A deserving shout-out to Talbots for supplying a diverse set of sizes. They stock petite, regular, plus, and petite plus in most of their items. Furthermore, they are one of the few retailers to showcase a large component of their petite collection in brick-and-mortar stores. A number of my petite clients have had a ball shopping there this season, and with big discounts too. 

Corduroy bottoms are having a fashionable moment. Here are some classic and trendy corduroy pants silhouettes that have been winners on my clients. Many are on sale. There’s one velvet style too.

1. Talbots Velvet Slim Ankle Pants

These velvet pants have been magical if you enjoy a slim and lean but not too skinny fit on bottoms. They fit like a tailored cigarette silhouette and are not “calf-sucking”. They’re longer in person, and fit full length on petites in the petite size. Surprisingly, they’ve worked well on curvier figures and straighter figures because the fit is that good. Luxe substantial quality, and cosy warm. They come in red, and no other colours for now.

2. Talbots Stretch Corduroy Straight Leg Pants

These are the winning classic corduroy pants of the season. They are slim, but not overly skinny. Tailored in a lovely flattering way. Easy to style with a sweater, boots, or loafers, They come in twelve colours, and span petite, regular and plus sizes. They also come in a curvy fit. Cosy and nice quality.

3. Maeve’s The Colette Wide Cropped Corduroy Pants

The corduroy Colette is a repeat style that continues to be great on clients who enjoy a cosy, warm, super soft, and very comfortable pair of on-trend wider corduroy pants. Comes in ten colours across petite, regular, plus and tall. They work on a range of body types because of slightly stretchy fabric and a forgiving fit. Rise is not too high. Some straight-hipped clients sized down. The crops look fantastic with high-shaft booties, or taller boots. They come in full length across fewer colours if crops aren’t your thing.

4. Gap High Rise Corduroy ‘70s Flare Pants

These ‘70s flares aren’t that high rise. The front rise is 11 inches. They work well on curvier and straighter body types, and fit a little roomy. Might need to size down. They don’t grab tightly onto the knees like many flared styles seem to do this season. A welcome skimming fit on the thighs and knees, and come in short, regular and tall lengths. The brown is lighter in person, and there’s a Winter white too.

You see a scarf that pulls at your heartstrings, and your emotions take over. The pattern or colour is absolutely gorgeous, and you commit to purchasing it right away. You pull off the tags, pack it away, and it patiently waits to be worn with the right outfit. 

You’re excited to wear the new scarf, only to find that the pattern or colour placement doesn’t look as gorgeous when it’s tied around the neck. The components of the pattern or the colours of the pattern that drew you in, disappear in the knotting. Or the shape of the scarf is odd and doesn’t work the way you thought it would. Sometimes the fabric can be overly thick, thin, or slippery.

This has bitten me in the bottom before, so these days I tie the scarf around my neck the way I envisage wearing it and look in the mirror before making the purchase. You should also make sure that the pattern and colours create the same magic on your body as they do when you hold the darling in your hands. If you like the way the scarf looks, lies, ties, and feels when it’s properly knotted or draped on your body, you’re in business.

I’ve bought patterned scarves with borders that are absolute works of art, but don’t look great when they’re tied around my neck. I’ve purchased scarves with asymmetrical ends that don’t knot or drape well at all. Scarves that are too long to comfortably tie around my neck in a neat and tidy way is another common problem. And square scarves can be tricky. Now I know better. Tie the scarf before making the purchase.

We all make buying mistakes. Our emotions take over, we fantasize about an imaginary life, ignore discomfort, or are seduced by bargains. The result can be a closet of items with little to wear. Avoid this by being picky, patient and practical. 

Being selective and waiting, even for years, pays off. Pass on the item if it is beyond your budget, doesn’t fit or can’t be affordably altered, aggravates you in some way, is the wrong colour, shape or fabric, or isn’t in line with your current style goals.

It is possible to be too patient, picky or practical, ending up with an empty wardrobe. Sometimes you need an interim placeholder. Keep place in your budget for occasional spontaneous wild-card purchases. These can become favourites and workhorses.

Susanne Niermann lives in Germany, and documents her outfit on her blog, women2style, and on Instagram. Her style is on-trend with Modern Classic and Sporty Luxe touches. She loves bright colours, patterned trousers, and menswear-inspired looks. Susanne’s magnificent salt and pepper curls are also an integral part of her style.

Susanne loves a patterned trouser, and these cool-toned leopard print cropped skinnies look awesome with her stunning salt and pepper curls. Our blogger has combined the pants with a slouchy, cream sweater. The V-neck is the perfect backdrop for her arty oversized chain-link necklace that cleverly picks up both the colours in the rest of this casual outfit and the different tones in her hair. The white and taupe platform sneakers with black laces also tie in with the colour palette. A cool-toned red lipstick completes the look.

I stopped mid-scroll when I first saw Susanne’s watermelon suit, what a fantastic colour! Susanne dresses down her sherbet-coloured pants suit with a simple white tee and white sneaks. Both the trousers and blazer are loosely tailored for that on-trend roomy fit. Tucking the tee showcases the high waist and self-belt, and lengthens the leg line from the hips upwards. Rolling the sleeves of the blazer shows the white lining that echoes the colour of the tee and kicks. As always, our blogger’s magnificent curls take up the style quotient an extra notch.

Susanne wears neutrals and bright colours equally well. For this polished casual cold-weather look she’s paired dressy grey straight leg trousers with a taupe Modern Classic single-breasted wool coat and big white athletic sneakers. For extra warmth, she’s layered a grey puffer vest under the coat, and added a cosy ribbed-knit snood and slouchy beanie in matching greys. The large brown crossbody bag with oversized-knit pattern is unexpected, and works well with the taupe and grey.

This is a beautiful example of Angie’s Summer Black outfit formula. Pick a dress with a striking pattern, like Susanne’s black and white dress with oversized leaf print, and you are practically ready to go. The midaxi fit-and-flare dress has puffy sleeves that add playful volume, which is tempered by the fitted waist. Cognac ankle-strap espadrille sandals add a touch of warm colour to the graphic black and white, and enhance the Summer vibe. A satchel in shades of white, black and grey match the colour palette. As do our blogger’s silver and grey accessories, and salt and pepper hair.

With the striped turtleneck and sailor-inspired blazer this is very much an outfit after my own heart! Susanne has tucked the blue and white striped top into trendy mid-wash barrel leg jeans. She’s cuffed the jeans to showcase white sneakers that pick up the white in the top. The side seams ‘balloon’ away from the thighs and lower leg. The hems taper back to the leg, which adds some structure. So does the tailored shoulder on the dressy navy blazer. Its gold buttons add subtle shine. The burnt orange satchel makes the blues pop even more. A vibrant red lip, and Susanne’s signature black-rimmed specs finish off this polished casual look.

This outfit is a Party with capital P! Susanne is rocking this silky patterned co-ords set with groovy ‘60s geometric pattern. The mandarin-collared blouse has an oversized fit and playful short flutter sleeves. Semi-tucking the blouse into the loosely tailored wide leg trousers slightly tempers the volume without losing its nonchalant and breezy aesthetic. Bright red thong sandals echo the red in the print. To complete the look, our blogger has found a crochet-style bag in Kelly green that’s a fab match with the green in the printed co-ords.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Susanne’s gorgeous outfits. Let us know in the comments and be sure to check out her website and Instagram for more style-inspiration.