This is the last outfit formula for Summer 2018. From next week onward, Fridays are all about Fall and Winter fashion and style.

It’s cooled down considerably in Seattle making it easy to wear white jeans at this time of year. That said, white jeans are also great in hot Summers if you’re in air-conditioned casual offices or restaurants. Or if it cools down at night. 

White jeans are dressier than blue jeans if they aren’t distressed. That makes them more versatile for the office, work, occasions, and casual Fridays. Here are four neutral options to get you started.

1. Blazer & Closed Toes

This is an easy look to achieve, and one that makes you feel instantly pulled together because structured blazers are magical that way. Combine white jeans with a layering top like a tee, and finish off the look with a blazer and dressy closed-toe flats. You can tuck, semi-tuck or leave the top untucked. The model’s shoes effectively bookend her hair which creates outfit cohesion. The blazer and shoes create a high contrast, but feel free to create a low contrast. The low contrast of the tee and jeans create an effective column of colour, which tempers the leg shortening aspects of the outfit.

2. Blouse & Sandals

This is the most casual look of the four. Combine a pretty boho-lite or another type of soft and fluid blouse with white jeans, and finish off the look with flat or heeled sandals. A semi-tuck adds an effective amount of structure to the look, but is not essential. The low contrast between the outfit components creates the same lengthening effect had the top been worn out.

3. Maximal Top & Dressy Boots

Combine a dressy and maximal top with white jeans and dressy boots. I like how the silver boots elevate the outfit by adding polish and shine. Dressy lower heels and flats in the same futuristic silver can achieve a similar vibe.

4. Earthy Accents

And last, a bonus transition into Autumn. Combine white jeans with a black or navy top, and finish off the look with an earthy topper and animal print footwear. Cognac footwear and bag will work as well as animal print. Wear an animal print top instead of shoes, or wear an animal print top AND animal print shoes.

White jeans are one of my favourite wardrobe items. I tend to wear them in Summer with an assortment of blues and sour brights instead of black, white and grey. Now that I have cognac, chocolate and toffee footwear with matching belts, I will wear white jeans with earthy accents for Fall and Winter.

Here’s a look at some of the Autumn 2018 trends that are starting to pop up online and in Fall editions of the big fashion magazines.

• From two-toned jeans to animal print denim, here are 7 denim trends to keep an eye out for.
• Quilting is being incorporated into all kinds of garments.
• Stylish windbreakers and leather with a difference are two of the jacket trends PopSugar thinks we’ll be seeing everywhere.
• When it comes to coats, they see high-gloss outerwear, and pink and red toppers in our future.
• White boots and pleated skirts are on The Guardian’s fashion radar for Fall 2018.

Fab Links from Our Members

Pil wanted to share this article about personal stylists training bots to be personal stylists.

As a person who loves colour and rounded lines, The Cat loved reading this blog post.

This quick blurb in a Canadian magazine, praising the new Nordstrom campaign, makes L’Abeille want to watch the video, and consider online Nordies shopping even more.

Joy enjoyed browsing these Copenhagen street style photos and people sporting eye-catching checks.

Vildy finds this article about how to dress like an architect interesting because “what I enjoy the most is paring away details to achieve less ‘talkiness’ in my outfits, and this is the other extreme to what I do as it’s all about the details, everything talking at once.”

Kyle admires this woman’s creativity and talent as a seamstress.

Joyce B lets us know that Madewell has a jeans recycling programme where they turn the items into housing insulation for communities in need. You can drop off any brand and any jeans or denim items.

Madonna’s style has always been provocative and interesting. Sal is sure many of us are influenced by at least one of her iconic looks.

Cindysmith recently had to start wearing wider width shoes: “It’s been an interesting journey since so many comfort lines are not necessarily really pretty shoes. I love that women are trying to make pretty shoes that are comfortable.”

You’re on Team Skirt if you prefer to wear skirts over pants. You’re on Team Pants if you prefer to wear pants over skirts. IMPORTANT: For the purpose of this poll, pants do NOT include jeans, but they do include casual pants like joggers, chinos, jeggings, utility pants and any style of dressier pant. All seasons and all silhouettes of skirt count.

My clientele are an even split. Generally, those who prefer to wear skirts do so because they find skirts easier to fit than pants, especially when they’re curvier in the thighs, bottom and hips. They feel more alluring, dressy, sharp, powerful, comfortable and feminine in a skirt. It’s breezy and practical in Summer. Skirts can be more fun than pants because of swooshing movement and the ability to showcase great gams. Skirts are Modern Retro and fabulous.

Those who prefer pants generally find them more comfortable to wear in colder weather and arctic Summer A/C. They are versatile, insulating and practical because you don’t need to worry about hosiery, heels, indecent exposure, dainty footwear, and the wind. They are easier to style than most skirts and create a naturally long lean line when they aren’t cropped. Pants are Modern and fabulous.

I like skirts and thoroughly enjoy wearing the few I have. I don’t find skirts with movement fussy and I like to wear hosiery. That said, I am firmly on Team Pants. I am always looking for fun new pant silhouettes to wear in cold weather — especially in patterns and brights. I get very bored of blue jeans and don’t wear leggings or athleisure. I love wearing pants for their practical reasons, and find them an easy match with the type of footwear that suits my feet and lifestyle.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Skirt or Team Pants (remember: no jeans)? Tell us why. No batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, feel free to hang out on the bench where I’m serving ahi tuna with wasabi dressing and seaweed salad. Leonidas chocolate for dessert.

Today we’re checking back in with Germany-based Annette Hoeldrich (55) of Lady of Style, who we first featured in 2015. She continues to rock Modern Classic outfits, and likes to wear on-trend items her way. She’s not afraid of playing with colour, enjoys sporting florals, and is a big fan of remixing favourite wardrobe items.

“When I started blogging in 2013, my style was elegant and ‘ladylike’ – an attribution I now shy away from but rather go for a contemporary, clean chic. I am a lot more open and adventurous and incorporate trends when they match my personal style. Seeing something on Instagram over and over again, doesn’t mean, I need to have it and I am happy to skip a trend if it is not ‘me’… For me it is important I can restyle my clothes for different occasions and seasons and I tend to wear my clothes for several years but always add a fresh touch. I really love a style mix for that reason!”

Annette is wearing cropped kick flare jeans with a simple black tee. She cut off a pair or full-length flares because they weren’t practical for Winter weather in Germany. Adding the striking velvet blazer as a third piece adds glam. The wine red looks beautiful with navy and black, and the longer length is completely on-trend again. Navy suede  booties with block heel and metallic accent lengthen the leg line. They also echo the blazer’s velvet material for a texture-rich look. Our blogger’s black leather floral brooch matches the charming flower tassels on her burgundy bucket bag. An oversized silver pendant, large hoop earrings, and coral red lippie finish off this casual polished look.

Brown is making a comeback, and seeing it in a Spring outfit feels extra fresh. Pairing the brown with off-white and black looks sophisticated. Annette is wearing dressy high-waisted culottes with eye-catching white contrast stitching. Tucking the black top lengthens the leg line from the hips up, while the suede pointy-toe pumps in a matching brown create outfit cohesion. Adding a light-weight off-white coat with dramatic feather print picks up the colours in the rest of the outfit and amps up the chic factor. Annette finishes things off with a structured cream bag, statement earrings and polished make-up.

Annette has Modern Classic style down pat, and enjoys adding her personal touch with interesting details and fun colour. Here she’s wearing a just-below-the-knee pencil skirt in a peppy tomato red with playful ruffle panel. She’s paired it with a classic white button-down shirt with knot detailing that accentuates the waistline and creates structure. Neutral footwear and bag, like Annette’s flax open-toed slingback flats with floral accent and Summery straw bag complement the outfit nicely. The floral print bandana tied around the bag picks up the red in the skirt. Wide silver cuff bracelets and our blogger’s go-to hoop earrings add subtle bling.

There’s nothing like a bright-coloured coat to liven up a cold or dreary Winter day. Annette prefers wearing bright colours with neutrals like black or navy, so her navy booties and jeans from outfit one are making their second appearance. This time, she’s paired them with a round-neck navy blouse with dramatic tie-sleeve detailing. Together with the dark wash jeans, they create a flattering column of colour. Plus the navy looks stunning against the raspberry pink bouclé coat, which creates fab textural interest. The navy theme continues with Annette’s scarf and the floral part of her amazing bag that also features animal print in two different colourways. A statement piece for sure! 

White and florals are fab for a night on the town in London. Annette’s breezy blouse with oversized floral print is perfect for a balmy Summer evening. The open neckline with smocked detailing and tassel tie closure works well on a smaller bust. Sporting the blouse with crisp, relaxed-fit white trousers dresses up the look. The cuff on the trousers showcases her silver grey sandals that add a touch of soft edge. The small suede crossbody bag in melon matches the red in Annette’s blouse perfectly. Dangly pearl earrings, a slim cuff bracelet with pearl accents, and neutral pink lipstick complete this Summer look.

A deluxe Asian-inspired look in a gorgeous colour palette with tons of visual interest. Dusty rose is a colour we don’t see all that often, and it’s used even less often for bottoms. That’s why I immediately noticed Annette’s elegant cropped pants. Their satin-y finishes matches the satin material of her floral-patterned V-neck top. The pale icy blue-grey background of the top looks stellar with the pink and burgundy colour palette of the rest of the outfit. Our blogger chose a dark burgundy maxi cardigan as a topper. The velour finish provides cosy textural interest that creates an interesting juxtaposition against the chic silky materials. Burgundy block-heeled sandals add further subtle sheen. The burgundy bucket bag with fun floral tassels isn’t a perfect match with the cardigan, but complements the colour palette beautifully and adds extra outfit depth. A triple strand of beads in a light taupe, and soft pink lipstick complement the outfit marvelously.

Let us know what you think of Annette’s relatable and polished Modern Classic style in the comments. And be sure to hop on over to Lady of Style to browse the rest of her lovely outfits (there’s a translation plugin available at the top right of each post if you want to find out more about each look).