A new outfit from Adrienne Shubin of The Rich Life (on a budget), whom we introduced to YLF in April 2014.

Adding boho touches elevates this simple jeans and tee look to the next level. A white ponte knit T-shirt and dark wash girlfriend jeans are the base layers in this neutral-coloured outfit. Adrienne’s cream cardigan with open weave detailing and long fringe provides plenty of textural interest. A statement necklace with turquoise beads and cognac leather tassel further emphasizes the relaxed boho vibe. Stone-coloured peep-toe booties bookend the cream cardigan and add soft edge. Our blogger ties this casual look together with a cognac satchel and double-strap watch that pick up the colour of the necklace.

As a bonus Adrienne’s stepdaughter Tori appears in the post too. She is also wearing a gorgeous boho-inspired outfit and a pendant from the same jewellery collection.

Here are two styling ideas for cropped white jeans that you can probably pull together right away. The photos here provide a starting point for the looks, but feel free to create your own renditions. Wear white boyfriend jeans, cropped pants, flared crops, culottes or cropped skinnies as cropped white bottoms. Heck, throw in a white skirt if that’s more your style. 

Layered Cropped White Bottoms & Olive

Combine cropped white bottoms with a light neutral top, an open unbuttoned shirt and an olive topper. Feel free to leave off the shirt layer if that’s a stretch. Or create a high contrast with the underlayers instead of a column of colour. If it’s the bomber part of the outfit that tickles your fancy, wear one in any colour with the rest of the pieces. Finish off the look with metallic footwear and bag.

Layered Cropped White Bottoms & Grey

Combine cropped white bottoms with grey top layers, like a tee and cardigan. Or a shirt and jacket, or a pullover and vest. The belt is optional. Finish off the look with light neutral footwear and a bag that works with the palette.

If you’re a dress gal, combine an olive dress with white accents. Or wear a grey dress with a white jacket and silver footwear and accessories. Let those creative juices flow as you shop your closet for a fabulous new combination.

Every Mother’s Day I dedicate a post to my late Mum, who passed away in May many years ago. She was the one who encouraged my interest in fashion and style from an early age. When I was 21 she supported my career change from Psychology to Fashion when my Dad needed a little convincing. 

Thinking back to my 29 years with Mama, it was the time before I was a teen and then again when I was in my twenties that we were the closest in our relationship. I had the best childhood growing up in Hong Kong, and my Mum had everything to do with that. I entered the fashion industry at age 22 and Mum was an instrumental positive force at that pivotal moment. Bless her for supporting one of the best decisions of my life. 

Mama never knew YLF, but she was there for our wedding in 1996. She was in her late fifties then, and passed away a few years after that. I designed my own wedding dress, and had it made by a talented 80 year old seamstress who my resourceful Mum found in Cape Town. Mum also designed her own outfit, which — true to her glam self — was a shiny column of warm earthy glitz, draped with lots of gold and garnet jewellery. 

This is one of the most recent photos I have of us together. It was taken a few hours before I walked down the aisle to my beloved Greg. I got ready for our wedding in my parents’ house and she and I had a ball. I’m wearing her dangly pearl earrings as the “borrowed” item for my outfit. We had a lot of fun organizing the wedding in record time, and I owe lots of the finesse of the beautiful day to my forever stylish Mama. 

All these years later and I think of Mama many times a day, both with a sad and happy heart. She would have turned 75 this year, and would have loved to visit us in Seattle. She’d have liked the food, shopping, Spring blossoms, Asian culture, pretty Seattle scenery, and our friends. But spending time with our Yorkies would have been the biggest highlight, because there are few people as besotted with dogs as my late Mum was. Her fiercely protective and unconditional love for her husband, children, and dogs is what I remember most vividly about her. A very precious memory. 

We at YLF wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.

My legs are covered in spider veins. My dermatologist tells me that they are, thankfully, not a health issue. I could have some of them removed, but the results would be temporary and incomplete, because there are just too many. Two years ago I started the treatment, but stopped halfway. It was just too painful. 

So here I am two years later with more spider veins than ever, and in Seattle’s record setting hot weather, also baring my legs in skirts and dresses more than ever. Just as they are. And why not? My legs aren’t perfect, but they are healthy. They serve me extremely well, whether it’s racing around with a client on a shopping trip or holding a pigeon post at yoga. The fun I’m having wearing knee-length skirts and dresses trumps any remaining insecurity I have about the way my legs look. 

At 25 I would feel self-conscious about baring my pale skin at the start of the warm weather season, because in my circle tans were an essential way to look healthy and stylish in the Summer. Now at age 45, I don’t mind one bit looking untanned throughout the year. For me and my complexion, maintaining healthy skin by staying out of the sun is a much more important style goal. 

Spider veins and pale skin will continue to accompany my Summer outfits because that’s who I am. It’s empowering to no longer feel embarrassed about these aspects of my body.

These are small things, I know, but they used to loom much larger for me. I’m grateful that age has helped me to put them in perspective. As summer approaches I hope you too can put any perceived imperfections in their place and enjoy the wonderful weather.