A slim-fitting long sleeve is ideal for sleeve scrunching because the tapered silhouette stays put against the contour of your forearms and elbow. The more snug the sleeve fit, the easier the sleeves are to scrunch and stay that way. 

Sometimes even with a relatively slim fitting sleeve the scrunch is hard to maintain because the sleeve opening is too wide with the cuff unbuttoned. One simple solution is to sew a little stitch in the middle of the placket of the sleeve. This narrows the opening of the sleeve when the cuff is unbuttoned and pulled back into a scrunched position. This makes it stay put on your arm. Snugger fit = better scrunch. 

See the photos below for one example. I didn’t have pink thread to match the shirt so I used white, which matches the textured interest in the fabric. 

I’ve used this stitch trick on a few shirts already, like my white tuxedo shirt and blue and white shirt. Some shirt styles, like the button-down shirts from Brooks Brothers, conveniently have an extra button in the position of the stitch on the placket. Those shirts also have a stiffer fabrication than most and scrunch particularly well.

Most of my clients, who represent all age groups, have added boyfriend jeans to their wardrobes as a roomy alternative to skinnies, straight legs and boot cuts. Some wear them baggy and slouchy, while others prefer them a lot more streamlined. How you’d like your boyfriends to fit is of course completely up to you. 

The styles below have been winners with my clients, and I wear three of these options myself. Most of the styles are cropped and rolled well above the ankle, but some are full length.

• KUT from the Kloth Catherine Slim Boyfriend Jeans: These have been absolute winners across the board in terms of price, fit, quality and length. No tears, holes and hectic distressing. The denim is pretty thick and the fit around the hips and seat flattering. It’s been extremely interesting to see them work well on curvy and straight body types. Also available in white, a lighter wash and plus sizes. I have these in white and sized up for a baggier fit. 
• Gap Sexy Boyfriend: These tend to be baggier than the Catherines, wider on the waist, and longer in the rise. I also have these, wear them both rolled and unrolled, but prefer the fit of the Catherines from KUT. 
• True Religion Cameron Boyfriend in Defiance: These are gorgeous, full length, and very comfortable. But you have to make peace with the bulky back pocket flaps, and distressing. Runs true to size, but size down if you want them to fit in a less baggy manner.
• True Religion Brianna Slim Boyfriend in Granite: They are a narrower cut than the Camerons and a lot more distressed. They also don’t have the bulky back pocket flap. 
• True Religion Cameron Boyfriend in Pioneer: I have these and am thrilled with them. They are 100% cotton, which is rare in denim these days. The lack of stretch gives them a crisper feeling, and their full length piqued my interest right from the start. I wear mine baggier than on the model and bought them in my regular size. I adore the bulky back pockets and always tuck in a top and wear a belt to showcase their cheeky effect. 
• Ann Taylor Loft: These are super soft and run a little big. Comfy on the waist and hip. Also available in cream. 
• Old Navy Skinny Boyfriend: Some prefer the fit of these over the ones from the Gap and Loft because they are more streamlined. The price is especially appealing for a casual, kicking-around, style.

Some of my clients have created a similar boyfriend jeans vibe by sizing up on straight leg jeans and rolling up the hems. Either way, the styles that expose part of the lower leg are perfect on days when it’s too cold to wear shorts but too warm for jeans.

For my Mother’s Day post you saw me wear a flared midi skirt with a roomy crew neck pullover and unzipped bomber jacket. I finished off the outfit with white pointy toe pumps, white clutch and style constants, my gold watch and wedding ring.

Here I swapped out the skirt for a pair of full length boyfriend jeans and added a white belt to prevent them from falling down. By swapping out my bottoms, I’ve completely changed the vibe and look of the outfit. The former was dressy, modern-retro, ladylike and quite classic, while the second is casual, trendy and slightly tomboy.

Swapping out my skirt for a pair of jeans is an outfit creation strategy I use regularly when sporting a look from day to night. For example, I might be wearing a skirt during the day because I’m wearing business casual to work with clients. But will change into a pair of jeans while keeping everything else about the outfit exactly the same when heading out for a relaxed bite to eat later in the evening. I also find jeans a lot warmer than wearing a skirt with nude hose, which keeps me toasty when it cools down at night. 

The jeans are True Religion’s Cameron Boyfriend in Pioneer, and I LOVE them because they are full length and baggy. It’s hard to find a pair of boyfriend jeans that are long enough to roll once at the hems to create a cuff. Most boyfriend jeans are cropped above the ankle and rolled further up the calf and therefore too short to create this silhouette. 

I usually wear these jeans lower on the hip and on a looser belt hole than this so that the crotch point hangs down further to create a slouchier effect. Wearing roomy jeans low on the hip makes them baggy on my bottom and creates “saggy-butt”. But in this case the jeans don’t sag at the rear because I’ve fastened the belt tighter on the waist, which lifts the crotch point and makes for a more snug fit around my buns. Next time I’ll feature them with saggy-butt because that’s how I wear them more frequently. I fully support the Slouchy Movement. 

The bulky patch pockets with flaps mean that I always tuck in my top and add a belt when wearing these jeans. It makes them less versatile I guess, but I tuck my tops and add a belt to jeans and trousers very frequently anyway, so that doesn’t feel like too much of a restriction. Plus I like the pockets! They look cheeky to my eye. I can faux tuck the pullover above the belt because it has a banded bottom.

Although more tomboy than the skirt version, the white pointy pumps, lace, and shocking pink cashmere pullover are pretty elements that add the ladylike factor back into the outfit. Although my style is equal parts Ladylike and Androgynous, I want to step up the ladylike aspect of my style this year because things have been feeling a little too tomboy. Wearing pointy toe pumps has been one way of achieving my new style goal.

Roomy, arty dressing with lots of drape is a hit with some of my clients because it’s comfortable, feminine, interesting and breezy. We add structured sandals and often a structured bag to the outfit for extra polish. The pieces below are one way to create an arty and drapey ensemble. 

• Eileen Fisher Cowl Neck Dress: A knitted dress that’s weighty enough to not cling against the body. It’s quite genius! Structured in all the right places, machine washable, flattering, and pretty timeless. Great length, available in seven colours, and in plus sizes. 

• Nic & Zoe Four Way Cardigan: These lightweight gauzy linen-viscose cover-ups have been a hit with my clients who are sick of wearing classic cardigans, boyfriend cardigans, cascading cardigans, or don’t want to wear jackets. Fabulous over sleeveless frocks. Pick a fun colour to go over the cowl neck dress. Nic & Zoe’s Caliente Bahama bolero is another cover-up option.

• Blondo Malaika Sandal: Finish off the outfit with comfy high-vamped sandals. The taupe looks particularly Summer-y. Read the rave reviews. 

• Blondo Opaline Strappy Sandal: Try this option for a lower heel and slightly daintier vibe. Comfortable, stable and soft. 

• Botkier Calie Crossbody Bag: This distressed metallic darling doubles as a clutch when you want to give the straps a break. I like the juxtaposition of the angular bag with the soft drape of the dress and cardigan.

If cardigans aren’t your thing, try a denim jacket, denim vest or bomber over the top of the dress. Or bare your arms, add a sunhat, and you’re good to go.