I’m attracted to patterned wardrobe items. I enjoy wearing them and buying them because they make my outfits look punchy and alive, which in turn makes me feel alive. I particularly like classic patterns like stripes, checks, polka dots and animal print. I also like romantic florals, and have a thing for animal print footwear. When I wear a solid top and bottom, I will often match it with patterned belt and/or shoe. I love to pattern mix belts with tops. And when I haven’t worn patterns for days, I rectify the situation because I miss wearing them.

At the beginning of the year I stopped purchasing patterned items for a while. I’d overdosed on them. My closet was looking chaotic and I missed seeing enough clean, calm and crisp solids. So for a while I purchased items only in solid colours. I still happily wore patterns, individually and in pattern mixed outfits. I just didn’t buy any new ones. 

I’ve realized that although I love the minimal and simple effect of solids, I also need a fair amount of pattern in my style because it packs a punch and makes me happy. The tricky bit is establishing just the right amount of pattern in my wardrobe. Too few patterns and I miss their lively presence. Too many patterns and I miss the calm serenity of solids. I’m constantly feeling my way on this one. I am aware of my tendency to overdose on patterns, so from time to time I go on a pattern diet. That’s my way of creating the right mix in my closet. 

Working with clients, I’m also very aware that not everyone feels the same way about patterns that I do. And that patterns play a different role in our respective wardrobes. My clients’ approaches to pattern run the gamut. Some won’t wear them at all. Not even in a belt, scarf, bag or shoe. For them, patterns make an outfit less attractive. Other clients don’t feel stylish unless they’re wearing a pattern. For them, patterns are an easy way to make their outfits feel interesting and bold. Some prefer to wear patterns only in footwear and accessories, while others are adventurous pattern mixers and wear multiple patterned pieces daily. 

How does pattern fit into your wardrobe? Do they add or subtract from your style? Note that there is no right and wrong answer. Only a preference that might even change over time. 

Glitzy items with sparkle and shine make us think of formal wear and dressing up. While that’s true, the ongoing fashion movement towards wearing “daytime sparkle” and casual items with shiny textures and surfaces is growing stronger. It’s fashion’s way of adapting dressy to our age of casualization. For this reason describing an item as casually glitzy makes sense. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the juxtaposition of dressy and casual elements in one outfit is a style that is defining our fashion era. 

These casual pieces for Team Magpie are shiny, juxtaposing a formal wear concept with a very relaxed vibe.

• Generation Love Yoko Combo Jacket: A mixed media piece that needs nothing more than a layering top, jeans and boots. Oversized with just the right amount of tailoring. 
• Juicy Couture Metallic Pullover Hoodie: Wear it under a blazer, over a leather bottom or checked skinnies. A glitzy nod to the sporty trend.
• Three Dots Sequin Top: An upscale sweatshirt with many possibilities. Wear it with bootcut trousers, a full skirt, a pencil skirt or jeans. 
• Monserat De Lucca Large Botevara Pouch: A rough textured clutch with casual tassel in platinum or rose gold. Perfect with a pair of jeans. 

I like shiny things because they look dressy, so I am all for wearing casual glitz. How about you?

I like the pairing of casual hoodies under dressy blazers for both men and women. It’s another example of the oh so trendy juxtaposition of casual and dressy outfit elements that is defining our fashion era. The visual effect is cute and interesting. The strictness of the blazer whips the nonchalance of the hoodie into shape. While the sporty vibe of the hoodie relaxes the formality of the blazer. 

The outfit concept is pretty easy to achieve. You need a fairly streamlined hoodie to create a comfortable fit under the blazer, which should not be overly tight. Choose a hoodie in knitted jersey, lightweight fleece, merino wool, or cashmere. Layer a wool-rich blazer over the hoodie, placing the hood over the collar of the blazer. Mix colours and patterns to your taste. Wear solid trousers, Ponte pants, cargo pants, checked pants or jeans on the bottom. Finish off with a super pair of booties.

Here are some hoodie with blazer combinations in stylish action:

• Classic grey kangaroo pocket hoodie with black blazer, boyfriend jeans and animal print booties. Super cute and collegiate.

• Denim blue hoodie with jeans, layering tee, belt, arm candy and chunky necklace. Great for Team Maximal.

• Grey hoodie with ink blazer over a black column of colour. Minimal and androgynous.

• A hoodie layered over a graphic tee, under a blue blazer with camo pants and booties. A little rock and roll.

• Red hoodie layered under grey pinstripe blazer with leopard scarf, Ponte pants and wedge sneakers. A sporty delight.

It’s a super outfit combination for Mums and gals on the go, and casual settings like weekends and traveling. Who is going to try it? 

I’m in favour of wearing white jeans year round. We wear black in Summer, so why can’t we wear white in Winter! White is the colour of snow, looks fresh and modern no matter what, and functions as a bright. Ignore the guideline that you shouldn’t wear white after Labor day. 

Here is one way of wearing white jeans in cold weather, and it happens to be my favourite. It’s about combining white jeans with a support act of statement pullover and booties. You might be able to shop your closet for the look right away, in any colour palette. I’ve chosen cool and warm neutrals. Ink blue because it’s softer than black, and camel for Team Earth Tones. 

Here are the components: 

White Jeans: Choose your silhouette, from straight legs and skinnies, to bootcuts or boyfriend jeans. I vote optical white, but cream or ecru is another option. 

Statement Pullover: You’re after something a little more than a basic sweater, so think oversized drapey styles, high-low hemlines, patterns, cheeky pullovers, and conversational prints. Of course, if a basic pullover is your preference, that’s fine too. Tuck, semi-tuck or faux tuck. 

Booties: You have a choice of keeping the booties low or high contrast against the white of the jeans. I’ve chosen high contrast ink booties and caramel booties to match the pullovers, but white, tan, light taupe or silver booties are a low contrast choice. I also chose heeled booties to offset the horizontal line that is created by the high contrast colour. Oxfords and shooties are additional footwear options. 

Coat: A wool coat of your choice finishes off the look. A cape, trench coat, wool blazer or leather jacket works as well. 

Accessories: Wear a belt if you semi or faux tuck the pullover. I’ve chosen an on trend silver clutch because silver works well with white and adds in sci-fi fabness. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

It’s the sheer brightness of white jeans and the fact that they are dressier than blue jeans that appeals to me most about wearing them year round. I have three pairs that are wardrobe workhorses, and I’m in white jeans at least once a week. As I type this, I’m wearing white boyfriend jeans with a neon pink cashmere pullover, leopard belt and leopard booties. I have also worn the ink and white ensemble version on the left quite a bit.

I love white jeans, and need no convincing to wear them. Will you wear white jeans in cold weather?