Outfit Formula: Extra Length

We’re seeing extremely long lengths come through across a range of items, and the silhouettes are gaining momentum. In some cases extra length is practical for warmth, insulation and coverage. It can also look luxurious and dramatic. In other cases extra length is impractical, visually ill-fitting, and gets in the way of life. 

The outfits here showcase longer length items in on-trend, interesting, and fashion forward outfits. Some looks are easier to wear than others.

1. Maxi Coat

This is an easy to wear, practical and effective combination. On trend cuffed jeans are combined with an un-tucked chartreuse sweater. A black maxi faux leather coat tops the lot. Black boots match the coat and bookend the model’s hair. A mismatched on trend chocolate crossbody is the fab finishing touch. Love the big gold hoop earrings too. AWESOME outfit formula.

Maxi Coat

2. Maxi Skirt

A pattered black, navy and cream maxi tiered skirt is combined with an on trend oversized black and cream sweater. It’s semi-tucked to showcase some waist definition. A complement of black boots, belt, and bag are the finishing touches, along with a few long layered necklaces.

Maxi Skirt

3. Maxi Sleeveless Cardigan

A big white tee is tucked into a pair of on trend grey full length relaxed straight leg jeans. A dramatic oversized pearl grey maxi sleeveless cardigan drapes over the pairing. Trendy flat sliver Mary Janes are the on trend and pretty shoes of choice. Add a bag that works with the palette. An earthy brown bag that matches the model’s hair would be my suggestion.

Maxi Sleeveless Cardigan

4. Floor Sweepers

These outfits show wide pants and some jeans at extra long and dramatic fashion forward floor sweeping lengths. The break lines are big and make the pants slouch. These lengths can be a tripping hazard, so be careful if you like the vibe. Wearing this length a little shorter so that the back hems skim the surface of the ground instead of sweep the ground is another way to go. There’s plenty of break line and extra length that way too, and as visually effective.

TIP: extra long length pants and jeans that are roomy or relaxed with tapered hems are easier to wear with boots that have a one inch heel or higher. That’s because the hem scrunch rests on the vamp of the foot instead of accumulating on the floor.

5. Tunic and Skirt

Last, a cream and black long length sweater in worn as a tunic over an A-line skirt in a similar and almost matching pattern. A belt bag is added to the waist for structure, although you could leave off the belt. A relaxed and boxy toffee coat tops the outfit. On trend dressy gold sandals worn with sheer black hosiery complete the look. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear to match.

Tunic and Skirt

The Importance of a Shopping List

Spontaneous shopping is fab and exciting, but it’s important to complement the fun with a seasonal shopping list to ensure your purchases are focused and aligned with your needs. Keep the list in your head or write it down. Tick things off as you go. 

Create A Shopping List

Prioritize the items on your list if you can’t get them all at once. Get must-haves and items that satisfy a desperate need first. Get items that will have a big impact on the effectiveness of your wardrobe next. Items that you can live without are not a priority.

Make a section in your list for the items that you’re not allowed to purchase for a while. Prevent unnecessary duplications. And avoid a closet full of stuff with nothing to wear. That way you can focus on what you need, and not just what you enjoy buying.

Chocolate Brown as a Neutral

Along with grey, chocolate brown is trending. We haven’t seen dark brown get a mainstream fashion moment for years. Now it’s everywhere. In underwear, sleepwear, workout wear, loungewear, swimwear, athletic wear, and accessories too. There are warm milk chocolates and cool darker chocolates. There are chocolates that are almost black. If dark brown wardrobe items are your thing, stock up with your favourites.

Everlane
The Havana Boot
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3
Everlane
The Puffa Boot
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2
Everlane
The Puffer Bomber
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3
Everlane
The Banana Boot
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Everlane
The Glove Boot
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1

Chocolate Items

Chocolate can be the dominant neutral, or one of the neutrals in your wardrobe. It’s grounding, earthy, versatile, and rich. Chocolate can replace navy, charcoal, and black as the dark neutral of your style. Or it can comfortably live alongside those neutrals so you don’t need to choose.

Chocolate items can be dressy or casual. Dark brown can work well as wardrobe essentials and wardrobe workhorses. Chocolate footwear can bookend dark brown hair. Wear chocolate brown as bottoms, accessories, or footwear if you want the colour away from your face. Dark brown is great in patterns too.

Remixing Chocolate

The right chocolate can work well remixed with any colour. Chocolates look great with pastels, jewel tones, brights, and are especially smashing with other earth tones. Chocolate is fab with black, navy, and grey too. It’s pretty with whites and creams, and makes a statement worn as a column of colour. A dark brown complement of bag, shoes and belt is a rich addition to an outfit, and tends to look less severe and dark than black.

I wore a chocolate school uniform for years, which almost put me off dark brown for life. It has taken decades to recover. I started wearing chocolate last year because it works with my natural hair colour and complexion – and because I’ve recovered. But it has to be textured or patterned in some way – not solid dark brown – in order for me to feel good in it. I found a gorgeous brown suit in a subtle herringbone and have two patterned mesh tops to match. I wear the mesh tops with tans, ecru, whites, reds, and blue jeans too. I also have a great brown patterned belt and bag strap. The exact chocolate items are shown in the collection. I crisp and brighten dark brown outfits with cream or gold belt, bag, and shoes.

I’m not in the mood for more dark brown, but chocolate in patterns is fine. A pair of chocolate plaid pants is very welcome. And so is eating milk chocolate, although white chocolate is my favourite.

Over to you. Do you wear chocolate, and are you excited about its availability as a fashion colour?

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: Very Berry and Plum

If you enjoy wearing deep, dark and rich reds, pinks and purples, you bat for Team Berry and Plum. Wear berry and plum solids and patterns in clothing, footwear, and accessories. Make it signature to your style, or stick to smaller doses. Take your pick. 

Hobbs
Whetherby Scarf
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2
Hobbs
Catherine Scarf
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Hobbs
Ashley Top
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Everlane
The Drapey Blazer
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1
Hobbs
Mimi Silk Blouse
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2
Hobbs
Adalee Trench
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4
Hobbs
Cristie Wool Coat
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Boden
Hamilton Velvet Coat
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2
Boden
Crew Neck Ponte Dress
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5
Zara
Chunky Knit Cardigan
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2
Ann Taylor
Geo Tie Neck Top
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7

Onto four outfits inspired by the palette.

1. Fluidly Patterned

A shiny burgundy A-line maxi skirt is combined wth a fluid berry-toned floral blouse. It’s half-tucked to showcase the waist of the skirt. The sleeves are scrunched to showcase forearm skin and create some structure. Knee-high boots look great with skirts, but feel free to wear a much lower heel. Black belt and bag complement the black boots and pick up the black in the pattern.

Fluidly Patterned

2. Column of Colour

A flared faux leather tiered midi skirt in a brown shade of burgundy is combined with a fluid burgundy shirt to create a tonal column of colour. The boxy shirt is worn out over the skirt. It’s buttoned to the top with the collar popped. Black heeled mules are the choice of shoe, although I’d have preferred to see dark brown. A burgundy bag accentuates the column of colour.

Column of Colour

3. Burgundy and Black

Wearing a black OR navy, column of colour under a burgundy or eggplant topper is an easy way to wear berries and plums. Here a pair of wide black leather pants is combined with a sleek black turtleneck. A textured berry blazer with black buttons tops the lot. Black shoes match the black in the outfit and and the model’s hair. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Burgundy and Black

4. Vibrant Co-ord

Last, a matching patterned and flowing silk blouse and pants set in berries and plums creates a punchy and elegant look. The boxiness of both items is current and comfortable. The top is worn out and buttoned to the top. Dressy sandals and statement earrings are the glam finishing touches. Add bag, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Vibrant Co-ord

Trend: Classic Animal Print

Animal patterned everything is having a big fashion moment. We see animal prints every season, but not quite to this extent. The animal prints are generally classic leopard, cheetah, and tiger in browns and black. There’s a sprinkling of snake skin, and cat prints in colours other than browns and blacks. But for the most part, the trend is about the classic cat print. 

Think of any wardrobe item in animal print, including sleepwear, loungewear, underwear, and workout wear. Some prints are warm-toned and some cool-toned. Some have bits of cream in them too. Some prints are more abstract than others.

Mango
Leopard Print Blouse
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Boden
Pointed Loafers
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Zara
Flowy Wrap Top
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Zara
Animal Print Sash Belt
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Zara
Telescoping Umbrella
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Mango
Leopard Print Cap
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H&M
Flared Skirt
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J.Crew
Printed silk scarf
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Wear one or multiple cat prints in one outfit. How much is too much animal print? The only guide is your own tolerance for the look. The “mob wifeaesthetic is alive and well, so milk it if you love animal print. If animal print clothing is too much of a commitment, opt for footwear and accessories is small doses.

Animal print adds something punchy to an outfit as a belt and shoe complement. Animal print can match the colours in your hair, eyes, and skin tone. It works well with neutrals, blue denim, earth tones, and reds. Animal print remixes successfully with other patterns too.

Animal print can be part of your signature style, something you wear from time to time, or not at all. Personally, I’m moody with animal print. Some seasons I’ll wear it in very small doses, and some seasons not at all. Since I don’t wear black, it’s hard to find an animal print without it. I prefer warm-toned animal prints with cream in the design, and preferably no black. Tall order, but they do exist.

I’m not champing at the bit to add animal print to my wardrobe, although I like it on others. For some clients, animal print is their favourite pattern, and they’re delighted about this trend. How about you?