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I’m Hoping Shoulder Pads Make a Comeback

— by Angie

on December 21, 2015

I can think of one trend that I hope will make a comeback, and it’s a flashback from the glorious ‘80s. Shoulder pads! And I bet I’m in the minority.

They also made quite the fashion statement back in the ‘40s, but it’s the ‘80s that we tend to associate more with shoulder pads. I loved wearing them in the mid to late ‘80s — when I was a teen — because they worked well for my narrow shoulder line. They made me feel ever so grown-up and powerful. Now that I’m grown up, I find them just as appealing and I’m a little nostalgic about them.

Look at these fun pins from the ‘80s with shoulder pads. The pads aren’t overly big, and look chic to my eye.

Pleather tuxedo blazer with faded denim and a tee.
Poufy Padded Peplum Fabness.
Glen plaid power suit from Armani.
Dressy and tailored shoulder pad perfection. Very, very sharp and polished.

Shoulder pads made a bit of a comeback about five or six years ago with the more angular and futuristic “sharp shoulder trend”. Perhaps they looked a little too futuristic and pointy, because the trend didn’t stick. I’m hoping for a slightly softer version of the sharp shoulder that’s more like the look in the pins.

Over to you. Would you wear a modern version of the shoulder pad trend? Which other trends do you hope will make a comeback in the near future.

Trends

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Ensemble: Many Neutrals

— by Angie

on December 18, 2015

This ensemble is for those who like to mix neutrals. I’m talking about black, shades of white and grey, chocolate brown, taupe, toffee, cognac, ink blue, navy, denim blue, and metallics. You can add olive, although it’s probably a little harder to combine with neutrals other than black and shades of white. Olive can also work as a neutral, but to my eye it comes alive when combined with non-neutrals and that’s why it isn’t represented in these ensembles. But feel free to add it into the mix.

Think outside the box when combining the neutrals. Use solids and patterns, mix patterns and use colour blocking. Here are some combinations to get you started.

Each combination can be topped with a black coat. I chose a texture-rich style because it livens up the expanse of black. An ink blue coat works equally well. The scarf, bags and hat can be worn across all the three renditions.

Dark Jeans, Grey Top with Toffee & Black

This rendition combines dark blue jeans with a grey top, toffee footwear, toffee scarf, black bag and black coat. I pattern mixed the grey and the toffee with a stripe and check — just for fun — but substituting with solids will also work. I like that the toffee warms up the grey and that the jeans are almost black.

Ink Top, Black Skirt & Leopard Footwear

Combine an ink blue or navy top with a black skirt and add leopard footwear, a black bag and black coat. A tan bag looks fresh too. Or turn the combination on its head with black top, an ink blue skirt and toffee footwear.

Black Top, Toffee Bottoms & Brown Accents

Pair a black pullover with toffee trousers and finish off the look with chocolate brown footwear and bag. Top the lot off with a black or ink blue coat. I chose booties with high shafts because they work well with the cropped pants (they close the gap). Of course, feel free to turn the combination upside down by pairing a toffee top with black bottoms.

These outfits defy the myth that you can’t wear black with brown, ink blue or navy. Forget outdated guidelines about colour combinations and wear all sorts of neutrals together. It looks more interesting that way.

Ensembles

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Link Love: Glorious Hats

— by Inge

on December 17, 2015

From widebrimmed fedoras to newsboys caps, PopSugar has tips and visuals on how to incorporate different hat styles into your outfits.

According to The Guardian, “the riding hat is winning the race in the style stakes this Winter.”

If you need more hat-wearing inspiration, then be sure to browse this two-part series over at WWD.

Fab Links from Our Members

Skylurker wanted to share this Hermès video ad because it illustrates Angie’s blog post on how to layer a turtleneck under a shirt.

Fashion Santa is helping raise money for a charity that benefits sick children. Have you ever seen such a handsome Santa, asks Helen11.

Suz informs us that it’s a big fashion week for Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife were photographed for Vogue, and it’s causing quite a stir.

Approprio would like you to meet Reshma, who works in a recycling factory in a sleepy Indian town. She and her colleagues have some interesting theories about the clothes they dispose of and the people who wear them.

Joy found it fascinating to see how plastic bottles are recycled into polyester.

Beth Ann has been chuckling over the Instagram Husband video. She wonders if there are “YLF Husbands,” or daughters, or cats…

Link Love

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Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

The Dressy Winter Vest

— by Angie

on December 17, 2015

The dressy Winter vest, sleeveless jacket, or “gilet” may seem like an impractical piece at first glance, but actually it can be very practical in certain situations. Here’s why.

It adds lightweight layering interest to an outfit, which is ideal for mild Winter weather, when you run warm, or as we transition into Spring.
It’s less formal than a sleeved jacket.
It’s less constricting on the arms and shoulders than a sleeved jacket, making it extra comfortable for a broad-shouldered body.
In most cases it can be layered under a Winter coat and feels less bulky on the arms.
It’s more comfortable to wear in the office than a tailored jacket and looks just as pulled together.
It’s generally more forgiving of lumpage and bumpage than a jacket.
It feels less overwhelming at a maxi length or in a roomy silhouette than the jacket or sweater coat version with sleeves.
The dressy wool Winter vest looks modern, fashionable and chic.

I adore these dressy wool Winter vest outfits because they look tailored and pulled together, but with a good dose of relaxed comfort.

#1 showcases a high-contrast wool vest over a column of colour, which is probably the easiest way to wear the item. A subtle nod to the ‘90s. Elegant bootcuts and turtleneck are the streamlining finishing touch. Think trousers or jeans. A matching bag and belt adds polish and texture. Feel free to swap out the turtleneck for a scoop, crew, boat or V-neck top.

#2 showcases a more casual rendition with skinnies, untucked sweater and wool vest worn with pumps and satchel. Again, feel free to swap out the turtleneck with a sweater that is more to your liking. Wear boots instead of pumps. What a great smart casual look. Simple drama.

#3 is a subtle nod to the ‘70s with flares, sleeveless pullover layered over a shirt, and topped with a roomy wool vest. Scrunched shirt sleeves add a causal touch, while the shoulder bag brings back the ladylike element. A fun high-contrast and more maximal rendition.

#4 has a Tomboy integrity. The oversized wool vest is a trendy addition to the sleek silhouette of the skinnies and loafers. The clutch adds a fun formal touch.

Yes, this look is fabulous on taller gals, but don’t be disheartened if you aren’t tall. Simply wear the vest a little shorter to balance out proportions.

I’ve said it before, but I want to add a dressy and tailored gilet to my wardrobe because its casual elegance is appealing. My narrow shoulder line will make it a little trickier to find the right fit, but I’m sure I will find a fab one at some point. I like renditions #1and #2 best here. How about you. Would you wear a dressy wool vest?

Career Wear · Winter 2015/2016

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Weekly Roundup: Assorted Items

— by Angie

on December 16, 2015

Here’s a small roundup of items that have been winners on clients and some of our forum members recently. Be sure to browse all the colour options.

Fossil 'Scattered Diamonds' Leather Belt: A black belt with a graphic touch. A little different.
Donald J Pliner 'Rome' Pointy Toe Pump (Women): A classic pump in a punchy pattern. Seasonless with a high longevity factor. Best on low volume feet.
Fossil Double Keeper Leather Belt: A casual belt in a unique shade of berry.
Phase Eight Nicole Check Dress: A flirty Winter dress to wear with boots, tights and coat. Best on a curvy petite.
Phase Eight Ginette Check Wrap Skirt: Graphic fabness to wear with a black pullover and opaques.
Phase Eight Kata Spot Top: Form-fitting and a good piece to wear under a jacket for the office.
Topshop PETITE Tuck Drape Blouse: A good blouse for a short neck, larger bust and apple shape. Might run small. Great worn out over trousers or a pencil skirt.
Zara Top With Faux Leather Pockets: This sweater looks good on both a narrow and broad shoulder line. Boxy but adequately streamlined. YES. You can machine wash the pleather because I have the top and tested that already. Very soft and comfy. Fun slits on the sleeves. Runs small.
Madewell City Grid Coat in Colorblock: An excellent cocoon coat for a curvy figure. Roomy yet streamlined. Comes in a very dark teal, dark red and black. Not scratchy.
Essentiel Antwerp Arcy Swing Top: A festive kimono blouse for those who can fill out the top. Not good on a narrow shoulder line and small bust. Sleeves will be long on petites.
Pilcro Pilcro Vegan Leather Moto Pants: An excellent pair of faux leather skinnies for a curvy bottom half.
Vince Wavy Stripe Print Silk Shirt Dress: A super duper lightweight frock for an apple, rectangle or inverted triangle body type.
Madewell Wintermix Cable Sweater: An interesting sweater where the woven plaid border melts into the rest of the pullover. The ombré effect is genius. Runs small but is not scratchy.
UNIQLO Women Extra Fine Merino V-neck Sweater: A very simple V-neck in a lightweight wool that is not scratchy. Great for layering under jackets with trousers or to wear over skirts. The V-neck is not deep. Size up a size.
Topshop Check Bomber with Faux Fur Collar: Fun, retro and warm. I love the late '60s and '70s vibe of this casual jacket because it's different. The back yoke and volume is lovely, as is the elasticated hem and statement zipper. Not scratchy. Best on a straighter upper half with a narrower shoulder line. Not good on a larger bust. The collar is removable. Runs very small.