I recently shared that I’m off my item blazers. I love wearing blazers that are part of a pants suit with matching trousers in the same fabric. But I’m less into wearing my item blazers as stand-alone toppers with various separates. Maybe it was the colours and patterns of the blazers I own. Maybe it was their longer length, when I’m preferring shorter jackets right now. Maybe it’s my new softer, longer and darker hairstyle that prefers the more playful look.

Things became crystal clear when I got a bright coral and red plaid blazer for my birthday earlier in the month. All of the factors above played a part. This new item blazer is shorter, brighter, and a lot more playful than most of my current item blazers. It’s a more attractive palette for my new honey blonde hair. Happiness factor is through the roof when I wear my new blazer. I feel magical in it.

I’ve worn my plaid blazer four times in the few weeks I’ve owned it, which is telling. So far it’s been fab with a cream layering top and big tan pants inside an air-conditioned restaurant. I’ve loved it over an orange eyelet dress to keep out the evening chill, which was hubs Greg’s suggestion! I’ve also worn it with white jeans and a white shirt. I’d like to wear it with with my red, blue, and ecru jeans when the weather cools. And red and orange pants. Here are the exact items from my wardrobe.

I’ve passed on my old and longer navy and patterned velvet blazers from Boden to a happy second home. I’ve kept the denim and bright Hobbs blazers because they are shorter and more colourful. It is always good to get to the bottom of why a wardrobe item is working or not working. It sharpens my style tools.

A microscopic bag, high demand for vintage Gap clothing, the death of Jane Birkin, and other news from the July style trenches.

• Actress, musician, and style icon Jane Birkin has passed away at the age of 76.
• Since her death was announced, all things Birkin are booming on resale sites.
• A microscopic bag (less than 0.03 inches wide), created for musician Pharrell Williams, has sold for more than $60,000.
• Thanks to the Barbie movie, the high ponytail is in again.
• Phoebe Philo’s new namesake fashion brand is gearing up for its Fall launch.
• Savile Row tailor Edward Sexton — dubbed “the wizard with the scissors” —  whose military-inspired suits were worn by everyone from Twiggy to Mick Jagger, the Beatles and Elton John, has died.
• From belts and buckles to bright-coloured tights, these are Fall’s biggest fashion trends according to Refinery29.
• A new trend for vintage Gap has seen demand for the high street store’s clothes from the ’90s and ’00s soar.
• Fashionista reports that luxury hotels are fashion retail’s latest target.

Fashion Quote

Over at The Guardian, several writers mourn the products they once treasured that have been cruelly discontinued. I have a feeling Adam Gabbatt’s predicament will strike a chord with many of us:

“Not to be confused with the Clarks desert boot, I’ve had the same pair of brown (beeswax, to be precise) Desert Mali boots for 11 years. They’ve been resoled three times, I’ve worn them in hurricanes, floods and snow, and when I briefly dabbled in motorcycle riding. I planned to buy a replacement pair but they stopped selling them. I’ve tried other, more expensive boots, but nothing has compared.

For the last four years, I’ve checked eBay, Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace twice a month, but have never found a pair in my size. Sometimes stores will tease me by pretending they have them, but they never actually do. I did manage to buy a used black pair off eBay but they’re just not the same. Beeswax is a classic colour for a leather boot: unfussy, untreated, ready for action and the choice of Indiana Jones, it teams easily with black, blue or grey jeans, or smart trousers, and can be worn in the office, pub or, well, the desert. My entire wardrobe is based around a single, now extinct, pair of brown boots.”

I love pink. I wear it year round in seasonally appropriate fabrics, and in any wardrobe item. Bright shocking pink is one of my favourite colours. I also enjoy bubblegum pink, and blush. I wear pink with brights like tomato red, citron, lime, turquoise, and orange. I also wear it with navy, all sorts of whites, earthy tans, toffees and browns, oatmeal, and burgundy. Pink is versatile for my style. Maybe it’s versatile for you too.

There are infinite ways to wear pink in the Summer months. Choose the tints, shades, and tones of pink that work best for you, and incorporate them into your warm and hot-weather looks. The outfit ideas below should get the creative juices flowing.

1. Bright and Dark

Combine bright pink with dark neutrals like black, navy, or chocolate. Here, a patterned pink, peach and black floral mesh top is combined with shocking pink linen wide cropped pants. It’s tucked to create a sleek effect. Summery black slides match the pattern of the top and bookend the model’s hair. A coral bag is the finishing touch. It clashes with the pink in a harmonious way.

2. Soft and Light

If bright pinks are too bold, soft pinks might be more your thing. The collection shows multiple soft pink items worn in various ways. Solid soft pink separates are an easy match with whites, tans, olive, and blue denim. Soft pink patterns in tops and dresses are another way to go. Silver, gold, tan and white shoes and bag are a slam-dunk finishing touch.

3. Pink and Neon

Here we see bright and soft pink in one outfit, which keeps most of it visually tonal. A pair of pants in a soft dusty blush is combined with a bright billowing blouse. It’s tucked to define the waist, which adds structure to the outfit. Like a bolt of lightening, the tonal effect is jolted with neon green and yellow accents in the form of footwear and bag. The electric effect is quite the acquired taste. Delicious to my eye.

4. Pink Complement

Create a pink complement with shoes and a bag that match in colour. Add the complement to all sorts of outfits to help pull together the look. Here, a pair of soft and baggy white trousers is combined with a patterned blouse. It has a bit of pink in the pattern to match the pink shoe and bag complement. I’ll take the entire outfit please.

5. Earthy Pinks

Last, pinks look good with all sorts of earthy browns, tans, taupes, cinnamons, and mustards. That palette is shown in a boxy patterned shirtdress complete with mustard platforms. Instead of a pattern, combine a solid pink top with earthy bottoms. Complete the outfit with brown shoes and bag. Wear the palette into Autumn and Winter. Add jewellery, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Of course, with the Barbie craze that’s happening right now, pink is even more topical than normal. So you have to be prepared to be complimented on your Barbie look if you wear shocking pink.

Who else likes to wear pink in the Summer?

I’m consistently impressed with the quality and fit of Nic + Zoe clothing. Their natural-fibre fabrics are wonderful, drape well, are easy to launder, and feel great against the skin. The patterns are fairly unique, spanning neutrals and non-neutrals. The fits look good on varying body types, and sizes range from petite to plus. 

The attention to trim detail and fit is a breath of fresh air. There are gathers and darts in discrete places to give items a bit of shape. Many dresses have pockets. Necklines aren’t overly low. Strappy dresses cover bra straps. Fits aren’t tight or oversized. Lengths often seem just right.

Most of these items have been winners on my clients. I’ve added some styles with good online reviews too. If you catch the items on sale, the prices are pretty good.