We’re half way through the year. Spring and Summer collections are more or less complete. Lots on sale, or going on sale. Autumn collections are in the pipeline. Here’s a short list of items that have been winners on my clients recently. Be sure to browse all the colour and size options.

• Sam Edelman Wanda: If you have narrow and flat feet like mine, these dainty flats are worth a try. They work quite well for me because they fit, don't fall off, and have HARD OUTER soles. Unlike super soft Rothy flats and the like, these don't feel like my feet are too close to the ground. I can't wear Rothys because my feet aren't supported by a hard sole, if that makes sense. I have an old pair in white, and a new pair in gold. They are not hardcore 8-hour walking shoes, but great to wear for a few hours. Soft on the inside.
• AllSaints Hailey Straight Leg Ankle Jeans: If you're after cool-toned blush acid wash jeans in a relaxed straight silhouette, these are worth a try, and have the denim jacket to match.
• Johnny Was Johnny Was Seline Golden Bouquet Silk Button-Down Shirt: The photo does not to the delicious GORGEOUSNESS of this blouse justice. The colours are crisper and deeper, and the silhouette is drapey but not tent-ish. The asymmetrical hemline offsets some of the volume. Fabric is beautiful too. Might need to size down.
• Johnny Was Johnny Was Divine Golden Bouquet Straight-Leg Silk Pull-On Pants: The pattern and fabric are STUNNING in person. Richer colours, luxe, soft and comfy, and has the blouse to match to create a set.
• Boden Slash Neck Midi Dress: This is a rare A-line cotton sheath that comes in two colours. Well-made, fantastic fabric, bodice is lined, and there are pockets. There is a low back neckline that is fabulously alluring, and works just fine with a regular bra. The red and orange option is more earthy in person. Not as bright.
• White House Black Market Pointelle Pullover: This is an extremely pretty sweater that's quite ventilating. Looks great with faded denim, white, and olive bottoms. The sleeves are more dramatic in person, and it doesn't cling like it does in the photo. Comes in black and butter.
• White House Black Market Pointelle Stitch 3/4 Sleeve Sweater: This little '70s top is darling with a pair of cropped pants or shorts. VERY lightweight, pretty, comfy, breezy, and does not crease. Comes in light blue and white.
• Free People Mystic Mary Jane Flats (Women): These hard-edged flats come in three types of metallic, and fit a wider foot quite well. They stay on the foot because of the secure straps.
• PIKOLINOS Blanes Sandal (Women): Supportive, comfy and well-made sandals for a wider foot. Comes in black and cinnamon.
• Zara Tailored Waistcoat: If you're after a little black '90s waistcoat to wear over shirts, tees, blouses, and dresses, this one is affordable.
• Zara Buckled Bag: Faux Leather Gold Satchel Fabness. Easier to carry than a dressy clutch for dressy occasions. By all means sport it during the day with a more causal look too. Comes in black and mint.
• Vince Camuto Eyelet Balloon Sleeve Button-Up Blouse: Very pretty lace blouse with statement balloon sleeves that can be dressed up or down. Watch the sleeve length because it's tricky to shorten. Comes in black.
• Leota Evalyn Floral Organic Cotton Maxi Skirt: A long cotton skirt with pockets and late '60s vibe. Comfy with a good bit of swoosh. It's long, but easy to shorten so that you don't trip. It has a blouse to match to create a two-piece dress.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Chino Wide-Leg Pant: I got these off-white wide cropped chinos to replace a pair of white jeans that bit the dust. The fabric is substantial, soft, and feels STUNNING against the skin. It's like a sueded cotton with a bit of stretch. The fit is TTS albeit a little roomy, which is welcome for breezy Summer pants. They drape in that casually fluid yet elegant and dressy RL Polo way. I wore them all weekend. They felt sharp and crisp despite their chino integrity. They barely stretch out or crease. Launder well, although a good press is in order after air-drying. The orange is earthier in person. Comes in toffee.
• Boden Broderie Tiered Maxi Dress: Several of my bright Summer dresses bit the dust, and this is one of their replacements. GORGEOUS quality, and 100% cotton. Fully lined and beautifully made. Runs narrow so you might need to size up. The eyelet is more orange than red, which suits me just fine but disappointed others. It's very long so I had three inches hacked off the length. I love the way this dress moves. High swoosh factor. Awfully pretty.
• Nic + Zoe Cutout Crush Fit & Flare Midi Dress: KILLER GORGEOUS strappy cotton sundress with pockets. Lovely quality and very comfy. There isn't a client who didn't love it when they tried it on. The pattern is bold, and you'll need to love the colours though. Comes in petites.
• Boden Tiered Poplin Midi Skirt: A tiered cotton midaxi skirt with pockets that comes in two more patterns. Fab quality and good swoosh factor.
• 1.State Floral Print Flutter Sleeve Blouse: This blouse looks so much better on the body than any of my clients expected. It comes in several patterns if you do a search. The sleeve frills make an interesting statement, and the necktie looks great left untied. Not too low.
• Tommy Hilfiger Women's Floral-Print Maxi Dress: A comfy and soft knitted dress with a Grecian appeal. Works well on a curvier body type and is fab for tall gals. Plenty of length. Easy to launder. Works with a regular bra. The V-neckline might need a little stitch or safety pin if you're after more modesty.
• Anne Klein Women's Jenna-Stand Collar V Neck W/Elastic: This dress worked well on a range of body types, from curvier to straighter. The waist elastic provides a nice bit of shape, and the pockets are fab. Crease-resistant, easy to launder, and looks more purple in person.

You can see the descriptions alongside the items on the collection page.

Here’s a fab find that’s worth a second glance. The Munro Cleo Sandal is a well made, comfortable, and refined modern classic. The big buckle adds a gorgeous on trend touch. It changes metal across the neutrals. The beauty of the sandal is in the extensive assortment of widths. There are five widths and seven neutrals. Sizes run from US5 to US13. Not every colour and size comes in every width, but there are plenty of options. I can wear sandals when they come in a NARROW width. I ordered the off-white with the gold buckle in a narrow width and it fit like it was custom-made for my feet. Cushioning, soft, supportive, versatile, lightweight, and I like the dainty silhouette. But the off-white was more earthy tan that rich cream, which wasn’t quite right for my wardrobe. I’d have bought them in a brighter white.

Here’s a blast from the past if you wore dressier clothes to the office back in the mid to late ‘90s. I had two dressy and lined gilets — one black and one beige — that I wore to work almost year round with summery and autumnal layers. I found them very handy in Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, where it doesn’t get very cold. They provided just the right insulation in gentle air conditioning too.

The ‘90s became more minimal and neutral further along in the decade. And now the dressy and longer length gilet, or sleeveless jacket of that era, is having a fringe fashion moment. If it’s your vibe, here are some looks to inspire you. I’ve included some transitional outfits for those in the Southern hemisphere.

1. Bermuda Shorts Set

Long dressy Bermuda shorts were something I could wear to the office back in 1995, and I did just that with a matching gilet. My set was beige, which I wore with a form-fitting black sleeved and tucked slash neck knitted top and dressy refined black sandals. I added a black and gold belt, and brown bag. The version here is a black gilet and shorts set combined with a black cropped top and chunky black sandals. Wearing black from head to toe was very ‘90s too. Sub the crop top with a layering piece that is more to your taste.

2. Turtleneck and Wide Pants

In colder weather, a fitted or fluid turtleneck works well under a gilet. If turtlenecks aren’t for you, wear a neckline that you’re comfortable with instead. Wear the top layers over wide full-length pants, or keep them tapered if slim bottoms are your thing. Add dressy shoes and a bag that works with the outfit, and you’re done. The cream gilet creates a high contrast against the burgundy turtleneck, charcoal trousers, and black pumps. A black or charcoal gilet will create a low contrast, which might be your preference.

3. Belted and Soft

Soft business casual separates were big in the ‘90s. They were neutral, drapey, crepe-y, swooshy, crease-resistant, and comfortable. Here’s a belted black gilet worn over a black tank top or camisole. It’s paired with soft and flowing, extra long white pants. Black sandals complete the summery vibe, but closed-toe shoes can work well too. Make sure the pants are at a length that is practical and not a tripping hazard.

4. Jeans and a White Support Act

This is my favourite of the four because the white is bright, and packs a punch. Combine a pair of dark blue bootcut or wide leg jeans with a white shirt or top silhouette of your choosing. The shirt when buttoned through to the top creates a nice flat neckline under the collared gilet. Leave it untucked. Scrunch the long sleeves to expose some forearm skin. Top it off with a beige or toffee gilet. Finish off the outfit with white sneakers, boots, or loafers, and a white bag. Note how these jeans are at the new shorter full length so showcase more of the shoes. Add jewellery as desired,

With Summer fast approaching, and the sun being out in full force in many parts of the world, many media and fashion outlets are writing about sun protection. Here are a few articles that caught my eye.

• Dermatologists are sharing how to find the best sunscreens for eczema.
• Refinery29 has a round-up of sun-protective clothes that are “actually wearable.”
• They also list the 16 best sunscreen sticks for SPF on the go.
• Over at The Guardian, Sali Hughes asks if you can avoid leaving marks on your skin with mineral sunscreen.
• The Huffpost asked dermatologists if you really need special sunscreen for your face.
• For a bit of fun: “Here’s What Your Favourite Sunscreen Says About You.“

Fab Links from Our Members

Jaime has a lot of ambivalence about the so-called invisibility of older women and found this article inspiring.

Star loves how Michelle of All Ways in Fashion has seen the similarities between 2023 Summer fashions and Jackie O’s style. The pics are fab too.

Angelina Jolie is launching a sustainable fashion project. JP says: “There are so many great components to the project; something that could change the fashion industry, make use of surplus garments, recycling, acknowledging tailors and other talents, and helping refugees.”

Nuancedream was completely mesmerized by watching the restoration of a Gucci mule destroyed by a very naughty doggy.

Angie is celebrating Helen Mirren’s awesome blue hair at the Cannes Film Festival! 

Lesley loved this piece on a capsule wardrobe. She adds: I felt very similar every time I was pregnant and thus forced into a capsule of sorts.

Murph11 is enjoying the Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus podcast, and thought her interview with Diane von Furstenberg was wonderful: “They discuss the iconic DVF wrap dress, growing up, aging, and so much more. Each episode ends with JL-D calling her own mother about the interview… endearing.”

Viewing life as a competition with others can lead to a self-destructive, downward spiral that is a waste of energy. Energy that would be better spent focussing on our own personal growth and the constructive changes you want to make in your life. 

If you view style through a competitive lens there will always be someone doing something better than you on one dimension or another.  View this as inspiration, not competition. Celebrate and learn from their stylish successes.

Accept and celebrate who you are. You don’t need to fit into a particular box to look stylish and feel fabulous. Practise self-compassion and allow yourself to shine. It’s not about measuring up to others, it’s about expressing yourself.