I’m a big fan of mesh sweaters because they are a great way to cover up in a breezy manner. Alluring, but not exposed. They also look fab layered under toppers, and make a pretty good substitute for trendy big tees that often look too big and sloppy. 

They’ve been matched with jeans here, but they work with all sorts of casual and dressier pants. They will also work over pencil skirts and sheath dresses. Here are three super styles that come in a variety of colours. 

1. Trouvé Metallic Mesh Sweater: This one has a subtle sheen and works particularly well semi-tucked. 
2. Gap Mesh Sleeve Sweater: This style has more coverage with mesh sleeves instead of a mesh body. Size down if you prefer a less roomy fit. 
3. Lucky Brand Macey Metallic Sweater: With larger holes, it’s the most breezy of the styles, and also has the most sheen. The high-low hemline adds structure to the silhouette. 

There is something about a mesh sweater that reads “easy elegance”, “relaxed polish” and “casual chic”. I don’t find them bohemian, although this type of open weave is often thought of in that way. Remember to untuck your camisole so that the sweater grins evenly from neck to hem.

How often should you shop? Generally, my suggestion is to shop frequently, adding to your wardrobe incrementally as you stay within the confines of your budget. By regularly browsing both brick and mortar and online stores you will become familiar with the available merchandise. You will know which styles are current and trending, and when items go on sale. The process will also help you to hone your style and pinpoint silhouettes and outfit combinations that you do and don’t fancy. 

Shopping frequently does not mean buying frequently or buying more than you otherwise would. In fact, shopping more frequently can lead to less overall shopping time and fewer purchases. For example, I spend a lot of time in stores and browsing online because I’m a fashion stylist. You might think that I’m perpetually tempted and purchasing items at the drop of a hat. But if anything, being constantly exposed to an overwhelming amount of merchandise makes me even more discerning about what I commit to purchasing for my wardrobe. As a result I purchase fewer items.

You don’t need to be a fashion stylist for this strategy to make sense. Everyone can be more efficient and effective in their shopping if they stay in touch with what’s in store. But it does help if you can easily access stores as part of your routine. For example, if you can wander through a department store while on your work commute. Of course, these days we can browse online stores 24/7, so everyone can take a regular peek at their favourite stores.

Many of my clients embrace this philosophy. They shop many, many times a season, and are continuously adding new items to their wardrobe. They love fashion, incorporating trends, wearing new items, and expressing themselves through their style. Shopping and putting together daily outfits is a fun hobby and occupies a large chunk of their time.

On the other hand, there are situations where shopping frequently is not a viable option. Some of my clients ask for my help because they have time constraints, or they find shopping overwhelming and unenjoyable. They aren’t interested in adding on trend seasonal refreshers to their wardrobe, but they do want to feel great about their style. So we do a mega shop together once a year, or in some cases, once every two years. We cover all the bases in that one outing. Apart from adding in the the odd emergency wardrobe item, these clients feel that they don’t need to think about shopping until we meet again.

And although I’m talking about shopping frequently, not purchasing frequently, there are situations where your ability or need to make purchases will impact your shopping frequency, and rightly so. For example, you may go through a period where the budget is extremely tight and you don’t want to tempt or frustrate yourself by spending time looking at merchandise. Or perhaps your wardrobe is completely sorted for the moment and you feel you’d like to take a break from shopping. 

Lastly, although I’m a big proponent of adding to your wardrobe incrementally, there are instances when adding a large number of wardrobe items in one go works really well. For example, when the size of your body has changed and nothing fits. Or, when your lifestyle has changed, and you literally have nothing to wear to your new business casual job because you’ve been living in jeans and knit tops for years. Situations like these often require a large injection of purchases that lay the foundation for an updated style and wardrobe.

How frequently do you shop? Do you add to your wardrobe incrementally, or do you have more of a “feast or famine” approach?

Trendy two toned toppers are completely mainstream and here are three casual budget friendly options for less than $100. Their bodies are cotton-rich with faux leather sleeves, hence the “mixed media” description. ALL options are machine washable, and fitted with adjustable drawstring belts for waist definition. 

• Steve Madden Mixed-Media High-Low Military Jacket: This option has the most design detailing, hence it’s the most expensive of the three. Check out the back detail and second colour option. Lots of pockets.

• American Rag Plus Size Faux-Leather-Sleeve Anorak Jacket (Plus): This design is simpler and more streamlined. You can chop off the extra portion of the drawstring tie if it’s bothersome. 

• H&M Mixed Media Canvas Jacket: Here’s one in a lighter colour that looks particularly fresh with pastels like pink, blue and yellow. 

These toppers are shown with jeans below, but think outside the box. They’ll work with all sorts of casual pants, and are also great over a fitted frock or pencil skirt. Wear them open or closed.

It’s the robust integrity of this type of jacket that makes it appealing to Mums on the go with small children, or when you travel. In the darker colours, it’s particularly forgiving of stains and creases, while the multi pocket design makes it pretty hands-free.

The pencil skirt is easy to pair with tops because wearing body con, tailored and oversized fits with a sleek bottom makes for a flattering combination. But throw in a full skirt and suddenly you’re scrambling for the right top because feelings of “dumpy and frumpy” set in at the drop of a hat. Tops are either too long, too wide, too styled, or you just don’t want to wear a tucked top that is fitted around the midriff. You end up throwing on the pencil skirt instead. 

I can’t tell you how many flared orphaned skirts I find when I review closets for clients. It’s an epidemic. But no more! Full skirts will be trending for many seasons to come, so let’s find some tops for them.

You might need to evolve your thinking about outfit proportions. Wearing a short, fitted untucked top with a flared skirt is a no-brainer because it defines the waist, flatters the body, and makes you feel fab. But fashion has evolved to the extent that wearing a somewhat roomier fit on top is just as stylish, and definitely more fashion forward. Wearing volume on top of volume can work if there is also the right amount of structure. 

Here are 13 top options for the flared skirt. Note that these types of tops can work for most styles of flared skirt. But for simplicity’s sake I’ve chosen a generic style so that you can visualize each of the tops with the skirt more easily. Some of the tops define the waist, some are relaxed and less waist-defining, and some are oversized and waist surrendering. Some tops are best worn tucked while others should be left untucked.

1. Shell Top: These silky and slippery tops are best worn tucked. 
   
2. Button Through Shirt or Blouse: Tailored shirts and blouses should be tucked. 
3. Cropped High-Low Pullover: The cropped nature and high-low hemline showcases the waistline of the skirt, thereby providing structure to the outfit. The top does not need to be midriff baring, and a roomy fit works extra well in a cropped length. 
4. Cropped Banded Pullover: The banded bottom provides waistline structure while the rest of the top is relaxed. 
5. Relaxed Pullover or Knitted Top: This top is longer and should be worn with the band on the hips so that the top creates a scrunched and “blouson” effect – much like a flapper dress. The waist is undefined, but the tailored band pulls structure back into the outfit. Semi-tucking this option is another way to go.
6. Fitted Cropped Cardigan: Button up the cardigan and wear it like a top over the skirt. 
7. Sassy Sweatshirt: This oversized pairing is fashion forward. The band gives the outfit structure. The high-low hemline is optional, but a great idea if you’re after even more structure. I find that scrunching the sleeves adds even more structure. As odd as it sounds, showing forearm skin can add structure to an outfit. 
8. Fitted Cropped Lace Shell Top: This is an example of the type of short, fitted untucked top that always works well. Choose your neckline and sleeve style.
9. Fitted Tank Top: This is a longer version of number 8 that can also be worn untucked and possibly belted. Choose your neckline and sleeve style.
10. V-Neck Banded Top: This top has a similar fit to the cropped banded pullover, with the band defining the waist while the rest of the fit is relaxed. The wide band is a feature while the V-neck is elongating. 
11. Drape Top: Loosely tailored wrap tops that drape can look amazing over a flared skirt when they aren’t too long when untucked. They provide ample structure if there is a hint of a waist and the hem fits snugly against the body. 
12. Fitted Turtleneck: These work both tucked and untucked. Don’t wear them too long when untucked. Ruching the side seams shortens the length and flatters proportions. If the turtleneck is banded and relaxed in fit, the top becomes a turtleneck version of number 5. 
13. Fitted T-Shirt: Wear it tucked or untucked and a little ruched at the side seams. Choose your neckline and sleeve style. 

Not all of these options are conventionally flattering, but that isn’t always what style is about. Furthermore, sometimes we have to see a combination a few times before our eye adjusts to the proportions. The important point is that fashion has moved on and there are now many, many top options for flared skirts. And if you end up adding one or two more options to your list of go-to tops for flared skirts, then so much the better. 

My clients wear options 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12 and 13 frequently. Some are all over options 3, 4, 5 and 11. I have a few dabbling with 7 and 10. I’ve been wearing 2, 6 and 12 forever, but have been favouring 3 and 5 more recently because the combinations feel fresh. I also want to try option 7 as soon as I find the right sassy sweatshirt.  

If you have further questions on how to match tops with flared skirts, feel free to ask them in the comments section. Here’s to no more orphaned skirts!