Garments that have been permanently splattered with paint as a deliberate feature of the pattern fall under this trend. Paint-splattered denim springs to mind right away. In some cases a pattern is knitted into a sweater to resemble a paint-splatter effect. And in other cases the pattern was screen-printed onto knitted or woven fabric much like any other design is screen-printed.

Items are fairly neutral. The paint-splatter design is usually one or two colours, and seldom multi-coloured. The paint-splattered effect can be subtle or dramatic, and has a casual integrity. You’ll find it on all sorts of wardrobe items across a range of price points. The trend has been around for a while. It’s very fringe, and likely to remain that way. It takes me back to the ‘80s, especially when it’s in bright and neon colours. This time round the paint-splatter trend is more subtle.

Here are some examples.

I am neutral about this trend, and neither love it nor loathe it. I prefer the more subtle versions.

In fact, I ordered this workwear shirt from G-Star and hadn’t noticed the paint splatters on the denim until I saw it in person. I thought they were part of the stonewashed effect. The big white studs and high collar launched me into orbit, and the sleeves are very unique. It has a modern ‘60s and ‘70s vibe to it, and the gentle architectural fit is perfect. It’s beautifully made, and sustainably too. I put it on and fell in love, paint splatters and all. It’s fab with my collection of white jeans, orange pants, red pants, and can work with a couple of skirts too.

Over to you. What do you think of the paint-splatter trend?

A recent discussion about button-fly waists has led to a poll. You are on Team Structure if you prefer to wear bottoms with a zipper and/or button-fly waist. You are on Team Pull-On if you prefer pants that pull on with stretch or elastic. If you prefer bottoms with half-elastic waists, you bat for both teams.

The only pull-on pants I have are pyjama pants and leggings. I wear the pyjama pants year round for lounging, and the leggings for yoga and physical therapy. The rest of my jeans, trousers, and shorts have a zipper or button-fly waist. I prefer the structure and bat for Team Structure, although none of my bottoms are tight and body-con.

Over to you, Do you bat for Team Structure or Team Pull-On Pants? Tell us why, and remember that you can bat for both teams if you like a half-elastic waist.

An inclusion rider for the fashion industry, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s latest fashion exhibition, and more style stories that made headlines in February.

• Affordable skincare brand The Ordinary is branching out into hair care with a line of products that are all under $13.
• The Guardian reports that the party dress is back.
• Nordstrom has been upping its activewear game, and is including a good amount of plus-size options.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced its latest fashion exhibition. “In America: An Anthology of Fashion will look at the genesis of American style, focusing on the 19th century to the latter part of the 20th century.”
• According to Refinery29, the ‘butterfly haircut’ is quickly becoming one of 2022’s top hair styles.
• Earlier this month, Smythe opened its first-ever boutique in Toronto.
• Fashion magazine InStyle is going fully digital, the April issue will be its last print edition.
• The fashion industry is getting its own inclusion rider “to encourage and facilitate more diverse hiring practices at every level of a production.”

Fun Fashion Quote

I was nodding along with what writer Caroline Donofrio says here about beauty:

“If there’s anything time has taught me, it’s that the true essence of beauty is less about aesthetics and more about kindness. That sounds like something printed on an overpriced yoga T-shirt, but in this specific instance, I’m talking about kindness to yourself. Early this past summer, I woke up one morning to discover my dominant hand was numb. I couldn’t hold a pen or pump a soap dispenser or type for more than a few minutes at a time. (Needless to say, working an eyelash curler or hairdryer was out of the question.) It persisted for a day, a week, a month, eight weeks. But that experience forced me to reevaluate my priorities — what was absolutely necessary? What did I have to say no to? Where did I need to ask for help? In a way, it was the best gift. It reaffirmed that my value isn’t based on exterior things — neither my appearance nor my output — which seems to be a lesson many of us are learning.”

A puffer vest is a sporty quilted topper without sleeves that comes in various lengths. Outside the US it is often called a gilet, bodywarmer or sleeveless jacket. Most puffer vests are solid colours, but some are patterned. Some are thin and streamlined, and others are big, bulky and oversized. They are easy to wear with athletic, athleisure, and casual outfits. You can wear them as an extra warm layer under or over outerwear. They can also be remixed with dressier items.

Here are some puffer vest examples.

Puffer vests are a popular way to keep out the chill in my neck of the woods. Hubs Greg has a gorgeous grey one from Theory that he wears every season. I know them as bodywarmers, and wore them often when I went horse riding decades ago.

I don’t have a puffer vest in my wardrobe these days because I need the warmth of sleeves in our cold weather. But I recently realized that a puffer may be effective for me in warmer weather. Maybe I could wear it instead of a denim jacket. So as a potential wildcard, I’m considering getting a short puffer vest in a Summer colour that I can wear with both casual and dressier pieces.

Here are some outfit ideas for Team Puffer Vest.

1. Lightly Columned

Create a column of light neutrals with a sweater, pair of pants or jeans, and light boots. Pop a solid or patterned puffer vest in the same palette over the top. Here, the top is a hoodie, and the hood is worn outside the puffer vest. I can see the look working well with lighter earth tones.

2. Black and White

Combine a black sweater with a black puffer vest. Pair the twinset effect with white jeans, and finish off the look with black boots or loafers. Feel free to sub dark blue for the black. Blue jeans will work equally well, or black jeans if you enjoy a column of black. A long puffer vest is an option if you like to wear leggings but prefer to wear long toppers with body-con bottoms.

3. Pleated and Patterned

I love this look, and it’s my favourite of the lot. It’s fab how the sporty puffer vest dresses down the skirt and creates a fun and modern juxtaposition. Combine a pleated skirt with a boxy patterned top. The top and vest here are quite long, and personally I’d prefer them a little shorter. Layer a puffer vest over the lot in a colour that works with the top and skirt. Finish off the look with fashion sneakers, oxfords, loafers, or flats. Keep the items solid if patterns aren’t for you.

4. Casually Dressy

Layer a puffer vest over a patterned or solid dressy or casual dress in the same palette. Add footwear and a bag that work with the colours of the outfit. I like the tension between the dressy dress and sporty vest, and how the boots ground the outfit. A long vest would look fab too. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.