This ensemble was inspired by Kit and Ace, and by a few of my clients who like to dress this way. These clients have denim light wardrobes and enjoy wearing outfits that are avant-garde. The palettes of their wardrobes are very neutral and solid. Black and grey are dominant colours. But every so often there’s a white or brightly coloured item to liven things up. 

Avant-garde outfits can be over the top, maximal, very fashion-forward and complicated to put together. But there are easier versions that can be pulled together with silhouettes and proportions that are more familiar. It’s all about pairing two architectural items in the right palette and finishing off the outfit with trendy footwear and bag. 

Here are the components:

Architectural Bottoms: You’re after a pair of cropped wide leg pants that are full (like culottes) or that taper at the hem (as shown here). Harem pants are another option. You can also layer a black skirt over cropped leggings or cigarette pants. Feel free to substitute the look with an architectural skirt if trousers aren’t your thing. Fabrics can be knitted or woven. 

Cropped Top: Short tops create easy outfit structure when worn with voluminous architectural bottoms, which makes their cropped length important. Silhouettes can be boxy or fitted, and woven or knitted. We don’t think of cropped tops as architectural, but some of the silhouettes can be just that. 

Optional Topper: You’re after another short boxy silhouette to top off the look. Or layer a long cocoon coat over the lot. 

Trendy Footwear: Think sandal booties, oxfords, chunky sandals or flatforms. This is not the time to wear a refined pointy toe ankle strap pump because it deviates from the vibe. 

Accessories: I vote patent tote, upscale backpack or oversized clutch for the bag. Add arty and quirky jewellery pieces if you like jewellery. Finish off with eyewear, headgear and watch as desired.

Several forum members made excellent suggestions for new-to-me activewear brands in this thread about where to buy stylish workout clothes. This had me wondering what else is out there on the market.

The Business of Fashion lists a number of new activewear brands “that are gearing up to compete with Nike, Lululemon and Under Armour.”

Fashionista’s roundup of athletic gear labels to watch looks interesting too.

Fab Links from Our Members

Laura recommends Color Scheme Designer as a wonderful tool for people who are experimenting with different colour palettes.

Angie refers us to Sally’s post with tips on how to play up your assets, and this one that goes into how blogs mirror the women of the world.

Citygirldc thought these suggestions for jeans that look good on a petite frame might come in handy.

Nancy had to chuckle about these ancient sculptures dressed like hipsters.

UmmLila loves to shop but is nevertheless tempted by MM. LaFleur, “a clothing brand made for professional women who hate to shop.”

She also would like to share this interesting overview of Keith Richards’ looks. 

L’Abeille thinks Fabbers will enjoy this insightful critique of the fashion publishing and blogging world, which, she adds, “makes me appreciate Angie all the more and the community she has created here.”

Joy enjoyed these tips on how to flatter our neckline as we get older.

This article about two reporters testing the Old Navy Stay-White Rockstar super skinny jeans made merwoman smile.

DianeG likes Kimberly’s visuals for choosing necklaces to suit various shaped necklines on tops and sweaters.

She also points us to Catherine’s post about why more brands should be using over 40 fashion bloggers as models.

JAileen came across this interesting article about Gloria Vanderbilt.

Vildy really likes how Aloïs of Dress like a Parisian addresses readers questions on these 6 pages, especially because Aloïs gives so many alternatives.

One clear sign of a glaring wardrobe hole is when you regularly reach for something to complete your outfits, but it isn’t there. When dressing for our glorious Spring weather over the last few weeks, I kept on reaching for an imaginary pair of comfortable gold flats to match my pearls, outfit hardware, belt, watches and wedding ring. 

I do have gold footwear, but the styles aren’t fulfilling this particular need. They need to be flat, covered for this time of year, and fairly casual. My gold ankle strap flats have open backs and are reserved for hot Summer days. My gold pumps are heeled and dressy, so not a good option either. I have silver laceless oxfords that are great, but they aren’t gold, which is my preferred metal. And although I have comfortable white flats that I can run around in — a wardrobe essential for my style — I like to change things up with a metallic from time to time. 

So I’ve ordered the styles in this collection, and hopefully one of them will work out. 

Have you found wardrobe holes this way?

A Kit and Ace store opened in Seattle recently and I finally had a chance to pop in to assess the product. The brand is all about beautifully made upscale casual wear in luxurious fabrications. Sporty Luxe with “luxe” being the operative word. Their on trend designs aim for maximum comfort in terms of silhouette and fabrication. I tried on some pieces and the fabrications do feel heavenly against the skin. The workmanship of the items is excellent too. I stroked the seams and hems, admiring how each garment had been carefully manufactured. 

Most of the items in the Kit & Ace assortment are black, white and a shade of grey. The hardware on all the pieces is rose gold, which is fun and unique. Most of the items are knitted, and a portion of those are in a fabrication called technical cashmere, that you can wear year round. 

Unfortunately, their size range is narrow, running from a US size 2 to 10. Many of the size 2 in bottoms fit like a 0, therefore running a little small. But their tops run more true to size, and some even a size big. The store manager told me that they will be introducing a US size 0 in the Fall, but there are no current plans to add larger sizes. I do hope that they expand their size curve soon. 

Items are quite pricey — $78 for a simple T-shirt, for example — but that’s because Kit and Ace is creating a simple item that is far from basic in terms of quality and design. And you’ll need to be prepared to pay extra for that. Here’s a selection of items that I liked from their Spring and Summer collection.

• Kit & Ace Wave Tee: A longer length tee that drapes like a dream. The fabric creates a wave on one side of the body which looks interesting. The diagonal sleeves are flattering on all arm shapes and the fabric does not cling to the midsection.
• Kit & Ace WATTS FLARE: Dramatic weighty cropped flares in a substantial knitted fabrication. Shaped with panel lines to create a good fit. Fab in ink blue. Too long for petites.
• Kit & Ace Rhodes Trouser: The cut and drape of these woven trousers is sublime. Roomy, yet very tailored on the waist and hip. Incredibly flattering on a curvy and straighter figure. Defines the waist, hip and bottom quite beautifully. Not good on apple shaped body types. There is a hidden pocket for a regular size cell phone. Can easily be hemmed for petites.
• Kit & Ace Come Back Pleated Mid Sleeve: A stiff and weighty architectural piece. Good neckline for all shapes of neck. Despite its stiffness, it's ultra soft. Special! The strategically placed back pleats are genius. Voluminous yet grounded because of the drape of the fabric.
• Kit & Ace Loose Is More Short: Adorable woven long shorts to wear with a blazer or moto jacket. Waist sits lower on the hip. Not that good on curvy thighs.
• Kit & Ace Just Coasting Drop Shoulder Tee: My favourite T-shirt in the collection because the neckline was flattering but not overly wide. Fabulous sleeve detailing and great semi-tuck slouching potential. No need to wear a camisole.
• Kit & Ace Saturday Night Fever Flare: The best knitted cropped flares of the season. Beautifully tailored and forgiving of "lumpage and bumpage". Creates a wonderful sleek silhouette.
• Kit & Ace Last Call Jacket: A heavy weight and very robust cropped trapeze jacket. The boxy silhouette is well cut because it hangs off the curve of the body with grounded intention. The back pleat detailing is a fun surprise.
• Kit & Ace Straight and Narrow Trouser: The easy to wear "Audrey" cigarette pant that will provide structure to a voluminous top. Works well on both curvier and straighter figures.
• Kit & Ace Mulberry Pant: High on the waist so if you like a long rise - this is an option. Provides a girdling effect on apple shaped body types, and works quite well on curvy figures too. Hems are easy to shorten.
• Kit & Ace Leona Blouse: A glorious architectural woven blouse. Looks crisp and starched yet feels soft and comfortable. Runs big. Great on broader shoulders.
• Kit & Ace Wave Dress: A knitted architectural dress with sufficient length for tall girls. Its asymmetrical waved drape is fabulous. The armholes might be a little wide though, especially when you're petite with slender ams and short in the waist. The tapered hem adds plenty of structure.
• Kit & Ace Find Your Flare: I haven't seen these trousers in person, but they look interesting. The relaxed fit on the stripe is a good idea, and the back hem zippers are fabulous. The length cannot be hemmed though. This style is for Team Tall.
• Kit & Ace Avalon Brushed Pant: Comfy harem pants fabness. I love the way they've structured the waist with a proper waistband, darts and short zipper.
• Kit & Ace Meridian Necklace: A fun Y-chain that looks great with V-necks and scoop necks.

I’ve seen most of these pieces on myself or modelled by sales assistants. The feel of the fabrications against the skin is quite remarkable. My favourite items in the collection were the Rhodes Trouser and the Watts Flare. If the trousers came in a colour other than black or grey, they would be mine because they are excellent with a tucked top and cropped jacket. I love the way they tailor the waist, which looks fresh to my eye. The flares come in ink blue which I loved. Knitted trousers aren’t my thing, but these might change my mind because they’re shaped with panel lines and made of a very weighty fabric that feels woven.

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