The most important concept to understand about modern fashion and style is that it’s an era of multiple style narratives. There is an extreme variation of silhouettes, fits, rise lengths, hem lengths, combinations, and proportions. Bottom widths can be slim, fluid, wide, and very wide. Pant lengths can be culotte, cropped, and full length. Rises can be low, low slung, mid, and high. Fits can be body con, tailored, fluid, and oversized. Skirt and dress lengths can be mini, knee length, midi, and maxi. Skirts can be flared and pencil. All sorts of proportions are created. In short, there is everything, everywhere, all at once. You choose your style narrative and run with it.

Fashion today is about taking the best from every decade, remixing it, and modernizing it. The emphasis is less on new silhouettes and more on combining and juxtaposing items, vibes, proportions, and colours to create a refreshed look. There is no single stylish way to dress, which gives us tremendous freedom to pick and choose. Feast, snack, or fast from the buffet of trends, and most importantly, do your own thing. Wear what makes you happy, and feel good in your outfit.

1. Opposites Live Side By Side

Perhaps the biggest trend of all is the enormous variety in fashion, which goes hand in hand with the last trend on this list – Do Your Own Thing. You’ll find just about anything at this point, given that fashion is bringing back the best of every decade.

Opposing silhouettes and aesthetics are equally current, and one does not cancel the other out. Oversized items are shown alongside extremely fitted ones. Maximalism coexists with minimalism. Romantic looks share the stage with sporty ones. Bright colours are as fashionable as earthy neutrals. Polished outfits are shown alongside intentionally RATE (rough around the edges) looks. Boho Chic smiles at Fresh Preppy. Rock ‘n Roll nods at Athleisure. Short and long lengths reign supreme. Bombshell and boxy cuts. Quiet and loud luxury. Neutrals and non-neutrals. Solids and patterns. Dressy and casual. Glam and athletic. Sporty Luxe thrives alongside Tailored Classics. Gender-neutral items are in the mix too, along with a whole lot of juxtaposed items that create refreshed looks.

Knee lengths are the “newest” length for skirts and dresses, which means a length that hovers around the knee. A little above, a little below, or on the kneecap is knee length. Of course, there are plenty of minis, midis, and maxis too. Puddle-length pants are the most fashion-forward length, although shorter full lengths are most popular. You have the power to choose your fit, length, and outfit proportions. Size up if you don’t like things too tight. Size down if you don’t like them too big. Wear items with the same fit in one outfit, or mix it up for variation.

2. ’80s and ’00s Influences

The unapologetically expressive and glam ’80s influence current fashion in a big way. Think bubble hems, slim tapered pants, ra-ra skirts, sharp shoulders, pleated high-waisted carrot pants, oversized fits, ruffles, stirrup pants, dolman sleeves, dropped shoulders, blouses with bows and neckties, balloon pants, defined waists, wide belts, double belts, hitch-up skirts, acid wash, neon, matching sets, clashing brights, all sorts of pastels, statement tracksuits, pencil skirts, hi-tops, peplums, boiler suits, mullets, boxy cropped tops, yoke and basque skirts, fingerless lace gloves, and scrunchies. These looks are modernized, architectural, and remixed to look chic and grown-up without losing their delightful retro charm.

Round silhouettes borrowed from the ’80s have an architectural integrity and are in full swing. Think rounded shoulders, balloon sleeves, barrel, horseshoe, and lantern pants, shorts and jeans, bubble-hem jackets, and top-heavy oval silhouettes. Fits and shapes are exaggerated and playful.

You’ll see fashion from the ’00s come through too. There are low rises and low slung pants and jeans, but the silhouettes are relaxed, wide, and very wide rather than skinny and low-rise. There are also low slung skirts and belts. Think band tees, graphic tees, moto jackets, shrunken and fitted short blazers, slim bottoms tucked into tall boots, tailored button-down shirts, side-swept fringes, bootcuts, fitted double-zipped cardigans, long layered tank tops, lace trims on skirts and tops, long lace camisoles, tees with defined waists, long slim tops, handkerchief hems, and big handbags. There are also lots of black, white, and grey combinations.

The decades can be worn literally, although incorporating a retro piece into a thoroughly modern outfit generally looks fresher.

3. Reds, Purples, Bright Blue and Chartreuse

Autumn and Winter colour palettes are not limited to dark and muted shades. Red continues to make a strong statement, from bright tomato red and fire engine red to cabernet, scarlet, maroon, and burgundy. Shades of purple are strong, so think berries, plums, and eggplant. Bright blues like cobalt, royal blue, and electric blue are having a fashion moment. Acidic chartreuse and yellow-greens are another punchy addition to the on trend mix.

Wear these colours monochromatically from head to toe, combine them with each other, remix them with other brights or muted colours, combine them with varying tones of the same colour, or use them to complement neutrals.

4. Earth Tones

At the other end of the colour spectrum are versatile earthy neutrals, which continue to be popular across the globe. Shades of chocolate, toffee, tan, camel, cognac, olive, moss, taupe, cinnamon, gingerbread, whiskey, sand, and stone are plentiful. Wear several earth tones together for a tonal effect, combine them with traditional neutrals, or juxtapose them with brights, pastels, and jewel tones.

5. Soft Pinks

Soft pink brings a light, gentle, and unexpected softness to the colder months. Think blush, ballet pink, powder pink, shell pink, milkshake pink, ice pink, and antique pink across knitwear, coats, jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses, footwear, and accessories. Soft pink looks especially fresh worn with the season’s abundance of chocolate brown, toffee, burgundy, grey, navy, cream, blue denim, eggplant, and bright red. It can be worn head-to-toe for a quietly dramatic effect, used as a soft accent, or toughened up with hard edged, sporty, black, or menswear inspired pieces. It’s pretty, and provides a welcome counterpoint to the darker and earthier colours that typically dominate Autumn and Winter.

6. Tantalizing Textures

There are all sorts of fabrics with interesting surface interest for Autumn and Winter. Think velvet, velour, corduroy, suede, leather, faux fur, shearling, bouclé, tweed, brocade, jacquard, lace, satin, fuzzy knits, chunky knits, quilting, embroidery, fringe, feathers, topstitching, and other fabrics and finishes that beg to be touched.

Texture can make a simple and neutral outfit look interesting without adding colour or pattern. Varying textures can be layered and remixed for an interesting minimal or maximal effect. Combine something smooth with something fuzzy, shiny with matte, crisp with soft, or refined with rugged. Texture is particularly effective in colder weather because many of the fabrics that provide warmth also provide visual interest. Pile it on, or make one richly textured item the star of the outfit.

7. Poetcore

Poetcore borrows from the wardrobes of poets, artists, and thinkers across the ages, remixing the lot with a whole lot of modern. It’s romantic, literary, and a little bohemian. Frilly pirate shirts, billowing puff-sleeve tops, blouses and shirts with big bows, ribbon-tied necklines, and romantic ruffles are combined with tailored trousers, flowing skirts, blazers, plaids, and waistcoats. Brown and grey tweeds and brown leather are a good match for this trend. Think Victorian-inspired footwear like lace-up boots, brogue oxfords, and Mary Janes. Vintage jewellery is the accessory of choice. The palette is muted, mostly neutral, and texture-rich.

The look can be dramatic and theatrical, or toned down by combining one Poetcore piece with jeans, trousers, a simple skirt, or another wardrobe essential.

8. Fresh Preppy

Think quintessential Ralph Lauren looks and you’re on the right track. Polo shirts, rugby stripes, nautical stripes, crisp shirting, colourful silk scarves, shirtdresses, vertical-striped shirting and blazers, striped neckties, shirts with neckties, candy-coloured sweatshirts, autumnal plaids, textured cabled knitwear, wide pleated trousers, pleated skirts, socks with loafers, popped collars, tailored blazers, quarter-zip knitted tops, collegiate sweaters with V-necks in pullover and cardigan silhouettes, tennis and cricket sweaters in tailored and oversized silhouettes, striped grosgrain belts, satchels, chambray, baseball caps, and lots of argyle.

This fresh take on Preppy style is less uniform, more playful, and REMIXED with other trends. Newer interpretations are oversized, sporty, colourful, eclectic, or deliberately mismatched.

9. Dark Romance

This trend blends gothic drama with dressy elegance, creating a moody and romantic aesthetic. The beauty of Dark Romance lies in balancing hard edge with soft and pretty. The palette combines deep tones like black, eggplant, ink blue, plum, chocolate, and burgundy with dusty pinks, light blues, shades of white, and metallics for contrast.

Think head-to-toe textured black or other very dark solid colours, or patterns with black backgrounds. Think black lace, lots of lace trim, sheer fabrics, tulle, sequins, patent leather, textured leather, velvet, moody dark florals, textured knits, tweedy wovens, corsets, rosettes, satin, chiffon, silk, jacquards, brocades, chokers, gloves, cameo pendants, dark nail polish, dark eyewear, smoky eye makeup, and dark lipstick. Interpret the looks minimally or maximally, and across the seasons. There’s a hint of Steampunk too.

10. Retro Grace

There is a strong return to graceful, dressy, ladylike, TAILORED dressing with a retro sensibility. The look draws inspiration from several decades, particularly the polished elegance of the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, but is interpreted in a thoroughly modern way. Think beautifully tailored jackets, skirt suits, knee-length skirts and dresses, pencil skirts, peplum jackets and tops, fitted cardigans, silk blouses, defined waists, softly structured shoulders, refined fabrics, and matching separates.

Retro Grace looks can be formal and polished, but they can also be relaxed, playful, dramatic, or a little quirky. The key is making the look feel current rather than like a period costume. Mix retro inspired pieces with modern wardrobe items, incorporate contemporary proportions and fabrics, or juxtapose something ladylike with something casual, sporty, oversized, or unexpected. A vintage or vintage inspired piece can look fabulous when there is enough NOW in the rest of the outfit. The result is refined, nostalgic, and current.

11. Utility, Athleisure and Sporty Luxe

Athleisure is full-throttle casual and sporty from head to toe. There are no dressy components in an Athleisure outfit. Instead, there is usually a component of high performance technical fabric in the mix. Sporty Luxe remixes sporty touches with dressier pieces, making juxtaposition key. Sporty Luxe looks are dressy apart from the sporty accents that relax the look.

Think fashion sweatshirts, hoodies, sneakers, joggers, track pants, track tops, sporty tuxedo striping, bombers, baseball caps, fleece jackets, leggings, anoraks, large-weave mesh tops, rugby tops, colour-blocking, tank tops, body bags, quarter-zip tops, cargos, belt bags, and bowling bags. Matching sweats sets are big too.

The utility trend draws inspiration from functional workwear and military uniforms. Think cargo pockets, zippers, snaps, self-belts, epaulettes, and adjustable tabs that add both structure and visual interest. Fabrics are typically durable, like cotton twill, canvas, denim, and technical blends. Colour palettes lean earthy with shades like olive, tan, toffee, navy, black, and charcoal. Utility pieces range from cargo pants, carpenter pants, and field jackets to boiler suits, belted shirtdresses, and vests with lots of pockets. Wear a utility look from head to toe, or remix utility pieces with dressy pieces.

12. Bombers, Aviators and Funnel Necks

Iconic classics like bomber and aviator jackets continue their strong fashion momentum, and can be thought of as elevated essentials. Silhouettes range from short and fluid to oversized and dramatic. They are usually made of leather, faux leather, nylon, wool, shearling, denim, and sherpa, and can exude a rugged aesthetic.

Funnel necks are another important and insulating direction. They can be found on bombers and aviators, other types of outerwear, and knitwear. Their high, structured collars stand up around the neck, creating a clean, architectural effect. Wear these toppers casually with jeans and pants, or juxtapose their sporty and rugged integrity with skirts, dresses, lace, and other dressier pieces.

13. Band and Military Jackets

Marching band and military jackets are back, adding another layer to the ’80s influence on fashion. Think cropped and tailored silhouettes with stand collars, statement buttons, braiding, piping, epaulettes, decorative hardware, and a distinctly regal or theatrical quality. The look has much older roots in ceremonial military uniforms, but became a memorable part of ’80s fashion through the New Romantics and pop stars like Adam Ant and Michael Jackson. Band jackets enjoyed another big fashion moment in the ’00s, so there’s some overlap between the decades. They look ornate and dramatic in dark neutrals with high contrast trim, or soft and pretty in light colours with low contrast trim. They are an effective way to add structure and a touch of maximalism to an outfit.

14. Fitted Tops

After years of oversized tops dominating fashion, extremely fitted tops provide another option. Both fits sit at opposite ends of the fit spectrum. Think tight tees, turtlenecks, knitted tops, shirts, blouses, and cropped styles that hug the torso. They are especially effective worn with voluminous pants and skirts, creating a dramatic difference in proportions. Of course, fluid and oversized tops haven’t gone anywhere. Opposites live side by side.

15. Printed Jeans

This is an additional trend I’m adding to my denim forecast. Patterned jeans are fringe trending, and can look very dramatic. Think florals, animal prints, plaids, checks, stripes, abstract designs, and other motifs printed, woven, embroidered, or jacquarded onto denim. Some versions are subtle and tonal, while others are bold, high contrast, and decidedly maximal. The patterns add visual interest to familiar denim silhouettes, from relaxed straights and wide legs to barrels, flares, and cropped styles. Patterned jeans can do the talking when paired with simple solids, or be combined with other patterns for a more adventurous look. They’re an effective way to refresh a jeans capsule without changing the practicality and ease of denim.

16. Sheer and Layered Dressing

Sheer fabrics continue into cold weather. Mesh, chiffon, lace, and other transparent fabrics appear in tops, skirts, and dresses. For Autumn and Winter, sheer pieces can be useful for layered dressing or milder temperatures. Wear them over camisoles, tees, and turtlenecks, or under jackets, knitwear, and dresses. The effect can be subtly textured or dramatically transparent.

For intentionally layered looks, layer tanks and vests over long sleeved tops and henleys. Layer tees under dresses. Layer tees over button-down shirts and blouses. Layer multiple tees. Layer two skirts. Play with different lengths. Wrap scarves over pants and skirts. Wear white tees under sweaters. Drape capes and wraps over anything. Wear jackets and vests under coats. Wear vests over jackets and coats. Sport more than one belt, and belt multiple tops. Drape knitwear over jackets like wraps. Wrap knitwear around the waist.

17. Maximalism and Eclectic Remixes

More can be more. Pattern mixing, colour mixing, unusual proportions, texture mixing, decorative details, lots of layers, lots of accessories, statement eyewear, decorative nails, and other multiple and unexpected combinations are part of the maximal fashion landscape. Eclectic remixes are less about following a formula and more about putting together pieces that aren’t obvious partners. The result can look creative, arty, playful, dramatic, or delightfully chaotic.

18. Waistcoats and Gilets

Waistcoats and gilets continue to gain momentum, providing an extra layer without the bulk of sleeves. Tailored waistcoats can be short, long, fitted, fluid, structured, or oversized, and are worn buttoned up as tops or layered over shirts, blouses, tees, turtlenecks, and dresses. They can match trousers or skirts to create a suit, or be worn as a contrasting standalone piece. Some versions have a distinctly menswear-inspired integrity, while others are softer or more fashion-forward.

Gilets provide the more casual and practical side of the trend. Think quilted, padded, puffer, fleece, faux fur, shearling, denim, utility, and knitted versions. They add warmth and texture to an outfit while allowing plenty of freedom of movement, and work particularly well for transitional weather and indoor layering.

19. BIG Full Length Pants and Jeans

Big, full length pants and jeans continue to make a strong statement. Think wide and extra-wide legs, relaxed fits, slouchy silhouettes, low-slung fits, dramatic pleats, barrel shapes, and plenty of fabric that creates movement and volume. Some styles are moderately roomy and easy to wear, while others are deliberately enormous and very oversized. Hem lengths are long, often skimming the ground, covering much of the foot, or puddle at the foot. Rises run the gamut from low and mid to very high.

The volume can be balanced with a fitted or tucked top, or amplified with an equally fluid and oversized top or topper. Fabrics range from rigid denim and substantial wool to soft suiting, corduroy, velvet, and beautifully drapey fabrications. The effect can be tailored and elegant, relaxed and slouchy, arty and architectural, or casual and sporty. Big bottoms are still big news for Autumn and Winter 2026.

20. Cropped Flares, Flares and Slim Straights

Cropped flares, or kick flares, full-length flares, bootcuts, and slim straights or cigarette silhouettes are gaining momentum alongside the enormous pants and jeans trend. They provide a streamlined alternative to major volume, and are another great example of how opposites live side by side in fashion. Cropped flares are fitted through the hip and thigh before kicking out at the hem, while full-length flares and bootcuts create a longer line. Slim straights are narrower than relaxed straights without being super skinnies, although super skinnies continue to have their place too. Super skinnies are great to tuck into tall boots in foul weather.

After many seasons of very wide bottoms, these narrower silhouettes can look surprisingly fresh. Wear them with fitted tops for a long and lean effect, or juxtapose them with fluid, boxy, and oversized tops and toppers. There is no need to choose between big and streamlined bottoms. Both directions are current and can happily coexist in the same wardrobe.

21. Knee Length Skirts and Dresses

Knee length skirts and dresses are gaining momentum after many seasons of midi, midaxi, and maxi lengths dominating the fashion landscape. Hemlines can finish just above, on, or just below the knee, creating proportions that look fresh and retro. Silhouettes run the gamut from straight, A-line, pleated, and flared to pencil, fit-and-flare, tiered, and softly draped. Dresses can be tailored and structured, fluid and romantic, or simple and streamlined. They also tie in well with the season’s Retro Grace, Fresh Preppy, and Dark Romance trends.

22. Culottes and Long Shorts

Culottes and long shorts are gaining momentum for Autumn and Winter, providing another alternative to cropped pants, full-length pants, jeans, and skirts. Culottes are generally wide, roomy, and skirt-like, and finish anywhere from below the knee to above the calf. Long shorts are more streamlined and finish on or just below the knee. They come in tailored and fluid versions, with or without pleats.

For colder weather, both are styled with knitwear, jackets, coats, and plenty of layering. Fabrics become more substantial too, with wool, tweed, corduroy, denim, leather, and heavier suiting coming into play. Wearing culottes and long shorts with tall boots is particularly effective in Autumn and Winter because the boots insulate the lower leg while creating a seasonally appropriate look. Add socks or hosiery for even more warmth. The effect can be polished and dressy, preppy, sporty, arty, avant-garde, or casually relaxed.

23. Western

Classic Western looks continue to influence fashion with their rugged and rustic spirit. Inspired by classic cowboy style, the look incorporates elements like cowboy boots, fringe, suede, leather belts, oversized belt buckles, shirts with yokes, prairie-inspired dresses, barn jackets, bootcut jeans, denim vests, denim trucker jackets, denim shirts, Stetsons, tiered maxi skirts, horse patterns, pony prints, cow prints, plaid shirts, bandanas, weathered brown leather accessories, and lots of embroidered details. The idea is to remix Western elements into any outfit, thereby creating unexpected combinations and maximizing the power of juxtaposition.

24. Shallow V-Necks

Unlike the traditional V-neck, this version begins higher on the chest and creates a more subtle and tailored plunge. Some retailers call the neckline a high V-neck. You’ll find the high V-neckline on tops, knitwear, cardigans, sweater vests, and dresses. The shape draws the eye vertically, which can visually lengthen the torso and neck. The result is fresh without revealing too much skin. If V-necks are your thing, you might like the current update. If high necklines are your thing, the higher V-neck might be a way to enjoy a lower neckline while maintaining good coverage. It’s a subtle trend, but one that can make an old wardrobe essential feel elevated.

25. Pencil Skirts

Pencil skirts are having another fashion moment. They can be tailored and corporate, stretchy and comfortable, casual in denim, luxurious in leather, or soft and fluid. Lengths vary from around the knee to midi, with knee lengths being especially NOW. Wear them with fitted tops for a streamlined silhouette, or create more interesting proportions with fluid knitwear, oversized shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets.

26. Statement Socks

Statement socks are having a fashion moment, becoming a deliberate and visible part of an outfit rather than something purely practical. Think bright colours, bold patterns, stripes, argyle, Fair Isle, lace, ribbing, sparkle, metallics, embellishment, and interesting textures. Some make a strong statement, while others add a subtle pop of colour, texture, or pattern.

They add warmth as well as visual interest in cold weather. Wear them tonally with an outfit, match them to another colour in your look, or deliberately create high contrast. They can peek out between cropped pants and shoes, or be worn visibly with skirts, dresses, and shorts. Statement socks are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to refresh an outfit, experiment with a trend, and add a playful finishing touch.

27. Relaxed Glamour and Elevated Everyday

It’s very current to relax a glam look and elevate an everyday casual look. This brings us back to the important theme of juxtaposition. You might relax dressy pieces by combining them with denim, motos, aviators, bombers, slouchy bags, crossbody bags, or casual footwear. Wear a tee under a blazer. A sweatshirt or rugby top with a fancy skirt and heels. Throw a tuxedo jacket over utility pants or leggings. Wear a moto with sweats. Wear elegant jewellery and a dressy bag with athleisure. Wear dressy clothes with flats. Add sparkle to jeans. Wear a cashmere wrap or ruana with joggers. Add a silk scarf and pretty sandals to parachute pants and a shirt. Add chunky glam necklaces to slouchy sweaters, sweatshirts, and knitted tops. Wear a short puffer with a fancy skirt. Add a crossbody bag to dressy attire. Add a fancy bag to jeans. Sport a tote with cocktail attire.

Style your hair, wear statement eyewear, throw on a belt, and add jewellery to a simple shorts-and-tee outfit. There are countless ways to relax some looks and elevate others. Choose the ways that best work for you and your style.

28. Novelty Patterns and Slogans

Novelty patterns and clothing with slogans are packed with personality and a sense of humour, and can create interesting conversations. You’ll find just about anything in the form of a pattern or slogan on a wardrobe item these days when you search for it. If you find a top or tee with a pattern or graphic that is meaningful or nostalgic in some way, wear it with a happy heart and feel right on trend. Make a subtle or bold statement with quirky pieces. Wear these looks casually, or remix them with dressier pieces.

29. Asymmetry

Asymmetry continues to add visual interest and movement to clothing. Think one-shouldered tops and dresses, diagonal necklines, uneven and handkerchief hems, asymmetric draping, off-centre ruching and pleating, diagonal button placements, and wrap silhouettes that create intentionally uneven lines. Asymmetry can be subtle, with a slightly skewed neckline or hem, or dramatic and sculptural with cascading fabric and exaggerated proportions.

Asymmetrical outfit details are an effective way to make a simple solid coloured item look distinctive without relying on pattern or embellishment. Wear one asymmetric piece as the focal point of an outfit, or combine it with other unusual proportions for a more maximal effect. This trend demonstrates how the cut and construction of an item can provide all the visual interest an outfit needs.

30. Do Your Own Thing

There is no one way to be stylish. Fashion is a melting pot of sartorial choices, and increasing diversity in fashion with each passing year means that there is something for everyone. Trends are no longer strictly seasonal, and fads barely exist. Trends are becoming harder to define, and at some point they will be irrelevant. That’s why creating a signature style and evolving it over time is one of the most important and relevant trends of them all. Wear the trends, don’t wear them, remix them, repeat them, or reinvent them. Do your own thing!

These days, there are too many simultaneous fashion directions for everyone to look the same. That’s good news because trends are there to inspire and provide options, not dictate what we should wear. Pick the trends that work for your style, body, lifestyle, climate, budget, and sartorial preferences. Remix them with what you already own. Wear older silhouettes that make you happy. And combine things in ways that feel honest to you.

Personally, I like all the trends, and some more than others. Big love for Opposites Living Side By Side because I much enjoy variety in silhouette. I wear fitted, tailored, fluid, and oversized tops, and love neutrals as much as my beloved brights. Big love for Fresh Preppy, ’80s Influences, BIG Full-Length Pants and Jeans, Bombers, Aviators and Funnel Necks, Tomato Red, Chartreuse, Matching Sets, Maximalism and Eclectic Remixes, Printed Denim, and Elevated Everyday. I like Earth Tones, Soft Pink, Asymmetry, Military Jackets, and Novelty Patterns and Slogans. It goes without saying that we ALL nail the DYOT trend.

Over to you. Which of these Autumn and Winter 2026 trends appeal to you? Are there trends you’re already wearing, ones you’re excited to add to your wardrobe, and others you’ll happily admire on someone else?

Since this was an epic post, and I fly out to NYC for vacation tomorrow, this will be the only post this week. Lots to chew on as you begin thinking about and planning your colder weather wardrobes and styles.

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Style Nuggets is a pretty little book jam-packed with evergreen and succinct style guidance that cuts straight to the chase. It’s practical inspiration for everyday style that you can turn to over and over again. Pick it up when you need to recalibrate, refresh, or renew your style. When you’re after a little encouragement, a new perspective, or could do with a reminder of what you already know but have temporarily forgotten.

The book contains the very best style guidance I can offer after 34 years in the fashion industry as a designer, retail buyer, personal stylist, and O.G. fashion blogger. I find my degree in Psychology helpful too. The style nuggets draw on decades of dressing people with different bodies, lifestyles, budgets, sartorial preferences, climates, beliefs, needs, and style goals. As always, my approach is about helping you find what works for you rather than prescribing one correct way to dress.

In these nuggets you will find encouragement to simplify, to experiment, to dress for your current self, to embrace your individuality, to trust your instincts, and to approach style as a creative, empowering, fun and deeply personal journey.

Writing a book has been exhilarating, stressful, rewarding, challenging, and nerve-wracking. Often all at once. It has taken years to distill the information from my head into succinct, bite-sized pieces of advice that feel tangible, relatable, useful, and easy to remember. I know exactly what Mark Twain (or Blaise Pascal) meant when he said: “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Turns out that saying something succinctly and simply takes a lot of work!

I wanted Style Nuggets to feel like a supportive companion rather than a textbook. Something approachable and enjoyable that you can dip into whenever the mood strikes. There is no need to read it from beginning to end, although you certainly can because the order of the nuggets is quite deliberate. You can also open the book anywhere, absorb a nugget or two, and hopefully come away feeling inspired and empowered about your style.

On a personal note, there is something else that makes this milestone particularly meaningful. I’ve been writing YouLookFab for 20 years. Many thousands of blog posts and forum discussions later, I have yet to consider myself a writer. After writing a book, I’m finally going to call myself one.

Style Nuggets is out in the world. I’m excited, relieved, proud, nervous, and grateful. Hoping this little book brings you inspiration, confidence, satisfaction, and style joy.

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What feels different at the moment is the extraordinary inconsistency of sizing within the same brand and retailer. In my 34 years in the fashion industry, I have never seen it quite this extreme. I had a particularly striking example while shopping Aritzia’s new Autumn collection with a fantastic client last month. Across about ten items, the range of sizes she ended up purchasing that afternoon was an eye-opener. Some items fit true to size. We sized down one size in others. We sized up one size in several pieces. And for a couple of items, we sized up TWO sizes. That’s a range of FOUR sizes from one retailer, to fit the same body.

Once we found the right size, everything fit beautifully and looked killer. There was nothing particularly tricky to fit about my client’s body, nor were the items at Aritzia so-called “bad fits”. The sizing was simply all over the place, which meant we had to try several sizes in one style.

Thankfully, getting it right was easy because we were shopping in person. We grabbed another size, tried it on, compared the fits, and moved on. I shudder to think how much more complicated, time-consuming, and frustrating the process would have been if we’d tried to order the same assortment online. There would probably have been multiple orders, returns, exchanges, a lot of guessing, and busloads of frustration. I was relieved we could sort out the sizes right away in stores.

Why Sizes Are Inconsistent

There are several reasons sizing is so inconsistent. First, there is no universal sizing standard that fashion retailers are required to follow. A size US4, 12, 18, 24, extra small, large, or 4XL is not a standardized set of body measurements across the industry. Each brand develops its own size specifications and fit models, which is why we expect differences between retailers. This can actually be a good thing because it means we’re more likely to find a brand that fits us well despite our greatly varying body shapes. However, it doesn’t fully explain why sizing can vary so dramatically within one retailer. There’s more.

Retailers tend to work with many designers, product teams, factories, manufacturers, fabric suppliers, and countries of production. Different garments can be developed and produced through different supply chains, which creates opportunities for variations in fit.

Fabric makes a difference too. A rigid woven fabric behaves differently from a stretchy knit. Denim with no stretch fits differently from denim with stretch. Fabric can shrink or relax during manufacturing and finishing processes. Garment washing, dyeing, construction, lining, seam allowances, and finishing techniques can all affect the dimensions and fit of the finished item.

Having worked in garment manufacturing and design, and extensively with manufacturers as a retail buyer, I can confidently say that garment manufacturing is a very tricky business. Sometimes it’s a miracle that things are as consistent as they are.

There are also manufacturing tolerances. Two supposedly identical garments in the same size can have small measurement differences. Occasionally those differences aren’t so small, which is why you might try two of the exact same item in the exact same size and find that one fits better.

Then there is the intended silhouette. An item might deliberately be oversized, body-con, long, cropped, boxy, slouchy, fluid, or tailored. The size that creates “the fit you want” might therefore be different from the size suggested on the label. Sometimes sizing up or down isn’t about the garment being incorrectly sized at all. It’s about manipulating the fit to achieve your preferred silhouette.

Add all of this together, and the size on the label becomes increasingly unreliable as a predictor of fit.

Your Size Is a Starting Point

The size on the label is a solid starting point. This is why I encourage my clients not to become attached to a particular clothing size. Your usual size is a good place to begin the fit process, but it’s not a rule. The number or letter on the label is information. It is not a judgement about your body. The goal is to find the size that makes the garment look and feel fabulous.

If the item doesn’t fit properly, try another size. And another, if necessary. Or try a different brand. Size up. Size down. Sometimes the size you least expect will create the best fit. This is especially important when silhouettes change. Fashion has moved through several years of roomier, wider, longer, shorter, cropped, oversized, relaxed, and architectural proportions. Unisex and gender-neutral styling has added even more oversized and fluid silhouettes to the mix. How an item is supposed to fit isn’t always obvious from looking at it on a hanger, and your preferred fit might be different from the designer’s intention. As always, you are the boss of how you want items to fit.

Same Styles Can Fit Differently

To complicate matters further, buying a repeat style in the same size from the same retailer doesn’t guarantee the same fit. The next version can fit larger or smaller. I recently bought Everlane Mary Janes that are the bomb! The white pair fit perfectly in my usual size. Yet the exact same style and size in another colour fit differently.

I’ve experienced the same inconsistency with clothing at Everlane. Some items fit true to size, while I’ve sized down in some and sized up in others. That’s three sizes across one brand and retailer. COS sizing used to be really roomy, but this year they run TTS and small.

Jeans and pants are less predictable for me these days, especially if I want some styles to fit in a slouchy and low slung way, and others in a tailored way. In many cases my usual size fits. In others I size up or size down. I’ve sized up two sizes in some styles and down two sizes in others. That’s a FOUR-size spread for the same body.

Online Shopping Is Harder

Inconsistent sizing is much more frustrating when shopping online. Size charts can help, but they aren’t foolproof, particularly when a retailer uses one general size chart across thousands of items and doesn’t provide individual garment measurements. Customer reviews about whether something runs small, large, short, long, narrow, or wide can be extremely useful.

When I’m unsure and returns are easy, I sometimes recommend ordering two sizes and comparing them at home. Sometimes more if you straddle short, petite, regular, tall, and long sizes too. It’s less convenient, more time-consuming, and temporarily more expensive, but it can save the hassle of multiple exchanges. It’s also much easier to judge and compare which fit is best when you have the sizes in front of you at the same time.

Personally, I’m finding it harder and harder to gauge the right size and fit online. I’m doing more shopping in stores as a result, and enjoying it! Yes, it can mean taking a couple of sizes into the fitting room, but at least I can compare them immediately and get the size sorted on the spot.

Fit is more important than size, and always has been. But with sizing as inconsistent as it is right now, that mantra is more relevant than ever. Try not to assume that because your usual size doesn’t fit, there is something wrong with the garment, or with you. Try another size. Ignore the label. Assess the fit, proportions, comfort, and silhouette instead. When one brand can put the same person into four different sizes over the course of ten fabulous items in one day. Enough said.

How inconsistent are you finding clothing and footwear sizes these days? Has inconsistent sizing made you less inclined to shop online?

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1. Everlane Shoes and Bags

I’ve been taking clients to Everlane the last few months with great success. Their footwear was a pleasant surprise, and some styles are made in Italy. The aesthetic screams Scandinavian to my eye. Gorgeous quality with a clean, simple and crisp look. Notably, the Day Mary Janes are shoes I got in white. They are soft like butter, and fit my low volume feet perfectly. There is plenty of room in the toe box because the toe shape is square. I didn’t need to add a cushioning insole; they fit that well and are super comfy IF you have flat feet and low vamps and don’t need arch support. Pass if you have high arches and/or high vamps. I, on the other hand, will be duplicating them. I’ve walked miles in them already, and straight out of the box. I’m quite wowed by them. The loafers are made in Italy, and fit a wider foot well. VERY comfy. They are also forgiving of bunions if your feet aren’t very wide. The almond toe flat is very pretty and comfy if you can wear flat footwear (also made in Italy). The pointy toe slingback worked well for both narrower and wider feet, although runs half a size small. It looks refined and elegant on the foot. The Mini Studio Bag is roomier than you expect because of great design. Its front pocket can store your phone. The Studio Bag is bigger than you expect, holds a lot, and does NOT convert to a crossbody.

2. Aritzia Agency Eversential Pants

Aritzia bottoms can be tricky to navigate because there are several versions of bottoms with the same name that differ slightly in fit and fabric. When you land on the RIGHT pair of Agency Eversential Pants, they are amazing. They come in twenty-six colours, mainly neutral and solid, and are flat in front (no pleats). Patterns are subtle and function like false plains. Available in short, regular and tall lengths. There is a low rise version that comes in fewer colour options if that’s your preference. The fabric comes from Portugal and is 61% polyester, 26% viscose, 7% cotton, 6% elastane. It’s thick, robust, non-crease, and feels fantastic against your skin. Looks sharp and polished. The back waist has a subtle elastic finish so the band is forgiving. They run SMALL so size up one size for a tailored fit. Size up TWO sizes for a fashion forward low slung fit. I’ve got a pair in an earthy brown check (shown below). I sized up two sizes to get a fashion forward slouchy low slung look and am keeping the hems very long.

3. UNIQLO Culottes and Jorts

These on trend culottes and long denim shorts are worth a look if you like the aesthetic. Fabrics range from super thin and lightweight, to heavier versions with heft. Some silhouettes are very wide and dramatic, with a Japanese integrity. Remember that they work wonderfully in transitional climates with taller boots. Versatile to dress up and down. They worked well on curvier figures, and straighter figures. Good length on petites.

4. Aritzia InterLock Cotton Major T-Shirt

This tee is fantastic if you enjoy wearing soft jersey knits with asymmetrical hemlines. It’s super soft and looks great worn as a top, AND layered underneath a shorter topper so that the asymmetrical hemline makes a statement peeking out from underneath. There is ruching on both sides and it does not cling. Clever design. It runs TTS if you want it to fit like it fits the model. Size down if you prefer a more tailored fit. Works well on petites, and comes in black.

5. Assorted Items

Last, a collection of jeans, skirts, dresses, jackets, shoes, and tops that made clients happy. Remarkably, the Mango skirts are lightweight, unlined, and drape well. The Zara skirts are lined and very flowing. The Nili Lotan Shon Barrel Jeans run a size big, are low slung, and have an equestrian jodhpur vibe. The pink Frame Crop Denim Jacket has fashion forward extra long sleeves, but they are straightforward to shorten. The Nordstrom Tina Boots are amazingly versatile because they swing both casual and dressy in a fantastic refined way. Comfy, and can be stretched on the toe box to accommodate bunions. The Ralph Lauren Twist-Front Bubble-Sleeve Shirtdress is WOW on, and comes in petites. Elegantly dramatic. I was launched into orbit when I saw my client in this dress. The Talbots and Boden items are gorgeous quality and fit smashingly well.

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Here’s a 10-step plan I encourage my clients and friends to follow when they need to recalibrate their style. Feel free to follow all the steps, or choose the ones that resonate the most to get you on your way.

1. Assess Your Current Life

Start with your current reality rather than your old wardrobe. How do you spend your days? Where do you go? How much do you walk, drive, commute, travel, work from home, work at the office, stay at home, socialize, work out, entertain, volunteer, help family, look after kids or parents, and attend events? What is your climate like? What are the dress codes and environmental norms in your area? Do you want to fit in with those norms, defy them, or do a bit of both?

It can be helpful to think about a typical two-month period and the types of outfits you need during that time, and how those needs change across seasons. This provides a practical framework before you start shopping.

2. Identify the Changes

Be specific about the changes creating the disconnect. Maybe your workplace is more casual, or dressier. Perhaps you retired and no longer need corporate clothing. Maybe you’ve moved somewhere hotter, colder, wetter, more urban, or more rural. Maybe your body has changed, or your feet need more comfortable shoes.

Perhaps you want more coverage and fluidity than you used to, or less coverage. Maybe you’ve reached a certain age and want to dress more vibrantly, playfully, and youthfully. You might want to look more arty, edgy, avant-garde, or pulled together. Perhaps you suddenly enjoy wearing colours, are tired of wearing black, or want to look more polished, relaxed, current, or distinctive. Or you want to tone down your maximal tendencies and create a more minimal look that’s about subtle luxury.

Sometimes it takes a while to pinpoint what needs changing. Going about it thoughtfully and effectively is a process, so please be patient.

3. Identify What Stays the Same

This step is just as important. Look through your wardrobe and identify the things that continue to feel and look dead right. Assess your hairstyle, make-up and grooming routine, eyewear style, and underwear too. These items, looks, and combinations will create the foundation of your recalibrated style.

Perhaps you continue to love stripes, dresses, skirts, shorts and tees, jeans, tailoring, pearls, bohemian looks, preppy looks, clean lines, sneakers, dramatic eyewear, earthy colours, conversational patterns, architectural silhouettes, off-kilter pairings, hard edges, rock ‘n roll, long-over-lean proportions, wide bottoms, fitted tops, shorter tops, statement jewellery and belts, clashing colours, outfit tension, sporty touches, impeccable shoes and bags, or backpacks. Maybe you still love looking dressy, relaxed, maximal, or minimal. Perhaps you adore the same colour palettes but want different silhouettes. Do some soul searching.

Your signature hairstyle might still feel spot on, whether it’s red hair, a classic bob, or a cheeky pixie. Keep the parts that work. They provide reassuring familiarity while other aspects of your style are changing.

4. Make Sure You Have Items That Fit

The goal is to have a wardrobe of clothes, footwear, and accessories that fit, look the way you want them to look, and are comfortable. Please don’t postpone dressing well until your weight stabilizes or changes again. You don’t need an enormous interim wardrobe. A small capsule of clothes and shoes that fit comfortably and make you feel good, or at least good enough for this interim period, can go a long way toward lifting your spirits while your weight and body settle.

5. Create New Outfit Formulas

Old outfit formulas may belong to your old way if of life. For example, if you used to wear a blazer, blouse, trousers, and pumps to work, perhaps your new formula is relaxed trousers or a casual skirt, a polished knit, fashion sneakers or supportive sandals or boots, and an interesting bag, belt, and earrings.

If retirement has left you living in joggers and sweatshirts but you’re craving something dressier and less sporty, try jeans or interesting casual pants with a relaxed knit or woven top, a lightweight jacket, supportive flat footwear, and eye-catching accessories. Or try an avant-garde look by wearing a few fluid or oversized architectural pieces with sentimental jewellery, mules, or Western boots. Perhaps it’s simply a question of finishing off your existing outfits in more compelling ways by using accessories and footwear differently.

Remember that you don’t have to give up comfort to look stylish. Experiment with a handful of formulas that suit your new daily activities. Repeat and refine them until getting dressed starts feeling easy again.

6. Get a Sense of Current Fashion

Fashion and style may have moved on while your attention was elsewhere, which means you might need to update your eye. Spend a bit of time looking at what people are wearing now. Browse retailers without necessarily buying anything. Look at street style, social media, magazines, blogs, forums, and people around you, if that interests you. Ask fashion-savvy friends and family members for help and guidance too. Notice new silhouettes, proportions, footwear, colours, styling combinations, and ways of wearing familiar items.

You don’t need to adopt what is on trend and popular. Not at all. The point is to understand the current fashion landscape so you can decide what, if anything, you would like to incorporate. Sometimes a small dose of “now” is all you need to make your existing style feel fresh again. Make a mental or written note of the looks, items, palettes, and proportions that appeal to you. Make a note of what doesn’t appeal to you too.

7. Experiment Before Committing

There’s no need to overhaul your wardrobe in one weekend. Take your time. Try things on in brick-and-mortar stores if you have access to them. Take a supportive fashion friend with you if this part is daunting. Try a wildcard or two. Be bold and order unfamiliar silhouettes online to assess how you look and feel in them. You might discover that something you previously disliked suddenly feels right because you have changed.

The odd wildcard or unexpected purchase can be the catalyst for change and refresh the rest of your wardrobe. Shop your closet in new combinations. Take outfit photos. Share them with people whose opinions you trust. Wear potential new formulas around the house to ease yourself into the vibe. Notice what makes you feel comfortable, attractive, confident, energized, and like yourself.

8. Fill Priority Wardrobe Holes First

Once you’ve experimented, the gaps should become clearer. Perhaps you need casual pants that aren’t joggers, sweatpants, or other types of athleisure. Maybe you need fewer jeans and more dresses, shorts, and skirts. Perhaps you need the right tops and shoes to go with existing skirts. Perhaps you need to update your sweaters.

Maybe it all comes down to updated footwear, a couple of belts, new eyewear, statement earrings and necklaces, and a step up from basic T-shirts. Or you need a stylish raincoat and wellies for your new climate. Perhaps it’s jeans and trousers in current silhouettes, a couple of frocks for your new social lifestyle, smart casual tops for a new yet more casual work dress code, or a versatile jacket that makes simple outfits feel sharp and pulled together.

Prioritize the items that will help you create the greatest number of complete outfits. Remember that a wardrobe full of exciting new pieces isn’t useful if you’re still missing the essentials that turn them into outfits.

9. Edit Thoughtfully

Edit thoughtfully and, as far as possible, without emotion. A life change can trigger the urge to edit everything associated with your previous life, especially if you have a tendency to over-edit. You don’t have to keep things that make you unhappy or clearly no longer serve or fit you. But unless space is an issue, there can be value in putting items you’re uncertain about aside rather than passing them on while your style is in transition. Items that feel off today might make sense again once you’ve found your new footing, or have the support items to make them feel just right.

10. Give the Process Time

Style recalibration is a process, not an event. Give yourself time and grace, and be patient. You might make some mistakes, but learn from them. You might think you’ve found your new direction and change your mind six months later. Through trial and error, you’ll recalibrate your style so that it hits the right note again. An experimental purchase might become a wardrobe workhorse, while something that seemed perfect in the dressing room might not earn its keep. That’s useful information.

Put new wardrobe items, outfit formulas, dressing strategies, and beauty regimens into practice. The more you dress and groom for your new context, the more you’ll understand what you actually need, what you want, and what works.

A major life change can make getting dressed unexpectedly complicated. It can even feel like you need to find yourself again. Wardrobe items that once made perfect sense can suddenly feel like they belong to another version of your life. But your previous style taught you plenty about what you like, what you don’t, what makes you feel fabulous, and how you want to present yourself to the world. Take that knowledge with you.

Keep what still feels right. Change what doesn’t. Experiment with the unfamiliar. Dress the body and life you have today. Give yourself permission to evolve, and wear the things that make you feel good in your own skin.

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I’ve worked with several clients over the years who needed to recalibrate their personal style. Their reasons varied. Coming out of the pandemic was a big one. After years of dressing very casually, some people needed or wanted to dress up again because suddenly there were conferences, galas, parties, and events to attend. Fashion had changed in the meantime, silhouettes had shifted, and old outfit formulas didn’t necessarily feel right anymore.

Retirement can create a similar challenge. You might no longer need a wardrobe of professional clothing, yet don’t want to spend every day in athleisure and loungewear. You need a new version of casual that feels comfortable, practical, polished, interesting, and authentically you.

Major illness and recovery can dramatically change how you feel about your body, clothing, comfort, priorities, and appearance. Weight fluctuations, perimenopause, and menopause can mean that part of your wardrobe no longer fits, feels comfortable, or hits the right note. Moving to another city or country can require dressing for a different climate, culture, commute, or environmental norm. A new job can change dress codes and daily activities. Divorce, remarrying, becoming a parent or grandparent, losing a partner, or entering a new relationship can shift how you see yourself and how you want to present yourself.

Sometimes there isn’t one dramatic event. You reach a certain age or stage of life and simply think, I want to dress differently now. Your lifestyle might be much the same, but your tastes, priorities, body, or ideas about how you want to look have changed. All of these situations can create the need for style recalibration.

It’s Not Reinvention

You don’t need to reinvent your style after a major life change. In fact, starting from scratch can make the process more overwhelming. Instead, think about recalibrating. That means reassessing and adjusting something so that it works well for your current circumstances, needs, and goals. In a style context, it means thoughtfully adapting your wardrobe and personal style to suit the life, body, preferences, and priorities you have now.

There are probably parts of your existing style that still feel completely right. Colours you love. Silhouettes that make you happy. Favourite accessories. Outfit combinations that continue to work. A preference for dressy or casual, maximal or minimal, classic, trendy or avant-garde, neutral or colourful. These things don’t automatically disappear because your circumstances have changed.

The goal is to identify what still works and what no longer serves you. Keep the parts that feel right, and adjust the parts that don’t. Think of it as changing the settings rather than replacing the system.

Give Yourself Grace

Major life changes can be physically and emotionally exhausting and stressful. Your wardrobe might be the last thing you want to think about, and there is no need to have your new style figured out right away. This is especially important after illness, divorce, bereavement, or other emotionally demanding circumstances. Your body, lifestyle, and preferences may continue to change for a while. Give it time. Style can wait until you have the energy and inclination to address it. And when you do, the process can happen slowly.

That said, it can be helpful and therapeutic to have wardrobe items that fit, feel comfortable, and make you feel good right now. You deserve a functional wardrobe for the body and life you have today, even when either might change again. You don’t need to put feeling good in your clothes on hold until everything else has settled.

There is a 10-step strategy I encourage clients and friends to follow when they need to recalibrate their style after major life changes. It’s a flexible guide that you can action in order, or simply pick out the components that resonate most with you. I’ll share the strategy in another blog post. Stay tuned.

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Team Outfit Repeater happily repeats a complete outfit. Once you’ve found a combination that looks and feels fabulous, there’s no need to mess with success. You might wear the same bottoms and top, or the same dress, with the same topper, shoes, bag, and accessories many times over the course of a season. You might have an assortment of these outfits that you put on repeat. The outfits are tried, tested, comfortable, and make you feel great. They also make getting dressed quick and easy.

Repeating outfits can be especially useful when you have a busy lifestyle, a small wardrobe, a work uniform, a tightly edited capsule, or simply prefer not to spend much time deciding what to wear. You’ve done the work of creating the outfits once, and can enjoy them repeatedly.

Team Constant Remixer, on the other hand, rarely wears precisely the same outfit twice, if at all. You might repeat the same wardrobe items frequently, but combine them differently each time. The same pair of pants might be worn with another top, different shoes, a different topper, a different bag, or an entirely new set of accessories. Sometimes only one component changes. Other times the whole combination is reworked.

For Constant Remixers, creating a fresh combination is part of the fun of getting dressed. You enjoy experimenting with proportions, colours, layers, accessories, and footwear. Remixing can also make a wardrobe feel larger because the same items create many different looks.

Of course, repeating an outfit doesn’t mean you lack creativity, just as constantly remixing doesn’t mean you need a large wardrobe. An Outfit Repeater might have put considerable thought into creating a fabulous set of combinations in the first place. A Constant Remixer might remix a relatively small collection of items in dozens of ways.

There is plenty of room between the two extremes too, which puts you on Team Bench. You might exactly repeat certain types of outfits while remixing others. Perhaps you repeat outfits for travel, lounging at home, working out, events, special occasions, or particularly hectic days, but enjoy remixing everyday work and weekend looks. Or you repeat work outfits and remix looks for other parts of your life. You might also have a handful of favourite combinations that are too good not to repeat.

Both approaches can result in a functional wardrobe, a strong sense of personal style, and a high wardrobe wear quotient. It’s a question of which dressing strategy comes more naturally to you and brings you more joy.

I’m Team Bench because I can’t pick a side. I happily repeat exact outfits within a season when I love the combination and it feels dead right for the current leg of my style journey. That said, I thoroughly enjoy remixing my wardrobe and creating new combinations with the same pieces. I’m a big believer in getting plenty of wear out of what I own, but I also enjoy switching the shoes and bag, adding different accessories, tweaking the colour palette, or creating an entirely new combination. It’s also great to remix old items with new items to fresh the look of the old. Remixing my wardrobe is part of the creative pleasure of fashion and style. Sometimes I’m in the mood to experiment, and other times I want to reach for a tried-and-tested outfit that I know ticks all the boxes.

Both approaches are an important part of how I enjoy my wardrobe, so I’m sitting this one out on the bench, where I’m serving lemon peri-peri baked salmon, grilled sweet potatoes with a side of chili crisp mayo, green beans with dill, olives and capers, and roasted chickpeas with tomato, feta and honey. Vanilla biscotti and chocolate-covered almonds for dessert.

Over to you. Are you Team Outfit Repeater or Team Constant Remixer? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, sit this one out on the bench with me and enjoy the feast.

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Neutral ginghams in combinations like black and white, grey and white, navy and white, brown and cream, toffee and white, and olive and cream are classics. The checked pattern adds visual interest while remaining wonderfully versatile, much like a false plain (when the pattern is small scale). Neutral gingham combines easily with wardrobe essentials in a range of neutral colours.

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Black and White

A pair of black and white gingham relaxed straight cropped pants is paired with an untucked black boxy V-neck tee. The scale of the pattern is small, so much so that it reads like a solid texture at first glance. Flat black slides are the casual shoes of choice, matching the top and model’s hair. Add a bag that works with the palette. Super simple, minimal, and breezy outfit.

2. Chocolate and Cream

A pair of brown and cream gingham vamp length wide pants is combined with a tailored cream peplum vest (or waistcoat). Taupe wedged thong sandals are the smart casual shoe of choice, and match the tortoiseshell buttons on the vest. A dark brown bag adds another smart casual touch, and matches the model’s hair. Cream or dark brown sandals would work well too.

3. Navy and Toffee

A dressier pair of navy and toffee ankle pants is combined with a tucked navy V-neck tee with button detailing. Gingerbread pointy toe slingbacks with a complementary cognac belt add a polished and professional integrity to the look. The gingham pants have an optional matching jacket to create a suit. Swap out the shoes for a pair of simple low profile neutral sneakers to create a Sporty Luxe look.

4. Olive and Cream

Last, a pair of drapey, wide olive and cream gingham full length trousers worn at perfect pant lengths is combined with a summery slubby dark olive linen sweater. It’s semi tucked to showcase the waist of the pants. Sleeves are scrunched to showcase forearm skin. Strappy flat chocolate brown super casual sandals are the beachy and relaxed choice of shoes. Add jewellery, bag, watch, and eyewear as desired.

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Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle distinction. A brooch refers to a larger decorative piece of jewellery that fastens to clothing with a pin on the back, while pin is a broader term that also includes lapel pins, enamel pins, novelty pins, commemorative pins, and other smaller decorative pieces. All brooches are pins, but not all pins are brooches. Both can elevate an outfit in unique and personal ways.

Unlike many accessories, brooches and pins aren’t confined to one part of an outfit. That’s part of their appeal. They can be worn almost anywhere, making them one of the most versatile and creative ways to personalize your style.

The variety is enormous. Brooches and pins come in every imaginable size, shape, material, colour, finish, and price point. They can be crafted from precious metals and gemstones, enamel, resin, wood, pearls, crystals, fabric, leather, or acrylic. Designs range from flowers, animals, insects, bows, hearts, and abstract shapes to initials, humorous motifs, sculptural forms, contemporary works of wearable art, and almost anything else. Some are delicate and understated, while others are large enough to become the focal point of an outfit.

Traditionally, brooches were worn on a jacket or coat lapel, but today there are more possibilities. Pin one onto the shoulder of a sweater, the neckline or collar of a shirt, the pocket of a denim jacket, the cuff of a sleeve, a blazer, vest, scarf, hat, handbag, or even the ribbon of a straw hat. They can also look striking on the waistbands of skirts and dresses, or clustered on the front of a canvas tote. Brooches and pins can be used to hitch up skirts, tops, and pant hems. You can ruche a tee at the side, secure the ruching with a brooch, and enjoy the diagonal line and asymmetrical integrity it creates. Brooches can also be worn as pendants on necklaces. Wear one on its own for a subtle accent, or group several together for greater impact. Brooches invite creativity, and sometimes the most unexpected placement is the most successful.

Brooches can also solve practical styling challenges. They can hold a scarf in place, secure the neckline of a wrap or cardigan, gather fabric to create a different silhouette, or discreetly disguise a small stain, hole, or repair. Decorative and functional is a winning combination.

Because they’re relatively small accessories and easy to store, brooches and pins are an easy way to experiment with trends, colour, shine, or a playful motif without making a big commitment. A single statement brooch can change the mood of a simple navy blazer, denim jacket, winter coat, jumper, or hat. It can be a quick, effective, and often affordable way to refresh wardrobe favourites you may have worn for years.

Vintage and antique brooches often tell a story. They may have been inherited from a family member, discovered while travelling, found in an antique shop, or picked up at a flea market. Even contemporary brooches can become meaningful over time, reminding us of a special event, place, person, or milestone. Like many accessories, they can carry memories as well as style.

Some people enjoy matching their brooches to the colours or theme of an outfit, while others deliberately create contrast. A colourful enamel pin on a monochromatic outfit, a sparkling crystal brooch on casual denim, or a whimsical motif on classic tailoring can add unexpected interest and create pleasing visual tension. Sometimes that element of surprise is exactly what makes an outfit memorable.

If you’ve never worn brooches or pins before, they can feel unfamiliar at first. Start with one that genuinely appeals to you and wear it on a jacket or coat. As you become more comfortable, experiment with different placements and combinations. Wear a cluster of brooches, if you like. Or stick to one simple way of wearing a fabulous brooch. There is no right or wrong approach. It’s about finding a way of wearing brooches and pins that feels authentic to your style and makes you happy.

I have exactly ONE brooch. It’s the best-brooch-for-me on the planet. It was a gift, and you can read the story here. I would like to wear it more frequently, and plan to do just that. That said, I derive as much joy from looking at my special brooch displayed in a jewellery box. It’s a vintage piece from 1960, a beautiful work of art, and makes me smile.

Over to you. Have you found your brooch wearing balance?

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Take the idea a step further to what I call elevated essentials. These are essentials with a little extra built-in style. They work just as hard as regular essentials, and also make your outfits look better while they’re at it. They combine the versatility of an essential with thoughtful design, fantastic fabric, a stellar fit, and/or an interesting detail that quietly elevates the entire look.

It’s easy to be drawn to statement pieces, eye-catching colours, interesting silhouettes, and special occasion purchases. Before you know it, your wardrobe is full of beautiful, distinctive items. Yet getting dressed feels frustrating because fabulous complete outfits are hard to create. More often than not, the problem isn’t a lack of great clothes, shoes, or accessories. It’s a lack of the right essentials.

Essentials bridge the gap between your more distinctive wardrobe items. They create cohesion, provide balance, and allow your favourite pieces to shine. They make a wardrobe more functional, and they’re highly PERSONAL. Essentials reflect your lifestyle, climate, colour palette, style goals, sartorial preferences, and outfit priorities. As a result, they differ greatly from wardrobe to wardrobe.

One way to identify a missing essential is to notice what I call a wardrobe hole. Perhaps you repeatedly think, “I wish I had a simple cream, toffee, grey, or black top to wear with these skirts and patterned pants,” or “I really need a pair of metallic or brown loafers that work with these outfits,” or “A lightweight navy or brown topper would finish so many of my looks.” When you keep reaching for the same imaginary item, your wardrobe is telling you something. That missing piece is often an essential.

Essentials can be clothes, shoes, or accessories. They might be a white tee, earth-toned tank tops, barrel jeans, a cropped black sweater, an oversized denim jacket, a navy short puffer, olive utility pants, black joggers, denim shorts, a navy-and-white striped knit, diamond studs, a silver belt, a black camera bag, white sneakers, metallic sandals, black knee-high boots, a cognac belt, pearls, a brown coat, black Mary Janes, or white trousers. What makes something an essential isn’t the item itself. It’s how often it earns its place in your outfits, and how many other wardrobe items work with it.

The elevated version of an essential is every bit as versatile, but has an extra quality that makes it feel MORE. Perhaps the fabric is luxurious, the fit is impeccable, the colour is especially flattering, or the design includes an interesting detail. A beautifully cut black sweater or leather jacket, a sculptural cream handbag, premium white sneakers, a perfectly fluid olive jacket, or gorgeous brown boots can all be elevated essentials. They quietly add polish and pizazz, without sacrificing versatility.

For example, hubs Greg surprised me by buying two tops that perfectly fit the elevated essentials category. They’re refined, lightweight, body-con polo sweaters in cream and navy. The fabric feels heavenly against the skin, the quality is exceptional, they don’t crease, and the polo collars give them that little something extra, making them feel dressier than a simple knit. They’re also slightly longer on me than on the models, so they aren’t very cropped.

Because they’re in the dominant light and dark neutrals of my wardrobe, they work under almost every jacket and with almost every bottom I own. They’re also perfect for Seattle’s climate, where they’ll earn their keep for at least six months of the year. Had I seen them first, I probably would have been drawn to citron, lime green, or tomato red versions. Instead, Greg wisely chose the quieter cream and navy, which turned out to be far more versatile. They became instant, unexpected workhorses. I suppose I didn’t know I had a wardrobe hole until Greg filled it for me.

During this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I added two more elevated essentials to my wardrobe: a navy cashmere hoodie with a beautifully neat and tidy neckline that elevates its sporty silhouette, and a pair of dull gold T-strap flats that feel a little more interesting than a simple ballet flat. Both are quite understated compared to other items in my wardrobe. The hoodie works with most of my bottoms and can be dressed up for Sporty Luxe looks, or worn casually. The gold flats went straight into heavy rotation, and are perfect with my Summer dresses, skirts, white trousers, and cropped jeans.

Elevated essentials work especially hard because they do two jobs at once. They provide the practicality and flexibility of an essential while also adding refinement, visual interest, and personality. Rather than simply filling a wardrobe hole, they subtly elevate the outfit.

I’ve found that building a wardrobe around strong essentials doesn’t mean filling it with boring basics. Quite the opposite. The better your essentials, the easier it becomes to wear your more distinctive pieces. A statement jacket gets worn more often because you have the right trousers and shoes to support it. Gorgeous orphaned skirts come out to play because you finally have the perfect knit top to wear with them. A favourite handbag earns its keep because it complements much of your wardrobe. Simple jeans and trousers feel more polished when paired with elevated essential shoes, belts, knitwear, or toppers.

If you’re finding it difficult to create outfits despite owning plenty of fantastic clothes, shoes, and accessories, resist the urge to buy another statement piece. Instead, take a closer look at the items that connect everything else. Investing in the right essentials or elevated essentials can be one of the smartest and most impactful ways to strengthen your wardrobe and get the most from your fashion budget. They may not steal the spotlight, but they’re often the reason your outfits come together with ease and look dead right too.

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