I’ve had surprisingly great luck adding fashion sweatshirts to my wardrobe the last few seasons. Most are oversized and some are fluid. I like them because they’re 100% cotton, easy to launder, extremely comfortable against my fussy skin, work well in my climate, and are an effective way to dress down dressy trousers and big white pearls. Unexpectedly, I’ve amassed quite a collection.

The idea is to wear one of the five crew neck sweatshirts (not the hoodies) with one of my casual cotton skirts (below). It was recently warm enough to wear this combination and and I posted it on the forum. I LOVED wearing the outfit formula, and am excited to explore more options. Two of the sweatshirts are cropped, making them an easy pairing with skirts. The others have welts so they’ll work well un-tucked too.

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Black, White, Checks

A black and white flared and checked midaxi skirt with basque and pleats is combined with a light grey and black oversized printed sweatshirt. The black in both patterns unites them. It’s semi-tucked to showcase the waist and basque of the skirt, which creates some structure. The scrunched sleeves that showcase forearm skin also add structure. Black socks match the black in the outfit, while dressy white loafers match the white. Feel free to leave off the socks. Add a bag that works with the palette of the outfit.

2. Columned

A column of colour is created by combining a casual black denim skirt with an oversized black hoodie. Black mules complete the outfit, creating a black look from head-to-toe. Use the same formula with any colour to create a long lean line. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

3. Playfully Pretty

A fluid patterned tomato red sweatshirt is combined with a classic pleated knee-length taupe skirt. Citron pumps add another colour and amp up the dressy. The animal print bag further amps up the dressy creating an effective Sporty Luxe look. I LOVE this outfit, and am much inspired by it. I have the exact same sweatshirt and a similar skirt. I’ll substitute the shoes for dressy gold flats or kitten heels, sport a citron bag, and add my pearls. In fact, I posted this exact outfit on the forum.

4. Hard Edge

Last, a fluid grey and black patterned hoodie is combined with a dressier black knee length pencil skirt. It’s semi-tucked to showcase a black and silver grommet belt. A roomy black leather shacket tops the outfit. The hood of the top is worn outside the jacket like a collar. Dressy black heeled mules add the next dressy touch. Another smashing Sporty Luxe look. Add jewellery, handbag, eyewear, and watch as desired.

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Fashion moves forward, but it also frequently looks backwards too. Certain looks, combinations, colours, and silhouettes have a habit of reappearing just when they feel distant enough to seem fresh again. The ’90s nodded strongly to the ’70s. The early 2000s revived elements of the ’80s. Twenty years on, the ’90s are firmly back in the mix. And as we move further into the 2020s, the 2000s still are influencing trends. At the same time, ’80s elements continue to bubble up, creating a kind of double throwback.

When trends return, they rarely come back exactly as they were before. There is generally a current lens that keeps things looking fresh. Silhouettes and proportions shift. Fabrics improve. Styling becomes more relaxed to reflect a more casual lifestyle. Remixing dressy and casual pieces is part of what makes an outfit feel modern. Hairstyles and make-up play their role too, anchoring a look firmly in the present.

It’s also worth noting that we’re in a fashion era defined by multiple style narratives. Instead of one dominant look, there are many coexisting directions. ’90s minimalism sits alongside ’80s maximalism, and romantic or bohemian ’70s influences. We’re also seeing nods to the ’20s and ’60s. The twenty year rhythm is there, but it’s just one influence among many.

Curious to hear your thoughts. Have you noticed that fashion tends to repeat itself every twenty years? Do you see the cycle playing out in your own style?

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1. White Pants, Shorts and Jeans

Begin with this curated collection if you’re looking for a pair of white or light bottoms. Many items worked on my clientele, while others have good reviews. Most fabrics are natural, or blended with natural fibres. Notably, the Ralph Lauren High Waist Crop Wide Leg Jeans are brilliant on petites who prefer a higher rise. The Wit & Wisdom styles have “absolution waists” which means there is elastic on the INSIDE of the waistband. This creates extra comfort with a structured waistband. The COS Pima Cotton Barrel Leg Pants are delicious, run small, and look fab with rolled hems. I have the Polo Ralph Lauren Stretch Cotton Beaton Pants, which are the best white pants of my life. I sized up to get a fluid fit on the legs, and had the waistband altered to fit perfectly. I want to wear these pants every day.

2. Aritzia Effortless Pant

Aritzia’s Effortless Pants are popular and come in many variations. I’ve tried most versions of crepette, satin, wool, and linen, and couldn’t land on a fabric that I enjoyed wearing. Inge tried on a pair when she was visiting, and I loved them on her. I had to try them too. I landed on a navy pinstriped pair of the Effortless pants with a fabric content of 67% polyester, 29% viscose, 4% elastane. The fabric is from Portugal and feels fantastic against my skin. Great drape, crease-resistant, robust, comfortable, and polished. They are versatile and machine washable. They look fantastic dressed up with heels and a dressy support act. They are also as fab dressed down with sneakers, a sweatshirt, and a denim or utility jacket. They are super duper pants to pack for a trip, and to wear on a flight. I sized up to create a low slung and slouchy fit like you see on the model on the right. They come in solid neutrals. I wish they came in non-neutrals too.

3. Athleta Skyline High Rise Barrel Leg Pant

The Skyline High Rise Barrel Leg Pants are favourites with many clients. They aren’t made of typical synthetic tech fabric. Instead, they have a high cotton component, which makes them feel summery against the skin. They come in neutrals and non-neutrals across petite, regular, and tall. They also come in a WIDE LEG silhouette if the barrel shape is not for you. They run a size small. You can style them in casual ways, and not just in athleisure ways.

4. Skirts

There are lots of fab skirts at retail this season, and here are some suggestions. If you’re looking for a flared linen box pleated skirt, Boden’s Valentina Skirt is elegant and pretty. The Damson Madder Marcelle Barn Midi Skirt has an edgy utility vibe. The Ted Baker Linen Blend A-Line Midi Skirt is magnificent in motion. The Avec Les Filles Pleated Midi Skirt is crisper and prettier in person, and it’s mine. It’s a shorter knee-covering midi than I usually wear, so there is that. Yet it has a classic Ralph Lauren vibe, which works well with my style. Gorgeous fabric and drape. The skirts at Zara, Massimo Dutti, Gap, H&M, and MANGO are worth a look too.

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Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Navy

Dark blues look rich with dark olives, and dark wash jeans count as dark blue bottoms. Here, a pair of navy cuffed wide leg jeans is combined with a boxy and swingy two-toned V-neck olive pullover. A navy bandana adds more blue. The white in the bandana complements the light denim cuffs. Black flats add another neutral to the palette. Earthy brown or white footwear would work well too. Add a bag that works with the outfit.

2. Hint of Turquoise

A pair of low slung and roomy olive utility pants is paired with a bright multi-coloured striped sweater. The turquoise stripes in the sweater create the accent of blue. There isn’t much blue in the outfit, but it packs a punch with the olive pants and bag. The outfit is completed with black stompy boots and a black leather coat that match the model’s hair.

3. Denim and Whites

These outfits are from Ralph Lauren, a designer that combines blues with olives every season, and for decades. The outfit on the left combines slouchy white bottoms with a tucked light blue chambray shirt and oversized olive utility jacket. A mismatched brown belt and black boots complete the look. The outfit on the right combines layers of neutrals. A pair of olive utility pants is combined with a cream tucked henley. A light wash denim shirt is layered over the duo like a jacket. A peacock and olive bomber jacket is layered over the lot. Cream sneakers match the henley. Add bags that work with the palettes.

4. Aqua and Chartreuse

Last, a fresh aqua shirt is paired with an olive knife pleated skirt. A chartreuse — which is like an acidic bright olive — rib knit tank is layered over the shirt, which is left untucked to showcase layers. An olive utility jacket that matches the skirt is thrown over the top. White lace-up ballerinas add a dressy dose of pretty and crisp up the palette. Add jewellery, handbag, watch and eyewear as desired.

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Fashion moves on, and leggings are no longer as dominant. After years of body-con dressing with leggings and skinny jeans, the pendulum has swung toward ease and movement. Bottom silhouettes are firmly in a relaxed phase, and the shift has strong momentum. Younger consumers in particular are driving this change, favouring looser, less clingy fits.

Athleisure remains as popular as ever, but leggings are no longer the default. Joggers, sweatpants, track pants, and other roomier sporty styles in technical fabrics have taken the lead. Comfort and practicality have stayed, but the silhouette has evolved. Leggings are not dated. They are simply less current.

This shift is noticeable on the streets of Seattle. Athleisure is one of the most common styles, typically built around joggers, sweats, track pants, or other relaxed bottoms from brands like Athleta, Zella, and Lululemon. I rarely see leggings worn as part of everyday athleisure unless someone is heading to or from a workout, or going for a run in the city. It’s quite a change.

Are leggings still a go-to for athleisure where you live, or have people switched to relaxed bottom silhouettes? Do you wear leggings less often than before?

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1. Vionic Uptown Hybrid Loafer

The Vionic Uptown Hybrid Loafer is a repeat style with excellent reviews. Dressier than a sneaker, and more relaxed than a classic loafer. Clients rave about the shoe. It runs bigger and wider, so you might need to size down half a size. It has supportive, cushioning, and thick footbeds, which are removable so you can replace them with orthotics. Lots of colours to choose from. You’ll also find them on Zappos, T.J. Maxx and the Nordstrom Rack at bargain prices.

Interestingly, if your heels slip out of the back in one or both loafers, try half a size down. Or, fit half an insole (that is the shape of the ball of the foot) in the FRONT of the loafer under the footbed. The altered fit pushes the foot back into the shoes so that your heels don’t slip out of them. It’s counter-intuitive, and works quite well.

2. Vionic Uptown Sneaker

The Vionic Uptown Sneaker looks nicer on the foot in person, and is VERY lightweight. It has a practical gum sole toe that is robust and easy to clean. Signature to the brand, it has the same supportive, cushioning, and thick footbed, which is removable so you can replace it with orthotics. A little like walking on clouds.

3. Wit & Wisdom Absolution Utility

Both styles of utility bottoms are different from the norm because of their interesting pocket placements, colours, and waist “absolution” detailing. Many present more like casual pants than jeans despite the descriptions. Some of the styles are in a subtle stripe and resemble a false plain. The waistbands of the bottoms are structured, AND have elastic on the inside for extra comfort and forgiveness. The waists mould to the body perfectly, and do not stretch out. The regular sizes work well for petites, and one of the styles comes in petite sizes. Might need to size down.

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Spring eggplant is a hit with some of my clients and friends, who are snapping up lightweight and summery items in the colour. Do the same if you enjoy wearing the colour in warm and hot weather silhouettes.

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Bottoms

These COS pleated culottes are gorgeous, and look elegant and breezy in a casually polished and fashion forward way. I loved them on my client, who wore them with a summery navy top and burgundy loafers in the dressing room. She also had a burgundy bag to match. Chic! Here they’re paired with a long sleeved black tee, black sandals and bag. Feel free to scrunch the sleeves to showcase forearm skin.

2. Co-ord

I saw this pants set at MANGO and it’s fantastic. The eggplant is more rich-looking in person. The bold graphic pattern packs a playful punch, and the items can be worn separately too. Runs big so size down. It’s super easy and comfortable to pull on a co-ord like this on a hot Spring or Summer’s day. Add shoes and bag and you’re done. Here, black flats with ties bookend the model’s hair. Cream, metallic, tan and burgundy shoes could work well too. The black cord necklace works well with the black accents.

3. Patterned

You might like to wear warm weather eggplant in a pattern if a solid is too much of a commitment. Here, a patterned eggplant cowl neck blouse is combined with a pair of breezy caramel pull-on palazzo pants. Pewter toe-loop sandals complete the care-free look. Add a bag that works with the palette.

More patterned eggplant items that might inspire you:

4. Top

Last, an ‘’ 00s inspired combination, and trending. An asymmetrical eggplant dress is worn over scrunched black straight leg bottoms like a tunic. A short black boxy jacket is the third piece. It matches the black bottoms, and black sandals. The low contrast between the three pieces accentuates the long lean line. I can see the look work well with flared pants and jeans too. The vibe is a 2026 version of what some of us wore back in the ‘’ 00s (myself included). Dresses were very short back then, so I wore them over pants and jeans as tops instead. I fondly remember the combination of two decades ago, and plan to wear a current version with a pair of old red flared trousers. I need to find just the tunic or dress. Exciting!

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Onto this week’s top picks, which were winners on clients.

1. COS Items

COS fabrics drape beautifully and are gorgeous. Notably, the Twist-Detail Jersey Midi Skirt creates a stunning two-piece dress with the Twist-Detail Jersey Top. They can also be worn separately, and come in navy and chocolate. The Gathered Crinkled Shirt is elegant, fitted, and runs very small. The Pleated Cotton Pants, are very elegant, trendy, and for Team Eggplant.

2. Flats

The Vionic Alameda Woven Mary Jane Flat is good on wider feet, and feet with bunions. It has a snap fastening so you don’t need to fasten and unfasten the buckle. Quite supportive and very comfy. The André Assous Brielle Pointed Toe Slingback Flat is a brilliantly dainty summery slingback that is versatile and comfy. Awfully pretty and refined on the foot. Best on narrower feet. The Lucia Mary Jane Flat comes in suede and mesh. The suede is much more comfortable than the mesh. It works well on wider feet, is super soft, and has fantastic mixed metal hardware.

3. Uniqlo Jersey Barrel Pants

These VERY crisp, clean, and extremely well cut and sewn barrel pants are $50, and almost sold out because they’re outstanding. The back pockets are quite the work of art. The fabric feels heavenly, and the off-center seams are genius. They run a size big, and are quite long. Comes in seven neutrals. WOVEN poly-cotton, and a bestseller for good reason.

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Over the years, I’ve grown less fond of wearing linen clothing. I am no longer at peace with the crease, and more importantly, I don’t like the feeling of linen against my skin. Some linen items are scratchy and can irritate my skin. I much prefer the physical feeling of cotton and silk. I stopped buying linen items four years ago, but continued wearing the linen items I had.

Currently, I’ve passed on all linen items apart from this Boden citron co-ord. The colour launches me into orbit, and the set looks awfully punchy and beachy on a hot Summer’s day. This linen feels fine on my skin too. I adore the set when it’s freshly pressed and I haven’t moved much in it yet. By the end of the day, I don’t like the way the set has creased. I’m keeping it anyway. I’ll push through my annoyance with the crease just because of the colour and fit.

Granted, cotton poplin items can crease as badly as linen, but at least the cotton feels heavenly against my skin. No more linen for me. I’m breaking up with linen and focusing on cotton, silk, and cotton blends for Spring and Summer. How about you? Are you breaking up with linen, or another type of fabric?

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Lace trimmed scarves are the newest look, although you can create a triangle with ANY large solid or patterned square scarf and add it to your outfit by wrapping it around your waist and hips. The examples below show lace trimmed scarves and patterned scarves wrapped this way. It’s a fringe trend that began last year, and it’s gaining momentum.

Create a low or high contrast with the scarf. Wear it over a column of colour. Keep it the same colour as the column of colour. Or layer a jacket or coat over the wrapped scarf outfit. A nice square knot will ensure that the ends lie flat and neatly against the side of the body.

Personally, I’m not a big decorative scarf person. Most of the time, I wear woolly scarves for warmth around my neck in cold weather as opposed to adding it as flair and embellishment to an outfit. I’m much more into wearing belts than scarves, so I’m bypassing this trend. However, I’ve been helping clients style some of their scarves this way, and the results have been most successful over skirts and dresses, although pants and jeans ensembles have worked too.

Over to you. What do you think of the lace trimmed hip scarf, or any square scarf wrapped around your waist and hips?

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