Some of my Mom-on-the-Go clients were pushed out of their comfort zone for Summer when I suggested that they occasionally swap out their boyfriend jeans, denim cut-offs and shorts for a knitted tube pencil skirt. Some of them said, “you’ve got to be kidding, Angie!”, to which I replied, “I’m dead serious”. The outfit formula was a success, and offers a great alternative to denim bottoms. 

The trick is to find an extremely comfortable jersey knit pencil skirt, like Vince Camuto’s midi tube skirt, which is also available in plus. Dress it down further by pairing it with a relaxed and comfortable support act. And Bob’s your uncle.

Here are the components: 

• Casual Knitted Tube Skirt: Keep it soft and stretchy so that it’s easy to stride, and feels as comfy as pajamas. Choose the length that works for you. My clients have stuck to knee-length, or just above the knee. I’ve chosen a fashionable bold stripe, but any pattern or solid is fab. 
• Casual Top: De-bombshell the skirt by wearing it with a roomy drapey T-shirt like the navy one shown here. A T-shirt tank top is a no-brainer and so is a breezy sleeveless swing top. A pullover in a slubby linen knit is another option. Pattern mix the top and bottom if desired. 
• Casual Shoes: Lots of options! Converse sneakers, distressed laceless oxfords, slipper flats, ballet flats and boat shoes are casual closed shoe options. Ankle strap sandals, wedge sandals, espadrilles and thong sandals are breezier options. 
• Casual Bag: Wicker bag, slouchy hobo, Cambridge satchel, small crossbody or fun canvas tote get my top votes.

Finish off the outfit with jewellery, watch, eyewear, or a straw hat. I’ve chosen neutrals and pastels, but do change up the colour palette to suit your style preferences. It’s a great outfit for a hot Summer day, so no topper required. But a denim vest or jacket would be a great addition.

Furthermore, if “inner thigh rubbing” is problematic when wearing skirts without hosiery, there are plenty of solutions to keep you comfortable and our forum members have some great suggestions.

These fashionable booties can be worn in Summer, and transition magically into Fall when the temperatures are still warm. It’s amazing how a high vamped bootie with exposed toes adds a little edge to your outfit. Totally fab with dresses, skirts, cropped pants and shorts. 

• Jeffery Campbell Produce Open Toe Bootie: A little sci-fi metallic if the black is not your cup of tea. 
• Anyi Lu Wedge Bootie: A beautifully made bootie with a stable low wedge heel and classic tassel. The comfort level is off the charts. 
• Paul Green Passion Bootie: This is more of a versatile shootie. Fab for business casual and very cushioning. Read the rave reviews. 
• Paul Green Pandora Peep Toe Bootie: A little chunkier and more relaxed than the shootie. Works well on both a high and low volume foot. 

Remember that BodyGlide can work wonders if your toes rub in peep toe styles. Paint your toenails a contrasting colour, or keep them tonal with the bootie.

Forum member Vildy recently mentioned that she likes clothing pieces that capture “fluidity without excess volume”. That’s what she liked about the fit of my long cobalt shorts. I used the word drapey to describe the shorts. But I much prefer Vildy’s use of the word fluid, and will be using it from now on to describe clothing items that are looser than a tailored fit and quite roomy. But they aren’t roomy and baggy enough to be described as intentionally oversized and slouchy. It’s what I am calling The Fluid Fit. 

My structured fits are usually on the looser side of tailored, and now I can refer to this preferred fit as fluid. I like a fluid fit because to my eye, clothing often looks more flattering when it’s slightly loose on the body. The effect is slimming, camouflaging of lumpage and bumpage, and streamlined. But not too loose that garments look ill-fitting, or too unstructured that you disappear in your outfit. Furthermore, I find a fluid fit extra comfortable because I can drive, reach, bend over, and walk fast without feeling restricted. 

Granted there is also a time for a very formfitting piece in my style, like the way I like to wear a black turtleneck, or some of my dresses. But for the most part, I like my clothing fits truly tailored, fluid, or oversized. 

I was wondering whether you also enjoy wearing a fluid fit. Do you think that wearing a structured item that is slightly looser all over has a slimming effect? Or do you feel your most streamlined in a true tailored and/or bod con fit? Remember that this is all about personal fit preference, and that there is no right or wrong answer.

I turn 43 today and feel fabulous because I’m enjoying my birthdays even more in my forties than I did in my thirties. I find that I get more self-aware and self-accepting with age, which is liberating and empowering. I embrace being a fashion professional in my mid-forties because it’s important that all ages are represented in the world of style. This makes me even more determined to continue doing what I love to do, which is helping others find their magical sense of style. And making sure we have fun along the way. 

I’m wearing three new items in my birthday outfit, along with one old piece and one iconic, vintage piece. I get a kick out of mixing new and old wardrobe items in one outfit because it gives me satisfaction to know that my old pieces were good purchases and are still going strong.

The new Jil Sander Gaberdine skirt was a gift from Greg. It’s unheard of for there to be one item left on the sale rack in my size. But there it was waiting for me and meant to be. I tried it on and when Greg said that it was the best skirt he had ever seen, it found a new home. 

You know when you love something so, so, so much that you don’t want to take it off in the dressing room? That’s what happened with this skirt. I love the fit, which is unlike most straight skirts. The waistline comes up above my natural waist so it’s high-waisted. The side seams stand away from my thighs and bottom so it’s not fitted like a pencil skirt. It doesn’t have a slit because it’s sufficiently roomy when I stride. And it has two front pockets — my favourite part. It’s made of a very stiff and thick cotton that does not drape, yet it’s comfortable to wear. 

I tried on several tops with the somewhat unique shape of the skirt to figure out which combinations worked best. Tucked soft draped tops were the ticket. Untucked tops, unless they were very short, looked awful because you need to showcase the structured waist detail of the skirt in order for it to look fab. And stiff tops looked too stiff against the rigid fabric of the skirt. Enter the Alyssa shirt from Club Monaco in electric blue, and also a gift from Greg. It has snaps instead of buttons, and long chest pockets. The slightly dolman sleeves make for a nice change, and I adore its roomy fit and extra sheerness. I buttoned up the snaps right up to the top and layered a black camisole underneath. 

I like the outfit best sans topper because it’s strong and simple that way. But we often need a cover-up for part of the day in Seattle, so I must have that option too. My old black tuxedo jacket fits the bill because it’s cropped and semi structured, thereby complementing the lines of the skirt. Part of the jacket is boxy and stands away from the torso, just like the skirt. They match! Plus black, white and bright blue is an attractive colour palette, that I’m wearing more often this year. 

I can’t believe I found comfortable ankle strap pumps after searching for them for over a year. Patience does pay off. The dainty and low heeled Okala pump is just how I wanted to finish off the outfit along with the black Chanel clutch that I’ve had for twenty years. I’ve put the new pumps through their paces for two hours of shopping and I’m thrilled to report happy feet! I like to keep the ankle straps loose because it’s comfortable and to my eye, looks flattering that way. No jewelry other than a watch, wedding ring and specs.

I’ll be wearing this tonight when we celebrate my birthday at Nishino. I also look forward to wearing the blue blouse with black bottoms, and the skirt with a black top and knee-high boots. This outfit has a high happiness factor because it incorporates items that are gifts from Greg. Outfits like that are the best of all.