We’re on the cusp of Fall fashion, but there is still Summer merchandise in stores for the moment and most of it is on sale. Here’s an assortment of fun Summer items across a range of price points. Be sure to look through all the colour options. 

1. BCBG Emmaline High-Low Hem Pullover: Watermelon fabness on petites and regular height ladies. Excellent on a short waist. The back hem is long so consider yourself warned. 
2. BCBG Harlow Geometric Envelope Clutch: Clean, crisp and graphic. 
3. Blake Metallic Mesh Turn-Lock Clutch: If you’re a ‘70s Glam Gal, this shimmery little darling might be just your cup of tea. It shimmers in shades of blush and mint. 
4. BCBGMAXAZRIA Brighton Clutch: Here’s a brighter version at half the price. 
5. Zara Short Floral Print Blazer: Excellent on a large bust, short neck and broad shoulder line. Fantastic length on petites, and fun layered over the Emmaline high-low pullover. Runs small.
6. Zara Oversized Printed Sweatshirt: Stands away from the body in a fashion forward way. Stiff boxy fabness. 
7. Deux Lux X Lock Clutch: A small butterfly leather clutch with an unusual clasp. 
8. IIIBeCa West Broadway Satchel: Great casual leather satchel at a good price. Available in nine unusual colours. 
9. Kenneth Cole New York Bree Blouse (Petite): Breezy for hot weather and no camisole required. Great on petites and regular height ladies. 
10. Lafayette 148 New York Gathered Asymmetric Dress: A tailored sheath with a romantic touch, and enough length for taller gals. 
11. Robert Rodriguez Dandelion Twill Embroidered Jacket: An architectural feminine topper that works well over sleeveless dresses, trousers and jeans. 
12. Michael Kors Black Drape Front Blouse: Strict yet soft. Best on a long neck, small bust and straighter figure. 
13. DKNY Colorblock One Button Jacket: Bold and tailored for the office. Wear over a column of black. 

If your Summers are long, peek at the sale at BCBG, Neiman Marcus and the Rack because it won’t be long before stores are full of Fall fashion.

I am generally very strict about managing my closet. I use a one-in-one-out approach to make sure that I don’t grow out of my closet space over time, and items that I’m no longer wearing get passed on or go into an out of sight holding zone. But there are exceptions. These aren’t orphans — I know how to wear them and have plenty of items to wear with them. I keep them because it makes me happy to see them in my closet, or because I have a hunch that it won’t be long before they are back in rotation. Here are four examples that are in my closet right now.

First, I’ve had a vintage tomato red dress for thirteen years. I’ve worn it to three weddings and many a night out in the past. The last time I wore the frock was in 2010, when it was hot enough to do so and the setting was perfect. I have no intention of getting rid of that dress because I love it so much. Seeing the colour and its delicate fabric hang in my closet puts me into a good mood. I’m sure I’ll wear it again one day, when the moment and weather are just right. But for now, it’s serving its purpose by decorating my closet. 

Second, about three years ago I had a style epiphany and swore off all jewellery apart from watch and wedding ring. Before that I frequently wore chunky white faux pearl necklaces of all shapes and sizes. I still have them, and they make quite a visual statement where they hang on the hooks I installed for them. I have no intention of wearing these necklaces any time soon, but seeing them as I enter our closet makes me happy. White pearls will always hold a special place in my heart, so they’ve become sentimental. 

Third, I have two older white Anne Fontaine button-down shirts that I haven’t worn for years. They are very tailored and right now I prefer more fashionable fluid and oversized fits. So instead I gravitate towards my boxy white tuxedo shirts, or the Anne Fontaine shirts that are a little less fitted. But I’m keeping them in my closet because I know I’ll wear them again when I want a more tailored look.

And fourth, I have two pairs of Chie Mihara low-heeled pumps that are beautifully made and extremely comfortable. I don’t wear them because I’m off round toed pumps for now. But as Queen Fussy Feet, I generally don’t get rid of comfortable shoes unless they are falling apart or I’ve found a superior replacement. So they’re staying in my closet, waiting for my round toe pumps mood to return. 

I believe that closet edits are important, and I’m all about keeping my closet to a manageable size. But sometimes it’s a good idea to hold onto items that you have a hunch you might wear again in the not too distant future, or even just because they make you smile. 

I thought I wasn’t an upscale backpack gal, but that all changed when I saw my good mate Laurel sport Milly’s Riley backpack in white a few months ago when we met for tea. My appreciation of the backpack was so loud that soon all eyes in Starbucks were on that little darling on Laurel’s back. I couldn’t stop thinking about her beautiful white backpack, so I had to have one too. 

I’ve been off wearing black as a statement for some time now, but I will happily sport black as an accent with lots of white. At first I thought that this outfit was too black, and wanted to substitute the bottoms for white jeans. But I’m still very fond of my old and awfully comfortable black cigarette pants, which are great rolled at the hems with black ankle strap pumps. And the white asymmetrical split hem top is more dramatic over black bottoms because it creates a high contrast. So I stuck with the black pants and saved the white jeans for another day. 

This outfit is similar in concept to the one I posted last month, which showcases the exact same pullover in blush. There I wore low contrast white straight leg jeans with ankle strap pumps, boxy jacket and gold hardware. Here I’m wearing high contrast black ankle pants with ankle strap pumps, a bomber and silver hardware. The first rendition was soft and dressy, while this one is graphic, sporty and more casual. Although black paired with white is less soft than white paired with blush, I kept this rendition soft by adding lace, ladylike shoes, plenty of white, soft lipstick and green specs. Both outfits are a combination of old and new pieces. 

I duplicated the asymmetric pullover from Zara in white because I love the weight, fit, fabric, hemline and neckline. I enjoy its straight torso fit, snug crew neck, and tailored raglan sleeves. The neckline works particularly well under my lace bomber jacket — nice and neat. The jacket is also a perfect weight for Summer in Seattle. I wore a black camisole to avoid a visible difference where the pants meet the camisole under the white pullover. Removing the jacket works well because the top creates interesting lines on its own. 

The outfit is a little more luxe than sporty. The bomber jacket is sporty, but luxe in lace to start off with. The backpack is sporty but ultra refined. The pullover has sporty raglan sleeves, but is rather dressy. The cigarette pants are business casual, and the footwear quite formal. As soon as you incorporate a tailored fit, the vibe becomes more dressy. That’s why fluid fits and scrunched sleeves accentuate the relaxed vibe of this outfit. 

I’m on a casual errand day right now and wearing an even more relaxed version of this look that substitutes the ankle strap pumps with laceless flat silver oxfords. But the version with the pumps is what I would wear to work with non-business casual clients. 

It still surprises me how taken I am with the seemingly unstoppable Sporty Luxe trend. After the ‘90s, I didn’t think I’d ever wear a fashionable backpack again. All it took was the right backpack in white to completely turn my thinking around. Now I’m loving the hands free convenience and the comfort of this bag. One can truly never say never in fashion.

This month’s newsletter features one of my favourite trends right now: Sporty Luxe. Several posts during the month touched on the trend, and so did some of the weekly ensembles. Even our outstanding outfit bloggers were sporting great examples of the trend. 

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