Trends

Fall fashion colours 2023

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Logo by SamWe are fortunate to live far from the wildfires that have devastated vast areas to the north and west of us this summer, but smoke travels amazing distances. As I peered through the pall of smoke that hung over us for most of the past week, I saw leaves beginning to turn colour. Yes, fall is here whether I like to admit it or not!

Coloured leaves are beautiful, but it’s the colour trends for fall/winter 2023 fashion that are on my mind this week. Bold, fiery reds are definitely big this year. While I vividly remember both a red sweater and a red dress that I loved and wore a lot many years ago, the only red in my wardrobe at present is the coat that I found in a local thrift store last fall. That’s something I definitely want to correct this season! 

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I’ve sometimes seen red referred to as a universal colour, a colour that looks good on just about everyone, but although there is a red for everyone, not every red looks good on every person. Those, like myself, with warm skin tones should choose brighter orange-based reds, while those with cool skin tones look better wearing darker blue-based reds. If wearing red isn’t your cup of tea, you might want to add just a pop of it with an accessory or two.

Another colour that is on-trend for fall is brown. Think caramel, cinnamon, chocolate! Yum! Brown has always been a favourite wardrobe basic of mine, so I’ll definitely be making good use of the pieces that I already own. Other neutrals that will be big this fall are grey and cream, bone, or winter white. 

Two popular shades of blue this season are icy blue and cobalt. 

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Yellow, especially bright yellow, is another colour that’s on-trend for the new season. With the influence of the Barbie movie carrying on into fall this year, pink will also continue to be popular.

Will you be adding any of these colours to your fall/winter wardrobe? What are your favourite colours to wear? 

Wide-leg pants

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Logo by SamWhen we were visiting last weekend, our daughter had some things to drop off at a thrift store. Of course, that also meant stopping to shop! After all, she is her mother’s daughter and she knows the value and fun of second-hand shopping.

Wide-leg pants, one of last year’s biggest trends, are still very much in style this year. I’ve tried on several pairs, but until last Saturday I hadn’t found any that I really liked. Then I spotted these ones!

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As my daughter pointed out, the vertical stripes give the pants an elongated, slimming look which is likely what makes them more attractive to me than a solid colour might have been. Made of a soft linen/rayon blend, they look like linen, but drape like rayon. They’re as comfortable as a pair of pyjama pants and have a casual coastal grandmother vibe, another trend from last year that hasn’t disappeared yet and isn’t likely to any time soon.

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For me, an added bonus is the fact that these pants have no metal anywhere. That means that I can wear them for my MRI and CT scans today instead of changing into hideous hospital pyjamas!

How to wear mismatched earrings

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Logo by SamIn last Friday’s post, when I mentioned that mismatched earrings are on trend this season, I included a photo of this pair, which I love. Unfortunately, I found the picture on Pinterest with no explanation of where or whether they’re available, so I guess I won’t be adding them to my collection.  😦

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This pair from cabi’s fall 2021 collection is my only mismatched pair. They’re among my favourite earrings and I wear them quite often. The difference between them is subtle and might not even be noticed by some because they are identical in length and the shape doesn’t differ much.

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While there are plenty of mismatched pairs to be found, some cutesy and others elegant, you don’t need to buy more earrings to try this trend. Instead, why not mix and match from your existing collection? The key is to ensure that your choice looks intentional, not like you crawled out of bed and accidentally put on the wrong earrings! Here are a few tips to help you do that effectively. 

  • Choose two earrings that are obviously different from each other so that it doesn’t look like you simply mixed up two similar looking pairs.
  • Ensure that there is some correlation, some connection, between the two. It could be a common theme. For example,  earrings that are sold as mismatched sets often feature moons and stars. Choosing earrings made of the same metal  could also be a connecting factor as could colour. 
  • Play with lengths. Perhaps try wearing a stud in one ear and a longer or more dramatic earring in the other. 
  • Mix up shapes. For example, wear a round stud in one ear and a star shaped one in the other. Try a round hoop in one ear and a square or triangular one in the other. 
  • Experiment with sizes. Wear a small hoop in one ear and a larger one in the other. 

Here are a few examples from my earring collection that I’m going to try wearing. 

Wearing mismatched earrings might seem a little quirky. It’s a departure from tradition and may take you outside your comfort zone, but it’s an easy way to add an element of creativity to your look. There’s also one more advantage to this trend… if you’ve ever lost a favourite earring and it’s partner is sitting alone in the bottom of your jewelry box because you can’t bear to part with it, now’s the time to take it out and find it a new companion! 

Do your ears hang low?

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Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?

When we sang this silly ditty around the campfire at girls’ camp when I was growing up, we didn’t know that when we reached our senior years, our ears might, in fact, begin to droop! As we age, our skin loses elasticity causing the tissue of our ears to sag and stretch. Sometimes this is worsened by wearing heavy earrings which can also cause the piercings themselves to stretch. 

Logo by SamI’ve been wearing pierced earrings for approximately 50 years, but I’ve always been very careful about their weight. I clearly remember two pairs over the years that felt heavy when I put them on for the first time. In both cases, that first time was also the last. I wasn’t going to take a chance on developing droopy earlobes if I could help it! Thankfully, there are many earrings, even large ones, that are made of very lightweight materials including aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel as well as plastic and acrylic. 

When my children were very young and there was the possibility of one of them grabbing an earring and pulling, I wore mostly studs. While a torn earlobe can be surgically repaired, I certainly didn’t want to have to go that route! 

If you have a pair of heavy earrings that you can’t bear to part with or if your earlobes are beginning to sag, there’s help for you! Easy to use, clear and unnoticeable, EarLite patches applied to the backs of the earlobes Screen Shot 2022-11-16 at 4.56.24 PMprevent stretching or tearing or provide relief for already damaged lobes. While I haven’t used these myself, I’ve been told that they are effective. “Bullet clutch” earring backs with plastic pads also provide extra support for larger, heavier earrings.  

And finally, while we’re on the topic of earrings, let’s look at some of the popular trends for fall and winter 2022. These include hoops, geometric shapes, florals, colour, pearls, crystals, chain links, and mismatched sets. 

Musing about sandals

/ edebock / 11 Comments

Logo by SamWhen I took my sandals out of storage this spring, I realized how worn they were getting. That’s not surprising considering the fact that the newest pair is at least five years old! I only know that because I’ve been keeping track of all my clothing, footwear, and accessories purchases since the beginning of 2018 and there aren’t any sandals on the list!

I have a couple of pairs that are still quite serviceable, but really, it might be time for this girl to be thinking about buying some new ones!

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Fishermans sandals are very much on trend for 2022, but something about a closed toe sandal just doesn’t sit well with me. They’re great for women who are self-conscious about exposing their toes for any reason, but when I wear sandals, I want my golden summertime toes to show.

Then there’s the recent popularity of fishermans sandals with socks. That one is a definite no for me! I haven’t spend all these years teasing hubby about wearing socks with his sandals to succumb to that fad!

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What about you? Are you a fan of this look? I always say that, first and foremost, we ought to wear what makes us happy.

I’m not a girly girl, but if I do go shopping for sandals, I’ll be looking for something a little more feminine looking than the closed toe fishermans sandal; something more like this pair from Naturalizer. I like a sandal that’s casual, but a little bit dressy looking, and something that I can comfortably walk a long way in.

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Sadly, the Naturalizer stores in Edmonton closed last year and I’d have to order these online. Not only do I much prefer shopping in person, but I have very narrow, difficult to fit feet. Ordering shoes online just doesn’t work for me. So, for now, until I have an opportunity to shop and try on, I’ll just continue wearing my old sandals and musing about new ones.

And then…

As usual, this post was written earlier in the week so that it would be ready to post first thing this morning. Yesterday, after getting my monthly injection, I stopped at one of our local thrift stores to drop off a bag of books that I’d finished reading. Of course, I had to take a look around and guess what I found? Sandals! Almost brand new Clarks in my size for $2.00! Similar sandals online sell for $110 and up. I’ll still be keeping my eye out for a dressier pair similar to the ones above, but in the meantime, I’m delighted with my find. They’re comfortable and supportive and the soft sage colour goes well with my summer wardrobe.

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On a totally different topic, I recently had the privilege of writing a guest post for the parenting blog, Leaf and Steel. I hope you’ll pop over and check it out here. 

Stripes for spring!

/ edebock / 1 Comment

LogoI used to write a blog post twice a year about the trends for spring/summer and fall/winter based on the looks that ruled the runways for that season. I’ve quit doing that because they were a lot of work and amongst the women who read this blog, who actually dresses like a runway model? Probably no one! I know I don’t. Real women do, however, want to know how some of those looks translate into the clothes that we’ll actually see in our favourite retailers; things that we would actually wear.

That leads me to one of the biggest trends for the upcoming season… stripes! That’s right, though some of us have been wearing stripes forever, they’re going to be especially popular this season!

A classic Breton top, first introduced in 1858 as part of the uniform for navy seamen in Northern France, is an easy pattern to wear and a favourite of mine. The original design had long sleeves and featured 21 horizontal stripes, one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories. Apparently, the distinctive navy and white stripes made it easy for rescuers to spot sailors who fell overboard!

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Nowadays, Breton striped t-shirts are available in both long and short-sleeved versions and a myriad of colours. Since they never really go out of style and can be worn year round, I’d like to add a couple more to my wardrobe this season while they’re easy to find. I much prefer to shop in person, but I’ve been doing some looking around  online and thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve found with you. Please keep in mind that I’m not affiliated with any of the companies represented here and I don’t benefit in any way if you choose to order something. Since I have readers in wide variety of locations, I’m showing retailers from the UK and US as well as Canada.

The Original Breton Shirt  –  The Breton Shirt Co

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In addition to the traditional Breton top shown here, The Breton Shirt Co offers a variety of colours and styles.

Striped Oversized Long Sleeve T-shirt  –  Uniqlo

This one is also available in several colours.

Three-Quarter Sleeve Criss-Cross Sailor Top  – Blair

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I really like the sleeve detail on this one. Though it also comes in a variety of colours, teal is a colour that flatters every skin tone.

This is just a small sampling of the Breton type tees that are available this season, but stripes are not limited to this one style.

Square Neck Button Front Tank  –  Cleo

Stripes aren’t always horizontal!

Prep School Shirt  –  Cabi

This cropped shirt is a cute and casual look for summer.

Washable Linen Pull-On Pants  –  L.L.Bean

These look a lot like pyjamas to me, but they would be light and breezy on a hot summer’s day.

24/7 Sweats, Dress Stripe  –  L.L.Bean

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I had just about finished writing this post when this dress popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. Isn’t it interesting how Facebook knows exactly where we’ve been on the internet? Not always a good thing, but in this case I didn’t mind!

Trend or not, stripes may not be your thing. If that’s the case and you really can’t see yourself wearing any of these, why not add a just a touch of the trend in a scarf or a handbag?

Colour Joy Floral Striped Scarf  –  The Bay

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Stripe Shopper Bag  –  Nordstrom

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We’ve just come through another incredibly cold snap and it looks like winter will be with us for awhile longer, but it’s nice to start thinking about spring and about what we might be wearing when the weather finally does warm up. What about you? Will you be wearing stripes?

Skinny jeans, yes or no?

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LogoAccording to the Gen Z teens and twenty-somethings, who are young enough to be my grandchildren, skinny jeans are done, dead, over. Apparently they’ve reached their expiry date. This shouldn’t come as a big surprise. The younger generation needs to distinguish themselves from we oldies by rejecting what we wear and that’s okay. That’s the way it’s always been. If their mothers and grandmothers were wearing baggy jeans, they would choose skinny. The fashion industry also needs to keep changing styles or they wouldn’t sell enough product. That’s not new either. So, skinny jeans are out and baggy ones are in.

On the other hand, a lot of older fashionistas are are making it clear that they’re not ready to give up their skinnies and I’m definitely one of them. Though I’m not adverse to wearing looser jeans and often do, I still like my skinnies and I’ll continue wearing them, especially my favourite grey ones from cabi which you’ve seen on the blog several times in the past.

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This is a super casual, comfortable, relaxing at home on a rainy day look. Hubby and I dashed outside during a lull in yesterday’s all day rain to snap a couple of photos for this post. I’m wearing the cabi jeans with the Uniqlo denim shirt that you first saw here, a plain white Uniqlo t-shirt, and the white leather sneakers that just had to be mine.

I wonder how much the changing trend from skinny to looser jeans has been influenced by what we’ve been wearing for the past year. I think, in many cases, jeans hung in closets while wearers, stuck at home, turned to the comfort of softer pants like leggings and sweats. I admit that squeezing back into skinnies, especially if you’ve put on a few pandemic pounds, might not be particularly comfortable at first and looser jeans would have a certain appeal.

I also wonder how the move toward baggy jeans will influence the footwear market. After all, what other jean style tucks so neatly into tall boots?

Personally, I would say that skinny jeans are not dead. They’re simply not a trend anymore. They’ve moved into the classic style category and will likely be around for a long time yet. If you like them, wear them. If you don’t, don’t. That really should be the one and only fashion rule, shouldn’t it?

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Fashion trends for spring 2021

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LogoDepending on where you live, it might be early to start thinking about spring, but as I look out on a bleak winter landscape in the midst of pandemic restrictions, I need something to remind myself that better days are coming! In my opinion, much of what is being shown by fashion designers for spring 2021 simply doesn’t fit well with our lockdown, stay-at-home, Covid pandemic life, but there are a few takeaways that might boost our morale or add a bit of optimism to our spring closets.

Spring promises to be full of colour. Yellow, the most luminous colour of the spectrum, is perhaps the most popular for the new season. Yellow is considered the colour of happiness, optimism, enlightenment, creativity, and sunshine, all things we hope for as we emerge from the darkness of this particular winter. Pastels promise to be popular. Think buttercream, mint green, lavender, sky blue, and bubblegum pink. Vibrant, optimistic colours like marigold, tangerine, and hot pink will also be on trend. Bold florals and tie dye will catch the eye as will multicoloured, folk inspired coats like this one.  

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Slouchy tailoring, well suited to our desire for comfort during these stressful times, will be very evident this spring. Oversized, button-down shirts will be popular. Think “hubby’s shirt” or “Dad’s shirt” in feminine colours. Oversized blazers or boyfriend jackets are also on trend. 

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I don’t think that skinny jeans are going to disappear completely just yet, but again in keeping with our more sedentary lifestyle these days, the silhouette for pants is changing significantly. My daughter was in Walmart earlier this week and mentioned that where there used to be a wall of jeans, there was now nothing but sweatpants! Yes, sweatpants have definitely come into their own during the pandemic and not only for exercise. Many are quite stylish looking. 

Though sweatpants are definitely having a moment, blue jeans aren’t disappearing from the fashion landscape. This season’s pants, jeans included, will be loose fitting and wide legged, reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s. 

The key to looking put together instead of sloppy in the upcoming season’s loose fitting garments is to create balance by pairing them with slim fitting pieces. Wear an oversized shirt with leggings or those skinny jeans that are still in your closet. Try the loose fitting boyfriend blazer over a fitted tee or wear baggy pants with a cropped or slim fitting top, perhaps even one of the “second-skins” that are popular for this spring. Unfortunately, these stretchy, body hugging knits probably won’t be flattering to those of us with middle age bulges that we’d prefer to keep hidden! 

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A few other things to look for this spring include big shoulders, again a throwback the the 1980s, and puffed sleeves. Cinched waists with statement belts will be popular and then there’s netting. Not fishnet stockings this time, but mesh dresses worn over bodysuits. Personally, I’m not sure how well that one will catch on, but we shall see! Though mini skirts will still be seen, midi and maxi lengths will be more popular this season. And then, of course, there are the shackets that I wrote about last week.  

Do you see yourself adopting any of these trends when winter comes to an end? I’m partial to the big shirts and, since there’s absolutely no yellow in my closet, I may have to look for something in that sunny colour to brighten things up.  

12 Trends for Fall 2020

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As we enter a new season and continue to find ourselves caught in this strange Covid-19 conundrum, I wonder how many of us are thinking about fashion trends or even considering adding to our existing wardrobes. I think, more than anything, fashion this fall is going to be all about comfort and some of the trends definitely reflect that.

Before we look at specific styles, let’s talk about colour. Though black and grey will continue to be popular neutrals, bold jewel tones lead the way this fall. Marigold, orange, wine, and rust are very popular and even chartreuse is on trend. Rich, bold blues and deep olive are also highly favoured. Head to toe outfits in warm creamy tones are a new look for fall this year.

ISABEL MARANT Fall Winter 2020 Runway Images Courtesy of ISABEL MARANT

Now for 12 of the most popular trends for fall:

1.  Textured coats  –   Shearling and faux fur are both very popular for outerwear this season.  

2.  Oversized coats  –  We definitely want to wrap ourselves in something comfy as we move into winter! 

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3.  Capes  –  Capes as coats continue the theme of wrapping ourselves in comfort. 

4.  Quilted fashions  –  Puffer coats and vests have been popular for awhile, but this season we’re also seeing quilted skirts! 

5.  Plaids and checks  –  Look for argyle patterns, tartans, gingham, houndstooth, checks of every kind this season. You may not have to look any further than your own closet to incorporate this look into your fall outfits. Vintage shops would be another great source. 

6.  Shoulder reveals  –  Not just the cold shoulder look that’s been around for the past couple of years, but asymmetrical shoulder cutouts, one shoulder, and off the shoulder looks are all on trend this season. 

7.  Puff sleeves  –  Anne of Green Gables anyone? Dramatic, voluminous sleeves are big (pun intended) this fall. 

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8.  Ruffles and tiers  –  Ruffled skirts and tiered dresses are popular. Look for Victorian-era details, particularly ruffled Victorian necklines. 

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9.  Skirt suits  –  Summer’s short suits have transitioned into skirt suits for fall. This trend might appeal to many women who’ve been able to return to the workplace and who are looking to amp up their fall and winter wardrobes. Some have pleated skirts, many are seen in bright colours, and some are even all leather. 

10.  Fringe  –  Fringes, sometimes very long fringes, are being seen on hemlines, sleeves, handbags, pretty much anywhere you can put a fringe. 

11.  Metallics and sequins  –  The majority of us probably won’t be going anywhere in the near future that requires anything very fancy, but if you do, metallic fabric (especially silver) or sequins is the way to go. 

12.  Lingerie looks  –  Lastly, for the more adventurous amongst us and perhaps those who live in a warmer climate than I do, is the intimate apparel as daywear look. If you can’t decide which shirt to wear, don’t panic. Just go without one! Bra tops and bustiers under jackets are a trend, though not one that I”m likely to adopt! 

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As you can see from the photos, it’s very easy to mix and match this fall’s trends. Think plaid overcoat, cape, or skirt suit, for example. 

As I’ve mentioned in previous seasonal trend posts, some of these may appeal to you and others probably won’t. Don’t ever feel compelled to wear something simply because it’s on trend. Instead, pick and choose those colours that suit your skin tone and looks that fit your personal style. And, before you start shopping for this season’s trends, remember to shop your own closet. Perhaps you’ll find something there that fits right in with the current trends. 

Finding trends in my closet

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LogoAs most of you already know, I don’t shop for clothes online and I’ve mostly been staying away from brick and mortar stores since the onset of Covid-19. That leaves shopping my closet and trying to create new looks with old clothes.

When I researched fashion trends for spring and summer 2020 for an earlier post, one of the looks that appealed to me and that I could see myself wearing was the suit with Bermuda shorts.

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Had I still been teaching instead of happily retired, I could definitely have seen myself investing in one of these menswear inspired suits. They’re a nice take on business casual and if the trend doesn’t last, the pieces could still be worn separately. I didn’t realize at the time that I could create a similar look using pieces from my own wardrobe!

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I wear capris more often than shorts as I don’t think that my knees are amongst my more attractive features, but I do have several pairs of shorts including these black ones from Nike Golf. The top is cabi and the little black jacket is from Canadian fashion retailer, Reitmans. All three pieces have been in my wardrobe for several seasons.

I’m not really going anywhere these days that requires even this level of dressy, but I did have some business to take care of at the bank yesterday and even though it wasn’t necessary, it felt nice to dress up just a bit.

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HOOFING IT Across Canada update:

I’ve now walked 51.37 km since the beginning of the challenge. With over 6 weeks left, I should have no problem surpassing my personal goal of 100 km. Donations have slowed down a bit, but thanks to many generous donors, I’ve raised $1095 which is 73% of my $1500 goal. As the Canadian neuroendocrine cancer community, however, we have a long way to go to raise the $100,000 needed to continue funding much needed research. At present, we’ve raised just over $31,600.