Nikki Brooks-Revis (34) lives in Washington DC. She gave up her job as a general manager at an energy firm to chase her dream: creating her own clothes. She blogs about her adventures in fashion over at Beaute’ J’adore. Nikki is a trendy fashionista who loves slouch as much as bombshell. She likes to experiment with the newest trends, adores her high heels, and generously shares sewing tips and clothing patterns for all the items she makes.

Head-to-toe black can look a little flat sometimes, but that’s certainly not the case here. Different materials, textures and extra structure give this look a lively lift. Pairing a cropped, boxy top with a full skirt is an on trend way to sport volume on volume. The high waist and rigid pleating on the midi keep the volume in check. The short-sleeved top is a mix of leather and cotton, a texture-rich combo that creates outfit depth. Adding leather arm warmers adds to that effect and helps to achieve colour continuity on top. The column of colour makes this skirt ensemble look like a fun two-piece dress. The tailored heeled lace-up booties and black tights elongate the leg line. Nikki’s go-to gold bangles and black clutch with gold buttons finish off the outfit.

One big advantage of knowing how to sew, is that you don’t have to wait for a trendy colour to hit the stores. You can start wearing it straightaway. Nikki wanted to try radiant orchid, the Pantone colour for 2014. She picked a medium weight doublecloth cotton twill to make this beautiful boxy, round-shouldered jacket. A look that was big on the catwalks for Fall 2013, and is still trending. It has a nice drape to it, and the dramatic collar works great with the high boatneck neckline of the sweatshirt-esque pullover. The volume up top is balanced by adding skinny jeans, the pointy toe pumps bring structure to the look. I am very taken with this colour combo. Light grey looks more crisp when you pair it with white, and the purpleish pink gives it extra zing. A modern black clutch echoes the black trim on the jacket. The black footwear bookends Nikki’s dark hair.

Talented Nikki makes most of the clothes she wears, this is how she got started:

“I started sewing almost as a fluke, I made a maxi skirt in May of 2012 that was halfway decent and thought I may be able to do this. At that point I just jumped in and taught myself. I didn’t grow up having the desire to make clothes, it just fell into my lap. I draw a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and fashion magazines. In terms of patterns, I generally find a pattern with a basic structure which allows me to make alterations that fit my aesthetic. I look at the possibility of a pattern as opposed to what it was designed for.”  

Nikki is a huge fan of leather and slouchy trousers, and here she is sporting both. I am fully and completely smitten with this dressy track pants outfit! Ladies with fuller bottoms and thighs sometimes shy away from roomier trousers, but Nikki has fully embraced the extra volume, and my word, she rocks the look. I also love the neckline of the peplum top, that emphasizes Nikki’s small waist and then flares out to skim over her curves. The roomy fit of the trousers around the thigh is flattering, while the elasticated tapered hems rein in the volume and create structure. Up top, the cropped leather jacket does the same. The large knitted cuffs echo the hems on the pants, and give the look a modern sporty vibe. Nikki’s ponytail with turned-up jacket collar adds playful pizzazz. The sunny yellow just makes me happy. 

Nikki’s bombshell side comes out to play. The high-waisted body con pencil skirt emphasizes our blogger’s tiny waist and beautiful figure. The silk jersey fabric hugs her curves, and tapers in just below the knee, which creates flattering proportions. The elegant drape of the looser-fitting, sleeveless wrap blouse (a dress altered into a top) creates visual balance. The linen-esque material, leather strap belt and Nikki’s bare arms add structure to the look. Dainty T-strap pumps, an oversized marbled clutch in a rich burgundy-brown and big gold chain bracelet are the only accessories required to complete this outfit.

This is a brilliant alternative for the midriff baring looks we saw on the runways for Spring/Summer 2014. Wear a super cropped jumper over a boxy untucked shirt for a similar cheeky look without the extra exposure. Nikki keeps things streamlined by sticking with black and white only and opting for slim-fit bottoms with a bit of stretch. The tailored, collarless blazer adds polished structure, while the perfect length bottoms create a long, lean line. The front ankle slits reveal a sliver of skin, which gives the entire look and alluring and playful touch. The angular lines of the black clutch fit the strong, graphic vibe of the outfit. The warm gold accents are picked up again in Nikki’s eye-catching ring and bangle with mimimalist design. Classic red nails and lipstick complement the black and white

Haute fashion created at home. Can you believe Nikki made this fabulous wool tweed coat and the slouchy trousers herself! I have a soft spot for head-to-toe Winter white, and have always loved how chic creams and browns look together. A coat with elbow length sleeves is perfect for mild Winter temps, but can also take you all the way into Spring. Nikki’s clever solution for days when it’s too cold for bare forearms: leather and wool arm warmers. The mixed media effect is eye-catching and a little avant-garde. The sophisticated cream blouse — that looks like a blazer — forms a column of colour with the wool crepe trouser. The elasticated cuffs add a sporty touch to this elegant, fashion-forward look, and work beautifully scrunched over the edgy cognac sandal booties.

Be sure to hop on over to Nikki’s blog to check out the rest of her archives, browse her pinboards for more colourful inspiration, or shop her Etsy store where you can buy Nikki’s creations. But first let us know in the comments what you think about her  style.

I’m loving the slightly shorter boyfriend jeans style. They’re cropped quite a bit shorter than regular boyfriend jeans, with lengths finishing halfway up the calf instead of a few inches from the ankle. In fact, I think I’d roll this style even shorter so that the length is closer to my knee than my ankle. 

The style reminds me a little of knickerbockers and pedal pushers. They’re a great way to stay covered if you don’t want to wear shorts or skirts, or feel the cold at the drop of a hat like I do. It doesn’t get all that hot in Seattle, so cropped boyfriends are going to be “my casual shorts” for the Summer, providing a roomy update on tight clamdiggers. The shorter length makes them proportionally easier to wear with flat shoes, which instantly appeals to my fussy feet.

Although these are Spring footwear trends, feel free to wear them whenever the weather is appropriate. I don’t wear sandals, so most of them work well for me in the Summer. And even if it’s baking outside, most of these styles are practical in a chilly air conditioned office. 

You’ll probably recognize most of the styles. There’s a good assortment of heels, low heels and flats across dressy and casual styles, so something for everyone. Note: the visual representation of each style is by no means exhaustive. Each trend comes in many, many variations.

Loafers

Loafers, in both classic and less traditional styles, are my top vote for comfortable and on trend Spring shoes. They tend to stay on your feet when ballet flats fall off, and provide sufficient arch support. They are particularly comfy with a one inch heel, and available in dressy and casual styles. I prefer refined and slightly masculine styles with an elongated toe, high vamp and some hardware detailing because they look extra modern to my eye. But driving mocs, penny loafers, chunky heels, styles with fringe or tassels, and round toes are just as fab.

D’Orsays

D’Orsay styles are pointy toe or almond toe heels and flats that are cut away at the sides to showcase more of the foot. Sometimes only one of the sides is cut away. Vamps are either high or low. They work best on feet that can fill out the shape. I haven’t found a pair that stays on my low volume foot. This is not a good style for narrow heels.

Pointy Toe Flats

Pointy toe ballet flats are trendier than classic round toes, and help to elongate the leg line. Wear them with skirts and dresses, keeping the colour low contrast against the skin tone for further outfit elongation.

Slipper Flats

This is a type of loafer that resembles an old fashioned men’s slipper. The vamp is high and the toe either round or pointy. Wear these like a loafer and you’ll be fine. The style is particularly good for wide feet.

Oxfords

Oxfords are another take on the high vamped masculine shoe. Oxfords can be flat or heeled, lace-up or slip-on, casual or dressy, and refined or chunky. Some of the styles have cut-out detailing, which tends to make the look more feminine. Sporting them in a pretty colour, a light colour, a metallic, and with a refined heel and sole tends to amp up their feminine integrity even further.

Slip-On Sneakers

Slip-on Van sneakers are an inexpensive way to wear this trend. There are many, many versions of the look and I’ll be going into detail about the slip-on sneaker in a later post. I view them as the sneaker version of lace-less oxfords, and they are the sassy sneaker style of the season. They’re also a more subtle way to wear flatforms.

Booties and Shooties

Booties have been on trend for several years, and there is no stopping the versatility of this ped. Booties are being worn with just about everything, and year round. Flat, heeled, dressy, casual, refined, chunky, slouchy, tailored, round toe, pointy toe, studded, plain. You name it.

Cut-Out Booties

Cut-out bootie styles are gaining momentum. Heels are usually between one and a half and three inches, and straps are pretty wide. Most of the styles are chunky, but more refined styles do exist. Opt for a non-black version to create a softer edge with this style.

Peep-Toe Booties

A bootie with toes peeping out might seem seasonally confused, but there’s something grounding about the style to my eye. Gorgeous with ankle pants in the same colour.

Ankle Strap Pumps or Flats

This is one of my favourite trends because ankle straps are ladylike and elegant. Think d’Orsay pumps or flats with an ankle strap positioned above the ankle bone. Remember that you don’t need to have dainty ankles and long legs to sport ankle straps. Pointy toe ankle strap pumps are fab with boyfriend jeans, ankle pants, skirts, dresses and long shorts.

Pointy Toe Pumps

The pointy toe pump gets my vote for most versatile shoe. The low vamp creates conventionally flattering proportions. The tailored fit adds a structured touch to slouchy outfits. Looks just as great dressed up with formal wear, as it does with distressed denim.

It’s possible to combine a few trends into one shoe, like wearing a pointy toe slipper flat with penny loafer vamp detailing. Or opting for flat oxfords with cut-out detailing. Or wearing d’Orsay pumps with ankle straps. 

I’m feeling loafers, ankle strap pumps, pointy toe pumps, pointy toe booties and flat oxfords the most from this list. I’m intrigued by the slip-on sneakers and might give them a whirl too. And you?

Top of my list for best dressed of the night is Ellen Degeneres, who wore her assortment of relaxed tuxedos to perfection. Ellen generally wows me with her style, and I was not disappointed. She made it a fun evening, taking selfies, ordering pizza and tweeting up a storm.

I was a little underwhelmed with the fashion on the red carpet. I much preferred the outfits at the Golden Globes ceremony earlier in the year. I’m particularly bored with strapless gowns and hope that there is more variety next year. That said, I did have my favourites.

Best Gowns

• Naomi Watts was hands down my best for the night. Her glitzy Calvin Klein white column dress with sharp shouldered cap sleeves was magical for her petite rectangular frame. Loved her sleek long hair and geometric clutch. Modern, simple, elegant and absolutely killer. 
• Amy Adams in an ink Gucci gown was stunning. Although I’m off formal strapless gowns, the drape and fit of this dress was couture at its best. My word, the fit was out of this world. I love orange matched with blue, so the ink was a superb match with Amy’s red hair. 
• Olivia Wilde was breathtaking in a black Valentino maternity halter neck gown. It was especially stunning from the side, when it showcased flowing white panels. It also had pockets, which were fab.
• Portia de Rossi was gorgeous in a lacy cream Naeem Khan halter dress. I love the way the colours of the gown were repeated in her hair. Simply smashing. 

I also liked Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Bette Midler and Calista Flockhart. 

Best Dressed Blokes

• Matthew McConaughey in a white tux with peek-a-boo black waistcoat was a breath of fresh air. I’m thrilled that he won Best Actor. And so was he. 
• Jason Sudeikis was extra handsome in a slim-fit navy tux. 
• Chiwetel Ejiofor was James Bond fabulous in a classic black tux. 
• Jonah Hill gets my top vote for best fitting tux. The drape was impeccable and no pulling wrinkles. He looked amazing. 

Best Hair

• Ellen Degeneres’ short and highly textured blonde pixie with slight wave was as divine as ever. 
• Viola Davis’ finger waves are fabulously retro. 
• Liza Minnelli‘s short jet black hair with cobalt streak was gorgeous.
• Sandra Bullock’s side swept cascading curls were beautiful.
• Penelope Cruz’s strict yet soft bun was stunningly elegant. 
• Anne Hathaway’s fluid short hair was super chic. 

Best Acceptance Speeches

Jared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o moved me to tears, so they were best in my book. 

I was disappointed that American Hustle went home empty-handed because it was an extremely enjoyable movie. ‘70s fashion at its glamorous best.

Over to you. Who were your favourites of the night?