Outfit Formula: Interesting Layers

If you enjoy creative layers, these outfit ideas might inspire you. Think in terms of the concepts if the colours and patterns are not to your taste. They might spark interesting outfit ideas with what’s in your wardrobe. Some looks are easier to create than others. 

1. Brightly Minimal

A fitted white tee is combined with a pair of black clamdiggers. A cropped and buttoned through red cardigan tops the lot. The white top is worn out to showcase the layered effect of the two tops. The look is completed with black flats and bag that match the model’s hair, and the bottoms. Easy and visually effective.

Brightly Minimal

2. Cosy High Contrast

A pair of cream wide cropped denim culottes is combined with a cosy untucked brown sweater. A teal jacket tops the combination. A black parka with cream lining tops the lot allowing the layers of unexpected colours to peek through. The parka’s cream lining matches the cream bottoms. Dark brown boots with black soles work well with the palette. I see a black or brown bag to complete the look.

Cosy High Contrast

3. Sporty Luxe

A dressy navy pencil skirt is paired with a dressy navy and white colour-blocked blouse. A sporty quilted long vest tops the pairing. It adds shine and sporty integrity to the look. Navy and white sneakers are the second sporty touch. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Sporty Luxe

4. Avant-Garde

Last, a dress is worn over pants with a blazer that tops the lot. The dress and pants, although visually hectic, match in pattern and fabric thereby adding calm to the chaos. They achieve a column of colour of sorts. Puddle length pants like this are a tripping hazard, so please be careful. An oversized pink blazer that perfectly matches the patten is layered over the top. Heeled tan sandals are the shoes of choice. Add accessories as desired.

Avant Garde

You can create the same types of layers in low contrast solids. I helped a client put this look together with a back midi dress, dark blue flared jeans, black boots and bag, and a short tan jacket. She looked awesome and felt fab!

Trend: Berries and Plums for Spring and Summer

I mentioned in my trends post for 2025 that deep, rich reds will be coming through for Spring and Summer, and here they are. Along with all sorts of wines, clarets, cranberries and burgundies, there’s an adjacent spectrum of plum, blueberry, and blackberry too. Team Berries and Plums is happy! 

We tend to see a berry and plum palette in Autumn and Winter collections. It’s unusual for it to make a statement for mild, warm and hot weather dressing. The palette is present in summery cottons, rayons, silks, and linens across summery silhouettes, as well as hot weather items like sandals and swimwear.

Zara
Knit Macramé Cardigan
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Zara
Hooded Jacket
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Zara
Rustic Knit Sweater
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2
Zara
Printed Satin Shirt
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1
Zara
LOOK
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Zara
Basic Knit Mini Skirt
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Loft
Mon Cheri Modern Tee
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Zara
Buckle Mary Janes
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Zara
Strappy Kitten Heels
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Bloomingdale's
Ariadne Top
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Bloomingdale's
Wave Skirt
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I appreciate that fashion is no longer sticking to a prescribed and expected seasonal palette. Non-stereotypical colours are popping up across the seasons encouraging us to wear the colours we enjoy wearing at any time of year. Wear burgundy and brown and Summer, and lime green and white in Winter if that’s your preference. As long as wardrobe items are in seasonally appropriate fabrics and silhouettes, sport any colour at any time of year.

Personally, I don’t wear purples and plums, and there is a smattering of burgundy in my wardrobe. As a year round lover of bright Spring colours, I don’t feel drawn to wear burgundy in the Spring and Summer. I’ll leave this trend to those who rock and enjoy it. Are you one of those people?

Fringe Trend: Twinsets

Twinsets (or sweater sets) have wafted in and out of fashion for decades. The two-piece matching set is an iconic classic that is having a fashion moment, and comes in many variations. They can be solid, patterned, neutral, non-neutral, fitted, fluid, long, short, woolly, cotton-rich, and worn in multiple ways. Their necklines vary too. 

Most twinset components are knitted, and made of the same fabric. In some cases twinsets are knit and woven combinations. In other cases, the patterns and colours of the twinset are the same, but the fabrics are a little different. For example, the pullover component is jersey or mesh, and the cardigan component merino wool. The pullover is short sleeved, sleeveless, or a strappy camisole.The cardigan is short, three-quarter, or long sleeved.

The collection shows examples of twinsets.

Loft
Sheer Open Cardigan
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COS
Merino Wool Tank Top
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Zara
Plain Knit Top
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Bloomingdale's
Lucy Cardigan
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Zara
Rustic Knit Jacket
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Zara
Striped Knit Cardigan
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Zara
Ribbed Knit Cardigan
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Twinsets are versatile because you can make a statement by wearing the set, or remix the items as separates across a range of outfits.

1. As a Set

A twinset that is worn as a layered set is THE way to wear the set. Sport both items at once leaving the buttons un-buttoned to showcase the layers. You can drape the cardigan over your shoulders, or tie it around your neck like a scarf. Take the cardigan off when you’re hot, and pop it back on to keep out the chill.

2. As Separates

The pullover can be worn on its own as a top, or under a jacket. If it’s the shape of a tank, it can be styled as a vest over a shirt or blouse. The cardigan can be worn over another top, worn over a sleeveless dress, or buttoned through and worn as a pullover if the neckline isn’t too low.

I love twinsets, and anything that creates a twinset-effect. Over the years, I’ve had many, many twinsets, most of which were tailored and short. I find them awfully pretty, fun, and comfy to wear. I never separate the set. I wear them together because that’s what I find appealing about concept. The layering is practical and handy too. My most recent multi-coloured twinset bit the dust, and I’ve been waiting for a replacement to find me. The cream horse-inspired one from Ralph Lauren is a contender.

Over to you. What’s your take on twinsets?

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: Track Pants

These outfits might appeal to you if you enjoy wearing wide and comfy track pants, but don’t want to style them with athletic cropped tops and hoodies. They remix sporty track pants with non-athletic casual items and dressier pieces. Choose your own colour palettes if these ones are not to your liking. 

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Casually Earthy

A pair of toffee track pants is paired with a navy and white striped sweater. It matches the navy side stripe of the pants. An olive anorak is worn over the top. It matches the olive side stripe of the pants. White sneakers match the white stripe of the top. An off-white baseball cap complements the palette.

Casually Earthy

2. Relaxed Classic

A cream turtleneck is paired with a pair of navy blue track pants with statement coral side stripe. A classic tan trench coat tops the pairing. Classic tan loafers add a dressy touch and match the trench coat. A classic cream and tan tote perfectly matches the palette of the outfit. Fab juxtaposition of casual and dressy items with iconic classics.

Relaxed Classic

3. Graphic Ease

A pair of black track pants with white side stripe is paired with a white tank. An oversized white shirt tops the lot to look like a jacket. Feel free to leave the shirt un-buttoned. Sleeves are rolled to add structure to the shirt’s volume. Dressy black and white penny loafers are a perfect palette match. Their dressiness works well with the glam chunky gold necklace. I see a gold or brown belt bag or crossbody complete the look.

Graphic Ease

2. Maritime Prep

These track pants with navy side stripes look like denim, and are right on trend. They’re combined with a navy and white striped sweater that complement the stripes of the pants. A roomy and dressy navy blazer with gold and brownl buttons is the third piece. Classic gold loafers with brown soles match the buttons of the blazer. Add jewellery, bag, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Maritime Prep

Joy Per Wear

Fabber Brooklyn made this very astute comment on my post about the wear quotients of wardrobe items:

“Joy per wear is as important as cost per wear. There are plenty of items in my wardrobe that are seldom worn but when I do wear them, wow, the joy is intense.”

I’m in total agreement. Sometimes, fabulous wardrobe items are infrequently worn because they need the right weather, occasion, setting, or mood. They rarely come out to play, which keeps their cost per wear high. Yet they create immense happiness when they are worn a few times a year. The joy per wear of these items is high, which for some is more important than cost per wear. It is for me.

These items from my current wardrobe are worn a few times a year because they require an occasion, or just the right weather. But when I wear them, they make me VERY happy. As Brooklyn says, the joy per wear is intense. I’ll keep them until they wear out.

The next time you want to pass on an infrequently worn wardrobe item and are worried about the cost per wear, consider the joy per wear. If the joy per wear is high, keep it.