This post is a paid partnership with Taking Shape. As always, the styling and opinions are all mine.
“Cait, do I have to wear the trends?”
I get asked this every season, and my answer is always no. But you might want to try one or two, and you don’t need a whole new wardrobe to do it.
Most of us don’t need more clothes. We need new ways to wear the ones we’ve got. A trend works best as a little hit of something fresh, mixed in with the pieces you already love and wear on repeat.
That’s what I’ve been doing with Taking Shape these last couple of months, working four of the big Spring/Summer trends into my own wardrobe. Here’s how it went.
Polka Dots
Polka dots never really left for me. (Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman, that brown and white dress. Need I say more?)
The trick is to treat them like a neutral. The Natural Polka Dot Collar Top went straight in with my zebra print pants and red sneakers, and it’s one of my favourite outfits of the year. If mixing prints feels like a step too far, pair your dots with something plain, like white linen pants or your go-to jeans, and let them be the star.
Scarves
If you want the new season without changing a thing, start here.
I took an outfit I wear constantly (white tee, black blazer, jeans) and threaded the Multiprint Silky Scarf through my belt loops. Same outfit, suddenly new.
The lace trim triangle scarves are my secret weapon. Tie one at your hip over a dress you already own and you’ve got a waist out of nowhere (handy if you’d rather skim over the tummy). Not ready to wear one? Tie it to your bag handle. Still counts.
Chocolate Brown
This is a big call coming from me, but chocolate is the new black.
So many of the women I style default to black, and I get it, it feels safe. But it can also be harsh and steal a little of your sparkle. Chocolate gives you the same grounded feel, just softer.
The easy way in? Swap it in wherever you’d normally reach for black. Chocolate pants instead of black ones, or a chocolate top with your usual jeans. I loved the cupro co-ord as a set, but I’ll be wearing the pieces separately too.
Size note: I’m usually a 12, but wore a mix of 10s and 12s as I find Taking Shape sizing generous. The range goes from 10 to 26.
Barrel Leg Jeans
I have ALWAYS loved a barrel leg. Most of my time with this trend is spent trying to win everyone else over (I know, a curved leg can feel like a lot).
Three tips for the doubters. Keep your top fitted or tucked to balance the volume. Choose shoes with a bit of substance, like pointed flats or ankle boots, so they don’t get swallowed. And get the length right, just at or above the ankle so the curve shows.
The best part is how well they work with basics you already have. I wore the Barrel Leg Seam Front Jean in Willow Sage with a plain white tee and a denim jacket, and that’s all it needed.
Start With One
You don’t need all four, and you don’t need to start from scratch. Pick the one that made you think “ooh” and mix it in with what you’ve got.
You can shop all the pieces from the series in store or online at Taking Shape
click here for Free NZ Delivery for Orders $100+
And if you’d love a hand working out which trends suit you, book your free 30-minute style consult if you’re in Auckland, or join me in The Style Circle, where your first month is free.
In love & style always,
