Here are three outfits from Boden with on-trend silhouettes that are easy to pull together for Team Cardigan. I particularly like the proportional play of the pieces, the combination of short and long lengths in one outfit, and that loafers are the choice of footwear. Feel free to substitute the loafers for boots if that’s more your cup of tea, and use any colour palette. Add some pattern too.
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Outstanding Outfit Bloggers
Vibrant Brights & Expert Layering
Ola is a fashion blogger based in Washington, DC, who shares her outfits on her blog, LifeStylewithOla, and on her Instagram account. She loves bright colours and likes to experiment with different silhouettes and layering. Statement specs and earrings are essential to her style, just like her signature cropped ‘do that adds extra pizzazz to every outfit.
Layering pro Ola is sporting a rainbow plaid fit-and-flare sundress with square neckline as the base layer in this colourful outfit. A wide dark brown belt accentuates her waistline and creates structure. The oversized long-line denim jacket adds on-trend slouchiness while the mid-blue denim picks up the blue in the midi dress. As her top layer, Ola chose an eye-catching rust faux leather croc-embossed trench coat that adds soft edge. The rust works well with the orange and red in her cheerful dress. The structured lime green mini satchel and white pointy-toe pumps complement the colour palette and add crisp polish.
This is a fab example of Angie’s Solid Summer Green Outfit Formula! Our blogger has tucked a Kelly green tank top into dressy, on-trend beige wide leg trousers, which lengthens the leg line from the hips up. She further dresses up the look with a boxy cropped bouclé jacket in pale mint. The tailored shoulderline adds structure and contrasts cleverly with the fluid fit of the trousers. Chunky white sneakers add a Sporty Luxe touch. Ola introduces a third shade of green with her fun bright woven bag and matching nail polish. To finish things off, she accessorizes with a dainty pendant necklace and statement earrings.
Ola expertly mixes casual with dressy pieces in this delightful Sporty Luxe shorts outfit. She’s tucked a fitted white tee into a dressy pair of structured shorts with trendy high waist. The bright orange makes a cheerful statement and makes the white components in the outfit look extra crisp. A cropped boxy jacket finishes right on the top of the shorts’ waistband which elongates the leg line. Two-toned high-top sneakers bring the Sporty and colour match the outfit perfectly. Our blogger’s black bag, gold brooch, bracelets, pendant and oversized earrings all add refined polish.
The combination of warm-toned leopard print and cool-toned snakeskin adds bucketloads of pizzazz in this Soft Edge Fall outfit. Ola has tucked her leopard print crew neck sweater into black leather midi culottes. The more rigid leather adds structure and textural interest. The black culottes are also the unifying factor as they echo the black in both animal print items. The tall block-heeled pointy-toe boots are on-trend, and the white in the colour palette is repeated in the sweater cuffs and neckline. Ola’s dressy black bag makes a second appearance and fits the outfit colours beautifully. A white Panama hat and oversized hoops add dramatic flair.
Shocking pink and cranberry are a match made in heaven in this elegant sweater dress outfit. Ola is wearing a turtleneck midi sweater dress in a gently fluid cut that skims the body and flares out at the bottom. The vertical ribbing of the knit draws the eye up and down and elongates the silhouette. The white accessories and footwear are unexpected but add crisp polish and lightness. The tall self-patterned boots add subtle textural interest while the pointy-toed style lengthens the leg line. Our blogger’s midi statement coat in a velvety finish brings even more textural and visual interest to the look. The raspberry chain-detail newsboy cap throws a second shade of red into the mix, and is the playful finishing touch.
Ola is bringing the WOW factor in this stunning daffodil yellow suit! The fit is fab and structured in all the right places. Ola is wearing the hip-length blazer with sharp shoulders over a black and white top that partially peeks out. Paired with high heels, the flared trousers skim the ground, creating an elegant silhouette that lengthens the leg line. Sporting vibrant yellow from head to toe makes a statement and a half on its own, and needs no extra bells and whistles. Ola kept it simple by continuing the yellow theme with her point-toe pumps. The silver buckle is just enough of an accent to add some visual interest. The patterned black and white bag matches the top and also echoes the rim on Ola’s gorgeous statement specs. Bright red lipstick and oversized hoops add extra oomph. And as always, Ola’s signature cropped ‘do amps up the style factor even more.
I’m excited to hear what you think of Ola’s stunning outfits. Let us know in the comments, and then hop on over to her Instagram account for lots more style inspiration.
The Emotions of Letting Go
There are many reasons to pass on wardrobe items. They can wear out, stretch out, shrink, discolour, develop holes and tears, become uncomfortable over time, itch over time, malfunction in an unexpected way that is annoying, become a bad fit due to weight loss or gain, or perhaps they were simply a purchasing mistake to begin with.
We can also be done with a wardrobe item when our style preferences, climates, and lifestyles change. A change in hair colour can cause us to pass on items that are no longer flattering with our complexion. And sometimes, items become associated with unpleasant events or moments in our lives and we’d rather not keep them.
I see a wide range of emotions when I help clients edit and streamline their wardrobes. Everything from guilt, reluctance, annoyance, disappointment, and some sadness, right through to ease, enthusiasm, happiness, and relief. That said, there is almost always a feeling of contentment and satisfaction when the edit is complete, storage places are tidy and organized, and a shopping and outfit creation plan is in hand. This tends to offset the negative emotions some clients feel during the editing process.
I am understanding when clients are reluctant and sad to let items go. I never force the issue, and we chat about the emotions they are feeling. I try to find a win-win solution. We begin by creating a holding zone so that items that should go are out of sight, but nearby and can therefore be retrieved at any time. Usually, half way through the edit, the reluctance and guilt eases up and clients take it upon themselves to readdress their holding zones and pass on items.
There is disappointment and annoyance when the quality of wardrobe items doesn’t hold out as well as clients had hoped. Or when items don’t function, look, and fit as fably as they had hoped. There is sadness when workhorses and favourites are well past their prime and need to go.
Some of my clients get an enormous buzz from editing their wardrobes. They are highly motivated to streamline and get rid of stuff. So much so, that there can be a tendency to pass items on too quickly. That’s when I gently suggest that they hold onto more of their wardrobe so that they aren’t re-purchasing what they let go a year or two from now.
Generally, I edit my own wardrobe with ease and enthusiasm, and don’t feel much guilt when I let go of wardrobe items. I love a streamlined and organized wardrobe. So far, I’m not in the habit of over-editing either. I do feel annoyance and disappointment when the quality of something does not hold up as expected, or when I thought relatively new shoes would be comfortable and go the distance, but they aren’t and don’t. Occasionally I am very reluctant and sad to let items go because they are sentimental, unique, or special, like my twelve-year-old citron trench that was looking shabby. Or comfortable shoes that are worn and scruffy, but make my feet happy. It’s hard for me to let these types of items go, and I hang onto them for longer than I should.
Over to you. What types of emotions do you feel when you let go of wardrobe items?
Roundups
Simpler Items
This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.
Read MoreAssorted Items
Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.
Read MoreCasual Summer Vibes
This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.
Read MoreSummery Earth Tones
These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.
Read MoreHints of Spring
Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.
Read MoreDressier Items
An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.
Read MoreTeam Crossbody or Team Backpack
Today we’re choosing between two hands-free handbag options. You are on Team Crossbody if you prefer wearing those to backpacks, and vice versa. Note that any size and type of crossbody or backpack counts. If you sling a large belt bag across your body instead of wearing it around the waist, it’s a crossbody bag.
I bat for Team Crossbody by a billion percent. I wear one every day. Even my dressiest clutches and satchels convert to crossbodies with a strap, which I need in order to keep my hands free. I don’t travel, walk, or hike with a backpack. In fact, I don’t own one at all.
Over to you. Do you bat for Team Crossbody or Team Backpack? Tell us why and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side or wear neither, you’re benched. I’ve made grilled Norwegian salmon topped with giardiniera and served it with a dressed green salad, and a medley of cauliflower rice, quinoa, broccoli and carrots. Apple compote and cream for dessert.
Outfit Formula: Loud Plaid
There are many, many ways to wear large-scale plaids. You can wear them in neutrals or non-neutrals, and in high or low-contrasting colours. You can wear them in a clothing item, accessory, or pair of shoes. Wear them with solids or pattern mix them with other plaids. Of course, a large scale plaid in bright or high-contrasting colours is the loudest version of all.
On to some dressy and casual colder weather outfit ideas for Team Loud Plaid.
1. Skirt
Here’s a flared plaid maxi skirt in a woolly fabric that looks nice and cosy, especially if you wear insulating hosiery underneath. A white shirt is tucked into the skirt and matches the creamy white components of the plaid. The outfit is topped with an unstructured tan trench coat, and heeled dressy refined boots in the same neutral. The complement pulls the outfit together. The refined boots add a fab bit of tailoring. I like the fluid fits of the items, and how showcasing the waist adds some structure. The long loosely unfastened trench over the long flared skirt is a fashion-forward addition. I see a tan, red, white, navy or light blue bag too.
2. Scarf
If loud plaid clothing items aren’t for you, try a plaid scarf. This one is bright, gigantic and bulky, but by all means opt for a more streamlined version. The palette is an interesting mix. The components that match are the pants, boots and the model’s dark strawberry blonde hair. The magenta pullover creates a delicious clash with the cinnamon pants. The scarf is a mix of all sorts of colours, but does not repeat the cinnamon and magenta. It does though, complement the solids in the outfit and works well to my eye.
3. Pants
Although the plaid pants are loud because the colours are high contrasting, they are neutral, and so is the rest of the outfit. This makes the look the least loud of the four. A graphic black and white tee matches the palette of the plaid pants. It’s been tucked to elongate the leg line of the pants from the hips upwards. White sneakers match the white in the outfit. An oversized and open grey denim shirt creates a shacket effect over the top. I see a crossbody bag to finish things off.
4. Suit
Last is the loudest combination. There are three plaid items worn in one outfit. Two of them match, one is mismatched, and all are bold. The repetition of the plaid in the culottes and gilet creates visual harmony. Instead of adding a solid layering top to the loud plaid suit, a bold and bright plaid is chosen. The mismatched plaids match in colour palette, which allows the eye to find peace amidst the chaos. Dark grey boots are almost black and bookend the model’s hair. Add jewellery, watch, bag and topper as desired.
I bat for Team Plaid. Tartans, checks, ginghams, and window-pane checks are among my favourite patterns. I like plaids small and large, loud and subtle, and neutral and non-neutral. Outfits #1 and #4 are my faves here. But I like #2 and #3 too. I love plaid!
