55 Years

I turn 55 years young today. It’s not a milestone birthday, although a meaningful reminder that time moves on, and that I’ve moved along with it. I see middle-aged me when I look in the mirror. I also see myself at age 8, 16, 25, 35 and 48. They flash before me because age is surreal. Time moves on, but it stands still too. Physically I look older. Mentally, I’m all of those ages.

My word for the year is PROGRESS, and more specifically, how I can facilitate the progress of things going on in my life. I’m happy to report that there is already great progress in important ways. After a long, stressful, and tedious remodel, we’ve FINALLY settled back into our “new” loft, and it’s spectacular. It’s paradise-to-me, and we’re nesting for the rest of the year. We have no travel plans, and simply want to vacation at home. Yorkies Sam and Jo couldn’t be happier to have their space and balcony back! A close and dear friend who spent a year fighting cancer is recovering beautifully, and is an absolute warrior. Hubs Greg and I are more social than ever prioritizing old and new friendships, making time to see old friends, as well as frequently checking in with dear friends across the globe. My almost daily pilates and yoga practice makes my body feel strong. I’ve found these things therapeutic, and an effective way to stay more calm amidst the current chaos and insanity around the world.

I am most grateful for hubs Greg who is my soulmate and my everything. Yorkies Sam and Jo who are enchanting and life-enriching, long lasting friendships and family bonds, good health, joyful style, good eats, and the incredible city and community of Seattle. Instead of counting the days, I’m making the days count by being more present and appreciating the richness of daily life. I’m celebrating resilience, affection, connection, and the privilege of growing older.

To kick off my birthday, I’m shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for myself this morning. The afternoon will include time with Greg, Sam and Jo, and tonight is supper at my favourite restaurant, Nishino. Tomorrow, it’s back to shopping the NAS with clients, but I’m taking Friday off.

Summery Gingham: Yay, Nay, or Maybe

Gingham needs little explanation. It’s a distinctive checked pattern with a Modern Retro charm. Although we see gingham wardrobe items every season, the look is a micro trend enjoying a bit of a fashion moment. 

Gingham is typically a smaller, two-toned check, of which one of the colours is a shade of white. Gingham comes in various colours and across a range of wardrobe items, including shoes and accessories. Black and white gingham is popular and the classic standard. Gingham dresses, skirts and tops are the norm, looking particularly summery. You’ll see gingham pants, shorts, jackets, swimwear, and vests too. The collection shows gingham items across a range of price points:

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Gingham checks vary in size. Large scale gingham can look more dramatic. Gingham tends to come in woven fabrics, but knits are gaining momentum. Co-ords are trending so gingham sets are there and look fresh. Wear gingham as a separate with complementary solids. Wear it pattern mixed with florals, stripes, animal prints, polka dots, and other plaids. Make a gingham statement with a dress or matching set. Or accessorize with a gingham scarf or bag.

I’m a yay and like gingham for Spring and Summer. I usually have a bit of gingham in my wardrobe, and enjoy its retro vibe. I’ve had gingham pants, skirts and dresses in the past, and will consider them again. Currently I have a green gingham shirt, a turquoise gingham shirt, a navy gingham raincoat, and a light blue gingham jacket. The jacket is a favourite.

Over to you. Do you like a wear gingham wardrobe items?

Outfit Formula: Colour Combos With Mustard

Mustard is becoming a more popular choice of colour with my clients and friends. Clients who swear by cool-toned palettes are wearing earthy warm mustard bottoms away from their faces, and with cool-toned tops in blues and whites as the more flattering option against their complexion. The popularity of mustard surprises me, but why not? Change is good, and wildcard wardrobe items can rock.

Onto ways to combine mustard in outfits.

1. Mustard and Blue

Mustard looks great with strong blues like navy, cobalt and turquoise. Here, a pair of wide and breezy ankle length mustard pants is paired with a roomy cobalt, off-white, and mustard patterned blouse. Off-white slides add a summery and crisp integrity, and pick up the white in the pattern. Add an off-white or earthy bag to complete the look.

Mustard and Blue

More mustard and blue combinations, where the top is mustard and the blue is denim:

2. Mustard and White

Think of any way to combine mustard with YOUR shade of white, which might mean cream, bone or tan instead of optical white. Here, the mustard and white patterned shirt dress is the star of the show and incorporates the palette in one easy throw-on-and-go item. The white slides match the white in the pattern. Add a bag that works with the outfit. I see a gold, brown, or bronze bag.

Mustard and White

More mustard and white combinations:

3. Mustard and Lilac

The mustard of this blouse is softer and more marigold, which might be more to your taste. It’s paired with lilac wide cropped pants and lilac gladiator sandals to match. The blouse is worn over the pants, with half its buttons left open. Feel free to button through your top. A white clutch adds a summery touch.

Mustard and Lilac

4. Mustard and Earth Tones

As an earth tone, mustard works well combined with other earth tones like shades of brown and olive. Here, a mustard cami top is tucked into wide cream trousers. It’s topped with a toffee bomber. A black complement of flats, belt, and bag create an effective high contrast accent to the earthy palette. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Mustard and Earth Tones

Mustard also looks good with peaches, olives, burnt oranges, and darker browns:

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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Achieving the Right Belt Length

If you’re a belt wearer, you might relate to how particular I am about how a belt fits and looks around the natural waist, or further down with lower rise bottoms. Too short, and the belt looks ill-fitting. Too long, and it looks untidy. The length has to be just right, or doctored in some way to look the right length. 

I don’t like the belt to fit on the first hole. That makes it look too small to my eye. I also don’t want the end of the belt to flap about because it’s too long and not secured by the belt loops of the pants. That makes the belt look too big. 

When a belt is too long, I stick it down with a piece fashion tape to prevent flapping. When it’s a narrower and softer belt that is far too long, I fold and knot the end of the belt in front (like we did back in the ‘80s). You can see the visual effect in the photo of one of my outfits below, and a video on how to achieve the knot here.

Belt Knot

Belts that fit perfectly on the waist sometimes don’t fit correctly on the hips because they are short, and vice versa. You might have to commit to wearing them in one way to get the length right. But doctoring a too long belt on the waist like I suggested above works well, and makes a belt more versatile.

I don’t mind wearing belts that are narrower than the belt loops of bottoms, but tend to prefer a belt that fills out the loops. This looks more neat to my eye.

Over to you. Are you fussy about the length and width of a belt, preferring it to look and fit a certain way?

Trend: Snakeskin Footwear

In the footwear trends for 2025 I mentioned that neutral animal print shoes, and snakeskin in-particular, is having a fashion moment. Real snakeskin is extremely expensive, so most footwear is made of leather that imitates snakeskin. Almost any type of casual and dressy shoe can come in a form of snakeskin. If you enjoy creating complements, there are snakeskin bags and belts to match the footwear.

Snakeskin comes in a range of tones. Some snakeskin is in the cool toned grey and black spectrum. Browner snakeskin is warm toned, while taupe snakeskin lies in-between. Some snakeskins have small components of dark colour, while others have larger components. Some snakeskins are void of black. The collection shows an assortment of snakeskin items across varying tones.

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Neutral snakeskin footwear is quite versatile. It can amp up a look by adding interest, personality, and drama. It creates a statement when combined with outfits made up of solids. It creates a maximal statement when combined with patterned outfits. It can bookend the colours running through your hair, and become signature to your style.

Sometimes I’m in the mood to wear animal print footwear, and sometimes I’m not. I’ve worn snakeskin footwear in the past, but haven’t for years. I’m more in the mood these days. If I find the right type of comfortable boots or flats, I’d like them in a warmer brown and cream snakeskin with very limited or no black in the pattern. If they come my way, I’ll give them a go.

How about you? Do you wear snakeskin shoes?