Your sense of style twenty years from now is probably far from the top of your mind, but let’s think about it just for fun. I’m interested to know whether there are items you’re wearing now that you will still be wearing in twenty years.

I’ll probably still be wearing button down shirts, jeans, dressy trousers, tailored blazers, Converse sneakers, Rayban sunglasses, pearl necklaces, turtlenecks, my wedding rings, a Burberry scarf, my Chanel and Valentino handbags, lipstick and mascara.

I think I will be wearing specs, but it is also possible that corrective eye surgery will be very advanced and there won’t be a need for prescription eyewear at all.

And will brands like Converse, Rayban, Chanel and Valentino still be relevant? The sentimentalist in me hopes so, but I also imagine that there will be new ones.

Your turn. What will you be wearing? Or do you think our clothing will be completely different in twenty years? And if so, how?

Our recent business trip to San Francisco also gave us the opportunity to spend a few days with our good friends Lori and Dane about an hour outside the city in Los Gatos. Spring in Seattle has been utterly miserable, and we so enjoyed soaking up the warmth of sunny California, along with the gracious hospitality of our dear friends and their enchanting children, Chloe and Tucker. 

We browsed around downtown Los Gatos on Saturday and just about everyone and their doggies were out and about soaking up a little extra vitamin D. It was a gorgeous 23 degree day (74 degrees Fahrenheit), and I was thrilled to leave off my jacket. 

Hoping for hot weather, I had packed denim clamdiggers. But it was still too chilly to wear them. Yes, I run that cold. In this temperature I am really comfortable in a pair of jeans, a breezy sleeved top and flat covered Summer shoes. So I wore white skinny jeans instead of the clamdiggers, a boxy soft navy and cream silk blouse, and white and silver ballet flats. With scrunched sleeves and a popped collar, I was ready for action. 

Lovely Lori, who runs warmer than I do, looked fab in light grey cropped jeans and a sleeveless lilac swing top. I love Lori in muted shades of purple because it perfectly complements her red hair and ivory complexion. Lori finished off her look with a cream bag, silver cuff, blush thong sandals and tortoise shell sunglasses. Lori sported her relaxed bohemian style with panache, while I stuck to a crisp and graphic look. 

I had worn the black patent bow belt with a black suit to a business meeting the day before. I also like this dressy belt with a more casual outfit, which is why I wore it here with jeans, flats and blouse. I also finished off the look with a cream bag and eyewear, but added in a white watch. 

I enjoy mixing creams and white with navy and black as shown here. Mixing up these shades used to be considered a faux pas, but to my eye the combination is a little softer and richer than matching stark black and white.

Are leggings dated? The question has come up a lot with my clients recently, and the answer is absolutely not. I don’t mean the jegging styles that look like jeans, but the leggings styles that look more like hosiery. Unconstructed, lightweight, pull-on and best not worn as pants. 

Leggings are available in colours, patterns and all sorts of textures like lace, crochet, colour block and fishnets this season. So if you feel like an update — go for it. 

I am a classic leggings gal and stick to black because they feel best for my style. I still wear my cropped lengths and stirrup styles frequently. They are the perfect insulating layer under shorter dresses and skirts for a cool Seattle. I pair them with with ballet flats, flat oxfords or low heeled pumps. I also have my eye on a pair of black lace leggings because I’m into lace lately, and do enjoy their ’80s vibe. 

Do you still wear leggings? If so, how are you wearing them?

Here are 25 casual and dressy Summer tops that have been winners with my clients this season. All tried and tested. Be sure to look at all the colours, and all the size options because some items are available in plus, petite, tall and regular sizes. 

• Perfect Shirt in Linen: If you can make peace with the crease, try this shirt. The sleeves scrunch perfectly and I can’t rave enough about the loose and carefree fit. Warning: the pink is neon, which is why I love to wear it, but it might not be your cup of tea. 
• Pom-Pom Shell: If I was going to add a sleeveless blouse to my wardrobe for Summer, it would be this style in citron. It’s lined and gorgeously retro.
• Foxcroft Leopard Print Shaped Shirt (Plus): A brilliant tailored shape. It works well on a larger bust line so don’t let the breast pockets put you off. Also available in brown. 
• Bellatrix Sheer Print Shirt: An attractive pattern in mauve and orange, and even more rich in person. You’ll just have to take a peek. 
• Pleione Split Neck Roll Sleeve Mixed Media Top: Lightweight, does not require a camisole, forgiving, covered and made of both a woven and knit. Great assortment of colours. 
• Vince Camuto Placed Pattern Peasant Blouse: Fun abstract pattern. Boxy, romantic and fabulous. You’ll be surprised at how well this blouse works on a full bust line. 
• Travelers Classic Zebra Sierra Top: Amazing in both regular and plus sizes because asymmetrical hemlines can be very attractive. Crease-resistant. 
• Pleione Dolman Sleeve Print Top with Banded Hem: Kimono-esque, pretty and quite alluring. 
• Travelers Classic Zebra Print Lindsay Top: Also amazing in both regular and plus sizes. Cold shouldered, very bold and eye-catching. Trust me, it looks better in person than in the photo. Also available in black. 
• Bobeau Stripe Roll Sleeve Top: A classic. The substantial weight of the fabric ensures a good drape. The rust and white striped version is available in stores. 
• Vince Shimmering Silk Dolman Top: A stunningly simple and crisp modern classic that can be dressed up or down. 
• Elie Tahari ‘Marney’ Drop Hem Silk Blouse: My client launched me into orbit when she tried this one on. Modern relaxed elegance.
• Silk Safari Tank: Easy breezy. 
• White Circle-Lace Shell: A pretty little retro darling. Great on it’s own or layered under a jacket. 
• White Twist Front Shirt: Waist defining and forgiving at the same time. Perfect over tapered Bermuda shorts. No camisole required. 
• Linen Cotton Chambray Shirt: Classic and divine. The colours are mouth wateringly fresh. 
• Floral Pintuck Drop Waist Top: Great for the office over a pencil skirt. No jacket required. 
• Ruffle-Front Blouse: Romantic, ventilating and flirty. 
• Femme Back Zip Shell: This may look like a boring shell, but it’s so lovely. It has an interesting side seam and hem detail when worn un-tucked. I vote green. Simple tops can look best. Great layering piece for the office. 
• Asymmetrical Pleated Front Print Top: Another simple top that looks better in person than in the photo. Great sleeve length. 
• Striped Cotton Three Quarter Sleeve Tee: This is what I call a feminine rugby stripe. 
• Madewell Lookout Pullover: Ventilating and covered fabness. Also available in black. 
• Free People Polka Dot Easy Rider Button Up: Nice high-low blouse in a festive polka dot. Oversized, yet collapses back onto the body. 
• Type Z Daina Blouse: Bright, boxy and happy. 
• Organza Peony Top: Very pretty, both on it’s own and as a layering piece. Dress it up or down.  

Although there is still a shortage of sleeved tops in stores at the moment, it’s a GREAT improvement on last year. Feel free to share your fabulous Summer top finds in the comments section below and add onto the list.