A new outfit from Kimberly Smith of Penny Pincher Fashion, who we introduced to YLF in October 2013.

Kimberly shopped her closet for this elegant party look built around a tiered fringe skirt. Pairing the black skirt with a black blouse creates a column of colour. Leaving the silky blouse untucked adds playfulness, while the thigh-length gilet gives the outfit structure. The high-contrast sleeveless jacket also adds extra interest and amps up the dressy factor. Our blogger finishes off the look with versatile metallic pointy toe pumps and an interesting patterned two-toned clutch.

The Arizona style Birkenstock went fashionably mainstream last season, and the trend continues this year. Apparently Nordstrom ran out of Birkenstocks last Summer and won’t be making the same mistake again. They’ve called the Birkenstock look, which includes variations on the original Arizona style, the “Footbed Sandal Trend”, and regard it as a Modern Essential for the season. This in itself is quite extreme, and a major nod to designers recognizing the need for comfortable and modern fashion. 

Birkenstocks continue to be worn in casual outfit combinations with jeans, shorts, cropped pants, dresses and skirts, like the examples I attached below. In some instances Birkenstocks are combined with dressier pieces, which is a more jarring and fashion forward juxtaposition. These street style shots showcase a few more interesting and very wearable ways to sport the look. The outfits exude a good dose of fashionable intention, which, to my eye, offsets the frump factor:

• Black skinnies, white tee and mixed media utility jacket.
• Black-Out with shiny slouchies.
• Graphic crop top and midi.
• Rough around the edges white with black accents.
• Cognac with denim and animal print.
• Casual White-Out.
• High-waisted tuxedo denim with shirt and belt.
• Boho-Lite Black-Out.

Although I do not wear Birkenstocks, and actually find them uncomfortable, I’m thrilled to see that the trend is still going strong. I do not have a poison eye for the style. Many of my clients have enjoyed incorporating fashionable Birkies into their warm weather outfits.

I don’t fancy all Birkenstock styles though. I like the Arizona style best in white, black and metallics because it gives the silhouette a more futuristic integrity. Less earthy and more graphic. The floral renditions, which Givenchy brought out last year, are growing on me too. Copies at a fraction of the price are available this season, and might attract a younger audience because they look more playful and less severe. 

An interesting aspect of the Birkenstocks trend is the way it has revolutionized footwear with the same design sensibility from brands like Naot and Mephisto. It has also encouraged other fashionable brands to make footwear that is “Birkenstock-esque”. Zara’s new Spring collections have moved on from the Arizona style Birkie that they did last year to similar looks with thong detailing and heel straps. It seems that there is no stopping the chunky flat sandal with comfy footbed trend. It just goes to show that items can be frumpy right up to the point that they become fashionable. 

There was a lot of passion in the comments section when I talked about trendy Birkenstocks last year. Many rejoiced at the practical slip-on becoming a deliberate fashion statement, while others could not see past their poison eye for the look. Now that we are one year in, has your perception of the ped changed? Do you like wearing Birkenstocks, or have you gone off the look? Have Birkenstocks grown on you if they were once not your cup of tea? Will you wear them with skirts and dresses?

Kate Spade is branching out into furniture, an interesting collaboration from the American Museum of Natural History, a major Oscar de la Renta retrospective in San Francisco, and more style news that made the rounds this week.

• Christophe Lemaire, former Hermès Creative Director, is designing a Fall capsule collection for Uniqlo.
• Fashion on the Ration, a new exhibition at the London Imperial War Museum, explores how the Second World War affected fashion.
• Giorgio Armani is planning a new womenswear line. The New Normal collection will be “full of classic items”.
• Bettina Graziani, one of the world’s first supermodels, passed away on Monday.
• Kate Spade is branching out into bedding and bath products, furniture, and a collection of kitchen goods.
• The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco is staging a major Oscar de la Renta retrospective.
• The Zoe Report is launching a subscription service. Four times a year, members will receive a “Box of Style”, containing Rachel Zoe-approved goods.
• For its second edition, The Karl Daily — Karl Lagerfeld’s fashion mailer — is going digital.
• NY City’s American Museum of Natural History has enlisted 22 Etsy designers to create 140 products inspired by the museum’s collections.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that during the Second World War people attached “blackout buttons” to clothing lapels. These shiny buttons made the wearer visible on the streets after a blackout. The Guardian also mentions that: “The fashionably inclined would have worn more design-aware ones such as luminous flowers available from stores like Selfridges.”

This ensemble was inspired by a casual street style look I pinned for some of my clients. Olive bottoms can be hard to match, but they generally work well with a black and white support act, or paired just with black. 

Here are three ways to combine the colours to get you going. In all three cases I’ve chosen black footwear. The four pairs here can be remixed across the outfits. I’ve also chosen a tote and a fringed backpack that can be worn across all three looks. 

Olive Jeans, Striped Top & Moto

Combine a pair of casual olive pants with a black and white striped T-shirt or pullover. Top off with a black moto, black short or tall boots, and black tote. A pair of casual khakis, cargo pants or skinnies work well as bottoms. A black blazer or trench coat can be substituted for the moto. Feel free to turn the outfit formula on its head by wearing an olive jacket with black jeans. 

Black Bottoms & Olive Pullover

This option is for Team Cozy and Comfortable. Pair stonewashed black jeans, jet black jeans or leather jeggings with an oversized olive pullover. Finish off the look with a pair of boots, flats or heels, and black bag of your choosing. If you’re after a crisper integrity, layer a white button-down shirt under the roomy pullover. Add black outerwear for extra insulation. 

Olive Skirt with Black Top & Topper

Combine an olive pencil skirt with a black welted sweatshirt or pullover. An asymmetrical sweater works well too. Top with a black poncho, cape, moto, trench coat or blazer. Throw in sheer black or opaque tights to wear with boots, flats or pumps. A black fringed bag is a trendy addition to this version. Finish off the look with jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

I’ve used solids, but olive patterns would be great too. Camouflage pants count as olive pants, and a patterned scarf will amp up outfit interest. A white or gold bag can work instead of black. And combine black trousers with an olive sweater and black footwear for a business casual look.