Some retailers refer to this style as culottes, others as gauchos, and others as wide leg capri pants. At this stage I am unsure how to correctly describe them because they all look like culottes to me. However, these styles share common attributes: they are soft, cropped to just below the knee or calf, and wide in the leg. Hence I am referring to them as soft & cropped wide leg pants. 

I love this style of voluminous bottom, as long as they are cropped to the shorter lengths shown below. They swoosh as you stride, are super breezy, quite practical, and have an elegant air to them. They look a lot like flared skirts, yet they’re pants, which makes the style a little more interesting. Soft cropped wide leg pants also keep you cool and covered if shorts and slim fit clamdiggers aren’t your thing. 

Wear them with a top as simple as a form fitting tank or knitted top, tucked in blouse, or roomy cropped top. For a harder edge to the overall soft look, add in a cropped denim jacket. Due to the wide nature of the style, you might feel more grounded wearing the silhouette with some form of heel (high or low), although it is not essential. 

These loafers have been winners for my clients this season. Add an orthotic for extra support and an insole for extra cushioning as desired. Remember to browse through all the colour options.

1. Born Dorota Loafer: These loafers are so comfortable it’s ridicuous. I bought them in metallic as my new “go to” casual shoe for Summer. I’m going to wear them with jeans, clamdiggers, tapered Bermuda shorts, dresses and skirts. You might need to size down half a size. 
2. Nine West Squareone Loafer: This style has a lower vamp, which might be more to your taste. It has a dear little wedge heel and is quite comfortable. It’s available in more colours on endless.com. 
3. Asos Macabee Patent Leather Loafer: This style is available in orange, white and a two-toned black and tan. It’s a really good looking high vamped loafer, that’s just that bit dressier. If I hadn’t been so set on a metallic pair, I’d have bought these in white. 

Although the loafer style is a classic, it’s looking very fresh this season, especially when combined with a more fashion forward outfit. If you’ve bought loafers recently, feel free to share the brand and style in the comments section below.

The wedding that joined our friends Tomoko and Brian as life partners was a beautiful experience. After a photo session in the New Otani’s Japanese Garden, we took a short cab ride to the Hie Jinja Shrine with our good friends Phoebe and Marcus who had also flown in from Seattle to join the festivities. It’s hard to believe that a peaceful shrine with tranquil surroundings exists in the heart of a bustling Tokyo. 

The bride and groom were having their photos taken before the ceremony as soon as we arrived. For this part of the event, Tomo wore a traditional white wedding kimono with fresh flowers in her hair. Her wedding planner, in the pink kimono, stayed with her and saw to her every need. Brian matched his Japanese bride by wearing a traditional robe that he called “pajamas”. The couple was too stunning for words. 

Friends and family from all over Europe, the US, Canada, China and Japan attended this truly international wedding. Guests wore wedding-appropriate western clothes and traditional Japanese kimonos to the event. 

The bells chimed to signal the start of the ceremony at 2.30pm. The bride and groom, along with their close family members, walked in a procession from one side of the shrine courtyard to the other, while the guests watched from the center. The guests followed the procession into the shrine and were seated for the rest of the ceremony. 

It was back to picture taking in the courtyard after the couple had tied the knot. The photographer took pictures of all the guests and the family with the newlyweds. There were smiles galore! The newlyweds snuck off to have more photos taken while the guests walked to a nearby restaurant for the reception. Yes! I walked to the restaurant in my new high heels and impressed the pants off Greg and Phoebe. 

Brian stayed in his traditional garb, while Tomoko added a colourful red layer over her white kimono. She totally took my breath away in this outfit. So much so that I shed a tear when I saw her walk down the aisle of the restaurant. Stunning does not begin to describe it.  

The reception was divine, complete with wonderful MC who translated both in English and Japanese throughout the evening. We loved the fusion food and enjoyed the company of Brian’s Mum, Dad and sister as we shared a table with them, along with Marcus and Phoebe. We laughed, we cried, and we laughed and cried some more. The speeches were touching and the love shared between the married couple is deep.

The reception ended about three hours later, but that was not the end of the night. We walked back to the hotel (me in my new high heels), to change into something more comfortable for the rest of the evening. Most of the guests met up again at Joe’s, a nearby standing bar, where we were reunited with the bride and groom who had changed into comfortable clothes too. We never made it to the karaoke part of the night because I was feeling a little under the weather. But we thoroughly enjoyed the wedding and our spectacular trip to Japan. The loving memories and unique experiences will stay close to our hearts for a long time. 

It’s not too late to join the YLF Seattle Clothing Swap Meet on Saturday May 5. The swap will be held in the Seattle Seward Park neighbourhood from 11am till 1pm. Veteran member Antje, who is a clothing swap pro, has kindly offered to organize the event just like she did the year before. I’ll be there to give my two cents and join in the festivities and offer my homemade chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. 

Participating is free and easy: Bring at least 5 items of clothing (clean and in good condition) plus unlimited shoes, bags, and accessories that you no longer want or need and that may work for someone else. Send email to swap@youlookfab.com and provide your full name and preferred email address, and you’ll receive an eVite with more information, the address and directions. We are exited to see you there!