These casual looks are for Team Stripe and Team Pattern Mix. If you bat for neither team, look away because some of the outfits are hectic. Personally, I bat for both teams and like the visual effect of the looks shown here. I appreciate the creativity and playful integrity of the striped combinations, which have been pulled together with precision and attention to detail. It’s nice to see neutrals and non-neutrals in each of the outfits too.

Click the images to see the outfits up close, and variations on each of them.

1. Simple Stripes

A simple striped navy and white pullover is combined with navy wide cropped pants that have a white tuxedo stripe down the side seams. White loafers match the whites in the outfit. A second red and navy striped pullover is draped over the model’s shoulders. The navies in the mismatched stripes create outfit cohesion and allow the eye to rest.

2. Three Stripes

A solid red dress is topped with a cardigan in a multi-coloured horizontal stripe. The red stripe in the cardigan makes it match the solid dress. Two more stripes are added to the outfit, but they are simple, and only two-toned. Navy and white striped socks peak out from the lug-soled boots to echo the navy and white components of the cardigan. A navy and green striped beanie tops the model’s head and echoes the navy and green components of the cardigan. Although the stripes are mismatched, the colours that they have in common brings them together. I’d have preferred to see solid boots in navy, black or toffee because my eye wants to rest at toe boxes. But these colour-blocked boots are fashion-forward with the outfit.

3. Four Stripes

This outfit consists of four skillfully pulled together horizontal and vertical striped items. There are five stripes if you count the tuxedo stripe down the side seams of the pants. It helps that the stripes are only two-toned, and that they share a navy stripe. These elements are what creates cohesion between the striped components. A navy and white striped shirt is combined with a pair of toffee and navy pinstriped wide leg pants with side slits. A red and navy pullover tops the shirt which is left untucked to showcase more of its vertical stripe. White loafers pick up the white of the shirt, and are worn with navy and white striped socks that echo the stripes of the shirt. The sock effect is subtle because it’s hidden unless the wearer sits or strides.

4. Striped and Blocked

And last, an extra bold option. Faded denim relaxed straights are combined with a multi-coloured horizontal striped turtleneck. It’s topped with a navy and toffee colour-blocked trench coat. Jeans in a dark blue denim would create less contrast between the bottoms and trench coat, which might be more your cup of tea. White loafers match the white stripe in the turtleneck. They are worn with green striped socks that partly match the green stripe in the turtleneck. The earthy toffee blocking of the coat complements the red hair of the model. Delightful!

I enjoyed this article about how costumer Jenny Beavan told the story of “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” via (Dior) clothes.

As a fan of detective series, I also thought “Reassuring, timeless, safe: how Angela Lansbury set the style for female TV sleuths” was a good read.

Lastly, “Stuffed in a shoebox, seized by the FBI: the amazing fates of Hollywood’s greatest dresses“, has some interesting facts!

Fab Links from Our Members

Nuancedream rarely wears black, but found this article on the hidden meanings of black fascinating. She adds: “I wish I had the opportunity to see the exhibit Balenciaga in Black.”

Suntiger came across this article about why women’s clothing doesn’t have pockets. Read forum member Ginger’s instructive comment here to learn more about this topic.

“Is My Body About to Go Out of Style?” Runcarla has been thinking about this article off and on since reading it a month ago. She says: “It’s kind of hard to read, and as a person who finds beauty in diversity — it troubles me when one body type is singled out (as ideal) over others.”

Roberta loved this article about how “fleather”, a vegan leather made out of flowers, was born.

She is also thrilled that The Met has made the entire Kimono Exhibit available online.

Mary Beth directs us to this YouTube video in which Elizabeth Debicki, who portrays Princess Diana in season five of “The Crown”, breaks down Diana’s most memorable looks for Vogue.

Stagiaire Fash stumbled upon this Instagram reel: When your nail polish colour appears to be a problem.

Minaminu thought this BBC article about 5 materials that are bad for wildlife was interesting.

She also recommends the documentary “She’s French“, now available on Netflix, that investigates the cliché of the French woman as the chic ideal of fashion and beauty campaigns.

There are countless ways to wear a skirt for an occasion or the holidays. Whether it’s for a smart casual or dressier setting, create a festive vibe in a subtle or dramatic way. Here are some gorgeous skirts to whet your appetite. 

The star of this formula is the skirt. Once you have that, the rest follows to suit your sartorial preferences and the occasion. Here are the components.

Festive Skirt: Choose a length and silhouette in a colour that is suited to your tastes. Solids can work as well as patterns.

Top: The types of tops that can be combined with skirts are manifold. Tucking shirts and blouses into skirts is a classic option. Wearing short fitted knitwear over skirts is another classic way to go, which includes buttoning through a short cardigan. Sometimes short and fitted woven tops work well. Personally with my own skirts, I like to wear UNTUCKED fluid and boxy shorter knitwear with a welt because the welt tapers the fluidity and provides some structure. Sometimes I wear a long and fluid pullover with some slouch and semi-tuck the front for structure. I also like wearing short boxy button-down shirts and occasionally fitted knitwear with skirts. Or a shirt that is tied at the waist.

Some people like to wear big and long boxy shirts, blouses, sweaters and sweatshirts with pencil skirts because the structure of the pencil skirt tapers the volume of the top. Some like to knot their tees and shirts to create some waist definition. Some like to wear big untucked tops with big skirts thereby sporting volume on the top and bottom. Take your pick.

Topper (optional): A coat can go over the top if you need insulation outdoors. Cropped jackets and shorter blazers tend to work very well with skirts. Personally, I like to wear a dressy maxi coat or short jacket as a topper over skirts. Granted, my skirts are flared, big, midi, and midaxi, so to my eye, those proportions work best.

Hosiery: If it’s cold, add hosiery like sheer or opaque pantyhose to the outfit. Go neutral or non-neutral. Sometimes lace, fishnet, and patterned hosiery works well too. You can wear refined statement socks that match the palette of the outfit if that tickles your fancy. Or sport bare legs if it’s sufficiently warm.

Remember that you can wear hosiery with dressy sandals, and socks with pumps, just like we did back in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Footwear: Choose dressy boots, pumps, sandals, slides and flats for a more formal finishing touch. Choose combat boots, lug-soled boots, chunky loafers and oxfords, or cowboy boots for a casual vibe.

Bag and Bling: Choose any type of fancy small bag to match the outfit. Shoulder, crossbody, satchel, bucket, clutch, clutch with a strap, belt bag, or wristlet. Add jewellery, watch, eyewear, nail polish, and hair accessories as desired.

Here are two interesting festive skirt outfits that are quite manageable when you have similar pieces or can make effective substitutes. Choose any colour palette.

1. Tulle Moto

Combine a big flared skirt like a tulle midi or the like with a crisp white tucked shirt. Here the shirt is unbuttoned to showcase a bra top or camisole, but you can simply button up the shirt. Finish off the outfit with a short moto and casual stompy boots. Add a bag and some bling.

2. Ruffle Slouch

I LOVE this skirt, and it’s on my wish list. Click the link to see the video of the skirt in motion. Lots of yummy swoosh! I adore the styling too. The juxtaposition of the dressy, pretty, soft and ruffled chiffon skirt is delicious with the oversized chunky fisherman’s style pullover. It’s effectively semi-tucked to hint at a waistline. Dressy boots with a high shaft elongate the leg line and match the top. A black clutch is the dressy finishing touch. I would style the skirt similarly but substitute the black components for navy, cream or red. I’d wear flat or low-heeled boots instead of stiletto boots, add warm hosiery, and a red or cream clutch with chain strap. I have a great dressy red maxi coat to top off the look too.

Dressing up a pair of jeans for the holidays or for an occasion is quite popular with my clients, although non-denim items like dresses, skirts, trousers, and suits are more popular. The great part about this type of outfit is the ease, casual factor, and comfort level when you enjoy wearing jeans. It won’t break the bank when the items are in your closet already.

The most important components are the dressier top, and the optional topper. This collection shows some examples.

On to the components of the outfit. Choose any colour palette.

Jeans: They can be dressier or more casual. Dark uniform washes without rips and tears are the dressiest type of blue jeans. Trouser jeans are great too. Black jeans or coated jeans are another way to go. Choose them in a silhouette that works for you.

Festive Top: Choose a blouse, sweater, or knitted top depending on how cold or warm you need to dress. Keep it DRESSY if you are not going to layer it under a dressy jacket. If the topper is the dressy part, you can wear a basic top underneath it, or even a tee.

Dressy Topper (OPTIONAL): If the top is dressy and insulating and you’re not into wearing jackets, leave off this layer. If the jacket is the star of the show, wear something simple underneath to let it shine. Or double up and wear a dressy top with a dressy jacket.

Layering a sparkly cardigan over a sleeveless blouse is an option if you find jackets restrictive.

Dressy Shoes: Complete the outfit with dressy shoes that can be any type of heel, boot, or flat. Metallic and patent are favourites. It sounds counter-intuitive but I’ve seen sequined sneakers and metallic cowboy boots work well with the vibe too. Add socks and knee-highs for warmth. Wear festive socks if they make a visual statement in the outfit.

Dressy Bag: Choose any type of fancy small bag to match the outfit. Shoulder, crossbody, satchel, bucket, clutch, clutch with a strap, belt bag, or wristlet.

Bling: Keep the extras subtle or pile on the bling. Think sparkly hair accessories, brooches, belts, shimmery make-up and nail art too. All good.

Here’s a gorgeous example of the outfit formula in neutrals. Dark and cropped relaxed straight jeans are combined with a simple black pullover. A sparkly tan jacket that tops it is the dressier part. Black embellished pumps match the black of the top and bookend the model’s hair. I see a small black, red or gold bag. Gold earrings and red lipstick are the festive finishing touch.