Going Green for Spring

Today we are looking at how six of our bloggers are wearing Angie’s Simple Greens outfit formula. One thing that stands out is that people seem to be in the mood for heels again.

Elle

Elle dresses up light wash straight leg jeans with a polished and crisp short tweed jacket. She’s buttoned up the emerald green jacket to wear as a top. The tweed has sequins running through it which adds subtle sparkle. The shorter jacket lengthens the leg line from the hips upward, while our blogger’s stiletto pumps add height. They are a patent licorice colour which reads like a metallic and adds an extra dressy touch. Elle completes this polished casual look with cat eye sunnies and a colourful beaded crochet clutch.

Sabra

Sabra is combining shades of green and brown in this dressy dandy-esque look. She’s wearing grey, menswear-inspired wide leg trousers with a crisp white shirt and beige cable-knit sweater vest. Tucking both tops and adding a mid-brown belt emphasizes her waistline and tempers the volume of the trousers. She adds unexpected colour with the chartreuse gingham cardigan. The relaxed boyfriend style adds a casual touch while the oversized gold buttons bring the bling. She goes in for a bit of playful pattern mixing with the checked tie in various shades of brown that ties all the colours together. A cognac bag, dark brown footwear, oversized hoop earrings, and flamboyant leather trim velour hat make the outfit even more “trademark Sabra.”

Suzanne

Suzanne is rocking a fab olive midi dress with interesting design details. The cool-toned, slightly greyish olive looks great with her dark blonde locks. The tulip skirt with front split creates a high-low hemline effect. The wrap-style silhouette, accentuated by the oversized gold D-ring, creates movement and structure. The V-neckline is perfect to show off a chunky gold chain necklace. Our blogger paired the dress with sky-high ankle-strap platform sandals in a warm brown. Thin bracelets and large hoops complete this elegant look.

Cathy

Cathy is sporting on-trend cargo pants with a floral-patterned blouse that reads both delicate and moody. The pale sage cargo bootcut pants have a slim fit on the thighs, and subtly flare out into split hems that show a bit of Cathy’s high-heeled silver slide sandals. The pleats, sheer fabric, and smocked cuffs give the billowy blouse a romantic vibe that juxtaposes nicely with the more utilitarian vibe of the bottoms. The various shades of soft green are gorgeous with Cathy’s red hair. Tucking the blouse tempers the volume, and shows a silver metallic skinny belt. Our blogger continues the silver accessories theme with a dressy chain-strap bag. She finishes off the look with aviator sunglasses and apricot lippy.

Alexandra

Alexandra’s Kelly green wide leg trousers are the star of the show in this cheerful casual look. She’s paired them with a mock-neck ribbed top with green, brown and pink stripe. The green matches the trousers, while the brown and pink look wonderful with our blogger’s complexion and red hair. Tucking the top lengthens the leg line from the hips up. A cognac belt accentuates the waist and adds a bit of textural interest. Kellly green and navy are an excellent match, and Alexandra chose a relaxed-fit Modern Classic peacoat in navy to top off the outfit. A Gucci tote accented with burgundy leather brings more pattern and an extra colour to this casual look. Layered gold necklaces, chunky hoops, fun orange nail polish, and bright orange-red lipstick are the perfect finishing touches.

Rose

Dark olive, and sour lime come together brilliantly in this casual look with dressy touches. Rose is sporting full-length wide leg utility trousers and a V-neck sweater vest worn as a top. The vest’s Fair Isle pattern in light grey, turquoise and lime brightens the dark olive. Tucking the top shows the trouser’s high waist and lengthens the leg line. The bright green asymmetrical satchel adds modern, clean lines. Our blogger throws in a kicky surprise at the bottom with her eye-catching pointy-toed mules. The bright orange packs a punch paired with the different shades of green. And the double-bow crystal embellishments add dainty, dressy bling.

I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of these marvelous outfits. Let us know in the comments, and do share how you are wearing green this Spring if you like to sport the colour.

Fab Finds: Platforms, Sandals, Zara

If you live in the US, we hope you’re enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend. Today I’m sharing an assortment of Summer shoes and items from Zara. Be sure to browse the different colour options, and check which items are on sale. 

1. Platforms and Flatforms

Platforms and flatforms are once again having their fashion moment. These examples have been winners on clients, or simply caught my eye because they have great reviews. Wedges are back, and on sneakers too. Espadrille detailing is looking fresh and “new”. Metallics are fab neutrals.

The Vionic Brandie Slide can work well on lower volume feet because the velcro is adjustable. The Aerosoles Camera Sandal is an incredibly cushioning disco shoe, and more comfortable than it looks. There are many colours on the Aerosoles site. The Paul Green Roxy Ankle Strap Sandal is the prettiest and dressiest platform sandal I’ve seen on a client so far. I like ankle straps, so that’s probably why they are a favourite. The Naturalizer Morrison Sneaker works particularly well on higher arches, and has a crisp appearance. Munro Sandals tend to come in SS, N, M, W and WW widths across their sizes. THANK YOU, Munro.

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2. Naturalizer Vera Ankle Strap Sandal

These trendy classics are surprisingly comfortable and supportive if you can manage a 2.5 inch heel. Very versatile, and comes in a large assortment of neutrals. Suede, patent, and regular leather. There are three types of black, many tans and browns, a red, and metallics. Some colours and sizes are available across various widths.

3. Zara Items

Zara continues to surprise me this season. Many of their items are made of natural fibres at the moment, which is quite the change. Remember that viscose and rayon are natural fibres too. The first two items are 100% cotton and create a coordinated pants set. I have it, and you can see me wear it here. The white eyelet dress is GORGEOUS, and fully lined in the front and back. I have that one too, and feel angelic in it. It’s long and I’ve added snaps to the lower centre front so that the slit isn’t so high. The silver jeans have a super fit and do not need to be worn slouchy like the model. They can create a tailored fit. The pretty pink skirt is long and very streamlined for a pleated skirt. The white palazzo pants are WIDE and, because of that, not see-through. They make quite the statement and are lightweight. The pink linen viscose pants have heft, and look exceptionally early ‘90s with their high rise, pleats and width. The navy skirt is knitted, very comfy, not too clingy, drapes well, and works particularly well on petites.

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Cotton Pocket Shirt
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Cotton Print Pants
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Embroidered Midi Dress
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Printed Pleated Skirt
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Linen Palazzo Pants
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Asymmetric Midi Skirt
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Fashion News Roundup: May 2023

A Braille edition of Vogue magazine, a new clothing-rental app, and more news from this month’s fashion trenches.

Fashion Quote

“She dazzled in sequins.” I love what Chloe Mac Donnell wrote about legendary singer Tina Turner who passed away earlier this week:

“The first thing an audience saw when watching Tina Turner live wasn’t her face as she raised the mic to hit her first note. It was a dazzling light. Even if you were seated in the very back row, you knew Turner had arrived as the spotlight hit her sequin minidress.

For more than five decades, Turner commanded the stage in what fans affectionately called ‘The Tina Dress’, and the longer she performed, the shorter the hemlines became. “There are no rules that say you have to dress a certain way, or be a certain way. We are living in exciting times for women,” she said in 2009 as she embarked on her 50th anniversary tour.”

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Outfit Formula: All Sorts of Shorts

If you enjoy wearing shorts, here are some outfit combinations that might inspire you. Some vibes are dressy, and others very casual. Some shorts lengths are longer than others. Take your pick, and choose your own colour palette. 

1. Casual and Smart Casual Looks

Here are many fab shorts outfits worn in ways from very relaxed to smart casual. Some shorts silhouettes are streamlined and narrow, while others flare out a little like an A-line skirt. I’ve included slim-fit clamdiggers that cover the knee (known to some as pedal pushers, or capris) if that’s more to your taste. Tops range from T-shirts, tanks, cotton sweaters, button-down shirts, and blouses, to sweatshirts, and crop tops layered under jackets. Footwear is flat, and ranges from sneakers, sandals, loafers, slides, mules and flatforms, to espadrilles, clogs and flip-flops. Bags are hobos, crossbodies, belt bags, straw bags, and the odd clutch. This is how most people wear shorts.

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Knitted Shorts
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Boden
Casual Cotton Shorts
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2. Culottes

These shorts are longer and more like a split skirt. Much like a pair of culottes. This mango pair is pleated from the hips and not the waist, creating a flattering fit. It’s paired with a Summery white cropped sleeveless popover shirt, which lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. Short Western boots in a shade of cognac and a mustard bag add an earthy touch.

Culottes

3. Blouse and Platforms

Here’s a dressy and trendy look. A pair of white utility shorts is combined with a billowing lilac and orange kimono-eque blouse. It’s tucked to temper its volume. A pair of super high purple platform sandals finishes off the look. I’m not sure about the purpose of the tiny pink bag dangling off of one of the belt loops. But if all you need to carry are keys and a credit card, they might fit. A regular size bag that matches the palette of the outfit is a better bet.

Blouse and Platforms

4. Dressy Shorts

Here’s an elegant all-black outfit. Long and wide black lace shorts are combined with a black popover tunic. The almost elbow-length sleeves showcase a nice bit of forearm skin. Flat metallic blue thong sandals are an unexpected and dainty touch. A dressy chain-handle embroidered black bag completes the look. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Dressy Shorts

Link Love: Personal Fashion Stories

The Guardian introduces us to four people who stitch their own garments, whether for reasons of morality or creativity. From “the valuer” to the “next-gen gifter”, they also asked four clothes-keepers why they hold on to old garments. Finally, Laura Horton has written a one-woman play about the realisation that her obsession with clothes hoarding had become a mental health issue.

Fab Links from Our Members

Jenni NZ remembered that some Fabbers wondered what a “skivvy” was, and here is a good explanation.

Kyle liked the ideas and tips in this article for those of us who want to shop more sustainably.

Years ago, nuancedream never thought about sustainability when purchasing jeans or any other type of clothing. Now it is a definite consideration. So kudos to Levi’s, Good American, and Lucky Jeans for more sustainable, eco-friendly production methods.

Katerina finds that styling a leopard suit, or a jacket and trousers as separates, in a modern way isn’t easy, and thought this was a really good how-to from Trinny in her Closet Confessions series.

Vildy directs us to “The women wearing ‘subway T-shirts’ over outfits to avoid creepy stares.

Runcarla admires that 81-year-old Martha Stewart is on the cover of Sports Illustrated: “She looks pretty darn good, but I hope this kind of thing normalizes the public display of older bodies as beautiful.”