Spring weather has been all over the place. I jumped the gun a little on switching over my seasonal wardrobe, so have been dipping back into my A/W wardrobe almost every other day to compensate. Absolutely zero complaints here though. These outfits are a mix of what I wear on work days, and what I reach for on days when the kids are home/weekends. Typically opting for outfits that feel minimal and chic, but have some personality baked into them. Also, not afraid of the odd smattering of colour.
One thing I keep going back to are basics done well. Like this first outfit. These trousers are hands down one of my favourite that I own. The cut is unique and interesting, and the cropped length adds in a different proportion to the mix. The top I paired them with is an older style; a cotton poplin fabrication which has some good structure to it. I’ll never get tired of seeing tailored pants paired with sandals so that completes the look.
Wearing: Marle cotton top (old similar here), Facade Pattern trousers (10% off with MADEMOISELLE10), Andersons belt, Madewell flip flops, Quince woven bag
Wearing: Ganni t-shirt, Alpha60 jeans, Bob Ore bag, Madewell flip flops
I’ve been trying to remind myself to wear this t-shirt more. I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ll never be a graphic tee kind of girl. Perhaps for the same reason I seldom wear prints near my face; it just feels like too much. But this one, gives me joy for the colour, the embroidery, and also how much my daughter loves this tee (anything with a “catty” is a win). This outfit is simple, but it hits all the style cues I’m seeking.
Wearing: Quince cashmere knit, Facade Pattern trousers (10% off with MADEMOISELLE10), Aeyde shoes, Quince bag
It’s those trousers again…! These pop up quite a bit on work days as I just love the way that they make me feel. This outfit might be simple, but for me it’s outweighed by the fact that I love each of these items so much individually. The knit can be worn off shoulder which gives it a versatile edge plus the baby cashmere is beyond soft. The shoes are very comfortable – something my wide feet are incredibly happy about – and the modern high vamp feels minimal and slightly unusual (in a good way). And the bag! An affordable alternative for Polene, the leather quality is phenomenal and I highly recommend signing up for the waitlist if it’s sold out.
Wearing: Facade Pattern stripe tank (10% off with MADEMOISELLE10), Toteme jeans, Andersons belt, Everlane flats, COS shirt, Quince bag
I remember it was pretty hot the day I wore this, but wholly unsatisfied by the pairing of the tank with the jeans, I workshopped the look and ended up with this lightweight linen shirt as a “third” piece. Seeking out interest in the outfit and a reminder that you don’t need to scrap something because it feels “off”, just figure out what it’s missing (or what it needs tweaked!). PS. I don’t talk about the Everlane day gloves enough but I need to more as they are truly great.
Wearing: Madewell tee, Tibi cargo pants, Andersons belt, Quince bag, Tibi sandals (old but these are similar)
Not in a million years did I think I’d be returning to cargo pants. A style I last wore aged 11. I firmly believe that you should “never say never”, as our eye is constantly adjusting, along with our taste. What sold it for me was the crispy nylon fabrication. I also sized down to get the perfect fit in the Stellas as previous pairs I’ve bought have always felt too big for me. Pairing it with a no-colour-colour tee felt like the perfect way to keep things feeling grounded and casual, but not literal.
Wearing: Arket striped tee, Blanca skirt (similar here), Madewell straw bag, Arms of Eve chain bracelet
Playing around with proportions here by keeping my long sleeved striped top worn loose. I especially like this one as it’s a deep burgundy stripe that works so well with chocolate browns. The straw bag adds in that natural spring-like touch, but feels slightly unexpected in the black raffia.
Wearing: Depound white shirt (O/S – 10% off with MADEMOISELLE10), Everlane barrel jeans, Madewell Mary janes, Andersons belt
Something about a creamy, light coloured outfit always gets me. Especially when there is denim involved. As I’ve shifted away from the skinny jean, I’ve found myself happy to explore different silhouettes; the most recent of which is the barrel leg jean. This brings in a sculptural quality to an outfit. A very easy way to add in visual interest. You can see I’ve bookended the look slightly here with the brown belt and shoes; white shirt and jeans.
Wearing: Lilysilk striped cashmere sweater, DISSH trousers, Andersons belt, Aeyde heels, Oroton crossbody bag
If I’m ever feeling stuck, or just want an outfit that feels refined without any of the effort, I’ll always start with a fluid drape full length trouser. Instant polish, and styling can determine the mood you take. This was a work day, so I wanted effortless but chic. Opted for a tonal look with the light brown striped knit, and the chocolate brown heels. Belting the trousers gave the outfit a slightly more refined feel by highlighting the waist and adding that extra bit of embellishment.
Wearing: AERE Label shirt (similar here), MUJI shorts, J.Crew bucket tote
I love playing around with colour, but am typically quite reserved in wearing it on a day-to-day basis. This was one of those rare days where I felt emboldened, and wanted something that felt quite striking. I’d chosen to recently buy a cotton oversized red shirt for a few reasons… it had been sitting on my wishlist, it’s position likely influenced by the inclusion of red in The Row’s recent collection. But, I’ve always been a fan of red as a colour on me; it’s one of my happy colours, something I’ll gladly reach for so I could see this correlation between the two, perhaps just giving me the space to feel out the style for myself. Personally I’ll be wearing it dialled down with neutrals – here worn with tan Bermuda shorts. The forest green snake print bag is another recent purchase, and one that I admittedly thought wasn’t going to work out but am eating my words as it truly is gorgeous (excellent quality, nicely lined, just feel the strap is a little on the short side).
Wearing: Fabrique wool cardigan (10% off with ToJamie12), Weekday jeans, Black ballerinas, Quince bag
And ending with what I’m wearing today. The weather has been miserable, pouring down with rain, so all I could think was to reach for something that felt truly cosy, and pair that with some great jeans. One of those outfits that I didn’t overthink, and love for its simplicity (see notes from above). And of course it’s really the cardigan that is doing all the heavy lifting here, with the rich burnt caramel hue, and sculpted shape.
