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!

Earlier this week I posted about sassy sneakers and one or two commenters pointed out that my examples were quite high-end. Indeed, I was using designer brands because Net-a-Porter’s illustrations did such a great job of capturing the outfit combinations. But the trend is completely mainstream so there are lots of budget-friendly options too. Today I’m covering price points below $100, and some are even in the vicinity of $40. Some are flat and some are heeled. 

1. Puma Sport Fashion MY-66: These take me straight back to the ’80s. Retro, sturdy, well-made and supportive. Also available in blue and white. 
2. MIA Axel: A little bling for our Magpies. Also available in off-white. 
3. Call it Spring Luxenee: The Ash-look-alike at a fraction of the price. No laces make them easier to slip on and off. 
4. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star: This iconic sneaker needs no introductions. Pop in a cushioning insole for extra comfort. Be sure to look at all the colour options. 
5. Skechers Plus 3-Rebound: Another Ash-look-alike with laces. These styles take a little longer to pull on and off, so consider yourself warned. Very comfy, and you might need to size down half a size. 
6. Skechers Plus 3- Raise The Bar: No laces, which make them an easier fit. Fab colours and read the rave reviews.
7. Steve Madden Olympiaa: I like the light coloured sole, but it does have laces that require fastening. Read the rave reviews. 
8. Converse Pro Leather Vulc Hi: A little more masculine, but the leather upper adds some chic. 
9. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi-Ness: I bought these in white because they are simple, sterile, refined and iconic. I sized up half a size from the usual size I take in Chucks and added a cushioning insole. I love the baby wedge, and the fact that they look so neat and crisp. I’d have preferred these to be leather because that would have made them more comfortable, but the canvas is not bad at all. 
10. Steve Madden Twynkle: These are for Team Stud. They have ankle zips so they are very easy to take on and off. No need to hassle with laces. 
11. Ecco Sport Agua Sport: A little more athletic looking, but fun in the yellow. The toggle fastening is extra practical. 
12. Chuck Taylor All Star Leopard Stud High Top Sneaker: A little animal print for the pattern lovers. 
13. Material Girl Jumper Sneakers: These are roomy in the toe box and extremely comfy. The zipper allows for fast pull on and removal. They are leather and vegan-friendly. Warning: the gold on the black option is very gold. 
14. Sugar Orbic Studded Sneakers: Also very comfy, roomy in the toe box and vegan-friendly. More easy access with the side zipper feature.  
15. R2 Ardsley Wedge Sneakers: Another Ash-look-alike in a synthetic leather with side zipper access. 
16. Vans SK8-Hi Core Classics: Another classic that needs no introduction. Read the rave reviews. 
17. Vans SK8-Hi Reissue: Fun in red and I do like a real leather sneaker.  
18. Cole Haan Air Bria Sneakers: A little refined gold for Team Sci-Fi. 

There you go — eighteen more affordable sassy sneakers. And if you are stuck for inspiration on how to wear them, my pinboard captures compelling street style shots of everyday people in stylish sneaker action.

If you fancy the concept then let us know in the comments which of these options you like best.

We’ve hopefully plenty of warm, sunny days ahead of us, but Elle is already helping us prepare for next Fall with this roundup of 55 Winter coats.

How do you feel about Buffalo Exchange’s “Coats for Cubs” drive? Donated fur coats and other garments are sent to wildlife rehabilitators, who will refashion the fur into a surrogate parent for orphaned wild animals.

I’m getting a little tired of my Winter coats, and inspiration photos like this one on Angie’s Sneaker Style board are making me very impatient to wear my trench coats right now.

Fab Links from Our Members

So much has been written about Casey Legler, the first female model signed exclusively to a men’s line. Suz enjoyed this Guardian profile, in which she speaks up about why she is excited to be doing what she’s doing.

Julia was surprised to learn that it was already a custom in the 17th century to name colours by quite modern descriptors like “pistachio” and “light sky”. And what to think of the intriguing “water rat”?

Since several YLFers have upcoming trips planned, Joy thought they’d like to read USA Today’s take on “10 Fashion Faux Pas Travelers Should Avoid“.

Angie was extremely impressed with the sculptural Céline show for Fall 2013. The fluted skirts, their lengths and the way they move launched her into orbit!

Everything Just So recently blogged about Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity. Both Deb and Debora can’t wait to check out this exciting exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Annagybe wanted to share Hussein Chalayan’s transforming dresses with us, “chameleon frocks” indeed.

GlassOrganelle is an Australian blogger who recently featured this interview with designer Rick Owens. Deborah found him to be incredibly interesting and down-to-earth.

Are backward necklaces — a very trendy look in the 1920s and ’30s — making a comeback? Laurinda was amused by the warning that strangers may try to “fix” your necklace for you.

Fox in Flats asked her readers about their sneakiest shortcut to style. Vildy recommends reading all the comments too, as some are hilarious.