Outstanding Outfit Bloggers

Fab Toppers and Punchy Colours

UK-based Samantha Riley (52) documents her outfits on her Instagram account, 40fashionandlifestyle. She is a Modern Classic dresser who isn’t afraid of vibrant colours, and likes to add on-trend and retro touches to her polished outfits. 

“My style has most definitely changed over the last few years, I would say that I now dress more for my body shape as opposed to the most current trends, and what may suit somebody else may not be flattering for me, or you, so it’s important to get to know what suits you and your body shape. I am still learning myself every day, and I think it’s important to create a capsule wardrobe with basic pieces that you can wear every day and style by adding accessories that will elevate the look more. I love to wear colour also, really makes me feel brighter and feel good, but again that depends on your skin tone. Certain colours suit certain people. I am a Spring, so black doesn’t look good against my face, but if I added a red scarf or red lipstick then it would work more. Its about playing and trying different colours against your face to get to see what will suit you.”

Samantha Riley - 1

Samantha is bringing a burst of happy colour to a rainy day with her bright orange, faux-fur-lined raincoat. She’s wearing it over mid-wash ankle-length jeans and Breton top with navy, mocha, and orange stripes. They are a perfect match for the cosy coat, thus pulling the look together. White high-top sneakers match the white in the tee, and add further lightness. A ribbed navy hat with playful pom-pom works well with the colour palette. Soft coppery lipstick is the polished finishing touch.

Samantha Riley - 2

Samantha’s elegant maxi dress looks like a work of art with its abstract print in gorgeous shades of pink, lavender, aqua, black, brown, and blue. The A-line silhouette with flowing skirt creates movement, while the blouson sleeves add subtle volume. A black belt with statement silver grommets accentuates our 5”4’ blogger’s waistline. On-trend, pointy-toe tan suede cowboy boots lengthen the leg line and add a touch of casual western integrity.

Samantha Riley - 3

Red, black, and white is a classic colour combo that never fails to pack a punch. Here, Samantha has tucked a dressy white lacy blouse with ruffle detail into casual black wide leg trousers, which lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. She dresses up these base layers with a vibrant tomato red blazer in a tailored fit. By adding white platform sneakers, our blogger creates a Sporty Luxe vibe. A compact black chain-strap crossbody and red lipstick are the glam and dressy finishing touches.

Samantha Riley - 4

With the sassy beret, faux-leather coat, and high-vamped shooties, Samantha’s outfit has a fun “female sleuth from the 1920’s” vibe. Our blogger is wearing a cream sweater over a bias-cut, asymmetrical satin slip skirt that is bang on-trend. The gold lamé adds glamorous shine. She tops it off with a tailored, below-the-knee burgundy croc-embossed coat that adds textural interest, and tempers the volume of the skirt. The navy beret looks fab with our blogger’s blonde hair and the rest of the colour palette. Ink pointy-toe shooties lengthen the leg line and repeat the croc-embossed pattern of the coat.

I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Samantha’s wonderful outfits. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to visit her Instagram account for more outfit inspiration.

Fab Find: BAGSMART Tote Bag

I bought this BAGSMART tote bag for $25 to use as my carry-on for plane travel. I put it through its paces and it passed with flying colours. It’s very lightweight, roomy, robust, tear-resistant, made of weatherproof fabric, and folds into a square. The zippers glide and the straps lie quite comfortably on your shoulder. It has outside compartments, a secret top compartment, and one small pocket on the inside. Watch the video to see the compartments and the size of the tote.

I bought the beige, which is the first cream tote in the collection. It got a little dirty after many flights and train trips so I popped it in the washing machine. It launders well on the delicates cycle. Quick to dry and does not crease. It can work well as a work, school, or gym bag, or whenever you need a robust tote with a zipper closure. Makes a nice gift too.

Fashion News Roundup: January 2024

Perfume trends for 2024, Madewell’s bestselling trousers, and more news from the January fashion trenches.

Fun Fashion Fact

The oldest known Scottish tartan, the Glen Affric tartan, has been “brought back to life” for people to wear. The piece of tartan was uncovered about 40 years ago in a peat bog in the Highlands, and underwent rigorous testing to confirm it was the oldest surviving true piece of the traditional patterned cloth (dating from 1500 to 1600). It has now been recreated for people to wear by a manufacturer and distributor of tartan fabrics, the House of Edgar, under the guidance of a tartan historian.

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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Outfit Formula: Simple Solid Neutrals

If you like shades of grey, you might be in for a treat because it looks like the colour is about to have a fashion moment. With that in mind, here are four outfits for Team Neutral that feature grey. The lines of these outfits are quite straight, the fits fluid and voluminous, and the proportions a little architectural. Remember to add Winter layers like coats, scarves, hats, gloves, thermals, and hosiery to stay warm.

1. Statement Sweater and Black Pants

A cropped, swingy and voluminous charcoal grey sweater is paired with black fluid and pleated full-length drapey trousers. Pointy-toe boots extend the leg line, as does the scrunched hem and puddle length of the pants. The gathers and “bow” on the front of the sweater provide ample texture and interest. I see a black bag and neutral coat top the lot.

Statement Sweater and Black Pants

2. Long Shorts and Tall Boots

Your Winters might be warm enough to wear long shorts with tall boots, especially if you add sheer warm hosiery for insulation. Not too different to wearing skirts and dresses with tall boots. Here, ‘90s long black pleated shorts are worn with tall black boots. A roomy mid-grey chunky pullover is semi-tucked to showcase some waistline. A black belt matches the boots, adding polish to the outfit. A boxy olive peacoat tops the lot. A black, grey or olive bag is a good addition.

Long Shorts and Tall Boots

3. Big Sweater over Big Skirt

These boxy and wide proportions are harder to wear when you prefer to define the waist, or sport more structure. It’s the most architectural combination of the lot, and an acquired taste. A black A-line midi skirt is paired with a big and boxy cream pullover. Its asymmetrical slit front hem makes it appear shorter than it is, which helps offset the volume of the skirt and sweater. Wide, heavy and chunky black cowboy boots do not tailor proportions, but they do visually lengthen the leg line by matching the black skirt. The black bag is a complementary addition.

Big Sweater over Big Skirt

4. Oversized Suit

This suit takes me back to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, although it’s missing the gigantic shoulder pads that added structure to oversized jackets. An oversized blazer and puddle-length wide trousers in a large tonal grey polka dot are worn with black accents. The sleeves of the roomy blazer are scrunched to offset their volume by showcasing forearm skin. Pointy-toe boots add a dressy and tailored element to the look. The tucked tailored turtleneck tempers the volume of the blazer, and adds structure by showcasing the waist. I see a white bag finish off the look. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Oversized Suit

The Pros and Cons Of Oversized Fits

There are four fabulous fits in fashion. A body-con fit is form-fitting. A tailored fit gently follows the contour of the body. A fluid fit is moderately roomy all over. An oversized fit is baggy and voluminous. Body-con and oversized fits tend to be less popular than tailored and fluid fits, because they are extreme. 

Oversized fits are on-trend fashion, so we’re seeing more of the silhouette at retail. Let’s explore the good, and the not so good aspects of this fit.

Pros

  • On-trend and fashion-forward
  • Can create an architectural outfit integrity
  • Comfortable
  • Allows freedom of movement
  • Casual, cosy, and relaxing
  • Can create outfit proportions that make you feel attractive and confident
  • Hides the contour of the body
  • Can make you feel narrower in the body

Cons

  • Overwhelming, and looks like your wearing ill-fitting clothes
  • Can make you feel sloppy and unpolished
  • Excess fabric can get in the way of the tasks at hand
  • Clothing can annoyingly slide around the body and not stay put
  • Hard to layer toppers over oversized tops
  • Hides the contour of the body
  • Can make you feel wider in the body

These lists are by no means exhaustive. Feel free to add to them.

I wear oversized fits, but with caution. I am extremely fussy about which items I will wear oversized and which I won’t. I’ll happily wear oversized cotton and linen button-down shirts in the Summer because they keep me cool, covered, and breezy. I semi-tuck the fronts and scrunch the sleeved to create some structure. I don’t need to worry about layering over them with a topper because it’s hot. I wear a few oversized pullovers and sweatshirts. They have very neat and tidy high necklines, high-low hemlines, or are at a cropped length – all of which tempers their volume. They fit under some of my very fluid coats and puffers.

I wear very wide trousers, jeans, dresses, and skirts that are fitted on the waist, which adds a more tailored integrity. I also have a big cocoon coat. These items are probably thought of as very fluid, rather than oversized.

I don’t wear oversized jackets and coats because they are wrong for my narrow shoulders. Instead of fashionable and fab, I look like I’m wearing ill-fitting clothes. This does not make me feel polished, and pulled together. That said, I wore oversized everything in the ‘80s and loved it. The big difference back then was shoulder pads, which on narrow-shouldered me made all the difference. I looked like I filled out an oversized top and topper with a strong shoulder line. With the absence of huge shoulder pads this time round, oversized toppers (and most tops) do not work.

Oversized fits are tricky to feel fab in. When the item, outfit proportions, and fit are dead right – you can feel your best in an oversized fit. I’ve found that clients with broad shoulders tend to wear oversized tops and toppers with ease, for example.

Over to you. Do you wear oversized fits?