Here’s a blast from the past if you wore dressier clothes to the office back in the mid to late ‘90s. I had two dressy and lined gilets — one black and one beige — that I wore to work almost year round with summery and autumnal layers. I found them very handy in Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, where it doesn’t get very cold. They provided just the right insulation in gentle air conditioning too. The ‘90s became more minimal and neutral further along in the decade. And now the dressy and longer length gilet, or sleeveless jacket of that era, is having a fringe fashion moment. If it’s yo ..read more

With Summer fast approaching, and the sun being out in full force in many parts of the world, many media and fashion outlets are writing about sun protection. Here are a few articles that caught my eye. Dermatologists are sharing how to find the best sunscreens for eczema. Refinery29 has a round-up of sun-protective clothes that are “actually wearable.” They also list the 16 best sunscreen sticks for SPF on the go. Over at The Guardian, Sali Hughes asks if you can avoid leaving marks on your skin with mineral sunscreen. The Huffpost asked dermatologists if you really need special sunscreen fo ..read more

The super short crop top that bares the midriff is ubiquitous in my neck of the woods. For a while now, it’s THE most worn top by teens and people in their twenties. It’s worn year round — in heat, hail, rain, ice and snow — and on all body types. It’s usually paired with relaxed jeans, shorts, leggings, sweatpants, joggers, cargo pants, or skirts. On colder days the mega crop top is worn under an oversized shirt, shacket, big cardigan, jacket, or puffer that is open in front so that the midriff is exposed. Sometimes there’s just a small area of exposed midriff, but generally it’s more th ..read more

You can wear utility pants with boho-lite blouses and dainty shoes to create a vibe that I call Utility Pretty. Wearing today’s fab finds together is one way to do just that. It is a fun juxtaposition that many of my clients enjoy.  1. Charter Club Pintuck Top This blouse has made some of clients very happy because it works well untucked, does not crease, and has a flattering fit in a swingy, playful way. Roomy, but not overly so. The notched V-neckline offsets the volume below the pintucked yoke, and the sleeves are surprisingly unfussy. The best part is the knitted front panel whic ..read more

Spring and Summer scarves are lightweight, silky, gauzy and made of fibres like silk, chiffon, cotton, linen, viscose, satin, rayon and polyester. Most are patterned. Sizes and shapes can vary. If you’re a Summer scarf wearer, here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into outfits.  1. Headscarf Try tying a scarf around your head as shown here. It covers the crown of the head and ties in the back with the ends draping over the shoulders or down your back. This particular look combines a boxy print adorned poplin shirt with a pair of cropped wide leg cuffed jeans. The sleeves are ..read more

Don’t take emotion out of the closet editing, shopping, and outfit creation process. The more in tune you are with your emotions, the easier it will be to sport a style that is authentic, easy to manage, and makes you feel fabulous.  Sometimes an outfit looks great in the mirror and to others but doesn’t feel right to you. Style starts within, so you should listen to these feelings. Wearing outfits that give you happiness will help you to be the most stylish version of yourself. It can take time to get used to new silhouettes, colours, combinations, or proportions. Persevere a little bef ..read more

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 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 t ..read more

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 ..read more

A Braille edition of Vogue magazine, a new clothing-rental app, and more news from this month’s fashion trenches. Legendary New York City off-price retailer Century 21, which closed during the pandemic, is staging its comeback. Hanky Panky is branching out into swimwear. From the negative space manicure to watermelon nails, these are the 9 nail trends that will make a statement this Summer according to Coveteur. For the first time in its 107-year history, British Vogue has released a Braille edition of the magazine. New clothing-rental app Pickle lets you rent clothes, shoes, and bags from pe ..read more

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 ..read more