Pedal pushers are slim-fitting bottoms that finish on or just over the knee. They are shorter than calf length. I’ve referred to pedal pushers as clamdiggers in the past, while retailers in the US call them capris or cropped pants. This is not a new silhouette, but it has taken a back seat in a fashion world that is currently besotted with ankle pants. 

Pedal pushers are structured, and made of dressy fabrics like wool and cotton blends, or casual fabrics like denim, in both solids and patterns. They frequently have a slit on the hem of the knee to increase the comfort level as you stride. Pedal pushers are especially good for larger calves because they are short and don’t cling. The hems of casual styles can be rolled to the knee, which is an especially good idea when you hack off the length of an old pair of skinnies to create a pair.

I love pedal pushers, or clamdiggers as I call them. I used to wear them a lot four years ago, but stopped when baggy and slouchy boyfriend jeans took their place. I did cut a pair of old flared jeans to this length last year, but their fit is looser than pedal pushers. I’m in the mood for dressy pedal pushers like the ones here from Ann Taylor. Pedal pushers are more comfy than pencil skirts and look boyish in a polished way, which appeals to me. I’m a yay. 

Over to you. What’s your take on both dressy and casual pedal pushers? Would you wear them? And do you think that dressy pedal pushers, like the Ann Taylor styles below, are work appropriate?

It’s been especially fun helping clients pull together their business casual wardrobes this season because Spring 2014 is full of new, work appropriate silhouettes. Lightening up the colours of a workwear wardrobe is key to refreshing your style at this time of year. Matching ink blue with shades of white has been particularly popular because it’s neutral, versatile, flattering, and über fresh after a Winter of wearing lots of black and grey. 

I recently went shopping with a corporate client who is extremely polished and prefers better-end professional pieces. She favours neutrals, subtle patterns, and is a true Modern Classic with a tall hourglass figure. She’s bored with wearing impeccable business formal wool suits with silk tops, so we focused on putting together business casual separates instead. We also threw in trendier pieces to change things up even more. 

We built several capsules together, of which the ink blue and white is a favourite. It was a huge change for my client to wear white trousers and ink blue instead of black and grey – and she loves the change. The palette also worked particularly well with her new, light blue geek chic specs and her brunette complexion.

Apart from the tote, the items below are the exact items that were purchased for the new capsule. All the tops can be worn with either of the bottoms. They can be worn tucked, partially tucked or untucked. Both jackets work over all four tops, can be matched with the skirt or trousers, and can be worn with either pair of shoes. Both jackets work over the dress. Of course, my client prefers some combinations over others, but when things bottleneck in the laundry, she knows she has options. She can choose any of these combinations and feel fabulous. 

This business casual mix-and-match capsule consisted of: two bottoms, four tops, two jackets, a dress, two pairs of shoes, and a bag. Normally, we’d put together five tops, but the dress takes the place of one of the tops in this case. Here are the components:

Two Bottoms

My client likes to wear trousers to work, but desperately wanted to wear a different vibe to bootcuts. So we opted for a trendy pair of cream ankle pants which she wears at a flattering length. The pants aren’t skintight so tucking tops and adding a belt works just fine. We decided on a cream pencil skirt because it’s a familiar silhouette for my client. Choosing it in white and in a textured knit made the style feel fresh and new. 

Four Tops

We chose a variety of top styles across patterns and solids. Some are classic and some trendy. An ink gingham shirt for a preppy vibe. A lightweight metallic V-neck pullover in a shade of oyster for a little daytime sparkle. A sleeveless silk shell top in a fluid fit for ultra simplicity. And a patterned blouse with a high-low hemline for a dose of trendy. 

Two Jackets

We chose two fashionable jackets in different silhouettes and colours. The white blazer, although pretty classic, is a longer length and looks particularly fresh with trousers. The boxy navy Spring tweed jacket is modern with its inset white leather trim and bracelet length sleeves. My client will wear both jackets open, which is how the styles look best. 

Sleeveless tops sans topper are not an option for business meetings, so the jackets have to be light enough to wear indoors. But my client is comfortable taking off her jacket at her desk when she feels like a breezy break. Plus we have sleeved top options, so it’s all sorted. 

One Dress

We had to include the ink pencil sheath dress because my client loves dresses. And it has sleeves, which is a rarity. It can be worn on its own sans topper or with either jacket. It can also be worn in Winter with hose, booties, scarf and coat. It’s an extremely easy and versatile piece that is practical to take along on business trips.

Two Pairs of Shoes

It’s ladylike and refined pumps all the way for my corporate client, but we chose styles that were a little less classic this time round. A leg lengthening light pair with trendy ankle straps, and a dark high vamped d’Orsay style with a lower heel. Both styles are very comfortable and equally great for business travel. 

Accessories

My client prefers to use one handbag for the warm weather season, so I suggested she keep it light in colour so that it looks more Summery with all her outfits. She’s going to purchase a white and taupe bag that’s similar to the Witney tote, which is sufficiently large for her needs. The white belt will be worn when tops are fully or partially tucked. 

The items in this capsule can also be used in capsules with different colour palettes. For example, the white jacket, trousers and skirt work well with the black and white patterned tops my client already has in her wardrobe. The navy tweed jacket works well over a burnt orange sheath dress and with denim boyfriend jeans. The white blazer looks smashing with black straight leg trousers, ink bootcuts, black and white houndstooth pants, and a burnt orange tweed pencil skirt. And the white bottoms are beautiful with the swingy blush Lloyd jacket my client added to her jacket capsule last week. 

Remember that this is just the starting point for one business capsule across one colour palette. Having several mix-and-match capsules in your closet allows you to pick and choose your outfits daily from different capsules, thereby ensuring ongoing variety.

British retailer Harrods organizes its first ever Digital Style Summit, Clare Vivier is branching out into men’s accessories, Raf Simons gets his own documentary, and more fashion news from around the globe this week.

• The New York Tech Fashion Lab is collaborating with major retailers like Kate Spade and J.Crew to mentor six to eight fashion tech startups.
• Loehmann’s, the off-price retailer who had to close its doors in February, will relaunch in May as an online shopping site.
• The blogosphere is on style watch alert as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off their 3-week tour of New Zealand and Australia on Monday.
• “Dior and I“, the movie documenting designer Raf Simon’s creative process premieres next week at the Tribeca Film Festival.
• Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, has just been appointed as editor-in-chief of the new Yahoo Beauty. 
• Check out the ten young menswear designers to watch according to Newgen, a new talent initiative sponsored by British retailer Topman.
• Clare Vivier is branching out into men’s accessories, and has plans to expand into “shoes and a cut-and-sewn line soon”. I’m curious!
• Harrods has teamed up with eight well-known bloggers for its first ever Digital Style Summit.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that actress and model Marisa Berenson is the granddaughter of iconic Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, contemporary and rival of Coco Chanel?

This ensemble is for Team Skirt. It combines the ladylike and bombshell vibe of a tight midi pencil skirt with the casual and sporty ease of a bomber jacket. The juxtaposition is fun and a little unexpected. Note that a midi pencil skirt is knee-covering, and looks best when tapered quite severely at the hem. The outfit will not have the same dramatic and elegant effect if you wear an above-the-knee pencil skirt. 

Choose any colour palette, and feel free to create a column of colour under the bomber. I’ve chosen high contrast pieces with brights and patterns, but a neutral look in solids is just as fab. The renditions on the left and in the middle are pretty, while the rendition on the right adds a little hard edge. Go with whichever vibe tickles your fancy. 

Here are the components:

Skirt: Choose a midi length pencil skirt that is tightly tapered at the side seams. That way you’ll create adequate structure when wearing roomier tops and flats. And your skirt will stay put as you stride. Lengths can vary from just over the knee to further down the calf. Knitted pencil midis are best, because they stretch as you stride. Tight woven midi pencils skirts are quite hard to walk in, so I vote knitted all the way. 

Top: Think fluid tees, tanks, high-low blouses or peplum tops. A crew neck, V-neck, or scoop neck works best with a bomber jacket. A tee creates a more casual look. A blouse creates a refined and dressier vibe. A black leather peplum adds some edge. Wear the top untucked or partially tucked. 

Bomber Jacket: You’re after a sporty bomber jacket in a woven or knit. Lace works too. Scrunch the sleeves and wear the front open to create a slimming vertical line down the front of the body. 

Footwear: Your choice of footwear seals the deal. Pumps, ankle strap pumps and caged sandals are pretty and office appropriate in some environments. Slipper flats and d’Orsay flats are trendy and super for Team Flats, and particularly elongating with a pointy toe. Cut-out and peep-toe booties add a harder edge, especially in black. 

Accessories: Choose any bag. A fashionable backpack is a fun option and amps up the sporty vibe of the outfit. Finish off the look with jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. 

It’s an easy outfit to pull together and you might be able to shop your closet for the look right away. Nice for some office settings, or for a casual night out. No jeans required. 

I passed on my woven midi pencil skirt a few years ago because it was too hard to walk in. Now I’m in the mood for a knitted pencil midi so that I can pull together the look with my lace bomber and pointy toe ankle strap pumps.