This is great Lisa. I am also inspired by YLF - I am wearing cuffed jeans today in the same style as you and Aida!
Just a couple of thoughts on the A line skirt. I had some success this year with sports skirts. They are a skirt with short tights underneath. I buy mine from an Australian franchise but the U.S. Site is here (I know you are in Canada but I could not find a Canadian site). I got the happy skirt in black. It is a lightweight poly. I am usually anti poly for summer but I find it quite wearable in the heat (and no chafing with the tights). It is comfortable for dog walking, gardening and household stuff but still looks nice.
http://www.skirtsports.com/pro.....d-dresses/
I would be careful of denim and heavy cotton fabrications. I bought a heavy cotton utility skirt at the beginning of last summer as a shorts alternative and it ended up feeling stiff and uncomfortable and creasing a lot. I recently bought the A line skirt in the find below (this is for our fall/winter). It is viscose and it feels a lot more fluid and comfortable than the utility skirt. I would have thought cotton was a better choice than viscose for summer but I was wrong. So just something to keep in mind.
Good luck with your summer uniform!

I added a little to my comment... But long over lean for me in summer is a short sleeved tunic and skinnies.

I would say long over lean in summer is a tunic over a tube or pencil skirt.

Yes, long over lean can be frumpy in summer if the Bermuda shorts are the wrong length - to my eye at least. I guess I don't really wear true Bermudas - mine are like 7" in length, above the knee by a few inches at least. Or truly just above the ankle bone crops (I can't wear the shorter versions). But they must be slim, not gaping or flared at that spot on the thigh. For me at least.

Una - lol, fallíng out of our tree. That's me , alright. Jeans don't really happen for me between May and Sept - it's usually too hot, and I appreciate the break from them. Must look for tunic-ish tops though .

Brooklyn - you are one person here who wears this silhouette perfectly . Actually, you're just perfect, period I hear you about fabrication , and denim is not one fabric I'll entertain for this look. Doesn't tend to lay flat down the front etc. I really love the skirt you've pictured above, and how perfect is it for spring , summer, and right into fall! I need one , asap!!

unfrumped - you're absolutely right, and for me it will be neutrals and maybe one or two patterned pieces, max. A lot of colour , or even a variety of a few colours makes me feel uncomfortable. But switching the perception of high and low contrasts is a very good idea .

Like Brooklyn, my long over lean in summer is tube skirt with tunic or longer top. But I agree, the proportions are totally off somehow with shorts. On my body, anyway. It's not impossible; it just doesn't give at all the same effect.

That skirt Brooklyn linked to is so fab!

I'm going to give A lines another try. Fabrication might be key.

Suz - you do the long short look brilliantly ! I just feel fat in them . Not sure why. Proportion thing likely , and too specific for my abstract eye

Lisa - I can't do long shorts either, I don't know why in particular but they look all shades of wrong on me. I think it must be something to do with being short waisted?

I love an A line skirt, in particular with a heeled sandal. Because I prefer not to tuck I then prefer a top designed to sit over the waist but not too long.

My recent major YLF realisation was regarding short sleeves. On a thread looking for dresses Janet showed us sleeves straight across at the bust versus shorter angled ones. It made me realise what to look for and what not to look for.

Lisa's- love this post. Your summer plan is perfect. I need a plan instead of let me buy all the cute shoes and stripes I can find.
Aida-range-a concept I had never considered. You are brilliant!

Aida is brilliant. Range: I must think about this. Lisa your posts are always interesting.

Aida is brilliant! Thanks for the shoutout Lisa.....I never imagined my casual weekend look would *inspire* anyone, but this just goes out to show us all that inspiration can come from anyone & anywhere!

I really like all your finds. I think A-line skirts have a lot of potential, though I have to admit that I have only a couple of those. Most of my skirts are pencil/straight cut, though I do have several knit options that are very comfy to wear all day long.

I also think you should take a look at Ginger's WIWs. She wears A-line skirts as well as flared skirts more often than me.

PS: Coincidentally, this is what I'm wearing today. It's not luxe, but it's polished and comfy enough for all-day-at-home.