This style of scarf is making a comeback, especially in chain and equestrian type designs. Think Hermes and Gucci, ladies. Although small square scarves are always available in retail stores, they haven’t made a fashion statement for a while. Longer, fuller and more casual pashmina type scarves and infinity scarves have taken centre stage for several seasons, leaving silky square scarves to gather dust on accessory displays.

Small silky square scarves are perceived as classic, and to some a little dowdy. Well, they just become uber hip and I’m thrilled about it! Of course, if you wear small square scarves in a dowdy way, they will look dowdy. So pair them with current and fashion forward outfit pieces to elevate the vibe from drab to fab.

I’ve had the right Hermes scarf on my shopping list for years and I’m now even more determined to find it. They are perfectly lightweight and lovely for Spring and Summer. Add a simple solid backdrop to show case the scarf and Bob’s your Uncle – it’s a conversation piece. Dress them up with formal pieces, or dress them down with denim.

I vote yay. The shape feels “new” and I like silky scarves. I will absolutely enjoy adding a classic, even vintage Hermes scarf to my modern style. I like the way they’ve been tied muffler style in the photos, and the authoritarian scarf tying method will also work. What’s your vote?

This is the second in a series of 4 posts brought to you by Nordstrom.com: Think Less Buttoned-Up—it’s a New 9 to 5.

Maintaining a neutral palette for a business casual wardrobe is a no brainer. Neutral colours are easy to remix into countless outfit combinations and they naturally communicate a non-nonsense and professional vibe. Wearing colour, on the other hand, needn’t make you look unprofessional. HOW you wear it makes the difference.

This professional outfit makes a statement with a rich colourful jacket:

• The Classiques Entier atelier woven jacket ($248) is an effective splash of colour.
• Keep the rest of the clothing simple and neutral, like with Macy’s Charter Club layering shell top ($17.99) and BCBG’s Carolyn wide-leg trouser ($178).
• You can finish off the look with neutral handbag and footwear, but I took the opportunity to add a bit of bright color with Kate Spade’s New York Kylie pump ($298) and Steve Madden’s candy coated snake embossed faux leather tote ($98).

In the next example, colour is added to a business casual outfit through a layering shell top and handbag.

• A Sejour’s neck tie knit top ($48) drapes well because it’s made of a rayon blend. Sleeveless tops are especially great to layer under cardigans – no sleeve bunching.
• The blue Tarnish vertical glazed leather shopper ($148) combines a relaxed look with sufficient structure, and is available in eight colours!
• The colourful pieces are grounded by neutral basics like Michael Kors roll tab sleeve cardigan ($110), and the Martin fit taupe suit pant from Banana Republic ($98.00).
• Steve Madden’s Ulltra snakeskin pumps ($55.96) add texture and spunk to the classic integrity of the ensemble.

If you’re bright colour shy, add low contrasting colours to neutrals instead of the high contrasting bold colours I’ve shown here. I’ve chosen bright colours because I gravitate towards them, but softer, muted, pastel or darker colours are also great options. Furthermore, you can swap out the coloured top in the first outfit for a neutral and layer over a cardigan in a colour. You could also leave both outfits entirely neutral and add colour through accessories like belts, rings, bracelets, beads or scarves.

If you want to play it safe, add only one or two colourful items (including accessories) to one outfit. But if you are not colour shy and it’s appropriate for your business environment, wear colour from head to toe. You’ll be perfectly on-trend this season sporting colour-blocked outfits.

Do you wear colour in your work environment, or do you prefer to stick to neutrals?

According to Wikipedia, vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era.

The Wikipedia entry further suggests that wardrobe items are “antique” when they were produced before the 1920’s. Clothing, footwear and accessories produced between the 1920’s and 1980’s are “vintage”.

This definition resonates. An item that’s around 25 years old starts to feel vintage-y to me. Today, that takes us to 1986 give or take a few years. Clothing, footwear and accessories from the 90’s are indeed items from a previous era, but they don’t quite quality as vintage items. In my book they need to grow a little older. Of course, this is somewhat subjective and I’m sure some people will disagree.

Here’s a question that is interesting to me: How many of you own FIRST HAND items that are now considered vintage? I own a fair amount of vintage jewelry and the odd handbag, but no clothing.

I’m right on schedule because today is officially the second day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The list is shorter than it was last year because we’re keeping things strong and simple this season.

The list cuts across all body types, fashion personas and age groups. It’s a question of finding the right items, at the right prices, AND wearing them in flattering and appropriate ways so that they feel like lovely YOU. (I’m afraid that I can’t take the devil out of the details). Try to keep an open mind and don’t flat out say “no” to a look until you’ve at least given it a fair chance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

1. Flared Jeans: I’m making this a must! Flared jeans also means bootcuts, so no need to worry about bell bottoms, trouser cuts and wide legs if they aren’t your cup of tea. This is a season of contrasts. Flared legs, skinnies and straight legs are all on-trend.
2. Soft blouses: It’s a blouse season, so add at least one soft blouse to your top collection as soon as possible. Think pussy bows, smocking, bat wings, empire cuts, embroidery, bell sleeves and neck ties in soft fabrications like rayon and cotton blends. Stock up if you’re a blousy gal.
3. Fit and Flare Frock: Pencil skirts and figure hugging sheath dresses dominated the fashion world for a couple of seasons. Now add a bit of volume to your lower half and sport a flared dress.
4. A Striped Item: There has got to be a stripe that tickles your fancy. Multi-coloured, low contrasting, high contrasting, narrow width, broad width, variegated, anything at all. Striped tees and knit tops are an easy solution, but there are also striped jackets, blouses, trousers, shorts, shoes, belts, headbands, hats and handbags.
5. A new look pair of trousers: Think flared slacks, tapered and pleated styles, short shorts, harem pants, skinny cargos, cropped cargos and palazzos. I dare you.
6. White stuff: Nothing says Spring and Summer quite like the colour white. Lighten up with white tops, bottoms, jackets, trench coats or dresses. Add in white accessories and footwear. Think handbags, shoes, watches, belts and sunglasses. Optical white is not your only choice if it doesn’t work for your complexion. Choose off-white, bone-white, or cream to substitute optical white.
7. Sport the new colours: Citron yellow, tomato red, lavender purple, coral, emerald, cobalt, and turquoise are where it’s at with colours. Wear them together for a fresh colourblocked effect. If you’re colour shy, sport the hue through an accessory or shoe instead of a clothing item.
8. Wedged Sandals: Even I can manage this one with my fussy feet. Cork wedges are casual, whereas self-fabric wedges are dressier. The heel can be either high or low.
9. Low heels: Kitten heels are retro and fab with the slightly longer hemlines (both straight and flared) that are slowly but surely becoming more popular.
10. Long pendant necklaces: It’s easy and inexpensive to add this one to your Spring and Summer style. Urban Outffters has a fabulous selection of quirky long pendant necklaces this season, which you can wear all through the year.

For the more adventurous and fashion forward there are: Midi skirts, pleated skirts, crop tops, floppy hats, crochet cardigans, mini crossbody bags, sharp shouldered jackets, gilets, animal prints (preferably cat prints), conversational prints, cut away backs, clogs, sling backs, small silk scarves, chain handle bags, tie-dye, fringe and flat oxfords.

I wouldn’t be doing my job if I left out strong seasonal trends like soul-sucking beige, casual maxi dresses, casual maxi skirts, and leg shortening cropped capri pants. But I’m hesitant to encourage these looks because in my book, they are very hard to wear well no matter what your body type or skin tone.

How does the list look ladies? What’s on your shopping list as the weather warms up?