Balance is a very important component of my style. I need to change things up from day to day, and from season to season, to be happy. It isn’t overly logical but much more of an emotional thing. I’m following my mood and listening to my feelings. 

Here are some examples of what I mean:

• After amassing a slew of trendy items into my style, I feel the need to ground them with the classics.  And after wearing the classics for a while, I desperately have the urge to inject trends and wildcards.
• A season of solids makes me crave prints.
• My personal era of masculine button-down shirts put me in the mood for romantic ruffles and flounces.
• After wearing slouchy outfits for what seems like forever, I’m in the mood to wear fitted pieces and sharp tailoring.
• Wearing jeans a little too frequently makes me want to wear trousers, skirts and dresses.
• Wearing neutrals makes me happy, but only if I can swap them out with lots of colour. And after wearing loud brights for a bit, I miss my quiet neutrals. 

Generally, I can achieve the balance I need from day to day by shopping my closet. That’s time and cost-effective, and I’m grateful that I have a wardrobe that panders to my changing moods. Sometimes the longer term balance does mean purchasing new items, but that takes patience because I’m strict about keeping to my budget.

I encourage people to be in touch with the way they feel about an outfit, and not to take the emotion out of their shopping decisions. This is a very important part of feeling fab in your outfits. On the other hand, you need to also make sure that your moods and emotions don’t boss you around, or you’ll never find peace with your style. And perhaps that’s the most important balance of all.

This ensemble was inspired by some outfits I put together for a client who wanted more than just a basic semi-tucked T-shirt to wear with straight or flared cropped jeans. The top had to be comfortable, covered, easy to launder, and casual. Enter the ruffle hem top. Romantic, on trend, and interesting. 

I’ve put together three versions to get you started. The rendition on the left is very casual. The next two renditions are dressier, and more work appropriate. Choose any colour palette in solids or patterns. 

Here are the components: 

Ruffle Top: You’re after a woven or knitted top with a ruffle on the hem. Choose any sleeve style. Tops can be as casual as a tee, or dressier like a blouse. Fits can be snug or roomy. A peplum top with a defined waist will do just fine. 

Bottoms: Think cropped jeans with straight or flared hems. Straight leg jeans or streamlined boyfriends with rolled hems. Streamlined culottes. Dressier ankle pants, or a pencil skirt. 

Footwear: Wear ankle accentuating footwear to balance the cropped lengths of the jeans and pants. Sandals, pumps and flats with ankle straps are fab, as are oxfords, loafers and mules. 

Accessories: Finish off the look with a bag of your choice. Throw on a neckerchief if you like. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

You can also combine a ruffle hem top with long flared jeans or trousers. Add pointy toe heels or heeled sandals and you’re in business. 

I love the outfit on the Shopbop model up top and am eyeing that top to wear with white or faded blue denim straight crops and gold loafers. I did a slightly dressier version with a boho-lite peplum eyelet shirt last year in Arizona.

After lots of trial and error, and life-changing advice from a dermatologist and savvy aesthetician, I learned that a simple beauty routine with the right products for my skin works best. And inexpensive skincare products seem to work best of all. 

Caudalie’s gentle buffing cream was recommended to me after a recent facial. I was skeptical because I thought it would be expensive (I’m done purchasing pricey skincare products that fight with my skin). But for $15 I was prepared to give it a go. I love this product, and now use it twice a week! It’s very gentle, scent-free, and makes your skin feel smooth and luxurious. It also does NOT strip your skin of its natural oils. What a win. 

As a vigilant daily user of creamy sunscreen on my face and neck, I’m also aware that my hands and bare forearms need sun protection. They catch the sun when I drive or when I’m walking our Yorkie Sam. The tops of my feet also seem to catch a lot of sun when I’m out and about. So I’ve bought Neutrogena’s sunscreen body mist to spray on those parts of my body. You can’t be too careful when you have sensitive pale skin and are frequently exposed to the sun. (YES. The sun continues to shine in Seattle and I’m LOVING it.)

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Caudalie Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream-1.6 oz

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Neutrogena Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Body Mist, SPF 45, 5 Ounce

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The resurgence of ‘70s and ‘90s fashion has brought back the neckerchief or “handkerchief scarf”, which is a small square-shaped scarf. It’s tied tightly or loosely around the neck with the ends tucked in or out of sight. 

The bandana has been a fringe trend for a while. It’s probably the easiest type of neckerchief to wear because it’s a casual accessory. You can add a bandana to any casual outfit and not feel like you’re overdoing it or getting too dressed up. As an iconic classic, it stands the test of time and can be moulded to become part of any style persona. Red, black, white and blue bandanas are most popular, but they’re available in all colours these days. Tie-dye and floral bandana-esque neckerchiefs are fun alternatives. 

Nordstrom

Treasure&Bond 'Feathered Bandana' Scarf

$24.00 $14.40

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Collection XIIX Floral Handkerchief Scarf

$20.00 $11.98

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Cara Cotton Bandana

$4.80

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Collection XIIX Tie Dye Print Bandana

$20.00 $11.98

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BP Tile Print Square Scarf

$16.00 $7.98

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Collection XIIX Tie Dye Print Bandana

$20.00 $11.98

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Echo Paisley Bandana

$29.00 $17.39

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Nordstrom

Cara Cotton Bandana

$4.80

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Echo Paisley Bandana

$29.00 $17.39

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The silky neckerchief can look glam and gorgeous, but might feel a little much or “precious” at times. Or too much like a flight attendant’s uniform. Dressing it down with sporty or denim outfit elements is one way to temper the look. Or simply go with dressy and glam and rock the vibe. 

Here are some street style shots that might inspire you to sport a neckerchief. You’ll notice how neutral these outfits are — a flop proof way of combining the neckerchief in outfits: 

1. Treble Classics
2. Distressed High Contrast
3. Breton stripes and denim never let us down
4. Sporty Luxe meets ‘80s Power Dressing
5. Quietly Black
6. With a ‘50s Touch
7. Chartreuse Cowgirl
8. Nautically Inspired
9. Boyfriend-y with heels and clutch
   
10. Rough Around The Edges Preppy
    

Neckerchiefs are a slam dunk on a regular or longer neck, especially when they’re tied tightly like a choker. But shorter necks can wear the look just as well with a few adjustments. Choose a soft and less bulky neckerchief and tie it a little more loosely around the neck. Also, choose a neckerchief that is low contrast against your skin tone if you don’t want to create a horizontally cutting line. 

I saw my Mum wear silky neckerchiefs in the ‘70s, and I wore them a lot in the early ‘90s. I also wore red and blue bandanas, while Greg wore grey and black bandanas. So far, I have not felt inclined to try the neckerchief again probably because I’ve just rediscovered my pearl necklaces and am focussing on those as my neck accessory. That said, never say never, and I love the look of the neckerchief on others.

Over to you. Would you wear a neckerchief?