Note that I’m lumping straight leg jeans into the “skinnies” category because for some, straight legs are their skinnies. Both skinnies and straight legs are tapered at the leg and that’s the important detail. 

My clients have had a lot of questions about bootcut and skinny jeans lately. Are bootcuts dated? Are skinnies dated? I feel frumpy in my bootcuts, but do I have the figure for skinnes? I’m sick of wearing skinny jeans, but what else can I wear when I lead a casual lifestyle and I don’t like bootcut jeans? 

All great questions, and here are my thoughts and suggestions.  

Are bootcuts dated? 

Absolutely not. I frequently shop with my clients for bootcut jeans. And when we can find a great pair of trouser jeans with a slightly more flared bootcut silhouette, they are always a hit with pointy toe pumps or booties. Skinnies, straight legs, flares, wide legs, boyfriend jeans and slouchy jeans styles are more fashionable, but bootcuts are definitely still stylish. If you love them, wear them. 

Are skinnies dated?

Absolutely not. Skinny jeans, and that includes straight legs, are still extremely on trend and totally mainstream. If you don’t like the extra narrow look on your lower leg, opt for the roomier cut of straight legs. I often pop ladies with an inverted triangle body type into straight leg jeans, especially when they wear two to three sizes larger on top than on the bottom, because the added width of the leg helps to balance out the proportions. 

I feel frumpy in my bootcuts, but do I have the figure for skinnes?

It helps to wear a heel, low or high, to temper the flat footed frump factor associated with bootcuts. Regarding skinnies and your figure, I believe that we can all wear a version of the skinny jean, which means that for some a roomier straight leg is best. It’s all about creating flattering proportions with the right fit of jeans, tops, and footwear. 

I’m sick of wearing skinny jeans, but what else can I wear when I lead a casual lifestyle and I don’t like bootcut jeans? 

You have options. Substitute skinny jeans with skinny cords or Ponte knit pants. Size up on skinnies to create a slouchier look. Wear boyfriend jeans. Wear casual pants like slouchy khakis or combat pants. Wear tailored trousers, either tapered or flared, with casual outfit elements. Wear casual skirts and dresses. 

By all means add your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear them! The tension between these two styles of denim can stir considerable emotions.

Spring items are hitting stores and as always, I am most excited about the new season right at the start of its cycle. I start visualizing my refreshed Spring and Summer look when designers showcase their collections at the major Fashion Weeks, which was September and October last year. From then on I keep a very flexible list, and more recently a pinboard, of trends and items that intrigue me as I update my wardrobe. 

With my style goals in mind, this is what’s on my Spring and Summer 2013 shopping list so far:

• Jeans: I’ve passed on all my body con skinnies so my denim capsule needs refreshing. My straight leg white jeans are shot and I need another pair of faded jeans that aren’t cropped like my boyfriend jeans. So I’m looking for roomier pairs of white jeans and faded jeans. 
• Floral blazer: A fresh and romantic piece for a cool Seattle Summer. 
• Tuxedo shirts: I’m thinking of making them a wardrobe essential both in white and light blue.
• Slouchy white trousers: They’ll make a nice change to jeans. 
• Pastel trouser suit: I’m toying with the idea because it’s so fably ’80s. And seeing as we are attending a wedding in July, this could be the right outfit for the occasion. 
• Long slouchy shorts: I haven’t seen these in stores yet, but they are supposed to be trending. 
• T-shirt blouse: We saw them appear in Zara a few months ago, a blouse cut in the shape of a roomy t-shirt, and I’d like to get a couple to wear in the same way that I wear my button down shirts. 
• Flat oxfords: I’ve walked my black and white flat oxfords into the ground so I’m looking some space-age-y silver flat oxfords as a replacement. 
• Pointy toe flats or pumps: Not sure about the colours or patterns yet, but I’m 100% into pointy toed footwear. 
• White Booties: To wear with the longer shorts and perhaps existing dresses and skirts. 

Our Springs feel like Winter and are Summers are short, so I have to keep my shopping weakness under control this season. Nothing on this list is cast in stone, and I reserve the right to change my mind as the shopping season unfolds. Father Christmas kindly kickstarted my Spring wardrobe with a black lace bomber jacket and two toned waxed denim jacket, so I’m feeling seasonally refreshed already. 

Over to you. What’s on your Spring and Summer 2013 shopping list?

Angie had scarcely finished writing about camouflage patterns when I stumbled upon the “Creative Camo” post on Style Sight. The traditional khaki and olive camouflage colours are not flattering on me, but I thought the pencil skirt in soft shades of pink quite pretty.

Speaking of a conversational print: Carven designer Guillaume Henri has created a dress that appears to be inspired by fashion magazine collages (look 15). In the meantime Max Mara is mixing animal print with plaid for Spring 2013. Is this something you would wear?

Colourful lifestyle brand marimekko is teaming up with Finnair. One of their Airbus aircraft is sporting the recognizable floral pattern, and passengers will get the full marimekko treatment with a special line of tableware and textiles.

Fab Links from Our Members

Beth Ann is thrilled to have discovered Erica Bunker, a home sewer with a good eye for fashion who has great tips for the DIYers among us.

Vildy points us to Escama Studio, a fair trade company specializing in bags and other accessories made from pop tops and pull tabs.

Caro enjoyed reading Kim France’s, former Editor in Chief of Lucky Magazine, take on the merits of a uniform for work and travel.

Danielle over at Final Fashion wrote an interesting article on why every woman should have a red dress and a blue dress. Laurinda was fascinated to discover more about the cultural signals associated with these colours.

Doulahil loves browsing the funky, dapper style shown on What My Boyfriend Wore and has picked up loads of style tips along the way.

Good design has such a high degree of longevity, Angie points out so rightly. This 1966 coat, these two mod frocks and this fab patterned black and white dress would all fly in 2013 if you updated the footwear, makeup and hair.

Mochi informs us about the upcoming “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibit will examine punk’s impact from the 1970s to its continuing influence on high fashion now.

One obvious answer to this question is to stick to wearing classic pieces. But that’s not your only solution, and certainly not an appealing one when wearing classic pieces from head to toe is not your cup of tea. Don’t worry! There are plenty of non-trendy stylish solutions that can ensure you don’t feel left out of the fashion scene. 

Every season I have clients who aren’t that into the current trends, and right now that means items like slouchy trousers, oversized proportions, booties and shooties, leather, skinnies, faded denim, body con fits, distressed items, pattern mixing, boyfriend jeans, semi-tucks, tough girl vibes and tomboy vibes have not tickled their fancy. So we refresh their look in ways that are still in style, but bypass most of the trends. Here’s how:  

• Introduce classic pieces in atypical colours: For example, you like classic pencil skirts and slacks, but only wear them in neutrals. Add one in a teal, citron, burgundy, purple or plaid to change up the landscape of your wardrobe. 
• Go Avant-Garde: Avant-garde pieces are not associated with a particular fashion era, so they have a high degree of fashion longevity. Wear them with updated classics and you are set. 
• Go Retro: Conversely, retrograde items are strongly associated with a particular fashion era, but as long as they are worn with modern classics (or ultra trendy pieces), they’ll look fab.
• Go Flirty and Feminine: Keep the waistline defined and go to town with flared skirts, tailored jackets, fit and flare dresses, pretty pumps and romantic florals.
• Go Arty: Playful and whimsical items, just like retro and avant-garde pieces have a high degree of longevity. Mix them up in fun layered ways and interesting proportions to refresh your look.
• Find trendy pieces in tailored cuts and neutral colours: You might like more of the trendier items if you choose pieces that are structured and neutral. For example, wear boyfriend jeans in your usual size, and don’t size up. Choose a two toned jacket style in charcoal and black. Wear a leather blazer instead of a biker silhouette. 
• Mix up the classics with the trends: If you do manage to find a couple of trendy items that tickle your fancy, wear them with one or more classic pieces to keep the outfit grounded. This is hands down my favourite way of dressing. 

The reason the above strategies work is because we are finally living in a fashion era that is accepting and encouraging of all sorts of outfit juxtapositions and silhouettes. So with a certain amount of current style savvy and attention to fit, almost anything goes. Gone are the days that what was in one season, is out the next. Fashion just doesn’t work like that anymore, and I am THRILLED about it. 

Of course, there are always going to be silhouettes, proportions and items that are “of the fashion moment” and trending particularly strongly from one season to the next. That’s what keeps the fashion industry afloat and our fashion feet moving. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll be unstylish if you don’t wear them. So chin up when the current trends aren’t for you. There is more than one way to look stylish.