1 CASUAL SKIRT/PANTS....in the same fabric choices as the skirt and trousers plus cotton, chambray denim and cotton jersey. If you opt for a skirt choose one that is a different length to the other skirt for variety. If you opt for pants choose a different leg width to the trousers. This garment should be kept as simple as possible. There is a tendency amongs designers to overdo the finishing details on casual wear adding unnecessary pockets and zips, topstitching and seaming, all of which, as I said before, will only date the garment and make it less versatile. Kept simple this item could easily be dressed up for relaxed evening wear. Stylewise, follow the advice given for skirt and trousers but choose a design that has a fully elasticated and/or drawstring waist for comfort and to allow for expansion at 'that' time of the month. Choose a light to medium neutral.
1 TWIN-SET....I refer here to a knitted twin-set in a silk or silk blend yarn or a synthetic yarn with a slight sheen to it. This is a supremely versatile addition to any wardrobe. Not only can they be worn together but the cardigan can also serve as an extra layer over t-shirts, shirts and dresses and can be worn buttoned up as a sweater, while the short sleeved sweater can be teamed with any of your seperates and can also make a stylish substitute for a shirt when teamed with a suit. And because of the silk content or sheen of the yarn they can also be used for evening wear. Pears require a semi-fitted style that's long enough to cover the rear, hourglasses can choose from a semi-fitted or fitted design, while straights need a tunic style, preferably with split side seams for a smooth fit. Choose from your best white, a light neutral or a pale accent colour.
1 SWEATER....this can either be a knitted sweater in cotton, cotton/synthetic, cotton/ramie, linen or a lightweight synthetic yarn or these days it could equally be a smooth lightweight fleece. If you opt for a knitted sweater why not go for a fancy knit such as cable, ribbing or a lacy pattern, a multi yarn such as tweedy knit or a textured finish such as popcorn knit. Stylewise, follow the advice given for the twin-set but make this garment slightly longer for variety and to give plenty of cover when you're feeling a little swollen. Choose a light neutral or a bright basic colour.
1 TAILORED SHIRT....in a cotton/synthetic blend with a slight sheen, linen, silk/cotton blend or jersey. This will look ultra smart when worn with a suit or tailored seperates, but can equally be worn with casual seperates, even jeans, and can be used for relaxed evening wear. Keep it simple, avoid breast pockets and opt for a small amount of lycra in the fabric so it retains it's shape when washed. Pears again require a semi-fitted style with a rounded collar and either split side seams so it sits smoothly over the hips or a rounded shaped hemline which is very slimming, hourglasses can choose from semi-fitted or fitted with a rounded collar and rounded shaped hemline, while straights should choose a straight cut style with sharp collar and straight hemline with split side seams....avoid tunic styles as they'll be too long to wear tucked in should you wish. Choose from either a plain shirt in your best white or a pale neutral or a subtely printed shirt (pinstripe, polka dot, a simple check) in a dark neutral.
1 OVERSHIRT....in cotton, chambray denim, cotton denim, linen or jersey. Although this garment needs to be roomy, you should avoid ones that are too baggy as they will only add unwanted pounds to your figure. This garment will look great worn over your jeans, can be layered over t-shirts, sweaters, dresses and other shirts, can do duty as a lightweight jacket in the summer months and makes an excellent cover-up on the beach. Stylewise, it will, by it's very nature, be long, loose and shapeless, but pears and hourglasses would look best in one that has a rounded collar and hemline and doesn't end beyond mid-thigh, while straights would suit one that has a sharp collar, straight or pointed hemline with deep side splits and finishes anywhere from mid-thigh to below the knee. Choose the same neutral as the casual skirt/pants to create a relaxed, lightweight summer suit.
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