Today I’m paying tribute to an INCREDIBLE wardrobe piece that is absolutely dripping with quality. Seven years ago when I was into all things Theory, I bought their Gabe Edition 2 Blazer in ink blue as a separate to wear with jeans, trousers and dresses. It’s a Modern Classic topper that’s on the fluid side of tailored, crisp in the extreme, lightweight, and very streamlined. It’s dressy yet relaxed, structured yet soft, professional yet comfortable, and strict yet versatile. The sleeves turn back to showcase contrast pinstriped lining, just for fun.

Over the years I’ve gone through phases of wearing the blue Theory blazer a lot, and not at all. It survived countless wardrobe edits during its dormant phase, because whenever I put it on to assess how I felt in it, my reaction was the same. I cannot let go of a piece that is impeccably made, fits like a dream, looks sharp, has a high longevity factor, and makes me happy.

Now I’m back to wearing the blazer more frequently because it has a dedicated spot in my travel capsule. It’s THE best topper to wear on long flights, and here’s why. I just came back from a trip to South Africa and wore the blazer on four very long flights and during long layovers at the airport. I wore the blazer for 32 hours straight on the way there, and again on the way back. I didn’t take it off at all at airports, on flights, or in the car. I slept, ate, read, watched movies, and hung out in it. It did not crease at all, which is mind-blowing! It repels lint and dirt, and is very robust. It looks every bit as fresh after hectic plane travel as it does straight after a visit to the cleaners. It’s super comfortable, flattering, and makes anything you wear with it look pulled together and dressy. I ran in it when I needed to get somewhere in a hurry, and I felt insulated in air conditioning. If this blazer isn’t the epitome of exceptional quality, fit, drape and fabric, I don’t know what is. I am in awe of this old topper, and will keep it until it falls apart.

Recently when travelling I wore the blazer over a long-sleeved knit top with floral pants, pearls, sneakers, specs and a crossbody. The exact items of my travel outfit are shown in the collection. I was able to launder the top and pants before I wore the exact same outfit to fly back home. The blazer hung in a closet to air out.

All these years later and the blazer is still available in black, grey, navy and burgundy. It’s a retail winner, and for good reason.

We’re kicking off the week with your make-up preferences. You bat for Team Bold Lip if you prefer to accentuate your lips instead of your eyes by wearing bolder lipstick and wearing very light eye make-up (or leaving it off entirely.) You bat for Team Bold Eye if you prefer to accentuate your eyes with mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow, and wear subtle and soft lipstick (or no lippie at all.) Or maybe you enjoy accentuating your eyes AND wearing bolder lipstick and bat for Team Both.

I LOVE wearing mascara and tightlining my lids, and use a bright blue in both beauty products. I have big eyes and long lashes so wearing eye make-up brings out those features. Wearing blue eye make-up makes my eyes look greener. I don’t wear eyeshadow at all. I wore it once to my high school dance in 1987 and that was that. Never again. I have defined arched brows that I shape with brown eyebrow pencil. Adding eyeshadow to the mix feels and looks like too much eye make-up, especially since I wear bright red specs daily.

I LOVE lipstick, but keep it very soft, light, and subtle so that you can barely see it. Half the time I stick to glossy lip balm keeping my lips their natural colour. I used to wear red lippie for formal events at night a couple of times a year but don’t do that anymore either. I bat for Team Bold Eye and leave my lips soft, shiny and almost free of colour.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Bold Lip, Bold Eye, or Both?

Here are some Summer outfits that incorporate a lot of black, yet look light and interesting. The black is broken up a little or a lot (the latter is my visual preference.) If black is not your colour, create a similar vibe with your colours. Or add more black if that’s your thing.

1. Laced & Pretty Black

I think black lace is lovely in just about any wardrobe item in Summer. I adore the sheerness of the lace bomber here because the skin peeks through and adds interest to the pattern. The tight tank top with lace-front neck detailing adds further interest and some cleavage. Add a solid tank if showcasing cleavage is not your thing. Combine the top and topper with shorts, utility pants, jeans, a skirt, or harem pants, and footwear that works with the outfit. The lace bomber is fab over a sheath dress too.

2. Elegant & Sporty Black

I LOVE this outfit and tried to get it, but it’s gone in my size. The sleeved body-con and fairly dressy knit top creates a fun juxtaposition with the sporty stripe and crisp white sneakers. The length and movement of the skirt, structure, and subtle frills on the sleeve are what make the outfit look elegant to my eye. I can see my denim jacket and ballet flats work well here too.

3. Comfy Office Black

Long dressy and tailored knee-covering shorts or culottes are a great way to showcase the lower leg without wearing a dress or skirt. The boxy yet “just tailored enough” shirt creates an architectural vibe. The block heel sandals add a dressy integrity, and pumps could work well too. Add a little bling and you’re done. It’s a DIFFERENT look to wear to the office.

4. Hot-Weather Black

Casual black Summer dresses look fab when they showcase skin like this one by being sleeveless and slit at the sides. The elastic waist adds structure and streamlining, while the gathers are forgiving and casual. The platform Birkies are a fab trendy touch, and glam in the metal that matches the pendant necklace and cuff. The straw hat adds personality and sun protection. A GREAT and versatile look for a hot Summer’s day.

Urban Outfitters is launching a new clothing rental service, which will allow you to rent out items of clothing from across the brands that they own, including Anthropologie and Free People, as well as from over 100 third-party brands.

Hannah Rochell of En Brogue tested out clothing rental company On Loan and shares her thoughts with us plus suggestions for 5 more companies that offer this service.

Vogue asks if 2019 will be the year we all start renting out our own closets.

Fab Links from Our Members

Joy noticed this article about how Eileen Fisher says there are too many clothes in the world.

Fashintern directs us to this TED talk on waste in the fashion industry.

Given the talk of Barneys’ finances, Annagybe thought this floor-by-floor look of the NYC flagship was interesting.

Jenni NZ is disappointed to read that New Zealand landfills are becoming full of unloved clothes as fast fashion grows.

Classically Casual found this article about the Nordstrom family’s plans to try to gain majority control of the retailer again.

kkards was fascinated by this obituary for Florence Merriam Bailey, who was instrumental in developing modern bird watching, and wrote the first field guide of American birds … and it all started because she was disturbed by the fashion of the day — wearing birds (feathers, heads and carcasses) on your hat.