This particular set of colour combinations seems to stir up a lot of emotion. Some love it, some loathe it, and some like it in small doses. The combination has been considered at times fashionable and at times quite the faux pas over the years, but one thing is for sure. In 2015 wearing pastels with black might not be your cup of tea, but it’s certainly not a faux pas. 

The outfits here that match black with blush, apricot, sea foam, lemon and baby pink look good to my eye. The pastels look a little harsher and muddier next to black than they would look next to a lighter colour that created a lower contrast. But it’s not an unattractive, disjointed or jarring combination. Although we can’t see the heads of the models, black hair would pull together the colour palette even further. I vote yay.

That said, I still prefer outfits that combine pastels with shades of white, faded denim and metallics. The pictures below represent the look well. Pastels look fresher and more vibrant when worn with white. The lower contrast between the colours also makes the palette look more soothing, soft and cohesive. Light neutrals like dove grey and tan can be used instead of white, but the combination won’t look quite as crisp or graphic.

I usually suggest adding more white (bright white, off-white, bone or cream), and faded denim to a client’s wardrobe when they’re interested in wearing pastels more frequently because the palette creates a lovely soft and fresh look. It’s also a way of changing things up from wearing pastels with dark neutrals like black, charcoal, ink, chocolate and dark blue denim.

Finally, I love black and white worn with a pastel, effectively combining the two extremes above. That way you keep the bold contrast of the black, but freshen things up with the white. Think black bottoms, white top and light blue topper. Or white bottoms, black top and blush topper. Or mint top, black jeans, white belt and white shoes. 

Over to you. Do you like pastels paired with black? Or do you prefer them with white and low-contrast colours.

Here’s an assortment of knitted and woven tops across various fits and styles. They look as good on their own as they do layered under jackets and cardigans. In some instances you might like to partially tuck the front of the top to create a bit of outfit structure. Be sure to browse through all the colour options.

• Allen Allen Slub Knit V-Neck Tunic (Plus Size): An easy tunic with pockets to pull on over leggings. The asymmetrical hem is flattering and adds a good deal of structure to the oversized fit. Read the rave reviews.
• Vince Camuto Pleated V-Neck Top (Plus Size): A tailored top that's fitted but not clingy. It's quite long and suited to a large bust and tall gal. Read the rave reviews.
• Karen Kane Asymmetrical Hem Bateau Neck Top: Avant-garde, arty and comfy.
• Vince Camuto Chiffon Overlay Sleeveless Top (Regular & Petite): Architectural ruffles look fresh and romantic. Breezy and flouncy on a hot day.
• Halogen Sleeveless Drape Neck Tank (Plus Size): A simple drape neck knit top that works well under toppers.
• Halogen Sleeveless Structured Top: My client tried this on and blew me away. The fit is fab and the asymmetrical front is interesting. It's best suited to a curvy gal who is hourglass-y or pear shaped. The armholes close neatly under the armhole so your bra is covered. Fab on its own or under a fitted cropped blazer.
• Trouvé Trouvé Asymmetrical Silk Top: A fluid blouse with diagonal sleeves and V-neckline that's well suited to an apple shaped body type.
• Trouvé Trouvé 'Easy' V-Neck Tee: A slightly shaped V-neck tee that's well suited to a curvy body like an hourglass or pear.
• Vince Camuto 'Phoebe Stripe' Tee (Regular & Petite): A colour blocked striped tee with diagonal integrity.
• Lucky Brand Geo Batik Print Top (Plus Size): Swingy yet shaped. Fun back detailing. The curved hemline adds a good bit of structure.
• Topshop Ribbed Funnel Neck Top: Snug, soft and neat. If you're after a tight fitting knitted top with an elbow sleeve and high neck, this is a good option. It's fab to tuck into flared skirts thereby creating ample structure. Runs small.
• Lush Cuff Sleeve Woven Tee (Juniors): A breezy and comfortable T-shirt blouse. Good on broad shoulders and a larger bust. Lots of good colours and read the rave reviews.

It’s fun to see some fitted items come through this year. Looks like we are finally getting the variety we’re after.

Nordstrom

Allen Allen Slub Knit V-Neck Tunic (Plus Size)

$68.00

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3

Nordstrom

Vince Camuto Pleated V-Neck Top (Plus Size)

$69.00 $41.40

Sale

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8

Nordstrom

Karen Kane Asymmetrical Hem Bateau Neck Top

$79.00

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11

Nordstrom

Vince Camuto Chiffon Overlay Sleeveless Top (Regular & Petite)

$79.00 $47.40

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4

Nordstrom

Halogen Sleeveless Drape Neck Tank (Plus Size)

$49.00 $29.40

Sale

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5

Nordstrom

Halogen Sleeveless Structured Top

$68.00 $23.90

Sale

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18

Nordstrom

Trouvé Trouvé Asymmetrical Silk Top

$68.00

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6

Nordstrom

Trouvé Trouvé 'Easy' V-Neck Tee

$38.00

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7

Nordstrom

Vince Camuto 'Phoebe Stripe' Tee (Regular & Petite)

$69.00 $41.40

Sale

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Top Pick

3

Nordstrom

Lucky Brand Geo Batik Print Top (Plus Size)

$59.50 $35.70

Sale

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2

Nordstrom

Topshop Ribbed Funnel Neck Top

$25.00 $10.99

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2

Nordstrom

Lush Cuff Sleeve Woven Tee (Juniors)

$34.00 $21.90

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6

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

Cropped pants have been mainstream for three years and there is no stopping the trend for Spring and Summer. Note that by cropped pants I mean lengths that finish just above the ankle bone or a few inches above it. They come in a wide variety of silhouettes, from tapered to flared hems and from fitted to baggy styles.

Cropped pants have a notorious potential for being unflattering by cutting the leg in a way that can be visually shortening and stumpifying. But after dressing numerous clients in an assortment of cropped pants styles it is clear to me that this isn’t always the case. You can often make cropped pants work by paying attention to one or more of the following five variables.

1. The footwear silhouette: Wearing heeled or flat footwear that in some way closes the gap on the ankle visually lengthens the length of the pants, which offsets the stump factor. Wear booties or sandal booties with higher shafts, or footwear with ankle straps that are positioned above the ankle bone. 
2. The length of the cropped pants: Most cropped pants are too long because the models are generally taller than average. If you are going to show your ankles, SHOW your ankles. Make the silhouette fashionably intentional so that it doesn’t look like you’re wearing normal length pants that are too short. This is especially true when you are wearing footwear that does not close the gap, like regular pumps, loafers, flats or sandals.
3. The contrast between your pants hem and your footwear: Creating a low colour contrast between pants and footwear elongates the leg line. This is most effective when wearing footwear that closes the gap like ankle strap styles or booties with higher shafts.  
4. The height of your top: Wearing a tucked top, semi-tucked top, or a cropped top that showcases the waistband of the pants lengthens the leg line from the thighs up. 
5. The height of your heels: Higher heels generally lengthen the leg line and make you look taller.

Here are some examples to make things more clear.

In this first picture the Zara model is wearing heeled, high shaft sandal booties that close the gap thereby, satisfying #1 and #5. The cropped pants are also a little shorter, which satisfies #2. There is however, a high contrast between the booties and the pants, and the top does not expose the waistband of the pants. #3 and #4 have not been employed, but the look is just flattering enough. The leg line would look even longer if the sandal booties were white (low contrast).

The Ann Taylor model is wearing her crops shorter than ankle length with a tucked top and heeled pumps, satisfying #2, #4 and #5. The gap has not been closed with high shaft footwear, nor do the pumps create a low contrast with the pants.

The second Zara model is wearing flared cropped pants with ankle strap flats that are low contrast to the colour of the pants, satisfying #1 and #3. Although the top is untucked, the top and bottom are low contrast to each other and create a column of colour that further elongates the leg line.

The Free People model is wearing her cropped flares shorter than ankle length with a partially tucked top, satisfying #2 and #4. The shorter length makes the style look deliberate, and not like she’s wearing bootcuts that are too short.

The second Free People model is wearing her kick crops shorter with a tucked top which satisfies #2 and #4. The column of white lengthens the line of the outfit, but she could have left the top untucked for a similar effect. Although not strictly heels, the flatforms do add a bit of height.

The Nordstrom model is wearing black ankle length flared trousers with heeled black sandal booties and a tucked top, satisfying #1, #3, #4 and #5. Note that the same would have been true if she was wearing flats.

I wear high-shafted ankle booties with my shorter length, high-waisted cropped pants. I also tuck my top, which means that I’m employing #1, #2, #4 and #5. In warm weather, I will wear white ankle strap flats (Franco Sarto Holts) with a white tucked shirt. In this way I will be employing #1, #2, #3 and #4, because the white ankle strap flats create a low contrast against the floral pants. 

Feel free to ask questions below if anything isn’t clear.

A new outfit from Amber McNaught of Forever Amber, who we introduced to YLF in July 2014.

Tucking a fluid top into a form-fitting, high-waisted pencil skirt is one way to create waist definition in 2015. When the waist of a garment comes higher up, this shortens the torso and lengthens the leg line. Amber rebalances her shorter torso by pairing the skirt with a turtleneck and sassy leather jacket in tonal greens. The fun plaid midi also creates vertical integrity, and sporting nude fishnets with high-heeled pointy toe pumps further lengthens the leg line. A classic bag with big girly bow finishes off this retro ladylike outfit.