I love clothing and footwear with a refined, masculine integrity. I frequently wear button-down shirts, both tailored and oversized, which is a boyish look. I adore flat oxfords, tuxedo style tops and toppers, roomy blazers with low stances, baggy trousers and boyfriend jeans. Add to that bomber jackets, waist surrendering silhouettes, trouser suits, wide belts looped through low rise jeans and pants, slipper flats, and roomy crew neck pullovers. And if that isn’t enough, I also wear iconic unisex wardrobe items like the original Dr. Martens lace up boot, Rayban wayfarers, and Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. Heck, I even have a boyish body and haircut.

I definitely have the tomboy style gene, but I also have a threshold beyond which an outfit becomes too masculine. Just the other day I wore baggy True Religion Cameron boyfriend jeans with a roomy white cotton crew neck pullover faux tucked over a white belt. I layered with an unzipped black lace bomber jacket and finished off the look with silver flat oxfords. I looked in the mirror and did not like the combination at all. I was wearing masculine items from head to toe and it did not make me feel fab. I swapped out the shoes for white baby wedge Converse sneakers, and liked the look a little more, but was still not loving it.

To remedy the situation, I swapped out the footwear for low heeled girly black & white pointy toe oxfords. I liked that combination MUCH better. I then tried white pointy toe pumps, an even girlier shoe, and that increased the happiness factor of the outfit even more.

Next, I swapped out the boyfriend jeans for white straight leg jeans, but kept the flat silver oxfords and rest of the outfit the same. I liked that combination just as much. White straight leg jeans are much more feminine than faded blue boyfriend jeans, and that was just what those boyish flat oxfords needed to make them look more girly. 

I might have felt differently about the original head-to-toe masculine outfit if had a very feminine hairstyle, like long cascading locks. But I have boyish hair, and although the cut is very much part of my style, I do have to keep that tomboy style gene under control by incorporating some feminine pieces into my outfit. 

Over to you. Do you enjoy wearing clothing and footwear with a masculine integrity? If so, is there a point when your outfit feels too masculine, and you have to inject a bit of girly back into the look? Or are you a true Tomboy who doesn’t need a feminine component at all.

I was thrilled when Angie recently started a white shirt pinboard. I’ll never tire of this timeless classic, and love to browse the many inspiration boards with tons of gorgeous white shirt eye candy. I’ve also been enjoying Rebecca Bartel’s, Amber Bailey-Nel’s and Kate Wood’s pins.

For those who are still a little hesitant to sport white, Invisible Woman’s take on “Why white clothes are worth the effort” might make you see things in a different light.

Which shoes to wear with a Summery white shirtdress? Garance Doré poses the question to her readers and gets tons of suggestions in the more than 200 comments. Which footwear would you pick?

Fab Links from Our Members

Austin photographer Jaime Moore did a very creative photo shoot for her daughter’s fifth birthday. Debora loves that she chose five inspiring and strong female role models for her daughter to dress up as.

Charmian recently discovered The Trend Ender, a tumblr blog that covers one current trend per post. There aren’t many entries, but the detailed historical background is marvelous.

Although Angie has a hard time liking cropped ankle pants with a wider hem, she loves this trousers outfit over at Bittersweet Colours. The brilliant citron colour, the extremely dainty footwear, and the grace with which Veronica carries herself is what makes the look for her.

During World War II American designer Carolyn Schnurer brought creativity and originality to the US fashion scene. Vildy especially loves that “She opened peoples minds to styles and textiles from across the globe and also provided beautiful casual wear that enhanced the leasure times of women”. Vildy also recommends having a look at this comparison between Bonnie Cashin’s robust sporty style and Carolyn Schnurer’s delicate elements.

Parsley has been fascinated and amused by the ongoing “Switcheroo” photo series by Hana Pesut in which couples are photographed in their own clothes and then switch outfits.

Creating playful ensembles with pencil skirts is an ongoing project with many of my clients because tight pencil skirts are often thought of as overly corporate, strict and bombshell, especially when they are matched with a classic pair of black pumps. Of course, there is a time and place for strict corporate pencil skirt outfits, and it’s a great look for some specific work environments. But there’s also room for a less serious pencil skirt outfit in a more casual setting. So with de-bombshelling strategies and colour top of mind, we’re going to tickle that pencil skirt until it laughs right back at us. Choose one or more of the following tactics:

• Wear it in a colour
• Wear it with a roomy top that’s less expected than a tailored and tucked button-down shirt
• Keep the footwear lighthearted

The components of the ensemble:

• Pencil Skirt: A non-neutral pencil skirt tends to look less serious. Choose brights, pastels, mid-tones or jewel tones. A neutral pencil skirt is an option, as long as its support act has a sense of humour.

• Roomy Top: You have many options, and here are four to get you started (from left to right in the picture). Wear them untucked.
  1. Sassy Sweatshirt: Choose a fashionable sweatshirt with a banded bottom for extra structure, and scrunch the sleeves. This is the fashion forward option that’s a touch sporty.
  2. High-low Pullover: Choose one in a fine gauge knit, and scrunch the sleeves. It’s on trend and very comfortable.
  3. Swing Top: This one’s more flirty and ideal for hot weather. A sleeveless style adds structure to the outfit.
  4. Drapey Top: This is the arty option with added drama.

• Footwear: The point is to stay away from a conventionally corporate look, so if you’re going to wear pumps, wear them in fun colours, white, and sci-fi metallics. Or wear ankle strap sandals or caged wedge sandals. And for Team Flats there’s slipper flats or gladiators.

• Accessories: A daytime clutch is a great option, but so is a satchel, tote or crossbody. To my eye, light neutrals, metallics and non-neutrals are generally less serious than black or dark brown bags. Add jewelry as desired and eyewear as required.

I’ve left out a jacket to keep the vibe a touch relaxed. Peasant blouses, oversized boyfriend shirts and silky tees are more options for tops. And apart from the slipper flats, I’ve kept the ensemble solid. But feel free to add pattern in any one of the outfit components. Pattern mix to your heart’s content! That in itself is a playful styling concept.

Summer is around the corner, and for some, that means wearing extra casual outfits. So this week’s roundup showcases super relaxed items, ideal for casual settings. 

1. Vince Camuto ‘Lancaster’ Flat: Comfortable, breezy, on trend and I vote la creme. Fits an insole and orthotic.
2. Joe’s Kody Sandal: Super soft leather and with the oh so popular broad ankle strap. It’s very flat and lacks arch support so consider yourself warned. 
3. Michael Kors Print Flutter Sleeve Top: I saw this top on the hanger and was not all that impressed. But the fabric is unbelievably soft, so it’s ended up in the fitting with several clients. The top looks so much better on the body. It’s a great alternative to a basic T-shirt, layers well under toppers, and is forgiving on the midsection without being overly voluminous. Comes in other patterns and plus sizes. 
4. Amber Sun Tab Trim Stripe Tee: A striped tee with a difference. The raglan sleeve is fab, as is the curved heme and tab sleeve. Slightly fitted, not too boxy, and great on a hot day sans camisole. 
5. Sperry Top-Sider Audrey Boat Shoe: A nice little alternative to sneakers. 
6. Kut from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend Denim Shorts: Size up and sport an adorable pair of baggy shorts on very casual days. Also available in a lighter wash. Read the rave reviews. 
7. Three Dots High/Low Midi Skirt (Plus): A great length and flattering fit. Great with a tank, tee or mesh sweater and wedge sandals. 
8. Allen Allen Tiered Linen Skirt: One answer to breezy casual dressing. The skirt looks particularly good on petites when matched with casual sandals and tank top, or roomy cotton shell. 
9. Free People High/Low Hoodie: More arty than sporty. Love the high-low hemline, cropped cut, roomy fit and dolman sleeves. 
10. Eileen Fisher Harem Pants (Plus): An acquired taste! Pretty fabulous with a cropped high-low top and pretty sandals. 
11. Olivia Moon Linen Bomber Jacket: An earthy take on a sporty trend. Gorgeous in linen if you make peace with the crease. Also available in plus sizes. 
12. Topshop Perforated Leather Backpack: These bring back memories of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Cute and casual for a Mum on the go.

I generally don’t make the distinction of dressing more casually during the Summer months because my lifestyle does not change. That said, I wear linen shirts in Summer, which are very casual. Do you dress more casually during the Summer months?