Pants suits continue to trend on the fringes, with the leg-baring shorts version getting the most attention. These are shorts and jackets in matching fabrics. We’re seeing them in solids, patterns, interesting textures, and many colours. The jackets are generally blazer silhouettes, with some variation. Sometimes the toppers are waistcoats and gilets. The shorts are usually mid-thigh, but there are longer versions too. Sometimes the shorts are skorts. The idea is to wear a shorts suit with a simple layering top, camisole, cropped top, bra top, or tee. Sandals, ballet flats, sneakers, espadrilles, boots, slides and mules can work as footwear. Personally, I prefer the shorts suit with flatter footwear.

Here are some visual examples.

Practicality-wise, there are some things to consider. For example, when would you wear a shorts suit? It can be a seasonally confused and uncomfortable pairing when you’re layered and insulated up top, and somewhat naked from the thighs down. Wearing a shorts suit to work means you’d have to find shorts that adhere to the dress code, and that you feel comfortable wearing. Maybe the look is reserved for nights out only, or dressier occasions with Summer air conditioning. Maybe it feels odd to wear dressy shorts, full stop. Perhaps you’d prefer to wear skirts and dresses when you dress up.

Practical challenges aside, I love the look. I think it’s absolutely stinking cute if you like to wear shorts and blazers — only this time dressier, together, and in matching fabric. I don’t wear shorts unless they are knee-covering, so I’ll leave the shorts version to those who enjoy showcasing more of their legs. In reality, my version would be a pair of short cropped pants with a matching blazer. The pants would be mid-calf length instead of mid-thigh length. I’d love a cropped pants suit in a bright colour or pattern. I wouldn’t feel too warm in it, especially in air conditioning. I love pants suits!

Over to you. What do you think of the shorts suit?

Combining a flared skirt with a fashion sweatshirt or a polished hoodie isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Personally, I like the combination, and have been sporting it quite a bit recently. It’s another way to wear my dressier, swooshy skirts in a more relaxed way when the weather isn’t warm. 

It’s also a cosy combination when working from home. Ines de la Fressange’s new collection at Uniqlo styled a very full gathered black skirt with a cream hoodie and matching cream hi-tops. I thought it was a super cute look.

I’ve been wearing these skirts with my fashion sweatshirts and a woolly hoodie. Sometimes I semi-tuck the tops and sometimes I don’t. When left untucked, the sweatshirt welts create a little tapering structure. I finish off the outfit with white or blush boots or hi-tops, a short jacket or long coat, and a white, blush, or orange bag, and pearls. Comfortable and fun to wear.

I’ve been helping some of my clients create this look with items they have in their closet, and they’re enjoying the combination. Some work from home, and some are back in the office. Either way, they’re after a casual and comfy skirt vibe, and this is one way to achieve it. Here are some versions that might be more to your taste. Some of the skirts are dressy and some more casual. The tops and skirts are patterned, but you can choose solid versions too.

1. Neutrals

Combine a full neutral skirt with a black sweatshirt. Here, the colours of the slogan on the top complement the shimmery khaki pleated skirt. The white sandals further pick up the bits of white in the top. The neon bag is a clashing stand-alone item that makes a statement with the neutrals. White or black boots would work well too, as would chunky black loafers.

2. Brights

Combine a brightly patterned full skirt with a hoodie or sweatshirt. Make sure that the colours match, much like the greens do here. Finish off the look with sneakers or casual footwear that works with the vibe of the outfit. Add a bag that works with the palette of the outfit. Here, the yellow picks up the yellow in the top and bottom.

2. Beachy

Combine a short patterned full skirt with a slogan sweatshirt, or long-sleeved tee for a beachy vibe. Finish off the look with sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops, and add a hat. A baseball cap works well here, but so will a Panama hat, bucket hat, or straw hat. Add a beach tote to complete the look.

4. Mix it Up

Combine a full patterned midaxi with a patterned tee that works with the palette of the skirt. Knot the tee to showcase a bit of waistline. If you like, add a third pattern with a plaid shirt and tie it around the waist. Finish off the look with Converse sneakers or something similar. Or go for a ‘90s redux with black combat boots. Here, the tee, the shirt, and the sneakers are black and white, which pulls the look together and harmonizes the mix of patterns. The earthy beads around the model’s neck match the floral of the skirt. Fun look.

Spring collections are filled with earth tones, frills, flounces, puffs, tiers, exuberant sleeves, V-necks, boxy shirts, midaxis, ditsy florals, and all sorts of ‘90s redux looks at the moment. If that’s your thing, milk it. True to the trend forecast, we’re also seeing a plethora of Atlantic blues. 

This week’s roundup features lots of toppers, lots of blue, and some other items. Be sure to browse the colour and size options.

• Pistil Brando Star Cut- Off Denim Jacket in Zodiac: If you enjoy stars and denim jackets, this is a super cute version. It's short, and looks great with white and dark blue. I have my eye on it.
• Boden Embroidered Canvas Tote: Blue Embroidered Tote Fabness. Casually polished and pretty.
• Kit & Ace Sublime Pleated Ankle Trousers: I'm looking to replace a pair of navy pleated pants that bit the dust, and these have potential. They are supposed to be quite soft and flowing, so I'm going to order them. Comes in white and tan.
• Mango Striped Skirt: Super cute A-line skirt for Team Black & White, and cut on the bias. A grazing, and not clinging fit. Gorgeous diagonal lines. Available in XXS to 4XL.
• COS Relaxed Linen Shirt Dress: An excellent sack dress for Team Tall, and best on those who can fill it out. Beautiful voluminous drape, super comfy, and has POCKETS. Lovely quality. Comes in white.
• BLANKNYC Cotton Denim Trucker Jacket in Split Decision: A patchwork denim jacket with what looks like a calming geometric pattern.
• Radley London Women's Medium Compartment Corssbody: A fab little crossbody for Team Teal that comes in a rich brown. The top does not close completely so consider yourself warned.
• Brahmin Large Duxbury Satchel: Impeccable quality with a Modern Retro integrity. Beautifully structured, and quite big. Lots of colours.
• BB DAKOTA X STEVE MADDEN Sweetheart Blazer: A curvy client tried this on and it was stinking cute on her. Relaxed yet tailored, and sharper than I expected.
• Cordani Essentials Oversize Jacket: If you like anoraks, dark neutrals, and a subtle paint-splatter effect - keep this on your radar. Check out the back of the jacket to see how fab the pattern is.
• Veronica Beard Emelia Mixed Media Bomber Jacket: A bomber and denim jacket hybrid is an interesting combination. I love the short length. The ruched sleeves are bang on-trend, and it might run a little small.
• Calvin Klein Elanna Leather Chain Link Loafer: Fab loafers for a wider foot. Soft and comfy, albeit not very supportive. You might want to insert an orthotic for some arch support. Lots of colours.
• Vince Camuto Orla Canvas Tote: A fun casual canvas tote that comes in sixteen patterns. Very Summery.
• Karen Kane Stripe Ruched Sleeve Linen Jacket: An excellent LIGHTWEIGHT fluidly tailored blazer with ready-to-go scrunched sleeves. The subtle pattern of the linen makes it forgiving of creases. Lovely texture, comes in pearl grey, and has shorts to match.
• Loft Chambray Midi Pocket Shirtdress: A very easy-to-wear and comfy shirt dress that works on a range of body types, and comes in a range of colours and fabrics. POCKETS! Make sure you like the way the sleeve length graces your arms.
• Bryn Walker Marina Short Sleeve Round Neck High-Low Shift Dress: An excellent breezy sack dress that works best on those who can fill it out. The high-low hemline adds a subtle bit of structure. Comes in colours.
• COACH Embossed Croc Willow Tote 24: A beautiful DRESSY and structured tote for Team Light Purple. Gorgeous quality.
• Via Spiga Water Repellent Hooded Cotton Blend Trench Coat: A dressier, tailored, and well-made raincoat with a hood. Very polished and gorgeous fabric. Check out the fun back button and pleating. Comes in blue and tan. Might run a size big.
• REFORMATION Cora Shrunken Denim Jacket: An unusual denim jacket with a cream and brown Western landscape pattern. Earthy, playful, and can work for Team Brown.
• Kit & Ace So Soft Brushed Dress: A fab little short dress that is especially good on petites. Nice drape and substantial fabric. Size down. Lots of colours.
• Joules Corsham Chevron Quilted Puffer Vest: Canary Yellow Puffer Vest Fabness. Comes in navy.
• KUT from the Kloth Kara Fray Hem Cotton Blend Trucker Jacket: KUT makes very comfy and good quality denim jackets across a range of blue denim washes. This year they are offering a similar jacket in colours like coral and pale pink. The breast pockets lie really flat, and are unobtrusive. Fitted but not too tight.
• BB DAKOTA X STEVE MADDEN Keep an Eyelet Out Blazer: A cute black jacket to wear with a sleeveless top so that you can see the cut-out detailing on the sleeves peek through. Click the link to check out the cheerful daisies.
• Mango Wool Blend Coat: An unlined cocoon coat is great for a cool Spring or mild Winter. It's made of wool and recycled polyester, and has pockets.
• ElevenParis Faux Leather Jacket: A cute cropped and fitted '70s-inspired jacket in faux leather with very clean lines. Good over a fitted top and high-rise bottoms, or over a dress. Comes in cream.
• Guess Packable Water Resistant Puffer Jacket: A fitted short puffer that is weatherproof, packable, and going for a song. The grey hoodie is detachable. Comes in colours.
• Sanctuary Denim Jacket: An earth-toned denim jacket with a pale pink and toffee pattern is a little different from the norm. Streamlined fit.
• Nic + Zoe Fringe Jacket: Pretty in Pink Spring Tweed Fabness. Soft, drapey, comfy, works well on a curvier body type, and comes in pearl grey.
• Free People Romance Ruffle Jacket: A little bit of Dandy or Steam Punk for those who like ruffled jackets. Dramatic and reasonably fitted. Comes in black too.
• KUT from the Kloth Kara Fray Hem Denim Trucker Jacket: A dark olive denim jacket is hard to find, and this one from KUT is well-made, robust, and comfortable.
• AllSaints Elora Leather Biker Jacket: An excellent and beautifully made moto for petites with long arms. Fluidly tailored. Cheeky short length is fab with skirts, dresses, and high-rise pants.
• COS Relaxed Linen Shirt Dress: Fab linen sack dress for Team Tall. Well-made, and good drape. Comes in white and navy.
• Lauren Ralph Lauren Printed Button Down Shirt: This shirt does not look like all that in the stock photo, but if you're a shirt person like me and some of my clients - it's GORGEOUS. Impeccable quality, fab pattern, and beautiful voile fabric. Long too. It earned a place in my wardrobe. Might run narrow.
• Sanctuary Dreamgirl Ruched Knit Shirt: '90s Knit Shirt Fabness for those who like to wear fitted tops. Make sure the buttons don't gape when you sit down.
• WASH LAB DENIM Pencil Skirt: If you're after a clean, crisp, and classic white denim skirt with a bit of stretch - try this one. Not see-through.
• JENNY BIRD Stevie Chain Necklace: An interesting chain necklace with a somewhat industrial link.
• Lauren Ralph Lauren Geometric-Print Surplice Jersey Top: If you enjoy wearing fitted faux wrap tops and like this pattern - keep it on your radar. Great under a black, blue or cream topper too.

You can see the pictures alongside the items on the collection page.

Personal style falls on a continuum from minimal to maximal, depending on our sartorial preferences, and changes as our style evolves over time. The continuum isn’t only true of our style overall, but also of its components. Most people have a combination of minimal and maximal components to their styles.

Sometimes it’s a conscious deliberation. We analyse, process, learn, and repeat the level of minimalism or maximalism that make us happy. Other times we’re just going with what feels right, and deliberating about it afterwards, if at all.

My personal style is closer to the maximal end of the continuum in terms of the colours and patterns I prefer. I wear brights from head to toe, mix clashing colours, create high-contrast combinations, wear patterns, and mix, them too. On the other hand, I tend to wear more minimal, simple silhouettes without the bells and whistles.

My accessories are also somewhat minimal, in that I don’t wear much jewellery aside from my pearls, and never wear earrings. But I do wear statement eyewear that adds a more maximal element to the mix. I wear minimal eye make-up, no lipstick and no nail polish, and I don’t think my hairstyle is maximal.

Consciously or subconsciously, I’m striving to achieve a stylish balance. Over to you. What are the minimal and maximal components of your style?