Dresses are everywhere now that Summer is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. I’m always looking for Summer dress inspiration, so I turned to our outfit bloggers to see how they are wearing theirs. They did not disappoint!

Now this is a happy Summer midi dress if I ever saw one! Our talented blogger made it herself, and included some very clever design details. The striped panels in an explosion of vibrant colours run in two different directions, which creates movement and draws the eye up and down. The off-the-shoulder detail and exposed midriff create an illusion of asymmetry, while the turquoise and teal panels repeated on both the top and skirt part add symmetrical balance. Adrienne opted for a neutral cognac flat sandal because the dress speaks for itself. Finally, her bright red lippy, statement earrings and fun nail art echo the colours of the dress.

Coral steals the show in her grass green floaty midi dress! The asymmetrical hemline and tiered panels moving in the breeze add tons of visual interest. The semi-structured shoulder line and thin self belt tied empired-waist-style temper the volume. The ruffled sleeves add flirty drama, and echo the lines of the tiered detailing. Tan espadrille wedges lengthen the leg line, and match the vibe of Coral’s black and beige raffia clutch. A lariat necklace with round gold and green pendant perfectly fills in the neckline of the dress. The round shape is repeated in our blogger’s oversized earrings. Red lipstick and oversized square sunglasses are the glam finishing touches. 

Cathy goes Boho Chic in this kaftan-esque midi dress in striking earth tones. The floaty volume is tempered by the self belt that accentuates the waistline. The construction with vertical and horizontal panelling draws the eye up, down, and across, thus creating lots of movement. The earthy colours look stunning with our blogger’s gorgeous red locks. Cognac heeled slides lengthen the leg line, bookend Cathy’s hair, and match the colour palette. Cathy finishes off the look with mirrored sunnies and a cream beaded top-handle bucket bag.

Kim rocks this bold floral print dress in on-trend bright yellow and cobalt. The mandarin collar, drawstring waist, fitted shoulders, and alluring keyhole neckline add structure to the voluminous silhouette. The cord tie belt adds a casual touch. Kim repeats the cobalt and adds soft edge with her structured zippered clutch. Dainty white heeled strappy sandals add cripsness, which is repeated in Kim’s gold with pearl earrings. Angular black sunnies and soft pink lipstick complete this dressy showstopping look.

Patricia is sporting an elegant leopard print midaxi dress with statement halterneck. The fitted bodice and wide self belt create structure, while the pleated A-line silhouette of the skirt adds flowy volume. Wearing her hair up in a nonchalant ponytail allows the statement neckline to really shine, and showcases Patricia’s earrings. Gold block-heeled ankle strap sandals match the dressiness level of the Summer frock. A simple bracelet, gold watch, and black structured clutch with gold hardware are the polished accessories of choice.

I’m curious to hear which outfit is your favourite! Let us know in the comments, and tell us if you’ve been enjoying sporting your Summer dresses.

When I talk about animal print, I’m normally referring to a pattern that approximates or takes inspiration from the patterned hide or skin of animals like cheetahs, leopards, snakes, giraffes, zebras, cows, Dalmatians, crocodiles, and ponies. 

Today I’m talking about a different type of animal print. One that showcases the picture of the animal itself in a print or pattern. These can appear on just about any wardrobe item, or in the graphics of tees, sweatshirts, and knitwear. They can be depicted in an abstract or more realistic way, and in any colour.

I’ve found that across my friends, family and clientele, this type of more literal animal print will appear in their wardrobes more frequently than expected when the animal pulls at their heartstrings. Scarves, flannel pyjamas, knitwear, sweatshirts, tees, casual tote bags, toiletry bags, and socks with animals on them are particularly popular. Although they aren’t patterns, brooches of animals are gaining momentum too.

Personally, this type of animal print is something I am growing more and more fond of, and its earning its place in my wardrobe. Dogs and horses are my favourite animals, and Yorkshire terriers are my favourite dogs of all. I can’t help but be drawn in very emotionally when I see these animals in patterns on wardrobe items. That’s why I have knitwear, pyjamas, a dress, socks, brooches, and a bag with these animals on them. In fact, very dear friends had the photographs of our Yorkies Sam and Jo printed on a pair of long socks for me. Best socks in my drawer.

Here are some of the other animal print items from my wardrobe. A horsey dress, and the rest are dogs.

My favourite wild animals are giraffes and zebras. Knowing that, hubs Greg chose a citron silk blouse with these animals in the pattern as a recent birthday gift. I LOVE this blouse, and it’s my favourite of all time. It’s brighter in person than in the stock photo. Not only does it feel magically luxe, dressy, and is in one of my happy colours, the animals in the pattern make it extra special. I wear it fully tucked into white jeans, and want to wear it all the time.

Over to you. Do you wear animal prints of this nature in a wardrobe item? Maybe you prefer to wear it more discreetly in the form of sleepwear or socks?

You are on Team Stretch if you prefer jeans and other denim items with a bit of stretch. Any component of stretch counts, even if it’s only 2%. All denim items count, from jeans, skirts and shorts, to shirts, dresses and jackets. 

I have a good amount of blue and white denim in my wardrobe across almost every wardrobe item. I have a pink denim boiler suit too. I have denim jeans, jackets, shorts, shirts, dresses and a skirt. Some of these items have stretch and some don’t. Generally, I’m old school about my denim jeans, skirts, and shirts preferring them rigid, crisp, and without stretch. Unlike almost all my clients and friends, I don’t enjoy wearing soft and stretchy denim. I find rigid denim comfortable and like the aesthetic. That said, I have denim jackets and long shorts with a bit of stretch and don’t mind that too much. I have old bootcut jeans and sailor jeans with stretch, and they’re fine too. But I bat for Team No Stretch because 100% rigid denim is what I wear with the greatest of pleasure.

Here is my denim capsule.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Stretch or Team No Stretch across the denim items in your wardrobe? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side or don’t wear denim, sit this one out on the bench where I’m serving vegan hot dogs with sweet and spicy red pepper and onion fixings, and charred shishito peppers on the side. Gluten-free orange polenta cake for dessert.

Browsing Essentiel Antwerp, I was inspired by the delightful colour combinations. Brights are matched with earth tones in an unexpected way. I seldom wear earth tones, but am partial to shades of toffee and enjoy the warm rich colour with sour brights, white and a range of blues.

I recently bought a faux leather toffee moto jacket at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and intend to wear it with orange, tomato red, citron, shocking pink, turquoise, ecru and navy.

The colour combinations might not work for you, but maybe you’ll enjoy looking at them anyway. It’s eye candy to me as I think about my Autumn and Winter style. Apart from a striped top in the last look, the fact that the items are SOLID is what helps the eye rest while absorbing the explosion of colour.

1. Toffee, Citron, Red, Turquoise, Rust

A toffee top is combined with a citron skirt. The outfit is finished off with rust and white boots, a tomato red bag, and turquoise earrings. The toffee and rust are earthy, and the rest is bright. In fact the earrings have jewel tones and white in them too. None of the colours are repeated In the outfit. They are thrown together and stand on their own. That said, the toffee is somewhat tonal with the model’s hair, and the turquoise earrings are tonal with the model’s blue eyes. These subtle repetitions create some cohesiveness.

2. Bubblegum and Burnt Orange

A mid-tone pink top is paired with a pair of earthy burnt orange or light rust pair of pants. The outfit is finished off with sandals that are a similar colour to the pants. The burnt orange is tonally repeated in the model’s dark auburn hair. The pink is repeated in the model’s soft lipstick. Again, the colour repetitions are subtle but effective.

3. Toffee, Orange, Turquoise, Rust, Silver

A pair of toffee pants is combined with a Dutch orange top and topped off with a turquoise cardigan. The outfit is finished off with earthy rust shoes and a silver bag. The earrings look tonal with the orange top. The sleeve ends of the topper have a narrow orange stripe that match the top, and a full cream cuff that complements the metallic bag. More subtle colour repetitions.

4. Denim, Bubblegum, White, Blush, Red, Olive

Last, light denim shorts are combined with a candy pink and white striped shirt. It’s topped off with an off-white gilet and red brooch. The outfit is completed with a blush pink bag and olive boots. The only bit of colour repetition that I can see is in the whites of the shirt and gilet. It’s a mishmash of colour, yet it works to my eye. The whites and blush look cohesive together, and maybe that is what brings it all together.