I’m helping some of my clients refresh their jeans capsule, which is extra fun because I’m currently refreshing my own jeans capsule too. Although clients are still wearing straight legs, skinnies and streamlined boyfriend jeans, those who wear jeans several times a week, or daily, are ready for a change. These are the silhouettes I’ve been recommending to them across an assortment of washes. 

Flared Jeans

Think full length bootcuts or bell-bottom jeans that are dramatically flared at the hems. Both silhouettes are fitted on the thighs, and this structure makes them easier to pair with fluid and oversized tops. Choose high or low rises depending on your preference. Personally, I like flared jeans best with a low, mid or high heel worn with extra long hems that almost skim the surface of the ground. Elegant and retro. 

Cropped Kick Flare Jeans

These bootcut or straight leg jeans are cropped above the ankle, creating a subtle or dramatic flare on the hem. Choose a mid or high rise. To ensure a longer leg line, wear cropped kick flares with ankle strap footwear, or booties with higher shafts to close the gap. They look nice with low contrast pumps too. They are harder — but not impossible — to wear with flat, high-contrasting, high-vamped footwear. Showcasing the waistband of the jeans with a full tuck or semi tuck further lengthens the leg line, as does wearing a column of colour. 

Cropped Skinnies

These are the easiest silhouette to elongate because the tapered hem draws the eye up and down. As with cropped kick flares, wear them with ankle strap footwear, or booties with higher shafts to close the gap. Or with footwear that is the same colour as, or low contrast to, the skinnies. 

Cuffed Jeans 

These are a fun throwback to the ‘90s. They are a slam dunk on tall gals because of “built-in height”, but shorter gals can absolutely wear them too. Great with high heels. You might need to semi-tuck the top to elongate the leg line from the hips up if you’re wearing flats and are long waisted. 

Denim culottes or gauchos also look fresh, and are great styled in the same way you would style a flared skirt. Coloured jeans, especially in burgundy and olive, look fresh to my eye too. 

Thanks to unseasonably mild and dry Seattle weather, I’ve been wearing my extra long flared blue and white jeans all year long and love the change. I am thoroughly enjoying the throwback to ‘70s fashion. I’ve also been frequently wearing the Current Elliot cropped kick flare jeans that I got at the NAS. I’m looking into getting another pair of cropped kick flares to wear with high-shaft booties. They are going to be my casual uniform for Fall & Winter as I retire my blue boyfriend jeans. 

Carine Roitfeld partners with Uniqlo, a new plus-size boutique concept at JCPenney, Boden brick-and-mortar stores, and more fashion news from around the world this week.

• Fun news for the Boden fans: The British retailer plans to open a number of brick-and-mortar stores in the UK and the US.
• A new exhibition at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn explores activism in the garment industry.
• Madewell’s online store is now shipping to more than 100 countries globally, across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America.
• Racked has more info on Carine Roitfeld’s clothing collection for Uniqlo that launches on 29 October.
• Kate Spade snagged Gloria Steinem for a cameo appearance in the latest episode of their Anna Kendrick video series.
• The “Liberty in Fashion” exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum celebrates the London store’s 140th anniversary.
• JCPenney introduces “The Boutique” which will offer more contemporary clothing options in sizes 14W to 24W, and 1X to 3X, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

Fun Fashion Fact

The world-renowned Liberty store on London’s Great Marlborough Street is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. Did you know that the building with its mock-Tudor façade, designed by Edwin T. Hall and his son Edwin S. Hall in 1924, was constructed from the timber of two Royal Navy battleships, HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan.

This ensemble was inspired by my own wardrobe because I wear white jeans throughout the year. They provide a bright, dramatic and crisp touch to Fall and Winter outfits, so don’t pack them away if you don’t want to. Here are some outfit ideas to get you started. 

Graphic Black & White

Combine white jeans with a black pullover or blouse and finish off the outfit with a bright accessory and neutral footwear. The rendition on the left is an outfit I’ve worn a couple of times this month. I pulled together white flared jeans with a black turtleneck, cream and black polka dot belt, cream booties and tomato red clutch. Left off the topper because I was sufficiently warm in the turtleneck. 

Earthy White 

Combine white jeans with earth-toned separates. For example, I pulled together an olive and burgundy pullover with an earthy scarf and cognac knee-high boots. I finished off the look with a mustard coat, burgundy bag and cognac felt hat. Choose tonal earth tones if these high-contrast ones aren’t your cup of tea. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

I’m having fun browsing the New York Fashion Week runway shows for Spring/Summer 2016. Distilling the runway trends for us is Angie’s strong suit, and I’m already looking forward to reading her trend report. But in the meantime, I’d like to share six of my personal favourites so far:

• The strong colour combos, interesting layering, mushroomed peplums and pointed hems at Jil Sander Navy
• Geometric patterns and bold landscape prints from Novis
• ICB using a crisp white tunic shirt as a creative layering piece
• Texture and pretty metallics at Lela Rose
• Ralph Lauren‘s primary colour palette and use of cognac leather
• Elegant fringe and delicate sleeveless midi dresses from Boss

Fab Links from Our Members

Diana reports that Nervous System designs, which is known for its science- and nature-inspired jewellery, has been experimenting with custom-fit, 3D-printed dresses that are printed as a single folded piece with no assembly required. Fascinating technology, and Diana thinks the dresses are great-looking too!

Angie wanted to share Sally’s tips on what to wear when your weight is in flux. 

She also lets us know that hundreds of women shut down Times Square to draw attention to the extreme lack of plus size visibility in the media.

Trend forecasters predict that “magic” will replace normcore. After reading the article, UmmLila isn’t exactly sure what this will entail.

Robin came across an article about how Dadeville, a city in Alabama, may ban its residents from wearing pants that sag below the hips. She comments: “No matter how we feel about other people’s clothing and fashion choices, making them illegal is unfair, and, in my opinion, a waste of everyone’s time and resources.”