Top Picks: Nordstrom Fall Clearance Sale

Nordstrom launched its Fall clearance sale today, and these items piqued my interest across a range of price points. Some of them are distinctive in their styling and colour, while others are practical pieces that can become wardrobe workhorses. 

Be sure to browse through the colour options.

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

The New Ruffled Blouse

About eight to ten years ago the fashion industry flooded the market with ruffled items, bringing with it an onslaught of ruffled blouses. It was extreme and put most of my clients, friends, forum members off ruffles for a very long time. The trend ran its course and ruffles disappeared, which I believe was a good thing. The disappearance of a mainstream trend makes you appreciate it so much more when it comes back as a fringe trend several years later. This is what has happened to the ruffled blouse. 

The pictures show the types of ruffled blouses and tunics that are a fringe trend right now. Ruffles can be subtle or dramatic. Either way they are soft, romantic, flouncy and cascading. Not stiff and structured like they were back in the ‘80s. Peplums are a subtle form of ruffle. Ruffles that are found along the edges of high collars are a nod to the ‘70s and the Victoriana trend. Layered ruffles and shoulder ruffles have an ‘80s vibe — only this time, no shoulder pads. Ruffles that float down a long sleeve look new, as do ruffles that waterfall across the front of the blouse. Ruffles that cascade vertically down the front of a blouse add vertical integrity to an outfit. And asymmetrical ruffles look architectural. Choose your ruffle placement carefully so that they flatter the contour of your body and they aren’t bossing you around.

H&M
Patterned Blouse
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Loft
Fall Flutter Top
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The beauty of the ruffled blouse is that it can be dressed up or down. Wear it tucked into a pencil or flared skirt for the office. Wear it tucked or semi-tucked into high-waisted trousers for a dressier vibe. Wear it untucked over tapered trousers or jeans, semi-tucked with flares, or over short shorts. Sport a ruffled tunic over leggings for an extra comfy rendition. 

You CAN toughen up a ruffled blouse by wearing it in black and adding a hard-edged support act like black waxed denim jeans, leather leggings, leather skirt, tough boots, studded belt and a moto jacket. Or you can embrace the retro vibe by wearing it with tweed, flares and brown leather. But the easiest way to wear a ruffled blouse is to match it with jeans, dressy shoes and clutch. Add a topper for warmth. 

The absence of the mainstream ruffled blouse has made my own heart grow fonder. Its soft, pretty, dressy and retro integrity looks fresh amidst a sea of trendy oversized casual slouch. My current love for Retro Futurism means it’s time to add a ruffled blouse back into my wardrobe. What’s your verdict?

Nordstrom Roundup: Comfortable Booties

These bootie styles are comfortable, as many of the reviews confirm. Order half a size up for orthotic inserts, and add a cushioning drugstore insole if you like EXTRA padding on the soles of your feet like I do. Most of the shafts are relatively high, which makes the styles versatile. Wear them with cropped jeans or pants, and in some cases skirts and dresses. Check out all the colour options. 

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

Roundups

Simpler Items

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

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Assorted Items

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

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Casual Summer Vibes

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

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Summery Earth Tones

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

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Hints of Spring

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

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Dressier Items

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

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October Recap: Winter Boots

With the weather rapidly transitioning from Autumn into Winter, October seemed like the right time to revisit Winter boots and I wrote four posts about how to build outfit combinations around them. I had a lot of fun with the ensembles in October, which included post apocalyptic and steampunk vibes and then also some vibrant colours to brighten things up.

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October Newsletter

The Fringe Trend

You may have noticed fringe trim on all sorts of wardrobe items this season. A lot of it is a nod to the ‘70s boho trend, but some of it has been inspired by fashion from the 1920s (Flapper Chic). Either way, the vibe is Retro and I like that aspect of it best. 

‘70s boho fringe tends to look very casual whereas 1920s fringe is dressy and glam. Something for everyone. The examples below illustrate both vibes quite well. 

Fringe Footwear & Accessories 

Sporting fringe through footwear or as an accessory like a bag or scarf is the easiest and most subtle way to incorporate it into outfits. So if you like the idea of fringe but don’t want to commit to fringed clothing — choose a shoe or accessory with fringe trim. Note that you do NOT need to combine fringed footwear, bag, scarf or jewellery with a boho support act. Remix these pieces into any style for a very 2015 look. 

Zara
Fringed Suede Bag
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70s Boho Inspired Fringe Clothing 

Fringed clothing pieces like knitwear, jackets, coats, vests, blouses and ponchos are an acquired taste. They usually make a bolder statement than fringed footwear and accessories, so consider yourself warned. I like boho fringed pieces best when they are remixed with a bit of hard edge like black leather pants, or with a Sporty Luxe support act, because it creates an interesting modern juxtaposition.

‘20s Glam Inspired Fringe Clothing 

This is my favourite type of fringe because it’s dressy, refined and retro. Glam fringed dresses are the most common, but fringed jackets and skirts are coming through too. Dressy fringed tops and jackets are great paired with jeans and dressy shoes. Or pair them with a trendy pair of black trousers for the holidays. 

Although fringe is making a fashion statement right now, its retro quality transcends fashion trends and gives it a high longevity factor. Fringe trim works well incorporated into non-boho outfits, which makes it quite versatile. After all, the Chanel jacket has fringe trim!

How do you feel about fringe?