Outfit Formula: Lots of Layers

Here are practical and visually fab ways to layer in chilly weather. Note the types of items that are being layered, their lengths, their proportional mix, and the levels of contrast between them. Note which of the colours are repeated in the outfit, and which are not. Choose any colour palette. 

1. Skinnies and Maxi Coat

A pair of cherry red skinnies are combined with a very fluid and cropped twinset in a black and cream graphic pattern. The roominess of the sweaters offsets the form-fitting bottoms. A pair of black and chunky mid-calf lug-soled boots grounds the outfit. A roomy maxi puffer covers the lot and covers most of the leg of the skinnies, especially when zipped up. The black tote matches the boots, coat, and pattern of the sweaters.

Skinnies and Maxi Coat

2. Wide Legs and Maxi Coat

Here, a fairly fitted patterned Fair Isle sweater vest is layered over a fitted cream turtleneck. They are short, but feel free to wear them longer. Those layers are worn over a pair of bubblegum pink wide leg corduroy pants. A cream maxi puffer tops the lot. A pair of cream lug-soled boots with black trim grounds the look. The cream matches the cream coat and cream top. The black accents match the model’s hair. The pants are worn at the new shorter full length, so without a break line. The point is to showcase footwear. A gigantic checked scarf in pinks, yellows, and oranges pick ups similar colours in the outfit.

Wide-Legs-and-Maxi-Coat

3. Loose Layers and a Flared Skirt

A long and oversized white shirt is worn over a flared and pleated black midi skirt. An oversized stone vest is layered over the shirt. A maxi camel trench coat is worn over the layers. The hems of the trench and skirt are almost the same. Black socks and loafers add a dramatic and hard-edged touch, and create a pseudo boot. A black beanie and bag match the black socks and footwear. I find coats this length fably versatile.

Loose-Layers-and-a-Flared-Skirt

4. Cropped Lengths

Three items in this outfit are cropped and they work well together. A tan pair of relaxed straight cropped pants is combined with a striped tan and orange tucked fitted ribbed sweater. A short fluid orange cardigan is worn over the fitted tee and buttoned almost all the way through like a pullover. A cream cropped puffer vest – or body warmer as I call them – is layered over the top layers. Cream lug-soled boots with high shafts cover the exposed ankle skin created by the cropped length of the pants. Their low contrast to the pants lengthens the leg line and matches the cream body warmer. A casual cognac crossbody completes the look. Add jewellery, watch and headgear as desired.

Cropped-Lengths

Fewer Pairs of Shoes

A few months ago I had an interesting epiphany while working with one of my clients. As we were putting together complete, head-to-toe Winter outfits, I made a point of giving my client fewer footwear options with each look. One or two was great, and three was pushing it. That’s because I know from past experience that she is a little overwhelmed by multiple footwear options. As she puts it, “I do better with fewer pairs of shoes”. She prefers to keep two to three footwear options by the door and wear those for a couple of months with almost all her outfits. As the weather changes, the shoes by the door change too. Of course, special occasion and workout shoes are swapped out as needed.

I have a larger shoe capsule than my client, and wear many more different pairs over a two to three month period. That said, I can relate to having and preferring fewer pairs of shoes because within a season, I don’t swap them out that much. I seem to latch onto the same three or so pairs for a while and wear the heck out of them. Maybe it’s because I’m not a big shoe person. Maybe it’s because I need ample comfort for my walking lifestyle. Maybe it’s because the rest of my outfit does the primary talking, and shoes are secondary. Maybe, like my client, I like to streamline and simplify my style by having fewer shoe options. Maybe it’s all of the above. I definitely don’t want many pairs of shoes. Good thing, since we have very limited storage capacity in our loft.

Over to you. Do you prefer having fewer pairs of shoes to choose from in a given season? If so, tell us why. If you love shoes and have many pairs, do you wear them and swap them out regularly? Or do you latch onto the same few pairs and wear the heck out of those.

The Infinite Variety of Style

People differ in their personalities, values, preferences for colours, fits, fabrics, outfit proportions, and levels of dressiness. They differ in their day-to-day activities, jobs, climates and cultures. A myriad of sensational styles emerges from these differences. 

Style is Variety

One way of being stylish is no better than another. It’s simply different, appealing to a specific group of people with a shared set of needs and preferences. Variety in style makes the world a more diverse, interesting and wonderful place.

Now, more than ever, people accept and appreciate different expressions of style. This is empowering and liberating. Choose a style that works for your needs and personality. Evolve it over time when your needs change.

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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Blue Denim on Denim: Yay or Nay

Blue denim is having a fashion moment. And wearing blue denim separates on both top and bottom is on-trend. It could be a pair of blue jeans, pair of denim shorts or denim skirt with a blue denim shirt, blouse, bustier, coat or jacket. 

In many instances, the washes of the blue denim separates are the same or similar. Sometimes the washes are different, or one of the items is embellished to break up the expanse of denim. If a layering top is added, it’s in a quiet neutral solid to allow the denim to shine. Most of the combinations are casual, but the denim suits and even dark wash separates look dressier. Here are some examples.

Zara
Z1975 Flare Fit Jeans
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1
COS
Structured Denim Shirt
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2
Mango
Pocket Cargo Jeans
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6
Shopbop
Khaite Combly Jacket
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2
Mango
Strass Denim Jacket
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2
Mango
Pocketed Denim Jacket
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1
Zara
Zw The Denim Skirt
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4
Shopbop
AGOLDE Parker Jeans
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2

I enjoy wearing blue denim on denim, and have been doing it for years. I wear blue denim shirts and jackets with blue jeans or a denim skirt. I like all the combinations shown in the collection above, so I’m a YAY. I think of it as a Dutch thing because I see many people sport denim on denim in the Netherlands, and they look fabulous! Sometimes I wear similar blue washes together, and sometimes the washes are different. The washes range from very dark to light blue. My white pearls, white shoes, colourful specs and contrast bag break up the column of blue denim. I feel great in the vibe. I wear denim dresses too.

Over to you. What do you think of the blue denim on denim trend, and will you wear it? Wearing a blue denim jumpsuit, romper, or denim dress counts as sporting the trend.

J.Crew Point Sur Sailor Patch-pocket Jean

Trend: Cargo Pants

Cargo pants (or utility pants) are a timeless, iconic classic that we see every season. And in 2023, as ‘90s fashion continues to trend strongly, they are having a fashion moment. Unlike the flat pockets of the mainstream version, fashion-forward cargo pants have exaggerated three-dimensional cargo pockets that make a dramatic statement. Some are located in unexpected areas on the leg, like by the ankles. Parachute pants are a type of super wide cargo pant that balloon out on the leg, but taper at the ankle with drawstrings.

The assortment of cargo pants this season is extensive with a lot of variety in fabrics, colours, and silhouettes. Colours, in particular, run the gamut. From the usual olives, tans, toffees, browns, blacks and greys to all sorts of whites, pastels, and a smattering of brights. Silhouettes range from straight legs and joggers, to baggy boyfriends and wide legs. Rises range from low to mid and high. Fabrics are varied, too. Some are stiff and rigid, and others soft and drapey. Some have stretch. There are the usual suspects in cottons, cotton blends, linen, and twills. There are dressier fabrics like satin, tencel, viscose, rayon, and crepes too. And wools, corduroys, velveteens, fleece, and woolly blends for colder weather.

Esprit
Katoenen cargobroek
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3
Zara
Parachute Pants
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5
Zara
Parachute Pants
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6
Eloquii
Wide Leg Cargo
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3
Aritzia
EB Denim cargo jean
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1
H&M
Straight Cargo Pants
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1
H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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4
H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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2
H&M
Cargo Pants
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4
H&M
Cargo Pants
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2
H&M
Twill Utility Pants
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H&M
Canvas Cargo Pants
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3
Shopbop
AMO Maya Cargo Pants
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5

Cargo pants can look super casual, smart casual, or quite dressy depending on the fit, fabric, and support act. You can create fun juxtapositions by wearing casual cargo pants with dressy heeled shoes, or dressier cargos with casual flat shoes. As the product photos show, almost any type of footwear can be worn with cargo and utility pants. From dressy boots, strappy heeled sandals, wedges, slingbacks, loafers, oxfords, and high-heeled pumps, to platforms, flatforms, western boots, combat boots, lug soles, ballet flats, mules, gladiators, slides, Birkenstocks, fashion sneakers, and athletic sneakers. Take your pick.

Utility pants with streamlined pockets and tapered hems are very popular with my clientele. Almost everyone has a pair in a shade of olive, tan, grey or toffee. Some have silky cargo joggers that are well loved because they are extremely comfy dressier pants. I’m unsure how the trendier, more sculptural, wider and maximal cargo pocket pants will go down, but no doubt some will find their fans. The crepe and silky versions too.

I wore casual cotton cargo pants in the late ‘90s. Baggy, tan, wide, extra long hems, and I remember NOT feeling great in the look. They were baggy on the midsection, and I didn’t like the black belt I wore them with. For footwear, I chose very heavy black and white platform sneakers that absolutely killed my feet. Worst shoes I’ve ever owned. The experience put me off, and for decades I refused to wear cargo pants. My resistance softened one year when hubs Greg bought a great pair of olive utility pants for me. I wore them with very comfortable shoes, pretty blouses, and my faith in cargo pants was restored.

Unexpectedly, last year Ralph Lauren Polo came out with a Dutch orange pair of utility pants made of a cotton tencel with white top stitching. They are wide, higher in the rise, flattering, drape like a dream, have flat pockets, and are a little cropped. They blew me away, and couldn’t be more perfect. I absolutely love them. They are Spring and Summer casual pants for me, so I wear them with white cotton sweaters, a white hoodie, a navy and white striped polo shirt, a white lace polo shirt, blue and white denim jackets, or blue denim shirts. For footwear I choose white sneakers and hi-tops, blush hi-tops, oxfords, or white loafers. For bags I choose white, orange, light blue, blush, or citron. The exact items from my wardrobe are shown in the collection below.

I might go for another pair of utility pants, one with exaggerated cargo pockets, or a dressy silky pair. In white, a bright, or in one of my pastels. I’m not sure yet. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy my orange pants

Over to you. What’s your take on the cargo pants trend?

Eloquii Ankle Tie Cargo Pants