Outstanding Outfit Bloggers

Cognac Leather and Statement Hats

Tiffany Daniels is a personal stylist and style consultant who lives in Washington D.C., and documents her outfits on Instagram. She is a trendy dresser who likes to mix things up, going from polished casual looks to playful, retro, and sporty. Our blogger loves a fab blazer, and is very into leather pieces and statement hats.

Tiffany Daniels - 1

Tiffany is sporting on-trend high-waisted wide-legged jeans with a fun graphic tee tucked in. Tucking the top lengthens the leg line from the hips up, and tempers the volume of the wide-legged jeans. As a topper, she picked an eye-catching leather trench in rich cognac that gives the outfit a delightful groovy ‘70s vibe. The tailored shoulders on the coat provide structure, while the soft leather adds textural interest. Strappy high-heeled sandals add height. Bright red lipstick and vibrant green nail polish bring playful colour to the mix.

Tiffany Daniels - 2

Our blogger is fully embracing volume on volume here with an oversized long-line gilet and baggy trousers. Tiffany is wearing the pale lavender tie-dye gilet as a top. Buttoning it up creates some waist definition, which slightly tempers the dramatic volume. Rolling the mustard trousers and showing a sliver of ankle also adds some structure. Note how Tiffany’s beautiful braids are the same length as the gilet. Wearing her hair down draws the eye up and down and adds vertical integrity. White platform brogues bookend the gilet. The gold buttons on the gilet, and Tiffany’s gold-toned bracelets and oversized hoop earrings echo the mustard pants. A baby blue satchel brings a fourth colour into the mix that contrasts brilliantly with the vibrant mustard.

Tiffany Daniels - 3

This is a great example of how different shades of brown and neutrals, both warm and cool-toned, can play wonderfully together. The gingham asymmetrical skirt with waist tie in white and mid-brown is the star of the show. Tiffany has tucked in a cream form-fitting, one-shoulder top for a streamlined effect. Her fabulous leather trench makes a second appearance, and here too, adds structure with its sharp shoulder line. Her cool-toned stone lace-up booties provide an interesting contrast with the warm cognac of the trench. Our blogger adds two more neutrals with the warmish beige satchel and striking beige hat.

Tiffany Daniels - 4

A gorgeous dressy denim-on-denim look with a fab ‘70s vibe. Tiffany is wearing tailored, high-waisted bootcut jeans in a mid-blue wash with a crisp white V-neck tucked tee. She dresses it up with a stunning patchwork denim blazer. The different denim washes form a graphic pattern that creates architectural lines. The tailored blazer with its on-trend shoulder pads adds polished structure. Mint green sandals peeking out from under the jeans add a touch of unexpected colour. Tiffany’s white Panama hat echoes the top, and adds dressy glam.

Tiffany Daniels - 5

Opting for buttery soft leather in a rich shade of cognac is an interesting take on the classic trouser suit. The leather, the colour, the oversized blazer, and straight-legged trousers are all deliciously retro ‘70s and on-trend. Tiffany has tucked a white body-con top with low neckline into the high-waisted trousers. This lengthens the leg line and tempers the volume of the oversized blazer. The blazer has a fairly tailored shoulder line, and Tiffany has scrunched the sleeves which also adds structure to the look. The chain mail-esque piece draped over her white top is unique, and adds texture and subtle bling. Squared-toed stiletto thong sandals in the same shade of cognac as the suit further lengthen the leg line. Tiffany finishes off the look with gold bangles and statement hat.

Tiffany Daniels - 6

Tiffany built this ‘80s-flash-back look around a pair of dramatically wide-legged, floor-skimming jeans with paper-bag waist. Tucking the white halter top showcases the super high rise, defined waistline and ruffled detailing that adds lots of visual interest. The excess fabric at the waist and tummy creates volume and widens the midsection, yet the waist definition and rope tie belt slims the silhouette back down. The pleats on the thigh area create a vertical line that draws the eye up and down. Black plateau footwear peeks out from under the jeans while walking. A quilted Kelly green bag adds a dressy touch. Its chunky gold chain strap ties in with the bold big earrings. Fiery orange-red lippy is the perfect finishing touch.

I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Tiffany’s amazing outfits. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out her Instagram for more style inspiration.

Keeping Items That Don’t Make You Happy

Ideally most items in our wardrobe should make us happy when we wear them. Of course, some items make us happier than others. But in reality, there are reasons to keep some items that don’t make us happy. Some are placeholders until, budget-permitting, we find a better version of them. Others were gifts that we don’t want to pass on. Some items were a pricey purchasing mistake that we feel guilty about passing on. And we’ve fallen out of love with some items because of evolving sartorial preferences.

There are three items that don’t make me happy because they are a shade of olive, which isn’t working for my style right now. Olive has never featured heavily in my wardrobe, but I have a sprinkling of it because it matches my green eyes and complexion. The items are between three and seven years old.

The sweater dress is a gorgeous fluid fit, comfortable, exceptional quality, and flattering, which is why I cannot pass it on. It’s old, but hasn’t pilled. I wear it with a cream, red, or citron support act to break up the expanse of olive. Wearing it with my happy colours helps, but I wish it was a shade of blue.

I wear the COS dress like a tunic over wide crops, relaxed straights, or barrel leg jeans. It’s another unique and great quality piece that fits well, and looks attractive, so I can’t pass it on. I wish it was navy. Instead, wearing it with white pearls, white jeans, white shoes, and a bright bag helps me feel happier sporting olive.

And last, the carrot pants with matching self-belt are a playful flashback to the ‘80s that makes me smile. I wish they were white, but wearing them with navy, white, or a bright top helps me feel happier in them. Adding white shoes and a bright bag helps too.

I don’t wear these items often because they are olive, but I’ve found ways to make them work well enough for now. Maybe my mood will change and I’ll like olive again. But in the meantime, I’ve listed it as a style goal — no more olive purchases.

Over to you. Do you keep items in your wardrobe that don’t make you happy? If so, why, and do you wear them anyway?

Fab Finds: 100% Cotton Sweaters

In my experience, 100% cotton knitwear is the least likely to pill. It can be prone to shrinking and stretching out, but if you launder carefully and get good-quality items, you can control those aspects too. 100% cotton knitwear doesn’t scratch or irritate the skin, and is breathable, crisp and comfortable. It may not be as soft, drapey, and stretchy as cotton blends, but it can be produced sustainably and ethically, and is a natural fibre.

love 100% cotton knitwear. I also like 95% cotton knitwear with a bit of stretch. I wear a lot of it in our Spring, on a cool Summer’s day, or on a Summer evening when things cool down. It’s also handy to wear them to the beach in the Summertime. Sometimes I wear 100% cotton knitwear in Autumn.

If you have cold Springs, freeze in Summer air conditioning, or simply prefer 100% cotton knitwear full stop, here’s a selection across a range of colours, patterns, silhouettes and sizes. Weights range from chunky and thick, to super light and airy. Personally, I can vouch for 100% cotton knitwear from Brooks Brothers, Hobbs, Boden, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, COS, and French Connection since I’ve had them at one point in time, and the quality is good. I’ve also heard good things about the knitwear quality at L.L. Bean, who offers items in petite, straight, and plus sizes.

Loft
Henley Sweater
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Loft
Striped V-Neck Sweater
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Loft
Henley Sweater
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Gap
Crewneck Sweater
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Esprit
Fashion Sweater
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2
Esprit
Fashion Sweater
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Esprit
Trui van 100% katoen
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2
Esprit
Fashion Sweater
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Hobbs
Lucie Cotton Sweater
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4
Hobbs
June Cotton Sweater
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COS
Cut-out Sweater
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COS
Ribbed Knit Cardigan
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I need to replace my white and red cotton knitwear, and have the first two styles on my radar. I’ve ordered the white cable pullover from Brooks Brothers already. The other four more casual silhouettes might also work really well. The colour-blocked funnel neck is a slam dunk match with my new blue specs.

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: Hints of Spring

Spring fashion is my favourite. I love the colours, patterns, textures, silhouettes, crispness, and the weight of the garments. Spring in Seattle is relatively cool, and it stays like that for a long time. It’s even cooler and windier when you live close to the water. I run cold, so I can wear a lot of my Spring wardrobe into Summer. That said, our Summers are getting hotter and Seattle set record high temperatures last year. We don’t have air conditioning, so I definitely need and wear a capsule for a hot Summer too.

I’ve collected items to set my mood for Spring and Summer 2022. Of course, the collection focusses on my sartorial preferences, which might be very different to yours. I’m inspired by the colours, silhouettes, vibes, and combinations. In some cases I’ve got similar items in my wardrobe already. In some cases the exact item might be worth purchasing. Or the items serve as a reminder that I would like a pants suit or trousers in turquoise, apple green and shocking pink. And that I’d love a gorgeous crisp white dress, and need to replace my formal navy lace dress.

Eloquii
Relaxed Fit Blazer
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Zara
STRAIGHT CUT BLAZER
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G-Star Raw
Workwear Shirt
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Zara
MENSWEAR STYLE BLAZER
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Zara
PLEATED MID RISE PANTS
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Zara
LONG BELTED VEST
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Hobbs
Orelia Dress
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Hobbs
Alya Scarf
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Zara
LOW RISE LOOSE JEANS
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G-Star Raw
Fishtail Dress
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Here are some outfits that are inspiring me for Spring. If the combinations inspire you too, you can substitute the colours for ones that are more to your taste.

1. Popped Column of Navy

I’m into wearing columns of colour and monochromatic looks across all sorts of colours. Navy is my dark neutral, and I love very dark blue denim. I have all the components of this outfit. I’ll combine a navy top with a pair of dark blue barrel/balloon leg, wide crop, or cuffed jeans. Layer a navy blazer or lightweight peacoat over the top, and finish things off with bright red loafers and a satchel to match.

Popped Column of Navy

2. Dressy Slouch

Lime or apple green is one of my favourite colours, and button-down shirts are my thing across fluid and oversized fits. I LOVE this shirt, and want to wear it with my wide crop, boyfriend, or relaxed straight white jeans. But I also like it with these big navy pants. Navy pants are on my shopping list, and this type of silhouette is an option. I like the somewhat structured slouch here. I’d finish off the look with white sneakers or boots, and a white bag.

Dressy Slouch

3. Sporty Utility

I’m not an athletic person, but I enjoy wearing a super casual crisp sporty look from time to time. I have all the components of this outfit. I could combine my orange faux leather pants with my white funnel neck top that looks like a hoodie, and finish things off with white sneakers. I’d pop a denim jacket over the top. That said, the faux leather pants will be too warm to wear soon, making a pair of orange cotton utility pants a great idea.

Sporty Utility

4. Pretty Smart Casual

And last, I like the combination of light blue denim, white, mid-tone pink, and lemon or citron. I have all the components to create a similar vibe. I can create this outfit with my faded denim wide leg jeans or dark blue jeans. I’d wear a white cotton sweater under a mid-tone pink trapeze jacket and add lemon loafers or citron sneakers, and a citron bag. Light blue specs, a white Apple watch, and white pearls accompany these looks.

Pretty Smart Casual

Link Love: Never Worn Clothing

There aren’t that many entries yet, but I’m finding the ‘Never Worn’ series on True to Size very interesting because it explores the reasons why we aren’t wearing an article of clothing that we were initially excited about:

“Never Worn’ explores impulsive buying one garment at a time, as told by its owners. No judging or shaming, but a way to understand this behaviour and, together, make more conscious future decisions.”

Here are three to get you started:

Fab Links from Our Members

Stagiaire Fash directs us to this blog post with 20 suggestions for how to use worn-out clothes.

In line with the previous link, Runcarla enjoyed this article about artists who are upcycling used T-shirts.

That Organic Cotton T-Shirt May Not Be as Organic as You Think.” Kkards found this article really interesting and very disheartening.

She then also found the Good On You website with material guides on e.g. bamboo and wool.

Nuancedream is not surprised that the fashion industry, while touting its sustainability initiatives, is producing and destroying so much merchandise. Shameful.

Vildy loves this unique DIY project: a flapper dress made out of 2000 pennies

Lisa Pippus, of Style Is A Language, is one of Mary Beth’s favourite style writers. She is now also on Instagram, and her posts “are beautifully empowering, illustrated little mini-articles on how/why to identify your personal style brand and colour palette.”

Jaime loved this article, and particularly the introduction to Carla Rockmore, a new-to-her over-50 style icon.

Suntiger wanted to share Imogen’s post on warm versus cool grey hair.

Garden Fairy found this website very helpful because it has all the brand archetypes in one place. This one too, with descriptions for how each archetype uses colour and visual elements.

Last but not least, nemosmom thought this post on how to analyze your mood board from m gets dressed was great.