A wildcard is an item that is atypical to your style persona, but that speaks to you in some way. I suggest adding at least one wildcard to your seasonal wardrobe, just for fun. Sometimes your wildcards unexpectedly become wardrobe workhorses, steering you in a new style direction. That’s even more fun. 

I’d love to know about the wildcards that made it into your wardrobe for Spring and Summer 2014, and how they have worked for your style so far. I’ll go first. 

1. Flared Love Story Jeans: I don’t have a boho aspect to my style, nor do I typically wear wide leg pants or jeans because I generally find them fussy and impractical for our climate. Yet, I fell in love with a pair of flared jeans. They instantly felt elegant with pointy toe pumps. I have especially enjoyed wearing these jeans out at night for a change of pace. They’ve become my “dressy jeans”, and filled a subtle wardrobe hole. 
2. Big White Sneakers: Loving the Sporty Luxe Trend has been a huge surprise in itself because I’m dressy and very un-sporty. If you asked me last year whether I’d be sporting big white sneakers with jeans, long shorts and dresses, my answer would probably have been, “no way”. But we can never say never when if comes to fashion. I love my white sneakers, and sport them with tucked away laces, sans socks and in outfits where I would have previously worn Converse sneakers. They are a brilliantly comfortable substitute for the Chucks that no longer work for my fussy feet. 
3. Upscale Backpack: This is my wildest card of all. Me, sporting a white upscale backpack, after saying that I would never do so again after having had my fill of backpacks in the ‘90s. I had to eat my words and thank my good mate Laurel for inspiring me with her own ultra refined and gorgeously made white backpack. It’s fun, super comfortable, pretty, modern and very 2014. This little darling has become a wardrobe workhorse, and is Greg’s favourite bag in my current collection.

I’ll add that I’ve enjoyed Spring and Summer shopping this year as much as I normally enjoy Fall shopping. This is also unusual.   

Over to you. Tell me about your wildcards for the season and how they’re working for you. Perhaps you have your eye on a wildcard, and by all means share that too.

Jumpsuits and rompers resurfaced six years ago as a fringe trend. Although they’ve gained momentum, they still aren’t a mainstream look at all. And come to think of it, I don’t think they were ever a mainstream trend back in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

The all-in-one piece has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros

• It’s an easy pull-on-and go item that requires minimal styling effort. 
• You’re covered when you bend over, and don’t need to fuss with keeping tops tucked into bottoms. 
• It’s a fun look that is as Modern as it is Retro. 

Cons

• It’s impractical when nature calls. 
• It can look overly matchy-matchy because the top is often in the same fabric as the bottom. 
• It’s sometimes perceived as juvenile. 

I wore jumpsuits as a child and teen in the ‘70s and ‘80s. I loved them then, but didn’t feel the same love when they became fashionable again several years ago. I thought they were fun, retro and glam but was not prepared to put up with the inconvenience when I needed the loo.

But I have warmed to the idea. The look is so fabulous that I might be prepared to put up with the inconvenience. So for the last couple of years I’ve been keeping my eye out. I’ve been looking for one in thicker fabric that has a collar, sleeves, tapered pant hems, and is dressy. So far, I’ve only found casual versions of that style, so perhaps I’ll relax that requirement and make 2015 my year for the casual jumpsuit. 

Over to you. Have you invited jumpsuits and rompers back into your wardrobes, or are you a nay forever?

Skinnies, or slim-fit straight leg jeans and trousers, still have their place. Whether they are body-con, tailored or a little relaxed, the ultra mainstream silhouette, which is going into its tenth year since it resurfaced from the ‘80s, has incredible staying power for three good reasons. 

They Are Very Practical

Skinnies are the item to tuck into weatherproof boots in snowy, slushy and wet weather. Dry pant hems and feet are a wonderful thing, full stop. Plus, the snug fit around the lower leg is warm and insulating. Skinnies paired with all sorts of short or tall boot styles allow you to look fashionable and stylish in nasty weather, which is quite remarkable. 

They Look Great with Flats

The tapered leg fit of skinnies is a proportional match made in heaven with flat footwear (heels that are between half and one and a half inches). So if you gravitate towards very low heel heights, wearing skinnies makes sense. Wearing flat footwear with wider pant hems is not impossible, but the “stumpy feeling” sets in more easily, especially if you have a relatively short inseam. 

They Are an Effective Structural Tool 

The slim-fit of skinnies adds a tailored element to outfits with fluid and oversized tops, making it a handy structural tool. Wearing volume on the top and bottom is very fashion forward, but not everyone’s cup of tea because it can make you feel bigger than you are. Wearing slim-fit pants helps to create a streamlined effect.  

I am over body-con sausage-casing skinnies. But I love to wear skinnies, straight leg jeans and cigarette pants that aren’t that tight. A tailored or relaxed fit is crucial here. I wear them because of the three reasons above, but also because it is nice to have a change from boyfriend jeans, flared jeans, wide-leg pants and slouchy trousers. Plus, I have a soft spot for the classic equestrian look. The tailored and tapered silhouette will probably stay an integral part of my style. 

Over to you. What are your thoughts on skinny jeans and pants these days?

A tiny sneak peek at the Alexander Wang for H&M collection, Gwen Stefani returns to New York Fashion Week, Yoox branches out into activewear and more news from the style trenches this week.

• This Fall, London’s Design Museum will stage an exhibit that explores the relationship between powerful women and their wardrobes.
• Here’s a teeny tiny sneak peek of the much anticipated Alexander Wang for H&M collection.
• I’m looking forward to Gwen Stefani’s return to New York Fashion Week, where she’ll be showing the L.A.M.B. Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
• This week Amazon launched a shopping section that focusses entirely on wearable technology.
• Eileen Ford, co-founder of famous modelling agency Ford Models that launched the career of Lauren Hutton and many others, has died at age 92.
• After Net-a-Sporter, Yoox is next in line to jump on the activewear bandwagon.
• Rag & Bone presents its Men’s Spring 2015 collection through a portrait series that features Jerry Seinfeld.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that this year alone 6.9 million sunglasses were sold on eBay, with Calvin Klein being the most popular brand purchased by US shoppers (nearly 1 million pairs), and Ray-Ban the second most popular brand (over 200,000 pairs).