I recently helped one of my Mum on the go clients shop the Fall sales to refresh her knitwear and casual bottoms. As a Seattle Mum on the go, combining a pair of casual bottoms with a fashionable pullover, a great pair of boots, and a statement crossbody or shoulder bag, is an ideal daily uniform. It’s fast, practical, comfortable and versatile. No fuss with blazers or belts. So we created some variation within the framework of this formula. 

Although my client loves wearing blue jeans, she is tiring of them and no longer wants to wear them daily. But she’s not a dress or skirt gal either. So it was important to find casual pant alternatives that work with the outfit formula AND with two pairs of mid-calf boots already in her wardrobe.

These outfit combinations show the exact pieces that my client bought and is already wearing for Fall. Note that she enjoys pattern mixing and combining clashing colours, as well as making a statement with non-black neutrals. Thanks to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale back in July, she already had Paul Green’s Ally Belted Moto Boot in brown, and Aquatalia’s Sweet Shortie Boot in black. My client also likes to wear one bag for the season, and this season it is French Connection’s Elite Hobo. In burgundy, it adds a nice touch of colour to all these outfits.

1. Blue Jeans & Waffle Knit Sweater

We bought Gap’s Always Skinny Jeans to replace my client’s blue jeggings. We sized up so that they weren’t a “sausage casing” fit. They are available in longer lengths for my tall client, which is ideal. She can tuck the hems into the mid-calf boots for warmth, or roll them to showcase the boots with a little skin on milder days. We matched them with Gap’s Waffle Knit Sweater in oatmeal, which is very soft and oversized (but runs big so size down). The brown Paul Green Ally boots are a rich match with the oatmeal.

2. Olive Jeans & Waffle Knit Sweater

NYDJ’s Samantha Colored Slim Stretch Jeans are an excellent alternative to blue jeans, so we got them in both olive and grey. They are sueded and have ample length in regular sizes for tall gals. Nice girdling high rise too. My client loved Gap’s Waffle Knit Sweater, so she bought another in charcoal grey. It’s fab with the olive pants and mid-calf brown boots, which she wears over the pants.

3. Upscale Track Pants & Windowpane Sweater

As a big change in the casual bottoms department, I suggested a pair of upscale track pants to wear with a semi-tucked pullover. My client was receptive to the idea, and Eileen Fisher’s Cotton Knit Drawstring Pants fit the bill (size down because they run a little big). We paired them with Theory’s Dreamerly W Merino Wool Sweater, partially tucking the side front of the welt for subtle outfit structure. The black moto boots add a tough urban element to the knit pants. 

4. Plaid Corduroys & Striped Sweater

KUT from the Kloth’s Diana Print Stretch Corduroy Skinny Pants in a fun diagonal plaid provides another alternative to blue jeans. We paired them with Halogen’s Dolman Sleeve Cashmere Tunic in coral, and finished off the look with black moto booties and the same burgundy bag. Us Seattleites need extra bold outfits like these to liven up our awfully grey and wet weather. It might seem like a mismatched stretch for you, but it makes my client smile. 

All of the items here are extremely comfortable, non-scratch and cozy, because that’s a non-negotiable requirement of my client’s casual lifestyle. She’ll top off each outfit with a roomy puffer or wool coat, and add a scarf, beanie and gloves for warmth on extra cold days. She can shop her closet for additional knitwear that works well with the four new pairs of casual bottoms. She will also wear her tall grey riding boots with three of the pants.

It was a very productive shopping day. An effective seasonal wardrobe refresh and ample variety within the parameters of a daily Mum-on-the-go uniform.

Fluid and oversized fits that create a sense of “slouch” in your outfits were once again the top trend on my recent forecast for Spring and Summer 2015. To recap, fluid fits are roomier than tailored fits, but not as baggy as oversized fits. Both fluid and oversized fits are unstructured, but oversized fits are a lot more voluminous than fluid fits. Wearing your clothes a little, or a lot, looser all over is THE way to create a current look. 

In some cases it’s a question of combining fluid and oversized fit tops with a structured bottom, like a pair of skinnies or tailored pencil skirt. In others it’s about creating a fluid fit both on the top and bottom. And sometimes it’s about creating an oversized look both on the top and bottom. Lets take a peek at some of the runway looks I pinned for Spring and Summer 2015: 

1. Drapey oversized sweater semi-tucked into a flared skirt.
2. Fluid tee and jacket over structured bootcut trousers. 
3. A soft sack frock.
4. Fluid blouse over baggy rolled chinos with sneakers.
5. A fluid tee semi-tucked into roomy shorts with short boxy jacket.
6. A very baggy and stiff three-piece combination.
7. Sack dress topped with cropped boxy jacket.
8. Extra slouchy window pane trousers with a tucked fluid top.
9. Refined slouch with sneakers.
10. A very baggy and soft three-piece combination.
11. Oversized and swingy with slouchy cropped pants.
12. Architecturally oversized.
13. Big top tucked into slouchy culottes.
14. An extra fluid column of colour.
15. Slightly fluid top with tailored jacket and slouchy jeans.
16. Tonal Slouch.
17. Fluidly Drapey and Soft.
18. Oversized sweatshirt with roomy shorts and sandals.
19. Oversized sweater with skinnies.
20. Oversized and Arty.
21. Dramatically oversized moto with baggy bottoms.
22. More dramatic head to toe slouch with extra oversized pieces.
23. Oversized tee tucked into A-line midi skirt with waist tied plaid shirt for extra slouch.
24. Oversized sleeveless pullover with slouchy cropped pants and sneakers.

Colours and patterns aside, half of these slouchy outfit combinations are quite wearable off the runway. In fact, you’ll probably find that most of the looks aren’t as unflattering as you once thought they were, which means that you’ve already adjusted to the changing silhouettes. And that’s a good thing because slouch is completely mainstream and is here to stay. 

Combinations that combine fluid and oversized styles with tailored pieces are the easiest to wear because we feel less overwhelmed by them. Wearing fluid or gently oversized pieces both on the top and bottom can also work well when we add subtle structure to the outfit. It’s when we wear lots of slouch both on the top and bottom without any structure that we tend to feel less than fab. 

Most of my clients, across all body types, sizes and heights, are happy sporting fluid fits or gently oversized pieces combined with a tailored piece. As long as they can create some structure in the outfit, it’s a winning recipe. In fact, they welcomed the fashionable change because it’s a lot more forgiving and comfortable than wearing tailored and body con looks all the time. 

Clients who want to straighten and slim the curves on the bottom part of their bodies enjoy wearing oversized tops with a tailored bottom because the larger top makes their bottom half look proportionally smaller and straighter. Fewer clients are prepared to wear completely unstructured and oversized pieces from top to bottom because it makes them look bigger than they really are.

Personally, I LOVE fluid fits and adore a certain amount of slouch. I believe that wearing your clothes a little bigger makes you look slimmer and more chic, especially when you pair a fluid piece with a structured one. And you can’t beat the comfort. I wear my tailored fits a little loser than most so fluid fits were not a stretch to wear at all. And since I’m a fan of ‘80s fashion, I thoroughly appreciate a gently oversized piece because it’s fun and nostalgic. 

I don’t wear dramatically slouchy and oversized combinations not because I don’t like them, but because I don’t have the real estate to wear the silhouettes. With narrow shoulders and a slight 5ft 6 frame, those silhouettes wear me. I just can’t fill them out. Broad shoulders and height tend to pull off dramatic slouch a lot more successfully to my eye, so I’ll enjoy those combinations on others. 

Over to you. We are three years in to this watershed change of fashion fits. Do you wear fluid and oversized fits to create a desired level of slouch? What’s your threshold for the oversized look? Or do you stick to tailored fits no matter what.

A dress made of Skittles, washable headphones, J.Crew opening two stores in Paris, and other news from the style trenches this week.

• This rainbow dress made of approximately 3,000 Skittles will be auctioned off for charity. 
• British-born shoe designer Paul Andrew is the 2014 winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
• Good news for European J.Crew fans. The American retailer will open two stores in Paris next year. 
• Anna Wintour will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award for her contribution to the fashion industry during next month’s British Fashion Awards.
• Washable headphones anyone? Urbanears has teamed up with Marc Jacobs for a line of headphones with fabric elements on its headband and ear cushions that you can throw in the washing machine.
• New company Qcut is launching a Kickstarter campaign to make jeans that will be available in about 400 sizes.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Russian-born French artist Erté also created a limited edition bottle collection for cognac brand Courvoisier. The bottles, featuring his characteristic art deco illustrations, show the different stages of the cognac-making process, from distillation to maturation. The eight and final of the bottles, containing Grand Champagne cognac, were released and sold in 2008 for 10,000 a piece.

This ensemble was inspired by your appreciation of equestrian looks. My goal is to create outfit options that are less authentically equestrian so that you don’t feel like you’re waiting for your horse when you wear them. So I’ve added urban details to make the combinations feel like you could wear them on a regular day, just like another casual outfit. 

The equestrian integrity is for the most part created by combining a tailored tweed or wool blazer with sleek bottoms and boots. It’s that easy. From left to right, here are three variations on the theme.  

Column of Colour & Moto Boots

Create a column of colour by pairing sleek black Ponte pants or jeans with a black tee or sweater. Choose a sweater or tee with a neckline of your choice (it does not need to be a turtleneck). Wear the top untucked or tucked with a black belt. Top with a tailored wool or tweed blazer. Finish off the look with tough black moto boots instead of tall black riding boots for a more urban vibe. Add a haute cap for a little jockey-esque fun, and select a bag that tickles your fancy. 

Glitzy with Tweed & Jodhpur Boots

Metallic disco jeans paired with countryside tweed creates urban flair and is a fun juxtaposition. Layer a basic sweater or tee under the equestrian jacket. Leave the top tucked or untucked. Add a belt that matches the colour of the boots for extra outfit cohesion if you’re going to partially tuck the front of the layering piece. Finish off the look with short jodhpur boots, or a similar style that is simple and sleek. A clutch adds a further non-equestrian touch. 

Jeans, Texture & Riding Boots 

Combine a pair of blue skinnies with a tailored plaid blazer, and layer a sweater underneath that works with the colours of the plaid. Tuck the skinnies into tall riding boots, which do not need to be black. Finish off the outfit with urban accessories like a woollen beanie, fingerless gloves and shopping tote for a textural touch. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. 

Feel free to mix and match the footwear I selected for each outfit, and use any colour palette. I deliberately left out white jeans as a bottoms option because they are the most equestrian, but by all means throw them in. A blouse can work instead of knitwear if you tend to run warm. Here’s a great rendition of #3 on Pinterest. 

I recently wore a version of the glitzy rendition with one of my Smythe equestrian jackets, black turtleneck, gold jeans and cognac booties. So far, it’s one of my favourite outfits for this Fall. I will be repeating it a few times over.