This is for you if you like to pair green with black, white, cream, grey, and blue denim. Olives come in many shades, tints and tones. Some olives are more brown and green, and other are more sage, grey and yellow. Some khakis are really a shade of olive.

There are countless ways to combine olive with black to create a fab look. The collection below shows a good assortment of outfits that span a range of Spring weather situations.

Neiman Marcus

Ramy Brook Ramy Brook Pam Embossed Faux-Leather Top

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1

Mango

Flower Print Pants

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5

Neiman Marcus

Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Dolman-Sleeve Chunky Rib-Knit Pullover

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3

Neiman Marcus

Jen7 Jen7 Military Ankle Straight Jeans

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2

Neiman Marcus

RAILS Rails Hunter Button-Front Star Plaid Shirt

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1

Nordstrom

Topshop Checkerboard Ditsy Mesh Midi Skirt

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4

Neiman Marcus

Alice + Olivia Alice + Olivia Darina Cable-Knit Mock-Neck Fitted Tank

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1

Neiman Marcus

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Brunello Cucinelli Industrial Belted Ankle Jogger Pants

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2

Neiman Marcus

LaMarque LaMarque Holy Leather Biker Jacket

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1

Neiman Marcus

Michael by Michael Kors MICHAEL Michael Kors Faux Leather 4-Pocket Jacket

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1

Neiman Marcus

Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Cropped Pants with Pleats

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5

White House Black Market

Mesh Shirred-Side Bold Floral Tee

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3

Neiman Marcus

RAILS Rails Zana Smocked Mini Dress

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2

Nordstrom

RAILS Hunter Tie Dye Herringbone Shirt

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1

Nordstrom

BP Crop Ribbed Tank

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3

Nordstrom

Topshop Tie Front Top

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3

Nordstrom

Free People Not Your Brother's Surplus Jacket

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2

COS

Pleated Midi Skirt

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2

Nordstrom

RAILS Ingrid Raw Hem Tie Dye Blouse

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2

COS

Voluminous A-line Skirt

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2

Shopbop

3.1 Phillip Lim Vegan Leather Culottes

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1

Nordstrom

RAILS Loren Jacket

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1

Nordstrom

ALEX MILL Ollie Recycled Denim Overalls

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2

Nordstrom

LIVERPOOL LOS ANGELES Military Jacket

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1

Nordstrom

ENGLISH FACTORY Mini Ruffle Puff Sleeve T-Shirt

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2

COS

Pleated Linen Pants

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2

Macy's

ADYSON PARKER Women's Dusty Olive Zebra Open Duster Cardigan

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2

Shopbop

Hellessy Conor Pants

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1

Shopbop

RAILS Quincy Sweatshirt

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3

Shopbop

ASKK NY Lazy Jack Jeans

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1

Macy's

Style & Co. Twill Jacket, Created for Macy's

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2

Mango

Sheer Printed T-shirt

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2

Mango

Flowy Suit Blazer

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Mango

Slit Floral Skirt

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3

Nordstrom

Halogen Open Front Pocket Cardigan

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3

Eloquii

Faux Leather Cargo Jogger

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2

Eloquii

Viola Fit Faux Leather Trouser With Folded Waist

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2

Eloquii

Deep V Collar Blouse

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2

Eloquii

HIGH Waisted Wide Leg Pant

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2

Eloquii

Peplum Top With Cape Sleeves

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2

Custom Find

by Angie

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Here are four very easy ways to combine olive with black in casual and smart casual ways. These looks are about pants and jeans, but feel free to swap them out for skirts.

1. Utility Moto

This is the most basic rendition of the four, and compiled with what might be wardrobe essentials for your style. Combine a pair of olive utility pants with a white top. Throw a black moto, aviator, or bomber jacket over the top. Complete the look with white sneakers to pick up the white of the top.

2. Hard Edge

This version makes use of a lot of black, and accents with forest green. Simply Imagine the forest green components are olive, and you’re sorted. Or use forest green instead of olive. Combine an olive graphic tee with black faux leather pants. Finish off the look with a black blazer and black mules. An olive or white bag is a nice addition. The texture of the black blazer and leather pants works well together and adds depth to the outfit.

3. Modern Classic

I love how well this palette works with the ash blonde and green eyes of the model. Combine a pair of blue jeans with a black top and black boots or loafers. Throw over an olive topper like a denim jacket, bomber or utility jacket. An olive blazer, lightweight puffer, or trench coat is fab too. Complete the look with a black crossbody bag or backpack.

4. On-Trend Pretty

And last, my favourite of the four because of the pretty and trendy puff-sleeve cream jacket with wide pleated pants. Elegant. Combine a pair of olive wide cropped pants with a black top. Top things off with a white or cream jacket like a blazer. Personally, I prefer shorter jackets with wider pants and skirts, but you might prefer regular length jackets. Finish off the look with black or brown Spring footwear. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Allure has been publishing some interesting articles about global beauty and the power of beauty traditions. Here’s three I’d like to share:

• What my Filipina mother taught me about Asian-American beauty.
• As a Pakistina American teenager, I found comfort and confidence in kohl eyeliner.
• My Brazilian beauty rituals are part of my immigration story.

Fab Links from Our Members

Minaminu loved this article about 1990s fashion, and adds that she had a fun time during that decade.

She also thought this article about how interior designers dress to impress was interesting.

Cat2 likes the LK Bennett and Maison Bengal collaboration of fun bags for Summer that support a great cause.

Nuancedream really enjoyed this article on Africa’s style revolution, and has her eye on that blue floral bomber.

Althought Jaime loved Nora Ephron’s book, she found this a much more inspiring take on getting older and facing the world.

The Japanese 24 seasons of the year make a lot of sense to suntiger.

Runcarla loved browsing the photos of these stylish women “of a certain age”.

L’Abeille points us to this article on the fashion choices for people of colour in period dramas like Bridgerton.

Mary Beth recommends this video in which a beauty vlogger gets a personal colour analysis: “The consultant is so thorough, and talks about things I haven’t previously seen discussed; e.g. how a color can be flattering, but too much, or how a particular shade will pull up the faintest of shadows, making her complexion underwhelming, or making her look more mature.”

I’m back to helping my clients in person. After two fatiguing years of the pandemic, they are generally keen to edit, review, organize, and refresh their styles. It’s trickier than ever to figure out what to keep and what to pass on. There is uncertainty and new normals to consider, and lifestyles are changing more than ever. As we edited, I found some questions coming up repeatedly, and these were my answers.

Q: What to do with items that have gone unworn for two or more years?

A: If you like or love the items, and if they fit comfortably and are in good condition, then keep them. You will wear them eventually. Or find a way to wear them that works with your current lifestyle. This is especially true for items that are hard to find at the moment because they aren’t on-trend.

If you don’t like the item anymore, you won’t choose to wear it when the right occasion crops up. In this case pass it on, or upcycle the garment in some way.

Q: Where to store unworn items that are worth keeping?

A: Generally, if my client could imagine wearing the item again relatively soon, they would put it with the rest of their wardrobe. If this seemed unlikely in the short term, then they would pack them out of sight. Some clients packed these items away in storage. Others put them at the back, or to one side of their closets. 

Q: What to do with items that no longer fit?

A: This is challenging when one’s weight is fluctuating a size or two, especially with fitted bottoms. Generally, if you like or love items that are too big, investigate the option of altering them to fit. Sometimes, this is worth the effort with excellent results, and sometimes it’s a waste of time and money. It’s a gamble.

If you like or love items that are too small, they might be worth keeping for a while in case your weight fluctuates back to the size. If you don’t think that will happen, pass them on. Most of my clients chose to pass on the items that were too small.

This brings me to a very important point. Don’t base these decisions purely on memory, or just by staring at the items. Try the items on, and assess how you look and feel in them right now.

My formal wear capsule went unworn for a couple of years. I recently tried on the items and found that some felt wrong for any occasion. I’ve passed those items on, and I’m refreshing my formal wear capsule this year.

Tell us about your recent closet editing experiences in the comments below.

Renate (61) divides her time between Vancouver and Amsterdam, and documents her outfits on Instagram. Her style is Trendy Classic with preppy touches. Renate has an enviable loafer collection, likes a great pair of (faux) leather trousers, and uses her statement jewellery and scarves to add pizzazz to her outfits.

Renate dresses up a casual sweater-and-jeans outfit with a relaxed-fit Modern Classic wool coat. Opting for a lighter colour Winter coat, like this stunning blush, brings unexpected happy cheer on even the dreariest days. Underneath, she’s paired mid-blue ankle-length straight-leg jeans with an untucked cable-knit sweater layered over a crisp white shirt. The cable-knit adds subtle texture, while the light grey works beautifully with the blush. Leave it to Renate to have exactly the “right” loafer in her footwear collection to match the coat. The fringe and buckle detail create visual interest, while the block heel adds a bit of height. A blush guitar strap converts the brown and gold bag into a stylish and practical crossbody. A big bangle and oversized sunnies complete the look.

Our blogger is rocking two classics in one item here. The Modern Classic wrap dress in a glitzy and seasonlessy classic chain pattern. The above-the-knee silhouette lengthens the leg line, while the cognac and bright blue colour combo is delightfully punchy. Renate casualizes her tailored dress by pairing it with platform ankle-strap espadrilles. The texture-rich suede matches the cognac in the dress. Renate continues that matching theme with a structured, small crossbody. Lots of arm candy in gold, brown, and white pick up the colours in the outfit. Her oversized chain link logo necklace refers back to the dress pattern and cleverly fills in the V-neckline.

This is my favourite of the six outfits. Renate wears the cropped pants + socks + loafers combo exceptionally well, and I keep coming back to it. She has paired her straight-leg plaid trousers with a relaxed-fit turtleneck tunic sweater. Then added black socks, and chunky burgundy loafers. The patent footwear with gold buckle adds dressy polish. The black sweater, dark socks and footwear all echo the black in the plaid pattern, creating visual harmony that offsets the leg-shortening effect of the cropped trousers. The structured cognac crossbody brings an extra colour into the mix. Oversized sunnies and stud earrings add a touch of glam, as do Renate’s red nails that match the red in the trousers.

This is a marvelous example of Angie’s Relaxed Pleated Midi Skirt outfit formula. Renate has combined a pleated tan ankle-length skirt with a fluid sweater. Wearing the top with welted bottom untucked streamlines the volume of the pleated skirt. The crisp light palette and dressy skirt bring lots of polish to the look. The tall chunky light brown suede boots with on-trend lug sole create a fun outfit juxtaposition by introducing a Sporty Luxe vibe. The white sole echoes the lightness of the cream sweater. Renate’s logo bag with guitar strap comes out to play again, also adding a dressy touch. Big sunnies and rusty red lippy finish off the look.

Here’s another great example of how to layer a white button-down shirt. Renate has tucked hers into a pair of tapered cognac faux leather trousers. She’s layered over a cream relaxed-fit cable-knit vest that adds lovely textural interest. Chunky platform loafers in a beige-y cream don’t match but work wonderfully with the cream sweater, and add a trademark preppy and on-trend touch. Popping the shirt collar, and adding an animal print scarf in earthy browns fills in the V-neckline of the vest while adding extra pizzazz in one fell swoop. The brown logo satchel worn crossbody style matches the browns in the scarf. Piles of arm candy and oversized sunnies are the glam finishing touches.

Renate’s taupe midi dress is the focal point in this elegant Summer look. The colour is beautiful with her complexion and blonde hair. The tiered silhouette and balloon sleeves create tons of striking visual interest and fun movement. The tailored fit on the shoulders and elasticated cuffs create enough structure to temper the volume. Pointy-toed suede pumps with block heel in a lighter shade of taupe lengthen the leg line and dress up the look. As do our blogger’s bright red lipstick, big statement arty necklace and gold cuff bracelet. The graphic pattern on Renate’s black and cream leather satchel makes another strong style statement. Finally, note how the frames of the sunglasses match the taupe of the outfit.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Renate’s wonderful outfits. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out more of her style on Instagram.