There is something fabulously fun, feminine and carefree about soft, loose items that move as you stride, whether it’s in the form of a flared midi skirt that swooshes against your legs, or these trousers pictured here. They look fab when you’re standing still, but they look sensational in motion. The visual effect is casually chic and elegant. 

Soft wide trouser outfits look fab when there are hints of structure in the outfit. So show some skin by scrunching sleeves, wearing lower necklines and tailored sandals, or baring your arms. Create further structure by wearing a formfitting top or tucking in a looser top. And if you’re going to wear a looser untucked top, wear one with a high-low hemline, a banded bottom, or cropped length.

When the fabrics are lightweight and breathable these outfits are a very practical way to get breezy coverage in warm weather.

I don’t wear wide and loose trousers because I can’t handle the excess fabric flapping around my feet and ankles. And when I walk fast, the flapping is hectic. So I prefer to wear soft flared midi skirts to create that same happy and romantic feeling of outfit movement. But I do adore these simple, unstructured wide trouser outfits on others. How about you?

Your shopping list is not cast in stone, but a flexible plan for refreshing and replenishing your wardrobe helps you to create a wardrobe that fulfills your needs. So with Summer around the corner, it’s time to check in on our Spring 2013 shopping list. I’ll go first. 

These are the items I had on my list and the progress I’ve made over the last four months: 

• Jeans: I set out to refresh and replenish my jeans capsule because my white jeans were finished and I’d passed on all my body con skinny jeans. I’ve added a pair of straight leg white jeans, full length faded blue boyfriend jeans and white cropped boyfriend jeans. Check. 
• Floral blazer: No luck, but I received two jackets as gifts for Christmas, a two toned denim jacket and a bomber, which satisfied my new jacket need this Spring. I’m also changing the floral blazer idea to a white or blue jacket of sorts. 
• Tuxedo shirts: I bought a white tuxedo shirt. Check. 
• Pastel Trouser Suit: No luck because the pants were cropped, and I want full length trousers for this suit. But I did buy a new dress, which was an unexpected surprise.
• Long Slouchy Shorts: They are on their way to me in cobalt blue. Check. 
• T-shirt Blouse: No luck so far and it’s just as well because it’s an item to wear in hot weather, which is still months away in our neck of the woods. I bought four tops instead, all much warmer and better suited to our climate. A neon pink cashmere pullover, a wooly white patterned pullover, a silky white cotton pullover, and pink shirt. 
• Flat Oxfords: I bought sci-fi silver flat oxfords. Check.
• Pointy toe flats or pumps: I’ve bought a low heeled white pair and gold pair. Check.   
• White Booties: I bought white Converse high-tops with a baby wedge that fulfill the Summer white bootie gap for now. Check. 

I also bought a white belt, a gold belt, a white clutch, and a citron clutch, that were not on the original shopping list. They’ve become wardrobe workhorses so I’m so glad I strayed from the list.

I’m also pleased to report that I’ve kept my shopping weakness under control by NOT purchasing glorious lightweight Spring and Summer merchandise that would otherwise be orphaned till July because our Springs are generally cold and wet. 

I’m feeling pretty set for the rest of Spring and Summer. I might add a few more tops, a white jacket, a shocking pink clutch and perhaps a pair of Summer trousers. I’m not sure what I’ll wear to a wedding we’re attending in late July, but shopping my closet for that event feels like a good idea. 

Over to you.

This fun little outfit might take you to a casual day wedding, a night out, or even a day at the office if your dress code allows for less formal business separates. The unstructured dress is matched with a structured shoe and handbag to dress up the look. Modern, retro and playful. 

• Muse Square Neck Short Sleeve Sheath Dress: It’s an above the knee dress unless you are very petite. It’s supposed to be sack-like so you might need to size up to ensure sufficient roominess. This style of unstructured frock looks best a little shorter, so bare those knees with pride to give the silhouette its structure. Sleeved and Pucci-esque. 
• Zara Leather Clutch: A gorgeous clutch in Tiffany blue is hard to resist. Zara’s clothing quality is inconsistent but their leather bags are generally of a much better quality.
• Tildon Calla Mary Jane Pump: I squealed with joy when one of my clients fitted on these darlings last week. Good grief these pumps are fabulous. Although not super soft, they are pretty comfy for a $49.95 shoe. Dainty with just the right amount of graphic appeal. They run true to size and will accommodate an insole or orthotic. I almost bought them too, but wished that they were more white than black. 

In warm weather it’s lovely to sport a single layer, like a pull-on-and-go frock. Easy, breezy, feminine and alluring. Oh how I wish we had more hot days in Seattle so that I would not need to think of covering up all the time. Please send us some hot weather and sunshine so that I can wear an outfit like this and not feel cold. 

Kimono jackets have a high longevity factor because they seldom look particularly trendy or dated, thereby holding their own as an arty piece with eclectic possibilities. Pull them out year after year and change up their mood with a different support act. It’s this change that will keep it alive and kicking.

We are probably most accustomed to seeing the soft and unstructured kimono jacket worn over dressy bootcut or wide trousers and a shell top with sandals. I vote to think further than that styling solution, and mix things up as a nod to the irregular outfit juxtaposition craze of 2013. Incorporate current trends into the outfit to modernize the piece.

Here are some ideas:

• Wear a kimono jacket over faded jeans with a silky shell top and dressy high vamped heeled sandals or pointy toe pumps.
• Layer it over a tank top, denim cut offs and throw in biker boots.
• Wear a long kimono jacket over a straight mini skirt/dress and allow the kimono jacket to give the outfit its length.
• Wear a short kimono jacket over a straight skirt/dress length of your choice and add trendy shoes.
• Wear it over white jeans or trousers with layering piece, and add feminine, metallic footwear.
• Or wear the arty piece with boyfriend jeans, a tee and gladiator sandals.

I love the way the kimono jacket takes “the sexy” out of body con frocks, short shorts, pencil skirts and skinnies. By wearing it open and flowing, thereby hinting at your shape under the unstructured piece, the effect is just as alluring, but a little mysterious. Kimono jackets also have three-dimensional appeal because the loose lightweight piece flows and flaps as you stride, thereby creating an interesting effect as it drapes in motion. Romantic. 

Kimono jackets are one way to wear unstructured structure, and a super layering piece for hot weather. Knee-length styles are best suited to gals with height, but the shorter versions are suited to us all. Make sure that you bare sufficient forearm skin to give the jacket some structure. Create further structure with lower necklines, shorter hemlines, formfitting underlayers, and tailored footwear. 

I’m recreating arty and slightly bohemian outfits with old kimono jackets for clients at the moment using the above ideas. We’re having overwhelmingly long lengths and sleeves shortened to keep proportions attractive. Although kimono jackets are not my style, I really like the look worn in the pictures below and am thoroughly enjoying the process of creating this vibe with clients. I’m particularly loving the mix of a soft kimono jacket worn over a shell with faded jeans, and finishing off the look with a strict angular clutch and severe pointy toe pumps with dainty ankle straps. Modern, playful and fun.