I like wearing blouses with jeans. For me, frills and flounces can seem a bit overwhelming, so I like halter neck tops and blouses with a tie neck bow.

I have been wearing silk scarves as belts in my jeans with tucked in tops - it is a twist on wearing a belt and can be fun to co-ordinate the blouse with the scarf.

Of course heels elevate most casual outfits, but I have recently been travelling and wearing my sneakers, so scarves and bags have been the way I have looked a bit more dressy, even though I was wearing jeans and sneakers.

I guess I’m not sure- I do wear a lot of pants but I often want to wear things I think are pretty- not every day though. I think earrings do it for me, a lot, and even a simple gold chain. The tiny flower on my specs helps. I have picked the 3 of your Finds I think are the “prettiest”.

This has been an interesting read. I tend to be a minimalistic dresser who uses make-up, hair and accessories to change a look. Kate Middleton's look is one of my favourites that I have seen on her. I agree that her hair adds the touch of softness to the outfit. Also, her footwear is light and not chunky which is what I tend to wear.
Velvet seems soft and pretty to me. Velvet jeans would be cozy for the winter.

Lots of great thoughts here, but as another member of Team Skinny Jeans, I would say that finding the right, most flattering/alluring/feminine and comfortable *neckline* for you can be a key that opens lots of doors. For me it's a split neck, and it's what I reach for when I want to feel "pretty." (I put some of the exact pieces in finds.) For you, it might be a wrap or a scoop or something else. Crew necks are indispensable, but something showing a little more collar bone than that (whether boat neck or scoop or wrap -- find *yours*!) can make all the difference, and then that's something you can look for across fabrications. I quite liked that leopard-print top on you, which was something like a soft v?

Oh: also blush and a hint of highlighter!

https://www.ofakind.com/shop/p.....apaya-1972

Thanks for all the amazing suggestions and kind words - now I am dying to go shopping lol ... just need to find the time (Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend so it's turkey and sweatpants at the cottage for me, not very pretty but definitely soft, especially in the belly region lol!)

Well, my suggestion for velvet was very timely. I just read Angie's blog post.

notsaf, finding a neckline to change things up with be a focus - I was even just looking at some comfy-looking henleys, but with the more open neckline (and a flattering colour and fit), they might be a good uber-casual piece (bonus points that many of them are thermal!). I think a soft v is a great idea too!

StyleFan, yep - I was all over that post this a.m.!

I was nodding along with Jenni pulling out the pointelle sweater as a good pick for you, then started thinking about eyelet for summer. Googled pointelle sweater and found this crewneck one (the scoop neck strikes me as pretty bare for winter...), which actually has a sort of eyelet effect? I’m not sure the overall look of this one quite nails ‘pretty’, maybe too graphic, but some food for thought...
https://www.gapcanada.ca/brows.....gIJwPD_BwE
*I do have to say that the holey sweaters don’t cut it for me in winter even with a tank underneath. Too many drafty places without double doors in downtown Toronto.

This is a great thread. I have really enjoyed the comments and the photos.....so many great and varied ways to add soft, pretty and powerful. I love that soft, pretty and powerful can be unique to each person. I think soft, pretty and powerful begins from within and is often communicated with a smile and our eyes. Of course our clothing choices can enhance and elevate any style persona we wish!

Lots of great starting points here — I do agree there are so many ways to go about this! I agree with the comment about opening the neckline a bit with a V, split, or boat neck, and I also think that footwear can make a difference — even flats can read a little more feminine/pretty if the toe is more pointed than round. Can’t wait to see what you employ in your style shift!