Many of today’s approaches to building a wardrobe pander to our craving for speedy results and a fast fix. With the oh-so-popular showcasing of outfits through social media channels, the need for instant outfit variation is greater than ever. 

Shopping fast fashion is one way to keep your outfits varied and new at a relatively affordable price. Companies like Stitch Fix will send you a box of preselected items as frequently as desired. Renting occasion wear and designer bags is gaining momentum. You can rent a range of clothing items like you would a set of Netflix movies. Phone apps that allow you to purchase outfits worn by inspiring fashion bloggers at the push of a button are on the rise.

This emphasis on speed and ease is compelling, and I enjoy a fast fashion fix like most people. But when it comes to building a functional wardrobe with longevity, and that makes you feel fabulous, I encourage a different approach: slow down and take your time. Be thoughtful, thorough, discerning, and enjoy the journey. That way, you’re less likely to end up with a wardrobe full of things and nothing to wear. And you will have the satisfaction of building a functional wardrobe from scratch.

The process begins with analyzing the factors that affect your style: your sartorial preferences, body type, need for outfit variety, lifestyle, climate, environment, and budget. Setting annual style goals keeps you focussed. Regular closet edits and reviews identify wardrobe holes, and keep the right inventory in your closet. Creating wardrobe capsules breaks up your wardrobe into manageable chunks and ensures that your items relate to each other so that you can create fabulous, complete outfits. Shopping regularly, but carefully, throughout the season adds excitement to your wardrobe and keeps your style evolving. 

Don’t take it too seriously, learn from your mistakes, laugh a lot, and pat yourself on the back when you get things right.

Of course, you’ll make mistakes, get impatient and frustrated, and want to give up. This might draw you back to the fast fix. But in my 12 years as a fashion consultant I’ve found that you will reap the rewards of slow style if you keep at it. The more thought and effort you put into your wardrobe, the more it will accurately reflect your needs, create an authentic style that is manageable, and make you happy. 

The process gets so much easier and faster over time. Eventually you’ll get to the point where you spend less time on your style and wardrobe because you’ve covered all your bases. You can forget about your outfits because they’re doing their job. And you can get on with everything else that life has to offer while looking and feeling fab.

I liked the colour combination and practical silhouette of this outfit. Black looks great with shades of cinnamon and toffee. The dash of red adds a playful touch. You could pull together a similar look shopping your closet. Feel free to substitute black with dark blue if that’s more to your taste. Use any shade of red.

Create a dressy, smart casual or casual vibe. Here are the components of the ensemble:

Dark Column: Create a black, charcoal or dark blue column of colour as a foundation for the outfit. Use separates or a dress. 

Topper: Choose a cinnamon or toffee topper like a jacket, coat, vest or cardigan and layer it over the column. Choose a plaid topper in the colours of the palette if that’s more to your taste. 

Footwear: Choose black, cream, red or animal print footwear that works with the silhouettes of the outfit.

Accessories: Finish off the look with a red bag and optional red scarf. You’ll retain the red in the outfit with red shoes and/or scarf. Add eyewear and jewellery as desired.

I remember how popular these wide leg and nasty synthetic track pants were back in the ‘70s. Unisex, sporty, and very Adidas. My Dad had a green pair and my brother a blue pair. I wanted a bright red pair with white stripes down the side when I was six or seven years old. Instead I got a blue pair that formed part of my phys-ed capsule for school, and was not impressed.

The Modern Retro track pant has been a fringe trend for five years, and is quite the acquired taste. It’s gaining a bit of momentum with sports brands like Adidas bringing back the look, and mainstream retailers like Anne Taylor incorporating the vibe their own way. 

These athletic pants are beyond body type because they’re baggy with an elastic and drawstring waist, hanging straight without much shape. If you’re curvy on the lower half, you’ll fill them out a little more, but they won’t look structured. Most of the styles are full-length, but some are cropped. Many have studs down the side seams that create interesting slits on the hems.

I think they look too athletic for this leg of my style journey, although I reserve the right to change my mind. I like the idea, and the look on others. I LOVE that they remind me of the ‘70s. I like that they aren’t knitted like joggers and leggings, and have some room. I love them combined with dressy pieces for a Sporty Luxe effect. They look fresh.

Here are three fun ways of styling them with casual and dressy items to create interesting outfit juxtapositions. Choose any colour palette.

LA Casual

Combine retro track pants with a semi-tucked hoodie or tee, denim jacket, and white sneakers. Finish off the look with a structured handbag and some bling.

Relaxed Tuxedo

Combine retro track pants — cropped or full-length — with a graphic tee and dressy blazer like a tuxedo jacket. Finish off the look with dressy flats or heels, and a structured chain strap bag for glitz. Add a bit of bling. Throw the sneakers back into this combination if you like.

Easy Glam

Fashion blogger Veronica from Bittersweet Colours wore retro track pants to perfection fives years ago, the first time we featured her on YLF. She combined them with a relaxed pullover, but the rest of the outfit components were dressy. Formal coat, structured bag, and pretty wedged pumps. A very creative combination and way ahead of the time.

Over to you. What do you think of the modern retro track pant? Will you be wearing the look?

Spring collections are hitting stores fast and furiously. I have to hold myself back, because early Spring shopping is my favourite, and I want everything. Fabrics, patterns and silhouettes look so crisp, light, fresh and pretty after the dark, sombre and heavy of Winter. But like most, I have a budget and need to think carefully about what I add to my wardrobe.

Here are some fab finds that have worked on my clients, myself, or that simply caught my eye.

1. Petite Camisole in Small Sizes

These are fabulous $6 camisoles if you’re petite or wear a small size. The Small fits a size US0. Unfortunately they only go up to a Large, which fits a US8. They fit a short waist and torso really well because the straps adjust the length of the camisole. I’m regular height at 5ft 6, and the Small fits perfectly because I can lengthen the straps. Lots of great colours and 95% cotton.

2. Boden Cassandra Sweater

Boden’s quality is fabulous, and these pullovers are no exception. Silky to the touch and substantial. A fabulous fluid shape with ample structure on the cuffs and around the neckline. The rainbow trim has a Modern Retro look to it. Party at the back, and rainbow fun.

3. Via Spiga Edie Bootie

A beautifully made and very comfortable bootie. Super soft and casually dressy. The colour is a grey-ish cream, and not a crisp white. Works best on a regular or higher volume foot. They were too wide for me, so back they went.

4. Dressy Patterned Crossbody Bags

I haven’t seen these little darlings in person yet, but they look divinely dressy and structured, which is a vibe you can absolutely wear with jeans and sneakers these days. The broader straps are most comfortable, and feel free to pattern mix your outfits till the cows come home.

5. Boden Denim Skirt for Team Tall

Do not try this skirt unless you are tall and can fill it out. I liked it, but it overwhelmed me in width and length. It’s best suited to tall gals with a curvier bottom half. Well made, substantial fabric, and plenty of length. Fun denim washes too.

6. Boden Vanessa Jersey Dress

A knit dress that is lovely to the touch, feeling like silk on the skin. It’s a gorgeous fit when you have a defined waist. But it isn’t clingy on the midsection or hips because the cut glides over your curves with a good amount of drape (quite the genius design). Tailored but not body-con, and fun pockets too. The length works well on most heights because of the tapered hems. In other words, petites go for it and tall gals have length. It almost worked on me, but the neckline swamped my narrow shoulder line. I need a closer fit on the neck to add structure to my shoulders.

7. Boden Richmond Cropped Pants

The fabric of these pants is fabulous, and so much better than what I generally see at chain stores like Banana Republic. Substantial, silky, luxurious and crisp, which spells good quality. The heavier weight of the fabric makes them drape well. The fits work for a range of body types, from curvier to straighter, and they go up to a US18. Plenty of room on the calves. They run long in the rise, which is why they didn’t work for me since I’m regular height but short in the rise.

8. Anine Bing Plaid Blazer

A well-made item with a fun ‘80s vibe. Modern Retro Fabnes for the win. Nice length for taller gals. One of our forum members rocked it last week styling it with jeans, a pullover, and boots. It looks really good buttoned-up.