Outfit Formula: Cool Red and Neutrals

Cherry, raspberry, Christmas and apple reds are cool-toned and might be the types of reds you enjoy wearing. Less bright and orange than tomato red and fire red, and not as dark as crimson, wine, and maroon. Wear dark reds in Spring and Summer with neutrals like black, greys, whites, denim, dark blues, purples and all sorts of browns. Wear them in solids and patterns. 

Old Navy
Uniform Pique Polo
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Onto some outfit inspiration for Spring and Summer.

1. Pants

A pair of cherry red lined wide leg pleated pants is paired with a summery white sleeveless pointelle sweater. I love the length of the pants. The sweater is semi-tucked to showcase the waist of the pants, and shorten its length. Dark red thong sandals add an extra beachy and high Summer touch. Add a raffia bag or other casual bag to complete the look. Substitute the pants for a skirt, if that’s more your thing.

Pants

2. Topper

Red toppers can be effective dopamine boosters. Here, a cocoon shaped oversized parka tops a neutral combination of chocolate brown slouchy wide leg trousers and cream long sleeved tee. Black boots match a dressy black shoulder bag and the model’s hair. Think of any other neutral pairing of top and bottom like navy, olive, toffee, tan, or grey – and complete the outfit with a red topper.

Topper

3. Dress

A cool toned red smocked fit and flare frock is the statement star of the show. It’s completed with black heeled sandals and dressy bag, which match the model’s black hair and eyewear. A bag and pair of shoes in a shade of brown, metallic, white, or animal print would work well too. And so can a two-piece dress made up of a skirt and top.

Dress

4. Pattern and Blue Denim

Think of any patterned top in cool shades of red and combine it with blue denim. Here, a pair of on trend denim clamdiggers is combined with an untucked boho-lite patterned paisley blouse. Classic white sneakers with gum soles add a sporty touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Pattern and Blue Denim

Personally, red has featured in my own style all my life. My red is a warm toned orange-y tomato red. I think of it as “a neutral” because to my eye, it works well with every colour, and especially neutrals. Red is versatile. Who bats for Team Red?

Trend: Skirts with Yokes

It’s a skirt season, from mini to maxi, and every length in-between. There are lace-trimmed skirts, sculptural skirts, prairie skirts, sheer skirts, asymmetrical skirts, bubble skirts, pleated skirts, pencil skirts, utility skirts, full circle skirts, and paneled flared skirts. Skirts with yokes are also part of the current fashion landscape, and a nod to fashion’s ongoing ’80s influence. One reason we’re seeing more yoked skirts is because fashion is steadily moving away from fitted minimalism and toward movement, drape, volume, softer structure, and nostalgic detailing.

A yoke is a fitted panel that sits at the top of a skirt, usually around the waist and upper hip area, before the fuller part of the skirt begins. The length and shape of the yoke vary from style to style. Yokes can be curved, angled, V-shaped, straight, or asymmetrical, and are sewn separately from the rest of the skirt. Think of them as built-in shaping sections that create structure on the waist and hips. Volume is added below the yoke with gathers, pleats, flared panels, or asymmetrical pieces. The collection shows examples of skirts with yokes.

Bloomingdale's
Donia Skirt
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Bloomingdale's
Parker Skirt
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Bloomingdale's
Riya Skirt
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Bloomingdale's
Long Skirt
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Shopbop
STAND Procida Skirt
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Yoked skirts are appealing because they combine structure with ease, creating shape without clinging. The fitted panel contours the waist and hip area before releasing into volume lower down the body. This can feel more comfortable, and look more streamlined, than skirts that gather and pleat at the waist, which can create bulk around the midsection. The silhouette is breezy, elegant in motion, and practical in longer lengths because it offers sun protection and coverage. The look pairs well with fitted tops, short boxy or tailored jackets, oversized blazers, oversized denim jackets, tucked and semi-tucked knitwear and tees, fluid shirts, and cropped tops that showcase some or most of the yoke.

You can also style a yoked skirt by entirely covering the yoke. Simply wear a longer tailored, fluid, or oversized top over the skirt so that it just covers the yoke. Or wear a top with a welt positioned on the seam where the yoke joins the fuller part of the skirt. Knitted tops, sweatshirts, and knitwear often achieve the “welt effect” naturally.

Personally, as long as the skirt is voluminous and long, and the yoke isn’t too far down the hips, I enjoy wearing skirts with yokes. I wore them in the ’80s with oversized pullovers, welted tops, shoulder pads, and cropped jackets. I’m happily wearing a yoked skirt in 2026 in better fabrics and without the shoulder pads because I like the proportions. I recently modeled my new yoked skirt on the forum

Over to you. What are your thoughts on skirts with yokes?

Brand Spotlight: Aritzia

Aritzia is a Canadian retailer that has become enormously popular in the US. There are two huge stores in Seattle that buzz with activity in the afternoons when Generation Z descends, often resulting in queues for the dressing rooms. The brand describes itself as “Everyday Luxury”, which feels accurate to my eye. The assortment is trend-driven, modern, urban, polished, and minimalist. The palette leans heavily neutral and solid. Patterns and bright colours are rare, and the overall aesthetic is clean and understated. In terms of quality and fabrication, Aritzia generally sits above retailers like Zara and H&M, and the higher price points reflect that.

When I first shopped at Aritzia, I found the assortment puzzling. Career wear, athleisure, and clubbing attire all under one roof and seemingly aimed at the same customer felt disjointed. Over time, I realized that this is one of the retailer’s strengths. Aritzia operates almost like several boutiques housed within one store, with each in-house label catering to a different aesthetic and lifestyle. For example, the “Babaton” label focuses on polished tailoring and modern workwear. “Wilfred” feels softer, more romantic, and fashion-forward. “Sunday Best” skews youthful and playful. “TNA” is casual, sporty, and athleisure-inspired. Housing these different style identities together broadens the appeal of the retailer, and cleverly allows customers to shop across multiple lifestyles in one place.

The size range has improved over the years. Many items run from XXS to 2XL, although availability varies by style and silhouette. Fit can also be inconsistent across the different labels. Some silhouettes are oversized and roomy, while others are quite trim and body-con. Some bottoms are offered in curvy fits too. It helps to try items on, and to read online reviews and garment measurements carefully before ordering.

Price points range from moderate to fairly high. Tees and simple tops often start around US$40 to US$80. Knitwear and dresses tend to sit in the US$100 to US$250 range, while tailoring and outerwear can climb significantly higher. Their famous Super Puff jackets can cost several hundred dollars depending on fabrication and length. Aritzia does host seasonal sales, which makes the assortment more affordable.

Fabrics and quality are generally great, although not uniformly exceptional across every category. Some pieces are beautifully made and wear extremely well, while others are less impressive. To my eye, Aritzia excels at elevated wardrobe essentials and simple modern tailoring. Think dressy wool coats, trench coats, trousers, blazers, solid blouses, belts, and puffer jackets. Those are exactly the categories I tend to shop with clients, often with great success.

Many Aritzia stores are architecturally striking, with soaring ceilings and carefully designed interiors that feel upscale. Some locations include cafe or lounge-like elements. There are usually patient friends and family members waiting comfortably in the lounge while their loved ones shop. The dressing room set-up is distinctive too. The fitting rooms themselves are fairly minimal, while the communal mirror area outside the rooms is expansive and dramatic, with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. That means you need to step outside the fitting room to see said items in the mirror, which some shoppers find fun and others find off-putting.

Overall, Aritzia occupies an interesting niche in the market, and I enjoy browsing in-person with clients when I’m at the mall. It offers trend-aware fashion with a polished and elevated sensibility, while remaining practical, clean, neutral, and subtle. For shoppers who enjoy modern fashion with a luxe feel and minimalist palette, it’s a retailer worth browsing. Personally, I’ve had excellent luck with Aritzia’s dressy Effortless Pants, especially versions made with fabrics from Portugal and Japan. On the other hand, I’ve passed on a few 100% polyester items that didn’t end up working when put through their paces.

Over to you. Have you shopped at Aritzia, and what are your impressions of the brand and assortment?

Aritzia The Effortless Pant

Aritzia Cozy Sweatfleece Mega Raglan Zip Hoodie

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: Outfits with Neckties

Adding a menswear necktie to an outfit is an acquired taste. Personally, I bat for Team Menswear Necktie. Having worn neckties for years as part of a school uniform, I am no stranger to neckties. Like button down shirts, they are an honest and nostalgic part of my style. 

I’d like to rekindle the vibe with a pretty new necktie in soft colours. Something along these lines:

Some of my clients enjoy wearing neckties, and it’s fun to be creative with their outfits. Here’s some outfit inspiration for those who enjoy the look too. For those who don’t, perhaps you’ll appreciate the vibe from afar.

1. Necktie Bow

I’m fascinated by how they tied this necktie. Visually, it’s very effective! I think it’s a loosely tied bow, and will be experimenting at home. A high contrast necktie is worn on the skin of the neck, so inside the collar of the shirt and not around it. Choose any colour button down shirt and tie. You could wear the necktie bow over a T-shirt too. This shirt is semi tucked, and the pairing is worn with a floral mini skirt, which you can substitute with a skirt that is more to your taste. Add shoes and a bag that work with the outfit.

Necktie Bow

2. Utility Pants, Short Jacket, Heels

A pair of olive utility pants is paired with a tucked blue and white striped button down shirt. A high contrast navy necktie is worn around the shirt collar the traditional way. A short off white Chanel-esque tweed jacket is the dressy topper of choice. It matches dressy white pumps that amp up “the pretty” in the outfit. The black belt adds back traditional “menswear dressing”. Add a bag to match the palette.

Utility Pants, Short Jacket, Heels

3. Suited

These outfits are from Aritzia. The outfit on the left combines a dressy and somewhat slouchy grey pants suit with an untucked white T-shirt. A high contrast blue and navy striped necktie is draped loosely around the neck like an oblong scarf. Chunky athletic grey, black and white sneakers are the sporty shoe of choice. I’d have preferred to see low profile refined sneakers with the suit, although wear the shoes that work best for you. The outfit on the right combines a pair of black dressy and slouchy trousers with a brown and white striped button down shirt. A chocolate brown patterned necktie is worn in a traditional way around the collar of the shirt. A fluid dressy blazer tops the pairing. Dressy black boots and belt match the black bottoms and model’s hair.

4. Relaxed with Dressy Shoes

An oversized pale pink button down shirt with rolled up sleeves is tucked into a pair of dark grey pleated trousers. A low contrast light grey striped tie is worn in a loose and relaxed way around the collar of the shirt. White pointy toe pumps add a dressy, pretty and refined edge to the look. White earrings add a playful element. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

Relaxed with Dressy Shoes

5. Jorts and Culottes

Last, a light blue and white striped button down shirt is combined with a matching necktie creating a delightful set and low contrast effect. Sleeves are scrunched to showcase forearm skin, and relax the shirt. The shirt is tucked into lemon jorts (culottes). Black slingbacks and clutch add a dressy edge, and match the model’s hair. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Jorts and Culottes

Trend: Smocked Tops, Skirts, Dresses

Smocking involves rows of gathered fabric held together with elasticated stitching, creating stretch, texture, and structure. Some retailers refer to smocking as shirring. We see this familiar design feature every season, although it’s particularly popular at the moment. There is smocking on tops, skirts, and dresses across all sorts of colours, patterns, and fabrics. 

The detailing can vary enormously. Sometimes the smocking is subtle and tonal, adding quiet texture and a gently fitted effect. Other times it is dramatic and highly visible, becoming the focal point of the garment. Smocking can appear on bodices, waistlines, cuffs, necklines, shoulder straps, and even across entire garments. Some pieces use only a small panel of smocking for comfort and fit, while others are fully smocked and very stretchy. The collection shows many smocked examples.

Zara
Smocked Striped Top
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Zara
Smocked Plaid Shirt
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Zara
Smocked Gingham Top
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Zara
Striped Smocked Top
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Zara
Plaid Smocked Shirt
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Zara
Smocked Gingham Top
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Shopbop
RAILS Alessa Skirt
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Shopbop
RAILS Alton Top
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Shopbop
RAILS Alessi Dress
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One of the practical strengths of smocking is that it can taper a garment and create shape without feeling stiff or restrictive. Smocked bodices and waists can provide contouring while remaining comfortable and flexible to wear. Smocked cuffs on wide sleeves add a romantic touch. Smocking on knitted jersey fabrics can feel especially comfortable and easy to wear.

On the other hand, heavy smocking can feel bulky, clingy, or overly textured. Fully smocked garments can feel snug in very hot weather despite the lightweight fabric. Sometimes the elasticated stitching loses its recovery over time, which can be difficult to repair.

There is a lot of versatility within the trend. Depending on the styling and design details, smocked garments can lean bohemian, cottagecore, retro, beachy, classic, modern, or architectural. Smocked dresses are especially popular for warm and hot weather, while smocked tops and skirts with more coverage transition well into colder seasons when layered with jackets, knitwear, and boots.

I like the pretty and retro effect of smocking. I’ve worn smocked dresses, tops, and skirts in the past, especially when I lived in a Mediterranean climate close to a sunny beach. These days I wear smocked items less frequently, although I still have a few in my wardrobe.

How about you? What do you think of smocked tops, skirts, and dresses?