Wardrobe Oxygen - a Personal Style and Fashion Advice Blog

How to Style Wide Leg Pants as a Grown-ass Woman (2026 Guide)

Alison Gary — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

If you're like me, you're looking at your closet and wondering what you're going to wear as the seasons change. Pants are the easiest, most impactful way to update a closet you already own. And wide leg pants specifically have become one of my most-worn silhouettes over the past few years, not just because they look great but because they are genuinely comfortable to wear all day. Below, I share some tips on how to style wide leg pants as a grown woman, along with photos of myself wearing different wide-leg pant outfits.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

Wide leg pants work for every body, including petite and curvy ones. Yes, really.
For work, pair them with a tucked-in blouse or a structured flat.
For casual wear, a knotted or cropped tee with sneakers is all you need.
The key to tops: drape matters more than tuck or no tuck.
If you're short or curvy, fit and fabric make the most impact.

All women have the right to wear whatever they want. I don't believe in age limits on clothing, and I don't think wide leg pants require a certain body type. What they do require is a little bit of context, because the styling logic is different from a skinny ankle pant. That's what this guide is for.

I'm Alison, nice to meet you! I'm 5'3″ and a size 14/16, and I wear wide leg pants constantly. I've worn them on the Today Show, to Lizzo concerts, to the office, a night out, and to Petsmart on a random Tuesday. And I looked pretty great in all situations, if I do say so myself (and so did strangers who complimented me). Think you can't wear wide leg pants? I'll show you exactly how throughout this post.

If this post looks familiar, it's because it's a hot topic with women in midlife, and I continue to update it as trends change, to offer more visuals, and ensure the shoppable links are still in stock.

Wide Leg Pants in 2026: What You Need to Know

At the beginning of this decade, wide leg pants felt like a trend. After so many years of the skinny jean ruling everything, a wider leg felt risky, even radical. Now it's 2026 and wide leg pants have become a wardrobe staple. They're often easier to find at major retailers than any other silhouette.

That doesn't mean they're always easy to style, especially if you grew up absorbing rules about what “works” on your body. A lot of those rules were designed to supposedly make you look smaller, slimmer, or less of whatever you are. In 2026, that thinking is straight-up dated and not stylish.

Stacy and Clinton may have stated back in Y2K that skinny pants will not make you look even five pounds smaller than wearing looser trousers. But even Stacy and Clinton have changed their tune. The current styling philosophy in 2026 is about proportion, drape, and confidence rather than disguise. This isn't always easy to grasp, so I hope the tips and visual guides below will help.

How to Style Wide Leg Pants for Work

Wide leg pants are no longer a trend, and can be one of the most professional looking trouser silhouettes you can wear in 2026. Below are a few ideas on how to style wide leg pants for the workplace.

The Blouse and Loafer Combo

A silky blouse, structured loafer, and wide leg trouser is one of the most effortlessly put-together work outfits right now. Leave the blouse untucked, tuck it in, roll the sleeves, the choice is yours. The drape of silk or crepe against the drape of the trouser creates movement rather than bulk. The heavier weight or the stiffer the pant fabric, the more chunky the shoe can be. However, a classic penny loafer goes with most every textile of wide leg pant.

Wearing a similar outfit and showing that you can have curves and a tummy and tuck in your top. Higher waist pants will actually emphasize the lower belly less.

The Banded Sweater and Elevated Sneaker Combo

For those who work in more casual workplaces, you may be more comfortable in a sweater instead of a blouse. To balance the volume of the pants, look for a ligher-weight knit (silk, merino, cashmere) and a style with a banded hem which will keep it from falling down to your thighs and ruining the silhouette. An elevated sneaker or sleek oxford shoe works well with a wide-leg suiting trouser.

Wearing the same cardigan sweater in the collage above with a now-discontinued style of wide leg pants from Madewell

Styling Wide Leg Pants with Blazers

The key for wearing wide leg pants with blazers and as part of a pantsuit is to balance the volume. A blazer that is shorter (waist to hip length) and/or more tailored will complement a fuller leg. Belted blazers and jackets are a great choice. Choose suiting fabrics with great drape (crepe, gabardine, tropical-weight wool, silk blends) for a more professional and comfortable silhouette.

How to Style Wide Leg Pants for the Weekend

After years of joggers and sweats being the default weekend pant, a pull-on wide leg is an easy upgrade. Same comfort level, but a much cooler and sophisticated option in 2026. Like me, you may find you prefer a pair of wide-leg pants to your trusty leggings!

Styling Wide-Leg Pull On Pants for Spring and Summer

It seems by April, every retailer in America carries a drawstring and/or elastic-waist wide leg pant in linen, Tencel, or gauze. These pants are easy-care and comfortable in the heat and humidity but some of the hardest pants to know how to style.

Wearing the same shirt from the collage above with a different style of wide leg pants from the same retailer. A crossbody provides shape and tempers the volume.

My favorite way is to pair these pants with a matching linen shirt. Having the pieces the same color elevates the look without sacrificing comfort. Leave the top two and bottom two buttons unbuttoned and cuff the sleeves. Or, leave the shirt completely unbuttoned over a scoop-neck fitted tank that is tucked in or hits right below the waistband. Or consider tying the shirt at the waist, pop the collar, and if so desired, have a peek of color from a tank underneath.

For tees, tanks, popovers, and other types of tops, look for styles that end just below the waistband, or else go long (lower thigh to above knee) with side slits. Anything in between can look boxy and/or like sleepwear.

A knotted tee is another great option. If you want to knot a tee without the bulky traditional knot at the center, grab two parallel sections of fabric at chest level, pull them out, and tie them in a square knot. It may take a little stretching depending on the shirt, but it creates a clean knot without extra bulk at your belly. Alternatively, twist the front section of the tee and tuck just that part into your waistband. The rest cinches naturally. This is the outfit that made me a tee and wide leg pants convert.

While my shirt rode up from raising my arm, this is the example of the knot I mentioned and linked to above. Depending on the length and tightness of the tee is how much of a knot will show and how low the shirt can be on the torso.

These summery wide leg pants in gauze or linen should either be above your ankle bone or grazing the top of your foot. Closed-toe shoes look best when sleek and low profile; sandals can be a bit chunkier (think Birkenstocks) though a sleek option also looks chic.

Styling Wide-Leg Pull On Pants for Fall and Winter

The same proportions work in winter as they do summer. Choosing pieces that either end or have a band to rest just below the waistband to high hip will balance the wide leg. If you desire a longer layer (sweater coat, duster jacket), it should either be completely open, or belted shut because either way shows there is a waist.

Wearing an outfit similar to the above collage; I am using a Beltaway to faux tuck in the sweater.

On the Beltaway: If you want to wear a top untucked but keep it from bunching or riding up, a Beltaway is a practical tool. Wear it between the layers of your top at the waistband, with the folded-under fabric sitting between the belt and your body. It keeps everything in place even if you move around or use the restroom. A perk: no metal, so no need to remove for metal detectors or TSA!

Ponte wide-leg pants work with everything from sleek retro-inspired sneakers to combat boots, though you may wish to reduce the volume and length on top to balance the weight of your footwear.

Styling Wide-Leg Chinos, Cords, and Sturdier Fabrics

As a rule, the heavier or stiffer the fabric of your wide leg pants, the chunkier of a shoe. A ballet slipper will disappear under wide-leg khakis, but look balanced with your favorite sneakers or Chelsea boots. Corduroy and wool pants pair beautifully with sturdy ankle boots and loafers.

Wide Leg Pants When You're Short, Curvy, or Both

OMG, a middle-aged fat short woman in a bustier and shiny double-breasted wide-leg pantsuit? The horror! But is it, really? I get this much exposure is not everyone's cup of tea, but imagine it with a drapey camisole, or a fitted turtleneck, or a graphic tee, or a Breton-striped tee, or a blouse buttoned up to the neck. With stilettos or with sneakers. You will find that a wide-leg pant can be as versatile as a skinny ankle pant.

I am 5'3″ and a size 14/16. I wear wide leg pants regularly. So when someone tells me that short or curvy women can't pull off this silhouette, I take it a little personally.

Here's what I've learned from years of wearing this pant on this body:

Fit does more work than length. A wide leg pant that fits well through the hip and thigh will drape correctly from there down. A pant that's too tight in the hip will pull and bunch. Go up a size if you need to and get the length altered.
Fabric is everything. A fabric with drape (crepe, ponte, linen, rayon) moves with your body. A stiff fabric (canvas, heavy denim, structured twill) adds visual bulk. When in doubt, choose drape.
Rise matters. A mid- to high-rise pant creates a longer visual line from waist to floor. A low-rise cuts across the widest part of the hip, which tends to make the pants harder to wear on a curvy frame. Most current wide leg styles run mid- to high-rise, which works in your favor.
Petite doesn't always mean alter. Wide leg pants in petite sizing now exist at more retailers than ever. Madewell, LOFT, Talbots, Ann Taylor, and Old Navy all offer petite wide leg options. I wear the LOFT Versa Crepe pants in 16 petite with zero alterations.

Wearing the LOFT Versa Crepe wide leg pants with one of the matching jackets.

Where to Shop for Wide Leg Pants

Wide leg pants are genuinely everywhere right now, which is great news. A few places worth knowing for specific needs:

For petite sizing: Madewell, LOFT, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory, and Old Navy all offer dedicated petite wide leg options. Talbots and Lane Bryant both offer petite plus sizes.
For extended sizing: Universal Standard (up to size 40), Eloquii, Old Navy (up to size 30), Torrid, I.N.C. International Concepts (to 3X), and NYDJ all carry wide leg styles in a full range.
For tall sizing: Old Navy, J. Crew, Express, American Tall, and Lands' End are reliable.
For a broader breakdown of where I shop for all of the above, see my post on the best clothing retailers for women over 40.
Also worth reading if you want more options in this silhouette: my guides to trouser jeans, barrel jeans, and wide leg pants with an elastic waist.

Wearing a matching sweater and wide leg pants from Ann Taylor. The side tuck shows a waist and helps balance the volume.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wide Leg Pants

Are wide leg pants still in style in 2026?

Yes. Wide leg pants have moved from trend to wardrobe staple. They're one of the most widely stocked silhouettes at major retailers right now and show no signs of going anywhere.

What shoes work best with wide leg pants?

Flat sandals, loafers, sneakers, mules, low boots, and kitten heels all work well. The old rule about needing a heel to “balance” wide leg pants is outdated. Wear what's comfortable and what fits the occasion.

Can petite women wear wide leg pants?

Yes. The key is fit through the hip and thigh, a mid- to high-rise, and fabric with drape. Many retailers now carry petite-specific wide leg options that don't require alterations.

What tops work best with wide leg pants?

Tops with drape, silk, rayon, jersey, satin, work well because they move with the pants rather than adding stiffness. Tucked, untucked, or knotted all work depending on the length and fabric of the top.

How do I keep wide leg pants from looking sloppy?

Fit and fabric. A pant that fits correctly through the hip will drape cleanly. A fabric with natural movement won't add bulk. A top that hits at the hip or higher creates a visual break. Small adjustments, not overhauls.

What's the difference between wide leg pants and palazzo pants?

Wide leg pants typically have more structure and a defined waistband. Palazzo pants are usually lighter, more flowing, and often cut from a single layer of fabric. Both are in the same family, and styling principles overlap.

Can you wear wide leg pants to work?

Absolutely. A wide leg trouser in ponte, crepe, or suiting fabric with a tucked blouse and a structured flat or loafer is a polished, professional look.

How long should wide leg pants be?

In 2026, full-length is the current silhouette, hitting about a half inch from the floor. A cropped wide leg that hits at mid-calf also works, especially in summer. Avoid lengths that hit at the widest part of the calf, as that tends to be the least versatile hemline.

If you own skinny ankle pants, please continue to wear them. I do not condone disposing of anything in your closet that fits and functions in your life and wardrobe, and it's not like any silhouette is completely out and passé. But I also know that we grown-ass women have grown up with a heckuva lot of style rules, and by occasionally breaking one, you may find they were holding us back from finding our personal style.

Wide leg pants were one of the silhouettes I told myself I couldn't wear. Now they're one of my most-reached-for items and one that gets the most compliments from strangers and stylish folk. The styling learning curve is real, but it's shorter than you think.

If you try something from this guide, I want to hear about it! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram. And if you have questions about a specific pair you're considering or an outfit you're building, ask away. I'm here to make getting dressed easier, and I hope to help!

Colorful Clothing for Grown-Ass Women

Alison Gary — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Why do designers think once we become women “of a certain age,” we wish to dress in the color of dried leaves and coal? I know I am not the only grown-ass woman who still craves color and joy from her closet.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

This is a regularly updated guide to 29 fashion brands that offer colorful clothing for women, ranging from indie sustainable labels to well-known retailers. Brands are listed alphabetically with size ranges noted. Use the Shop by Size Range section above to jump straight to brands that carry petite, plus, or tall sizing.

In my 30s, I went through stages where I found black to be the most chic and sophisticated option. In my 40s, there was a point where I found soft neutrals to be the best for my hair and skin. But then I began having fewer fucks left to give and I realized life is short, I deserve and want to find comfort and joy with what I wear and for me personally, joy comes from color.

This is a reason why I was drawn to The Kit NYC, which seemed to be the perfect blend of color, style, sustainability, and size inclusivity. Unfortunately, I found The Kit to be a disappointment, but that didn't stop my search for places to shop for colorful fashion for us grown folk.

My review of The Kit NYC is what spurred me to write this list of retailers and fashion brands that offer colorful, cool, and chic clothing. A reader asked for alternatives, and I realized I had amassed such a collection I had to dedicate a post to this topic!

Shop By Size Range

Not all of us wear the same size, and finding colorful clothing that actually comes in your size can feel like a scavenger hunt. This quick reference breaks down which brands on this list offer petite, plus/extended, and tall sizing so you can go straight to the ones that work for you. You can tap the brand's name and jump directly to that section in the article.

Petite

Boden (sizes 0-12 petite)
FARM Rio (petite styles available exclusively at Anthropologie)
J. Crew (petite sizes 00-12)
Johnny Was (petite sizes PXS-PXL)
Lucy & Yak (petite inseam option on select pants)

Plus & Extended Size

Big Bud Press (XXS-6XL; size chart varies by style)
Dressed in Joy (XXS-4X)
Frances Valentine (0-18 full line; most styles up to 28)
GANNI (up to 4XL, though extended sizes are limited mostly to tees and occasional outerwear)
Gudrun Sjödén (XS-XXL/22-24)
J. Crew (up to size 24; note these are straight sizes, not plus-cut)
Johnny Was (XXS-3X)
Lesley Evers (0-22)
Lucy & Yak (sizes 2-28)
Marimekko (runs generous; fits a size 16 in standard sizing)
Never Fully Dressed (sizes 2-24)
Nooworks (XXS-5X)
Rachel Antonoff (XS-3X)
Rujuta Sheth (XS-3X)
Universal Standard (00-40; the most size-inclusive brand on this list)
Zuri (XXS/00 to 3X/22-24)

Tall

Dressed in Joy (tall inseam available on select pants)
J. Crew (tall sizes 0-16)
Lucy & Yak (long inseam option on select pants)

This is only a collection of the brands that offer extended sizing. Below, all my picks for where to shop for colorful clothing in alphabetical order; each description breaks down the aesthetic as well as the size range.

Where to Shop for Colorful Clothing for Grown-ass Women

While we all may be craving color, that doesn't mean we all like the same clothing aesthetic, have the same fashion needs, or wear the same clothing sizes. Below is a range of retailers and fashion brands at a range of pricepoints that are known to offer great color season after season.

Alice + Olivia

Bright colors, bold prints, and unique silhouettes make Alice + Olivia a great destination for colorful statement pieces to elevate your closet. A favorite with celebrities, founder Stacey Bendet pulls inspiration from her love of vintage and all things feminine to design clothing that juxtaposes the whimsical and flirty with the sexy and sophisticated.

Unfortunately, Alice + Olivia has a pretty narrow size range, offering 0-14, and the fit running narrow. But if you fit in that size range, do check out this fashion label for pieces that will stand out and be favorites in your closet for years to come.

Argent

Sali Christeson spent a decade working in the Bay Area's finance and technology scene, where she struggled to find work clothes that were both bold and practical. Options were stagnant, constricting, and lacked key functional elements. She created Argent to provide modern-day women with inspiring, practical, go-to resources to instill confidence in what to wear for their busy (often hybrid) lives.

Argent is a great destination for professional and polished suiting and workwear available in fantastic colors. You can also find basic black, navy, gray, and neutrals, but Argent really excels in colorful suiting with complementary blouses and other separates. Argent carries clothing in sizes 0/2 to 18/20.

Big Bud Press

Big Bud Press is a Los Angeles based ethical clothing label specializing in unisex, everyday goods. Sweatshop-free, all the fabric is made in America, and the company is constantly updating its processes to be more sustainable. If you are looking for gender-neutral but fun clothing made from natural fabrics, bright colors, and durable fibers, Big Bud Press is for you.

Big Bud Press has a different size chart for each style of garment it sells; because the measurements are so detailed you can't compare it to arbitrary US women's clothing number sizes, but essentially the entire collection is is offered in XXS-6XL. Returns are accepted within 14 days; you must contact the company to initiate any returns or exchanges.

Boden

Boden is a 30-year-old British company that strives to create clothing that will put a smile on your face. A personal favorite for colorful prints, Boden carries dresses, suiting, separates, accessories, and even swimwear in cheery colors and cool prints.

Available in U.S. sizes 0-20/22 with petites in sizes 0-12, Boden cares about quality and tests all its products for fit, comfort and quality. I have cotton shirtdresses from Boden that are several years old, washed many times, and they still look like new.

Briton Court

Briton Court focuses on dresses and offers many in mini sizes for a mother/daughter moment. Founded by three sisters from South Carolina who grew up on Briton Court, the southern sunshine and colorful style shines through this fashion label.

Briton Court carries women's dresses in XS (0/2) to XL (16). Most of the colorful printed dresses are made from viscose or cotton, so they have great drape and are more breathable than similar dresses made from synthetic materials.

Damson Madder

Founded in 2020, Damson Madder is founder Emma Hill's response to the lack of ethical responsibility and exciting design in the UK high-street fashion industry. A sustainable fashion brand, Hill considers her label “dopamine” dressing and it's seen with fun colors, silhouettes, and details.

Damson Madder offers its fashions in UK sizes 6-20 which translates to US sizes 2-16. Damson Madder covers all duties and tariff charges for US orders. Shipping is $12 or free on orders of $250+ and delivered via FedEx. Returns are within 14 days and cost $20, though exchanges are free.

Desigual

Started in 1984 in Barcelona by Thomas Meyer, Desigual is a brand known worldwide for creative, artistic clothing that goes against the grain. Best known for its unique prints, Desigual is like wearing a colorful museum gift shop.

Desigual comes in sizes XXS-XXL; converting UK clothing sizing, that equates to U.S. sizes 6-16. While the greatest selection is available on the Desigual site, the label can also be found at Nordstrom and Macy's.

Dressed in Joy

Dressed in Joy is a size-inclusive fashion brand by influencer Mikaela Pabon. Made from bamboo-based fabric, Dressed in Joy is named appropriately because the color, the flowy silhouettes, and the prints are so incredibly joyful.

Dressed in J oy is available in sizes XXS-4X with pants available in regular and tall lengths. A sustainable fashion label, Dressed in Joy pieces are made for each order to reduce waste. Each garment is printed digitally, using less material and less water and dyes than any other manufacturer in the world. See my Dressed in Joy athleisure review and wearing a Dressed in Joy shirtdress.

Essentiel Antwerp

Started in Antwerp in 1999, Essentiel Antwerp is known for graphic and floral prints and unexpected color pairings. Fun yet elevated, offbeat yet on trend, Essentiel Antwerp is luxury clothing with a sense of play and humor. I like the use of embellishment and texture and the unique pairing of colorful prints.

With more than a quarter of the fabrics recycled, a more transparent and responsible supply chain, and a goal to reduce its carbon footprint, Essentiel Antwerp is late to the sustainable game but is working to be a greener fashion label. Essentiel Antwerp is available in U.S. sizes 2-14, but many pieces are generously sized. You can find Essentiel Antwerp in boutiques across the globe, the label's website, and other retailers like FarFetch, and Bloomingdale's.

FARM Rio

The catchphrase for FARM Rio is “Dress in happiness,” and I find that to be pretty fitting. Since 1997, this label from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been known for its bold nature-inspired prints, cheery colors, and detail work (cutouts, trim, embellishments) on flowy dresses and unique summery separates. A B Corp, FARM Rio strives to be a sustainable fashion brand.

FARM Rio is available in sizes XXS/00 to XL/16 on the label's website and at department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. However, FARM Rio has a partnership with Anthropologie, where some exclusive Anthro pieces are available in petite. (FARM Rio used to carry plus sizes at Anthro, but that is no longer the case.)

Frances Valentine

Known for bold, cheerful prints, vibrant colors, and 1960s/70s inspired silhouettes, Frances Valentine is a fashion brand co-founded by Kate Spade and Elyce Arons founded in 2016. Adhering to the motto, “wear what makes you happy,” Frances Valentine is known for quality, chic yet creative details, color, and joy.

Frances Valentine is one of the few elevated brands that offers plus sizes with everything available in sizes 0-18 and a good majority of the collection up to size 28. Each item has a separate size guide to help you find the right fit. While you can find select Frances Valentine at Dillard's and Nordstrom as well as smaller boutiques, the greatest selection is found on the Frances Valentine site and its shops across the country.

GANNI

GANNI is a Copenhagen-based fashion brand known for its modern, playful, and colorful Scandinavian aesthetic, often called “Scandi style 2.0.” From quirky collars to architectural details on dresses, GANNI mixes fun with sophistication in a highly-coveted aesthetic.

While GANNI is available in US sizes 2/XXS-22/4XL, the only items over size XL are usually just the label's graphic t-shirts and the occasional piece of outerwear. You will find the most extensive collection and size range on the GANNI site, but the brand is also sold at higher-end department stores and boutiques like Net-a-Porter, Neiman Marcus, Shopbop, St. Bernard, and you can often find pieces at resale sites like The RealReal.

Gudrun Sjödén

Gudrun Sjödén is a Swedish fashion designer who opened her first shop in 1976. Known for comfort, color, and whimsy, Gudrun Sjödén apparel offers combinable multi-seasonal styles, functional and one-of-a-kind pieces that will never get outdated. The garments are mostly crafted from natural materials, with an emphasis on sustainable Nordic design.

Gudrun Sjödén is available in U.S. sizes XS/4 to XXL/22-24. Each garment states whether it is Figure-fit (max 2.5″ of room at the bust and 1.5″ at the hip), Standard fit, Generous fit, or Extra generous fit (12″ around the bust).

J. Crew

J. Crew is a well-known fashion brand for women, men, and children that carries wardrobe staples as well as special occasion pieces, workwear, swimwear, on-trend garments, and stylish accessories. J. Crew is also a great place to find such pieces in beautiful colors.

J. Crew offers sizes 000-24 with petites in 00-12 and talls in 0-16. Keep in mind these are straight, not plus sizes, so they may fit narrower than expected in larger sizes.

Johnny Was

Johnny Was is California-based fashion label founded in 1987 known for intricate details, embroidery, beading, unique prints, and an elevated boho vibe. Always full of color, Johnny Was is a popular fashion brand with the Wardrobe Oxygen community for the quality, the timeless yet not boring aesthetic, and the extensive size range (XXS-3X and petites PXS-PXL).

Johnny Was has its most extensive collection on its brand site, but this is a label also found at higher-end department stores and boutiques like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, and Garnet Hill.

Lesley Evers

Lesley Evers is a California-based fashion designer that creates colorful and joyful fashion with feminine, retro-inspired silhouettes in sizes 0-22. While best known for dresses, Lesley Evers carries sweaters, pants, two-piece sets, and accessories all with her trademark cheerful aesthetic.

Shipping is free on orders of $250+ or free on all orders if you are a Lesley Club member. Also by being a member, you get free return/exchange labels; for everyone else returns are $10 and must be completed within 21 days.

L.F.Markey

L.F.Markey is a modern and feminine fashion inspired by workwear and utility. Louise Markey graduated from the Masters course at Central Saint Martins and used to be a designer for Burberry. Her namesake label offers sustainable and ethical fashion that focuses on color and quality.

Unfortunately, L.F.Markey is only available in US sizes 0-14, but styles are often oversized and boxy and one should shop based on measurements, not the arbitrary number system. While this is a UK company, free express shipping is available worldwide, tariffs and customs are included in the price, and international returns are easy through Loop as long as its within the 14-day window.

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer is colorful Palm Beach style. With a focus on prints, Lilly Pulitzer is best known for day dresses but is also a fantastic destination for colorful swimwear, activewear, separates, outerwear, and accessories. You can learn more about this brand in a piece I wrote about the value of clothing.

Lilly Pulitzer carries women's apparel in sizes 00-20. The best selection of Lilly Pulitzer is on the brand's retail site. Lilly Pulitzer also has dozens of boutiques across the U.S., is sold at department stores like Dillard's and Nordstrom, as well as smaller online and brick-and-mortar boutiques.

Lucy & Yak

Started with a style of dungarees, Lucy and her partner Chris created a style of dungarees they sold from their van (named Yak) and on Depop. With success, Lucy & Yak grew to have a proper website and storefront of clothing made from organic cotton and other natural fabrics, as well as deadstock fabric. With a mission to create pieces that inspire joy and creativity while being kinder to the planet, Lucy & Yak is a colorful and sustainable fashion brand.

Carrying U.S. sizes 2-28 with several pants available in petite and long options, British fashion label Lucy & Yak is also relatively size-inclusive. From coats to coveralls, scarves to sweaters, you will find eclectic styles, colorful prints, and plenty of comfortable fabrics to enjoy. Lucy & Yak ships to the US via DHL, with standard delivery (5-8 days) free on orders over $130. All applicable taxes are calculated and paid at checkout, so there are no surprise fees upon delivery.

Marimekko

Marimekko is a Finnish design company started by Viljo and Armi Ratia in 1951 when Armi asked artist friends to apply their graphic designs to textiles. To show how the fabric could be used, the company then designed and sold a line of simple dresses using their fabric. Just as Jackie Kennedy put Lilly Pulitzer on the map by purchasing and wearing her dresses, Kennedy did the same with Marimekko.

While known for textiles and housewares, Marimekko also has an extensive apparel line in sizes U.S. 0/EU 32 to U.S. 14/EU 46. That being said, I find Marimekko apparel to be generously sized and as a 16 was able to comfortably fit in the apparel, even when it was non-stretch. You can find the most extensive Marimekko collection on the retail site; the label is also sold at Nordstrom and various independent boutiques like pirkko (where I have shopped this brand).

Marine Layer

Marine Layer is a B-Corp fashion brand that focuses on softness. Marine Layer creates a sunny, beachy, yet real-life vibe through apparel for men and women. Creating their own textiles, recycling knits, and providing transparent impact reports, Marine Layer is colorful sustainable style.

Marine Layer is known for rainbows, from stripes down the legs of lounging sweatpants to the intarsia print of a work-friendly sweater. While Marine Layer's women's collection has color, they look softened by the sun, cheerful and relaxed and come in sizes 0/XS to 14/XL.

Mochi

In 2013, Dutch designer Ayah Tabari launched Mochi, an artisanal fashion brand inspired by her love of colour, beautiful fabrics and traditional methods of embroidery. Mochi's mission is to offer accessible avant-garde, sustainably made clothes to the modern-day woman using deadstock, repurposed fabrics, handmade crochet, reversible styles, made-to-order pieces and small batches, and sustainable business practices.

All of this is pretty awesome, but sadly Mochi only makes clothing in U.S. sizes 2-10. But if you fit in this size range, the color, prints, and cool silhouettes are worth a look.

Never Fully Dressed

Never Fully Dressed is a fashion brand founded by Lucy Aylen. Aylen started in 2012 with the now-iconic “boob tee” but years later, Never Fully Dressed is a label known for a range of statement pieces in bold colors and prints.

Offering its entire line in US sizes 2-24, Never Fully Dressed strives for size consistency and offers a sizing quiz on each product page to help you have fit success. While the company is based in the UK, Never Fully Dressed covers all tariffs and costs to the US, has a US-based returns portal, and gets good reviews for customer care with international shoppers. That being said, this label is also available at retailers like Revolve, Dillard's, and ASOS.

Nooworks

I've shopped Nooworks before for colorful and unique prints on cotton garments and know I'll shop this indie label again in the future. Nooworks is a woman owned, women run business that makes limited edition textiles with artists we love and turn them into wearable fashion. All Nooworks garments are produced in California and the company strives to source as many materials as possible from the U.S.A.

Known for bold and colorful prints, Nooworks offers these ever-changing prints in a range of garments: dresses, coveralls, tops, bottoms, and jackets in sizes XXS-5X.

Rachel Antonoff

Rachel Antonoff is a New York City-based fashion designer that started her eponymous label in 2008. If the name sounds familiar, she is big sister to Jack Antonoff. But he is clearly not the only artist in the family as Rachel Antonoff has a line of popular size-inclusive fashion that is colorful, durable, size-inclusive, ethical, and a lot of fun.

Offering fashion in sizes XS-3X, Rachel Antonoff fashion is available on the label website and for those who love shopping secondhand, check out Round Trip, Rachel Antonoff's online resale shop!

Rujuta Sheth

Rujuta Sheth is an NYC-based ethical textile and fashion designer with a passion for color and print. Handcrafted in India, Rujuta Sheth's small batch clothing is the architectural, trend-transcending art gallery style hard to find outside of metro cities (and especially hard to find over a size 10).

Rujuta Sheth uses only natural fibers free of AZO dyes, works with factories with the highest standards, and runs a business that reduces waste at every chance. Comfortable, colorful, mindful, and modern, Rujuta Sheth fashion is available in sizes XS-3X with a detailed size chart.

Trina Turk

Trina Turk is a California-based fashion designer with a line that marries the vibe of Palm Springs with Silver Lake. Bright and bold colors and prints, cool caftans, stylish swimwear, cocktail fashion, and more are offered and as someone who owns Trina Turk apparel, I find the quality stellar and the colors just as saturated in person.

Trina Turk apparel is available in sizes 0-16. As a busty size 14/16, I fit into an XL but sort of vary between 14 and 16 depending on the cut of the garment and the stretch of the fabric. Trina Turk has the most extensive collection of her fashion on her retail site. You can also find Trina Turk at department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.

Universal Standard

Universal Standard went through a stage where everything was muted shades, but recently, this size-inclusive brand has embraced gorgeous color and some beautiful prints.

Universal Standard's aesthetic is elevated closet standards with an edge. Best known for its denim, Universal Standard is a personal favorite for suiting and workwear, stretch linen separates, casual and polished dresses, sweaters and knits, and even colorful outerwear and size-inclusive swimwear. Nothing is especially trendy but everything has a design feature to keep it from being a boring basic.

Universal Standard is one of the most size-inclusive brands out there, offering the entire collection and all colors in sizes 00-40. Generally, the quality of pieces exceeds the pricepoint; while a t-shirt may be $50, the finish, weight, fit, and construction may turn you into a convert. These pieces are designed to stay in your closet for many years and earn their keep.

Zuri

You've heard of farm to table restaurants, but what about farm to table fashion brands? The fashion brand Zuri knows the Kenyan smallholder farmers who grow the cotton used to make their iconic dresses, access and input over the process of spinning that cotton into yarn, weaving that yarn into fabric, and printing that fabric for their clothing. In complete control of their supply chain, Zuri can ensure each worker from farm to fashion is paid a fair and living wage.

Best known for trapeze-style shirtdresses with stand collars, Zuri also carries midi-length dresses, tops, bottoms, accessories, and home decor in the most gorgeous, colorful, 100% cotton kitenge. In sizes XXS (00/2) to 3X (22/24), Zuri has a very detailed size chart to help you find the right fit. I have rented Zuri dresses from Armoire Style and find the fit quite nice on my curvy frame (see me in one in this video).

FAQ

Where can women over 40 shop for colorful clothing?

There are many great options for colorful clothing beyond the basics. Brands like Boden, FARM Rio, Lilly Pulitzer, and GANNI are well-known for consistent color season after season. For more unique and indie options, Nooworks, Gudrun Sjödén, Dressed in Joy, and Zuri offer bold prints and saturated color in a range of sizes. This guide covers 29 brands across a range of pricepoints, from accessible to luxury, with notes on sizing and aesthetic for each.

Which colorful clothing brands offer plus sizes?

Several brands on this list carry extended sizing. Universal Standard is the most size-inclusive, offering its full collection in sizes 00-40. Other strong options include Big Bud Press (XXS-6XL), Never Fully Dressed (2-24), Frances Valentine (most styles up to 28), Lucy & Yak (2-28), Nooworks (XXS-5X), Dressed in Joy (XXS-4X), and Rachel Antonoff and Rujuta Sheth (both XS-3X). See the Shop by Size Range section at the top of this post for the full breakdown.

Are there colorful clothing brands that offer petite sizes?

Yes. Boden carries petite sizes 0-12, J. Crew offers petite in sizes 00-12, and Johnny Was has a full petite line in sizes PXS-PXL. FARM Rio offers select petite styles exclusively through Anthropologie. Lucy & Yak offers a petite inseam option on select pants. See the Shop by Size Range section at the top of this post for the complete list.

What colorful clothing brands are sustainable?

Several brands on this list prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. FARM Rio and Marine Layer are both B Corps. Lucy & Yak uses organic cotton and deadstock fabric. Nooworks produces all garments in California using U.S.-sourced materials where possible. Zuri controls its full supply chain from Kenyan cotton farmers through to finished garment, ensuring fair wages at every step. Big Bud Press is sweatshop-free and uses American-made fabric. Damson Madder and L.F. Markey are both UK-based sustainable labels that cover US tariffs and duties at checkout.

What is a good colorful clothing brand for women who want color but not loud prints?

Not every colorful brand leads with bold prints. Marine Layer is known for softened, sun-faded palettes in solid and stripe styles. Argent excels at colorful suiting in solid, professional shades. Universal Standard and Boden both offer plenty of rich solid colors without requiring you to commit to a statement print. Frances Valentine and Marimekko tend toward graphic but not overwhelming prints if you want something in between.

Weekend Reads for the Beginning of April

Alison Gary — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Claire Tabouret, Self-portrait (in the studio), 2020

Weekend Reads

How a toxic self-improvement trend with a funny name took over your feed. (Yahoo!)

Move Over, Girl Dinner. Boy Kibble Has Arrived. (New York Times – gift link)

But he’s your husband. (CNN – warning: SA)

Ruggable launched their latest outdoor rugs and this is my current fave. BTW code ALISON15 gets you 15% off!

Your Photos Are Probably Giving Away Your Location. Here’s How to Stop That. (Wired)

There is No Shame in Turning Back. (Anne & Carlos)

Did you see Rothy's came out with espadrilles?

The $1.8 billion brand that forgot what it was for. (Not Sorry via Substack)

Allbirds Did Not Fail Because of the Product. It Failed Because Sustainability Was Never a Brand. (Camille Moore via Substack)

How AI Is Creeping Into The New York Times. (The Atlantic – gift link)

Have any of you tried this silk cami? It looks pretty perfect…

In defense of ‘millennial feminism' AND ‘Gen Z feminism'. (Spitfire News)

The Atlantic Takes Its Journalism to Sea in Three-Year Cruise Ship Partnership. (AdWeek)

Pointelle knits are a big trend this spring and summer; this shell and this cardigan are beautiful and a fantastic price.

Full network of clitoral nerves mapped out for first time. (The Guardian)

I am intrigued; I especially want to try the watermelon flavor!

The Sánchezing of Oprah Winfrey. (I Say This With Love via Substack)

What if your white jeans resisted stains and fit great?

Bank of America to Pay $72.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit by Epstein Victims. (New York Times – gift link)

Style Inspo & Sale Alert

Banana Republic Factory has the whole site 50-70% off for its Celebrate Spring Event. While I focus on women's fashion, this is a sale to check out for any folks in your life wearing men's clothing because, IMO, the men's department is just as stellar as the women's. And speaking of the women's…

I've shared before how I am a fan of Banana Republic Factory, and I think this label does Spring/Summer fashion really well. A few of the pieces I liked I envisioned as a mini capsule:

The barn red looks great with white, black, olive, navy, and denim and really pops with stripes.
Tie the cardigan around the shoulder or the waist of the dress
Pair the twinset with the pants, shorts, or skirt
The shell alone with any of the pieces, but especially the skirt
You likely already own a black tank or tee; add it to the black pants with brown shoes and belt and gold earrings and you have an elevated casual look for this summer.
Brown accessories with black and black stripes is a very modern touch; consider trying this with your own closet this season!

J. Crew Factory has 50% off sitewide. This includes the cute lavender pants in Thursday's post!

If you didn't take advantage of the brand's recent sale, Lands' End has 40% off full price styles and 60% off clearance with promo code SUNDRESS. This sale is through Sunday. And for those frustrated that my beloved floral shirtdress wasn't part of the last promo, it is this time!

Ann Taylor has its Spring Into Something New sale with 40% off your purchase plus an extra 15% off purchases $175+ through Sunday. My picks? This stunning dress (replace the self belt with a metal one, an obi one, or leave loose), this stunning dress (timeless, IMO), this dress (love the color), this dress (so chic, looks like it's from a fancy label), this dress (for my prep-adjacent lovers), and this blouse (with wide-leg jeans, with linen trousers, with a midi skirt or even a pencil skirt…).

LOFT has 50% off with free shipping. In the Facebook community, there was a discussion about the LOFT Versa crepe collection, comparing the pieces to old-school Express suiting or matte jersey. I'd agree; it's wrinkle-resistant, machine washable, and I find runs TTS (I wear a 16P in the pants and don't need to hem them for sneakers).

I know I am not the only one who feels she needs to upgrade her graphic t-shirt game for the warm weather. While classic graphic tees continue to be popular (messages, bands, locales), there is a big trend towards all-over prints. These look great under suits, paired with colorful pants, white jeans and shorts, and I love them to dress up those elastic-waist linen pants that are so comfy in the heat.

For those who have been stuck with corny floral tees due to size and/or budget, this may give you some terrible flashbacks. But the 2026 graphic tees are more artistic (look at that Monet-inspired one at the bottom), made from more refined knits (a lot of mesh ones, too) and have better fits. I linked eight ones that appealed to me above, but I gathered a few more in the carousel below and in my ShopMy shop:

See/Hear/Read

In 2021, HBO launched the mini series Station Eleven. I watched it, even though it centered around a pandemic and we as a world were still reeling from COVID. It was beautiful, I loved it, and when I shared my love for it so many of you told me I had to read the book it was based on.

And so, when I DNFed my audiobook and none of my holds were available on Libby, I searched and found the audiobook for Station Eleven was available. A 2014 novel by Emily St. John Mandel that takes place after a flu pandemic ravages the globe, it is not your typical nightmare-inducing dystopian story. This is no The Last of Us, and while the concept is scary, the novel is just beautiful. I still love the miniseries, which is similar but not exact. But this book… it was as good as you all told me it was.

On the TV front, we're watching Imperfect Women on Apple TV. Starring Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Moss, and Kate Mara, it's a story of three women who have been best friends since college but with a tragedy, they are realizing they may not be as close as they thought.

Leslie Odom Jr. (44) plays the older brother of Kerry Washington (49)

This show is imperfect, but because it is not complete (one new episode per week and at the time of writing this only four have dropped), I don't know if this is on purpose. But Washington's character is kinda horrible, Moss' character is kinda horrible, and Mara's character feels complex in an unnatural way. But I can't stop watching it and I can't wait to see what happens next.

A few of the photos I could find of Washington's outfits on this show

Washington's character's wardrobe I think is supposed to be quirky artsy but it always feels… off. Like too much money and not enough style, or like it's for a kookier kind of person. Moss' character feels whiney and that bothers me because I usually like how she plays roles. Mara's character was developed in the most recent episode and it's leaving me… confused. But again, I am intrigued, and my husband also loves it (he can't remember the name and calls the show Bad Friends).

For Your Entertainment

Michelle Buzz and Lance Shipp used to write songs for artists like katy Perry, Calvin Harris, and Britney Spears. While sometimes it was great, often they felt stifled creatively. They decided to band together and create Haute & Freddy, a group that is as much visual as music and even a fictional backstory. Haute and Freddy share that in the 18th century, the two were part of a circus troupe. One day, they displeased the ringmaster and had to go on the run. Their theatrics extend to their audience, who they call their Royal Court and they've been known to have stilt walkers and balloon artists at their shows.

The costumes are amazing, but so is the music. Their album, Big Disgrace, is getting positive buzz everywhere and is being compared to both '80s synth pop groups and no-skips perfection a la Chappell Roan. About the album, they shared in a press release: “Big Disgrace is all the eccentric, over-the-top parts of ourselves we thought we had to hide, on full display, like a sonic topless shimmy where said shimmier holds direct eye contact with the one person in the room giving a judgmental scowl.” One of the latest singles from this album is “Femme Hysteria,” and I think it's definitely worth a listen:

Keds BlissMove Sneaker Review: What One Wardrobe Oxygen Reader Really Thinks

Wardrobe Oxygen Community — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My goal with Wardrobe Oxygen is to offer real-life style advice for fellow grown women. We want quality, we want comfort, we want style, and we want honest reviews to help us be savvy shoppers who don't waste our time or our money. I know that many of us deal with fussy feet and are looking for comfort shoes with style. When provided the opportunity, I wanted to share with you an honest Keds BlissMove review for this line of affordable shoes designed for plantar fasciitis, wide feet, and foot issues.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

A Wardrobe Oxygen community member tested the Keds BlissMove Marled Knit Slip-On for daily walking and everyday wear. The shoe is lightweight, machine washable, and sleeker than most comfort sneakers. It has real potential for plantar fasciitis and casual travel. If you have hallux rigidus or need to adjust lace tension over a specific area of your foot, the faux-lace design is a hard limit. Read the full review to see if it's the right fit for your feet.

Before You Read: Why This Review Exists

When Keds gifted me a pair of their BlissMove Marled Knit Slip-Ons, I decided to pass them along to a reader rather than review them myself. I put out a call in the Wardrobe Oxygen Facebook community, chose Kim O'Neill, and paid her to test them and share her honest thoughts.

If you've read my Quince jeans review or my NuFace Mini review, you already know that I share my (and my community's) thoughts, even when the review isn't glowing. I know that such feedback can actually prove incredibly useful. We are all different women with different bodies, lives, needs, and feet. What may be wrong for one may be the perfect choice for another and with such details, it's easier to determine that. I hope you find Kim's review as useful as I did!

Keds BlissMove Marled Knit Slip-On Sneaker Review

The following is Kim's review, in her own words.

The Reviewer

Like a lot of fans of Alison and Wardrobe Oxygen, I’m a grown-ass woman, I’m over 50, and I want to wear things that are comfortable, stylish, and that feel good for my age and lifestyle. Maybe this is you, too? And maybe you also struggle sometimes with finding footwear that looks good, feels good, and is not only forgiving but maybe even helpful with any foot issues that always seem to come with middle and older age? And possibly (hopefully!) not ugly?

I’ve always been fairly active, but when I went on a health kick several years ago, I began walking 10,000 steps a day and found it to be life changing. I must tell you that I live in California, so the weather is often cooperative, though we do get a fair bit of rain in the winter. But the combination of spending so much time outdoors and upping my physical activity to a gentle if completely committed 60-90 minutes a day improved my life in so many ways.

In general, my shoe of choice for all this walking has been Hokas (which I know Alison loves, too), and although I find them comfortable, I have trouble wearing and pairing them with anything besides my exercise clothing.

I also travel in Europe a fair bit, and while I know I’ll never fool the locals into thinking I’m one of them, I do like to feel as if I’m dressed stylishly, and not like a tourist whose one and only interest is being comfy, though that is certainly a priority!

The Foot Situation: Hallux Rigidus

My main foot health challenge is hallux rigidus on my right big toe, which is the formation of a bone spur that limits movement and can be painful (also known as “frozen toe”).

My cousin, a physical therapist and fellow sufferer, has made great suggestions to me around footwear (“Hokas!”) and shoe lacing methods, such as focusing on relieving pressure over the big toe joint by skipping the lowest eyelets or using “window” lacing to create a pressure-free zone, all of which work well for me, but again, Hokas—even fancily laced ones—are not as low profile and stylish as I would like.

First Impressions: Style and Features

Enter the Keds BlissMove Marled Knit Slip On, which I volunteered to review when Alison put out a call on Facebook for reader reviews. Keds calls their BlissMove collection “advanced support for all day activity”. In general I’m not a fan of slip-on sneakers without laces (such as a loafer style), mainly because I don’t feel that type fits in with the rest of what I wear.

For reference, the three style-inspiration words I live (and dress, and buy clothes) by are “easy”, “polished”, and “art-lady”. In other words, strictly athletic sneakers are not something that blend seamlessly into my wardrobe, though of course exceptions are made for my daily 10k steps. Trend-forward athletic sneakers are a different story!

But the BlissMove style has what I will call “faux” laces that do the job of making the shoe look more like a classic, if low profile, athletic shoe, while still being a super-easy, hands-free slip-on. The soles are grippy, too, again, without being too thick, with a rigid midsole which (as I understand it) is helpful if you are dealing with plantar fasciitis.

According to Keds, the BlissMove is “an ergonomic design informed by over 25 million foot scans, and features a new removable, shock-absorbing comfort insole”. Keds also seems really excited about the washability of the shoe, which is great for me, too. I, like Alison, make frequent stops to my community garden plot (though we don’t have a scary doll at ours!), and being able to easily machine wash them is so handy.

What It's Like to Wear Them

My first impression when putting the shoe on was how lovely and lightweight it was, something I really appreciated over my usual over-built walking sneakers. If this shoe could be supportive and comfy on my daily 10k, what a boon it would be to travel with something so feather light!

The knitted fabric adds to this light and airy feeling. I was looking forward to skipping down the sidewalk with ease, instead of what some might call clomping in my usual footwear. Style-wise it’s low profile and inoffensive. Although Keds bills this as a “comfort” shoe, it has more in common with any sleek athletic shoe than it does with something orthopedic.

I put the shoes on and started with some walks around the house in between bouts at my computer (I work part time from home). I was really enjoying how lightweight and comfy they were, and how utterly inoffensive they look. The texture of the knit fabric adds a bit of interest, and the uppers (I chose black) contrast nicely with the substantial (but not over-the-top) white sole.

I can picture wearing these not only with my walking clothing (athleisure-ish), but even favorite outfits like wide-leg jeans paired with a graphic tee and lady jacket, or striped athletic pants, a sweatshirt, and my prized winter purchase, a mid-length leopard car coat.

Wearing Keds BlissMoves for Walking

Time to take my new BlissMoves for a spin around the neighborhood! After about 5,000 steps and some more time at the computer, I had to admit that though I loved the BlissMove and its overall comfort, my hallux rigidus did not.

Unfortunately the shoe felt tight over that bone spur, and as the laces are not true laces, there was no way to lace them in one of my cousin’s fancy ways to hopefully put less pressure on my painful spot. Though the mesh fabric is very flexible and forgiving, I really needed the shoe to be just a little looser over that sore area.

Summary

In conclusion, I think these shoes are worth a try–unless you have hallux rigidus. They seem like they would be great for plantar fasciitis, nice and lightweight for travel, their style is sleek and versatile, and you can’t beat machine washability and a removable insole.

Alison's Take

Kim's experience is a wonderful reminder that foot health is personal, and no shoe works for everyone. The Keds BlissMove has great features: lightweight construction, machine washability, a low-profile look that plays well outside of a gym context, and the APMA Seal of Acceptance I noted when I featured them in my vacation capsule wardrobe.

If you have plantar fasciitis, a wide forefoot, or you're tired of sneakers that look like you're training for something when you're just running errands, these are worth a try. If you have hallux rigidus or any condition that requires adjustable tension over a specific part of your foot, skip these.

As we experience more in this world, our feet end up reflecting that. And with it, we find our needs become more varied. I will continue to offer detailed shoe reviews here at Wardrobe Oxygen so you can more easily find the right footwear to keep you enjoying this journey we call life.

Kim O’Neill

Kim O’Neill is a freelance writer living in Berkeley, CA with her husband Erik and cat Nico. In her spare time she loves reading, cooking, gardening, and is working on a novel about a menopausal woman who changes everything to have an amazing third act.

How to Style Colorful Pants for Spring 2026 (Plus the Best Options to Shop)

Alison Gary — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 22:00:00 +0000

If you are around my age, there's a good chance that most of the pants in your closet are black. Maybe some navy, some gray, olive, or khaki, but you rely on black pants because they are versatile, hide stains, not easily recognized when worn often, and you had that style rule ingrained in your mind that black recedes and makes things look smaller.

Yes, black is versatile, and yes, it can hide some stains better than say white or pink, but in 2026 black pants can actually feel a bit dated, and by wearing black pants day after day, they become more memorable. And that style rule about wearing black? My friend, your body is the same size whether it is swathed in purple, green, yellow, or black. I am all about embracing colorful clothing in midlife; it actually will make you look more fashionable.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

Colorful pants are one of the easiest ways to update your wardrobe this spring without buying a whole new closet. In 2026, pastels and brights are both having a moment. Style them with neutrals for an easy win, try color blocking for a bolder look, or treat them exactly like you would your favorite jeans. Wide leg and cropped straight leg are the two silhouettes worth investing in right now.

What Color Pants Are Stylish in 2026?

The most stylish pants colors for spring 2026 include both pastels and saturated brights. You will see a lot of neutrals this year, but some really gorgeous colors are also popular, and work well with these neutrals. Pastels are back: lavender, pink, ice blue, and butter yellow are big colors this season. Unexpected brights abound: leaf and Kelly green, vermillion and coral, aqua and cerulean, and interesting brighter and more summery versions of teal and jade. However, classics like red and hot pink are still considered quite chic in 2026.

Honestly there is no color that is considered unstylish in 2026, the key is how you pair them. For 2026, play with unexpected color pairings, mix brights with pastels, muted with bold, two colors that are sort of close in shade (for example, teal with navy, red with pink, green with aqua). If in doubt, pair your colorful pants with a neutral to immediately make them feel contemporary.

Tips for Styling Colorful Pants as a Grown Woman

It's spring, it's a new season, a new year, and a new chance to add some color and joy to your closet. I hope by the end of this article you will see how colorful pants for spring and beyond not only can look good, but can even be almost as versatile as your trusty black trousers.

How to Style Colorful Wide Leg Pants

For my first series of examples, I am starting with the Universal Standard Palais Stretch Linen Wide Leg Pant in a color they call Hyper Pink. I chose these pants because they are size-inclusive (sizes 00-40), they are a comfortable fabric for spring and summer, and the wide-leg silhouette is one I find quite versatile and I know many of you struggle to style it.

Styling Colorful Pants with a Graphic Tee

A graphic tee is one of the easiest tops to pair with colorful wide leg pants. Sure, you can wear your graphic t-shirts with jeans, but you can also elevate and modernize the look with a pair of colorful wide-leg pants. Still rock the sneakers, and you can either choose a slightly cropped style like this shirt from Sanctuary, or tuck in your shirt. A belt is optional since this is a casual look. If you are concerned with tucking in your shirt, I encourage you to read this article.

Incorporate Colorful Pants into Your Closet with Colorblocking

Colorblocking is a popular trend, and an easy way to give new life to your existing closet. In 2026, unexpected color pairings are really hot, but there are some color combos that always feel fresh. Pairing hot pink with red is perennially chic; give it a spring touch with bone-colored accessories. If you're curious about these loafers, check out this detailed Quince shoes review.

Balance Brights with Classic Neutrals

If you're new to wearing color on the bottom half, pairing colorful pants with a classic neutral is the easiest starting point. I love pink because it works with every neutral in your closet: cool gray, warm camel, dark navy, light cream, classic olive, chocolate brown. A few combinations I think are perennially chic:

Pink with olive or khaki
Red with camel or cream
Kelly green with navy or brown
Yellow with gray or white
Cobalt blue with tan or camel
Periwinkle or lavender with navy or gray

If you're wondering what length to have your wide leg pants, this is a useful guide.

How to Style Colorful Ankle Pants

The ankle pant is back, which is stellar for spring. While in the past it was skinny legs and cropped very wide legs, now it's more of a straight or slightly wide silhouette. And this is a great style of pants that leans to a bright or unique color. To show some ways to style a colorful pant of this silhouette, I am going to use the J. Crew Factory Ella high-rise wide-leg cropped pant. Available in waist sizes 24-35 with petite and tall options, this is a pant that can dress up for the office or down for the weekends.

Balance Volume: Wide Leg with Shorter, Straight Leg with Looser or Longer

Having a straight or slightly wide leg means you can have more volume on top. Rock your poplin, linen, and gauze big shirts untucked, but unbutton at least two buttons on the top and the bottom and roll or cuff the sleeves to create movement and show there is a body under the bulk. If you like to tuck, this is the kind of pant where you can do a range of creative shirt tucks.

Treat Brightly Colored Pants As You Would Jeans

As mentioned above, you can totally replace your favorite jeans with a pair of colorful spring pants. Here, I took classic closet pieces: a blazer, striped top, and brown leather accessories that would often be paired with jeans and they look fresh and springy with the lavender cropped pants. Notice I didn't even tie in the color with accessories you could easily trade this color for any other color of pants. If you're looking for a wallet-friendly striped top, my favorite Breton top is under $35.

Shop Colorful Pants for Spring 2026

I curated a collection of the colorful pants for spring that I thought looked stylish, versatile, and perfect for us grown-ass women. A range of misses, plus size, petite, and tall offerings are included:

FAQ

What shoes look good with colorful pants?

Neutral shoes in white, tan, or brown work with almost any color of pants. If you want to lean into the color, try a shoe in a complementary or analogous shade. Sneakers are always a solid choice for casual looks.

How do you style wide leg colorful pants?

Keep the top fitted or slightly cropped so you don't lose your shape in all that volume. A tucked or half-tucked top, a fitted tee, or a cropped sweater all work well. Flats and low heels tend to look more polished than chunky sneakers with wide leg trousers.

What colors of pants are in style for spring 2026?

Both pastels (lavender, butter yellow, ice blue) and saturated brights (hot pink, Kelly green, cobalt) are on trend. The key is how you pair them, not which specific color you choose.

Can you wear colorful pants to work?

Absolutely. Pair a bright or pastel trouser with a neutral blazer and classic flats or loafers and it reads as polished and intentional. Lavender with a cream blazer or hot pink with a camel blazer are both office-appropriate combinations.

Personal Stylist Experience: One Woman’s Honest Closet Edit Story

Wardrobe Oxygen Community — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I'm always talking about dressing for the life you actually live and not some aspirational version of it. So when my friend shared it with me, I knew I wanted to share it with you.

This was written by my friend Sharon. We're close in age, but we live on different coasts with different bodies, different lives, and different personal style aesthetics. She originally wrote it for another publication, but when that fell through, I thought: this is the kind of honest, relatable experience you may appreciate. Sharon is a fellow grown-ass woman figuring out who she is again through her closet and I thank her for sharing her story with us.

– Alison

When Your Closet Stops Feeling Like You

It started with one of those mornings — standing in front of a closet full of clothes with absolutely nothing to wear. I was in midlife and in a full-on fashion rut. Where was the stylish girl who was voted “best dressed” in 8th grade and “hippest dressed” in 12th (titles I now find hilariously optimistic, considering I’ve been living in the same black jeans for years).

Every attempt to get dressed felt like a total identity crisis. Somewhere between perimenopause, working from home, and getting my oldest son into college, my style had vanished. It can be so hard to feel like yourself again after becoming a parent. And when my youngest turned 17, I realized—yikes—it had been a long time since I felt like myself.

So, I called in help: a personal stylist and closet editor. I figured she’d at least help me part with the items I was saving for some mythical future event and maybe get me out of my style rut. What I didn’t expect was how much the process would change my relationship with clothing itself. I started to see my wardrobe as functional support for my busy life—a tool that could make getting dressed feel effortless and help me feel more like myself again.

What a Closet Edit Actually Looks Like

The stylist I worked with, Terin Trudeau, came through a personal referral from a friend on Instagram. Terin is a mom of three with fantastic style who started helping other mom friends plan outfits and edit their closets and it turned into a real business. She just wants to help other moms feel good about themselves and it felt like she was the perfect fit for me. And her prices were reasonable compared to those of other stylists I had chatted with.

When she arrived, she didn't start by judging my closet. She asked about my life. What do I do most days? Where do I go? What do I actually want to wear? It wasn't about trends, it was about how I live.

Then came the purge. She set up a rolling rack to help us organize, and we went through every single item in my closet. If it didn’t fit my current body or life, it went. For some pieces, letting go was easy. For anything we weren’t sure about, I tried it on and thought about it honestly. If we found another really similar item (apparently, there was such a thing as too many black t-shirts) we decided which we wanted to keep and said goodbye to the rest.

We also created a small section of things that I didn’t know how to work into an outfit. We’d come back to these a bit later.

Her biggest clean-out tips were surprisingly simple:

Use matching thin hangers to create visual calm
You shouldn't need to buy new pieces just to make something “work”
If you're on the fence about an item, give it two months — then either wear it or let it go

By the time she left, I had seven bags to donate. And I still hadn’t gone through my shoes and accessories yet.

Recreating the easy vibe of my favorite kaftan-style dresses a flowy top and a new-to-me denim silhouette.

Rediscovering Your Personal Style (Not Someone Else's)

I had secretly hoped she'd just tell me what to wear. Instead, she helped me figure out what I actually gravitated toward now, which turned out to be more useful.

She showed me how to recreate the easy, flowy vibe of my favorite kaftan-style dresses using pants and flowy tops. She helped me move beyond skinny jeans and showed me how to wear more modern styles that look great on my shape.

She never imposed her own style opinions. She'd ask why I wasn't in love with something, see if we could style it differently, and always let me come to my own conclusion. We circled back to the “maybe” pile and mixed and matched to see what made sense with my updated way of dressing. We touched on trends I might want to try and put together outfits for a few upcoming events.

STYLIST TIP:

Terin's best advice was take photos of outfits you love on yourself. On the mornings when you're tired or second-guessing everything, scroll back through that album and just copy yourself. We photographed every outfit we worked on together, and I refer back to them constantly.

During my personal stylist session, trying different shoes from my wardrobe to achieve different effects.

How to Fill Wardrobe Gaps Intentionally

I nervously assumed a shopping spree was next. Instead, she had me shop my own closet first, mixing and matching pieces I already owned into combinations I'd never tried. Then she gave me a short, targeted list based on my actual pain points and the places I like to shop:

Immediate priorities:

A quality white t-shirt with a lower neckline
A black leather belt (brown leather to follow)
Simple ballet flats for an easy pulled-together look
Mules — a slip-on option that isn't a Birkenstock for every occasion (I love a Birkenstock, but there's a time and a place)
New denim silhouettes: straight leg, barrel leg, and wide leg in a few washes to be acquired gradually, not all at once
Pull-on pants for that easy, flowy vibe
Linen button-downs that can transition into cooler months
Tank tops with built-in bras for layering

Longer-term wish list:

Army green pants — a great alternative to all-black, pairs well with leopard print and denim
A cropped black cardigan and a sweater with a pop of color
A classic black heeled sandal for work events — something comfortable that instantly elevates an outfit

It's true: you don't need more clothes. You need the right clothes.

What I'd Tell Anyone Considering a Personal Stylist

Suddenly, my closet had far fewer options but I had so many more outfits. Getting dressed felt easier. I felt lighter, more confident, more like myself.

I wasn't styled to the nines or straight off a magazine page. But I was completely myself — comfortable, put-together, with a little personality showing through.

The power of a belt: a creative asymmetrical tuck and a belt offering a pop of color transform a standard t-shirt and jeans.

The practical things I took away:

When in doubt, add a belt. The transformation is genuinely shocking.
Try different necklines. Showing a little more skin (nothing outrageous—I’m a pretty modest dresser) can help balance proportions and make a look feel “right.”
Style the details. Tuck things in, push up sleeves, pop a collar. Small tweaks add a lot of interest.
Finish with jewelry. A basic jeans-and-t-shirt look can look absolutely on point with a cute necklace stack and some rings. Jewelry makes an outfit feel intentional.
Take outfit photos. You will absolutely thank yourself on rushed mornings.
Your style isn't gone. It just needs a little editing.

Working with a personal stylist wasn’t about being fancy—it was about making life easier. And honestly? Finding myself again was worth the money. If you can’t find a reasonably priced stylist and organizer in your area, keep your eye out for a fashionable mom you know. Another set of eyes is always helpful!

Out and about in one of the outfits created from my closet in a combination I never would have previously considered.

Frequently Asked Questions about Working with a Personal Stylist

For many women, yes — especially if you're in a style rut, going through a life transition, or simply spending too much mental energy on getting dressed. A good stylist doesn't impose trends; they help you get clear on what works for your actual life, body, and preferences. The result is usually fewer clothes and more outfits.

Rates vary widely depending on location and experience. Some stylists charge by the hour, others by the session. Word-of-mouth referrals — like finding a stylish friend who's turned their eye into a side business — can be a much more affordable entry point than hiring a traditional stylist.

A stylist will typically start by asking about your life and lifestyle before touching a single item. Then you'll go through everything together — trying on uncertain pieces, identifying duplicates, and pulling out items that no longer fit your body or how you live. Most sessions end with a short, targeted shopping list rather than a haul.

Start by noticing what you actually reach for, not what you think you should wear. Your style didn't disappear — it just got buried under years of practicality and life transitions. Editing out what no longer fits (literally or figuratively) is often enough to reveal what's still very much you.

You can absolutely DIY a closet edit — go through everything, be honest about what you reach for, and donate what you don't. But an outside eye is genuinely useful for seeing combinations you've stopped noticing and identifying gaps you've been working around. A trusted friend with great style can serve the same purpose if a professional isn't accessible.

Sharon Garofalow

Sharon is a southern California-based blogger, content creator, and mom to two teenage boys. You can find Sharon at her cocktail and recipe blog, Cupcakes & Cutlery, and her Instagram. Fun fact: I first met Sharon in 2017 and you can see her in the pictures of my blog post about the cabi Conversations event we both attended!

The Business Side of Content Creation: What I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Alison Gary — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I wrote a guide to ShopMy after receiving so many questions on Threads regarding the platform. However, I noticed that a lot of folks who had questions were also new to content creation, or at least to treating it less like a hobby and more like a business.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

Over 20 years of content creation I've learned a lot and here's the short version: own your platform, brand yourself consistently, treat it like a business from day one, and don't air your dirty laundry. Details and how-tos below…

While I am primarily a blogger, this advice works for most digital content creators. TikTokkers, Instagrammers, podcasters, Substackers, YouTubers, Facebook creators, and any combination of these and other platforms. If you make content on the internet and make money from it (or want to make money from it), I hope this advice proves helpful.

Why I am Sharing this Business Advice With You

There is no manual on how to be a digital content creator, and there couldn't be one, because we all run our brands differently, with different audiences and different goals. That being said, I have been a content creator for over two decades and have learned a lot of things the hard way. I like to say I went to the University of Google, because that is how I learned everything I know about running a successful content creation business.

Content creation runs on gatekeeping and smoke and mirrors. That creator with 500,000 followers may not be able to pay her rent this month, and the person who hasn't touched their Instagram in two years may be raking in seven figures. A lot of big creators have teams: managers and agents who secure opportunities for them, assistants who edit their videos and create their blog posts, interns who vacuum their carpet and clean the mirror for that perfect bedroom selfie of their OOTD or video of their GRWM. And a lot of small creators are making bank without all the pomp and circumstance.

Why I Am Qualified to Offer Creator Business Advice

Hi, I am Alison Gary, and I have been blogging at Wardrobe Oxygen since 2005. When Facebook became a thing, I made a Facebook page, and then a Facebook group. I dabbled in YouTube, but preferred to blog. I was on Snapchat back in the day, on Twitter until it became X, I am on Instagram, I was on Threads, then left, then came back. I never did TikTok (at least as a creator), I have a Substack, done a bit of UGC, but this site is my baby, my home.

I hit six figures from Wardrobe Oxygen for the first time in 2016. In 2017, I quit my day job to pursue content creation full-time and have never looked back. I am the sole breadwinner for my family, and have continued to find financial success through a pandemic, perimenopause, the passing of my mother, raising a teen, and never making a single TikTok.

What You Need as a Professional Content Creator

If you are earning money from the content you create, you are a professional. Folks are quick to dismiss this job, but that is because they don't understand it. We are a one-person company. We are the photographer, the copywriter, the model, the stylist, the graphic designer, the editor, the HR department, the office manager, the social media manager, business development, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. And usually it is us: our names, our faces, our lives, that is the product.

Be proud of what you do, and do it well. Respect yourself, your audience, and the brands that choose to work with you. Treat your business like a business from the get-go, whether you are making $500 or $500K and it will be oh-so worth it as you grow and succeed. Below are the things either I learned the hard way and think are most valuable when being an online content creator:

You Need Your Own Internet Real Estate

I've been around long enough to see platforms come and go. Who remembers TapInfluence? How about the more recent Shopstyle/Collective Voice? And let's not get into Tumblr, Periscope, Vine… You need to have your own real estate on the internet, or at least an email list that you use on the regular so you can build a community that will follow you wherever you go.

If you do not have a blog or website, I recommend starting a Substack or Patreon. It's free to use, has a social component so it's easier to gain subscribers, can be your newsletter tool while offering a permanent link to house your content.

If you have never blogged or sent emails, start slow. Do a monthly recap: what did you do, what did you wear, where did you go, what did you buy, what did you read or watch or listen to. What were the top sellers in your community? Were you featured anywhere, share it with your audience! Show your personality, let people know who you are and why they may click with you. And of course, share links to all the places they can find you.
As you get comfortable, consider going up to once weekly. Again it can be a recap-type piece, or it can be a theme.
Once you have an email list, you can use it to promote sales and even get brands to sponsor it.
Use ManyChat or LinkDM to get folks to subscribe to your email list. Add it to your link in bio, share stories occasionally mentioning it. If you don't spam folks with your emails and offer valuable content, you won't get a lot of unsubscribes.

Honestly, if you are on more than one platform it makes sense to have your own self-hosted website. No need for a blog like this site, but at least a splash page that has your photo, your bio, where to find you, and how to reach you. Squarespace and similar platforms make it pretty easy to do this yourself without having to hire help and there are plenty of YouTube tutorials out there.

You Need a Brand

To get respect, you need to look like you deserve it. And your business deserves a proper brand. Whether you go by your name or a catchy phrase, make it consistent across every single platform you are on and have it look similar, too. I'm telling you, it's game-changing when it comes to respect in emails, being interviewed for publications, and speaker opportunities. And honestly, fake it until you make it. In my experience, the things you need are:

A headshot. This can even be a selfie, but it's one where you look like you (not filtered or AI you), has good lighting, an uncluttered background, and preferably you are wearing the color you associate with your business. Use this same exact headshot everywhere from LinkedIn to TikTok to ShopMy to the About page on your site.
A logo. Whether it's the favicon on your website (that little graphic in the tab in your browser) or your mention in a conference program, it's helpful to have a logo. You can make this in Canva, or hire someone on Fiverr or Upwork to do it for very little. I have a few variations of my logo (a square one, a rectangle one, a long one), but if you're starting, one that can be on a square transparent background is all you need.
A color. Whether it's your Linktree or the hyperlinks on your Substack, keep this a consistent color for brand recognition. Choose one that is easily found: pink, purple, orange, Kelly green, aqua… sometimes you can choose your color and sometimes you have to pick from an offering. If you have at least one color pretty common, you will have an easier time maintaining your brand across platforms.
A banner. This is an extended version of the branding of your logo. Use it on LinkedIn, your Amazon storefront, YouTube, Facebook. Canva and other platforms know the dimensions needed for each platform, but like your headshot, it makes sense to have continuity across platforms for brand recognition.
A custom email domain. This sounds hella complicated, but it's really not that hard and it gives you serious credibility. It should be either your name or the name of your business. Places like GoDaddy make it easy; I Googled how to do it and was able to set it up in less than an hour in Gmail. And a perk, you now own that URL so if/when you make a website, you're good to go!

In Corporate America, they have a term called an “elevator speech.” This is being able to tell someone what you do or what your business is within the time you are on an elevator together. That's about 30 seconds. You don't have to share your elevator speech with anyone — but craft one, write it down, and use it as your mantra. It helps you stay focused and reminds you that this is a business, not a hobby.

As your business grows, your branding likely will change. Heck, this site was originally called What Every Woman Needs In Her Wardrobe. Short and catchy, huh? My focus has changed, my colors have changed, my logo has changed, everything has changed. But what is constant is when it changes, it changes across the board. This detail shows you're a professional, and you will treat brands with the same attention to detail and consistency.

You Need an Audience Avatar

I have been asked to speak at a few college business schools about my experience as a content creator and I always share this bit of advice with them: create an avatar for your audience. It's hard to know what to say and do and create when you don't know who you are doing it for.

Of course, there is a range of people who consume your content, but envision a concept of who that is. How old are they? What is their name? What do they look like? Where do they live? What do they do in their freetime? Who did they vote for in the last election? What is their coffee order? This may sound glib, but narrowing it down like this really helps you see who your audience is and stay focused when you get brand opportunities, consider new platforms, and grow your business.

Just as with your brand, your avatar may change with time. I've gotten older, and my avatar has too. My avatar used to work in an office five days a week, and after the pandemic, she now works from home most of the time. These changes are natural, but should be slow adjustments over time so you don't lose the core audience who got you to where you are today.

You Need to See a Year in Quarters

Whether this is a side gig or your full-time job, influencing is a job and should be treated as such. Businesses, including the brands you partner with, live in the land of quarters. They look at revenue at the end of each, they plan for the different levels of traffic, the shopping trends, and the client/customer/audience needs depending on the time of the year.

For us creators, Q4 (October-December) is incredibly important. From back to school to Black Friday to holiday outfits and post-holiday sales, creators can make more in Q4 than they make in the other 75% of the year. Now you know why some influencers put their Christmas tree up in August!

No need to go that far, during the summer when traffic dips, take the time to start thinking how you want to handle the end of the year. Are you the kind of creator who makes gift guides? Offers family outfit suggestions for holiday card photos? Decor to decorate for the holidays? Halloween costumes or makeup? Start outlining what kind of content you think would be best for your audience, and honestly… start sharing it sooner than you think makes sense.

Plot out your calendar. When are the holidays, the big sale dates, and when will you be out of town or overwhelmed with family or other activities.
Pinterest and Google trend earlier than social media; you can start sharing such content up to two months before the actual event
Nothing wrong with making videos and taking photos early when you have a quiet weekend. Just don't wear flannel and wool in front of a blooming azalea bush.
Build your sections and collections in ShopMy and keep them hidden until ready to launch. Add products as they come available.
Start making templates in Canva for gift guides, overlays, Stories. Then they're ready to drop in and go once you have the content.

I have learned come November 1st, it's holiday time. Use your newsletter to notify your community about the best sales, your gift guides on ShopMy and other platforms, your suggestions for holiday outfits, etc.

Once you get through your first Q4 seeing it like a business, you will have the tools and mindset for the other three quarters. There is a certain time for fitness and resolutions, for swimwear and sundresses, for graduation and wedding gifts, for overseas travel, for gardening, etc. Planning ahead will help you so much for your sanity and your income.

You Need to Treat Your Business Like a Business

If you're making more than a couple thou a year, you will have some serious taxes to deal with. And take it from me, someone who in the past 20 years has been audited, had payment plans with the IRS, and more than one occasion had the government come to me months later and say I owe even more… consider an accountant and use bookkeeping software.

At the start of 2024, I began using Peach Perfect Financials and it was the best investment I ever made for Wardrobe Oxygen. It is a bookkeeping and accounting company run by a CPA and former content creator who truly gets our job, our 3,957 1099s, our brand trips, our need for so many tripods.

We use Quickbooks online to manage my finances, I have completely separate bank and PayPal and Stripe accounts for my business, they tell me what I owe for quarterly taxes and how to submit it, they complete and file my taxes, they helped me go from a LegalZoom LLC to a proper S-corp, manage my payroll with Gusto, and offer business advice regarding retirement, expenses, and employees.

Not cheap, but when I find that I owe less than $100 to the government and am getting money back from the state after years of pain, it is such a valuable investment. If you're not there yet, Peach Perfect has some online products to get things organized on your own. TRUST ME, you want to do this sooner rather than later.

A NOTE FROM ALISON:

If you choose to use Peach Perfect, please let them know Wardrobe Oxygen sent you! I don't make a commission, but I want them to know how much I appreciate them!

If you're not at the CPA level yet, no matter how much money you make, I recommend these as a minimum when starting a business:

Turn your business into at least an LLC. Sure this has all sorts of legal benefits, but it means you get a TIN and no longer have to give your social security number to all of these companies.
- Back in 2017, I did this with LegalZoom and had a mixed experience (it auto-signed me up for some crap I didn't need but ended up paying for). There are plenty of sites that will do it for you but also plenty of tutorials to do it yourself.
Have a separate bank account for your business. I got a Novo account, which is completely online and fee-free. The app is easy to use, you can make “reserves” or buckets to save for taxes, etc. and it's super easy to transfer funds to my personal account.
- Unless you're savvy and/or have a lot of expenses, you can just use the check card for all your business expenses. If you use a credit card, again have one just for your business to keep things clean and separate.
- Take the time to switch all your ACH payments to the new account. I just committed a Sunday afternoon, went through all the previous year's 1099s to make sure I wasn't forgetting anyone.
- Any autopays for things like Canva, hosting, Meta verified, have them switched over to this account.
Have a separate PayPal for your business. I ended up taking the PayPal account I had for everything under the sun and making it my business account, and then opening a new one for my personal shopping.
- If you pay contractors or VAs via Venmo, you can add a business account to your existing account for no cost. It will pay via your business account and it's no additional cost.
Have a folder in your email to store receipts and invoices for the year. Also make a Google folder or some other online folder where you can save photos of any physical receipts for business expenses. You may never need them… but as someone who has been audited, I was glad I had this to back up my claims.

You Need to Not Air Out Your Dirty Laundry

My mom used to say that, “some folks like to air out their dirty laundry,” meaning they would share a little too much. In the time of social media and engagement from being real, she'd likely freak out at what we all share. I share a LOT; I share health issues, marriage issues, perimenopause side effects, and to my daughter's dismay there are many pictures of me on the internet in my underwear.

However, I have learned over the years that some things do not need to be shared. Here's the stuff I've learned to keep off the internet, the hard way:

The front of your house or housing complex. Doesn't matter how small your audience, there are some creepy creepers out there.
Your activities in real time. Unless a brand is paying you, wait until you've left the location to share. Again, I've experienced my share of weirdos, and I am a middle-aged mid-sized mom with a relatively small following.
Your personal data. Labels on prescription pills. Barcodes on shipping labels. Your driver's license. Mail sitting on a table in the background. We've all seen enough TV shows with FBI and hackers to know someone can do a still, zoom in, clean up the resolution, and get what they need. So think before you film.
Legal proceedings unless it's public. If you're in negotiations, if you're considering hiring a lawyer for an issue, if you're in mediation… keep it off the internet. It can affect your case, settlement, and more.
An active issue with a brand, influencer platform, or business. Again, sharing it online can feel good and can get great engagement, but it can really affect the results and can get you blackballed.
Details from brand campaigns, influencer platforms, ad networks, and affiliate platforms. This is usually in the T&C, but few read them. But if you share a screenshot of communication with a brand in ShopMy, share an email from a brand you're contracted to work with, tell folks how much you made from a project, or even your commission % with a retailer, it can get you booted from the program.
Talking smack about a human in your life. Your ex, your old boss, your neighbor, that woman at church… assume it will get back to them. It will get back to them. Make it so general it can't be connected, or keep it off the internet.
Sharing how you broke a law or did something clearly unethical. My friend, the internet never forgets. And it doesn't matter how minor or funny you think it is. You have no idea who you will be and what the world will be like in a few years. Keep that ish in your group text, if even that.
Bitching about your audience. Nobody wants to hear you boo-hooing about lack of engagement, folks not giving you the feedback you expected, or the mean people in your comments. Once or twice, that can be humorous, relatable, and bring mad engagement. But if it becomes a habit, you're going to turn off more folks than you attract (including your original audience and brands).

I feel like I sound like a mom. I am a mom, but I am also someone who spent her adulthood online. I was in AOL chatrooms in college, message boards in my 20s and 30s, planned my wedding with The Knot, survived pregnancy with The Bump, had accounts on Friendster and MySpace.

I started my first blog in 2003 and one post I wrote on that “anonymous” blog got me denied a government clearance for my job when I applied two years later. I lost a lot of followers when I bitched and moaned more than once about being talked about on a snark site. And I have seen on sites like that, screenshots of blog posts I have since deleted and Tweets I sent back when it was still Twitter. And in the grand scheme of things, I am a nobody. Just think before you share, your future self will thank you.

Where the magic happens… you can see more in my office tour

I know I wrote a novel, but it's the novel I wish someone wrote for me when I started out as a content creator. When you start with the right tools and the right mindset, it can set you up for faster and greater success. And I wish you great success with your business!

Weekend Reads for the 3rd No Kings Weekend

Alison Gary — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Una Watters, Girl Going by Trinity in the Rain, 1959

Happy Saturday, folks. I can't imagine a single American who is 100% happy with what's going on right now with our country. Whether it's not investigating the murder of Charlie Kirk, the price of gas, the war in Iran, the lack of anything happening to those in the Epstein files, the disregard of our Constitution, American citizens and those lawfully allowed to be in this country being imprisoned without cause, that some of those who have been detained have been raped and treated inhumanely, double-standards like saying mail-in voting isn't to be trusted and then the president and his family vote via mail-in voting… I could go on. There's gotta be SOMETHING that is not sitting right with you right now.

So today, I encourage you to take an hour or two out of your day, visit this link and find a No Kings peaceful gathering close to where you live. You don't need a sign or a t-shirt or anything except some comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Go and realize you're not alone with your concerns, meet others in your community who also are looking for change, and I bet you'll leave feeling more hopeful and inspired.

This isn't about red or blue, left or right, liberal or conservative. It's about standing up for our country, standing up for what is right, and realizing we are not the minority. Getting the energy to take the next step, to understand that we the people still have power, and we have power in numbers when we mobilize.

Weekend Reads

Georgia mother released on bond as judge questions abortion-related murder charge. (The 19th)

You don't have to gamble for gambling to ruin your life. (Your Brain on Money via Substack)

Wired’s New Editor Doesn’t Care if the Tech Bros Are Mad. (New York Times – gift link)

Student loans to go to Treasury Department as the administration continues to dismantle Education Department. (AP)

Don't chase youth–chase vibrancy. (Inventory via Substack)

Through the end of the month, use code RTRXAGARY and get 60% off your first month at Rent the Runway. I recently renewed my membership; I find it so helpful for this transition period of weather and clothing. Why buy lightweight jackets and in-between clothes, just rent pieces, keep them as long as you want, save and extend your existing closet!

Will 5 Prunes a Day Save Our Bones from Osteoporosis? (Gloria)

My season of Ativan. (The New Yorker)

This has been so far the best root powder I've tried.

I Watched an Acquaintance Get Slut-Shamed by the Entire Country. (Jenny)

What oil actually costs. (Heated on Substack)

Do I need another Hulken in this pretty new color? One of the hardest working bags in my house.

The paradox of thrift. (The Flytrap)

The Strange and Fascinating History of Dr. Kegel. (Menopause: The Inside Info via Substack)

What I Did For Love #2: Say it Out Loud. (Oldster)

And very related… an interview with Joan Juliet Buck.

I just bought a pair of these and I am impressed.

The article passed around the most in my industry: The Influencer Infestation of Our Politics. (The Bulwark)

I don't know how I feel about this… (Vogue)

Y'all have been asking my opinion… I ordered a pair in black. Stay tuned…

How a pair of blue-blood impostors turned party crashing in the Hamptons and Palm Beach into a business. (Intelligencer)

While New York Magazine still doesn't offer gift links, it now has a referral program where you can get $20 off an annual subscription by using a subscriber's link; this is my link.

And a reminder that you can read any publication for free though your library card and apps like Libby!

Style Inspo & Sale Alert

LOFT has 50% off sitewide, no code needed, and no minimum for free shipping. I often find LOFT to skew a bit young, but I also have found some favorite pieces there that I enjoy for years.

I really like LOFT tees and tanks; I own more than one of these tees and two of these sleeveless tee/tank hybrids (great weight, the white is opaque).
LOFT's linen blend is 55% Linen 45% Viscose and gets great reviews for breathability, washability, and drape. My picks are these shorts, these pants, this top, this blouse, and this shirt.
I dig LOFT in spring and summer because of the great dresses that you could easily find at department stores for 4X the price. And LOFT offers them up to size 18 and in petites. I especially like this one and this one.
This sweater is 100% cotton and reminds me of one I got at Talbots years ago and live in every spring and summer.

I shot this photo a couple of years ago and it's still a favorite… and so is the product!

The Colleen Rothschild Bestsellers Sale is on with 25% off the most popular skincare products from this brand I have loved and used consistently since 2016. My personal favorites:

I thought I had combination sensitive reactive skin even though I used all sorts of cleansers and products for sensitive skin. Then I used the Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm and it made my skin happy and strong and supple. I've tried other oil cleansers; IMO this is the GOAT.
I keep a bottle of Face Oil No. 9 on my nightstand. I apply two pumps to my face and décolleté before getting into bed. It's light, it sort of “seals” in the rest of my skincare and adds hydration that lasts.
I shared the magic of the Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream on Instagram Stories yesterday; alone or under makeup it blurs and disguises dark circles and darkness anywhere (hello marionette lines) without looking obvious and while moisturizing.

blazer | pants | top

M.M.LaFleur has its Hop To It Event with 20% off using code HOP20. Sale ends March 30th. If you have been looking for colorful suiting and workwear, M.M. has brought it this spring with Sunset (I own that blazer in 16, it's a great piece), Ocean Blue, Deep Iris, Viridian (which you saw in this capsule wardrobe), and Red Ribbon is the perfect pop for work, play, and everything in between.

See/Hear/Read

This week we finished The Madison (Paramount+), the latest Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone) series. If it's Taylor Sheridan you know there will be sweeping landscapes during golden hour, beautiful and slightly unhinged women and patient strong men who love them. And this one has it, with gorgeous sweeping views of Montana, Michelle Pfeiffer whose character Stacy Clyburn is strong and beautiful and broken, and Kurt Russel, the patient strong man who loves her fiercely.

The Clyburn family not sure how they feel about Montana

The concept is that Pfeiffer lives in NYC with her husband (Russell) and so do her two adult daughters and their families. Russell's character is a wealthy Wall Street dude in NYC, and while he adores his wife and family, a big part of his heart is in Montana, where he has a plot of land and a compound of cabins on the edge of the Madison Lake. Due to a family tragedy, the Clyburn family flies between Madison Avenue and Madison Lake.

Beau Garrett as Abigail, the eldest daughter, and Michelle Pfeiffer as her mom, Stacy.

This series is not tied to Yellowstone; there are no overlapping characters or storylines. It is six episodes, and Season 2 is already filmed and ready to come out supposedly later this year. The women are all slightly unhinged but not as much as say Beth Dutton of Yellowstone or Angela Norris of Landman, the men are strong but not always in the most typical manner, and my husband and I both really enjoyed it and are looking forward to Season 2.

I can't end this review without mentioning the beauty that is Michelle Pfeiffer (67) and her phenomenal hair in the series. From the research I did, it's not a wig, it's not extensions, it's just glorious. And in case you're wondering about Pfeiffer's sunglasses in the show, they are the Celine “Baby Audrey” style CL4003IN. That color is available at Alexander Daas, and the tortoise and black options are available for regular or prescription lenses at Sunglass Hut.

For Your Entertainment

Image via God is in the TV

Who else remembers Trashcan Sinatras? Honestly, I didn't remember the music, only the name, and when I saw it pop up in my YouTube algorithm, I went down music memory lane.

A Scottish group that formed in 1986, Trashcan Sinatras were sometimes compared to The Smiths but never as well known. I'd say their most recognized song is “Opportunity Knocks.”

Well, Trashcan Sinatras are back, releasing their seventh album this summer and dropping singles for early buzz. The latest is, “Bad Husband,” and if the female voice sounds familiar, it's Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell. And the actors in the video may also look quite familiar to you,

Johnny Was Swimwear & Resort Wear: A Complete Guide for Women Over 40

Alison Gary — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

If there is one brand that got a lot of buzz in the Wardrobe Oxygen community last year, it was Johnny Was. It seemed everyone was curious about it, wanted to know more about the brand's history, the quality, and if it was worth the price. Johnny Was is one of my top-performing affiliate brands, which is surprising because until now I have never had a dedicated post or review about the brand. The reason it performs so well is because when my readers buy it, they keep it. Rarely returned, rarely exchanged. That kind of track record tells you something.

I started looking more closely at Johnny Was while researching swimwear for women over 40 (stay tuned for that article), and what I found deserved its own dedicated post.

What Is Johnny Was?

Johnny Was is not a person. It's a California-based fashion label founded in 1987 by Eli Levite, named after the Bob Marley song. From the beginning, the brand has been known for elevated, artisan-inspired clothing: intricate embroidery, rich textiles, international influences, and a colorful boho aesthetic that feels elevated, but joyful and relaxed.

What sets it apart from most brands women over 40 shop? Johnny Was was designed for us from the start. Not a brand aimed at a younger demographic that we pick through for pieces that work; Johnny Was has always had the stylish woman in midlife as its core customer.

Johnny Was started as a wholesale brand, sold through high-end department stores, until 2010 when the first boutique opened in Santa Monica. Today there are several Johnny Was boutiques, a full e-commerce site, and continued placement in top department stores globally. In 2015, Endeavour Capital acquired a majority stake; in 2022, Oxford Industries, the parent company of Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, and Jack Rogers, acquired Johnny Was for $270 million. (I wrote more about what Oxford Industries' ownership means for brand pricing in this piece on Lilly Pulitzer, fast fashion, and apparel prices.)

Is Johnny Was Worth the Price?

This is the question I get most, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you're comparing it to.

Johnny Was is considered an affordable luxury brand. Prices range from under $150 for accessories, leggings, and tees up to $1,800 for the label's signature 100% silk kimonos. Most pieces fall somewhere in between. That's not an impulse-buy price point… but it's also not arbitrary.

What you're paying for: the quality of the textiles, the complexity of the embroidery and beading, the uniqueness of the prints, and silhouettes that are designed to be worn and loved for decades, not discarded after one season. Johnny Was creates its clothing to be collector's items.

On sizing: The majority of the collection runs XXS/2 through XXL/16, and is known for a slightly generous and relaxed fit. Many styles are also available in petite (PXS/4–PXXL/16) and plus sizes (1X/18-20W through 3X/26W). Size availability varies by style, so I've noted ranges throughout this post, and I've built one capsule specifically around the plus-size range.

How to Wear Johnny Was Without It Wearing You

The Johnny Was aesthetic is specific: elevated boho chic, built on luxury fabrics and decorated with embroidery, beading, and vivid prints. If that sounds like a lot, it can be… but it doesn't have to be.

My own aesthetic runs pretty clean and minimal, and I love Johnny Was precisely because one piece does all the work. A Johnny Was jacket transforms a simple tank and pair of jeans. One of the Johnny Was blouses elevates your tried and true work pants. Let the piece be the statement and keep everything else simple. The prints are works of art, the silhouettes are comfortable, and the overall effect is effortlessly put-together in a way that's very hard to fake with a cheaper alternative.

For swimwear and resort wear specifically, this aesthetic is close to perfect for grown women who want to look chic at the pool without looking over the top, gaudy, or like they're trying to hide.

The Johnny Was Swim & Resort Collection

I'm not usually a matchy-matchy dresser. But for vacation and beachwear? I am completely on board. It's fun, it's chic, and a coordinated set elevates the whole experience. Johnny Was leans fully into the matched set for its swim collection, and I love the result.

Below I've put together four capsule wardrobes built around Johnny Was swim prints: while all three have a good size range, one specifically features plus sizes.

Johnny Was “Mulla” Print Vacation Capsule Wardrobe

The “Mulla” print was the first one to stop me scrolling. It has a strong Pucci vibe: blue and lavender, graphic and summery, and it's the kind of print that pairs beautifully with crisp white. Tan and straw accessories ground it, taking it from daytime beach to evening resort without changing much else.

Johnny Was “Cristada” Print Vacation Capsule Wardrobe

The “Cristada” print is more boho and more energetic. I envisioned it as the capsule for someone who wants color and pattern and movement. I pulled several colors out of the print to build the rest of the collection, so it feels cohesive even when you're mixing in pieces from other brands. And how divine is that matching reversible towel?

Johnny Was “Baccara” Print Vacation Capsule Wardrobe

Let's settle the debate: black is absolutely a summer color, and the “Baccara” print makes the case beautifully. This is a dark floral that feels glamorous rather than heavy: the kind of print that looks elegant and elevated, and takes you from the pool deck to the resort restaurant with just a change of shoes. There were so many pieces in this collection it was genuinely hard to narrow it down. I kept the basics simple and black so the flowers could do what they do best.

The Baccara collection includes some of the strongest plus-size options in the entire Johnny Was swim line: both the one-piece swimsuit and the wrap pants are available in XXS-3X.

Johnny Was in Plus Sizes: The “Melia” Print Capsule

If you've been scrolling through this post thinking this brand looks amazing but I need more than an XL… this section is for you.

While some of the Johnny Was pieces in the collections above are in plus sizes, I wanted to create a capsule that is completely available up to 3X and equally as chic. I chose the Melia print, which comes in both white and navy. I mixed the two here intentionally: together they create something crisp, classic, and genuinely versatile across a range of summer destinations, from a beach resort to a Mediterranean port day.

The anchor piece is the ruched one-piece swimsuit (XXS–3X), which is quintessential Johnny Was: a mix of beautiful prints, a very wearable silhouette, and the kind of quality that makes you feel polished. From there, white linen pants, a navy slip dress, and a white eyelet duster give you easy outfit combinations that work from the sand to dinner. I had to include the embroidered tee; it's the epitome of the Johnny Was aesthetic!

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnny Was is known for a generous, relaxed fit, so if you're between sizes, most customers find they can size down. That said, fit varies by silhouette: structured pieces like blouses tend to run more true to size, while flowy styles run large. When in doubt, check the individual product reviews on the Johnny Was site, which tend to be detailed and reliable.

Yes. Many Johnny Was styles are available in petite sizing, ranging from PXS (equivalent to a size 4) through PXXL (size 16). Petite availability is noted per item rather than across the entire collection, so look for the petite filter on the site or check individual listings.

Yes, though not across every style. Plus sizes at Johnny Was run from 1X (equivalent to an 18/20W) through 3X (26W). Johnny Was has a separate menu category for its plus size offerings, and when items are plus size it's noted on the main product page. I've noted size ranges throughout this post and built a dedicated plus-size capsule around the Melia print above.

Johnny Was is available through its own website and boutiques, as well as at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other high-end department stores. Shopping directly through Johnny Was typically gives you the widest selection of styles and sizes.

Yes… and this is backed up by my own affiliate data, not just brand marketing. Johnny Was is consistently one of my lowest return-rate brands, which tells me customers are getting what they expected (or better). The swimwear specifically uses high-quality, colorfast fabric and the prints are designed to coordinate across pieces, so your suit, coverup, and towel actually match in person, not just in the product photos.

Is ShopMy Worth It? A Full-Time Blogger’s Honest Take

Alison Gary — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0000

There has been a lot of discussion about ShopMy, a relatively new platform on the scene for creators and shoppers. I've been blogging for over 20 years, been monetizing it since almost the beginning, and got into affiliate sales in the late 2000s. I want to share my experience with ShopMy, what I like about it, what bothers me about it, and how I use it as a blogger and social media content creator.

Please know there are affiliate links in this post, including my referral links for ShopMy. If you use one of these links and make a purchase or sign up, I may make a commission.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

This is a very long article geared towards fellow creators interested in using ShopMy or wanting help with using this creator platform. For my regular audience, hang tight, I'll be back to regular style advice content tomorrow. That being said, I think it is important to be an informed consumer and this is one of the many ways I and other content creators make money.

While many of us may call ourselves content creators or influencers or digital producers or bloggers, we all run our businesses differently. Let me share a description of my business and how I run it so you can understand how I use ShopMy and its tools.

CURIOUS ABOUT SHOPMY?

If you are interested in joining ShopMy for creators, I would be honored if you use my referral link.

If you are a shopper and curious about ShopMy, I thank you in advance for using my referral link to check it out.

My Experience as a Full-Time Professional Blogger and Content Creator

In 2005, I began a blog, envisioning each blog post was a different chapter in a style advice book. Soon after, I started a second blog where I journaled my work outfits. All of it started as a hobby, but within a year, I had brands offering to send me free things. Within three years, I had ads on my sites and was using affiliate links to earn a few cents per click or purchase.

In 2014, I merged both of these blogs together into what is Wardrobe Oxygen today. At that time, I also moved from Blogger/Blogspot to WordPress. Almost a decade into blogging, I began to take it more seriously, and also leaned more into social media. By 2016, I was making more from Wardrobe Oxygen than I was at my job as a project manager for a government subcontractor. At the end of 2017, I quit my day job and have worked solely for myself since.

My business is still primarily this blog. However, I do have multiple social media platforms, an email list, and a Substack. They are mainly used to bring traffic back to this site, as this is the part of the job I love the most: writing, sharing advice, being helpful, and creating a community.

When I quit my day job, I leaned hard into social media and sponsored posts and paid opportunities with brands. But when the pandemic happened, I saw the change in this creator world, and decided to focus again on my content, my audience, and what makes me different from my peers. I went from almost 50% of my money coming from brand partnerships (Reels, sponsored posts, UGC, etc.) to about 10%. However, because I invested in my site, my email list, and my community, I was able to supplement and even increase my income with affiliate and ad revenue.

I steadily increased my revenue from 2016 to 2023. My mom passed at the end of September 2023 and the following two years my heart wasn't in the business. I was doing a lot of soul searching, and with the change in our country, wondering my purpose and future in digital content. My income was affected, but not as much if I had still relied on brand partnerships. Having a blog with ads and affiliate links is security; you make money every day, even if you aren't online.

Allie got her groove back in 2026, and I am enjoying this job again, with a new sense of purpose. I am creating the content I wish to see in this world, and doing the renovations on this site I have wanted to do for years. And I want to share what I have learned and how I have achieved success.

When I went to college, I didn't use a computer. I learned everything from Google and being curious. There is so much gatekeeping, smoke and mirrors in this industry. If we all have the same information and tools, then the creators with actual talent will rise to the top. This benefits not only the hardworking talented folk, but our audiences. Less AI slop, fewer filters and lies, more trust, more support, more authenticity, more community.

Why I Use ShopMy for Wardrobe Oxygen

I like ShopMy because it isn't trying to be a get rich scheme for folks doing Amazon hauls and shilling protein shakes. It is a site for curators, not creators, and benefits those who have true audiences and a unique perspective. It is not trying to make me a clone of another creator in Dallas or Salt Lake City, it is not pushing me to be on TikTok or film every minute of my day. If you take offense to anything I wrote in this paragraph, ShopMy may not be for you. And that's okay, there is Amazon, and Mavely, and LTK, and BrandCycle, and TikTok Shop and so many other platforms.

But if you have been on another platform and feel ignored even though you have been successful, if you wish there was more transparency on sales and profits and transactions, if you want closer relationships with brands, and if you want to get off the SponCon treadmill and build a community of people who trust your recommendations… ShopMy vs. LTK may be right for you.

ShopMy for creators requires a referral to join; if you haven't gotten one from another, here is the link to my referral. Do know folks are giving out their referral links because we can profit from it. If you use ShopMy well, we make a commission off your commissions. Knowing this, I used the link of someone I respected as a thank you to sign up; I encourage you to do the same.

Building Your Shop in ShopMy

A screenshot of my shop on ShopMy

With the ShopMy platform, you create a “shop.” For those with Amazon storefronts, this may feel kind of familiar. Add a profile photo, create a bio, link to your different platforms, and create different tabs for your shop. As you see in the link above and if you visit my shop (link), I have tabs/sections for Wardrobe Oxygen Essentials, Swim, Instagram, Capsule Wardrobes, Style Inspo, My Picks, and more.

Your tabs relate to your platforms and your kind of content. Beauty, home, family, productivity, travel, whatever. Focus on your niche and what you're known for. For example, if you're a travel blogger but you're also known for curly hair and running marathons, have a tab for curly hair and one for marathon musts as well as ones for categories of items you recommend (summer travel, cruises, winter travel, whatever makes sense).
Create a tab for your Instagram and/or TikTok. If you have a YouTube, create one for that as well. The TikTok and Instagram ones you can upload directly from your platform an image from your post or story and link to the relevant items. For YouTube, you can make a shelf for each video using a screenshot of the video and the title of the video.

I recommend building your shop on a computer, not your phone. It can be done on a phone, but it's far easier on a laptop and then you can easily add and modify from your phone. Know you can keep anything in your shop hidden until you feel it is ready to be visible to others. Play, modify, get comfortable before launching.

Creating Sections in your ShopMy Shop

When you create your tab (ShopMy calls them sections), you can choose the name, the order in which it is listed, and also how it will look.

For example, my tab/category “Wardrobe Oxygen Essentials” is set up as “shelves.” You can see the first few items, it's good for focusing on product.

This is my “Shop the Blog” tab/category, and for it I used the “Editorial” layout. I used the featured photo of each blog post, have a title and description that is informative (and also good for SEO), and then you click for the actual items.

My “Style Inspo” category uses the “Square” layout. This is where I house collages I have created for Instagram, Weekend Reads, various blog posts, and even my best-performing items from LTK are also uploaded here.

And here is my “Instagram” tab, which is vertical posts. You can see it is a mix of Stories and in-feed content. It isn't the prettiest category on my shop, but it proves extremely useful. Speaking of use…

How to Build a Shelf in ShopMy

Now you have your sections, let's build a shelf! I recently wrote a blog post about wide width comfort sneakers, let's do a shelf in my “Shop the Blog” section:

In the top right corner of your section/tab there is a button that says “Add Collection.” Tap that and you will come to a screen that looks like the screenshot above.

Name your collection something not terribly long but informative (I used the title of the blog post).
Describe your collection; I have found that Google picks up ShopMy shelves so without keyword stuffing, describe in a way that will attract the right audience.
If you have a related blog post, YouTube video, Reel, etc. tap the “Add Social Link” and add it. You can add multiple links here.
If you have a screenshot or featured photo, add it at “Upload Media for Post.”

Now it's time to add products to this shelf. This can be done in a variety of ways:

Tap the “Add Product” button to the right and you can add a non-affiliate link to affiliate-ize, you can search through links you have already made, or search links already in ShopMy.
- If you use links you already made, there is a pale gray “+quick add” in the lower right of each item; use that. Then you can add a bunch of items without having to go back to this screen. This is best if you are featuring the same item in multiple collections.
- If your item doesn't show, you can use the search field at top
You can go to “Links” in your dashboard, search links you have already made, and add them individually or in bulk to an existing collection
As you make links with the ShopMy bookmarklet, you can choose to add them to existing collections.
I don't recommend more than 20 items in a collection. 12-15 IMO is the sweet spot.

Here I uploaded a different photo, changed the title of the product, and added a description to better inform my audience about this shoe.

Once the items are in your shelf, you can continue to customize. Hover over each item and you will see icons for the link, a pencil, and three dots in the lower right corner, and three lines in the top right.

The three lines let you hold and drag the item to move it around in the collection. The first five items show on a shelf, so always put the best at the top.
The three dots let you delete, quickly move the item to the top, edit the item, duplicate it, or copy the link.
The pencil lets you edit the item. This, IMO, is pretty useful. Change the name of the item. Add details why you recommend it. Even change the photo: you can pick one offered, find one on Google, or even upload one (could be a photo of you wearing it!).

For example, for this shelf of the same shoes, but on a different tab/category, I updated all the titles to have the name of the shoe, and updated all the photos from the default to ones of humans wearing or at least holding the shoe. Now let me explain why I have two shelves of the same stuff…

How to Use ShopMy Shelves

There are a range of ways to use ShopMy shelves; below I share just a few that work for me:

Embeddable Components

A screenshot from the bottom of one of my blog's posts using “Full Collection Embed” from ShopMy

As I mentioned, I wrote a blog post about wide width comfort sneakers. In the blog post, I used ShopMy affiliate links for each individual product, but at the bottom of the post, I also have a “boutique” of the featured shoes. This was created using that shelf of people with the shoes. It gives a different perspective from the product photos throughout the blog post; I thought it added value. This “boutique” is the Full Collection Embed feature available for every ShopMy shelf.

For a different blog post I wrote about how to style the color chartreuse, I made collages of outfits and below each one had a product carousel of the items in the collage. They were created using shelves I had pre-made in ShopMy. I uploaded the collages I made to ShopMy while writing the piece in my “Style Inspo” tab and linked the items. Here is the shelf for the outfit above.

Both the “boutique” and the “carousel” were created using the Embeddable Components tool in ShopMy. At the top of each shelf is a a tab titled, “Settings & Sharing.” When you tap it, you will see tools to change the look and location of shelf, but also a tab titled “Embeddable Components.”

Tap that and scroll down and you will find code for both the carousel and the full collection embed/boutique.
In WordPress/Gutenberg, add an HTML block and drop in the code. You may wish to add
at the end to have some space between it and the next piece of content; it depends on your site design.
Any changes to your shelf will reflect in these embeddable tools; you can replace sold out items, add and delete without having to edit your blog post.

Shop the Post

A screenshot from LinkDM showing what I set up for a Reel I shared on Instagram. I set it up to share a link to the blog post (which has ShopMy links and embeddable components) but also to the ShopMy shelf for those who just want to shop and not read.

If you've been using a different platform that offers a super easy way to upload content in it then click a button to share on your Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok feed… ShopMy doesn't have that. But because it doesn't, you have more ability to customize and choose what to send, how to send it, and your audience doesn't have to download an app to access it.

Plan ahead: if you know what you will be wearing or sharing in your content, create the shelf ahead of time. Make it a shelf, or upload a screenshot, collage, or photo of the content and add it to that photo.
Use a tool like LinkDM or ManyChat to do the “comment X” work. I use LinkDM (free up to 1K DMs/mo; I use the paid option), but you choose what is best for you and your business.

I am finding I get more sales using this method with ShopMy versus LTK. However, everyone's audiences are different. If you have an audience that is comfortable with LTK and uses it regularly, that may be a better choice. I have an older audience, and I find many of them do not want to use another app and/or view my social content on laptops which ShopMy supports.

Added Value to Your Site

Are you an esthetician who has a list of products they constantly recommend? Are you a personal organizer who always uses the same bins, hangers, and labeling products? The ShopMy affiliate platform can work for your site, as well as for blogs like mine.

For my site, I have a “Shop Wardrobe Oxygen” tab in my top menu. If you go to it, you will see I have ShopMy embeddable components for a variety of categories. I have the same shelves on one tab/category in my ShopMy shop: Wardrobe Oxygen Essentials. Once a month, I update the content in these shelves and the updates immediately show up on my site.

I also use ShopMy embeddable components on category landing pages. For example, I am a creator who sells a lot of bras and intimates. On my landing page for bras and intimates, I added a ShopMy embeddable component of my personal favorites. Note that I used the edit tools for each item to change the name to better describe why I included it. You can see the corresponding shelf at this link. Again, I update this regularly to ensure items are in stock, current colors, and my favorites at the top.

Okay, so now you've set up your shop and made some shelves. Let's get into the other features of ShopMy…

ShopMy Creator Tiers

ShopMy ranks their curators into tiers: Enthusiast, Ambassador, Trendsetter, and Icon. When you join, you are automatically an Enthusiast ShopMy Tier, and then you gain “points” based on how much you complete your account, how much you sell, how much you use ShopMy, and how many folks you recruit to join ShopMy.

Folks push their referral link hard, but it only adds up to 20 of the 100 points to reach the top tier: Icon. And to even get points for referrals, your recruit needs to reach and maintain Ambassador level or higher. For reference, at the time of writing this I have recruited 8 curators, but of them, only one has hit or maintained status for me to get credits.
Half of your points go to monthly order volume, which makes sense. This shows you know your audience, you link to the right things, and they are purchased from you.
You get 10 points just for completing your profile. So before you get all gung-ho, do the work and set things up correctly.
Full details about the ShopMy Tiers system, including an information video, can be found at this link.

I am an Icon with ShopMy. I am not saying that to boast, but because you cannot judge a book or a content creator by its cover or its social media numbers. On Instagram, I am a microinfluencer; to some I may even be considered a nanoinfluencer. But just as I preach with my content on this site, my audience is quality, not quantity. I have spent years building their trust, and it shows in my performance on ShopMy and other platforms.

The difference is ShopMy is the one where I am recognized for my success and not judged by how often I post or how many followers I have acquired. I can post on Instagram, and Facebook, and Pinterest, and Substack, on my blog, and in my newsletters. It doesn't matter, I am trusted to know what is best for my business and my audience. Speaking of being recognized for success…

Product Gifting at ShopMy

Gifting is one of the most popular aspects of ShopMy. You will be notified to visit the platform, where brands will offer a certain amount of items from a specific lookbook. The higher tier you are in ShopMy, the more gifting opportunities you receive.

You do not need (and I personally recommend you don't) accept every gifting opportunity. Respond promptly (this benefits your Tier ranking and is respectful to the brand), but if it's not a good fit and you wouldn't share such content regularly, decline. Other opportunities will come.

I began receiving great opportunities that fit the Wardrobe Oxygen community, but didn't fit my schedule. Realizing you can change the name and address for where these giftings go, I began offering them to my readers to do paid reviews for the site. You can see them at this link. If you have a team, you can easily send them items from ShopMy. Just remember to switch the name and address for the next gifting; I forgot and one of my readers (hi, Tiffany!) ended up with some lovely skincare, bras, and a water bottle!

Gifting does not mean you will build a relationship with the brand. Some brands will hound you asking you to share the product, others will never reply to your messages or recognize you mentioned them on social or made sales. Which leads to the next section…

Direct Chat with Brands

As soon as you join ShopMy you will begin to get direct messages from brands. Sometimes they use your name, sometimes they call you “lovely” or “dear,” but rarely are they actually personal. They thank you for your support and share they're on ShopMy, or maybe they let you know about a new product launch or a sale coming up that weekend. However, you cannot have conversations with these brands until you reach Trendsetter status.

And even then, they may not reply. Heck, you may get gifting or opportunities from them and still they may not reply. You can sell $25K worth of their product in one month and they still may not reply.

Other brands, you can chat with them like it's one of your besties in the DMs of Instagram. And others, they will begin to email you directly along with using the chat feature. There is no rhyme or reason to when it happens, but when it does, it's awesome.

You can test their level of communication by replying to their blast about a sale or launch. And if you do post about them, send them a link and/or screenshot in the chat. Again, they may never reply, or maybe they will and you two will build a beautiful business relationship together.

Paid Opportunities

Opportunities is one of my favorite aspects of ShopMy, and one of the things that made me a convert. Opportunities are when a brand reaches out and offer a flat fee/bonus for making X number of links and/or Y number of social mentions. Some of these opportunities also come with a lookbook for gifting. Again, not bragging, but for scale, I made more in Q1 on ShopMy opportunities than I did in all of 2025 on LTK collaborations and it took a helluva lot less work.

These opportunities are usually with brands you have already shown success with. It's not hard to share a few links to a favorite retailer, especially when they can be placed anywhere. I can put a link in my Facebook group, in my Instagram Story, on my blog, my newsletter, my Substack. It doesn't matter, as long as it gets the minimum number of clicks.

Mentions for opportunities are, at least for my account, focused on Instagram (Stories or in-feed). These occasionally are just “@” mentions, other times a visible hashtag is also required and this is clearly explained before accepting. No need to upload content; the ShopMy platform tracks it on your behalf.

Some of these bonuses are instant payouts, some are a 90-day payout. This is clearly stated before accepting the opportunity. And just like gifting, you do not need to accept every opportunity. If it's not a good fit, say no, other opportunities will come your way, especially if you perform well with the ones you accept. Which leads us to the next section…

ShopMy Transparency

The #1 reason why I love ShopMy? The transparency. I've been working with affiliate platforms for two decades and have never seen anything this clear, easy to follow, and honest.

You can turn on analytics on your Shop and see how many views of your shop, and each individual shelf and collection. You can also see at a quick glance how much money you have made from each collection.
- FYI, views and revenue for these is from the shop, but also the embeddable components. It's really nice to be able to see how many people shopped those components versus individual links to help tailor future blog posts and landing pages.
On the “Links” tab of your dashboard, you can see easily how many clicks and orders you got from each link and how much you earned in commission. No need to download a .csv (though you can if you want), it's right there on your desktop and also in the app and you can have ascending or descending order for any of the factors, search by time period, and narrow by brand.
On the “Earnings” tab you can clearly see your Tier, upcoming payment, pending payments, how much you've been paid, and lifetime earnings. Scroll down, and it breaks down revenue by month, individual items sold, referral commissions, completed opportunity rates and if they've been paid out, and more.
For each opportunity you accept, you have a dashboard showing what is left to complete it, how many clicks you've gotten on the links, how many views on social mentions, and how much you sold. It's fun to see the results of your work; I've never seen it so clearly before with other platforms.
Within the app, when you chat with a brand, right at the top you can see how much you have sold for them. That, IMO, is badass.
From what I have heard from those I know on the brand side, they too have far more transparency with ShopMy.

Issues with ShopMy

I have had no issues with ShopMy, but again, my business is likely different from yours.

I am okay with a delayed payout; I've been doing this job so long the income is pretty consistent. Wardrobe Oxygen is set up as an S-Corp so I pay myself a monthly salary based on my last year's revenue.

I haven't had issue with missing commissions, but honestly I don't follow them super hard. I know that commissions get dismissed and reversed for a range of reasons, and a lot of brands will not let you use your own affiliate links. Also, for my brand, I rarely link to the retailers that are known for different commissions on different departments for different circumstances.

I have heard folks had their shops shut down without notice. However, from digging in further, I have found that some of these folks went against the ShopMy terms and conditions. It's important to read these T&Cs; for example if you share a promo code offered to you through ShopMy on a site like RetailMeNot, they can kick you out. If they know you are sharing your commissions, conversations with brands, or any other private data, they can kick you out.

I had one issue where my qualifying links for a paid opportunity weren't showing up in the dashboard. I contacted ShopMy and ended up in an AI hole of frustration. I then made a screenshot of the link details from my “Links” tab, sent the screenshot to the brand I was working with, and they fixed it on their end.

I do not have a rep or consultant with ShopMy. I don't know if others do, but I don't feel I really need one. I have one with LTK, but in my almost decade with that company (FKA rewardStyle), I only had one rep who offered me truly personalized support and within a year she was promoted higher up in the company. Again, my business and experience is likely different from yours.

YMMV

I know I've written this many times, but I must reiterate, every creator's business, focus, needs, and experience is different. Your mileage with ShopMy may vary, hell the way you use it can be drastically different than me and you're going to leave a comment saying I got it all wrong. But that's the beauty of this wacky job of ours: we make it ours, on our terms.

A rising tide lifts all ships. There is enough pie for everyone in the creator world. The more informed we all are, the more likely the truly talented creators succeed. I hope you found this beneficial, and I hope you get the success you deserve.

Questions I've Been Asked About ShopMy

Since I started talking about ShopMy on Threads and Substack, my DMs have been full of questions. Here are the ones that come up most often:

Do you need a lot of followers to join ShopMy?

No, and this is one of the things I love most about it. ShopMy is built around sales and engagement, not follower counts. I am a microinfluencer on Instagram by most definitions, and at ShopMy I am an Icon, their top tier. If you have an engaged audience who trusts your recommendations, ShopMy is designed to recognize and reward that.

How is ShopMy different from LTK?

I still use both, and they serve different purposes in my business. LTK has a built-in shopper app and audience; some of my readers have been using it for years and are comfortable there. ShopMy gives me more transparency, more direct brand relationships, and more flexibility in how and where I share links. If your audience skews older or you have a blog- or Substack-first business like mine, you may prefer ShopMy.

How do you get a referral to join ShopMy?

You need a referral from an existing ShopMy creator. I share mine not just because I may earn a commission if you do well, but because I truly think it's a good platform for the right kind of creator. However, I'd rather you use the link of someone whose work you respect as a small thank you to them.

Do you make more money on ShopMy than LTK?

For my business, yes, and significantly so in 2025 and into 2026. But I want to be careful about making that a blanket statement, because every creator's audience is different. What I can say is that the Opportunities feature alone has changed what paid brand work looks like for me: less performance pressure, more aligned partnerships, and clearer and faster payouts.

Is ShopMy worth it if you're just starting out?

Honestly, it depends on what “just starting out” means for you. If you're brand new to content creation and building an audience from scratch, I'd focus on that first. But if you've been creating for a while, have an engaged readership or following, and feel like you're being ignored or undervalued on other platforms then yes, ShopMy is worth exploring.

What's the catch with ShopMy?

The payout timeline can be slow (commissions are brand-specific but up to 90 days), and customer support leans heavily on AI, which I found frustrating the one time I needed help. Also, if you're used to the built-in social sharing tools on LTK, ShopMy's approach is more manual and may require additional tools. But for me, I'd argue that's actually a feature, not a bug, because I find it gives you more control.

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