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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The Spring and Summer 2014 retail season is almost behind us and it’s been brilliant. I bought more than usual for the season and I’m enjoying each new piece even more than I thought I would. But with preselections for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale coming up next week, it’s time to start getting my head around Fall 2014. I need to think about how I want to refresh my own style and how I can help my clients to refresh theirs. 

With my style descriptors in mind — Modern, Clean, Simple, Bold & Dressy — I glanced back at the catwalk outfits I pinned at Fall Fashion Week earlier this year, as well as my own forecast for Fall 2014’s dominant trends. And here’s my first stab at how I’d like to refresh my style for Fall and Winter, my dominant season. 

• Cognac Accents: I’m not an earth tone gal, but I do like cognac leather because it’s a bright, rich brown. I’m in the mood to wear it with lots of white, citron and shades of blue for Autumn to keep the crispness I seek in my style. I already have a studded cognac belt, so I’ll be on the lookout for cognac booties or tall boots, and a bag. And I might throw in a Burberry belt in cognac too.
• Tall Boots: I have worn booties till the cows come home for four years because they are extremely practical and comfortable for our climate. Plus they are much easier to fit than tall boots when your calf circumference measures thirteen inches. I will continue adding to my bootie capsule, but I’m also in the mood for tall boots. I would love to refresh my collection, but it’s going to be very hard to find styles that fit. 
• Oatmeal and Tan: I bought a heathered cashmere oatmeal pullover on a whim last year and enjoy wearing it with Winter White Out, or faded blue denim. I want to explore wearing more of the colours that run through my hair like tan, oatmeal, bone and stone. As long as I wear these soul sucking hues together with white or a shade of blue, my green specs and a brighter lipstick, they’ll look alive against my skin tone. 
• Minimize Black & Eliminate Grey: I am not cutting black out of my wardrobe. After all, a black turtleneck is an indispensable wardrobe essential for my style. But I do want to minimize the black that I purchase for the season, wear more ink blue, and wear black as an accent instead of a statement. I am saying goodbye to grey. It doesn’t make me happy, and it looks pretty awful on my skin tone. 
• Knitwear Mania: I will be adding lots more knitwear in all sorts of colours to my wardrobe, because it’s practical and particularly trendy. Plus I LOVE knitwear. 
• Sporty Luxe: I’m not quite sure how I’ll incorporate this trend for Autumn and Winter, but I plan to do so and will enjoy the challenge. 
• Midi Dresses and Skirts: I’d love to wear Winter weight midi skirts and dresses, but that will depend on whether I find tall boots. I generally feel too cold wearing midis with pumps, booties and hosiery when it starts to get cold in Seattle, and learned my lesson the hard way. I need warm tall boots if I’m going to wear this look at all.
• Trousers: I need to fall back in love with wool trousers because of what I just said about skirts and dresses. Trousers keep me warm and happy as temperatures plummet. So I’ll be on the look out for woolen trouser styles that aren’t cropped that I can wear while I give jeans a rest. 

I’m very much into boxy fits on jackets and tops, relaxed fits on bottoms, and refined footwear all round. I still love a great tailored fit in coats, jackets and turtlenecks. I also love wearing my straight legs jeans, cigarette pants and skinny jeans, but they aren’t very tight. I am saying no to anything with a body con fit, particularly sausage casing skinnies. 

Over to you. Have you thought about your Fall and Winter style? If so, I’d love to hear your first thoughts about how you’d like to evolve your look. Remember, nothing is cast in stone and you can change your mind at any time, but giving it some thought is fun and might help you to be a more deliberate shopper as the season starts.