Outstanding Outfit Bloggers

Confident and Colourful in St. Louis

Today we’re checking back in with St. Louis-based Psyche Southwell (38) from Economy of Style. Psyche still loves colour and jewellery, and continues to have polished warm-weather dressing down pat. She has changed her hairstyle since we featured her in July 2015, and is now sporting a stylish and sassy super short ‘do. She has embraced the on-trend long cardigan and is rocking bright-coloured pants and jeans.

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The bold patterned silky track pants in different shades of bright green are the star of the show in this relaxed polished outfit. Psyche has paired them with a simple white tank top to let the trousers do all the talking. Tucking the top and sporting nude open-toed heels lengthens the leg line. This type of full-length trouser that is tapered at the ankle and roomy right through the leg in a lightweight material is a great option for warm days. To transition over into early Fall, Psyche has added a waterfall-style gilet in a complementary shade of olive. It adds extra polish and creates vertical integrity. Pastel pink lipstick, tortoise-rimmed specs, a gold necklace and striking oblong earrings finish off the look.

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Our blogger wore this on a +100 degrees-day in Saint Louis. When trying to stay cool, an easy breezy T-shirt dress comes in handy. The above-the-knee length and trapeze style allow for maximum ventilation. Psyche dresses up the look with a pair of refined gold-toned metallic gladiator sandals and a spiky bracelet that makes a statement. A watch and mirrored sunnies in matching metallics further tie the look together. While Psyche’s sassy short ‘do adds stylish spunk to everything she wears.

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Shorts are one of Psyche’s go-tos for busy days about town. Here she’s sporting a pair of above-the-knee stretchy denim shorts with a 1″ cuff. Adding a top with interesting design details is an easy way to transform a casual everyday outfit into something special. This Zara front knot top with off-the-shoulder wearability and banded hem does exactly that. Bonus points for the happy orange colour. The purplish-pink lipstick is an unexpected but fab choice with the orange top. Comfy sandals in a low-contrast colour lengthen the leg line. A stylish perforated tote stores all of Psyche’s daily essentials.

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Psyche has fully embraced the maxi cardigan and snapped up this gorgeous double-faced version in black with heathered camel as soon as she saw it. The straight style looks streamlined and polished worn over a simple white tank and cuffed skinny jeans. Opting for dark wash denim creates a tonal effect and a long lean line. The pointy-toed oxfords in antiqued gold with cut-out detailing is what immediately drew me to this outfit. The sleek style and delightful metallic colour add chic and easy polish. The leather backpack in a rich shade of brown doesn’t match but works well with the rest of the outfit. A dainty necklace, stud earrings, sunnies and bright red lippie are the perfect finishing touches.

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Our blogger looks amazing in her Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress with geometric pattern in punchy red and white. She dresses down the design classic with a sassy denim jacket in a light blue wash that makes the dress’ colours pop even more. Psyche could have gone with a neutral shoe, but instead opted for chunky-heeled sandals in a denim-y blue that works brilliantly with the denim jacket. The suede, braided lace-up straps add subtle textural interest. Oversized hoop earrings, a gold bangle and watch provide shiny polish. The bright orange-red lipstick is a perfect match for the dress.

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Psyche sported this easy, colourful outfit to attend two Summer festivals. White tank tops are a staple in our blogger’s closet, and here she is wearing a high-necked version tucked into jeans. Cuffing the skinny ankle jeans showcases the entirety of her fun and comfy wide-strapped sandals. The bright coral jeans makes the outfit sing. Adding an eye-catching necklace made from different patterned silky scarves adds a delightful arty touch. Her brown leather backpack complements the sandals. Psyche’s trusted mirrored sunnies and hoop earrings come out to play again too. Bright magenta lipstick punches up the happy Summer vibe another notch or two.

Let us know what you think of Psyche’s wonderfully polished and colourful style. And be sure to browse the rest of her outfits over on her blog.

The Ubiquitous Puffer

Puffer jackets, coats and their quilted parka cousins are taking over the outerwear world. They are the most popular form of jacket and coat on the street, and in stores. Worn by women, men, teens and small children across all colours, lengths, silhouettes and weights, they are ubiquitous. 

I divide puffers into two groups. First, the utilitarian “gear” version that is a casual classic. Second, the more trendy darling. Often, you can achieve a trendy puffer look with a utilitarian integrity, which I like best of all. 

Classic

The sporty puffer has been around for decades, padded with down or polyester across an assortment of thicknesses. It’s often made by well-known sports brands like Patagonia, Columbia, The North Face, Canada Goose, Nike, L.L. Bean, Lands’ End, Eddie Bauer and the like. But stores like Uniqlo, Gap, Target and Old Navy have done a good job of providing a less expensive version of the item. Nothing keeps you as warm or dry as a puffer coat or jacket. The colder it is, the heavier, warmer and longer the puffer can be. 

Gap
Long down puffer jacket
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Trendy 

In the last three or four seasons, puffer coats and jackets have become quite the fashionable, ultra-trendy topper. Fashion puffers are cut more dramatically than their classic counterparts. The silhouettes, design details, and fabrics are a little more unique, as seen in the collection below. Even so, they are extremely practical, comfortable, and an often affordable form of outerwear. They are also easy to launder, crease-resistant, and robust. It is for good reason that the fashion industry has incorporated them into all sorts of dress codes and fashion personas. 

H&M
Padded Jacket
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H&M
Padded Jacket With Hood
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H&M
Padded Jacket With Hood
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Zara
Zara Item
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Zara
Zara Item
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Zara
Zara Item
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Zara
Zara Item
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COS
High-neck padded jacket
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Versatile

Classic or trendy, puffer jackets and coats can be worn over just about any outfit. From ultra-casual to dressier looks, these days puffers are 100% acceptable across all dress codes. The photos below do a great job of showing how the short and long puffer can be incorporated into skirt and dress outfits with heeled boots.

Zara Asymmetric Quilted Jacket

Lauren Ralph Lauren Packable Quilted Down Coat

Zara Shiny Down Puffer Jacket

Zara Long Oversized Puffer Coat

Across both classic and trendy puffers, some styles look sportier and more casual than others. Although puffers can’t hope to look as dressy as a wool coat, dressier puffers do exist. Simply choose designer detailing that isn’t as sporty.

For those who think that shorter hip-bone puffers do not make sense, my word, they ABSOLUTELY do, and I wear mine a lot. They are ideal in cold-but-not-arctic weather. They are also travel-friendly, great to drive in, and easy to slip on and off. They come in an assortment of thicknesses, which is key. If you run warm, choose a lightweight short puffer. If you run cold like I do, choose a heavier weight. 

I am not a sporty gal. I never enjoy wearing gear, and prefer dressy looks. That said, I love puffers because they keep me warm. I have four puffers — three long and one short. The exact items are shown in the collection. 

I don’t feel like the Michelin man in my puffers because they are tailored. Fitted at the waist, and structured on the shoulders and sleeves makes all the difference.

I wear the tomato red utilitarian puffer to and from yoga practice, and when I take Sam outside in our garden. I wear the short toffee puffer as a casual jacket. It has an equestrian vibe and glitzy gold hardware, which is why I love it. The two long puffers are worn in the snow and ice, and when temperatures are freezing and below. They are both by Canadian brand Soia & Kyo. Ultra warm, and impeccable quality. They have a dressier integrity and fit like a dream.

I don’t wear the black puffer anymore (I prefer the more recently acquired ink blue), but I’m keeping it as a spare because it’s a beautiful piece. I’m open to getting another short fashion puffer simply because the toffee is a workhorse. I’d like a style with some faux fur, and I’m thinking cream, tomato red or orange. But that can wait until next year. 

Do puffers have a place in your style?

Link Love: New Lipstick for the Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching, it might be fun to experiment with a new lip colour. Lipstick also makes for a fun stocking filler or a colourful gift to treat yourself.

Fab Links from Our Members

Rachylou came across this article explaining how burning discarded clothing from H&M is helping a Swedish power plant replace coal for good.

Angie directs us to Sally’s post in which she astutely reminds us that our bodies cannot be accurately described by numbers.

Ginger lets us know that ModCloth shut down its website on Black Friday and gave its employees the day off. To support the spirit of giving, they are donating a retail value of over $5 million in merchandise to Dress for Success.

Joy thought this post from the Vivienne Files may spark ideas for how to dress up items in your Winter wardrobe in colours that aren’t traditionally associated with holiday festivities.

It is said that after her first staff meeting, Radhika Jones, Vanity Fair’s new editor-in-chief, was criticized by other staff members for her outfit which included a pair of tights covered with foxes. Fashiontern asks: “Was it appropriate for staff members to judge her fashion sense? And, what do you think of the tights?”

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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Out of Context Colour Combinations: Yay or Nay

There are some colours and colour combinations that we wear at a certain time of year, for a sports event, or on a specific public holiday. For example, wearing red and green, or even red on its own, is thought of as Christmassy by many of my clients. Bling and shine is festive for the New Year. Orange and black is great for Halloween. Emerald green is right for St. Patrick’s Day. Red, white and blue is fun for July 4 in the United States. Dutch Orange is good on “King’s Day” in the Netherlands. Navy and lime are dead right when the Seattle Seahawks (our local American football team) plays a game.

Each of these colour combinations is associated with a context. Take them out of the context, and you might feel they are odd or inappropriate.

Personally, I’ll happily wear colour combinations out of context. I wear red year round, and with green. I wear daytime sparkle whenever it tickles my fancy. Orange and black look just fine at any time of year because I didn’t grow up with Halloween. It’s always a good time to wear orange when you’re Dutch, and red, white and blue is a classic nautical combination. 

Here I am wearing red and a little green on Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. How do you feel about out of context colour combinations?

Red on Thanksgiving

Nordstrom: Black Friday Sale

Nordstrom is having a huge Black Friday sale. It started yesterday, and prices go back up on November 27. In some cases, they’re offering an extra 20% off already discounted prices. These are the items that caught my eye. I’ve seen most of them in person. Be sure to browse all the colour options and read the rave reviews.

 

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Nordstrom
J.Crew Lace Pants
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