If it’s not the slushy snow that we had all of last week, it’s the rain coupled with an icy wind. With a warm topper, scarf, weatherproof footwear and an umbrella in my bag, I brave the elements and get on with it. You just can’t let the Seattle weather get you down, nor can you put off wearing your nice wardrobe items. 

Greg and I went to a very casual business meeting earlier this week and this is what I wore. Greg took these photos just before the meeting during a brief interlude when the rain wasn’t coming down in buckets. But the wind was blowing so that’s why it looks like I have bedhead. 

The outfit incorporates two items that I purchased from last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale — a Smythe equestrian jacket and Donald Pliner biker boots. When I saw the Smythe jacket during the sale’s preselections, I almost cried it’s THAT well made. This level of quality and impeccable tailoring is rare these days, no matter how expensive the garment. And the chestnut elbow patches were love at first sight. To my eye, this style of jacket stands the test of time and is a great investment. I will happily wear it season after season and enjoy every second of it. 

I need to wear colour on our awfully grey days so I paired the jacket with a citron cashmere turtleneck and woolly chartreuse polka dot scarf. I tied the scarf like a mens’ tie so that it fit neatly into the neckline of the jacket. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for the draping whimsy of a scarf and prefer a tie that is more rigid.

I chose my straight leg jeans instead of skinnies because I like a little more volume on the bottom half of my legs when wearing mid calf boots. Sporting skinnies with these boots just makes my narrow calves look even scrawnier and therefore unbalanced. A cream and black satchel adds brightness to the outfit. It was back to Team Silver for my watch and wedding ring to match the metals on my boots and bag. 

I bat for Team Polished, but I like to wear distressed items too. Thing is, I must wear distressed items with polished pieces in order for them to feel right for my style. That’s how the pairing of this jacket with the biker boots was born. The outfit is less crisp and more casual and earthy than what I usually wear because of the colours and the textures. It’s a nice break from dressy black, white and brights.

Portuguese Footwear brand Fidji has just come out with a new range of fun red shoes. I have not fitted on these particular styles, so I’m unable to share my detailed thoughts on their comfort levels and styling. But I believe in Fidji footwear. I have a couple of pairs,  many of my clients have a couple of pairs, and so far the brand has not let us down. A stable low heel, soft leather, cushioning footbed and roomy toe box are what make their shoes comfortable, and worth the investment. The shoes are well made and the styling distinctive. 

I walk Seattle, NYC and Vancouver flat in my Fidjs and regard them as my city walking shoes (although my heels are slightly lower than the ones pictured here). They run true to size and sometimes half a size large. These styles also come in other colours so be sure to click through the options. 

Wearing a column of colour, which means wearing the same or a similar colour both on the top and bottom, accentuates the mighty unbroken vertical line. The denim on denim trend is a great look in my book and that’s precisely how the column of colour is created in this ensemble. 

Here are the components of the outfit, and you’ll probably already have some of the items. So shop your closets and start experimenting. 

Jeans and Denim Shirt 

Choose any style of jeans. I’ve chosen a tapered leg because they work with all heel heights and most styles of footwear. Choose any style of denim shirt. Chambray, which is thinner than denim but has a similar textural effect, will also work. Wear it untucked to create the unbroken line. The washes of jeans and shirt do not need to be exactly the same, but keeping them fairly similar is the point of the column of colour.

Bright Blazer

Choose a blazer in a bright colour and wear it over the denim shirt. The contrasting effect of the blazer breaks up the textural continuity of the column of denim. You don’t need to choose a blazer style if that’s not your thing. Cropped jackets, short trench coats and moto jackets can work just as well. You also don’t need to choose a bright colour. I chose brights because they are trending and feel especially fresh for Spring. 

Patterned Shoes 

Solid shoes will look great, but patterns pack more punch. Choose heels or flats, pumps, booties or ankle boots. I’ve chosen a low heeled retro Mary Jane, a rugged punk flat boot, and bombshell high heeled pumps. All three styles can be mixed and matched with any of the pictured blazers, creating very different moods.

Neutral Handbag 

I like the idea of a neutral handbag with this combination because it compliments as well as tones down the colour. I’ve chosen a modern classic shoulder tote, a trendy silver satchel and retro satchel. As with the shoes, each of the handbags can be mixed and matched with the blazers to create a different mood. 

I’d stick to wearing my watch, wedding ring and specs as accessories, but you can wear the accessories of your choice. That’s always the point of these outfit formulas. I sew the seed of an idea, you take the next step by making the concept reflect YOUR style.

I wore an Autumn version of this outfit formula while attending Fashion Week in 2010, which was with black blazer, cream footwear and bright handbag. I’m going to swap things out this Spring and add in more colour.

Orange is the colour of the season in all it’s shades and hues, so at the moment it’s particularly on trend. Red on the other hand is what I call a classic colour. From the deepest crimson and burgundy to the brightest tomato red, you’ll always find some form of red in retail stores. 

Remember that we are talking ALL shades of orange and red, and not just their bright colourwheel incarnations. You don’t need to actually wear a colour more frequently to prefer it, and wearing it in accessories and footwear also counts. 

I adore a dark, saturated orange like the one on my argyle jumper, and I LOVE a blindingly bright tomato red. In fact, my favourite red has a lot of orange in it (no blue undertones whatsoever). But I still prefer a bright tomato red over any shade of orange so I’m going against my national heritage (orange being the national colour of the Netherlands), and batting for Team Red.

Over to you. Are you on Team Orange or Team Red? Tell us why and no batting for both teams.