You can wear utility pants with boho-lite blouses and dainty shoes to create a vibe that I call Utility Pretty. Wearing today’s fab finds together is one way to do just that. It is a fun juxtaposition that many of my clients enjoy. 

1. Charter Club Pintuck Top

This blouse has made some of clients very happy because it works well untucked, does not crease, and has a flattering fit in a swingy, playful way. Roomy, but not overly so. The notched V-neckline offsets the volume below the pintucked yoke, and the sleeves are surprisingly unfussy. The best part is the knitted front panel which gives the top a stretchy and soft integrity. Super comfy, easy to launder, and comes in petites. The patterns seem to pack a little more punch than the solids, and the first two patterns in the collection are most popular.

2. Banana Republic Slim Utility Pants

If you’re looking for super casual streamlined utility pants with a slim silhouette, these are an option and often on sale. They come in petite, regular and tall, in sizes US0 to US20, and across five neutrals. The cotton is soft and substantial with a bit of stretch. The mid rise is a good fit. Some of my clients sized up. The waist is a little wider. Very comfortable, easy to style, and easy to launder. Fab with a boho-lite blouse, tee, or knitted top, and sandals for a summery look. As fab with boots and a few top layers for transitional weather.

I got an ivory pair to replace some very old pairs of olive utility pants that I passed on a while ago. I keep the zippers on the hems unzipped for a little interest. There is a panel of fabric behind the zipper that creates a godet-effect above your ankle. Very nice! I wear them in the Summer on extremely casual days, or to the beach with the doggies. I had the waistband altered so that they stay put without a belt. They don’t stretch out while wearing, or shrink after laundry. A versatile classic that’s having its fashion moment.

Spring and Summer scarves are lightweight, silky, gauzy and made of fibres like silk, chiffon, cotton, linen, viscose, satin, rayon and polyester. Most are patterned. Sizes and shapes can vary. If you’re a Summer scarf wearer, here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into outfits. 

1. Headscarf

Try tying a scarf around your head as shown here. It covers the crown of the head and ties in the back with the ends draping over the shoulders or down your back. This particular look combines a boxy print adorned poplin shirt with a pair of cropped wide leg cuffed jeans. The sleeves are scrunched to showcase the forearm. Black clogs seem heavy to my eye, so I’d have chosen a shade of brown or tan. Or white shoes to match the shirt. The scarf doesn’t match perfectly, but still pairs well with the palette of the outfit.

2. Neck Scarf

Here’s a fashion-forward matching set of FOUR patterned items worn in the SAME outfit. A patterned dress is worn as a tunic over patterned cropped pants. A scarf in the same pattern is tied around the neck in a classic manner. A tote in the same pattern finishes off the look. Of course, you can separate the patterned items and wear them with solids. Or stick to matching the patterned dress and the scarf.

3. Swimsuit Cover-up

A big square scarf can be worn as a sarong or pareo over a swimsuit. Here the patterns aren’t an exact match but the palettes are the same. You can wear a patterned scarf with solid swimwear, or vice versa, Add beach bag and appropriate beach footwear, and you’re done.

4. Wrap

Last, this is a great, and often forgotten casual way to wear a big scarf in the Summer. Wear it like a wrap over a sleeveless dress or top when you need a little coverage or insulation. It can take the place of a lightweight jacket or sweater. Or keep the sun off exposed skin. Here the outfit showcases three patterns, none of which match. But they share a few of the same colours, creating a harmonious effect. Add solid shoes, and jewellery as desired.

Being patient with your style is possibly the most important style skill of all. Note that we are talking about your levels of patience as they pertain to you and your style, and not other aspects of your life. 

I am by nature a very impatient person. There is now, or right now, and anything later than that is too late. Hubs Greg knows me better than anyone, and will tell you just how impatient I am. My late parents, who were patient people, did not pass that enviable trait on to me.

That said, there are a few aspects of my life where I am as patient as can be. I have all the patience in the world for our Yorkies Sam and Jo. And for my style. It is the one component of my life I do not stress about. I completely relax into my style journey and have fun. I don’t obsess about any part of it. I thoroughly edit and review my wardrobe regularly and with pleasure. I meticulously keep an updated digital representation of my wardrobe in YLF Finds. I don’t mind one bit when I miss out on bargains, or when items sell out. It’s no problem when items are out of my price range, because I’m confident I will find a better-for-me version at a better price. I’m at ease when it takes years to find the right item on my shopping list. I’m patient when it takes several seasons to evolve my look in a different direction because my budget will only go so far, and I can’t buy something that isn’t there.

I was patient enough to grow out my hair from a super short pixie to a bob. It was a frustrating process, because my hair is fine, wispy, and slow-growing. But I persevered. 18 months later, my hair is finally at a length I’m happy with and it was worth the wait. I bat for Team Patience.

If only I was equally patient in other parts of my life.

Over to you. With respect to your wardrobe and style, do you bat for Team Patience or Team Impatience. If you need to bat for both teams, I’m serving peri-peri chicken breasts with a Greek salad, and frozen mango yogurt for dessert on the bench.

Don’t take emotion out of the closet editing, shopping, and outfit creation process. The more in tune you are with your emotions, the easier it will be to sport a style that is authentic, easy to manage, and makes you feel fabulous. 

Sometimes an outfit looks great in the mirror and to others but doesn’t feel right to you. Style starts within, so you should listen to these feelings. Wearing outfits that give you happiness will help you to be the most stylish version of yourself.

It can take time to get used to new silhouettes, colours, combinations, or proportions. Persevere a little before saying no. Allow your eye to adjust to the new aesthetic. Negative feelings can turn to positive as a new look grows on you.