After Angie’s recent blog post and this magnificent photo posted by forum member Transcona Shannon, my love for culottes has reached new heights. So I started browsing around for more culottes inspiration, and here’s what I found:

• The Guardian’s Lauren Cochrane shows us how she wants to wear culottes.
• Five different ways to style your culottes.
• Glamour has four tips on how to rock culottes — or the “midi-pants” as they are calling them.
• Seven women share how they styled their favourite pair of culottes over at Refinery29.
• Three inspiration photos: a fun pair of zig-zag culottes (easy to bike in, too), black and white fabness with checked coat, pointy toe pumps and crisp shirt, Caroline Issa rocking a lilac culottes suit and blue heels.
• Five pinboards for extra inspiration: Jennifer Yang, Ines B., Ratsudy Mori, Naomi K, and Susan Stowell.

Fab Links from Our Members

La Belle Demimondaine recently bought a cute and comfy pair of dENIZEN skinnies at Goodwill. Not being familiar with the brand, she googled them, and found this video review on Youtube. It is old — from 2011 — but La Belle loved what Fadra had to say, and the ending made her laugh.

Annagybe enjoyed browsing the Last Night @ The Met tumblr that shows us what people are wearing to the opera.

After reading Sally’s post “When does a signature style become a rut?“, Angie thought Sally nails it when she says: “You’ve developed a signature if you’re wearing the same things over and over again and feel pulled-together and perfectly like yourself”.

Alexandra is enjoying reading Refashionista. She thinks Jillian has an amazing eye/imagination and turns the frumpiest thrift store finds into cool pieces.

Dottie loves how Mary over at the Classy Cubicle styled the Club Monaco Caroline culottes this week.

Laurinda directs us to a thought-provoking article on wearable technology. She says: “It provides a strong commentary on current social and political issues, and is more than a little creepy for the Orwellian implications of limiting surveillance through our wardrobes.”

Theodora found “Are Malls Over?” an interesting read.

This Guardian article about jogging bottoms being the new skinnies focusses on menswear, but this is also what Vildy is craving to wear.

This frock outfit is little sister to the one I posted last week with big white sneakers and backpack. The vibe is almost as casual, but less sporty and a lot prettier. Topshop’s Boutique Silk Shirt Dress is the other dress I bought for summer. Its strict shirt integrity, luxurious fabric, longer sleeves, and sufficient length made it love at first sight. I also like the interesting breast pockets, the concealed button-stand that creates a vertical line down the front of the dress, and the way a softer shade of dark blue is created in sunlight. 

Unlike the denim shirt dress, which I altered to look different from how it was styled by the retailer, I wear this dress exactly as the online photo suggests: buttoned to the top and hanging like a shapeless sack. Wearing it with a belt would ruin the angular drape of the dress that I find so appealing. Wearing it with a topper would further ruin the silhouette. The dress looks best on its own and is therefore reserved for hot days without the arctic chill of air conditioning.  

Despite the billowing volume of the dress, there are two reasons I don’t feel like it’s wearing me. First, the silk is as light as a feather, which makes the dress look and feel dainty. The lightweight silk moves and drapes into all sorts of shapes, much like a flag blowing in the wind, which is why I call this my Flag Dress. A heavier cotton would not create the same type of movement that is a feature of this dress. And second, there is just enough structure created by the snug neckline fit, tapered elbow sleeves, and above-the-knee length. The immense volume also creates a slight asymmetrical line and tapering on the hem, which creates further structure. 

The shirt dress is made of dressy fabric, which makes heeled sandals and ankle strap pumps a good complement. But I haven’t worn it that way yet, and don’t know if I will. So far I’m more interested in styling it with a casual support act to create a modern and fashionable 2014 juxtaposition. This is the exact same dress that I used in three casual ensembles a few months ago, where I combined it with white sneakers and a backpack. Here I’m wearing casual white loafers instead of sneakers, but carrying the same backpack.

I love the outfit with white sneakers, but slightly prefer the loafers. These loafers have become workhorses that I wear many times a week. I find white more versatile than metallic shoes, probably because they make me happier and so I gravitate to them more frequently. Silver watch and wedding ring are all I need in the jewellery department.

A breezy dress made of a natural fibre is an extremely ventilating outfit option for a hot Summer’s day. Pairing it with comfortable walking shoes, a practical bag and sunglasses means I am ready to walk for miles in the heat and enjoy every second of it. A dress with billowing volume is not a conventionally flattering silhouette and quite the acquired taste. But there is something liberating and fun about delicate silk swooshing around as you stride.

Some of these items are appropriate for Summer, while others are more suited to Fall. Remember that white jeans can be worn year round and that slip-on sneakers look great with skirts and dresses. 

1. Circus By Sam Edelman 'Cruz' Slip-On: A trendy slip-on sneaker that is suited to a high volume foot. A versatile colour that is especially fab with white jeans that are rolled at the hem.
2. Current/Elliott The Boyfriend: White boyfriend jeans sans rips and distressing are hard to find, but this one fits the bill. Might need to size down a size.
3. ZINDA Boots: Some of our forum members have had great luck with these boots, which are available in five dark shades. They work for both a wider and regular shaped foot. The calf circumference fits a regular and narrow calf because the laces adjust the fit.
4. Talbots Denim Shirtdress: A denim shirtdress with extra length for taller gals. Suited to a curvier body type.
5. J.Crew Military Shirtdress: An easy slip-on-and-go military shirtdress that is fabulous with a pair of sandals.
6. Rebecca Minkoff Mini Jules Envelope Clutch: A powder blue baby crossbody that doubles as a clutch.
7. Chie Mihara Shoes Suspiro Wedge Sandals: Chie Mihara makes beautifully made shoes that are usually very comfy. I love the extra wide ankle strap.
8. Matiko Ursina Wedge Sandals: I haven't seen these in person, but the leather looks soft, and the heel height quite manageable.
9. Tildon Textured Knit Tube Skirt: A graphic pencil skirt that's an easy paring with a welted pullover or boxy cropped top. Nice with a silk shell top or T-shirt blouse too.

Remember that you don’t need to wear a shirtdress tied at the waist. It looks fabulously unstructured without the belt, if the length is above the knee and the hem is curved. Straight hems can work, but curved hems tend to provide more structure to a surrendered waistline.

Twenty-six year old stay-at-home Mum and occasional style consultant Brooke Allen lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is fearless in her outfit choices and documents her statement looks over at Tigers Don’t Lose Sleep. Brooke’s style is edgy and maximal. She loves high heels, leather, and animal print, and is a master at re-using her favourite pieces to create completely different outfits.

“My style has evolved over the years from life experiences. After raising a dirt loving, high energy, full of life little boy my wardrobe needed pieces that I could throw on and know that they looked amazing without any effort. I tend to stick with black and other neutrals and I have fun with textures and animal prints (I cannot get enough leather even in this 90 degree heat). I would describe it as an ‘urban bohemian’ if that even makes sense.”

Brooke is an early fashion adopter who effortlessly incorporates edgy pieces and fringe trends into her daily outfits. In this Summery black and white look the gladiator sandal boots take centre stage. Their cut-out design, stiletto heel and buckle closure make them hard edge. Together with the pleather moto jacket they create a trendy tough vibe that is softened by pairing these pieces with a pretty, pleated white skirt. Skirt, yes, because our clever blogger turned her midi skirt into a flowy strapless frock! The white colour, whimsical oversized white sunnies and Brooke’s wavy locks add in the girly factor.  A great way to juxtapose tough with feminine. A vintage Chanel wallet and gold watch with turquoise face finish off this edgy date night look. 

Do you recognize the shoes? It’s fun to see how Brooke uses her Okala Pony Print Pumps, a YLF favourite, to add polish to this casual outfit. Our dainty-framed blogger pulls off the volume on top by pairing her striped grandpa cardigan and roomy fit biker jacket with boyfriend jeans that are just baggy enough. I love the light wash denim with the rest of the cool-toned colour palette. The skin peeking through the hectically distressed jeans adds structure, as do the rolled up cuffs. The Okala ankle straps are close to Brooke’s skintone, which lengthens the leg line. Buttoning the cardigan, and the built-up shoulder and knit cuffs on the jacket further help rein in the volume. The beautiful tan oversized tote is huge, but the supple leather and light colour aren’t overwhelming. Dainty necklaces and iconic Ray-Ban Aviators are the perfect accessories.

What a brilliant interpretation of the Sporty Luxe trend and Angie’s Summer White & Brown ensemble. Irregular juxtaposition lies at the base of this casual-day outfit that remixes sporty items with dressy fabrics. The fun track shorts with black piping are leather. Brooke’s legs are a similar colour to the shorts, which elongates the leg line. The fluid fit upscale bomber jacket is made of a dressy crepe de chine fabric that drapes beautifully. And that sassy leopard print just puts me in a good mood. Brooke has semi-tucked a simple white T-shirt to bookend the very on trend two strap Birkenstock sandals. The white adds pretty crispness to the look. Brooke’s gold-rimmed Aviators and 3.1. Phillip Lim bag also come out to play again, and work splendidly with the white & brown palette. 

It’s no coincidence if you recognize several items. All the pieces in Brooke’s closet are well-loved, and she loves to create different looks with them. Here she is sporting the same pleather jacket and vintage Givenchy skirt as in outfit one. This time around she has pulled down the skirt extra low to create a nonchalant low-slung effect that’s in fun contrast with the dressy pleats. Brooke has partially tucked a silk python-print spaghetti strap top, which adds to the effortless “oh I just threw this on” vibe. The pleats on the skirt and tucked top provide structure, while the black with grey print, and big black sunglasses with white edges add visual interest. The jacket and gold studs on the ballet flats toughen up the look just enough to fit Brooke’s edgy style persona. The patent red is the perfect pop of vibrant colour. 

Whether high-heeled or flat, Brooke has whole-heartedly embraced the knee-high gladiator sandal look. I really love how she is wearing these Grecian-inspired peds over her legging jeans here. It’s unexpected and creative. Our blogger isn’t afraid to do maximal, and there’s quite a lot going on in this outfit: a dotted shirt, trench coat with striped lining, piled on arm candy, sporting a necklace and scarf at the same time, and the tall sandal boots over the jeans. But the tonal colour palette of olive greens, gold and soft tan creates visual coherence and makes it all come together beautifully. Accessory-wise, I adore how Brooke threw in a preppy scarf knot as a fun contrast with the fashion forward vibe of the look.

Brooke loves fashion and over the years has developed a statement style that often challenges her environmental norm:

“I’ve never dressed like the people around me. Growing up I was always ‘too dressed up’ for everywhere we went, but I didn’t care. Those who love me appreciate that I like to stand out in a crowd. I am a stay at home mom but that’s my job so I dress for it. We go to the park and museums every day so why not wear a great outfit. You shouldn’t ‘save’ your special pieces for certain occasions. Just yesterday I took my son to the Art Museum in suede fringe shorts and animal print ankle boots. Did I get a lot of looks? Yes. Did I care? No, because it was a great outfit that I could do my job in and still look great. I say dress for yourself and NO ONE else!”

Sportswear meets casual trendy chic. This is another fab take on the Sporty Luxe trend, and my personal favourite. I love how the graphic black and white tee becomes more feminine when worn with the beautiful blues in the romantic patterned skirt. The volume of the boxy sports tee with dropped shoulders and wide, elbow-length sleeves is toned down by the slim-fit skirt. The just-below-the-knee length creates flattering outfit proportions with the top that covers the hips. Brooke bookends the dark tee with lace-up stiletto sandals. The crochet-like cut-outs add lightness to the look, where solid black footwear might have been too heavy. The exposed skin also lengthens the leg line. A chunky statement necklace is a nod to hip-hop culture that perfectly fits the mood of this look. 

What do you think of Brooke’s edgy and fashion forward outfits? Let us know in the comments, and then check out the rest of our blogger’s outfit archives and pinboards for further inspiration.