This is an easy casual outfit formula. And you might be able to pull it together right away with the items already in your closet. It’s perfect for a casual gal on the go who is quite trendy, but prefers a minimal look that is neither super feminine nor based on denim bottoms. The combination is breezy, yet covered, and suited to warm and hot weather. 

Here are the components of the ensemble: 

Combat Bottoms: Think khakis and cargo bottoms in silhouettes like long pants, crops, clamdiggers, a skirt, long or short shorts. Cottons, silks, rayons, or blends of all these fabrics is ideal. Keep the silhouettes tailored or roomy. 

White Top: To my eye a relaxed fit is key. Not too tailored, but a little to quite oversized, in fabrics that are cotton, silk, and rayon rich. I’ve chosen a tuxedo shirt, silk blouse, mesh sweater and silk tee because those items are on trend. A lacy white sweatshirt, roomy lightweight linen pullover, or high-low blouse are other on trend options. Choose a white topper that is suited to your style, in any shade of white at that. Untuck, semi tuck or faux tuck the top. Add in a tan belt if desired. 

Casual Closed Shoes: Work a little red into the outfit right here, although you can stick to tan and white footwear too. I’ve chosen sassy sneakers, pointy toe flats and slipper flats because a gal on the go often needs closed shoes for maximum running around comfort. But by all means wear sandals that are more to your liking. Animal print footwear will also work wonderfully well. 

Casual Bag: Here is another opportunity to work in the red accents. Any red will work, from bright tomato to deep burgundy. If red is not your thing, stick to tan or shades of white, or throw in another colour. I’ve chosen a casual hobo, tote and day clutch. But a cross body or shoulder bag is just as fab. 

Finish off the look with jewelry and watch as desired. Add in a hat and eyewear if it’s sunny out. Pack a snack to keep those energy levels high. 

White plus a shade of khaki or olive matched with red is a classic colour combination. But you don’t need to stick to it at all. Neon pink footwear would be fun! Perhaps a black top is more your style. Or grey khakis. 

I’ve pinned two street style looks that are based on this formula onto my Outfits board. One is an oversized casual vibe with sneakers, shirt and clutch. The other is a dressier version with blouse, slipper flats and semi structured bag. It’s a versatile formula that can be dressed up or down.

Thankfully there are Spring and Summer tops with sleeves this season. I love a sleeveless top, but we also have the right to cover our arms without the use of cardigan. Here are some of my favorites in Nordies right now. Be sure to take a look at the different color options.

• Trouvé Mixed Media Tunic: If I hadn’t banned patterns from my shopping list for a while, I’d be all over this. It’s a silky tee, and just the way I want to wear a tee. Polished, luxurious and relaxed.   
• Kenneth Cole New York Aubrey Split Back: Voluminous arty fun. No need to wear a camisole and the front semi-tucks pretty well. Size down one size. 
• Trouvé Sheer Lattice Cutout Sweater: Slubby cotton knits are a great way to stay cool and covered. This one has interesting back detail, which looks just as good worn over a camisole. 
• MOD.lusive Screenprint Woven Tank: So fun! A digital print that becomes the focal point of your outfit. 
• Cielo Lace Sleeve Sweatshirt: Lace sweatshirts are a theme this season, and this one semi-bares your arms. Romantically sporty. 
• Topshop Unique Zip Top: A directional top style that is all over the runways at the moment. Scrunch the sleeves and size down. 
• I.Madeline Studded Collar Blouse: Retro fabness with studs. The black is much nicer than the pink. 
• Lucky Brand Jodie’ Print Top (Plus): Tailored yet roomy. Shows your shape sans the cling.
• Vince Camuto Sleeveless V-Neck Blouse: A clean, crisp, modern basic blouse with a V-neck. It works as well on a full bust as it does on a small bust. Read the rave reviews.
• Vince Camuto Faux Wrap Top: A classic that’s ideal for layering under a jacket for the office. Tailored, neat and professional. Ladies who are missing V-necks, give this one a bash. It’s available in regular, petite and plus. 

Soon I’ll be thinking of adding more blouses to my wardrobe for Summer. But for the moment, I’m still purchasing lighter weight knitwear because that’s what I love to wear in the Seattle Spring.

Sometimes clothing can look and feel great when you stand in front of the mirror with your hands by your sides, but as soon as you sit down things are a different story. The items shift around and what was perfect fit becomes unflattering and uncomfortable. The way to avoid these unexpected fit problems is simple: remember to do the sit-down test for all clothing. 

Here are some specific things to note when you do the test for different items.

Skirts and Dresses

Lengths creep up when you sit, especially when your legs are crossed. Straight skirts and dresses creep up even more, while flared silhouettes are more forgiving. Make sure you’re happy with how much these lengths shorten when you’re seated. 

Trousers, Jeans and Shorts

Check that the waistband is comfortable and doesn’t dig into your skin. Do the rises feel too high or low? Is your crotch point comfortable? No wedgies!

Also, is the length sufficient? Like skirts and dresses, pant lengths creep up when you sit, so make sure you feel adequately covered when you’re wearing shorts. Furthermore, trousers poof out over the tummy and hip area when they are slouchy and/or pleated. Make sure you approve of the poof. 

Jackets and Coats

There is no need to feel like you can do a yoga class in a jacket or coat. But you have to be able to drive and pick things up off the floor. Stretch out your arms when seated and reach for something by your feet to make sure you can manage.

If possible do the sit-down test with the layers you expect to wear underneath the jacket or coat.

Tops

Sit, stretch out your arms in front, and make sure that nothing pulls uncomfortably under the arm, across the arm, and that the length meets with your approval. Low necklines fall even lower when you sit so watch for that too. Perhaps you need a camisole or some magic sticky tape after all. Last but not least, make sure that the buttons don’t gape when you sit down in a button through style. The correct bra might also sort out this fit challenge.

Of course, we can do all the tests and still have fit challenges later because items fall and fit differently after movement. But with the sit-down test you will at least eliminate a lot of the surprises.

It’s finally happened. After being on a trouser kick for two years, I miss my skirts and dresses. I’m still off pencil skirts, but full skirts, YES PLEASE. So I’ve been wearing my little black godet skirt quite a bit this year. The way it moves, swishes and flips when I stride makes me very happy. So Greg, who bought the skirt for my birthday last year, named it my Happy Skirt. This skirt is now more nostalgic than ever. 

You’ve seen the happy skirt dressed up with lace, pearls, patent and heels. Although it’s fun to dress up, I wear the skirt more frequently dressed down because I’m often on the go. I’ve worn this outfit a few times this year and it’s really comfortable.

I do not like to wear formfitting tops with this particular skirt. Somehow it takes away from the movement of the outfit. So I always choose a blouse or pullover with a relaxed fit, not oversized, but looser around the midriff whilst tailored on top. This cashmere jumper is the black and cream striped version of its persimmon sister. The silhouette is versatile because it works equally well with skirts, jeans, long shorts, harem pants and trousers. I wish I had snapped up a few more colours because it’s becoming a wardrobe essential. 

The two-toned topper with waxed sleeves was a Christmas present, which has been coming out to play as the weather warms up. I am elated with the sleeve length, because my gorilla length arms often mean that sleeve lengths are short. These sleeves are actually too long, but the waxed fabrication causes them to scrunch on their own, which forgives the extra long length. The waxed sleeves however, also make it hard to layer over a coat (too much friction). So I’ve been wearing this combination on days when I’m not outside too much. Like when I’m moving directly from a heated car to a heated store or client’s home, and not feeling cold. 

I like to button up the top two or three buttons of this jacket, pop the collar, while the rest of it hangs open. It’s a different way to wear a denim jacket with a skirt or dress which makes for a nice change. Although the jacket has a tailored fit, it reminds me of those fashionably trendy baseball jackets that are bomber-esque. I guess it’s because of the two-toned sleeves and pronounced buttoned front. I also like to wear the jacket open.  

I finished off the outfit with cream go-go boots, a cognac and neon clutch, gold watch, wedding ring, nude hose, and white specs. The go-go boots are six years old and one of my prized possessions. I used to wear them a lot more, but they’re unfortunately quite beaten up from too much wear. I’m trying to preserve them a little by only sporting them in Spring. They are extremely comfortable, a great fit, in one of my favourite colours, and the perfect heel height for my fussy feet. This makes them virtually irreplaceable and I’ll keep them going for as long as I can. 

I’m day-clutching several times a week because the bag style makes my outfits feel refreshed. A white clutch worked as well with the outfit, but I can’t resist a bit of blinding neon on a grey Seattle day. I’m also into wearing nude hose these days. It’s a great way to stay warm and have the bare leg aesthetic. To have matched this outfit with sheer or textured black hose would have felt awfully Wintery and too dark. 

This is not a trendy or fashion forward outfit. It’s more of a retro-classic mix with a few on trend elements to make it feel current. It’s pretty, quite girly, and ever so slightly twee. Neither tough nor tomboy. It’s fun and comfortable to wear skirts that move, which puts an extra spring in my step.