts that are made in Portugal. I’m refreshing wardrobe essentials, and bought the Notched Square Buckle Belt in cream, and the Geometric Cut-Out Belt is in white. These belts are more ornate than I typically wear, yet felt like giving them a go. Glad I did! Both are in full rotation, and I’m enjoying the change.

The Rag ‘n Bone X Boyfriend Belt comes in a rare metallic pewter. The J.Crew Grommet Belts come in a rare blue-toned red with silver hardware, and burgundy with gold hardware. Web Belts and canvas belts can look great with sneakers and espadrilles. And last, if you don’t like the visual effect of a belt, but need to keep pants and jeans from falling, there’s the comfortable and streamlined No Show Stretch Belt. It lies flat and is invisible under tops.