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.

My friend was extremely excited about a new pair of sandals she’d recently purchased because they were comfortable, gorgeous, and covered a few trends all at once. Sam Edelman’s Trina sandal is low heeled, quite refined, and available in patterns and solids. It’s also complete with sci-fi metallic block heel and prominent broad ankle straps. 

As soon as I saw the sandal in person, I understood my friends excitement. The footbed is pretty soft and so are the leather straps. The style is fun and minimally modern. I tried on the sandal, and although some of the reviews point out that it runs narrow and small, I beg to differ. I found the toebox quite roomy and the fit true to size. 

Warning: the sandal exposes a lot of foot and accentuates already long toes. (I have fingers on the end of my feet). Personally I prefer long toes to be visually shortened by extra strap coverage, but that might not be your foot flattering priority. And if you have shorter toes, then it’s of no concern at all. By all means try this fabulous smart casual sandal suited to hot Summer days. Read the rave reviews.

It’s another colour-rich season filled with a super assortment of silhouettes. The most on trend, directional and modern fashion concepts to grasp at this point are irregular item juxtapositions and unstructured structure. 

• Irregular Item Juxtapositions: These days, off-kilter items are being incorporated into outfits to make a style statement. Picture a pretty fit and flare frock with a masculine bomber jacket, sporty wedge high-top sneakers, classic chain handle bag, and beanie. An irregular juxtaposition of items that is very “now”. 
• Unstructured Structure: This is about adding a certain amount of slouch or “relaxed fit” to both the top and bottom parts of your outfit. Or you can match oversized items with tailored ones.

Of course, you don’t need to wear or even like this “now” way of dressing. The most important part in all of this is that your outfits make you feel fab. So by all means stick to outfit combinations, fits and proportions that are more to your taste. 

Without further ado, here’s my list of Spring and Summer “must haves” for 2013 that cut across all body types, ages, budgets, and lifestyles. They provide a great way to refresh your mild and warm weather look: 

1. White, white, WHITE: I say this every year, but white in all its shades is the colour of the season, and not just generally an effective way to lighten up a warm weather wardrobe. Think white across ALL wardrobe items. From outerwear, jackets, tops and vests, to jeans, pants, skirts, shorts, dresses, belts, footwear, hats and bags. Wear white from head toe. 
2. High-Low Tops: Tops with high-low hemlines provide structure to an oversized silhouette. Think tees, blouses, jackets and knitwear with high-low hemlines in cropped, regular and tunic lengths.  
3. Something Pastel or Mid-Toned: If you don’t like to wear items in soft colours close to your face, choose them as a bottom, an accessory, or pair of shoes. 
4. Something Floral: Floral jackets, jeans, trousers, shorts, dresses, blouses and skirts are fabulous. But so are floral shoes, bags and belts. 
5. Something Lace: Lace tops, skirts, jackets and dresses get my vote, but there are also more unusual ways to sport lace. Think lace insets, scarves, shoes, and sweatshirts. 
6. Something Sporty: Sassy sweatshirts, sassy sneakers, silky track pants and baseball jackets — take your pick. You don’t need to be sporty to wear sporty trends. I am very un-sporty, but wear high-tops with pleasure. And silky track pants are on my shopping list. Wear sporty pieces with sophisticated items to create a chic look. 
7. Bomber or Utility Topper: Maybe both! These jackets provide fresh proportions over dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts and trousers. 
8. Full Bottoms: Baggy and slouchy trousers or jeans are not the only way to interpret this trend. Think wide trousers, full skirts, fit and flare frocks, and baggy shorts. You’re after any roomy item that is an alternative to formfitting skinny jeans and pencil skirts. These can be worn in an assortment of lengths.
9. Refined Footwear: Note that every style of shoe has its “more refined version”. We’re talking about a style sensibility that is less chunky, coarse and clunky overall, especially in the heel shape. The visual effect is more elegant and tailored. Refresh your memory with the top 20 footwear trends for Spring and Summer 2013. Pointy toes, slipper flats, loafers, flat oxfords, ankle straps, low heels, high-tops and metal toe caps make my favourites list. 
10. Clutch: Worn both during the day and night, large or small, with or without a top handle or strap. 

There are also trends like Summer leather. Think shorts, jackets, vests, pants, skirts and shell tops. And long shorts, sci-fi metallics, pattern mixing, peplums, chain handle bags, jumpsuits, colour blocking, tuxedo striping, sheer layers and silk tees. 

I’m still ranting about the current too-short lengths, but every retail season I can find items I love and enjoy refreshing my wardrobe. My Spring wardrobe is taking shape. I’ve decided against the floral jacket that was on my original Spring shopping list because I want to take a break from adding more pattern to my wardrobe. I’m thinking of adding an apple green bomber jacket instead. My new white high-tops are a fun substitute for the white booties that were originally on the list. I’ve also successfully added sci-fi oxfords, a tuxedo shirt, a white clutch, a white belt, a gold belt, and replenished my jeans capsule. Still looking for silk tees, long baggy shorts, pointy toe flats, slouchy white trousers, a pastel trouser suit and Spring cashmere tops. And I’d love to add a new frock that ends just below the knee. Thanks to bomber jackets, my frock spirit has been reignited. 

How does the list look, ladies? Which trends and items resonate the most, and how are you going to update your wardrobes over the next few months?

I’ve written many posts on how to fit and style dresses to create flattering proportions. Here is a summary of those posts for easy access. We’ll start off with what lies beneath, move on to body type, design details, layering, and finish off with footwear. 

The Foundation

I can’t over-stress the importance of laying the right foundation for dress fit. You MUST start the process by being professionally fitted for a bra because most women are still in the incorrect bra size. Minimizers are also an option, as are speciality styles like strapless bras if you don’t want to expose your bra straps. But not all bra exposure is inappropriate, especially when the straps and lacy bits blend into the style of the dress. Shapewear is not essential, but will smooth out your silhouette. And please do the sit-down-test for dresses with buttons down the front. Sometimes you can correct a gaping front by wearing a different bra. 

Body Type and Dress Fit

I’m a big believer that curvy gals were made for dresses. And by curvy I mean that your figure is very hourglass-y. So if you have curves and you don’t like to wear jeans or trousers, stick to dresses (and skirts)! You’ll find that fit-and-flares or waist defining knitted dresses that accentuate your curvy shape work best. Straight woven dresses often fight with curves unless they are stretchy. Here are dress shape guides for curvy hot hourglass and pretty pear body types. 

Of course, less curvy body types look wonderful in dresses too. Here are dress shape guidelines for the adorable apple, statuesque inverted triangle and racy rectangle. As with all body type guidelines, they provide a helpful starting point. But by all means think beyond body type dressing guidelines and bend those rules once you have a better understanding of fit and proportion. 

Remember that correct fit can be achieved by shopping across specific size departments. Some plus sized ladies should also shop across departments. And remember that a few minor alterations can result in a perfectly fitting frock. 

Design Details 

Dresses with Peter Pan collars stir up a myriad of emotions. Overlapping diagonal striped dresses can be visually flattering because the effect both accentuates and flattens curves. I’m not fond of casual maxi dresses and here are reasons why that’s the case. It’s hard to find a flattering sweater dress, but these guidelines will help you on your way.

Dresses do not need to define the waist to look fabulous. Surrendering the waistline can work just as well, especially if you’re shy about showcasing your midriff. But if wearing a boxy fit is not your thing no matter how you slice and dice it, you have the option of reining in the volume with a belt, or layering over a structured jacket. 

Layering 

Here’s how to wear dresses over pants, and here’s the best coat length for dresses. Layering cardigans and jackets over dresses needn’t look frumpy with special attention to fit and proportion. My personal favourite at the moment is to layer bomber jackets over frocks. Here’s a little arty inspiration and modern classic inspiration for cardigan lovers. 

Layering underneath sleeveless dresses is another way to go, especially with turtlenecks and blouses. 

Footwear

Midi length dresses can be styled with all sorts of footwear. When it comes to wearing tall boots with dresses, it’s all about finding the right combination of skirt, skin and boots. Wearing booties with dresses is the fashionable way to go, although the jury is still out on whether it’s a flattering look. Personally, I prefer to wear shooties, streamlined ankle booties, tall boots, or low vamped footwear with dresses. 

Last but not least, wearing flat shoes with dresses is NOT a faux pas. In fact it’s as on trend as ever. Wear pointy toe flats to elongate the leg line if you have “stumpy-dumpy” concerns. Keep the footwear low contrast against your leg skin to further elongate the leg line. Think loafers, sandals, lace-less oxfords, slipper flats and ballet flats. 

Feel free to address further dress fit, proportion, and styling concerns in the comments section and let’s get to work.