Outfit Formula: Blue Jeans and Earth Tones

Retail stores are full of blue jeans and earth toned support acts in my neck of the woods. Mainstream earth tones have been trending for several seasons, and are still going strong. As for blue jeans, they’re a staple in many a wardrobe too. It’s also fab to see full length jeans options back in fashion. 

If you like this palette, these outfits might inspire you.

1. Toffee, Tan and Black

A pair of cropped blue denim skinnies is combined with a casual black quarter-zip tunic sweater. Tan booties are the earthy shoes of choice, which tonally match a toffee peacoat that tops the lot. I see a black, cream, or brown bag complete the outfit. Easy!

Toffee, Tan and Black

2. Earthy Blues and Grey

This is great inspiration for those who like to wear cool-toned blues, slivers, whites, and greys with a smattering of earth tones. Here, a pair of cropped blue denim jeans in a subtle barrel shape is combined with a fluid white knitted top. A pattered trapeze jacket in a polka dot with earthy accents tops the pairing. The blue and white dots in the pattern match the top and jeans. The black dots match the model’s hair. The earthy dots match the patent toffee boots. A mixed metal necklace repeats the warm and cool tones in the outfit. I see an earthy bag complete the look.

Earthy Blues and Grey

3. Cat Print

A short cardigan in an earthy animal print is buttoned through like a sweater, and combined with full length faded blue wide leg cuffed jeans. Pointy black pumps with metal toes add a dressy touch, matching the model’s hair and the black in the pattern. A black bag further matches the black in the outfit.

Cat Print

4. Creamed Toffee

A chunky cream cabled turtleneck is semi-tucked into a pair of dark blue roomy cargo jeans. Dressy back boots dress up the look and match the model’s hair. A black belt matches the black boots. A short toffee shearling jacket tops the outfit. Add a bag that works with the palette of the outfit.

Creamed Toffee

5. Cosy Knits

Last but not least, it’s sweater weather in most of the northern hemisphere. Combine a pair of blue jeans in a wash and silhouette of your choice with an earthy sweater in a solid, stripe, floral, cable, dot, argyle, check, or fair isle. Choose a blue denim skirt if that’s more your cup of tea. Add boots, a bag that works with the palette, and a topper that goes over the lot. Add jewellery, scarves, watch, and headgear as desired.

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NIA Ariana Sweater
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VELVET Kella Sweater
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Ash Inacio Sweater
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Fab Find: Athleta With Ease Top

This is an awesome top if you’re looking for a super soft, long sleeved tencel tee that does not cling on the mid-section. It has a genius cut with ease through the mid-section and subtle back pleat. Interestingly, the high-low hem tapers in a little so it does not swing out and look too big. It drapes and launders beautifully. Holds its shape and does not shrink. The tailored sleeves are well suited to scrunching. The neckline is practical and pretty. Comes in twelve colours, and is available in sizes XXS to 3XL. You might need to size down.

Athleta With Ease Top

My petite apple shaped clients across a range of bust sizes are especially enamoured with this tee, which they wear with jeans, casual pants, joggers, and some skirts too. It’s sold as a yoga top, yet it works well as a non-workout casual top. Great for travel too.

The Visual Advantages of Shorter Tops

A top can look off in an outfit when it’s too long. Try the look with a shorter top to see if that improves outfit proportions. Knotting, tying, or semi-tucking the front of a longer top to create the illusion of a shorter length can work too. 

Short Tops Fix Proportions

Fits of shorter tops can be body con, tailored, fluid, or oversized. Petite size tops are shorter and work better on some body types. Some tops can be shortened, which makes the proportional difference when you are not tall or just short in the torso.

An outfit looks more structured when you showcase some hip by wearing a shorter top. This visually lengthens the leg line, which comes in especially handy when you don’t wear heels. Voluminous tops can be easier to wear when they are shorter.

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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Black Friday: Roundup and Fab Finds

We hope that people in the US are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. If you’re in the mood to shop, there are sales and bargains galore. Below are my top pick suggestions, many of which have been tried and tested on my clients and friends. Make sure you browse the colour and size options. 

1. Assorted Items

  • Ann Taylor Floral Crew Neck Sweater: This is for Team Lilac and Red and 100% cotton. Punchy. Feels lovely against the skin
  • RAILS Isla Floral Embroidered Elbow Sleeve Button-Up Cardigan: Short sleeved sweaters make sense in the right climate, and this olive and light blue darling is pretty. The puffed sleeves are subtle.
  • The Hadley Relaxed Buttondown Shirt by Pilcro: Velvet Edition: KILLER stunning velvet shirt for Team Cool Moody Colours. I danced a little dance when my client came out of the dressing room. The shirt comes in grey snakeskin and lots of solid colours.
  • By Anthropologie Flocked Menswear Pants: These are full length pants unless you are very tall. They are ink blue and absolutely AWESOME. A velvet burnout design is combined with a subtle navy windowpane check. Very unique and runs one to two sizes big. Has a blazer to match.
  • Adjustable Notch Belt: Chunky Silver Belt Fabness. Comes in black and brown.
  • RAILS Hunter Plaid Button-Up Shirt: A super soft and comfy plaid shirt for Team Purple and Blue. Nice drape.
  • Everlane The Cocoon Crew in Alpaca: The sleeves on this Christmas red sweater are more elegant in person. Lovely drape, and can work well on petites. Comes in thirteen colours.
  • The Avery Elastic-Back Trousers by Maeve: These pleated brown checked pants are dramatic. They have a back elastic waist, and are super soft and comfortable. They drape well, and are easy to hem shorter. Lightweight. Works on a range of body types. You can adjust the waist position to whatever rise length you prefer. Comes in other plaid palettes if you do a search on the site.
  • J.Crew Featherweight cashmere-blend long-sleeve polo shirt: Best sweater for skirts. Looks luxe and chic. Tailored, so size up if you want a roomier fit. It's short so it works with pants with a higher waist. Comes in colours. I have the navy, which I bought to wear with a bright red BIG swooshy skirt to wear for the holidays. I'm extremely pleased with the "Relaxed Glam" combination.
  • J.Crew Toscana coat in Italian stadium-cloth wool blend: J.Crew does a version of this coat every year. This season the fabric is from Italy - and it shows. It's stunning and beautifully made. Comes in colours and there's a long version too. I chose the cream as my new oatmeal coat that filled a big wardrobe hole. It's a workhorse already.
  • Rag & Bone Logan Bleach Splatter Wide Leg Jeans: Acid Wash '80s Fabness. 100% cotton, very soft and comfy, and drapes like a dream. Size down. Deep discount. I may, or may not have these.
  • Maeve | Anthropologie The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve: Faux Leather Edition: The faux leather Colette wide crops are a winner on many of my clients. It fits a range of body types and launders well. Very comfy, and quite warm. I have one in orange from a couple of seasons ago and it's held up beautifully. Might need to size up a size. Comes in nice colours, including lilac.
  • Boden Tulle Blouson Sleeve Top: Dressy Dotty Fabness. The lining of this blouse is jersey so it's very comfy. Tailored, but not too tight. The green is darker in person. Comes in black and navy.
  • Boden TBar Chain Necklace: Dainty, yet chunky, and glams up a look in a relaxed way.
  • Ann Taylor The Jayne Trouser Pant: These trousers are MID RISE. Their rayon component makes them drape well, and they feel great against age skin. Comes in regular and curvy fits, and in eight colours - including tangerine, teal and dark purple.
  • Nic + Zoe Waffle Stitch Sweater: The textured waffle fabric, fit, and feel of this sweater is gorgeous. Lovely quality. The puff of the sleeve is sculptured and lies quite flat. Comes in muted pinks.
  • Nic + Zoe Starburst Long Sleeve Top: A v-neck knit top that is thick and drapes really well. Super yummy feeling fabric against the skin.
  • MASAI COPENHAGEN Otilo Leopard Velvet Jacquard Long Sleeve Layered Midi Dress: A fluid, versatile, relaxed, and comfortable party dress that works on a range of body types. Its textured top layer is a break from solid black and has a playful integrity. Dress it up or down.
  • MASAI COPENHAGEN Cotton Shirtdress: Seafoam Cotton Dress Fabness. Comes in neutrals. Works on a range of body types, and is very easy to wear. 100% cotton.
  • MASAI COPENHAGEN Trina Water Resistant Leaf Print Coat: Teal and Earth Toned Patterned Raincoat Fabness. Great subtle architectural shape. You can layer a thin puffer vest or jacket underneath for extra warmth.
  • Ann Taylor Floral Drop Shoulder Sweater: Cotton-rich patterned blue and grey boxy sweater that looks good with black bottoms and blue jeans.
  • Michael Cosmo Kitten BootieWomen's: These are my new festive boots and I love them. I can just manage the heel height if I'm not walking around a lot. They come in solid neutrals and gold, and have a 1.5 inch kitten heel. They aren't too narrow, but if you need a roomy toe box, I vote pass. I don't find the kitten heel unstable, but others might. Make sure you can walk in them.
  • Cashmere Zip Hoodie - Exclusive: Bloomies cashmere tends to be well priced and good quality. It has a great reputation of not piling. This hoodie is lightweight, warm, versatile and great layered under a blazer if you like that vibe. Comes in neutrals and a dark teal green.
  • Stripe Quarter Zip Cashmere Sweater - Exclusive: A sporty classic that is comfy, fluid, polished, and sharp. Great for Team Long Neck, and works well on petites. Not too long. Fab under a blazer or jacket too.
  • Cashmere Travel Wrap - Exclusive: A versatile and deliciously cosy wrap that works as well as a scarf. Not too bulky. Great price and comes in 16 colours.
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See the collection page if you would like to see the items alongside the descriptions.

2. Fab Find: Athleta Puffers

Athleta’s puffer jackets and coats are impressive this season. They vary in thickness, colour and silhouette, and are well made. You might need to size down a size, and make sure you layer correctly underneath the outerwear before committing to a size.

Notably, the Sateen Long Puffer is a gorgeous shade of rich purple-burgundy. Its shine makes it look luxe. The side vents are very handy. There are straps on the inside of the coat so that you can carry it like a backpack if you overheat. It comes in black and does not have a hood.

The Downtown Puffer is shorter, less bulky, and has a removable hood. It looks sporty and comes in white, red, black, and murky dark green. The side zippers on the hem add practical pizazz.

The Summit Cropped Shine Puffer is super short and cheeky. It works particularly well over skirts and dresses, and does not have a hood. It comes in lemon, red, iced blue and black. I liked the red.

3. Fab Find: Talbots Audrey Patterned Cashmere

The Audrey from Talbots is my favourite PATTERNED cashmere sweater, and many of my clients enjoy them too. They are dressy in a comfortable and relaxed way, and easy to create interesting outfits with.

Every season Talbots provides a wide assortment of patterns in a classic fit cashmere sweater in petite, regular, plus, and petite plus that are well worth a look. Size up if you prefer a roomier fit. There are neutrals, non-neutrals, and lots of patterns. I bought one last year, and can attest to the quality. It hasn’t pilled and feels heavenly. I bought another pattern this year because they make me happy. Cheerful and unique.

These are my patterned Talbots Audreys, which I bought in a petite size because I preferred the way they fit. They are an excellent match with my light blue specs:

4. Hair And Beauty Products

Team Blue, Team Pink, or Team Red

It’s Thanksgiving-eve in the US, which means we play Teams on YLF. Do you bat for Team Blue, Team Red, or Team Pink, when it comes to the palettes of your wardrobe? It’s Thanksgiving tradition that you can bat for as many teams as you like. No one is benched. 

ANY shade of blue, red, or pink counts. For blue, it’s from light blue, all sorts of denim blue, and bright cobalt, to blue-teals, French blue, periwinkle blue, turquoise, navy, ink blue, and all greyed blues too. For red, it’s from the brightest tomato and fire engine, to cherry red, ruby, wine, claret, maroon, and deep burgundy. For pink, it’s from pale pink, blush, and rose pink, to antique pink, bubblegum, guava, neon pink, shocking pink, watermelon, fuchsia, and all sorts of greyed pinks.

Blues, reds, and pinks are well represented in my wardrobe. There is blue denim, navy, light blue, and turquoise. There is tomato red, fire engine, and a bit of burgundy. There is blush, bubblegum, shocking pink, neon pink, and watermelon. I bat for ALL three teams.

Over to you. I suspect Team Blue will win this poll.

If you’re in the US, we wish you a happy long Thanksgiving weekend and safe travels. I’ll be back on Black Friday with a top picks roundup of fab finds.