Keep Your Tall Boots

Knee-high boots have been quite the topic of conversation among my clients this season. Many of them have an assortment of flat, heeled, casual and dressy styles that have been collecting dust for several seasons while booties have been all the rage. 

Booties are trendy and versatile. They work well with on trend cropped jeans and pants. They are much easier to fit than tall boots. They are easier to pull on and take off, and usually more comfortable to wear. And they are less insulating and perfect for a milder climate.

But when my clients start to talk about passing on their knee-high and over-the-knee boots, I am quick to say KEEP THEM. Assuming they are comfortable, in good condition, fit well around the ankle and calf, look flattering, and don’t look dated, there are four good reasons to do so.

  1. They were hard to find because the fit is very tricky to get right. Keep the needle we found in the haystack!
  2. They’re very practical for a wet and cold Seattle climate. Although we’ve had three mild Winters in a row — it probably won’t last. 
  3. One day you’re going to wake up in the dead of Winter and feel like a change from short boots. All you will need to do is shop your closet for another option. Easy. 
  4. And you’ll have the goods when they are back on trend. 

I have five pairs of tall boots that aren’t going anywhere despite infrequent wear. I wear the rugged chocolate mid-calf biker boots the most because of Winter dog walking. The cream go-go boots are bashed up and almost unwearable, but I like looking at them. My classic black riding boots are still going strong, and come out from time to time. My cognac riding boots come out a few times a season too. And my slouchy stone boots look off-trend at the moment, but they’re unique, extremely comfortable, and a sentimental purchase from Italy, so I’m keeping them too.

A Great Topper for Sleeveless Dresses

I was with a tall size US10 client last week, shopping for semi-casual holiday outfits for a slew of upcoming events. We were looking at pairing sleeveless dresses with a very comfortable and interesting top layer. The idea was that my client would keep the topper layered over the dress as part of the outfit. The layer had to be less formal than a jacket, but not quite as casual as a cardigan. And preferably not in a dull flat black. 

Zara
Suede-effect Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
15

We actually found the topper BEFORE the sleeveless dresses, so sometimes putting the cart before the horse can work. Zara’s longer length suede-effect jacket ticked all the boxes. The jacket is as soft and cosy as a cardigan, tailored and roomy in all the right places, and the length works well over an assortment of dress silhouettes. It’s spunky, flattering, and a little iridescent. It’s also sufficiently lightweight to layer under a coat. It goes up to an XXL and runs true to size. My client fit a Large perfectly. Although my client is tall, the topper works just as well on shorter body types.

We went back to Nordstrom and tried on a slew of dresses that worked with the topper, and here are the winners. The lengths were surprisingly good (all a little longer than what you see in the pictures).

Add sheer black hosiery, closed silver footwear, a silver clutch, an old pair of cream go-go boots, and a little bling around the neck, and my client is casually festive AND comfortable for her upcoming events. 

Ensemble: Statement Leopard Bag

This ensemble was inspired by a stylish lady I saw waiting at the bus stop last week. She combined a white untucked shirt with a pair of streamlined black culottes and booties, and layered a grey maxi cardigan and statement leopard bag over the lot. I loved the harmony of the warm and cool tones in one outfit — a combination that looks good on just about anyone. Those who prefer to wear cool-toned colours can absolutely wear a warm leopard bag as an accessory. 

The outfit on the left approximates the outfit I saw in person, while the other is a flared skirt rendition. Both reflect new, on trend outfit proportions.

Black Culottes, Grey Topper & Leopard Bag 

Combine black culottes with a white untucked shirt that’s not too long (to keep the leg line of the culottes long upward from the hips). Layer a grey maxi cardigan over the top and keep it open. Complete the outfit with statement bag and black booties or taller boots. If white shirts are not your thing, haul out a black pullover, tee or blouse instead to create a column of black under the grey cardigan. 

Grey Skirt, Black Top & Leopard Bag 

Combine a grey skirt with a black top, a leopard bag, and black shoes. It’s that easy! Or combine a black skirt with a charcoal top. I’ve chosen a striped charcoal flared skirt and short black bomber jacket, just for fun. The leopard bag is a subtle nod to maximal pattern mixing, while the leopard neckerchief — an optional addition — makes the outfit even more maximal. Gone are the days that wearing one animal print item at a time is the only way to go. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

Ensemble: Statement Leopard Bag

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Roundups

Simpler Items

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Assorted Items

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Casual Summer Vibes

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Summery Earth Tones

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Hints of Spring

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Dressier Items

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Four Reasons to Shop Midseason for Fall & Winter

October marks the middle of the Fall and Winter retail season in the northern hemisphere. And for four good reasons it’s one of the best times to shop. 

1. Availability of Small Sizes

The smaller end of the size curve tends to sell out the fastest. Shop early to ensure size availability if you wear these sizes. This is especially true for designer items. 

2. Larger Variety of Colours

At the start and middle of the season, you find all sorts of colours, like pastels, sour brights and jewel tones. You’ll also find a larger selection of warm and cool neutrals. Come December and January, there’s a plethora of grey and black items in stores and it tends to stay that way until Spring collections filter through in February and March.

3. Larger Variety of Everyday Fashion

In the US, stores are full of party wear, loungewear and pyjamas from mid November till the end of January. Resort wear makes an appearance in December, which is NOT to be confused with Spring 2017 collections that come later. As a result, wearable “everyday fashion” takes a back seat, and pickings are slim in those wardrobe items.

4. Lighter Weight Fabrications

If you are prone to overheating, run warm, or live in a mild climate, shop early to get lighter weight Winter merchandise. The deeper we go into the season, the chunkier the weight of the knitwear, and the heavier the fabrication of the outerwear. 

I’ve been very busy helping clients refresh their Fall and Winter wardrobes over the last few months precisely because it’s a great time to shop. Lots of US retailers have been offering discounts too — BONUS. Come November and December, we’ll simply be topping up favourites, adding a few heavier items, and making sure that the party and travel capsules are ready to go.

Personally, because I love to wear an assortment of colours throughout the year, and wear a small size, I’m conditioned to shopping early and midseason. But I also like to include heavy Winter items in my refresh, so I have to wait till they appear later in the season.

Weekly Roundup: Cuddly Comfies

From now until the end of Winter I will reach for warm knits and soft items across a range of thicknesses, because they feel extra cosy, cuddly and comfortable. Here’s a selection of comfies, some of which have been winners on my clients. Browse through all the colour options.

  • Rebecca Taylor Cable Knit Swing Pullover: A swingy cabled pullover is unique. This one is quite streamlined on the body despite the chunky knit and volume. Great over bootcuts or slim bottoms.
  • Banana Republic Metallic Rib-Knit Crew: A fitted metallic pullover that is good with skirts or tucked into culottes. Form-fitting. Not suited to apple body types. All the colours are nice.
  • Madewell Marled Henley Pullover Sweater: A fab pullover for a larger bust and shorter neck. Fitted on the waist. Great with skirts and wider pants or jeans.
  • Club Monaco Pavla Cashmere Sweater: A very plain crew-neck pullover until you hit the party on the cuff. Fab layered under a jacket.
  • Topshop Grommet Oversize Hoodie: Grommet Sweatshirt Fabness. Dramatically casual. Might run small.
  • Topshop Chiffon Sleeve Sweater: Gothic Romance for a long torso, long neck, defined waist and small bust. Great with skirts and wider pants or jeans. Form-fitting.
  • Club Monaco Julie Printed Turtleneck: A turtleneck in a Winter floral can make you smile. Wear it out over slim bottoms. Runs small. Good on a long torso.
  • Free People Embroidered Coat with Faux Fur Lining: Maximal Embroidered Boho Coat Fabness. Runs big and long. Look the other way if you are petite.
  • TOPSHOP Boutique Funnel Taped Wool Blend Jacket: Avant-garde, voluminous and might run a size big. It's a lot of sleeve so consider yourself warned. Best on a long neck. Beautiful with black and ink blue bottoms.
  • Eliza J Stand Collar Wool Blend Military Coat: A Modern Classic military coat in an interesting assortment of colours. Fun back pleat detailing and zippered side entry pockets. Collar folds down for a shorter neck. Looks good worn open and closed. REALLY good on pears and hourglasses. Remember that the position of the buttons can be altered to create a better fit. Runs a size big. The toffee is darker and richer in person.
  • AYR The Coup Tweed Blazer: The length and shape of this jacket is quite magical. It has worked on tall gals AND petites. Works well on both a straighter and curvier body type. Slimming and chic. Impeccable quality.
  • Louise Et Cie 'Small Alis' Leather Crossbody Bag: Polished glitzy boho in a rich shade of cognac stands out from the crowd.
  • Reiss Daveen Racing Green Cashmere Roll-Neck Jumper: An oversized forest green pullover that is more refined in person. Drapes like a dream. Wear it semi-tucked over a pencil skirt, or over bootcuts or flared crops.
  • Topshop Diagonal Stripe Shirt: A diagonally striped blouse has a retro '90s appeal. The stripes do NOT match up in front so you have to be okay with that. The mismatched stripes add a fun graphic appeal. Wear with a black or white support act.
  • Madewell Daywalk Shirtdress in Hilldale Plaid: A soft and cosy checked shirt dress that works as well over jeans and leggings. Fun layered over a T-neck for a more insulated '70s look.
  • Madewell Lace-Up Sweater-Dress: This might be a little scratchy if you're sensitive to wool. Super cute front lace-up detailing, and works as well as a tunic over skinnies. Gorgeous in oatmeal too.
  • Madewell Hooded Herringbone Cardigan Sweater: VERY cosy hooded sweater coat. The rounded hem provides ample structure. Love the safety pin front closure (feel free to substitute another pin). Runs very big. S/M fits a US10.
  • Zara Suede-effect Jacket: Great topper for sleeveless holiday dresses. Grab it quick. Runs TTS and goes up to an XXL.
  • Zara Embroidered Faux Fur Jacket: It's INK BLUE. Best embroidered plush jacket of the season. CUDDLY DELUXE. Wear this to a casual holiday party because why not! Great styling on the model. Runs a size big.
  • Bernardo Faux Shearling Waterfall Jacket: A faux shearling jacket that's nipped in at the waist. Super comfy and cosy. Size down a size.
  • 1.State Faux Leather Pants: Faux leather pants that feel like leggings but look more like pants. Soft and machine washable. Tummy girdling.
  • KUT from the Kloth Diana Stretch Corduroy Skinny Pants (Regular & Petite): Most of my clients have a couple of pairs of these cords for casual wear. They work on an assortment of body types. They are cosy deluxe and come in a variety of colours. Read the rave reviews.
  • bow muffler: I bought this scarf because it looks different to most of what is available at retail at the moment. You simply knot the ends once after you've tied it around your neck and the ends lay flat against the body showcasing the border and bow. Excellent over a coat. All the colours are nice except the black.
  • Make + Model 'Best Boyfriend' Brushed Hacci Lounge Pants: Best soft, cosy and floppy lounge pants on the planet. I have them in grey and will be duplicating. The reviews mention that the black is a lint fest in the washing machine, which I cannot confirm. The grey is sublime.
  • Two by Vince Camuto Plaid Notch Collar Coat: This jacket is SO soft, you can wear it at home like a cardigan. Unstructured and trapeze in silhouette. It works well with blue denim. Runs big and very lightweight.
  • Caslon Stripe Long Sleeve Tunic (Regular & Petite): A striped tunic that looks better in person, A clever silhouette that is roomy yet structured in all the right places. A neckline that suits most body types. Fun striping detail on the front and back. Great with pleather leggings, and all the colour options are nice.

You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.

Zara
Suede-effect Jacket
View Info
Top Pick
15
Nordstrom
bow muffler
$78.00
View Info
Top Pick
9