Outfit Formula: Fruit & Veggie Chic

There’s a summery micro trend that celebrates the freshness of fruit and vegetables. We’re seeing fruit and vegetable patterns on dresses, tops, skirts, pants, scarves, bags, and shorts. It is also on jewellery, and embroidery. The collection below shows some examples.

I love the colour citron, so I often end up with patterns that contain lemons, regardless of the trends. In the past I’ve had lemon patterned pants, tops, bags, and mules. Currently, I have a pink silk blouse with a lemon pattern. I like wearing it in the Summer with white pants or light blue jeans. I have pink specs and a citron bag to match.

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Veggie Shirt and Shorts

A blue and white striped shirt with a vegetable embroidery peeking out from above the patch pocket is paired with a pair of red shorts. The red shorts match a component of the embroidery. It’s tucked, but you can leave it untucked. Casual black crochet bag and espadrilles amplify the relaxed vibe and match the model’s hair.

Veggie Shirt and Shorts

2. Tropical Skirt

A flared patterned skirt complete with pineapples, clams and lobsters is paired with a fitted and tucked tank top. A tan raffia belt and structured cognac and cream satchel add a dressy integrity to the beachy look. Conversely, cream and pink striped slides add back a relaxed and casual vibe. Dainty layered necklaces glam up the look. Fun outfit.

Tropical Skirt

3. Dressy Fruit

A dressier shirtdress adorned with pineapples and kiwis in a turquoise, white, and earthy brown palette is playfully unexpected. It’s completed with dressy cognac sandals and gold jewellery. I see a white, gold or brown bag to match. Fruity Fabness.

Dressy Fruit

4. Celery, Cucumber and Sage

If patterns aren’t your thing, feel free to support the fruit and vegetable trend in a subtle way by sporting soft greens like celery, kiwi, cucumber, sage, honeydew melon, avocado, grape, and jackfruit. For example, here’s a sage striped blouse that’s combined with a pair of white wide leg jeans. Dark brown belt and shoes are the contrasting complement that match the model’s hair. Add jewellery, bag, eyewear and watch as desired.

Celery, Cucumber and Sage

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Top Picks for 2025

This is my 21st Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS). It’s by far, my favourite sale of the year, although some NAS’s are better than others. I never know what I’m going to end up with because it’s a crapshoot. Yet, my wardrobe is filled with NAS treasures, so I’m excited every time it pops up on my calendar. I go in with low expectations and usually have a great sale. Some years I find more items than others, but it’s good.

I spent most of last week helping Nordstrom card holding clients pre-select items for their wardrobes. That’s when Nordstrom launches brand new Autumn and Winter collections at discounted prices for two weeks only. Prices go back up at the end of July.

Colour palettes took me by surprise. Lots of browns, greys, dark blue, black, olives, muted tones, and pastels, which is great if those are colours you wear. If they aren’t, you have to look harder, or look elsewhere. Nordstrom took a risk putting all their eggs into one basket by offering limited palettes. If you don’t like the colour, you won’t buy the item no matter how fab it is.

Many items are only available online and not in brick and mortar stores. So as my clients, our forum members, and I receive our online orders, I’ll update the top picks collections. In the meantime, these items emerged as winners among my clientele. Remember to browse all the colour and size options. We also have a very engaged NAS section of the YLF forum, where forum members share thoughts about what they bought, and how it fits.

The strengths of this year’s NAS were jeans, pants, footwear that was NOT boots, athleisure, and jackets. Generally, items are of higher quality than the last few years. I was pleased with the improvement. House brand offerings are better too. The underwear is stellar, and so is the menswear and homeware. Feel free to ask questions about items in the comments section, or start a thread on the forum. I’ll do my best to help out.

1. Jeans and Pants

Wit & Wisdom pants and jeans were the star of the show, and especially great fits for petites. That said, their jeans fit my tall clients too. Kut from the Kloth has lower rises all round, if that’s your preference. Rag ‘n Bone and Frame jeans ran TTS or a size small. There is a great selection of lengths, silhouettes and washes. Full lengths and cropped.

2. Jackets and Coats

Generally, there was a better selection of jackets than coats. Lots of casual jackets, and a few dressier blazers. Ralph Lauren items are particularly good. Liverpool, Avec Les Filles, Sanctuary and Caslon might run big. AllSaints runs small. Faux suede items are particularly nice quality and affordable.

3. Knitwear and Tops

Natural fibres and machine washable items were a plenty at this year’s NAS, which made my clients and me happy. The cotton knitwear is particularly good. The quality of the Nordstrom brand cashmere is super. Halogen and Caslon tops and knits run big. Size down in most of the shirts and blouses too. The Madewell tee has great back detailing and was a hit with everyone who tried it.

4. Atheleisure and Loungewear

Zella items are stellar this year. Superb quality and EXTRA cosy fabric. Their tops run big, and the bottoms TTS. Almost all Save the Duck items made my top picks list because they are that good. An Italian brand, and hands down my favourite brand of puffer jacket. They tend to run a bit narrow so size up when you like a roomier fit. Barefoot dreams toppers always go down well, and there are lots of cute pyjamas.

5. Footwear

The boots assortment was disappointing, although the flats, mules, pumps, and loafer offerings are great. I expected to see a lot more snakeskin, but saw an abundance of browns instead. Brown is definitely the new black. A good time to stock up on holiday footwear. Lots of metallic shoes.

6. Accessories

Belts are fab at this year’s NAS, and almost every client went home with one or a few. The jewellery is also good, as are some of the earthy and cream bags. Shout out to Monica Vinader items. There are fab classic scarves too.

Happy shopping, everyone! I’ll share which items I end up with in a blog post next week.

Short, Petite, Long and Tall Sizes

In the women’s department there are often size specifications that are specialized to people who are either on the short or tall end of the height range. For shorter people, there are “short” and “petite” sizes. For tall people there are “long” and “tall”. These are not always what they seem. 

Short and petite sizes differ in fit. Short sizes tend have the same fit as their regular size counterpart but are shorter in length. Petite sizes tend to fit smaller than their regular counterpart, and are shorter too. For example, if a regular size fits but is too long, you might need to size up in the petite size. If a pair of regular sized pants is too long in the inseam and rise, the short size will provide a shorter inseam length, but not a shorter rise. The petite size, on the other hand will probably offer a shorter rise.

It is similar for tall and long sizes. Long sizes tend to fit the same as their regular size counterpart but are longer in length. Tall sizes tend to fit bigger than regular sizes, and are longer too. For example, if the regular size fits but is too short, you might need a size down in the tall size. If a pair of regular sized pants is too short in the inseam and rise, the long size will provide a longer inseam length, but not a longer rise. The tall size will probably offer a longer rise.

Of course, there are exceptions. Sizing is anything but standardized across brands. Furthermore, you can be regular height and find that a short, petite, long or tall size in an item fits you better because of your body’s specific proportions. Finding the size that ensures the best fit can be tricky and time consuming. But it will be worth the effort.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Outfit Formula: Summery Stripes

This post is for Team Stripe. We see two-toned bold and subtle striped clothing in neutrals every season, and across hot and cold weather wardrobe items. Striped patterns are a classic, and they make an on trend statement. We see stripes in classic silhouettes, as well as preppy, retro, sporty, fashion forward, and avant-garde looks. Stripes are featuring in boho-chic items too. If there is one pattern you can be sure of seeing every year, it’s a stripe. 

Onto summery striped outfit inspiration:

1. Striped Top and Sneakers

Vests that are worn as tops are trending, and here’s a black and white striped knitted version. It’s fitted, and buttoned through leaving the last two unbuttoned to create a subtle V-shape on the hem. It’s combined with a pair of light blue and full length pleated wide legs trousers. White sneakers with black stripes match the black and white top. The black bag and black stripes match the model’s hair. Punchy.

Striped Top and Sneakers

Here are a range of outfits featuring summery striped tops worn casually and smart casually. Some looks are layered to combat arctic air-conditioning, and cool mornings or evenings:

Zara
Rib T-shirt
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Zara
Striped Knit Vest Top
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Zara
Striped Knit Top
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2
Zara
Striped Knit Vest Top
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Mango
Mixed Striped Dress
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Shopbop
TWP Next Ex Shirt
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2. Striped Dress

Striped dresses in cottons and linens can be awesome and easy to wear in Summer. Here’s an unstructured shirtdress in a subtle light blue and white stripe with a bold coral and red spaced floral. The dress is paired with dainty black and white dressy mules that pick up the white in the pattern of the dress, and the black in the model’s hair. Add a bag that works with the palette of the outfit.

Striped Dress

More striped dress fabness:

3. Striped Pants

Wide and relaxed full length and cropped striped bottoms are having a fashion moment. There are striped shorts too. Light and dark, as well as narrow and wide two-toned stripes are the order of the day. The collection shows a range of looks with neutral striped bottoms. Sets are trending so there are striped pants co-ords too:

Zara
Striped Wide Leg Pants
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Zara
Striped T-shirt
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Here’s a tan and back pinstriped summery linen matching set. The pants are wide and full length, and the top is a wrap dress worn as an extra long tunic. Black sandals that match the pinstripe are the breezy shoes of choice. Add a black, cream or earthy brown bag.

Striped Pants

4. Stripe Skirt

Striped skirts are fab. This one in sapphire blue and white stripes is cut on the bias which cleverly creates diagonal stripes. It’s combined with a fitted white tank that’s tucked into the skirt to showcase a striped green belt. A roomy white blazer tops the pairing. Dainty white heeled sandals add a dressy touch. Add a bag, jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Striped Skirt

More striped skirt fabness:

Personally, stripes are one of my favourite patterns. I love their clean, crisp, bold, geometric, and “neat and tidy” appearance. I don’t tire of stripes, and am drawn to striped wardrobe items – especially tops – over and over again. I wear classic stripes year round, and mostly in blues and whites. Here is my current collection of summery stripes across clothing and accessories. I have a range of cold weather stripes too. We’ll chat about that post the heat wave currently hitting the US.

How about you. Do you bat for Team Summery Stripe?

55 Years

I turn 55 years young today. It’s not a milestone birthday, although a meaningful reminder that time moves on, and that I’ve moved along with it. I see middle-aged me when I look in the mirror. I also see myself at age 8, 16, 25, 35 and 48. They flash before me because age is surreal. Time moves on, but it stands still too. Physically I look older. Mentally, I’m all of those ages.

My word for the year is PROGRESS, and more specifically, how I can facilitate the progress of things going on in my life. I’m happy to report that there is already great progress in important ways. After a long, stressful, and tedious remodel, we’ve FINALLY settled back into our “new” loft, and it’s spectacular. It’s paradise-to-me, and we’re nesting for the rest of the year. We have no travel plans, and simply want to vacation at home. Yorkies Sam and Jo couldn’t be happier to have their space and balcony back! A close and dear friend who spent a year fighting cancer is recovering beautifully, and is an absolute warrior. Hubs Greg and I are more social than ever prioritizing old and new friendships, making time to see old friends, as well as frequently checking in with dear friends across the globe. My almost daily pilates and yoga practice makes my body feel strong. I’ve found these things therapeutic, and an effective way to stay more calm amidst the current chaos and insanity around the world.

I am most grateful for hubs Greg who is my soulmate and my everything. Yorkies Sam and Jo who are enchanting and life-enriching, long lasting friendships and family bonds, good health, joyful style, good eats, and the incredible city and community of Seattle. Instead of counting the days, I’m making the days count by being more present and appreciating the richness of daily life. I’m celebrating resilience, affection, connection, and the privilege of growing older.

To kick off my birthday, I’m shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for myself this morning. The afternoon will include time with Greg, Sam and Jo, and tonight is supper at my favourite restaurant, Nishino. Tomorrow, it’s back to shopping the NAS with clients, but I’m taking Friday off.