This is an example of an outfit that I might wear on appointments with a business casual client. It’s trendier and a tad more casual than my dress and jacket formula and pencil skirt and shirt combination, but just as appropriate. I’d also wear this outfit out to dinner, during fashion week, or when I’m on my feet for fourteen hours during pre-selections for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because it’s that comfortable. Trousers are truly more comfortable than a pair of tight jeans in my book, but I might be in the minority with that opinion. 

All I’ve done here is change out the top and bag, and left the rest exactly the same as when I paired the same wide leg trousers with a cream eyelet shirt and red bag last year. Both outfits demonstrate the power of the classics – the classic item here being the black wide leg trousers. The previous outfit with the tailored cream shirt is modern classic from head to toe. This rendition is trendier because it incorporates an oversized draped blouse and a sporty daytime clutch.

It was love at first sight when I saw the black and cream checked fold front blouse. It’s essentially a collared shirt — one of the three styles of top that I wear — in an oversized cut in one of my favourite neutrals and pattern. It therefore had potential despite my dainty shoulder line and long neck, which require ample structure in order for tops and jackets to look good. The smallest size still needed alteration, but I could do it myself at home in two ticks. I removed the front snaps and repositioned the V-neckline so that it fit tighter on my shoulder and higher on my chest and around my neck, thereby creating more structure around the area where I need it most. I stitched down the new position of the neckline with three tacking stitches on the front wrap part of the blouse. The wrap does not fall open, and I’m structured in the right place. All sorted. 

I do not require waist and bust definition to feel fabulous in an outfit, so the loosey-goosey torso fit on this blouse is just fine with me. I barely look like I have a bust and my midriff disappears in the silhouette. To some this is an unflattering silhouette, and that’s understandable. To my eye the proportions look fresh and are a nice change from wearing a tailored top with these trousers. Scrunching the sleeves to expose forearm skin adds extra structure to the blouse. 

The blouse was showcased untucked and half-tucked online, but I like to wear the blouse fully tucked. I like the visual effect of a pattern mixed belt and kimono-esque vibe, which you lose when you leave the front untucked. Plus it feels dressier when I tuck my tops and I prefer that. The half-tuck might be more fashionable right now, but for my style persona the top feels more right when it’s tucked, and sometimes you just have to go with that. 

That said, wearing the shirt half-tucked does showcase the belt, and I like to wear the blouse that way from time to time just to change things up. And it’s the first top I have ever worn half-tucked, because if I am not tucking I prefer to faux-tuck my tops.

I finished off the outfit with low heeled cream and black wedges, citron clutch, gold watch, wedding ring and retro specs. I do not like to layer anything over this blouse because it looks best sans topper. It’s a great top for hot weather because it’s made of natural fibres and the fit is breezy. Thankfully, our warm weather has arrived and all that’s left to do is wear the heck out of my new blouse before it takes a vacation in my closet till next Summer.

I’ve included closed shoes in this Summer roundup because some of us need to wear closed shoes to work, find them more comfortable than wearing open shoes, or need insulation from indoor air conditioning. Most of these shoes have been tried and tested on my clients and are available in several colours. 

1. Vince Camuto Ryker Sandal: The tiny wedge heel prevents the sandal from feeling too flat. The reviews suggest that the ankle strap is too large although I did not find that to be the case. Any tighter and it would have rubbed my skin silly. Love the convenience of the back zipper. Pretty comfy, minimalist and modern. These would be mine if I wore sandals. I vote snakeskin all the way
2. Born Julianne: A super cushioning casual ballet flat. Read the rave reviews. I vote gold, white and light blue.
3. Miz Mooz Waltz: Retro, ladylike and fun. 
4. Miz Mooz Nomad: I like the the piping detail and V-cut of these booties from the front. Flattering and interesting. 
5. Steve Madden Troopa: A little distressed lace-up bootie fabness to wear with Summer frocks ’90s style. 
6. Rieker D4552 Thalia 52: Comfy, stable and super soft leather. I vote wear this colour blocked darling with colourful clothes to amplify its cheerful spirit.
7. Stuart Weitzman Guything: A stunningly beautiful ped. Refined and androgynous. Read the rave reviews.
8. Dolce Vita Giya: A pretty pointy toe loafer with bling. Add a cushioning insole, or orthotic if it feels too flat. The leather is not soft, but not overly hard either. 
9. Ivanka Trump Natalea: This shoe does not work for a wider foot, but it’s pretty comfy on a low volume foot. I like the streamlined shape of the wedge and on trend pointy toe. 

Some of these shoes will take you straight into Fall. It’s good to think ahead!

Frequently worn wardrobe items can fall out of favour because newer items that tickle your fancy even more take their place. As a result, newer pieces become the wardrobe workhorses and older items go into hibernation. It isn’t that you dislike the items that are in hibernation. In fact, you probably still love them. That’s why you hold on to the darlings, allowing them to vacation in your closet while other stuff does the heavy lifting. 

A year or two goes by, and for a variety of reasons some of the hibernating items come back into rotation. The vacation is over, and it’s work, work, work. 

I’ve found this often happens when I can refresh the look of the hibernating item. For example, I barely wore my animal print booties in 2012 because I favoured two pairs of cream booties and wore them all the time. But I’ve worn the animal print booties a lot in 2013 because I like to pair them with new white boyfriend jeans that are rolled at the hems. In this way, they look refreshed and feel “new”. 

Similarly, I haven’t worn my bright gold satchel in years. But now I’m wearing it again because I like the way it matches my new gold pointy toe pumps. It’s nice to break up my daytime clutch style, and be all matchy-matchy for a change. 

Is it really a good idea to pass on wardrobe items that have gone unworn for a year? I’m not so sure and that’s why I don’t suggest a specific timeframe for letting things go. Some items do swing back into rotation after a good long while, and it would be a pity to lose them. Of course, there are some items that definitely should go if you haven’t worn them for a year. 

So how do you know when to keep and when to pass on a wardrobe item that you haven’t worn in a while? It’s tricky, but I usually suggest that if you still LOVE the piece despite not wearing it for a while — hang on to it if it fits, is in good shape, and isn’t overly dated. Chances are high that you will find a way to remix the look and wear it again. 

Cap sleeves can look unflattering, especially when they are extra short and tight. That’s why I’m quick to suggest sleeveless or elbow length as the more flattering option. Or I suggest what I call “diagonal sleeves”, although I have also seen the silhouette referred to as a short dolman sleeve. 

Diagonal sleeves are a mix of a short and a cap sleeve. They’re like an oversized cap sleeve with a much looser fit around the upper arm. The hem of the sleeve creates a long diagonal line across the bicep, which is how it gets its name. The drapey fit and longer length of the diagonal sleeve make it easier to wear than a short tight fitting cap sleeve. The diagonal lines also minimize the size of the bust, especially when the neckline is V-shaped or scooped. Furthermore, the diagonal integrity of the sleeve has a more interesting and structured visual effect than a wide short sleeve, which can look a little frumpy. 

As seen below, diagonal sleeves work with an assortment of necklines and fabrics. Some top styles are more roomy than others, and the sleeves vary in length. Something for everyone. Have you tried diagonal sleeves, and do you find them flattering?