This sounds obvious because we purchase wardrobe items in order to wear them. Yet sometimes we get so caught up with hunting down “the next exciting piece”, keeping up with trends, or chasing bargains, that we forget to wear the gorgeous items we already purchased. We are adding items to our wardrobe faster than we can wear them. It’s a weird shopping and dressing cycle that is not uncommon at all. The result is a large number of unworn items, which is essentially a waste of money. 

Of course, purchasing items for a future occasion often means that we have to wait to wear them, even if it is just to keep them nice for the occasion. Or we have to wait for the weather to co-operate. These reasons for not wearing new things are understandable.  

The process of amassing wardrobe items can be lots of fun, and to some this is a hobby in itself. Although I personally prefer to maintain a small wardrobe, I am not against a large wardrobe as long as you do actually wear your many, many options. 

The danger is in seeing new items as the only way to get newness, when in reality a lot of your style innovation should come from the way you wear your items. Even with a small wardrobe there are an enormous number of potential combinations. And if you have bought your items with capsules in mind, then you’re even more likely to find interesting combinations that test your style boundaries. Combinations are not the only way to innovate. Tucked or untucked. Scrunched or unscrunched. Knotted or loose. Open or closed. Layered or not. A small tweak can often show a completely different side to an item.

At the end of the day, the reason you bought goodies in the first place was so that you can enjoy them on your body. Please wear your wonderful clothes, shoes and accessories! 

I love the way today’s fashion celebrates an infinite variety of stylish possibilities. More than ever before, we are living in a fashion era that is ultra accepting and encouraging of all sorts of outfit juxtapositions and silhouettes. We celebrate personal styles from the super classic to the ultra avant-garde and everything in-between.

Trends also have much longer fashion lives than they used to have. In fact, fads barely exist these days because things can often be worn in updated ways.

Gone are the days when looking stylish meant dressing in one particular way. This is truly refreshing and liberating.

We have reached the stage in fashion where sweatshirts can look sassy. That’s quite an achievement! I’ve won some clients over to sassy sweatshirts because they are comfortable and un-fussy. Also: machine washable. 

Two points are critical in order to get the modern and fashion forward vibe of the sassy sweatshirt right:

1. Choose the right sweatshirt shape: You’re after a basic sweater style in sweatshirt material. No traditional zippered hoodie type styling because that looks too much like loungewear or sports gear.
2. Wear the sweatshirt like a sweater: The photos below show sassy sweatshirts styled in ways that work to my eye. I like them worn casually with denim, and a little dressier with trousers and a flared skirt. I also like the pairing with leather bottoms, heels and a clutch. Adding a sophisticated edge to the outfit makes the sweatshirt look modern and intentional. 

Personally, I’d still rather wear a real sweater than a sassy sweatshirt because I bat for Team Dressy. A fine gauge knitted pullover is dressy whereas sweatshirt fabric is casual no matter how you slice and dice it. That said, the outfits with the leather pencil skirts are appealing to me because the juxtaposition of items is extreme to the extent that they work in harmony. I wouldn’t say no to sporting a similar look with pearls instead of a cuff, just for fun. 

What’s your impression of the sassy sweatshirt? Fashion forward or awful?

This poll is for all pump wearers. You are on Team Closed Toe Pump if you prefer to wear closed toe pumps. You are on Team Peep-Toe Pump if you prefer to wear pumps with peep-toe toe box detailing. ALL styles of pump count for this poll, be they stacked heels, stilettos, mary janes, wedges, low heels, high heels or platforms. 

I am on Team Closed Toe Pump because peep-toes rub my toes and give me blisters no matter what. I have a pair of peep-toe oxfords that I can wear for about four hours and that’s with body glide, but no peep-toe pumps at all. I like the look of a peeping toe, but my fussy feet won’t have it. 

Over to you. Are you Team Closed Toe Pump or Team Peep Toe Pump? Tell us why and no batting for both teams.