This outfit formula has been going down well with my business casual clients this season as we head into warmer temperatures. It’s on trend, comfortable and just flattering enough. It combines a fluid and untucked high-low top with slim-fit trousers that aren’t skintight. It finishes off the look with an indoor jacket and refined footwear, which adds structure back into the outfit. 

Here are the components, with examples of some of the exact pieces that my clients purchased: 

• Fluid High-Low Top: BCBG’s Ayana Oversized Scarf Shirt has a dramatic high-low hemline. But if you wear it over low-contrast black pants instead of the houndstooth pattern below, the effect of the shirttail is less visible and dramatic. 
• Slim-Fit Pants: Sloan-Fit Houndstooth Ankle Pants create a subtle pattern mixed effect. These pants are stretchy and you might need to size up. Wear them at a flattering length. 
• Structured Topper: The Loft Lace Blazer is tuxedo-esque and pretty structured on the shoulder and sleeves, which is all you need to make this outfit look conventionally attractive. The open shape of the jacket matches the flow of the roomy blouse. If matching lace with pattern is too much of a stretch for your style, try a solid double weave open jacket in a similar silhouette. 
• Refined Footwear: Vince’s Aurelian Pump is two toned with fashionable d’Orsay detailing. Super soft, low heeled and comfortable. Size down half a size to prevent slipping out of the style. Works relatively well on high volume feet.

If classic blazers, Chanel-esque jackets or lightweight moto jackets are your thing, wear those topper silhouettes OPEN instead of the tuxedo-esque style that I’ve shown here. Silky track pants also work quite well in this formula, but then you will either rely more heavily on the topper to provide structure to the outfit, or partially tuck the front of the top to create a hint of waistline. I’ve also seen this formula work with bootcut trousers that are fitted on the thigh. 

Feel free to throw in dressy slipper flats or loafers if heels are not an option. Or caged sandals if open toe shoes are permitted at work. 

Finally, wear a sleeved top under the jacket if sleeveless dressing is not your cup of tea and you might need to remove the jacket for a breezy break.

Most of these tops are blouses and there is a variety of silhouettes. They are one way to refresh your business casual wardrobes for Spring and Summer. Be sure to look through all the colour options. 

• Vince Camuto Pleated V-Neck Top (Plus): It’s harder to find a tailored top than an oversized one at the moment, but here’s one that hugs the contour of your body and showcases your shape. Size up because it runs small. 
• Eileen Fisher V-Neck Boxy Silk Top: Excellent on an apple shape with an ample bust. Wear it with a black column of colour like the model. Chic Elegance. 
• Parker Althea Top: A soft crop top to pair with skirts and baggier pants. Nice tulip sleeve detailing. 
• BCBGMAXAZRIA Ayanna Oversized Scarf Print Shirt: Also great on an apple shape with an ample bust. It’s good on a curvy hourglass if you’re fine with surrendering the waistline. Remember that layering a tailored jacket or short moto over this style of top adds structure to the outfit. Flattering diagonal sleeves. Also available in black, and runs large. 
• Michael Kors Woven Peplum Tee: A roomy T-shirt blouse with back peplum detail. Fun when worn partially tucked with tails. 
• Tinley Road Serena 3/4 Sleeve Top: A sporty blouse that’s good on petites. 
• Rebecca Taylor Short Sleeve Cheetah Ombre Top: A nice shell top for small busted ladies. Looks great under a jacket. 
• Vince Camuto Sheer Insert Polka Dot Top: This one is for Team Tall or Long Body. Totally fab with jeans and refreshingly different with its sheer insets. Wear a tank top underneath. 
• Vince Camuto Draped Front Blouse: Great on broad shoulders and a larger bust, but not great on narrow hips because the bottom hem flaps around. Nice over pencil skirts, flared jeans, and slim-fit pants. 
• Ella Moss Stella Flutter Sleeve Top: A little polished bohemian fabness. Flirty, feminine and great on pear shaped body types. 
• Vince Camuto Tie Dye Cotton Sweater: A sporty and fresh tie dye pullover. Wear over a column of white or with blue denim bottoms. 
• Vince Camuto Print Pleat V-Neck Top: An excellent and flattering style to wear under a corporate blazer or with a suit. 
• BCBG Meaghan Printed Wrap Top: Great on the short-waisted hourglass with a larger bust. Pair with tailored bootcut trousers, straight legs or ankle pants. 
• Vince Camuto Yacht Stripe Boat Neck Blouse: Bold and flattering. This style of sleeve and neckline works well on narrow and/or sloping shoulders because it visually widens the shoulder line and provides structure. 
• Vince Camuto Reflections Sleeveless Shirttail Blouse: A trendy high-low blouse that’s fab layered under a blazer or Spring tweed jacket for work. It’s very long at the back so consider yourself warned. 
• J.Crew Metallic V-Neck Sweater: A dainty and versatile piece that can be dressed up with a formal skirt, or dressed down with jeans. Great for the office with business casual separates. 
• Ann Taylor Stripe Roll Tab 3/4 Sleeve Shirt: It’s KNITTED, so super soft and comfortable. Crisp but without the stiffness of a woven button-down shirt. Also available in solids. 
• J.Crew Perfect Shirt in Crosshatch Linen: J.Crew stocks this linen shirt most seasons and I’m in love with it, especially in these soft shades. I have my eye on the neon rose. Perfect on a hot Summer’s day. With linen, you need to be at peace with the crease. 
• Zara Printed Top with Asymmetric Hem: This top is not midriff-baring unless you are tall. It’s fabulous on pear shaped regular and petite ladies over slim-fit bottoms or flares. Flirty and breezy. No need to wear a camisole. 

Most tops can be dressed down with either jeans or a denim jacket, so although they might seem a little dressy for a casual lifestyle, they are more versatile than you think. Plus, fluid and oversized fits are more casual straight off the bat.

Twenty-two year old Paulien Riemis combines a modelling career with studying hard to obtain a degree in literature and languages. She is quite the mixture of polished and RATE (rough around the edges), and is a neutrals gal at heart. She loves slouch as much as skinnies, adores sneakers, and is a pro at remixing classic pieces into her casual outfits. 

“My style has evolved from very girly and chaotic (more was definitely more!) to something more minimalistic and sometimes even boyish. I would describe it as fun, elegant and casual!”

While browsing her blog, Polienne, I was delighted to discover that Paulien also lives in Antwerp, so I jumped at the chance to get together with her. Last Saturday we plopped ourselves down at an outdoor café in the city centre where I quickly discovered Paulien is a spontaneous, down-to-earth and easy-to-get-along-with lass. We chatted (in Dutch) about how we are both night owls, her favourite fashion haunts (Zara, H&M and Massimo Dutti), slow-going reading assignments (Dickens and Eliot), blogging in 2014, shopping at the international food market, and investment pieces. Paulien is hesitant to invest in expensive footwear because “shoes will get dirty immediately anyway, and they wear out so quickly”. She prefers to save up for a fab investment bag “that you’ll have for years and years and will develop a nice patina as time goes by”. Paulien, it was lovely to get to know you a little better, and I’m sure we’ll run into each other again soon.

The knee-length man coat with fun loop detail is the star of the show. The slightly wider lapels, low stance, tailored fit on the shoulders and scrunched sleeves give it just the right amount of unstructured structure. Opting for a light colour like this pale grey is a great way to start celebrating Spring when it’s still cold enough outside to need a wool topper. The relaxed fit striped pullover with white background further lightens up the look. The bright pink beanie is a gorgeous colour contrast and youthfully playful. What really sold me on the look though is how Paulien folded over her black skinnies to just hit the top of her patent pointy toe ankle boots. It’s a nonchalant rockers touch for which I’ve always had a soft spot. Choose the same colour footwear and bottoms if you want to lengthen the leg line. A black leather tote, roomy enough to hold her books, finishes off the look.

Paulien’s skater girl look makes me smile. It’s such a great example of her tomboy side, and features two pieces that are very much part of our blogger’s casual wear uniform: skinny boyfriend jeans and fun sneakers. Oversized fits are all the rage these days, and trend-savvy Paulien was already sporting this very voluminous cardigan with big balloon sleeves early last year. The cheerful pink plaid pattern gives it a girly touch, as does the fluffy pink sweater that provides textural interest to boot. The cardi’s volume is offset by the slim-fitting BFs with rolled-up hems. Showing a bit of bare ankle also adds structure to the look. And notice how she, just like Angie, neatly tucked away the laces of her customized Puma sneakers. 

Paulien has a real knack for remixing classic pieces into her outfits. Here she is sporting one of her favourite coats, a wool camel Massimo Dutti number that goes with practically everything in her closet. I love how she’s paired it with another super versatile player — the simple striped tee — and then added an unexpected third layer: a leopard print coat. Subtle, but very effective pattern mixing. Black skinny jeans tucked into black motorcycle ankle boots again lengthen the leg line. With their slouchy fit and buckle detail they’re a fab juxtaposition against the dressy coat. That tougher vibe is continued with Paulien’s oversized black Balenciaga bag, an investment item she can see herself carrying for years to come.

Our blogger is a neutrals gal at heart, and here she’s sporting one of my favourite colour combinations: crisp white with different shades of grey. This soft colour palette always feels fresh, plus Paulien makes it extra interesting by going for maximum textural interest. The light grey tee has a marled effect, her delicate necklace consists of two-toned light and dark silver metal, and the rips and tears in her destroyed jeans create even more outfit depth. Ripped jeans are a RATE (rough around the edges) look, but the crisp white counterbalances that effect. Because of the longer, calf length and relaxed fit, the cosy maxi cardigan adds volume to the outfit, but it’s kept in check by the skinny jeans and wider scoop neckline of the T-shirt. Iconic white Converse and a simple cream and black colour blocked tote complement this effortless casual look.

I’m dubbing this sporty urban nonchalance. By now you’ve surely noticed that the Breton stripe — just like skinny jeans and sneakers — plays an essential role in Paulien’s casual closet. For this fashion forward volume-on-volume look she is wearing the roomy sweater version over baggy pleather pants that have a nice drape to them. There’s a bit of scrunch going on at the calves and ankles, which adds back in structure. So do the 3/4 tab sleeves on the army green trench coat. It’s a unique piece that really makes this outfit for me. It’s almost like a mix between a military jacket and a French workman’s jacket à la Bill Cunningham. Fab! Paulien throws on her camel coat and on trend bulky scarf to stay warm. Worn-in black sneakers, big Balenciaga bag and sweet cat necklace are the accessories of choice.

Denim on denim, almond toe pumps and flares, they’re all big this season, and once again, our blogger was ahead of the curve and sporting these trends last Spring. It works fantastically well thanks to the mix of two shades of faded denim with cream and white. Soft casual and feminine at the same time. The longer length biker jacket has little detailing and an uncomplicated vibe that really appeals to me. In fact, the entire outfit exudes a minimal simplicity that’s close to my heart. The nubby texture on the sweater adds subtle textural interest. It’s the same length as the jacket which helps to achieve a clean line. The collarless white shirt gives the look a polished touch that is dressed down by the big scarf. The stunning Celine bag brings beautiful architectural lines into the look. The cream suede pumps are perfect with the dramatic drape of the flared jeans, and provide attractive colour repetition with Paulien’s shirt and sweater.

Between the pleather pants outfit, beautiful light grey coat look and the feminine flares, I’m having a hard time picking a favourite, but I am going with the flares because the silhouette feels fresh to me and the elegant simplicity is right up my alley. Let us know in the comments what you think of Paulien’s neutrals-inspired mix of polished and RATE style. Then hop on over to her blog for more outfit inspiration, or check out her pinboards to find out what inspires her.

For our meetup, Paulien was sporting her trusted camel coat layered over that fab army green trench, fun graphic tee, relaxed skinnies, Nike sneakers and her beloved Balenciaga bag that is just starting to develop the worn-in patina Paulien is after. And don’t you just love her sassy shorter ‘do!

There are three machine washable cotton dresses with a bit of length in this lineup, which is pretty rare. Be sure to look through all the colour options. 

• Boden Sabrina Skirt: Knitted, breezy, easy to launder and midi length. Super for pear shaped ladies. Wear with a soft linen or cotton welted sweater. Boden’s silk linen sweater is a good match and as lightweight as a T-shirt. Size up a size.
• Vince Camuto Colorblock Stretch Cotton Jacket: Here’s an affordable way to sport the fringe round shoulder trend. The photo does not do the style justice. It’s well cut and looks like a designer silhouette. 
• Boden Knot Detail Dress: A breezy and easy to launder casual cotton dress. It’s pretty good on a large bust with a Second Base camisole. Equally good on pear and apple shaped bodies. Runs small. 
• Boden Casual Jersey Dress: This style is even more casual and just as easy to launder. It’s best on a small to regular size bust. Runs small. 
• Eileen Fisher Reversible Sleeveless Dress: You can wear this machine washable dress back to front, which is why it’s a reversible style. It’s longer at the sides, which makes this concept work quite well. Dress it up or down, and read the rave reviews. 
• Ann Taylor Awning Stripe Dress: The knitted fabric of this chevron stripe frock is thick and luxurious. Excellent for pear shaped ladies with a small bust and long neck. Brilliant drape. Runs big. 
• Ann Taylor Fluid Linen Ankle Pants: These pants are divine rolled at the hem, and an excellent alternative to jeans. Extremely comfy, and quite flattering. Super soft drape. Excellent on pear shape ladies too. Runs large. 

Most of the US is warming up, which means that we can finally enjoy our Spring clothes. I was excited to debut a few of my own new Spring pieces last week in our mild sunny weather. For the first time EVER, I’m enjoying Spring fashion more than Fall fashion.