Weekly Roundup: Hints of Fall

Autumn collections are unfolding in the US. I see a lot of greys, dark greens, and chocolate brown. There are also earth tones, dark neutrals, and greyed colours aplenty. There are some pastels, jewel tones, reds, burgundies, and very few brights. I hope we see more colour variety soon.

The items below were winners on my clients. There are some unusual patterns and colour combinations that are well worth a look. Be sure to browse the colour and size options, and read the reviews.

See the collection page if you would like to see the items alongside the descriptions.

Sweater Vests: Yay or Nay

Sweater vests are sleeveless pullovers that are sometimes called knitted vests. They seem to waft in and out of fashion. And this season we’re seeing more of them because they’re having a fashion moment. 

They are made of the same types of yarn as knitwear. They can be chunky or fine gauge. Cabled or smooth. They come in any colour and all sorts of patterns. Fits are tailored, fluid, or oversized. Lengths vary from cropped and regular hip lengths, to tunic lengths. Necklines vary from funnel, turtleneck and crew, to boat neck and V-neck. Some have welts and others don’t.

This collection shows an assortment of sweater vests.

Boden
Edie Fair Isle Tank
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2
Boden
Edie Fair Isle Tank
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2
Boden
Edie Fair Isle Tank
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4
Boden
Eva Cashmere Tank
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1
Boden
Eva Cashmere Tank
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1
Boden
Olivia Merino Tank
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1
Boden
Olivia Merino Tank
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1
Boden
Olivia Merino Vest
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2
Boden
Edie Fair Isle Tank
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2
Boden
Eva Cashmere Vest
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5
COS
Chunky Knit Vest
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7
COS
Argyle Wool Tank
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2
Boden
Patterned Vest
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5
Boden
Longline VNeck Tank
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3

Sweater vests can be worn on their own as a top, which can also be layered under jackets and other sweaters. Or they can be worn as a layer over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt, turtleneck, mesh top, or dress.

I’ve worn some type of sweater vest since the ‘70s and vote YAY. Sometimes I’m into wearing them, and sometimes less so. This year I’m in a sweater vest mood and added two to my wardrobe in fluid fits. The collection below shows the exact items.

Since I’m big on wearing collared shirts, I wear sweater vests over non-neutral. denim and white shirts the most frequently. Sometimes over patterned blouses. That said, the neon pink and toffee stripe looks gorgeous worn as a top on its own, and I plan to do that too. It’s fab under my new neon pink jacket. Unexpectedly versatile.

Over to you. Are you a yay or nay on sweater vests?

Outfit Formula: Trendy Black and White

Black and white is an iconic classic colour combination with countless possibilities, especially when patterns are added to the mix. I stopped wearing black because navy is a whole lot better with my complexion. That said, I love punchy black and white outfits on those who wear them well. I have a couple of clients who exclusively wear black, white and grey, with the hair colour to match. They wear the palette with panache and always look fabulous.

Onto some on trend outfit inspiration for Team Black and White.

1. Black and White Dress

A black a white plaid and embroidered midaxi empire dress is combined with stompy black mid-calf boots. A casual black crossbody satchel tops the dress and matches the boots. Super easy, while the pattern of the dress does the talking. On trend in that ‘90s way.

Black and White Dress

2. Black Top and White Jeans

A pair of gently ballooned and trendy white cropped barrel jeans are paired with a fitted black cardigan that is worn as a top, and left unbuttoned both at the top and bottom. Body con tops are trending so you’ll see more of those too. On trend and iconically classic black ballet flats match the black bag, the cardigan, and bookend the model’s hair.

Black Top and White Jeans

3. Black and White Pinstriped Suit

All sorts of sets are trending, and suits are a set. Graphic tees with meaningful-to-the-wearer slogans are trending too. Relaxed Glam and Elevated Everyday are on trend dressing themes, of which this is a great example. A pinstriped black and white suit with long fluid double breasted blazer and lantern pants is casually combined with a white graphic tee. It’s tucked for a dressier effect. Black with white topstitched slides are the shoes of choice. I see a black or white bag complete the look.

Black and White Pinstriped Suit

4. White Tops with Black

Here are white tees and shirts across a range of fits and silhouettes combined into black and white outfits. Shirts and tees are worn on their own to make a statement with black bottoms, or used as a high contrast and crisp layering piece under motos, blazers, and knitwear. Bottoms range from on trend big pants and swooshy skirts to classic jeans and skinnies. Take your pick.

5. White Tee and Black Skirt

Last, an on trend black bubble skirt is combined with a very fluid graphic white tee. The black graphic on the tee matches the skirt. It’s left untucked to relax the skirt. Remember that tees that are too long when styling skirts this way can be hemmed to a shorter length, or knotted at the side. Casual sporty orange sandals are an unexpected addition, thereby breaking up the black and white palette. A big black bracelet matches the skirt. I see a black bag complete the outfit. My favourite part about this look is how beautifully the model’s salt and pepper hair match the palette.

White Tee and Black Skirt

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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Variables that Make or Break a Garment

Sometimes your go-to brands give you most, but not all of what you need in a garment. Sometimes your usual size is not the one that works. Instead, focus on the more important variables of a garment to make sure it works for you. 

What Makes a Garment

Some fits can be altered, some garments can be dyed another colour, and sometimes items are cheaper on sale. But things like the fabric, quality, comfort level, and practicality of a garment are fixed. Make sure they are optimal before you spend your money.

Other things are important too: Whether a garment is produced ethically and sustainably. How it gels with your style goals and works with your lifestyle. How it makes you feel when you wear it might be the most important variable of all. Go with great.

How to Manage a Wardrobe That’s Too Large

There is no one wardrobe size to rule them all. The right size is large enough to service your needs and small enough to organize, manage and afford. A wardrobe is too large when it’s overwhelming, hard to manage, and items are difficult to store. You can’t see the wood for the trees. If this is your situation, here’s what you can do to bring back closet calm.

1. Edit

Wardrobe editing effectively reduces the size of your wardrobe. Take a fast or slow approach and go through everything. Ask for help when things feel challenging. It’s an enormously satisfying and productive process that helps you control and make sense of your wardrobe. The more frequently you edit, the easier and faster the process.

2. Organize

Improve the way you store wardrobe items. When your closet is tidy, you can pack more efficiently in limited spaces. Items are visible and easy to retrieve, so you see exactly what your options are, and can grab what tickles your fancy.

3. Display Relevant Seasons

Store what’s seasonally relevant for the next six months in your available storage spaces and pack up the rest. Repeat the process when the seasons change. This is especially effective when you live in a four season climate. Choosing daily outfits is simplified when you limit what is at your disposal to wear.

4. Limit Additions and Make Thoughtful Decisions

When you’ve edited, tidied up, and organized, limit wardrobe additions by being extra thoughtful about what earns a future place in your wardrobe. If you want to add to what you have, you’ll need to edit more frequently in order to stick to an optimally sized wardrobe. If you don’t do this, you’ll be back to feeling overwhelmed when the additions come rolling in.

5. Digital Representation of Your Wardrobe

It’s handy to keep an up to date digital representation of your wardrobe through a phone app, or with YLF Finds. That way you see your entire wardrobe at the press of a button so that you always know what you have. This is easier and faster than looking at your wardrobe stored throughout your home. Seeing the items more easily will allow you to make sense of what you have, helping you to control and manage any size of wardrobe.

Sometimes clients hire my services precisely because they need help paring down their too-large wardrobes. We always complete steps #1, #2, and sometimes step #3. Step #4 is the responsibility of the client, and step #5 is something I encourage clients to do if they haven’t done so already.

These steps are not exhaustive. Feel free to share how you’ve managed a too large wardrobe in the comments section.