I’m sure this sounds familiar: you look in the mirror and there’s something not quite right about your outfit. It’s NOT the horizontal fit of the items, the colour, the personality of the style, or the fabrication – but something else, and you can’t pinpoint the problem. I’ve found that I can usually identify the problem with my own outfits (and the outfits of my clients) using these three trouble shooting questions.

Is it the length of the items?

I’m not just talking about the vertical length of tops, bottoms, dresses and sleeves, but also how the lengths relate to each other? So often its a question of lengthening or shortening an item of your outfit. For example:

• The layered tops aren’t working because the bottom layer is too short.
• The skirt doesn’t work with the boots because it’s too long.
• The jacket is too long for the dress.
• The trousers aren’t cropped at the most flattering part of the leg.
• The dress would look more elegant if it covered the knee.
• The blouse makes me look dumpy because it’s too long.
• The boxy blouse doesn’t work with these trousers because its too short.
• The sleeves would look better if cropped to the elbow.

Is it the contrast between the items and your skin tone ?

I can’t tell you how many times we make an outfit work on the YLF forum by paying closer attention to the colour contrast between clothing items, between clothing items and accessories, and how the colour contrasts work against your skin tone and hair colour.

Sometimes you need to create a lower colour contrast between items, accessories and your skin tone, and at other times a higher contrast is in order. For example, a short jacket isn’t working over a tunic and skinnies because all three items are high colour contrasting, which causes too many vertical lines across the body. Create a lower contrast between two of the items and things will start to look better. Or, the item doesn’t work with your complexion unless you add a high contrasting colour right up against your face.

Do I need to wear heels?

Sometimes an outfit looks better with some sort of heel. It takes a lot for me to say this because I bat for Team Flats! The heel needn’t be very high, but sometimes a little extra height can help you look and feel more pulled together and streamlined.

The next time you get the feeling that something isn’t quite right in the mirror, ask yourself these three questions. In some instances you’ll need to address all three trouble shooting questions in order for the outfit to look right. In others you’ll solve the problem by actioning one fast tweak, like swapping out a high contrasting item for a low contrasting one.

One of my clients recently bought the Sofft Ramona II peep toe pump in nude after absolutely loving the pair she already had in red. They look absolutely killer on her feet. Also, the cushioning footbed, platform and stacked heel shape makes for a happier foot in 3 inch heels. If the peep-toe does not tickle your fancy, try the closed toe Sofft Ramona pump instead. Click through all the colour options and read the raving reviews.

For some these are 8-hour shoes or office shoes, and for others they are occasion shoes to wear for much shorter periods of time. The nude colourway is particularly versatile and leg lengthening with tapered cropped trousers and midi skirts. It could be just the shoe you need for a Summer wedding or formal event. The brighter colours could also spice up a professional wardrobe for Spring and Summer.

This post contains affiliate links.

Last year I wrote about wearing dressy bermuda shorts in business casual settings and I was surprised at the number of negative responses. To reiterate, I’m advocating the look of dressy long bermuda shorts that are the same length as work appropriate pencil skirts or dresses, worn with dressy separates and business appropriate accessories and footwear. I’m not encouraging short relaxed Bermuda shorts worn with a knitted top and casual sandals.

I wear dressy, knee-length bermuda shorts for business casual settings so I still vote yay. I make sure to dress them up with heels and, often, a tailored jacket. Of course if your work dress code does not allow shorts of any description, its a no go. They also won’t work in a business formal environment.

So ladies, have you had a change of heart? If you don’t fancy dressy Bermuda shorts, or aren’t allowed to wear them in your own work environment, can you appreciate the look on others? Or do you think that dressy Bermuda shorts are inappropriate in business casual settings.

Greg sent me the link to scottevest.com because he loved the way form follows function with their travel clothing. He always travels with several gadgets and the ability to store them in nifty places and secret pockets in his clothing was very appealing. So I browsed through the site and also liked a few of the items, like the women’s trench coat and the men’s tropical jacket. If those particular items fit properly, they’ll make nice traveling clothes, keeping your goodies safe and easily accessible. You could wear them in an urban ensemble and look quite hip.

Many of the SeV products are sporty and gear-like, and definitely have their place on adventurous, outdoorsy vacations, or in casual sporty settings. These items are a little wasted on me, but they might work for you, or for the man in your life. We all know how difficult it can be to buy a nice gift for a bloke.