If you’re after an inexpensive pair of flared jeans, I highly recommend Gap’s Long & Leans. I used to have a pair about seven years ago and was not as happy with the way they looked back then. They bagged out and the fit wasn’t flattering on my thighs and bottom for some reason. But I recently retried the style and I’m pretty sure the quality of the denim AND the fit has changed because now I love them. And judging by the online reviews, I’m not alone. They don’t stretch out, the denim is super soft, and my thighs look fine.

They come up quite high in the rise so I like to wear a belt and tuck in tops with this style. The leg widths are much roomier than my premium denim bootcut styles and the hem width measures 18 inches on small sizes. So with the Long & Leans I can achieve a 70’s flared leg vibe without going too wide on the width of the hems. I can also comfortably sport a one and a half to two inch heel without feeling dumpy or killing the balls of my feet.

Gap’s Long & Leans in a faded wash are my answer to flared 70’s look jeans this season because I don’t want to wear wider hem widths. With a 30% store discount and a 20% discount coupon I got them for a song!  They are available in three different washes, from sizes 00 to 20 across petites, regular and talls. Brilliant.

Note that I have put these in the store, and this post contains affiliate links.

Maybe you don’t find purchasing sweats and loungewear, sleepwear, knickers, bras and socks boring but I certainly do. Ironically, apart from socks, which are seasonal, I wear the other items every day and for that reason alone they deserve more attention. So in order to ensure that I’m not wearing wretched sweats, stretched out knickers and bras, and worn out socks, I have a loose annual purchasing plan for these items.

1. Sweats: I wear sweats instead of a robe so they get a lot of daily wear. I like to keep two sets in rotation which last for about a year before they look tatty and stained. I purchase two new sets every year right after Christmas and enjoy the big fat discount.
2. Sleepwear: This is the only time you’ll see me wearing a t-shirt and I like to sleep in extra soft baby T’s with boy shorts. I refresh my sleepwear capsule when the Summer daylight saving time changes in mid March.
3. Bras: I have a professional bra fitting each year to make sure I’m still wearing the right size. I do that around my birthday in July when I see my OBGYN and schedule a mammogram. If my bra size has changed or if I need new bras, this is the time to purchase them. July is now officially my breast month.
4. Knickers: I replace knickers at the same time I do my bra fitting because I’ve got underwear on my mind and I’m spending time in the lingerie department.
5. Socks: I give my deliberately drab sock collection a little boost at the start of boot wearing season, which is in the middle of September just after the new school year starts.

It’s not essential to have a purchasing plan in place for wardrobe basics. You might do perfectly well refreshing and updating these items as you need them. I’ve found it useful to fit them into an annual shopping plan which is spread out over the year. That way the items are refreshed and not ignored, and once it’s done – it’s done.

When do you purchase wardrobe basics? Do you have a loose plan in place, or do you wait until it’s absolutely necessary?

This is old news to some of you because YLF forum member Tanya beat me to the punch last week, but here are Pantone’s Top 10 colours for Spring 2011. For kicks you can compare them to last year’s fashion and colour report.

At first glance the colours look quite pastel and not at all representative of what I saw on the runways of Spring Fashion Week last September. But clicking on each individual block of colour you can see the spectrum of shades embodied in the sketches of the designers.

Take, for example, “Honeysuckle”. Although the colour looks like a lipstick pink, the outfit colours range from pink and coral to a much richer, pinkish tomato red. The same goes for pantone colour “Beeswax” which looks like a mango yellow, but the outfit sketches also represent citron.

So it’s important to not take the exact shade of these colours too literally. Instead think of each block as an inspirational umbrella colour under which there are many interpretations and levels of saturation. Still, the hues that I saw at Fashion Week were more vibrant – and we have the photographs to prove it (check out Carlos Miele, Thuy and Georges Chakra).

I also find it strange that beige does not have its own block on Pantone’s list. Beige is represented in “russet” (click on the block to see additional sketches), but it doesn’t seem to denote the same level of importance that way. And based on what I’ve seen and read, Spring is going to be full of beige.

You will find lots of colour variation in a fashion season, even though some colours will be more “happening” and “new” than others. Of course you’ll find black and white each season so never fear when they aren’t represented in a trend forecast like this Pantone report.

I’ve got my money on colours like citron yellow, tomato red, lavender purple and beige as the biggest colours for Spring and Summer 2011. We’ll see how right I am as the season unfolds.

It tickles my toes when the trends that we saw on the runways of Fashion Week start appearing in stores, both as fringe and mainstream fashion. It is even more fun to start wearing the new looks that appeal to your fashion persona. So without further ado, here is what’s in store for us over the next six months of fashion:

1. Many contrasts: We’ll see long and short skirts and dresses, tailored and voluminous silhouettes, cropped tops and tunics, flared legs and tapered trousers and jeans, high heels and low heels, brights and muted neutrals, flared skirts and pencil skirts. This is the most important characteristic of the season and a brilliant one in my book. Variety is the spice of life.
2. 70’s inspiration: YES! Casual, bohemian hippy chic combined with the ultra glamorous side of that decade. I’m bypassing boho looks, but I’m already all over fitted dressy blouses, tailored denim blazers, short A-line skirts, jumpsuits, long leather coats, long pendant necklaces, cravat scarf tying, and tucking tops into high rise trouser cuts.
3. 80’s street influences: Always close to my heart. You’ll still see lots of tapered jeans and slim cut trouser silhouettes, banded tops, sharp shouldered jackets, dolman sleeves, pleated trousers, biker jackets and big blouses.
4. Trousers, trousers, trousers: Flared leg pants and jeans worn with tucked in blouses or knitwear and platform heels is the “it” look you’ll see in magazines. It’s a pants season so think flared trousers and jeans, short shorts, harem pants and palazzos.
5. Blouses, blouses, blouses: It’s also a blouse season and I’m delighted. As captain of Team Blouse I’m stocking up on blouses of every description, both tailored and voluminous in silhouette. Can’t wait!
6. Brights: Move over jewel tones and hello tomato red, citron yellow, lavender purple, emerald green, turquoise and cobalt blue. Big thumbs up from me.
7. Beige and white: There is supposed to be as much beige and white this season as there are brights. I’m all for the white, but will bypass the beige.
8. Abstract patterns: Mixing up organic and geometric designs sounds interesting. Bring it on.
9. White accessories: Think white belts, bags, footwear, watches, hats, hair bands, bangles, and pendants.
10. White dresses: It is the season of the little or long white dress.
11. Pleated skirts: I’ve been after a short, knife pleated skirt for a while. Hope I find one soon.
12. Casual maxi dresses and skirts: I actually wore them up until the age of 10 and here’s the proof. This is one look, of which there are only a handful, that I cannot support. I’m not a fan and dare say I never will be. Super dressy maxi dresses and skirts are fabulous at uber formal functions and that’s where the look should stay. Of course this is a completely subjective opinion and your perspective may be different.
13. Tie-dye and fringe: In true 70’s boho style. It’s not my thing, but fun on other people.
14. Short trench coats: I prefer long trench coats, but shorter lengths make sense for warm Spring climates.
15. Crochet Cardigans: More hippy chic that I’ll leave to those who like the vibe.
16. Stripes: YES! And not just on tops, but on jackets, scarves, blazers, skirts and handbags. The striped blazers in Banana Republic at the moment are delicious.
17. Bows: On blouses, bags, footwear, dresses and skirts.
18. Cut away backs: An 80’s look that’s fab, provided you can still wear a bra or are comfortable sans support.
19. Espadrilles, flat and heeled loafers, high heeled corked wedges, flat oxfords: Nice. I’m happy to see caged footwear move from center stage.
20. Platform wedges: Low heeled platforms are back. Could be fab, because it’s a way to achieve extra height without arching the foot.
21. Clogs and low heeled sling back pumps: Clogs are still going strong and sling backs are making a comeback.
22. Extra wide rimmed sun hats and floppy hats: Think Ali McGraw and Barbara Streisand. I don’t look good in hats, but if you do, please wear them for me.
23. Animal Print: And it’s all about cats. Not zebra, giraffe, pony or croc. Cheetah and Leopard, ladies. I vote yay.
24. Silk scarves: Floppy silk scarves are all the new rage. Wear them cravat style inside shirt collars, or knotted high against the neck, or looped tightly around the neck with both sides hanging back down across the front of the body.
25. Chain handle bags: It’s taken me a while to get used to this look but I’m on board if the chains are dainty and retro.

Who’s ready for Spring? Goodness knows I am, even though it will be ages before it warms up around here. Not to worry though. We can creatively introduce the newness of the next season during the dead of Winter, as I’m sure many of you have already started to do.

I say this each time I share the trends of an upcoming season and I’ll say it again – I’m excited! No season is perfect, but there is always something new to like and wear in the new collections. How do these trends grab you?