Personally, I like to wear a summery white-out top and bottom, or white dress with gold, whiskey or light blue accents. That means gold or whiskey belt, shoes and bag, or sometimes a light blue bag. I add gold and pearl jewellery, and a pair of light blue specs. I also like to add some texture like eyelet, lace, or cabled and open weave knitwear. That breaks up the expanse of white, which is punchier with my low contrast skin tone and hair. You might prefer to accent white-out with black, bronze, tan, silver, pewter, chocolate, white, or a wicker bag.

Remember that washing machines were invented to keep white clothes white. Onto some outfit inspiration. Choose the whites that work best for you.

1. Dress

Wearing a white dress is an easy way to wear white-out. A textured white fabric like eyelet creates some outfit interest and looks a bit like a pattern. White slides complete this look. A bronze or brown bag gets my vote.

More examples of white dresses to create a white-out look:

2. Three Pieces

This white-out look is created with three lightweight and breezy pieces, and is an excellent way to stay cool and covered in high heat. A pair of white lantern pants is paired with a white tank top. A white duster, tunic or shirtdress is worn open and over the duo like a jacket. A white shirt can work too. Brown thong sandals with black soles are the summery shoes of choice. They match a black bag, the model’s black hair, the black cord necklace and eyewear.

3. Pants or Jeans

A pair of white barrel jeans is matched with a semi-tucked white blouse. The whites are saturated and match well. Wearing a white camisole under a white top will make it look whiter. The outfit is accented with black sandals and belt. Feel free to sub them with browns or metallics.

More examples of white-out looks with pants and jeans:

4. Skirts and Shorts

Last, here are white-out looks with skirts and shorts. Some of the looks are matching sets, or co-ords. Some looks include vests and jackets. Add jewellery, hat, eyewear and watch as desired.

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My clientele and friends generally wear an assortment of underwire and wireless bras because each has their strengths. Underwire bras can provide more lift, shaping, separation, and support. On the other hand, wireless bras can be more comfortable, flexible, and less restrictive, making them a popular choice for lounging, travel, working from home, super casual outfits, and long days. Some people find underwires uncomfortable or difficult to fit properly, while others feel unsupported without them. As with most style and wardrobe preferences, there is no right or wrong option. The best choice depends on your comfort preferences, support needs, aesthetic preferences, the outfit, the setting, and your lifestyle. Many people happily wear both, choosing whichever feels right for the occasion.

I bat for Team Wire. My sports bras have underwires too. I don’t have wireless bras or bralettes because unlike most people I suspect, I am extremely comfortable wearing a wired bra with full coverage. I happily wear them on very long flights too. Conversely, I find wireless bras and bralettes uncomfortable. I love the support and shape a wired balconette bra creates in my outfits. I also love the look of a very pretty, lace underwire bra. Somehow, knowing that I’m wearing a pretty lace bra under my clothes makes me feel better in my outfits.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Wire or Team Wireless? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, you’re Team Bench, where I’m serving Korean tofu with fennel, peppers and tomatoes, sweet curried king oyster mushrooms, rice, and mint aero for dessert.

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Scarves come in an enormous range of sizes, shapes, fabrics, weights, colours, and patterns. There are tiny neckerchiefs, bandanas, pocket-sized silk squares, long rectangular scarves, oversized wraps, blanket scarves, shawls, and dramatic oblong styles that can be wrapped several times around the neck. Some are lightweight, gauzy, and airy, while others are substantial, insulating, and cosy.

The fabric possibilities are equally varied. Silk, cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, modal, viscose, chiffon, velvet, and knitted yarns are just some of the options. A beachy linen scarf creates a very different effect from a crisp silk square or a chunky cashmere scarf. Some scarves feel relaxed and nonchalant. Others are polished and dressy. Some can swing either way depending on how they’re styled.

Scarves can be practical accessories. They keep you warm on a cold day, shield your neck from the sun, and provide an extra layer when temperatures fluctuate. They can also be purely decorative. A scarf can inject colour and pattern into a neutral outfit, repeat a colour elsewhere in the look, pattern mix with other patterns, soften a tailored ensemble, add visual texture, or become the focal point of an outfit.

The styling possibilities are abundant. Scarves can be tied around the neck in countless ways, draped over the shoulders, worn as wraps, looped through belt loops, tied onto handbag handles, worn as belts, styled as headscarves, wrapped around ponytails, or used as beach cover-ups. A small silk square can look crisp, classic, and retro. A large scarf can feel dramatic and architectural. The same scarf can look completely different depending on how it is worn.

What makes scarves especially interesting is that they can have a powerful impact on an outfit. Sometimes a scarf is exactly what a look needs. It can be the finishing touch that brings everything together and makes an outfit feel complete. Other times a scarf can feel like one element too many. It can compete with a statement necklace, overwhelm a patterned top, hide an interesting neckline, feel uncomfortable around the neck, get in the way with long hair, or add visual clutter to an already busy look.

That’s why scarves are another reminder that style is all about balance. The success of a scarf depends on the outfit, the occasion, the weather, style preferences, outfit proportions, colour palettes, and all the other components that make up a look. There are no rules. Sometimes a scarf is the star of the show. Sometimes the best choice is to leave it at home. Like most accessories, scarves work well when they feel intentional and harmonious with the rest of the outfit.

Experiment with different scarf sizes, fabrics, colours, patterns, and styling methods if you like scarves. Pay attention to how they make you feel. You might discover that scarves become a signature part of your style, or that you prefer them only occasionally. Either way, you’ll find your balance.

Personally, I’ve found my scarf balance, and it took years to get there. I like the look of decorative scarves, although they don’t work as well in practice. I rarely wear pretty silk and cotton scarves, neckerchiefs, or bandanas anymore because they hide my pearls. They also tend to compete with my statement eyewear, bag, and belt. Despite my more maximal style, a scarf is often too much of a good thing for the types of bold outfits I wear. These days, scarf wearing is mostly practical. I wear cashmere scarves with jackets and coats in cold weather to keep warm. I enjoy them as cosy neck and chest insulators, colour vehicles, and finishing touches. They’re fun to match with beanies and bags too. Here is my current scarf collection.

Over to you. Have you found your scarf-wearing balance?

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You might wear shorts out and about, at home, or both. This outfit formula focuses on pairing shorts with tops that are sleeved and voluminous.

1. Billowing Blouse

Bohemian and boho-lite blouses with sleeves are voluminous in subtle or exaggerated ways, and pair wonderfully with shorts. The Poetcore trend offers its billowing versions too. Breezy, lightweight, dressier than a tee, and adds a touch of pretty or dandy. It’s good sun-protection for your upper body too. Wear billowing blouses over shorts, or semi-tucked to temper the volume. Add espadrilles, flat sandals, flat mules, fisherman sandals, mesh flats, or another kind of casual flat. Add a relaxed bag to complete the look.

More examples of sleeved billowing blouses worn with shorts:

2. Matching Set

Matching top and bottoms sets, or co-ords, continue to trend in fashion. They are an easy outfit option because the top and bottom match is ready-to-go. Co-ords can be solid or patterned. Here are examples of long shorts worn with lightweight matching jackets, and shorts of varied lengths worn with matching sleeved shirts. The shirts are worn loosely over the shorts. Feel free to scrunch the long sleeves of shirts to showcase some forearm skin. The AllSaints example is dressier than beachy, and completed with a polished black backpack and hard edged black ankle strap flats.

More beachy and relaxed examples of sleeved shirt and shorts sets. You can break up the set by wearing a tank top under the shirt, leaving the shirt loose and unbuttoned.

3. Drawstring Top

Here, a voluminous white and avant-garde V-neck blouse is tempered by the sporty addition of a drawstring. It’s worn with flared black shorts. Black mesh flats match the shorts and model’s hair. A dark green woven tote adds a casual summery touch, and some colour.

4. Tees, Sweaters, Rugby Tops, Shirts

Last, here are more examples of big sleeved tops worn with shorts and flat casual footwear. There are oversized tees and beachy sweaters, as well as button down shirts that do not create a matching set, roomy rugby tops, and fashion sweatshirts. Add jewellery, eyewear, hats and watch as desired.

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They’re versatile because they can be worn in many ways. On hot days they work on their own with pants, shorts, jeans, jorts, culottes, and skirts for a breezy and relaxed look. They are equally useful as layering pieces under tops worn open like button-down shirts, lightweight blouses, jackets, track tops, and gauzy cardigans. Some people wear them under open-weave pullovers and very sheer tops for coverage. They also layer well under open waistcoats and vests, and can be worn under spaghetti strap dresses for a practical integrity.

Here’s a selection of tanks and muscle tees that have worked well on my clients, or have good reviews. Most are cotton or cotton-rich. Notably, tanks and muscle tees from PACT have particularly good reviews. Tanks from AllSaints are super if you want them fitted with ruching. The short West Side Ruched Tank is great to wear with skirts. There’s a good Washable Stretch Silk Shell Tank from Quince if you’re after something neutral and dressier.

These very lightweight navy Massimo Dutti Cotton Blend Wide-Leg Trousers are worth a look too. They’re wide, swooshy, avant-garde, and surprisingly crease-resistant. Dramatic, drape like a dream, and very comfortable. Easy to hem for petites if they’re too long. They look great with tank tops and muscle tees.

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In short, viscose, modal, and lyocell are all part of the rayon family. They begin as wood pulp from trees like beech, eucalyptus, bamboo, or spruce. The pulp is chemically processed into a soft fibre that can be woven or knitted into fabric. Some classify these as natural fibres because they originate from plants, while others consider them semi-synthetic because of the chemical processing involved.

Rayon

Rayon is the UMBRELLA term. It refers to fibres made from plant pulp that are chemically processed into soft textile fibres. Rayon was originally developed as an affordable alternative to silk, which is why many rayon fabrics have a fluid drape and are silky to the touch. One of rayon’s strengths is that it blends beautifully with other fibres. It softens crisp cotton, relaxes rigid linen, and adds movement and fluidity to fabrics that might otherwise feel stiff or dry. Rayon is also highly breathable and absorbent, making it especially comfortable to wear in warm and hot weather.

Viscose

Viscose is the most common and affordable type of rayon. Quality varies enormously. Superior viscose is quite luxe, like ECO VERO. Inferior viscose wrinkles, pills, shrinks, and loses its shape. Personally, I am hesitant to purchase items made of 100% viscose because of the downside. That said, I have a gorgeous blouse in 100% ECO VERO, which is a brilliantly robust viscose that launders and drapes beautifully. And viscose blended with other fibres is equally brilliant. I’m a big fan of those fabric compositions.

Modal

Modal is a softer and stronger version of rayon. Compared to viscose, modal is generally smoother, more durable, and less prone to shrinkage. It’s a great fibre for knitted fabrics. That’s why it’s a popular fibre in knitwear, loungewear, underwear, and sleepwear. It’s extra soft, comfortable against the skin, and launders well, which is an important attribute for wardrobe basics that become wardrobe workhorses.

Lyocell

Lyocell is another type of rayon, but made with a more modern manufacturing process that is considered more environmentally responsible. It’s increasingly blended with denim to create jeans that feel softer without added stretch. Wool blended with lyocell is also becoming more common because it creates fluid drape and feels especially comfortable against the skin.

Tencel

Tencel is not a separate fibre. It’s a brand name from the Austrian company Lenzing AG for their premium lyocell and modal fibres. Manufacturers often use “Tencel” and “lyocell” interchangeably, although technically Tencel is branded lyocell or modal produced to specific quality and environmental standards.

In the end, these fibres occupy an interesting middle ground between natural and synthetic fabrics (although I think of them as natural rather than synthetic). They offer softness, drape, and comfort that many people love, especially in modern relaxed silhouettes, casual attire, and fluid hot-weather dressing. Understanding the terminology simply makes it easier to decode garment labels and make informed wardrobe choices.

As always, fabric quality matters just as much as fibre content. A beautifully made rayon garment can outperform a poorly made cotton or linen one. Construction, weave, finish, and care all make a difference. And fabrics made of blended fibres can be the very best fabrics of all.

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Onto some outfit inspiration. Choose any colour palette in solids or patterns. The idea is to be inspired by the combination of silhouettes because bubble skirts are more versatile than you might expect. Comfortable and dramatic too.

1. Peplum

A peplum top has a defined waist, which looks lovely with a BIG skirt because it tempers the volume and adds structure to the outfit. It’s a fab one for Team Waist Definition. Here, a black peplum top is combined with a milk chocolate brown bubble skirt. Black sling-back pumps and a small satchel add a dressy and elegant touch to the outfit.

2. T-Shirt

Bubble skirts can be worn casually with T-shirts. Here, a fluid white tee is worn over a periwinkle bubble skirt. A short boxy tee would work well too. A sweater is tied around the waist for a practical and decorative effect, like we did back in the ’80s. The sweater can also be draped around your shoulders. Suede clog hybrids are the super relaxed shoes of choice. Feel free to wear casual sandals, mules, low profile sneakers, espadrilles, or loafers instead.

3. Bubble Hem Squared

Bubble skirts can look less voluminous in a slinky and soft knitted fabric, like in the chartreuse co-ord you see below. The skirt is matched with a bubble hem top in the same colour and fabric to create a two-piece dress. A Spring scarf adds more colour, while pewter shoes ground the outfit in a quietly neutral way.

4. Boxy

Last, an avant-garde look combines a black bubble skirt with hitch-up detailing, making the silhouette look more architectural. It’s combined with a short boxy white blouse with similar hitch-up detailing, thereby marrying it back to the skirt. Simple black slides add a casual and nonchalant element to the outfit. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

I bought a tomato red bubble skirt from H&M that is nostalgic as all heck. Takes me straight back to 1985 and I absolutely LOVE it. The fabric and silhouette looks polished and playful after I pressed out all the creases, and it’s well made too. A $60 skirt that looks like a pricey designer piece. It’s very comfortable, and a delight to wear. It matches many tops and short jackets in my wardrobe, and is easy to style. It perfectly matches my new Everlane sweatshirt, thereby creating a two-piece dress, and that’s how I wore the skirt first. Finished off the look with pearly white dressy flats, pearls, blue specs, and a citron bag. The exact items are represented in the collection. Wearing skirts with sweatshirts has been an excellent outfit formula for my style and climate. I am firmly back on Team Skirt because of this formula.

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What I appreciate most about Levi’s today is the depth and inclusivity of the assortment. There are silhouettes for almost every preference, body type, and style aesthetic. You’ll find skinny, slim, straight, relaxed, boyfriend, barrel, bootcut, flare, wide leg, horseshoe, oversized, and vintage-inspired fits, alongside denim skirts, dresses, jackets, and tops. The range of rises, washes, and inseams is equally extensive. Many styles come in shorter and longer lengths, and some are available in curvy fits. There’s a strong assortment of non-denim casual wear too. You can also shop secondhand Levi’s online, and read about the brand’s sustainability initiatives here.

Levi’s also does a good job with gender-neutral dressing. In my opinion, the 501s were one of the best examples of this back in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Many current items are intentionally unisex, oversized, or relaxed in fit, and there’s an ease and versatility to the collections that feels current. Even some of the so-called unintended unisex pieces work beautifully across genders. For example, some of my women clients have had great luck shopping the men’s department for jeans, tees, and jackets.

Quality is another strength. Levi’s denim is robust, launders well, and most items are reasonably priced. Their Japanese selvedge, Blue Tab, and Japanese-inspired collections are significantly pricier, but worth exploring if you enjoy fashion-forward, dramatic, and avant-garde denim. And if you’re an old-school denim lover like me who enjoys thick, somewhat rigid, 100% cotton denim without stretch, Levi’s has you covered too.

Levi’s stores deserve special mention because the in-person shopping experience is consistently excellent. The staff wear the product creatively and are knowledgeable about fits, washes, rises, and lengths. Promotions and loyalty-member discounts are frequent too, which helps keep the brand feeling accessible despite its iconic status.

A standout feature is the Levi’s Tailor Shop, available in many flagship locations. This takes the denim experience to another level. Customers can have jeans hemmed, tapered, repaired, distressed, embroidered, patched, or otherwise customized. The embroidery and customization options are especially fun. You can add initials, graphics, patches, embellishments, raw hems, rivets, tabs, buttons, and other personalized touches that make the denim feel bespoke. Levi’s has wisely embraced the idea that denim becomes more meaningful when it reflects the personality of the wearer. You can even have jeans hemmed in-store within the hour.

In a fashion landscape that frequently changes, Levi’s remains remarkably steady and iconic. The brand manages to feel nostalgic, modern, practical, fashionable, inclusive, and aspirational all at once, which is no small achievement. We have two flagship Levi’s stores in Seattle that are AMAZING. In my opinion, they offer one of the best brick-and-mortar retail experiences in the US. I take clients and friends there regularly when they’re shopping for jeans or denim items, and always encourage them to explore the customization options. So far, we’ve all had great luck and a lot of fun there.

I’m personally a huge fan of Levi’s and loyal to the brand. I frequently browse the new arrivals and keep a close eye on the Japanese Blue Tab collections. I LOVE that I wore 501s decades ago and am happily wearing them again today. I currently own two pairs that feel wonderfully nostalgic and make me smile every time I wear them. A few months ago, I also found the best bespoke denim jacket for me of all time at Levi’s, and I’ll share that story soon. In the meantime, here’s how Levi’s is currently represented in my wardrobe.

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The dress is made from Lenzing’s ECOVERO viscose, a sustainably produced fibre derived from wood pulp. It comes in five unique summery patterns and is available in petite, regular, and long lengths. Sizes range from US0 to US22.

If you’re taller, consider the long length. If you’re shorter, try the petite. I’ve seen both lengths on my clients, and the fit is excellent. The silhouette skims and floats against the body, and is forgiving through the bust and midsection without looking poufy. The skirt has a lovely swoosh, and the fabric feels heavenly against the skin.

As an added bonus, the dress is currently discounted by 30% through June 9.

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Onto some outfit inspiration for Spring and Summer.

1. Pants

A pair of cherry red lined wide leg pleated pants is paired with a summery white sleeveless pointelle sweater. I love the length of the pants. The sweater is semi-tucked to showcase the waist of the pants, and shorten its length. Dark red thong sandals add an extra beachy and high Summer touch. Add a raffia bag or other casual bag to complete the look. Substitute the pants for a skirt, if that’s more your thing.

2. Topper

Red toppers can be effective dopamine boosters. Here, a cocoon shaped oversized parka tops a neutral combination of chocolate brown slouchy wide leg trousers and cream long sleeved tee. Black boots match a dressy black shoulder bag and the model’s hair. Think of any other neutral pairing of top and bottom like navy, olive, toffee, tan, or grey – and complete the outfit with a red topper.

3. Dress

A cool toned red smocked fit and flare frock is the statement star of the show. It’s completed with black heeled sandals and dressy bag, which match the model’s black hair and eyewear. A bag and pair of shoes in a shade of brown, metallic, white, or animal print would work well too. And so can a two-piece dress made up of a skirt and top.

4. Pattern and Blue Denim

Think of any patterned top in cool shades of red and combine it with blue denim. Here, a pair of on trend denim clamdiggers is combined with an untucked boho-lite patterned paisley blouse. Classic white sneakers with gum soles add a sporty touch. Add jewellery, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Personally, red has featured in my own style all my life. My red is a warm toned orange-y tomato red. I think of it as “a neutral” because to my eye, it works well with every colour, and especially neutrals. Red is versatile. Who bats for Team Red?

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