Matching a fit and flare dress with a cropped and tailored jacket is a timeless and ageless outfit combination. It’s a great look for a business casual work environment, a dressier evening out, lunch date with friends, or whenever else it tickles your fancy. 

The pairing of fitted jacket and flared dress is somewhat ladylike, retro and dressy. Some will even think of it as overly feminine and prissy. The thing is, you can change the vibe of the clothes by pairing them with different styles of footwear. Dress the look up or down. Throw in a bit of edge. Add in an extra modern shoe. Create a retro or arty mood. Or keep it girly and sweet.

I have chosen bold, striped fit and flare frocks because they are on-trend for Spring/Summer 2012. I’ve matched them up with a short white linen jacket for a Summery and relaxed effect. I’ve added in an assortment of shoes that work with either dress and jacket pairing. Ballet flats, flat oxfords, loafers and thong sandals if you like to wear flats. Stacked ankle strap sandals, platform espadrilles, wedges and stilettos for those who prefer heels. There is neutral animal print for the pattern mixers. There are brights for the colour lovers. Neutrals for the neutral lovers.  High vamps and low vamps. Mainstream choices and less expected pairings. I could have also added in slipper flats, booties, metallic sandals, mary janes or cage heels. Take your pick. 

As with all the formulas, I sow the seed of an idea. The next step is to substitute the items that are true to your style persona. Perhaps you’d fancy a solid dress and colour-blocked handbag. A pastel or earthy colour palette. A cotton blazer. The addition of tough shoes or dainty strappy sandals. The possibilities are endless. 

Personally, I’d wear either dress with a collared cropped linen jacket, paired with the animal print ballet flats, yellow loafers or flat white oxfords. Which combination do you like best?

I love the colour combination of these Style Bubble platform booties. The style is over the top, outrageous, and borderline ugly. Not to mention the crazy platform height. But lets style these shoes in an outfit just for fun. I can see them with a neon pink and white colour blocked mod mini dress and pink wig. Or, with a silky, taupe, long-sleeved romper with a neon pink scarf. Perhaps someone in Harajuku would wear this outfit.

Over to you.

Spring has finally reached Seattle and just about everyone was outside enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather over the weekend. We met with friends for supper at Boom Noodle in Capitol Hill, and Greg snapped these photos just before we headed into the restaurant. 

You’ve seen the same brocade skirt dressed up for fashion week and for a rehearsal dinner, but my favourite way to wear it is dressed down with a denim jacket and flats. That way I can wear the skirt more often. This is the trusty denim jacket and skirt formula, which I wear on a casual evening out, when I’m out and about town, or on a more casual appointment with clients.

I’m not a cardigan girl, but I like this Edwardian-inspired cardigan because I can button it up and wear it like a short sleeved high-necked pullover. I also like that it’s roomy around the waistline, yet fitted on the shoulder and bust line. It’s a little slouchy, which creates a more relaxed vibe against the stiff, flared formal skirt. 

I take the contrast theme further by adding a very faded denim jacket. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea to create such a vivid contrast between two items (casual with formal, and light with dark colours). I have a dark blue denim jacket that looks good with this skirt too. But because I really like the colour of light blue denim and enjoy wearing strong contrasting items, the faded denim jacket wins out every time. 

I added dressy, giraffe printed animal flats for a pattern mixed effect. And two-toned fishnet hose, green satchel, specs and watch to finish off the look. I was going to swap out my green handbag for a taupe clutch, but at the last minute, the casualness of my slightly battered green satchel felt right. We had a lovely evening! 

This item is completely misrepresented in the online photograph. Trust me, these pants do not look like skinnies at all. Quite the opposite! They are baggy, slouchy, soft and absolutely divine. Imagine them a few sizes up with roomy drape and you’ll get a more accurate picture of the style. They have dear little zips that taper the hems, and an elasticated waistband (and drawstring) that is great to wear with un-tucked tops. The side pockets are a bonus, as is the fact that they are machine washable.

Superbly lightweight — you can’t feel them on your body — and oh so on trend. Perfect for hot weather and extremely comfortable. They also look fab if you pull up the hems, making them baggy like harem pants. Add sandals, booties, ballet flats or pumps.  

Unfortunately, these trousers aren’t available online at the moment, but they are in stores. You can also ask customer service to track them down for you.