Ensemble: Easy Summer Denim Skirt

This ensemble was inspired by my own denim skirt outfit that I’ve worn twice over the last fortnight. It combines a denim midi skirt with a cropped cotton pullover, dressy flat loafers and a structured tote. The denim skirt finishes right under my kneecap. To my eye, the flats work well with the midi length because it’s tapered at the side seams, thereby adding even more structure to the fit. Showcasing the waist with a cropped top lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. I did not feel short in the leg or “stumpy” in this outfit.

Here are the exact items from my wardrobe.

There are countless ways to put together an easy denim skirt look for warmer weather. Here are some outfit ideas to get you started. The outfit on the far left approximates my own outfit.

Here are the components of the ensemble. Feel free to choose any colour palette.

Denim Skirt: The ensemble idea falls flat without a denim skirt, so no substitutes. I’ve chosen silhouettes in simple pencil skirt cuts because they’re widely available and simple to style. But feel free to choose another style of denim skirt. Black, blue, grey and white denim is fab. Choose a length that tickles your fancy. 

Top: A denim pencil skirt works with most styles of top, and especially a shorter one that’s left untucked. A high-waisted and fitted style like the one I have is nice with a fluid or boxy cropped top, or a tucked fluid shirt and blouse. A boxy tee with a flounced hem is fun. So is a cold-shoulder top, wrap top, patterned tee, or boho blouse. 

Footwear: I’m preferring footwear up to two inches with this vibe, and one inch footwear in particular. Think loafers, sandal booties, sandals, ankle strap flats, mules, espadrilles, Birkenstocks, and sneakers. 

Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a bag that works with the look like a tote, satchel, crossbody or backpack. Add jewellery, headgear, eyewear and watch as desired.

Ensemble: Easy Summer Denim Skirt

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Nine Fab Finds

Here’s a collection of items that have been winners on clients recently, or have ended up earning a place in my own wardrobe after a certain birthday fairy did a very good job. Fantastic to see that items made of vegan leather are looking extra spectacular season after season. Be sure to browse all the colour options.

  • Lucky Brand Shirred Peasant Top: If you're into blousey flounces with an Edwardian flavour, try this blouse. Fab on a narrower shoulder line, longer neck and smaller bust. A little short for a long torso unless you wear it with high-rise pants or a skirt. It has a muumuu fit so you have to be okay with that. Forgiving of perspiration marks and creases. Breezy, yet covered. Good for travel. Excellent with casual olive bottoms. Nice shade of navy. This one is mine. Very pretty.
  • Sole Society Dome Satchel: Best DRESSY vegan bag I've seen this year. Well made and sharp. The zipper glides like butter. Good as a crossbody or structured satchel. Both colours are nice. Streamlined. The blush is mine, and works well with my blush sneakers and loafers.
  • Vince Zip Ankle Utility Pants: Excellent TAILORED cargo pants. Olive is much darker in person. Not baggy - but not body-con either. Bags out a little after one wear. Can work on a slightly curvier figure if you size up, AND it runs a size small. Not good on full thighs or wide calves. Fab length and substantial fabric. Can work on petites. Comfortable. These followed me home.
  • PIXIE MOOD Faux Leather Convertible Backpack: Silver Vegan Backpack Fabness.
  • Shiraleah Helena Perforated Faux Leather Tote: Perforated Silver Vegan Tote Fabness.
  • BLANKNYC Faux Leather Jacket: Extremely popular black vegan moto that's very fitted, and might run a size small. Fabulous with skirts and dresses and curvy body types with a smaller bust and very defined waist. Read the rave reviews.
  • Massimo Dutti Small Leather Crossbody Bag: Super cute turquoise mini crossbody bag with gorgeous hardware. Well made.
  • Halogen Faux Leather Belt: Vegan blush belts are hard to find, and even more unique with a round buckle. Wide enough to wear with jeans.
  • Madewell The Transport Leather Crossbody: A very casual coral tote that converts into a very streamlined crossbody. Ultra soft and unstructured. Well made and also comes in cognac and grey.

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

My New Favourite Camisole

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I’ve found camisole nirvana. It’s the Hanro Women’s Moments Cami that comes in an assortment of colours. The bad news is that it’s five times the price of the BP. camisole I’ve been devoted to for the last ten years. Blast. 

One of my clients swears by Hanro camisoles and wears one daily. I knew they were pricey so I’ve been putting off trying one for years — especially since I’ve been happy with the BP. camisoles, some Uniqlo camisoles, and a few pricier lace darlings from Hanky Panky. I finally bought the Moments Cami in white last month. After its first wear, I bit the bullet and bought the black and the navy. Absolutely HEAVENLY. 

If you like a bit of lace like I do, this camisole looks beautiful over your bra and knickers. The dainty satin straps are pretty and adjustable. The lace inset is gorgeous, super soft, and peeks out from under a lower neckline, or through sheer fabric (I love the visual effect.)

But the best part about the cami is that its made of the SOFTEST 100% mercerized cotton and is void of side seams. Sublime comfort, impeccable fit (not clingy,) and extremely lightweight. The cami glides over the contour of your body in the gentlest way. You can barely feel that you’re wearing it. They also retain their shape after a laundry cycle. I do air-dry these camisoles because I don’t want to wear them out in the dryer. 

Camisoles are a very big part of my style. I’ve worn one daily for almost twenty years because I find them extremely comfortable as the layer between my torso and clothing, and feel odd when I don’t wear one. I even wear a cami in heatwaves because they’re somehow soothing. They are like a third piece of underwear to me, or “second skin”.

I’ll be adding more Hanro camisoles to my wardrobe over time, because when they’re wardrobe workhorses and you’ve found cami perfection – it’s worth saving up for them. I enjoy wearing pretty underwear, and take great care laundering them. There is something about wearing gorgeous, high-quality undies that makes me feel better in my clothes, and better about my style, despite the fact that they aren’t visible to the world. I also find it confidence-boosting and that it encourages positive body image. So for me, my style, and for my psyche, spending money on pricey undies is worth it. 

If the camisole that I selected from Hanro doesn’t tickle your fancy, have a squiz at their other silhouettes. I do wish they came in a greater range of sizes.

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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Modern Classic Polka Dots

A new outfit from Amber McNaught of Forever Amber, whom we introduced to YLF in July 2014.

An eye-catching polka dot pleated skirt is the life of the party in this Summer-y Modern Classic outfit. The oversized navy dots are both playful and girly. Amber’s paired it with a cropped lightweight navy sweater with welted hem to create structure and showcase her waist. Showcasing the waist lengthens the leg line from the hips upward when you’re wearing flats. The subtle see-through pattern on the pullover adds an alluring touch. Red flats with little bows look fab with the white and blue, and echo Amber’s bright orange-red lipstick. The red also emphasizes our blogger’s beautiful wavy locks. A white shoulder bag and oversized wooden sunnies finish off this elegant look.

Forever Amber - 2

Forever Amber - 1

A Footwear Dilemma: Keep or Return

Zappos
Bella-Vita Fonda
View Info
Top Pick
16

I’ve wanted a pair of gold sandal booties for several seasons, but battled to find a pair that comfortably fit my low-volume feet and didn’t look hard-edged. Styles were too high-heeled, stiff, unstable, and wide – until I found Bella Vita’s Fonda. These sandals are soft, stable, pretty, and fit like a dream in a narrow width. I was awfully happy to have found them three months ago, and love the way they look.

Unfortunately, these sandal booties have two strikes against them:

  • A two inch heel, which has turned out to be a little high for me these days, unless I wear them for short periods of time, or as Summer “sitting” shoes. 
  • I do wear sandals, but generally prefer to wear closed-toe shoes in the Summer because I like the look of covered toes and need the insulation for a less-than-hot Seattle weather. 

As a result, I haven’t worn them yet. 

Instead, I reach for my three new pairs of loafers and an old pair of gold loafers most of the time. They work with just about all my Spring and Summer outfits, look sufficiently dressy for client meetings — and most importantly — go the distance. A new pair of sparkly navy pointy toe flats from Paul Green — a birthday gift — are also going to become workhorses. 

For dressier outfits, I reach for a new pair of dainty white Modern Retro slingbacks because they have a lower heel, and are closed-toed. My old snakeskin round square toed ankle strap pumps have come out to play too. And when it’s been hot enough to wear sandals, I reached for my older two pairs because they have lower heels. 

Here are the exact Summer shoes from my wardrobe that are competing with the gold sandal booties:

This brings me to my dilemma: Should I keep or return the oh-so-hard to find narrow gold sandal booties?

Keep them, and they might be orphaned if I don’t wear them over the next two months. Return them, and I might regret that I let them go after finally finding fabulous Summer sitting shoes that fit my low-volume feet.

Should I hold out for a pair with a one and a half inch heel? Should I keep these as fun sitting shoes to wear on special Summer occasions? After all, we can’t expect every item that we purchase to be a wardrobe workhorse. That’s unrealistic and for me, takes some of the fun out of my style. 

I’m undecided. What do you think I should do?  Keep or Return? And let me know why.