I have worn my Hi-Ness Converse high-top sneakers with a blazer, with checked pants, and with long shorts. I leave the laces untied because I prefer the “no-bow” look and looser fit around the ankle. It’s comfortable and more streamlined. You might expect the high-tops to be too loose with untied laces, falling off your foot as you stride, but by securing the laces you can ensure that the fit is snug. 

Here’s what to do: Start with your laces untied.

Pull the threaded laces so that the sneaker feels tight on your foot and the laces look neat and tidy.

Take each lace end and thread it back through the top eyelet on the opposite side from the outside in. So the right lace is threaded through the left eyelet, and the left lace is threaded back though the right eyelet. 

Pull the lace ends until they are tight and comfortable. This is what keeps the laces in place and the sneaker snug on your foot. 

Fold the exposed parts of the laces neatly and tuck the ends back into the sides of the sneaker. Try to keep the hidden pieces over the tongue of the shoe. That way the lace won’t tickle the sides of your feet. 

Voilà!

I add $2 cushioning insoles from the drugstore and wear Zella’s “no show” fitness liner socks. The socks contribute to the snug fit and also prevent the tucked laces from rubbing against my skin and unravelling. Sneaker, sock and laces are as snug as a bug in a rug.

A patterned Burberry belt has a high longevity factor because the print is iconic, and it’s a classic that can be incorporated into any style persona. Wear it with modern classics, with a casual bohemian outfit, with a tough rock chick look, with preppy separates, with drapey eclectic pieces, with avant-garde pieces, or with romantic lace. If you like the iconic checked pattern and you enjoy wearing belts, a Burberry belt is a good investment. 

The pattern comes in a range of shades and renditions which is why it took a while to find the right one for me. I did not want a belt with earthy shades of camel. I was after a cool toned tan check with lots of cream and a bit of red. I eventually found my Burberry belt and thoroughly enjoy wearing it. 

I love wearing patterned belts and footwear because they add a little interest to an otherwise solid outfit. A patterned belt is also a great pattern mixing tool. I will eventually add another Burberry belt to my capsule.

Cropped pants, in a variety of styles, lengths and fabrications, were the “it” bottom for Spring and Summer 2013. They were pushed by every retailer in large quantities and across all price points. Without a doubt, they go down as one of the biggest trends of 2013. 

And there is no stopping the trend for Fall. Cropped pants in warmer fabrications — like wools, jacquards and tweeds — are huge. The examples below show the silhouette that is particularly popular: Flat front, straight through the leg, side entry pockets, a little wider at the hems, and an inch or three above the ankle. 

I do not have a poison eye for all styles of cropped pants. After all, I wear them. I do have a stormy relationship with them though, and generally find the style and length hard to pull off without looking frumpy and stumpy. That’s why I created a set of guidelines that help to create more flattering proportions. 

I happily wear cropped boyfriend jeans rolled at the cuffs because they are tapered at the hems. I tuck or faux tuck my top to extend the line of the leg. Sometimes I add a heel. I will also happily wear cropped pants that aren’t jeans when they are a little shorter and tapered at the hems. I’ll often add a low heel for a sleeker and dressier vibe. 

But I can’t get past my poison eye for the examples below. It’s the length coupled with a wider hem that throws me over the edge — especially when they are worn with dark, severe pumps. I find it an unattractive look, and adding heels to already tall leggy models doesn’t improve the proportions much. If the pants were longer or shorter, tapered, and worn with booties, the visual effect would be greatly improved to my eye. 

Fashion and style is highly subjective. So it is inevitable that we will all have a poison eye for certain trends and outfit combinations. Especially now that it is becoming more acceptable to discard conventional figure flattery in favour of something new. The best we can do is acknowledge when this is the case and understand that there are other people seeing things differently and loving the look. I also try to be open to my own eye adjusting. My aversion to the most popular cropped pants silhouette has gone on for long enough that I don’t think that will change. Still, “never say never”, I tell myself. 

What’s your take on the cropped pants silhouette below? Will you be wearing it for Fall?

The fluid fit of the silky track pant is one way to wear the slouchy trouser trend. It’s an ideal way to feel cool, covered, comfortable and dressy in trousers when temperatures begin to rise. Furthermore, you can adjust the length of these pants if the style has welted cuffs or elastic at the hems. Create a dressier look with the pants worn full length. Create a more casual look with them worn pulled up to calf length. 

The examples below illustrate the concept quite well. The second pair are made of jersey knit, and not silk, which means that you can apply the concept to knitted versions too.

Your footwear options are strappy sandals, cage heels, ankle strapped wedges, pumps, pointy toe pumps with ankle straps, peep-toe pumps, peep-toe booties and booties. I do prefer silky track pants worn with a heel, be it low, mid or high. Although a d’orsay flat and gladiator sandal looks pretty fab paired with them too. 

I wanted to add a pair of patterned silky track pants to my wardrobe this Summer, but couldn’t find a pattern that I fancied in a length that was long enough at the time. I also didn’t want another solid black bottom. As Fall collections hit stores, I finally see the right length in colours and patterns that DO tickle my fancy. But I’ve missed my window to wear these in Seattle because our Summers are very short, and I run very cold. To purchase them now and only wear them a couple of times is not worth it. So I won’t be getting these till next year. Hopefully I will find a great pair when the time comes. 

Are you wearing the silky track pant silhouette? If so, do you wear them full length, pulled up to calf length, or both? Or are these pants just not for you.