Fabulous Crossover V-neck Sweater

If turtlenecks aren’t your thing, how about a versatile, crossover V-neck sweater? This one from Express has been a great find thanks to viscose cashmere blends. It’s soft, non-itchy, fits like a glove, drapes well, AND is machine washable. Although the cut line under the bust suggests that it might not work for a fuller bust, give it a bash anyway. It has worked on some of my busty short-waisted clients with a camisole because it’s stretchy.

Readers often wonder what I wear instead of a long sleeved T-shirt. Well, I wear knitwear like turtle necks and this style of pullover. Since my style is quite dressy, I prefer the visual effect of knitwear over T-shirt fabric. Knitwear also tends to retain its shape and colour for longer.

I like to wear this type of pullover in the same way that you wear a tee: on its own with a scarf or necklace, tucked into high-waisted pants, with a skirt, or layered under a jacket. I bought the sweater in black when there was a 30% discount on the style last week. I’ve already worn it often so I might even duplicate the item in my wardrobe. Be sure to size up because it runs small.

I refuse to purchase expensive knitwear because I’ve burned my fingers in the past. No matter how much I spent, the quality was up to maggots after one season. Infuriating! Thanks to places like Express, the Loft, Macys, H&M and certain brands at Nordstrom I can buy inexpensive knitwear and not hit the roof when it starts to pill, stretch out or lose its lustre.

Bookending Black Trousers

When women wear long black trousers, be it fashion forward tapered pant styles, leans, jeans, or classic bootcut slacks, I prefer to see the colour black repeated above the waist. In this way the outfits look more balanced.  This is by no means a rule, just my subjective preference for outfits with black trousers.

You can bookend black trousers in many ways. It will happen naturally if you have black or very dark brown hair. You can also achieve the same effect by repeating black in the top half of your ensemble. You have many different options:

  • Black tops, jackets, camisoles, cardigans and waistcoats
  • Black in the pattern of a patterned top or scarf
  • Black belts, necklaces or eyewear
  • Black buttons or black piped trim

You can substitute black above with another very dark, low contrasting colour like charcoal grey or ink blue. Sometimes it takes only one of these ways to successfully bookend an outfit, but you might also use several at the same time.

Looking at the examples above from left to right:

  1. The black pants are bookended with a low contrasting, dark grey top.
  2. The black pants are bookended by the model’s jet black hair.
  3. The black pants are bookended both by the black camisole and stripe of the model’s top.
  4. The black pants are not bookended, since the model has light hair and is wearing a light coloured top. It’s not a bad look, but I would have preferred the outfit with a black camisole, jacket or belt.

Short black skirts, shorts or cropped trousers don’t need to be bookended in the same way as black trousers because they are broken up by another texture, like skin or hosiery, which automatically balances things out.

Fabulous Boots on Sale – Part 2

If this morning’s boot suggestions did not light your fire, perhaps these ones will. Again, I’ve seen most of the styles and fitted them on my fussy feet. Some are more comfortable than others, depending on your tolerance for footwear discomfort. Remember to check out all the colour options.

  1. Franco Sarto Project: The sock detailing is an acquired taste. Casual, sporty and quite comfortable.
  2. Rockport Barbarella Boot: Too high for me, but oh my goodness look at the taupe colourway with the red piping. Fierce.
  3. Blowfish Himble: Good value and pretty comfy. Some of my clients find the heel unstable, but I thought it was fine.
  4. ALDO Stormes: Nice low wedge and ruching detailing.
  5. Poetic Licence Toughen Up: Love the buttons and it’s available in purple too.
  6. Seychelles Enigma: A beautiful colour! If you can do the heel height, please wear these darlings for me.
  7. Dolce Vita Donnie: You’ll never know whether you like over the knee boots until you try them. So try them!
  8. Frye Cindy Slouch: Comfortable, well made and gorgeous like most Frye boots.
  9. Diba Brandy Lee: Divine with dresses and skirts.
  10. La Canadienne Charlize: Killer comfortable and fab for narrow calves and a slightly narrow foot.
  11. MIA Sergeant: Extremely comfortable. My vote for best rugged boot this season.
  12. Frye Veronica Slouch: Tried and tested by many. KILLER in all respects.
  13. Faryl Robin Valenta: Elegant and spunky. Although the heel is high, it’s a comfy shoe because the leather and footbed are soft.
  14. Biviel BV2825: These would be mine if I could comfortably sport the heel height.
  15. Born Yolanda: Many happy clients in this one. Comfy, casual and good quality.
  16. Steve Madden Maxximus: Extremely comfy and super sweet.
  17. DV by Dolce Vita: These actually worked for my petite clients too. Amazing!
  18. La Canadienne Ultimate: If I needed more ankle boots I’d be all over the light grey. My favourite heel height and weatherproof to boot.

Happy shopping!


Franco Sarto - Project (Taupe Calf) - FootwearRockport - Barbarella Boot (Iron Stone Leather) - FootwearBlowfish - Himble (Whiskey Strike PU) - FootwearALDO - Stormes (Cognac) - FootwearPoetic Licence - Toughen Up (Tan) - FootwearSeychelles - Enigma (Teal) - FootwearDolce Vita - Donnie (Black) - FootwearFrye - Cindy Slouch (Brown Vintage Leather) - FootwearDiba - Brandy Lee (Jar) - FootwearLa Canadienne - Charlize (Tobacco Suede) - FootwearMIA - Sergeant (Tan Leather) - FootwearFrye - Veronica Slouch (Burnt Red Full Grain Leather) - FootwearFaryl Robin - Valenta (Grey) - FootwearBiviel - BV2825 (Blue Capri) - FootwearBorn - Yolanda (Bay Brown Veg) - FootwearSteve Madden - Maxximus (Taupe Leather) - FootwearDV by Dolce Vita - Ethel (Black) - FootwearLa Canadienne - Ultimate (Grey Leather) - Footwear


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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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Fabulous Boots on Sale – Part 1

My list of sale handbags was well received so I decided to do the same exercise for boots. I’ve seen most of the styles in person and fitted on several of them. The comfort levels range from doable to very comfy. Remember that my feet are fussy, so you’ll probably have a higher tolerance than I do. Check out all the colour options if the ones shown are not to your taste.

  1. Cole Haan Braxton Tall Boot: Sleek, soft and very Euro. I almost bought the light pair but the calf circumference was too wide.
  2. Michael Kors Harness Boot: These are too high for me, but the volume around the calf is different and quite flattering on a slender leg line.
  3. Dr. Scholl’s Arch: Great price, good casual vibe and super comfy
  4. Timberland Earthkeepers Granby Low Pull-On: Fab for après ski and snow days.
  5. Frye Rory Scrunch Boot: I have these in chestnut and they are wardrobe workhouses. The chestnut isn’t available, but the other colours are nice too.
  6. Rockport Lilly Welt Riding Boot: Classic, comfy, clean and elegant.
  7. B. Makowsky Faith: You’ll like these if buckles are your thing.
  8. Gentle Souls Popular Choice: Comfortable and superb for tall girls with an 18 inch shaft measurement.
  9. Vince Camuto Coco: Sublime colour and ever so slightly bohemian.
  10. Gwyneth Macie: A versatile style with a very walkable heel height.
  11. Kate Spade New York Brit: Too high for me but pretty, pretty, pretty!
  12. Gentle Souls Nice And Warm: Love these boots and they’re comfortable too. Edgy, rugged and well made.
  13. BC Footwear Light Up The Room: Sweet name. Hope they light up your style.
  14. BC Footwear In The Mood: Look at the teal!
  15. Seychelles Secret: Perfect booties to wear with skirts and dresses.
  16. Dirty Laundry Noted: A vegan option that’s good to your bank account.
  17. Kenneth Cole Reaction Blue Ice: Adore the wedge and turn back detailing.
  18. Belle by Sigerson Morrison BM6356: A little studded sparkle just for fun.

That’s it for now. I’ll post the second half of my list later today. Happy shopping!


Cole Haan - Braxton Tall Boot (Cider) - FootwearMICHAEL Michael Kors - Harness Boot (Slate Suede) - FootwearDr. Scholl's - Arch (Taupe Suede) - FootwearTimberland - Earthkeepers Granby Low Pull-On (Black Suede) - FootwearFrye - Rory Scrunch Boot (Burnt Red Vintage Leather) - FootwearRockport - Lilly Welt Riding Boot (Dark Brown Leather) - FootwearB. Makowsky - Faith (Black Leather) - FootwearGentle Souls - Popular Choice (Concrete) - FootwearVince Camuto - Coco (Midnight Valencia) - FootwearGwyneth - Macie (Grey Suede) - FootwearKate Spade New York - Brit (Eggplant Suede) - FootwearGentle Souls - Nice And Warm (T Moro Leather) - FootwearBC Footwear - Light Up The Room (Taupe) - FootwearBC Footwear - In The Mood (Teal) - FootwearSeychelles - Secret (Whiskey Leather) - FootwearDirty Laundry - Noted (Grey) - FootwearKenneth Cole Reaction - Blue Ice (Bark Leather) - FootwearBelle by Sigerson Morrison - BM6356 (Black Leather) - Footwear


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Never Say Never to Sequin Party Frocks

I’m obviously in a shimmery holiday party mood because I’m still talking about sequins.

I can appreciate sequin separates since the fish scale shimmer is relatively contained on one part of the body – either on top or on the bottom. But I have never fancied sequin dresses because it’s sparkle overload. Then I saw these dresses and changed my mind. I absolutely love them. Just look at how they drape! The cuts are genius and the fabric sensational. Elegant yet comfortable, festive yet retro, covered yet alluring.

Perhaps I’m developing the magpie gene (magpies are attracted to shiny things), but these sequin frocks have changed my opinion on the item. Do you like sequin dresses and what do you think of the styles below?