Wide cropped jeans with higher rises have gone from fringe to mainstream in six years. They are a trendier choice than skinnies, but defy the trends when they are sailor styles. Very few clients and friends fancied wide crops when they resurfaced. But things changed after they found a pair that fit, and could style them in a way that worked with their sartorial preferences. Now most of my clientele have one or multiple pairs of wide crop jeans. Never say never when it comes to fashion and style.

Once I convinced clients that they could wear wide crop jeans casually with an UNtucked top and sneakers, AND look streamlined, the silhouette had more appeal. No need to tuck or semi-tuck tops, or wear heels.

The outfits here represent an outfit formula that won over many of my clients. It’s a great look for Spring, transitional weather, or a cool Summer:

Denim Wide Crops + Short Fluid Sweater + Sneakers + Optional Topper

• Wide Crops: Choose a pair in blue, white or black denim.
• Short Fluid Sweater: You’re after a cotton or linen-rich pullover in a fluid fit and shorter length. A shorter length top gives structure to wide bottoms when you’re leaving it untucked by showcasing the hips and lengthening the leg line from the hips upward. A short fluid pullover with a welt works well because you can scrunch it a little shorter.
• Sneakers: Add sneakers that work with the outfit. White sneakers are the default trendy classic, but non-white sneakers with white soles, blush, or metallic sneakers work well too. Wearing non-white sneakers in a colour that is repeated in the top or topper helps pull the outfit together.
• Topper: Choose a short or longer topper for the most flattering proportions. Keeping the topper open creates a line down the front of the outfit that adds effective vertical integrity.

I adore this outfit formula and have been wearing it for a while with the components from my wardrobe in the collection below. The shorter pullovers are left UNtucked and most have a welt. The toppers range in thickness because Spring days can be cold or mild. I almost always add nude-for-you knee-highs for warmth, unless it’s very mild.

Over to you. Does the combination tickle your fancy?

I find light blue extremely versatile, which is why I have a few light blue bags, some tops, light blue denim, and I just committed to a pair of light blue sneakers. Light blue looks fab with neutrals like black, white and grey. It looks great with other shades of blue, earth tones, sour brights, and pastels. It’s extra pretty when you have blue eyes because it makes them sparkle. This is my current collection of light blue wardrobe items, and I’ll happily add more.

Here are some outfits that mix light blue with neutrals for a fresh Spring look. The incorporation of white in the outfits creates an effective crisp touch. I can’t pick a fave, and adore them all.

1. Trendy Tonal Light Blue

Combine a blue and white striped shirt, blouse or top with a pair of light blue jeans, white footwear, and you’re good to go. Here, the flared jeans and big shirt are trendy choices, but by all means choose silhouettes that are classic or more to your taste. The oversized shirt has been semi-tucked for structure, but it could have been left out in an avant-garde way. The low contrast between the three items offsets the horizontal lines that high-contrast items create, which would give them just enough structure sans the hint of waist definition.

2. Spectrum of Blues

Light blue looks great with a range of blues AND white. Here, a dark cobalt top is combined with white bottoms, and a saturated light blue topper. A navy top would work well, or a black top if it’s too much blue. Think jackets if coats aren’t your thing, or too warm for your climate. The black footwear works well with the dark hair of the model. Navy, tan, metallic, light blue or cognac footwear are great substitutes. Summery sandals worn with knitwear and a woolly coat look seasonally confused to my eye, so I vote closed shoes.

3. Light Blue and White with Black Accents

This combination is particularly delicious with the complexion of the model. Create a white column of colour with jeans and shirt. Top it with a light blue pullover, sweatshirt or jacket. Add black shoes and belt, and even better if you have black hair to bookend the shoes. You can leave off the white top layer, and simply pair a light blue top with white jeans and add the black accents. If dark shoes aren’t your thing, add cognac, tan, metallic or white.

4. Light Blue, White and Brown

Light blue and brown was a popular combination in the ’90’s and is looking awfully fresh combined with white for 2020. Find a pair of earthy bottoms like brown, cinnamon, olive or tan, and throw on a white top and light blue topper with it. Finish things off with white footwear which pick up the white of the top, and keep the palette fresh. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

I can’t think of a more ‘90s skirt than the slip skirt. It’s generally midi length, although maxis do exist. It’s knee-covering and bias-cut, which means that the pieces used to make the garment were cut on the diagonal bias of the fabric. In other words, the pattern pieces were not positioned parallel to the straight or cross grains of the fabric, but at a 45 degree angle. Bias-cut garments have an increased elasticity and flexibility, which causes extraordinary drape. It creates stretch without spandex, and swoosh without fabric volume. This means you can easily move and walk fast in a bias-cut skirt. It’s a fabulous way to wear a streamlined style that is not constricting.

Some bias-cut slip skirts have clever inset panels that add even more swoosh, drape and interest. Most are made of soft and somewhat slippery fabric to maximize movement. Most waists are elasticated. They are lightweight and generally suited to mild, warm and hot weather. The collection shows a good assortment.

The bias-cut slip skirt creates a unique type of structure that clings to the body with fluidity. It’s not like spandex that grabs the contour of the body showcasing lumps and bumps. The graceful and subtle flounce of a bias-cut can magically work for opposite body types, thereby creating a curve on a straighter body type, and gently flattening the curve of a rounder body type. The elastic waist is fab for those who like ease on the midsection.

I’m singing the praises of bias-cut skirts because they are that good when they are good. That said, they are awful when the bias-cuts are off. After fitting lots of bias-cut skirts on clients across various sizes and body types, there are three components that dramatically improve the fit and make a difference:

1. Length

Too short bias-cut skirts creep up and do not flounce. You’re after a length that is at least knee-covering, or hits the top part of the calf. That extra bit of length creates weight for garment drape, and to my eye looks more elegant. By all means wear a shorter untucked top with the skirt. No need to tuck or semi-tuck.

2. Room

True bias-cut skirts are pricey to manufacture because the patterns have to be placed on the diagonal, which increases the fabric consumption of the skirt. It’s much more cost-effective to cheat a little and place patterns less than perfectly on the diagonal, which decreases fabric consumption and the cost of the garment. As a result, fits are skimpy and lumpy, thereby creating bulges where you don’t want them. It’s important to find a bias-cut skirt with ROOM so that it drapes, moulds and stretches to the contour of the body, and lies flat.

3. Lining

Most bias-cut skirts look more streamlined and neat when they have lining that is the same length as the skirt. Unlined slip skirts tend to look flimsy and can lack polish and structure. They don’t twist around the body as much with a lining either.

A slip skirt in satin, silk, crepe or a ditsy floral is a fab nod to the ‘90s. I bought one in canary yellow velvet last year and I love it. I dressed it up for a casual Gala, to work with clients, and the holidays. I intend to dress it down with sneakers and a denim jacket when the weather warms up. YES, I will wear velvet in the Spring because why not! It’s an awfully comfortable skirt, and I don’t feel constricted like I do in a pencil skirt. It would be fun to find a Summery slip skirt for hot weather.

Over to you. What’s your take on the ‘90s slip skirt? Yes, no, or maybe.

One of my style goals in 2020 is to update, refresh and replenish wardrobe basics. Bra shopping is the priority and I’m excited about it. I have loved pretty bras since I was a little girl. I vividly remember being in awe of the lacy sets I saw in magazines and shop windows back in the ‘70s, and couldn’t wait to be developed enough to wear them. 

I enjoy wearing and shopping for bras, not just because of how they look, but because they make me feel like I’m caring for my body. It’s therapeutic and nurturing somehow. They provide a hidden yet important touch of polish to an outfit. Most importantly, bras add comfort, modesty and structure to my style, and are extremely practical.

I know my correct bra size and how bras should fit, so I can exploit the assortment and styles available when ordering online. This time around I ordered many pretty bras, just for fun, to change things up from my usual bra style. I wasn’t in any rush, and enjoyed the process of venturing out and maximizing my options. I also ordered from ThirdLove because of all the good things I have heard about their bras and customer experience.

Long story short, nothing fit as well, looked as good on its own and under tops, or was as comfortable as the Simone Perele Caresse Underwire Plunge Bra that I’ve been wearing and replenishing for years. So I replenished my bra capsule with the same bras rather than ending up with something new. It’s the only 30D bra that I’ve tried so far that fits, because it runs small in the band and cups. The straps and cups aren’t widely set, so the straps don’t fall off my narrow shoulders and the cups don’t gape at the sides.

I knew that the likelihood of other styles of 30D bras fitting well was small, because my true bra size is a 28D and is very hard to find. I’ve been to Nordstrom many times to be refitted and to try on their assortments, and its always the same story. All other 30Ds are too big in the band and cups, and a 30C doesn’t work either. 28Ds are not stocked in stores. ThirdLove offers half cup sizes and small band sizes, and I returned and exchanged several sizes and bras with them to see if something would work. Although I liked the look and quality of their bras, and understand why many are devoted to the brand, nothing worked.

I’m not complaining. I adore the Simone Perele Caresse bras I’ve been wearing for years. They couldn’t be a better fit or more comfortable. They are reasonably pretty too. It would be fun to change things up, or get the same bra in some non-neutrals with knickers to match. But I’m grateful to have a perfect solution when others battle to find bras that are comfortable or that they feel good in. I empathize because bras are very hard to fit perfectly and comfortably, and they’re workhorses for most. Bralettes are an option, but not it you prefer the visual impact and support of an underwire bra like I do.

I might continue shopping for bra alternatives later this year, but for now, a bra change is not on the cards. Over to you. Tell us about your most recent bra shopping experience in the comments below.