Wonderful White Bottoms For All

Wear white bottoms because you like their crisp, bright, graphic, fresh, and modern integrity. They aren’t as streamlined and elongating as their dark counterparts, but there is more to being happy in an outfit than looking narrow and tall. 

Fab in White Bottoms

Wearing nude-for-you undies underneath white bottoms creates an opaque effect. Make sure that pocket linings don’t grin though to the fronts of the bottoms too obviously. A roomier silhouette or pocketless style will prevent pockets from grinning.

If optical white bottoms are too crisp and stark, choose a warmer cream, ecru or tan. A cool-toned pale grey or light blue wash also works as “your white.” White jeans are dressier than faded blue, and white skirts can work instead of pants and jeans.

Leopard and Hot Pink for Spring

A new outfit from Sabra of My Style Is My Brand, whom we introduced to YLF in May 2022.

Sabra has tucked a hot pink bodysuit into very slouchy, oversized high-rise jeans with trendy extra broad stitched-down cuffs. She dresses up this casual denim look with a hip-length navy pinstripe gilet that she created by removing the sleeves from a men’s thrifted blazer. A leopard print belt tempers the volume of the jeans. The warm-toned pattern is repeated in our blogger’s unique wool felt hat. Hard-edge black monk-strap shoes ground the outfit. She piles on the jewellery with statement triple circle dangly earrings, a lariat necklace, metallic bracelets and a big emerald cocktail ring. The green is repeated in playful argyle socks. Oversized specs with tortoise-shell rim cleverly match the belt and hat, while Sabra’s lipstick matches the body-con top. Finally a self-patterned clutch in a darker pink echoes the colour of the top.

Sabra - 1

Sabra - 2

 

Correct Shoe Fit With a Foam Insert

This COMFWALK shoe filler insert has made a world of difference to the comfort level of some of my shoes. I pop these under the existing footbed of shoes to create a better fit. So they tend to work best with shoes with removable footbeds. 

For example, I removed the footbeds of two old pairs of Cole Haan oxfords and slid in a foam insert. This raised my foot in the shoes so that the sides don’t rub my ankle bones and the backs don’t rub my heels. Doctoring the fit in this way made them fit correctly and much more comfortably. Now they are as comfortable as my beloved ECCO sneakers.

Some of my friends and clients have used a foam insert in one shoe only when one of their feet is smaller than the other. The insert corrects the fit of a shoe that’s too roomy. Also, when you are in between shoe sizes, try adding foam inserts to the larger size to see if that creates the best fit. They come in sizes so be sure to select the correct size if you try them.

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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Fashion News Roundup: February 2024

Two designer collaborations, a new fashion exhibition, and more style news that made headlines in February.

Fun Fashion Fact

According to The Guardian, style icon Iris Apfel never paid full price:

“… she never ever bought full-price: her many rails and under-the-bed suitcases of couture were sale-price samples, chosen for their cut, fabric, skilled craftwork and colour dazzle. She might wear them over thrift shop pyjamas, or under a Peking Opera costume, with hawsers of necklaces atop. Money could not buy personal style, she said, prettiness withered, beauty could corrode the soul. All that really mattered was ‘attitude, attitude, attitude’.”

Outfit Formula: Simple Knitwear Layers

Combining a pair of bottoms with a sweater is a super easy outfit combination, and one I’m fond of too. There are ways of making the easy pairing look more interesting and less minimal if that’s your cup of tea. Here are three examples to get you started. 

1. Pullover Plus Shirt

Here a fluid shirt is layered under a fluid striped pullover. These types of top layers are easy to wear and style when the items are roomy. Otherwise there’s a lot of friction and pulling to get the layers in place and into a comfortable position. Layering a sweater over a slippery blouse is even easier. The cuffs and shirt hem are left peeking out to become a feature of the outfit. Sleeves are scrunched to offset the baggy layers. The layers are paired with wide cropped jeans and finished off with a classic pair of loafers. Hoop earrings add a glam and polished touch. Add a bag to match.

Pullover Plus Shirt

Here are more examples. One is a vest instead of a pullover, and some skirt looks too.

2. Cardigans

Cardigans have V or round necklines, come in shorter and longer lengths, and can be worn un-buttoned, or buttoned through. The examples below showcase the assortment, and are well worth a closer look. They’ve been worn over layering tees, and dresses. Paired with skirts, shorts, jeans, and casual pants across slim and wide silhouettes. And worn with buttoned and un-buttoned. Footwear ranges from dressy to casual.

This version layers a voluminous poncho-esque wrap cardigan over a blouse with a slit front neck. The shorter sleeves of the cardigan allow the long sleeves of the blouse to peek through. The blouse is tucked into wide leg jeans, although feel free to wear it out. White sneakers match the white blouse. I see a pink or black bag complete the look.

Cardigans

3. Twinset

Last, a less simple layered look which combines a co-ord patterned top and cardigan to create a complemented twinset effect. The volume of the top is belted to show a structured waistline, while the cardigan drapes over them. The structured waist further tempers the width of the wide leg trousers. Black and white shoes match the tops and black belt. Add jewellery, watch, bag, and eyewear as desired.

Twinset