As the first day of the half yearly sale and the day of the week that I do the weekly roundup, today is really Nordstorm day on YLF. Here are some skirts and toppers that can be worn together in one outfit with a simple layering top. Add in a cuff for fun.

• Lucky Brand Moto Jacket (Plus): Casually hip, lightweight and versatile. Make peace with the crease. Nice fit. 
• Steve Madden Coloured Denim Moto: A colourful alternative to the denim jacket. Casual and happy. I vote yellow. 
• Carole Owl Bracelet: Wise and wonderful arm candy. 
• Vince Camuto Stripe Midi Tube Skirt: I love this boldly patterned graphic skirt. Fabulous length and a good fit, although it might run a little big. Wear it with the casual coloured moto. 
• Alex Evenings Chiffon Skirt (Plus): A dressy chiffon skirt has multiple personalities. Dress it down with a denim, bomber or leather jacket. Or dress it up with a tux jacket. 
• Kelly Wearstler Keyhole Cuff: A cuff with a cut out makes for an interesting effect.

We’ve seen the bulk of Spring and Summer 2013 collections. There will be a few more dribs and drabs, lots of beachwear, and ample end of season sales on the horizon for June. Fall collections start hitting stores in July and August. 

The Spring and Summer retail season is coming to an end and Fall collections will start hitting stores in July. Nordstrom’s end of season sale starts today and these are my top picks from the current crop of clothing, footwear and accessories. 

Clothing

• Rag & Bone Knit Raglan Pullover: Crisp, lightweight, fab high-low hemline and ever so slightly sporty. Check out the back detail.
• A.L.C Kirkham Silk Dress: A flowing sack frock for Team Legs. Loving the pockets. 
• Tracy Reese Jacquard & Leather Moto Jacket: A beautifully tailored mixed media piece that will take you into Fall. 
• A.L.C. Jasper Print Silk Pants: Wear them with sandals now, and with booties for Fall. 
• Smythe Graffiti Print Puff Sleeve Blazer: An impeccable lined linen jacket that runs small. It’s a Smythe. Enough said.
• Haute Hippie Contrast Lapel Silk Blazer: A white tux jacket has a high longevity factor. Dress it up or down. 
• Bailey 44 Picasso Faux Leather Trim Cold Shoulder Top: Alluring, yet covered. The leather trim is fun, as are the different colours for back and front. 
• Milly Organza Hoodie: Sci-fi fun over a white tank and just about any bottom. Fashion forward and sporty. 
• Rachel Roy Print Skirt: Retro. Great with a belt, but it’s still a poufy skirt so consider yourself warned. 
• Karen Kane Spot Cascade Faux Wrap Dress: A classic frock with a rare short sleeve.
• Leith Tattered Stripe Sweater: Adorable over a skirt. Here’s the earthy colourway. 
• Truehitt Tie Dye Crewneck Sweater: More arty than boho, and super soft. 
• Casual Studio Pleat Front Sheer Print Blouse: A fresh pattern that’s super over white jeans. Feminine and lightweight. 
• Bailey 44 King Tut Draped Ombre Top: A little clingy, but also gorgeously drapey. Warrior meets Grecian Princess.
• Classiques Entier Cowl Neck Stretch Silk Blouse: Pretty pattern placement and fab under a jacket for the office. 
• Michael Kors Pleated Print Blouse: A swingy top that’s roomy in all the right places. The back smocking detail is as pretty as the front.
• Robert Rodriguez Silver Laminated Cardigan: Sci-fi fun with a relaxed edge. Sweet layered over a sheath dress. 
• Marni Large Dot Print Pencil Skirt: Gorgeously graphic. It’s A-line so you’ll probably feel most streamlined wearing it with a tucked top.

Footwear

• Tildon Astoria Oxford: Works for a wider foot, and is pretty comfy. But it’s very flat and I vote add a cushioning insole. 
• Isaac Mizrahi Grisel Pump: A fab metallic pointy toe kitten heel with extra texture. Very comfy. Also in natural and black.
• Stuart Weitzman Hurrachtee Sandal: Dainty, low heeled and versatile. Soft straps and quite comfy.

Accessories

• Milly Tribal Canvas Clutch: Sport a pattern in an accessory if wearing patterned clothing isn’t your thing.
• R&J Kennedy Tote: A super travelling companion. Black is practical but the lemon ice is much prettier! 

Lots more to browse and shop if these items don’t tickle your fancy. 

There is something fabulously fun, feminine and carefree about soft, loose items that move as you stride, whether it’s in the form of a flared midi skirt that swooshes against your legs, or these trousers pictured here. They look fab when you’re standing still, but they look sensational in motion. The visual effect is casually chic and elegant. 

Soft wide trouser outfits look fab when there are hints of structure in the outfit. So show some skin by scrunching sleeves, wearing lower necklines and tailored sandals, or baring your arms. Create further structure by wearing a formfitting top or tucking in a looser top. And if you’re going to wear a looser untucked top, wear one with a high-low hemline, a banded bottom, or cropped length.

When the fabrics are lightweight and breathable these outfits are a very practical way to get breezy coverage in warm weather.

I don’t wear wide and loose trousers because I can’t handle the excess fabric flapping around my feet and ankles. And when I walk fast, the flapping is hectic. So I prefer to wear soft flared midi skirts to create that same happy and romantic feeling of outfit movement. But I do adore these simple, unstructured wide trouser outfits on others. How about you?

Your shopping list is not cast in stone, but a flexible plan for refreshing and replenishing your wardrobe helps you to create a wardrobe that fulfills your needs. So with Summer around the corner, it’s time to check in on our Spring 2013 shopping list. I’ll go first. 

These are the items I had on my list and the progress I’ve made over the last four months: 

• Jeans: I set out to refresh and replenish my jeans capsule because my white jeans were finished and I’d passed on all my body con skinny jeans. I’ve added a pair of straight leg white jeans, full length faded blue boyfriend jeans and white cropped boyfriend jeans. Check. 
• Floral blazer: No luck, but I received two jackets as gifts for Christmas, a two toned denim jacket and a bomber, which satisfied my new jacket need this Spring. I’m also changing the floral blazer idea to a white or blue jacket of sorts. 
• Tuxedo shirts: I bought a white tuxedo shirt. Check. 
• Pastel Trouser Suit: No luck because the pants were cropped, and I want full length trousers for this suit. But I did buy a new dress, which was an unexpected surprise.
• Long Slouchy Shorts: They are on their way to me in cobalt blue. Check. 
• T-shirt Blouse: No luck so far and it’s just as well because it’s an item to wear in hot weather, which is still months away in our neck of the woods. I bought four tops instead, all much warmer and better suited to our climate. A neon pink cashmere pullover, a wooly white patterned pullover, a silky white cotton pullover, and pink shirt. 
• Flat Oxfords: I bought sci-fi silver flat oxfords. Check.
• Pointy toe flats or pumps: I’ve bought a low heeled white pair and gold pair. Check.   
• White Booties: I bought white Converse high-tops with a baby wedge that fulfill the Summer white bootie gap for now. Check. 

I also bought a white belt, a gold belt, a white clutch, and a citron clutch, that were not on the original shopping list. They’ve become wardrobe workhorses so I’m so glad I strayed from the list.

I’m also pleased to report that I’ve kept my shopping weakness under control by NOT purchasing glorious lightweight Spring and Summer merchandise that would otherwise be orphaned till July because our Springs are generally cold and wet. 

I’m feeling pretty set for the rest of Spring and Summer. I might add a few more tops, a white jacket, a shocking pink clutch and perhaps a pair of Summer trousers. I’m not sure what I’ll wear to a wedding we’re attending in late July, but shopping my closet for that event feels like a good idea. 

Over to you.