Weekly Roundup: Hints of Spring

It’s snowing heavily outside our home office window as I write this post, which doesn’t make me all that happy. But looking at the first retail inputs of Spring 2017 fashion does make me happy, as I long for sunshine and warm weather. I come ALIVE when I shop for Spring, so the next four months of fashion will be my favourite of the year. Happy colours, bold patterns, crisp textures, lighter weight fabrications, refined footwear, flouncy silhouettes, ample dresses, and lots of light neutrals. Wooohooo! I’m as excited as ever to shop the new season to refresh my style 

These items caught my eye, although I have not seen them all in person yet. Browse through all the colour options.

You can see my descriptions alongside the items on the collection page.

Shopbop
AG Jodi Crop Jeans
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8
COS
Dress with pleated hems
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2
Boden
Tresco Stripe Jumper
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13
Boden
Posy Shirt Dress
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5
Boden
Verity Bag
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11
Boden
Catherine Mid Heel
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8
J.Crew
Vintage floral scarf
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22

In the Mood for Red Shoes

Red shoes are a classic, but they also look particularly fresh to my eye. Maybe that’s because they’re back on the fashion radar, or because my red shoe hiatus has made me long for them again. Absence can make the heart grow fonder. Either way, I’m in the mood for bright red shoes. 

Tomato red shoes are the first thing on my Spring shopping list for 2017. I used to have a pair of bright red shoes in my wardrobe both as a child and as an adult. But for the last several years, I focused on white, cream, gold and silver shoes and forgot how much I like bright red peds. Since my style has come back home I’ll be incorporating warm weather red shoes into my outfits. 

Here are some outfit ideas with bright red shoes. 

Flats with Cropped Flares

It’s great seeing fabulous outfits with flats because I’m less into wearing even low heels these days. Jeans, layering top, blazer and dressy accessories is a flop-proof outfit formula. The trendy jeans and blazer here are a fun juxtaposition with the classic bowed red flats. The leg line is kept long by shortening the length of the cropped jeans, and showcasing the high-rise waistband.

MIU MIU Bow-embellished Patent-leather Ballet Flats

Platforms with Shorts 

Casual red platform sandals look great with baggy shorts, abstract tee and clutch. Feel free to leave off the torso tie when your shoes do all the talking.

MIU MIU Satin Platform Sandals

Pumps with Dressed Up Denim 

Heeled red pumps with ankle straps or ties are a popular dressier choice because they work well with jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses. Add a dramatic, flirty top and dressy bag to jeans and a pretty pair of red pumps, and you’re good to go.

MIU MIU Lace-up Patent-leather Pumps

Sandals with Dresses

A versatile pair of red sandals works well with a frock. No need to wear heels if flats are your thing. Suede shoes are getting more popular for Summer, and good in a sandal style too. Extra comfortable, and texture-rich.

GIANVITO ROSSI Portofino Suede Sandals

Red shoes are versatile because they function like a neutral in your outfits when you have a high affinity for colour mixing. They’re highly effective and easy to incorporate when you have a predominantly black, white, blue and grey wardrobe, thereby adding another layer of interest. That said, I can’t think of a colour that doesn’t look good with bright red, so they’d be very versatile in my own colourful wardrobe too.

Feast your eyes on this large assortment of bright red Spring and Summer footwear. We’re talking about fire engine red, tomato and water melon reds, and not burgundy, bordeaux or wine reds. Sporting bright red shoes with a matching bag or belt is an easy way to pull together an outfit, but not essential. When you have bright red shoes – just wear them!

Boden
Catherine Mid Heel
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8

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Viscose 101

This post was inspired by one of my clients. She had bad experiences with the fabrication and vowed to never purchase it again. I’m not a textile expert, but I’ve been in the fashion industry for 25 years — working as a designer, retail buyer and fashion stylist — and I’ve developed some opinions of my own. 

Viscose is a semi-synthetic fibre that is neither completely natural nor man-made. It’s made by dissolving the pulp of plants like bamboo, wood, soy and sugar cane and using chemical processes to create a thread that is spun into cloth. 

Viscose is NOT the same fabric as rayon. Viscose is a type of rayon with viscose content. Both viscose and rayon are semi-synthetic fibres made by combining plants and chemical processes, which is why they are thought to be the same thing. Rayon is generally a better bet than 100% viscose for reasons that will become clear in a moment.

Viscose is soft, breezy, drapey, silky and fairly affordable, which is why it’s a popular fabrication for hot weather clothing. It resembles cotton and silk, making it extra comfortable to the touch. The problem is that 100% Viscose creases extremely easily (like linen), marks easily (like brushed raw silk), and can shrink in the laundry (like wool). The fibres can also be unstable, causing the garment to lose its shape. 

Viscose is, however, a good fibre to combine with other fibres because of its excellent tactile qualities. It adds a soft and silky integrity to cloth which makes a garment drape better and more comfortable to wear. For example, knitwear with a viscose content feels and looks luxurious and silky. 

In short, be wary of garments made of 100% viscose because they crease and shrink very easily. But by all means wear garments with a viscose content in the fabrication because it adds a soft and silky integrity. Here are wonderful items made of fabrications with a high or low viscose content. Not too shabby, and good reviews too.

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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The Advantages of V-Necks

Ten years ago V-necks on tops, dresses and knitwear were widely available. As fashion trends moved to higher necklines, they became less and less available. At one point, garments with V-necks were almost impossible to find, which was a missed retail opportunity because they look good on most women. There should always be a good selection of V-neck merchandise in stores during the height of a retail reason. 

V-necklines are very popular with my clients. In addition to looking alluring and feeling breezy, they tend to create a visually flattering effect on women with the following body type modifiers:

  • Large bust: A lower neckline breaks up the expanse of the bust very effectively. Conversely, a high neckline tends to make the bust look larger. 
  • Short neck: A V-neck elongates the length of the neck.  A high neckline shortens the length of the neck. 
  • Broad shoulder line: A V-neck narrows the width of the shoulder line by accentuating vertical integrity. 
  • Petite height: A shorter person tends to look more proportioned in a V-neck because of its elongating and vertical qualities. 
  • Short waist: Sometimes a V-neck can offset the short length of a waist by drawing the eye in a vertical direction. 

If you can tick one or more boxes above, you’ll probably enjoy wearing V-necks as long as they aren’t cut too wide or too low. And you’re in luck because Spring and Summer 2017 collections are full of V-necks. They’re back with a vengeance!

Boden
Agnes V-Neck Sweater
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Boden
Clare V-Neck Sweater
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5
Boden
Posy Shirt Dress
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5
Ann Taylor
Twist Top
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Ann Taylor
Cricket Sweater
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4

My body type modifiers are the polar opposite to those best suited to V-necks. I’m regular height with a regular size bust, regular length waist, narrow shoulder line, and extremely long neck. My long neck looks even longer with my very short hairstyle. My preference is for high necklines that shorten the length of the neck and widen the shoulders. I do wear unbuttoned shirts that create an effective V-neck, but in that case the collar makes all the difference.

Over to you. Do you like to wear V-necks, and if so tell us why?

Ensemble: Modern Audrey

RosamarieThis ensemble was inspired by last month’s featured blogger Rosamarie, who combined a column of black with dressy loafers, scarf and statement bag. It’s an easy outfit to pull together, and one that you might be able to shop for in your closet right away. To my eye it’s the pops of contrasting colour that make the look. It’s one that is particularly suited to those with black or dark brown hair. There is something about a column of black and black footwear that works really well with very dark hair. 

I’ve shown two renditions of the look, and red and green as the pops of colour. Feel free to choose any accent colours to combine with the black. Here are the components of the outfit:

Black Ankle Pants: Choose a pair of fitted black ankle pants that are tapered, straight or flared at the hem. Two to three inches above the ankle bone is a good length. Any longer and you’ll look like you’re wearing “high water pants” that are neither here nor there. Make sure the length of your crops looks intentional, ESPECIALLY when wearing flats with the look. Petites watch out, and ensure that the pants are sufficiently short. 

Black Top: Choose a solid pullover or knitted top — fitted, fluid or oversized — with a neckline of your choice to create the column of black. The neckline needs to be low enough to tie a scarf onto bare skin. Wear it untucked. 

Dressy Loafers or Oxfords: Add a pair of black dressy oxfords or loafers. Heeled or flat Mary Janes will also work, and will add to the Modern Retro vibe of the outfit. By all means, add a pair of non-neutral shoes to the mix. This could be super cute if it picks up the colours in your accessories. 

Add sheer black knee-highs or dainty trouser socks to keep your feet and ankles warm. If you like, you could also play around with a subtle patterned sock, but that will dress down the outfit. 

Topper: Top the outfit off with a neutral or coloured wool coat, trench coat, or moto jacket. 

Dressy Accessories: A silky square scarf is a must and makes the look. Tie it in a reef or square knot snugly against the neck, making sure the ends lie flat (this post on knot tying shows you how to do that). If you have a shorter neck, tie the knot loosely around the neck, and wear a top with a V-neckline. Finish off the look with a dressy non-neutral bag in a solid or pattern that matches the scarf. The match is not a must, but will help pull the outfit together. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

Ensemble: Modern Audrey

I would wear these outfits minus the black footwear. I would choose red, cream or gold to complement my pale complexion. I’d also amp up the brights and wear pearls with the scarf. How about you?

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