I found these two articles about making a (style) change later in life very inspiring:

• “A new start after 60: ‘I always wanted my own clothing brand — at 71 I got it’.“
• “‘I went from basic to flamboyant overnight!’ The people who transformed their style — in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.“

Fab Links from Our Members

Lana has been playing with the Swatches app: “It’s free and great for anyone who likes inspiration to make palettes from photos and create outfits from them.”

Like Lana, Jorja has been playing with colours for Spring/Summer capsules. She got some great inspiration from this post on capsule wardrobe colours.

Suntiger directs us to the Vivienne Files with outfit ideas for the Pantone colours for Autumn/Winter 2022-2023.

“How Kibbe body types became an internet obsession.” Nuancedream says: I’ve never fallen down the rabbit hole of the Kibbe body type system, but it is interesting. Even if I knew my Kibbe body type, I would still Do My Own Thing.

Runcarla lets us know that Vogue identified the return of the silk foulard as a street style trend at the Paris fashion shows this month.

Mary Beth asks if colour analysis is limiting your style. Toronto-based image consultant Christie Ressel discusses how having your own colour story can be freeing.

I recently spent a morning at Seattle’s biggest shopping centre, and was pleasantly surprised at how well stocked the retailers were. Delayed shipments seem to be coming through, and Spring fashions are aplenty. In fact, some stores looked overstocked for a change. I’ve also been tenacious and very picky about replacing some of my very worn Spring and Summer footwear. Slowly but surely, I’m finding options that I hope will work out in the long run. On to the top picks.

1. Fitflop Kinbey Croc Embossed Bootie

These are cute, comfy, and can work for a higher volume foot. They are very lightweight, and have a futuristic and fashion-forward vibe. They make a big statement on the foot so consider yourself warned. Relatively supportive and soft. Currently deeply discounted.

2. Trotters Gracie Loafer

These have a modern classic Italian vibe, and look “Bottega Veneta” at a fraction of the price. Well made too. The red loafers fit my feet perfectly, did not slide off, and were flattering. There was plenty of room for my long toes. I didn’t keep them because I’d have preferred them in white or cream. They also weren’t as super soft as I’d have liked. Soft, but not soft enough for my fussy feet. That said, still comfortable, polished, and very neat on the foot. Available in three widths.

3. Bella Vita Holden Sandal

If you like to wear cage sandals with very low and stable block heels, keep these modern classics on your radar. They are soft for sandals with lots of straps, have a cushioning footbed, and create a tidy fit on the foot. They come in FOUR widths. My regular size in a narrow width fit very well in white. I’ve decided to keep them, and HOPE they will be comfortable enough for my walking lifestyle, and working with clients. I like how they are open yet covered, and look quite dressy.

4. Vionic Zinah Slip-On Sneaker

These come highly recommended by a forum member who bought them in black as a replacement for a similar pair of ECCO sneakers that bit the dust. They are comfortable, supportive, polished, easy to slip on and off, and might run a little small. 

I tried them in the blue for $65. Unfortunately they were short in the toe box and I slipped out of them. They also weren’t as soft as my assortment of ECCOs. Super cute though, can fit an orthortic, and looks polished on the foot. I simply do better with lace-up sneakers. 

5. Banana Republic Ramie Blouse

This is a very pretty bubble sleeve blouse if you like that type of statement puffy sleeve. The fabric is ramie, which is like a much softer, prettier, silkier, refined, and sheer linen NATURAL fibre. You have to make peace with the crease, and be okay with the sheerness. I loved the architectural vibe of the sleeves and the white buttons on the navy, which earned a place in my wardrobe. It’s dressy and pretty, yet casual. It’s super thin, breezy, roomy, and has a trapeze effect when worn untucked because of a fun back pleat. I will wear it over a navy cotton camisole, and buttoned all the way to the top.

6. Cristina Martinez Collection

Cristina Martinez is a Seattle visual artist who is inspired by her community. As Martinez puts it, “I create for freedom. I create for peace. I create for change. I create for self-love”. She loaned her artwork to Nordstrom for an exclusive clothing and homeware collaboration, and here are some of the results. Nordstrom has this collection centre stage as you enter the store, and it made a fab impression on me. Interesting, current, easy to wear, cheerful, meaningful, Seattle-based, won’t break the bank, and unique. Some of the styles are gender fluid, and sizing is on the roomy side. Sizes run from XXS to XXL on the women’s clothing. I particularly like some of the scatter cushions, and have ordered some for our home.

7. Treasure & Bond Smocked Sleeveless Midi Dress

An amazing high Summer dress. If the pattern came in my colours or solid white, it would be mine. It fits beautifully if you like high necklines, sleeveless dresses, and fit & flare silhouettes. It’s 100% viscose, which I usually stay away from, but would give the fabric another chance because the dress is amazing. Super soft, comfortable, and has pockets!

Footwear of the ‘90s is trending big time, and the fisherman sandal is part of that. It’s a high-vamped sandal with a distinctive set of interwoven straps across the toe box, and a strap across the ankle with a buckle. Of all the ‘90s footwear that is currently having its fashion moment, the fisherman sandal is more of a fringe look. 

Fisherman sandals come in all sorts. In the ‘90s they were generally black and heavy, but today there is an assortment of colours, and those with lug soles are more lightweight. Fisherman sandals today can be chunky, refined, heeled, flat, platform, and flatform. Their straps can be narrow or wide. Most have t-straps, but some don’t. Most styles enclose the toe, but some don’t. Buckles can be subtle or make a statement. Some versions look like stilettos, mules, and clogs.

The collection below shows a nice assortment. My guess is that the chunkier styles are an acquired taste.

I’ve seen fisherman sandals work really well on those who enjoy wearing them. The chunky black versions have a hard edge that can complement a tough style that incorporates a lot of black. The playful flatforms look futuristic and animated. The clogs have a softer integrity, and the refined versions look more classic. Practically, you have to make sure that your pinky toe is securely positioned so that it doesn’t get caught in the opening of the interwoven straps.

Personally, I like the flat or low-heeled, refined versions like the pricey examples below. They have a lighter and prettier look about them, which would better suit my low-volume feet and style. I particularly like how the fisherman sandal covers a lot of the foot and toes. Better protection for my feet. I would absolutely wear a pair that fit, were comfortable, and did not break the bank.

Over to you. Would you wear a version of the fisherman sandal?

I have plenty of sneakers and boots, but I’m short on dressier Spring and Summer shoes. The old loafers and flats that I usually wear are finished. I passed on the very worn-out flats, but have held onto the loafers until I can find replacements. In the meantime I’ve tried on a LOT of warm-weather shoes, and have thankfully found some contenders.

Here is this week’s roundup of top picks, which includes the footwear styles I’ve tried. You’ll see classics, trends, and avant-garde looks in the mix.

1. Franco Sarto Vana and Everlane Day Glove Flats

This silhouette is a new-look modern ballet flat that does not slip off the foot because of the ample coverage on the vamp and sides of the shoe. Both styles are super soft and comfy if you can wear flat footwear. They can accommodate an orthotic, but you might need to size up. Visually I preferred the look of the Franco Sarto snip-toe style, but it was too wide. Padding them with insoles did not work well enough either. The round-toe Everlane version was a much better fit on my low-volume feet, and an insole worked well to create a great fit. But they don’t have the white in my size, so I’m waiting until they replenish the stock. The Everlane store manager suggested I look again in a month. So if you need a wider fit, go for the Franco Sarto.

2. Paul Green Lil Flat

These are elegant and chic on the foot, and more of a lighter warm cream than the darker cool grey in the stock photo. Extremely comfortable, beautifully luxe, and well made. The snaffle hardware is a subtle light gold. They are made in Austria with eco-friendly materials and manufacturing practices. They can work on a wider foot. I managed to make them fit with two strategically placed sets of insoles. I’m deciding whether they will work well enough for my feet and walking lifestyle. I am smitten and hope they work out. They are a great addition to my horsey wardrobe capsule.

3. Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Cable Sweater

I have this in white and navy. It’s beautifully made, crisp, polished, tailored and classic. 100% cotton, relatively lightweight, and machine washable. It’s fitted, but not too tight, and has an extremely neat and snug neckline. The cables are refined, flat, and don’t look bulky. The sleeves are long, but are easily cuffed. The length looks streamlined and not slouchy. I’ve worn both colours a few times already and love them. 

4. Bella Vita Ira Strappy Sandal

These are a gorgeously simple and refined modern classic gladiator. Made in Italy. I have a hard time getting sandals to fit but these worked in a narrow size in white. They are soft, comfortable, and breezy. I usually don’t wear sandals, but since our Seattle Summers are hot these days, I need one pair for just in case. They come in wide and extra wide sizes too. Thank you Bella Vita for making a diverse set of widths.

5. Free People New Frontier Western Mule

I was looking for a refined pair of white clogs and found this mule-clog hybrid, so I tried the white. They fit my feet so do not try them unless your feet are on the narrow side, and have a low vamp. They fit well, and were relatively comfortable. But I found the heels too high, so back they went. They look sleek and refined on the foot, and a little dressier than chunkier clogs.

6. COS Dresses

COS dresses are an acquired taste, because many of the styles are voluminous and architectural. I see some fitted styles coming through too. Personally, I like their big, baggy and breezy shirt dresses if there is enough structure in the sleeves, shoulders, and neckline. I’ve had great luck with some of their dresses in the past, so they are on my radar. I’ve ordered the first turquoise style and will let you know how it fits. COS produces sustainably and ethically, and most of the items are machine washable.