This is the kind of outfit I might wear while shopping with an executive client who works in a business casual work environment. It’s relatively modest and conservative, modern classic, conventionally flattering, and professional. Thanks to the peplum and my current hairstyle I don’t think many people would describe the outfit as conservative, but it feels that way to me. That is by no means a bad thing. There is a time and place for this look in my style, and I enjoy sporting it as much as any other outfit. 

I wanted to add an easy pull-on-and-go frock to my wardrobe this year, and this is it. It’s the long sleeve crew neck tee dress from Kamalikulture that I mentioned a few days ago. Although I was not planning on a pattern, nor am I all that into formfitting frocks, I loved this dress because it has sleeves and length, and it fits really well. I have a hard time “filling out” dresses because I just don’t have bombshell real estate. So finding a knee-length dress that closely hugs my straight curves with a high neckline is a tall order. That’s why this comfortable and versatile darling instantly earned a spot in my wardrobe.

I put the dress through its paces and it worked well aside from two things. First, it’s not as warm as I expected. Second, wearing it with hose is not the best idea. The slippery jersey of the dress clung to my nude hose and made it creep up. This creeping is exacerbated by my fast walking style. I kept on straightening the skirt because it made me look unpolished. So while it’s doable to wear this frock with nude hose on cooler days, I’ll be more comfortable wearing it sans hose on warmer days. 

This is the little jacket that belongs to my power suit. It’s very structured and creates a tailored effect worn over the dress. I scrunch the sleeves to add skin to the outfit. Leaving the sleeves down over an already predominantly black dress makes for “too much black”. And now more than ever, I do not enjoy wearing outfits with too much black. I like the dress best on its own, but our weather is not there yet. Soon, I hope! 

My cream and black wedges work with all my dresses so it was an obvious choice to pair them with this one. Nude hose, retro specs and a bright red clutch finish off the look. I bought that clutch nine years ago and being vintage, it was already old. It still looks fresh to my eye. It’s so interesting how some items have a high longevity quotient, while others don’t. I can be done with something brand new in a season, yet still wear something so much older with a big smile several years on. 

I haven’t worn my silver watch and wedding ring for a while so I popped those on to match the hardware of the bag and shoes. I also added my triple strand of gumball pearls at some point in front of my mirror. They looked gorgeous with the ensemble, but felt so wrong for my minimal style. They came off immediately. You really do have to feel your way through your outfit creation process in order to hit that all important happiness-factor. When you are truly happy in your outfit, you can forget about what you are wearing for the day, feel fab, and get on with it.

These items are texture-rich, which gives them added visual interest right away. It’s interesting how the texture of a fabrication can either dress up or dress down an item. In many instances it sets the dress code and mood of the piece. Be sure to look at all colour options. 

1. Isaac Mizrahi Grisel Pump: I have many happy clients in these kitten heeled pumps. Super comfy, not quite flat, and with the on trend pointy toe. The woven texture of the leather makes the pump less prissy than a conventional classic pump. Works for a wider foot, and you might need to size down half a size. Also available in nude and black. 
2. Soft Joie Addler Net Knit Sweater: A mesh sweater on steroids. The perfect way to cover up and stay cool on a hot day. Looks fab on a larger bust and broad shoulder line. 
3. Eileen Fisher Boxy V-neck Sweater: This slubby linen pullover is divinely casual and comfortable. Excellent on a larger bust and shorter neck. Surrender the waist, but add structure back into your outfit by scrunching the sleeves and wearing slim fit bottoms. 
4. Eileen Fisher Metallic Knit Wedge Top: This soft and shiny top is gorgeous and the photo does not do it justice. Prefect on a torso that can fill out the silhouette. Very forgiving on the midsection, and also available in plus sizes. 
5. Eileen Fisher Crinkled Linen Jacket: A stunning piece that you’ll have for years. Arty and pretty timeless. Leave it open and wear it over anything from jeans and a frock, to trousers or shorts. Also available in plus sizes. 
6. Free People Punched Denim Biker Jacket: A modern ’80s rendition that is as fab in blue as it is in blush pink. Soft, yet textured. 
7. Laundry Packable Quilted Coat: A very lightweight weatherproof slicker that folds away into a small package and does not crease. It’s tailored and practical. 
8. Cotton Mesh Fedora: Add music festival flair to your style with hat candy such as this fedora.
9. Tarnish Cowboy Hat: Here’s another option that’s fab for the beach and pool. 
10. Michael Kors Logo Charm Metallic Belt: This one is for Team Sci Fi Wide Belt. Loving the slubby texture on the leather. 
11. Tarnish Lizard Chain Clutch: Embossed, patterned, metallic and hardware-rich. Yet quite understated at the same time. Super design! 
12. Sam Edelman Jayden Oxford: Comfortably soft and breezy, but has no arch support. Fun in the two toned neutrals with casual Summer frocks or shorts.

I like texture-rich pieces because they add a three dimensional quality to outfits. How about you?

Fashion is all about wearing “unstructured structure” at the moment. This often means adding structure to an ensemble that is made up of predominantly unstructured pieces. There are many ways to add structure to an outfit. Some are obvious, like adding a structured item to the mix, but others are more subtle. The method you choose can make all the difference. 

In case you are wondering what I mean by “structure”, let me elaborate on that a little. To me, structure is about two main things. First, it is about revealing the details of your physical structure, like the definition of your waist or the shape of your shoulders. And second, it is about accentuating those details. Like the sharp shoulder seam that accentuates the corner of your shoulder, or the panels on a jacket that draw attention to your hourglass shape. Structured items are normally tailored and often detailed. 

Here are seven ways to add structure to an outfit. You can use them in combination or on their own. 

1. Add a structured jacket to an unstructured top, bottom or dress: It’s amazing how an outer tailored topper reins in the volume of the bottom layers underneath. 
2. Add a structured dress or separates under OPEN unstructured toppers: This method does the opposite thereby creating visual structure on the inside of the volume as opposed to reining in excess fabric from the outside. 
3. Scrunch the sleeves: A bare forearm can instantly add a tailored element to both a casual or dressy ensemble because showcasing skin creates structure. 
4. Tuck or semi-tuck the top: That way we show a little, or a lot of waist definition depending on the style of the top. Tucking or semi-tucking relaxed tops shows some waist definition, while tucking formfitting tops creates stronger waist definition. 
5. Wear banded tops: The band of a top hints at a waistline on the hip and does wonders when you’re wearing unstructured pieces both on the top and bottom. 
6. Wear a belt: A belt can rein in the volume in a dramatic way when worn on the natural waist. But it can also create subtle structure by being worn lower on the hip with a loose top. 
7. Wear tailored footwear: By tailored footwear, I mean sleek styles that fit closely on the foot and leg, be it a sandal, loafer, pump, bootie or knee-high boot. Refined footwear is especially tailored and does a great job of adding structure to an outfit. 

There are street style examples on my pinterest board that illustrate these concepts well. For example, this oversized pullover is both semi-tucked and layered with a tailored jacket to add structure. The banded bottom on the relaxed sweater in this outfit creates the hint of a waist amidst skirt and top volume. The scrunched sleeves in this formal evening outfit and this casual daytime outfit add effective structure by showcasing skin. The skin revealing tailored footwear creates subtle structure for this voluminous outfit, while the pumps and bare ankles do the same for this full skirt and roomy top ensemble. And lastly, a little midriff skin that showcases the waistline creates subtle structure under an oversized bomber worn with wide trousers. 

So when you’re battling with an outfit that looks and feels too unstructured, try one or a combination of the seven approaches above. A little structure can go a long way.

I’m excited to share this new-to-me brand of dresses by Kamalikulture. They are made of a machine washable, matte 95% polyester and 5% spandex jersey knit. I like the way they drape, which might be attributed to their body skimming as opposed to extra tight body con fit. They run true to size or slightly smaller. Reasonably priced, great for the office and travel, and non-crease.

The best part about the frocks are their sleeved options and longer hem length. I am so sick of frocks being sleeveless and too short. I screamed with joy when fitting on a long sleeved style with a 42 inch length. 

The styles are simple, and for the most part modern classic, although some styles are less classic. Of the collection, these are the specific styles I recommend because I have seen them in person and they fit really well.  

• Kamalikulture L/S Crew Neck Tee Dress Extra Large Check: The fit is body skimming and not overly tight. A superb length with ample arm coverage. Great on a straighter body type and regular to small bust. 
• Kamalikulture L/S Crew Neck Tee Dress Bottle Bottoms: It’s the same dress in a different pattern sans the belt. I bought this frock after saying no more patterns and form fitting styles. But it was THAT good, and instantly deserved a place in my wardrobe.
• Kamalikulture L/S  Side Draped Dress Extra Large Check: Ideal for curvier ladies who can fill out the silhouette, and/or on those with a broad shoulder line. It’s got great cleavage coverage and runs a little shorter at 38 inches. It’s also available in patterns like grey parched alligator, cobalt parched alligator, black mesh, bottle bottoms and green brushstroke. 
• Kamalikulture Sleeveless Shirred Waist Dress: A basic sleeveless and ruched sheath that is gorgeous. It has a high scoop neck and fits like a dream. Available in both solids and patterns. Perfect under roomy fashion forward toppers. 

Do browse through the rest of the styles, because there are fit and flares, long gowns, sweetheart necklines, turtlenecks and boat neck styles. There is also an “all in one dress” that looks fun. I haven’t seen all of these styles in person, but judging by the ones I have seen, I’m pretty confident about their fit. 

Modern classic dresses can be taken into edgier territory with fashion forward footwear, toppers, accessories and hairstyles. As I keep on shouting from the rooftops, classic pieces can be molded into another persona, and therein lies their strength. Or wear modern classics just as they are because that’s just as fab.