Outfit Formula: Statement Solids and Subtle Patterns

Solid wardrobe items tend to be more popular than patterned ones. Usually, wardrobes are rich in solids with patterns in some tops, skirts, and dresses. It’s rare that I work with clients whose wardrobes are more patterned than solid. 

Occasionally there’s a client with an extremely patterned wardrobe. They typically enjoy pattern mixing, and wear patterns every day. 

I also have clients who are pattern-averse. Their wardrobes are either void of patterns, or the patterned items are few and far between and in very particular pieces. The patterns in their style are subtle, and just enough to amp up an outfit. If you’re a subtle pattern person, these outfits might inspire you.

1. Snakeskin Shoes

A pair of cinnamon trousers is paired with a blue shirt. A cognac leather coat tops the lot. Snakeskin slingbacks are the pop of pattern amidst the solids. Their neutral palette world well with the blue and earth tones. I see a black, brown, or tan bag complete the look.

Snakeskin Shoes

2. Geometric Bag

A column of colour is created by combining a solid black top with black pants and a black moto jacket. The shoes can be any colour, like black, cream, red, green, grey, or blue. The geometric patterned bag with slogan strap provides the subtle addition of pattern. That said, the high contrast of the pattern colours, and the contrast it creates against the black clothing, make it bold and the focal point of the outfit.

Geometric Bag

3. Striped Scarf

A solid monochromatic column of red is created by combining red pants, sweater and topper. A red and white patterned neckerchief adds subtle pattern, personality, and becomes the focal point of the outfit. The sweater has a very subtle white stripe on the neckline too. White sneakers pick up the white in the patterns. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Striped Scarf

4. False Plain Jacket

Last, a solid chocolate midaxi skirt is paired with a black turtleneck sweater. Black boots match the top. A taupe tweed jacket with black buttons complements the earthy and black palette. The texture of the tweed is pattered in a subtle way, like a false plain. Add jewellery, bag, watch, and eyewear as desired.

False Plain Jacket

Fab Finds: Boden Chinos and Levi’s 501s

These bottoms have been winners on some of my friends and clients. They are sustainably and ethically produced, and will probably be available at a discount price soon. Versatile items if you like to wear jeans and Summer pants. 

1. Boden Barnsbury Chino Pants

These cotton chinos are fabulous in both silhouettes. There are relaxed straights and wide crops. The fabric composition is 98% cotton with 2% stretch, which feels lovely against the skin. It doesn’t crease nearly as much as linen and holds up well in the laundry. The white versions are not see-through. Fits have ease through the thighs, hips and seat. Rise isn’t too high. Works on a range of body types. Sizes run from US0 to 22 across petite, regular and tall in a range of colours. I have the relaxed straight version in white. For me, they are perfect ankle-bearing, lightweight Summer pants that look casually neat and tidy with coverage for sun protection.

2. Western Levi’s 501s

In the early ‘90s, Levi’s 501’s were THE jeans. They were very expensive across the globe, but more affordable in the US. Back then, there was ONE unisex fit that varied only in waist and length measurement across the washes. If they were too big on the waist, you reined them in with a belt. For length, you wore them long with scrunch, or cuffed them shorter.

These days, there are many Levi’s 501 fits. They vary in leg width, seam length, rise length, and piece-detaling. On the one hand, this complicates things. On the other hand, the variation assures a better fit across a range of body types. If the original Levi’s 501 was ill-fitting, you’ll probably find one that fits better today.

501®  90s Western Women's Jeans

These Western Levi’s 501s are a super duper fit on a curvier bottom half. They fit a narrower waist and have ease through the thighs like a relaxed straight leg silhouette. That said, they look great on a straighter figure too (might need to size up). You can wear them with a bit of scrunch at the hems, cuff them to showcase some ankle, or wear then without a break line. The Western front and back yoke detailing is awesome, and amps up the look. I preferred the faded denim to the dark blue in this style because it accentuates the yoke. There’s a button-fly, and no stretch so you’ve been warned. Available from US23 to 34 across two lengths. I got these to replace a blue pair I passed on. Nostalgic, a playful horsey integrity, and can’t go wrong. Love them!

Team Natural or Team Dye

You bat for Team Natural if you’re sporting your natural hair colour. You bat for Team Dye if you’re altering the colour in some way. You bat for Team Natural if you’re in the process of growing out dyed hair so that you can sport its natural colour. You bat for Team Dye if you highlight, lowlight, or balayage your hair. 

Until three years ago, I was highlighting my pixie with platinum blonde streaks. I’ve been doing that for twenty years because cloudy Seattle didn’t give me the sun streaks that I was accustomed to. In January 2022 I decided to grow out my pixie and stop dying my hair. It was hubs Greg who suggested I sport my natural colour, and I haven’t looked back. I’m thoroughly enjoying my dark blonde hair. I find it very versatile, easy to manage, and I like the change. I might dye my hair in future, but for now I bat for Team Natural.

You should neither feel pressured to dye your hair, nor sport its natural colour. Wear the hair colour that makes you happy, and enjoy it. It might mean dying it on this leg of your style journey, and wearing it naturally on another. Go with what works for you. Change things up when your mood shifts.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Natural or Team Dye? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, there’s a hot caesar salad with grilled salmon, hot crusty bread, spicy Brussel sprouts, and chocolate mousse for those on the bench.

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: Solid Neutrals

Neutrals are versatile, grounding, and widely available. There are warm, cool, light, dark, and mid-tone neutrals, so take your pick. Remix two of many neutrals in one outfit. Remix warm and cool neutrals in an outfit too. Create high or low contrasts with neutrals to suit your mood. 

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Hooded Trench Coat Cape
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Leather Ballerina Flats
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1
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Tide Wide-leg Jeans
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Longline Wool Waistcoat
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Alcove Tote - Leather
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Onto some outfit inspiration. Earth tones like browns, tans, and olives form part of the neutral palette.

1. Olive, Cream and Chocolate

A pair of wide, pleated chocolate pants is paired with a cream tucked knitted top. Brown pointy toe pumps continue the long line of brown. A cropped olive trench coat tops the lot. You could add a solid brown or cream belt, or wear an untucked top with no belt. Cream shoes can work well too. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Olive, Cream and Chocolate

2. Browns, Greys and Black

This outfit combines six neutrals. Two polo collar sweaters in different shades of grey are layered on top of one another. The short sleeved polo sweater is layered under the long sleeved polo sweater. Both are tucked into a skirt in a cool shade of brown. A warm cognac jacket tops the combination. Dark grey socks that match the sweater are worn with taupe pumps. A black belt is worn over the skirt and matches the black bag.

Browns, Greys and Black

3. Browns, Black and White

An untucked white shirt is worn over a pair of wide chocolate trousers at a puddle length. A tailored black waistcoat is layerrd over the pairing. Black loafers match the black waistcoat. A cognac bag complements the brown bottoms.

Browns, Black and White

4. Denim, Navy, Cognac, and Cream

Last, some blue for Team Blue. Jeans are combined with a navy semi-tucked sweater. A tan trench coat creates a high contrast with the blues. A cognac belt and bag add an earthy warm touch. Cream sneakers add a crisp integrity, while their gum soles work with the browns in the outfit. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Denim, Navy, Cognac and Cream

Wardrobe Capsules For Your Life

Wardrobe capsules break up your wardrobe into manageable chunks. There are mix and match capsules, category capsules, colour capsules, travel capsules, occasion capsules, and activity capsules. Items are frequently used across multiple capsules. 

Think in Capsules

When you have a range of capsules that are suited to your needs and preferences, your wardrobe is easier to manage. It is clear how each item plays a role in different outfits, and in the various aspects of your life, creating stylish calm.

Capsules promote mindful shopping. You know how each new item will fit in with the rest. Unnecessary duplication and wardrobe holes are prevented. Storage spaces are de-cluttered and more organized. Outfit creation is faster.