Outfit Formula: Easy Earthy Summer

Here are earth toned, and earth toned-lite looks for warm and hot weather. Easy, breezy, for the most part loose and unstructured, although there’s waist definition if that’s your preference. These earth tones can also be subbed for colours that are more to your taste. 

1. Wide Pants and Sleeveless Top

A cinnamon pair of super wide and pleated ankle length pants is combined with a boxy white sleeveless blouse. It’s untucked and not too long. To my eye, a top that is three inches shorter could work even better. Black toe loop slides and an earthy scarf complete the look. There’s a hint of black in the scarf, which pulls the black shoes into the palette. The model’s red hair complements the palette. Add a black or earthy bag.

Wide Pants and Sleeveless Top

2. Semi-Structured Two-Piece Dress

Here’s an on trend co-ord made of a wrap skirt and matching sleeveless blouse. The top is tucked to showcase the waist and tie of the skirt. The A-line silhouette of the skirt, and fluid fit of the blouse in natural fibres ensure breezy Summer comfort in hot weather. Strappy brown thong gladiator sandals relax the look. Add a cream, black or brown bag.

Semi Structured Two-Piece Dress

3. Columned Midi

This emerald green boxy columned dress is not earthy, yet the vibe of the look has an earth toned-lite integrity. The embroideries are pretty, and match the wedges of the earth-toned platformed slides. The red hair of the model and gold jewellery are the warm finishing touches. I see an earthy, cream or gold bag complete the look.

Columned Midi

4. Layered and Brooched

Last, a black linen shell top and pants co-ord are combined with a cinnamon thin and drapey long sleeved cotton tee. Both tops are worn over the pants to showcase a layered look. White sneakers that bookend the models white hair are the comfy choice of shoe. A silver and brown brooch that complements the pallette is pinned to the black top. Add bag, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Layered and Brooched

Zara
Brmd Lng 12
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4
H&M
Wide-leg Utility Pants
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4
Ann Taylor
Fringe Shell
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6
Ann Taylor
Boatneck Popover
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2
H&M
Linen Shirt
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1
H&M
Ribbed Tank Top
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3
H&M
Pullover Muslin Shirt
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1
H&M
Twill Bermuda Shorts
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4
H&M
Capri Cargo Pants
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1

Wear Fab At-Home-Only Clothes

Wardrobe items that you wear at home (your “comfies”) should also make you feel good. Whether it’s the end of the day, post workout, or first thing in the morning, do better than wearing beat up old clothes for this purpose. You deserve it. 

Lounge In Style

Loungewear can mean pyjamas, sweats, robes, athleisure separates, big sweaters and joggers, shorts and tees, yoga wear, kaftans, or anything else that’s cosy and comfy. Slippers, socks, flip flops or at-home-only shoes for your feet.

It’s hard to spend money on items that you only wear at home, yet worth it when you wear them frequently. They don’t need to break the bank, but they must wash and wear well, and make you physically and emotionally comfortable.

Trend: Long Shorts

Longer shorts are having a fashion moment, just like they did back in the ’90s. They were mainstream in 1995, but so far in 2024 they are still fringe. The lengths of longer shorts vary from just above the knee to just below the knee. Silhouettes are slim, fluid, wide or very wide. Rises are mid to high. Waistbands are straight or pleated. Fabrics are thick and substantial, or soft and drapey. Vibes are casual or dressy. Most longer shorts are solid, but some are patterned. Some form part of a matching co-ord. Colours are generally neutral and earthy. The collection shows a range of examples.

Zara
Menswear-style Shorts
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2
COS
Pleated Bermuda Shorts
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2
COS
Pleated Bermuda Shorts
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1
COS
Wide-leg Shorts
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COS
Longline Denim Shorts
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2
H&M
Jersey Thong Bodysuit
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1
Zara
Brmd Lng 12
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4

After learning the hard way in hot, humid and very sunny Greece last year, l no longer wear shorts of any description. I need the coverage of longer bottoms for sun protection. But if I did wear shorts, I’d be all over this trend. I love the look of longer shorts, and wore both dressy and casual versions back in the ‘90s. I also wore clamdiggers about 15 years ago and loved them.

Over to you. What do you think of the long shorts trend?

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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Outfit Formula: Bubbled and Ballooned

Raise your hand if you wore a bubble skirt or dress in the ‘80s. My hand is raised. It’s a skirt season so they’re trending again, but not in a mainstream way like they did back in 1986. Bubble and balloon skirts are fringe trending this time round, and are just as fabulous. 

The bubble skirt or dress has a double layer of fabric that’s tucked back under at the hem to create a voluminous bubbled effect at the bottom. Outfits 1 and 2 showcase a bubble skirt and dress. The balloon skirt is a cousin to the bubble. It doesn’t have the double layer so there’s a regular hem. The architectural shape is created with pleats and flared insets that balloon out and taper back in. Outfits 3 and 4 showcase balloon skirts.

1. Bubbled and Shirted

A white bubble midi skirt is combined with an oversized blue striped shirt that’s tied at the waist to showcase the waist of the skirt and give the outfit some structure. Oversized shirts tend to tie well at the waist because there’s sufficient fabric to make a tie. The look is completed with dainty flat black sandals that match the model’s black sunnies and dark hair. I see a black, metallic or cream bag complete the look.

Bubbled and Shirted

2. Bubble Frock

Here’s a red bubble dress with a dressy integrity. The bubble of the skirt is repeated in the bubble of the sleeves. Bubble cubed. It’s combined with strappy tan high heeled sandals. Feel free to add dressy flats instead, and metallic would be nice. Add a bag in a colour that works with the palette of the outfit and you’re done.

Bubble Frock

More examples of dressy and casual bubble and balloon dresses across a range of lengths and colours.

Zara
Organza Balloon Dress
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1

3. Ballooned Co-Ord

This look showcases two trends. A black and white pinstriped balloon skirt is combined with a matching black top that repeats the pinstriped pattern to create a set, or co-ord. Notably, the top is worn out and over the skirt, which is a favourite way to wear this type of skirt with my clientele. The top isn’t too long, which lengthens the leg line of the outfit. The column of colour adds vertical integrity too. Black cage sandals are the footwear of choice, although I can see all sorts of sandal and boot styles complete this outfit with panache. Add a bag that tickles your fancy.

Ballooned Co-Ord

4. Ballooned with Edge

Last, a mustard balloon skirt is combined with a boxy white shirt with cold shoulders. It’s asymmetrically half-tucked to create a glimpse of waist. The asymmetry of the half-tuck complements the asymmetry of the skirt. Chunky, heavy black loafers that bookend the model’s hair are a fashion forward nod to ‘90s trends. A black bag can work well too. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

Ballooned with Edge

The Optimal Wardrobe Size

As personal as your style itself, there is no one wardrobe size to rule them all. There are so many variables that impact the size, including your interest in fashion and desire for variety, your climate, your lifestyle, your closet space, and your budget. 

The Right Wardrobe Size For You

A wardrobe is too large when it’s overwhelming. Too small when it doesn’t meet your dressing needs. But small wardrobes can be serviceable, and large wardrobes can be manageable. Wherever you are, strike the balance that’s right for you.

A wardrobe is the right size when you can manage it successfully. You can remember your favourite items, create sufficient outfit variety, comfortably cover your dressing needs, and feel at peace when you enter your closet and dressing space.