Forum member Bijou recently asked an interesting question: which aspects of our style do you regularly refresh so that you feel up to date, on-trend, and fabulous? Bijou boiled it down to the items that are the backbone of her style and work the hardest. For Bijou, it was dresses because she wears them frequently, and they’re signature to her style. 

The responses to Bijou’s post were fascinating. Some said tops, bottoms and footwear, and others said hairstyle, eyewear, colour, and outerwear. This makes perfect sense because there is no one, correct way to update or refresh your style. Fads are a thing of the past, trends last longer than they used to, and so-called style rules are obsolete. You can be as trendy, Modern Retro, classic or avant-garde as you like, and look absolutely fabulous.

When it comes to refreshing my own style, I prioritize these aspects, and strictly in this order.

1. Hair & Eyewear

Refreshing my hairstyle and eyewear is top priority because it’s integral to my signature style. I don’t go for drastic changes because I want to keep my hair short and blonde, and my eyewear Modern Retro. But I do change things up in a subtle way over the course of a couple of years to feel adequately refreshed. I’ve been growing out my fringe since January and wearing my pixie naturally wavy half the time. I added a new pair of vintage white prescription sunnies in February, and am looking at a new pair of red specs.

2. Jeans

Jeans are a wardrobe essential. I can wear them year round, to work and play, and white jeans are a favourite. Although I’m wearing jeans less frequently than I used to — favouring dresses, skirts and pants — I wear jeans A LOT. I want them to be the trendy aspect of my style because I’m not as trendy with shoes, pants and tops.

I don’t refresh my capsule every season, but I unexpectedly felt that my jeans capsule was too classic for Autumn & Winter, so I’m in the midst of editing and adding on-trend silhouettes. I’ve committed to the first two dark wash styles in the collection, and have the rest on order. I hope to add four new silhouettes.

3.Outerwear

I wear a lot of outerwear because of my climate. Since it’s my second favourite wardrobe item to purchase, I like to refresh with a few trendier items more frequently than most. I enjoy the drama of a trendy topper, and how it takes centre stage in an outfit. It also makes what you wear underneath feel “new”. This season I added an animal print coat in a gentle cocoon silhouette, and cape coat with faux fur. I’d like to add another short fashion puffer, but haven’t yet found a suitable style.

4. Handbags

I’m not into adding the new “it” bag of the season because I’m very set in my ways with bag silhouettes that work for my lifestyle. But since handbags are my favourite wardrobe item, I’m regularly refreshing my capsule and swapping out bags to create different moods in my outfits. This year I added a straw bag, and four Furlas (two of which were birthday presents). The Furlas are wardrobe workhorses.

5. Footwear

Footwear completes an outfit, adding a whole lot of interest and personality. Wearing on-trend footwear refreshes the look of golden oldies too. I do what I can to add a smattering of trendy shoes to my style each season, which is challenging given my fussy feet, urban walking lifestyle, and zero tolerance for uncomfortable shoes. This year I added mules, Western shooties, chunky white athletic sneakers, and more pairs of white boots.

6. Dresses & Skirts

From now on, I only wear knee-covering midis and dresses with sleeves, but I refresh with on-trend styles within my narrow range of style preferences. Midis are on trend at the moment, so I milked it and added a LOT of trendier dresses to my wardrobe this year. Some of the styles are Trendy Classics, which is even better.

Blouses, knit tops, knitwear, blazers, socks, scarves, belts, swimwear, make-up, nail polish, watches, workout wear, loungewear and jewellery stay relatively modern classic for my style. I’m less likely to amp up the trend factor in these items, if at all. Pants run the gamut. Sometimes I amp up their trend factor and sometimes I don’t. I focussed on dresses, skirts and white jeans for Spring and Summer, so trendy pants were not a priority. For Autumn and Winter, I’m focussing on jeans and dresses, and figuring out what I want to do for pants. I’d love to replace the orange and red pairs I recently passed on, but haven’t found anything suitable yet.

These six areas are a lot to tackle, and some years I’m more inspired, motivated and energized than others. Some seasons are more my look, which makes things easier. But lack of time, a limited budget, the wrong headspace, other priories, or just not being in the mood can get in the way. That’s OK too, because there are more important things than refreshing one’s style.

Over to you. Which components of your style do you refresh most regularly to feel on trend, up to date and fabulous?

Black and white with a shade of bright red is a classic colour combination. A little severe at times, but awfully effective and punchy. I like to see grey and blue denim thrown into the palette to relax the tension between the colours and soften the severity of the combination. The denim also adds a handy casual integrity when you need to dress down the look.

I go back and forth on wanting bright red boots, but decided this year that I’m going for it if I stumble across the right pair. They can look jarring and “super hero” in an outfit, but that’s their charm. Wear bright red boots and be noticed. It’s high time we connected with our inner Wonder Woman.

Here are four renditions to get you started. Boots are bright red and not burgundy because they’re the star of the show.

1. Jeans, Blazer & Boots

This is the easiest outfit to pull together. Combine blue jeans with a white or black top and layer a grey glen plaid or houndstooth blazer over the top. Finish off the look with red boots. No need to wear ripped denim, and feel free to choose any silhouette.

2. Matrix Fabness

Combine blue jeans with a white or black hoodie, and layer a dramatic black coat or jacket over the top. Pull the hood out over the coat. The white hoodie creates an effective contrast with the black. Use a white top if you don’t have a hoodie. Finish off the look with red boots. The print on the hoodie picks up the red of the boots, which creates a complement.

3. Suited & Red Booted

Red boots add a whole lot of punch to a grey suit worn with a white or black layering top. There is no need to repeat the red in the outfit. A red bag is a nice addition, but not essential.

4. Skirted & Red Booted

Combine a black skirt with a cream or white top and finish things off with red boots. Choose any silhouette of top and skirt that tickles your fancy. Choose black pants instead of a skirt if trousers are your preference. I like the addition of the unexpected cognac bag here too. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

Body-con tops are very fitted and a little tighter than tailored fits. They’re usually made of a knitted jersey or yarn across natural and man-made fibers. Although knitted tops and knitwear are stretchy by nature, many have a Spandex or elastane content for extra soft and comfy stretch.  

Body-con tops are very tight. They cling onto the body and showcase the natural silhouette of your figure creating maximal structure. This creates the opposite effect of a fluid or oversized fit that hides your natural silhouette thereby creating an unstructured effect.

You don’t to have an extremely smooth upper body that’s void of extra bits to wear body-con tops. Longer body-con tops can be pulled up a little and ruched or scrunched across the midsection to conceal lumps and bumps. Semi-tucking a body-con top creates a similar ruched effect, and is quite concealing (especially with the girdling effect of a high rise). Body-con knitwear with stitch interest like ribbed surface interests are more forgiving over body bumps too. Generally, the better the drape and thicker the fabric, the more effectively a body-con top will camouflage the extra bits.

Body-con tops are back as a nod to the ‘90s trend. They work extremely well tucked into on-trend roomier high-rise bottoms, higher rise bootcuts and flares, culottes, paper-bag waists, and flared midi skirts. They are good to layer under a blazer or jacket.

More of my clients than I expected are back in body con tops this year, especially those who like to be bang on trend because they work well with the new look roomier bottoms. We’ve had to give foundation garments more attention though, because you really need to wear the right bra with these types of tops, and some clients are in shapewear. You can’t wear a bra with a narrow band that cuts into the flesh of your back. You need a more supportive bra with a wide band that smooths out back flesh.

Tailored and fluid fits are my favourite and that’s what fills my wardrobe. But I bought seven body-con tops this year, all of which are fine or very fine gauge pullovers. I needed the change, and wear all the tops except the citron patterned top semi-tucked or tucked into roomier high-rise bottoms, bootcuts, flares, wide crops, flared midi skirts, and a paper-bag waist. I don’t wear them with body-con bottoms or a tight pencil skirt because that would be too much tight-all-over for this leg of my style journey. I like body-con tops best remixed with bottoms that move in motion. Here are my body-con tops.

Over to you. Are you wearing body-con tops?

This week’s roundup is about cosy casual comfort, with a little dressy thrown into the mix. Price points vary, and there are many colour options across the items. Remember that animal print and stripes are effective pattern mixers, making them more versatile than you might think. 

• Paul Green Soho Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: Refined Rocker. Extremely comfortable and beautifully made booties. The tapered toe box is elegant and the ankle fit tailored. Fits a higher volume foot quite well. Size down for lower volume feet.
• LEVI'S MADE & CRAFTED Levi's Made & Crafted Type III Pleated Denim Skirt | Nordstrom: Maximal Denim Skirt Fabness. Kilt-esque. Unique and looks designer. Best on a curvier figure.
• GRLFRND GRLFRND Tatum Curved Step Hem Jeans (Turn Blue) | Nordstrom: This is the new look jean with a higher rise, and roomier thigh fit - although the rise isn't too high here. Works on both a curvier and straighter body type. Length can work for petites.
• PIKOLINOS Royal W4D-8766: Ridiculously comfortable Spanish boots that work on higher volume feet. All three colours are nice.
• Clarks Clarks Poise Leah Boot (Women) | Nordstrom: Sleek, tailored, dressy and very comfortable. Fab with cropped jeans, dresses and skirts. Works on a higher volume foot. Versatile.
• Sperry Saltwater Emboss Wool: AMAZING weatherproof boots for snow, ice and rain. They are very comfortable, soft and cosy. Quite chunky on the foot, but that's the nature of the duck boot style. To my eye - super cute. They run wide but you can manipulate the width with the right pair of socks. They come in four yummy pastel colours, and the cream are mine. I did not find them to run large when you have long toes. TTS for me.
• RACHEL RACHEL ROY Rachel Roy Cold Shoulder Hooded Sweatshirt (Plus Size) | Nordstrom: Alluring Sweatshirt Fabness.
• SOREL Phoenix Zip: Weatherproof in rain, snow and ice, and super cute on wider ankles and calves. Very comfy. Read the rave reviews.
• Mango Checkered Asymmetric Skirt: I haven't seen this skirt in person yet but it looks lovely. The drape of the diagonal lines is divine. The hems are unfinished so you have to be okay with that. The quality will be moderate too. Will probably work best on a curvier body type.
• Ett:twa | Anthropologie Andes Coat: Extremely cosy and cuddly, and runs a size big. Looks even better fastened, and has a fun hood.
• Mother | Anthropologie Fawcett Striped Turtleneck: The photo does not do the pullover justice. A creative mix of colours. A forgiving fit around the midsection and super fun button detailing on the cuff. Looks best worn untucked over bottoms. Available in a couple of solids.
• Theory Theory Drop Shoulder Cashmere Sweater | Nordstrom: This pullover looks a whole lot better in person, and works well on a larger bust. The sleeves aren't as long as they look, so much so that the silhouette works quite well on petites. GORGEOUS shade of toffee, and comes in ink blue too.
• Nordstrom Signature Nordstrom Signature Cashmere-Blend Hoodie Sweatshirt | Nordstrom: A beautifully made hoodie that runs a size big. Very refined. A trendy shorter length and quite streamlined. Layers well under a blazer.
• Nordstrom Signature Nordstrom Signature Wool Blend Flannel Button Cuff Pants | Nordstrom: Trendy Cuffed Trouser Fabness. Works on both a gently curvy and straighter body type. Can work well on petites. Quite dressy. If you're looking for a different pair of black pants - try these.
• AG AG Caden Crop Twill Trousers | Nordstrom: These are AMAZING twill trousers, and come in many colours. They are thick, soft, warm and very cosy. They are the substitute for corduroy skinnies when you're sick of jeans. They work on both a curvier and straight body type because they mould to the shape of the body. A little relaxed, and not skinny. They can work well on petites. The cognac is extremely rich and yummy. Read the rave reviews.
• FRAME FRAME Velvet Crop Tuxedo Pants | Nordstrom: One of the BEST velvet pants of the season. Tailored and chic. Works on a variety of body types. Gorgeous waistband detailing and fabric. Can work on petites. Rise might be a little long, but long rises are more forgiving in pants as opposed to jeans.
• FRAME FRAME 'Le High Flare' Jeans (Sutherland) | Nordstrom: Fabulous flares that are wider at the hem than bootcuts. Nice new higher rise, but not too high. The wash is dressy and very even. Works on an assortment of body types, and read the rave reviews.
• Everlane The Cashmere Shrunken Sweatshirt: So far so good on this pullover - no pilling. Tried and tested by my client. It's gently fluid and fits a little like a shorter sweatshirt. Excellent with on-trend higher rise bottoms. Lots of colours.
• Sleeping On Snow | Anthropologie Lovliest Landscape Sweater: A pullover that looks better in person. Casual, cosy, warm and a happy pattern. No need to semi-tuck the look.
• Levi's Levi's Rain Jacket | Nordstrom: A versatile raincoat with fun back detailing. Lots of colours and rave reviews.
• Levi's Levi's Made & Crafted 501 Skinny Jeans (Lover's Lane) | Nordstrom: Trendy high-rise jeans that are quite heavy in weight. They don't fit like the '90s Levis 501s, but it IS a 2018 cousin. Fun flashback, and nice with sneakers.
• Gap Modern Stripe Long Sleeve Boatneck T-Shirt: A clean and crisp wardrobe essential in substantial fabric. The neckline is flattering and the fit quite streamlined. A versatile layering piece with good reviews. Lots of colour options.
• Gap Textured Open-Front Hooded Cardigan Sweater: A relaxed hooded cardigan that creates a vertically streamlined effect because it drapes well. It glides over curves and straighter body types. Nice pocket placement. Available in three colours.
• AVEC LES FILLES Avec Les Filles Animal Print Faux Fur Coat | Nordstrom: Cool-toned leopard print with light blue is hard to find. This one is gorgeous, well made, and has a high longevity factor. It's supposed to be oversized and bulky so that you can layer it over just about anything. Fun, dramatic, on-trend, and available in plus sizes.

Go to the collection page to see pictures of the items alongside my descriptions.