After dolling things up with biker jackets and ball gowns, it’s back to weekend casual in a dry, but overcast Seattle. This outfit is not remotely glamorous, but it’s practical, comfy and ever so nostalgic.

On Sunday afternoon Greg and I had a casual lunch at one of our local Seattle restaurants before some grocery shopping. I’d been catching up on chores, admin and work that morning and was wearing a pair of old Seven for all Mankind bootcut jeans, new black pleated front turtle neck from Express and my house slippers.

For our walk to lunch I changed into my cowboy boots, added a red animal printed scarf (a recent ASOS purchase), an old brown and black tweed coat and Duran Duran cross body bag.

The bag is among my favourites  because I’m passionate about music band Duran Duran. I had a huge crush on lead singer Simon Le Bon when I was 16 years old (1986) and he’s still one of the five celebrities I’d love to meet one day. Over the past 20 years we’ve seen Duran Duran play live several times and the bag was a gift from Greg at one of their concerts. Rekindling those heart throbbing teenage moments with your significant other later on in life is priceless. So since this very special bag is irreplaceable, it only comes out to play a few times a year. That way I can keep it looking nice forever.

This coat was once my dressy coat. But after six years of wear it’s not as crisp as it used to be. I still love the fit, length, weight, style and fabric, so I simply demoted it to casual wear. The coat will have to be threadbare before I pass it on – that’s how much I love wearing it.

If you love to wear turtle necks (polo necks) like I do, then you have to try the pleated front style from Express. It’s my favourite turtle neck of the season and I’ve tried them all! It’s extra soft, drapes well and fits like a glove. It’s made of a  rayon-nylon-spandex blend so it doesn’t itch. The neck fits closely around the skin and does not stretch out. The sleeves are a great length and I often scrunch them to around the elbow. The banded bottom is flattering and versatile.

Wear it plain and blouson the top part of the sweater. Tuck it into high-waisted skirts and pants, or belt it round the middle when left un-tucked. I use a lightweight turtle neck just like a layering tee so it works well under jackets, coats and certain dresses, tops and button down shirts too.

I bought  four colours and doubled up on the black . They are on sale for $19.90 right now and if you purchase with a coupon you’ll get them for a whopping 14 bucks. In order to gain length I sized up on this style. It’s a little roomier than my other turtle necks, but the banded bottom and shoulders are adequately tailored and snug so I’m not worried.

After having these turtle necks for a few days I have already worn three of the colours. I think I’m going to live in them all Winter long.

Sequins on jackets, camisoles, blouses or scarves are one thing, but how about a dose of fish scale shimmer on the lower half of the body? Think sequin skirts, trousers, leggings, and shorts. Even though I don’t own anything sequined, I vote yay and here’s why.

A straight sequin pencil skirt matched with a soft silky blouse or cashmere pullover is divine. Take things further by combining it with a soft drapy silk camisole and a fine gauge knit boyfriend cardigan. The look is classic, comfortable and a nice mixture of dressy and casual.

A pair of sequin leggings worn under a billowing tunic blouse is another delicious combination that I would sport in a heartbeat. Mod gal meets 70’s disco queen if you wear them under a sheath or sack dress. Fun!

Tailored sequin trousers look elegant and super glam with pointy toed heels and a chiffon or georgette blouse. Perfect for women who prefer to wear trousers over skirts and dresses for formal occasions. Add a leather jacket for extra edge and casual vibe. Add a blazer for a dressier look.

Sequin cycling shorts and short shorts are fabulously daring for those with gorgeous gams and youth on their side. I love the look of black sequin short shorts with sheer black hose or opaques and chunky heels. Match them with a soft blouse, tee or top and blazer and you’re done.

Over to you. Do you like the look of sequin bottoms, or do you prefer sequins on jackets and tops?

Last year I wrote a post on the qualities you would like to express with your individual style. Looking back on the qualities that I aspire to, I wouldn’t change a thing. I still want my style to express that I am modern, trendy, professional, fun, and modest. But recently I have started to question the final quality I mentioned: practical.

By my own definition, I am for the most part a practical dresser. I wear comfortable shoes and clothes each day. I pile on the layers when it’s cold. I wear specs daily, and throw on an unflattering Winter hat in arctic temperatures because it’s the only way to prevent my ears from aching.

At the same time, I have a very unpractical side to my style because I love, love, LOVE cream and white wardrobe items. And let’s face it – cream and white does not effectively hide dirt and grime as well as other colours. I have a white pair of Dr. Marten 20 eyelet boots. I have two pairs of knee-high cream boots and three pairs of cream booties. I have a cream trench coat, a cream coat and a cream leather jacket. I have a few pairs of white jeans, several white blouses and shirts, and three cream handbags. That’s a lot of cream and white stuff for someone who lives in rainy Seattle and is outside pounding the pavement on a regular basis.

Well ladies, cream coloured clothing, footwear and handbags are my style indulgence. It helps that I don’t have small children, although little paw prints often make it onto my cream clothing. I will say that I am careful when I wear my cream and white wardrobe items. I won’t wear my cream coat out to the movies, or my cream boots in the pouring rain. And I don’t expect to wear my white jeans three times before laundering them.

The bottom line is that although white and cream wardrobe items are impractical (especially cream outerwear), I refuse to omit them from my style. I derive enormous pleasure from sporting them and will go to great lengths to keep them looking pristine and crisp. They will be the exception to my practical rule.

Do you have an impractical side to your style? If so, let’s hear about it.