Our recent business trip to San Francisco also gave us the opportunity to spend a few days with our good friends Lori and Dane about an hour outside the city in Los Gatos. Spring in Seattle has been utterly miserable, and we so enjoyed soaking up the warmth of sunny California, along with the gracious hospitality of our dear friends and their enchanting children, Chloe and Tucker. 

We browsed around downtown Los Gatos on Saturday and just about everyone and their doggies were out and about soaking up a little extra vitamin D. It was a gorgeous 23 degree day (74 degrees Fahrenheit), and I was thrilled to leave off my jacket. 

Hoping for hot weather, I had packed denim clamdiggers. But it was still too chilly to wear them. Yes, I run that cold. In this temperature I am really comfortable in a pair of jeans, a breezy sleeved top and flat covered Summer shoes. So I wore white skinny jeans instead of the clamdiggers, a boxy soft navy and cream silk blouse, and white and silver ballet flats. With scrunched sleeves and a popped collar, I was ready for action. 

Lovely Lori, who runs warmer than I do, looked fab in light grey cropped jeans and a sleeveless lilac swing top. I love Lori in muted shades of purple because it perfectly complements her red hair and ivory complexion. Lori finished off her look with a cream bag, silver cuff, blush thong sandals and tortoise shell sunglasses. Lori sported her relaxed bohemian style with panache, while I stuck to a crisp and graphic look. 

I had worn the black patent bow belt with a black suit to a business meeting the day before. I also like this dressy belt with a more casual outfit, which is why I wore it here with jeans, flats and blouse. I also finished off the look with a cream bag and eyewear, but added in a white watch. 

I enjoy mixing creams and white with navy and black as shown here. Mixing up these shades used to be considered a faux pas, but to my eye the combination is a little softer and richer than matching stark black and white.

Are leggings dated? The question has come up a lot with my clients recently, and the answer is absolutely not. I don’t mean the jegging styles that look like jeans, but the leggings styles that look more like hosiery. Unconstructed, lightweight, pull-on and best not worn as pants. 

Leggings are available in colours, patterns and all sorts of textures like lace, crochet, colour block and fishnets this season. So if you feel like an update — go for it. 

I am a classic leggings gal and stick to black because they feel best for my style. I still wear my cropped lengths and stirrup styles frequently. They are the perfect insulating layer under shorter dresses and skirts for a cool Seattle. I pair them with with ballet flats, flat oxfords or low heeled pumps. I also have my eye on a pair of black lace leggings because I’m into lace lately, and do enjoy their ’80s vibe. 

Do you still wear leggings? If so, how are you wearing them?

Here are 25 casual and dressy Summer tops that have been winners with my clients this season. All tried and tested. Be sure to look at all the colours, and all the size options because some items are available in plus, petite, tall and regular sizes. 

• Perfect Shirt in Linen: If you can make peace with the crease, try this shirt. The sleeves scrunch perfectly and I can’t rave enough about the loose and carefree fit. Warning: the pink is neon, which is why I love to wear it, but it might not be your cup of tea. 
• Pom-Pom Shell: If I was going to add a sleeveless blouse to my wardrobe for Summer, it would be this style in citron. It’s lined and gorgeously retro.
• Foxcroft Leopard Print Shaped Shirt (Plus): A brilliant tailored shape. It works well on a larger bust line so don’t let the breast pockets put you off. Also available in brown. 
• Bellatrix Sheer Print Shirt: An attractive pattern in mauve and orange, and even more rich in person. You’ll just have to take a peek. 
• Pleione Split Neck Roll Sleeve Mixed Media Top: Lightweight, does not require a camisole, forgiving, covered and made of both a woven and knit. Great assortment of colours. 
• Vince Camuto Placed Pattern Peasant Blouse: Fun abstract pattern. Boxy, romantic and fabulous. You’ll be surprised at how well this blouse works on a full bust line. 
• Travelers Classic Zebra Sierra Top: Amazing in both regular and plus sizes because asymmetrical hemlines can be very attractive. Crease-resistant. 
• Pleione Dolman Sleeve Print Top with Banded Hem: Kimono-esque, pretty and quite alluring. 
• Travelers Classic Zebra Print Lindsay Top: Also amazing in both regular and plus sizes. Cold shouldered, very bold and eye-catching. Trust me, it looks better in person than in the photo. Also available in black. 
• Bobeau Stripe Roll Sleeve Top: A classic. The substantial weight of the fabric ensures a good drape. The rust and white striped version is available in stores. 
• Vince Shimmering Silk Dolman Top: A stunningly simple and crisp modern classic that can be dressed up or down. 
• Elie Tahari ‘Marney’ Drop Hem Silk Blouse: My client launched me into orbit when she tried this one on. Modern relaxed elegance.
• Silk Safari Tank: Easy breezy. 
• White Circle-Lace Shell: A pretty little retro darling. Great on it’s own or layered under a jacket. 
• White Twist Front Shirt: Waist defining and forgiving at the same time. Perfect over tapered Bermuda shorts. No camisole required. 
• Linen Cotton Chambray Shirt: Classic and divine. The colours are mouth wateringly fresh. 
• Floral Pintuck Drop Waist Top: Great for the office over a pencil skirt. No jacket required. 
• Ruffle-Front Blouse: Romantic, ventilating and flirty. 
• Femme Back Zip Shell: This may look like a boring shell, but it’s so lovely. It has an interesting side seam and hem detail when worn un-tucked. I vote green. Simple tops can look best. Great layering piece for the office. 
• Asymmetrical Pleated Front Print Top: Another simple top that looks better in person than in the photo. Great sleeve length. 
• Striped Cotton Three Quarter Sleeve Tee: This is what I call a feminine rugby stripe. 
• Madewell Lookout Pullover: Ventilating and covered fabness. Also available in black. 
• Free People Polka Dot Easy Rider Button Up: Nice high-low blouse in a festive polka dot. Oversized, yet collapses back onto the body. 
• Type Z Daina Blouse: Bright, boxy and happy. 
• Organza Peony Top: Very pretty, both on it’s own and as a layering piece. Dress it up or down.  

Although there is still a shortage of sleeved tops in stores at the moment, it’s a GREAT improvement on last year. Feel free to share your fabulous Summer top finds in the comments section below and add onto the list.

You are on Team Hunt if you enjoy the hunt for the perfect wardrobe item as much or more than actually wearing it. The process of searching for items, the actual shopping experience, finding a bargain, stalking the item until it’s been marked down, or discovering an exclusive hidden gem, can be as enjoyable as sporting your new treasure. You are on Team Wear if the very best part about the item is wearing it and feeling fabulous while doing so. 

This is an easy one for me. As much as I love the shopping process, NOTHING about the hunt can compare to the enjoyment that I gain from wearing the item. It’s not even close. I can’t wait to wear my new stuff, and will wear an item straight out of the shop, the same evening, or the next day if it’s weather and occasion appropriate. If the process by which the item was acquired is particularly meaningful or sentimental, it will merely make wearing the item extra special. I am Team Wear all the way.

Over to you. Are you Team Hunt or Team Wear? Remember that you are on Team Hunt if you enjoy the process of acquiring wardrobe items as much as wearing them. No batting for both sides.