London-based Patricia B. (24) is a full-time blogger who documents her outfits over at Peexo. She is an on-trend dresser who loves all things animal print and has made hoop earrings a signature part of her style.

“I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with my style but through the years I’ve become more in sync with what works for me and what looks good (in my eyes at least!). I would say my style is somewhat girly but with an edge — and pretty casual too, I love jeans and jumpers!”

Earth tones meet soft edge in this cosy Fall look. Patricia is wearing tapered faux leather trousers with an on-trend paper bag waist. Tucking the beige mock neck sweater emphasizes the waist and shows the full details of the tie-waist trousers. Pairing the cropped trousers with black suede booties visually lengthens the leg line, and adds extra textural interest. So does the cosy teddy coat in a shade of rust that is unexpected mixed with the beige sweater. A simple gold necklace and large hoop earrings add subtle bling. The faux leather newsboy cap bookending our blogger’s footwear is the playful finishing touch.

Patricia built this outfit around a black and brown tiger print mesh wrap dress that she bought for an evening out. To dress it down for daytime (and to keep warm), she layered it over a fitted black turtleneck sweater. The black is then repeated in her croc pointy toe booties that add subtle shine. Patricia’s long brown teddy coat works well with the midi length of the dress, and adds another shade of brown into the mix. She accessorized the outfit with a black crossbody, thick gold hoops and an oversized initial necklace that fills the V-neck of the dress perfectly.

Patterns are one of the big trends for Spring/Summer 2019, and Patricia is very much on board:

“I’m looking forward to animal print filtering through to spring/summer this year. It’s one of my favourite trends (even when it isn’t considered a trend) and I always find a way to incorporate it in my style. Whether it be with a pair of shoes, coat or with my accessories.”

A pantsuit in an unexpected colour, like this rust-coloured number, makes a fun statement. The wide-legged pants have an on-trend high rise and sweet tortoiseshell buttons that echo the buttons on the blazer. Patricia casualizes the suit by wearing it with a simple white T tucked into the trousers. This showcases the high waist and lengthens the leg line from the waist up. Ladylike leopard print slingback add dressiness, and echo the tortoiseshell buttons on the suit. Patricia continues that theme with her statement earrings. Dainty necklaces, coral lipstick, and a chain-strap crossbody complete the look.

I had to smile when I read Patricia’s honest account of “what not to wear skiing.” While her cute outfit didn’t quite cut it for a visit to a Scottish ski resort — despite layering with warm thermals — it would work nicely for a cold day in London. She’s wearing black faux leather leggings with a grey cashmere turtleneck sweater. The waterproof Sorel boots keep our 5’9 blogger’s feet dry, while the olive adds a subtle colour kick. The wave-effect faux fur coat has a collarless design which gives more room to layer with turtlenecks and scarves. The white, grey, black and tan colour palette is eye-catching, and works well with Patricia’s neutral-coloured scarf. Her tan gloves match the tan in the coat perfectly. The bright cable-knit beanie with oversized pom-pom is the cheerful finishing touch.

Boiler suits are big for Spring 2019. Patricia choose a streamlined cord one that creates a texture-rich effect. The rich navy looks beautiful with our blogger’s brown hair, and details like the built-in belt add visual interest. Patterned footwear is an easy and effective way to jazz up any outfit. Here, Patricia has rolled the hems of the tomboy-esque boiler suit to showcase a pair of kicky leopard print block-heeled booties. The resin ring handles on her bucket bag complement the brown footwear. Patricia adds a pair of trademark hoop earrings, and red lipstick, and is good to go.

I love the “positive-negative” effect of Patricia’s elegant two-piece dress. She’s wearing a Dalmatian print blouse with white background that is playfully matchy-matchy yet not the same as the Dalmation print skirt with dark background. Tucking the blouse streamlines the look, and shows the flirtly flounce of the midi skirt to the fullest. Our blogger’s black croc booties make their second appearance, adding soft edge to the ladylike outfit. The black satchel works well with the elegant vibe of the outfit, so does Patricia’s pulled back hair. Her brown maxi coat subtly introduces a third colour into the mix. Patricia finishes off the look with go-to gold hoops and signature red lippie.

Let us know what you think of Patricia’s wonderful style in the comments, and be sure to check out the rest of her lovely outfits on her blog.

The waist measurement we’re talking about is the length of your upper torso, not the circumference of the narrowest part of your midsection. It’s a vertical measurement, and not a horizontal one. It’s what we’re referring to when we talk about being short, regular or long-waisted.

Here’s a simple definition of rise and waist measurements:

• Rise is the distance from your crotch point to your natural waist
• Waist is the distance from your shoulder neck intersection to your natural waist

It’s easy to figure out if you’re short or long in the waist. Stand up straight (don’t sit!) and see if you can fit two hand widths between the under bust and the natural waist. If you can fit more than two hand widths, you have a long waist. Less than two is a short waist.

People who are short in the waist tend to prefer wearing mid and low rise bottoms with tucked, semi-tucked or untucked tops because it visually lengthens the upper torso, and feels more comfortable on the midsection. In other words, the waistband of the bottoms is far enough away from their bra strap. They tend to avoid exposing the waistline of high-rise bottoms because it visually shortens an already short waist.

While this is true, it’s not so black and white. You might be short in the waist, but regular or long in rise measurement. When that’s the case, wearing exposed high-rise bottoms — with a tucked, semi-tucked or cropped top — will look relatively in proportion with a short waist, especially with a smaller bust. If you’re larger in the bust, longer in the rise, and short in the waist, you can wear exposed high rises without looking too short-waisted if you add a top that has lower neckline like a V-neck or scoop neck into the mix. The lower and open neckline will lengthen the neck and upper torso thereby offsetting a short waist.

Wearing exposed high-rise pants or jeans when you’re short in the rise AND waist, AND have a larger bust is the trickiest because you’ll feel square and squat unless you’re very tall. It’s easiest to stick to mid rises, lower necklines, and wearing tops untucked with this body type, especially when you’re petite. That said, a mid-rise can be your high rise, and exposing it the same way you would high-rise jeans and pants can work when you wear a semi-tucked fluid top with a lower neckline.

Of course, none of these visual proportions matter if you wear high-rise pants and jeans with an untucked regular top because you’re covering the length of the waist, rise and torso. Many of my short-waisted clients — some with short rises — are enjoying the high-rise bottoms trend because it girdles the midsection, and they can wear untucked tops if they want to.

It sounds complicated, but it’s a simple visual illusion that can be manipulated to your advantage if you want to wear exposed high-rise bottoms with a shorter waist. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section if you’re unsure.

The slip dress in all sorts of lengths and patterns is about as ‘90s as it gets, especially if you wear it with black combat boots or white sneakers. It’s a fitted sheath or roomier A-line silhouette with spaghetti straps. The waist can be defined or surrendered. It’s usually made of soft, breezy and dainty warm weather fabric. It can be bias-cut. 

The slip dress is worn on its own, or with a topper like a jacket, cardigan or vest. Or you can layer a tee or turtleneck underneath the dress for coverage, warmth and interest. The tee or T-neck layer is usually black or white, but you can choose any colour.

The pinafore is a ‘90s look that was borrowed from the ‘70s. My Winter school uniform in the ‘70s was a woolly grey pinafore worn over a white shirt with bobby socks and blazer to match. The pinafore is a dungaree in the form of a dress. The silhouettes are usually A-line. They’re almost always worn with a tee, turtleneck, blouse or shirt layered underneath.

This collection shows a range of slip dresses and pinafores with an underlayer.

Topshop

PETITE Daisy Cowl Slip Dress

View Info

Top Pick

2

Topshop

Check Denim Midi Dress

View Info

Top Pick

2

& Other Stories

Midi Slip Dress - Rust - Midi dresses - & Other Stories

View Info

Top Pick

2

Mango

Black Denim Pinafore Dress

View Info

Top Pick

2

Topshop

Corduroy Midi Pinafore Dress

View Info

Top Pick

7

Topshop

Midi Pinafore Slip Dress

View Info

Top Pick

5

ASOS

Cheap Monday rite logo cami dress with recycled polyester

View Info

Top Pick

2

ASOS

Stradivarius satin lace detail cami dress

View Info

Top Pick

2

ASOS

GLAMOROUS midaxi slip dress in polka dot

View Info

Top Pick

3

ASOS

Midi Cami Slip Dress

View Info

Top Pick

2

Aritzia

Wilfred Free vivienne dress V-neck, tank dress

View Info

Top Pick

1

Topshop

Leather Midi Pinafore Dress

View Info

Top Pick

1

Topshop

Paisley Satin Slip Dress

View Info

Top Pick

3

Topshop

Midi Pinafore Slip Dress

View Info

Top Pick

1

I wore pinafores with T-necks in the ‘70s, and midi slip dresses with tees in the early ‘90s. I haven’t worn them since, although I’m open to it in 2019. I particularly like the ‘70s midi pinafore worn with a turtleneck and boots, and could do that for Autumn later in the year. I could do the Summery slip dress with a layer like a very fine gauge ribbed pullover since I don’t wear T-shirts. I’d layer something like Banana Republic’s Fitted Stretch Cotton Crew Neck Sweater under the dress because it looks dressier than a tee made of jersey knit:

Banana Republic

Fitted Stretch-Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

7

Banana Republic

Fitted Stretch-Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

12

Banana Republic

Fitted Stretch-Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

20

Banana Republic

Rib-Knit Crew-Neck Sweater Top

View Info

Top Pick

15

I like the coverage and textural interest of the slip dress & tee combination, and its relaxed vibe. I like the ‘70s and dressier version of the pinafore with T-neck. I’m a solid Yay. And you?

When a moto jacket is shorter in length and fairly fitted, the proportions work particularly well with dresses and skirts because it adds structure and lengthens the leg line. Remember that moto jackets needn’t be leather, black, or trimmed with lots of hardware. They can be faux leather, Ponte, knitted, woven and lined, any neutral or non-neutral, and quite void of hardware.

These outfits showcase hard-edged black moto jackets with skirts and dresses. If that’s not your thing, substitute the look with YOUR type of moto.

1. Hard-Edged Pastel

I like how the black moto and flat combat boots toughen the soft and pretty pastel midi. Fabulous juxtaposition. The white tee and bag create a nice complement. The bookended black creates a pulled together and cohesive visual. The shorter length of the jacket lengthens the leg line, which makes the length of the midi flattering. Heeled boots or pumps can work, but it’s nice to see a flat option for those who don’t wear heels. Personally, I enjoy black worn with pastels, although it might not be your cup of tea. I like light blue and blush best with black. Feel free to add sheer black hosiery.

2. Hard-Edged Flounce

Combine a black tee with a flouncy skirt and top it off with a moto. There’s a lot of black in this outfit, which creates a cohesive statement, but feel free to create any colour palette. Finish off the look with a style of shoe that works with the proportions of the outfit. I like the sneakers, and the way they complement the body bag. The white accents add a crisp and soft touch.

3. Hard-Edged Ditsy

Combine a solid or patterned prairie dress or two-piece dress with a moto and tall sleek boots. Here, the tall boots are high-heeled, but they can be low-heeled or flat, as long as they’re tailored. Throw in a bag that works with the outfit.

4. Hard-Edged Asymmetry

Combine a layering top with an asymmetrical skirt and top it off with a moto. Add tall tailored boots or booties. Heeled sock booties are a great idea. Again, the repetition of the black in the outfit pulls the look together, but you can choose any colour to repeat. Add nude-for-you or black hosiery. Add jewellery, eyewear, watch, scarf and headgear as desired.