A Few Weeks of Spring/Summer Trends - 2026 - Bright Color Combos

I decided to forego the Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 London color palette so that I could spend a few weeks looking at the trends for this spring/summer season. As you know I don’t typically jump on the trend wagon, especially when so many of them border on the ridiculous. However, I still like to take a look and share what I think are the more reasonable ideas because once in a while there is something new that seems fun, or there is something coming around again, but with a new, fresh take.

I love the color combos that are trending for spring and summer, and I would love to just devote a few weeks just to those, but since we just got done with a Pantone palette, I will just show you today’s combination.

I feel like I need to apologize for my disheveled appearance. My brain and body are really struggling right now with fog, and what I hope is just stress. My hair, digestive tract and joints seem to be suffering. I did start taking collagen again, which seems to help with the joint pain. I have not seen much improvement with my hair yet. It is so dry and thin, and coming out in bunches. I have been looking at a few different products to try, but as my beautician said, often hair health is tied in to what is going on internally. I am trying to get by until my insurance changes again and hoping when things smooth out a bit with the aftermath of my spouse’s job loss before I pursue contacting my GP to see if something else is going on. Anyway, enough of that! Ha, ha.

One of the color pairings that we are seeing for spring is red and pink. You have a certain amount of flexibility with this. I combined a bright pink and a bright red, but you could certainly do a bright pink with a more muted red, or even a burgundy. On the other hand you could combine the bright red with a pale, pastel pink. Obviously, not everyone wants to wear bright colors, but I like to explore options.

Style Tip: If you want to try a trend or two, but don’t want to go all in try looking at small pops of color. For instance, combine a more neutral look with a bright red bag, red shoes and pink jewelry.

For today’s look I started with my red, thrifted, Bandolino jeans. I like this pair of pants, especially the bright red color. They are a bit baggy, and I have been thinking about whether I need to try to alter them in some way. I don’t mind baggy, but I think the combination of too long and baggy is problematic. What do you think? Come on all you fashionistas give me some advice! Ha, ha. Here are a pair of ankle pants at JC Penney, a Gloria Vanderbilt pair from Belk, and a linen blend pair from Gap Factory.

After I chose the pants, I knew I wanted to use this thrifted Chico’s jacket. It is actually a petite, thus why the sleeves are a bit short, but I don’t let that bother me. Plus they can be rolled and buttoned for an elbow length sleeve look. I love the bright pink color and the shiny, gold buttons. Here’s a lighter pink style from Kohl’s, and another possibility from Walmart.

Style Tip: Don’t let sleeve length stop you from purchasing a piece your really like. If the sleeves are too long, have them shortened. If the sleeves are too short pile on the bracelets, or wear a longer sleeve underneath that sticks out a bit. It will make the outfit even more interesting.

Next I chose the thrifted Sonoma, mini floral print tee with the side tie hem. I really like this piece for summer as it is so soft and comfortable. Plus I love the fun print with the little bits of burgundy and orange. Here is a cute floral from Chico’s, a different option from Macy’s, and another pretty option from Woman Within.

I kept my accessories simple using gold jewelry and burgundy for my bag and shoes. The bag is thrifted, and a brand called modern+chic. The guitar type strap was on the bag when I purchased it. The cute charm is from my daughter, who now makes bag charms, earrings, and cute magnets for all seasons and interests. Check out Ruby’s Charm on Facebook or Instagram.

I’ve had these thrifted Puma’s for quite a while now, but I keep pulling them out over and over. They are starting to look a bit worn, but they still have some life left in them.

What do you think of this color combination? I did something similar to this back in February. You can see that post here. I am beginning to think I could make this color combo a regular part of my fashion rotation. What is your favorite summer color combo? Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear form you.

Have a great day!

20 Days of Christmas - Plaid Pants

Every now and then I have to get outside my comfort box. I have never really liked wearing things that draw attention to my lower half. Especially tight fitting, brightly colored pieces. I prefer a-line dresses to body con styles. If you don’t know, body con is more of a form fitting dress. I prefer dark wash jeans to lighter washes and feel most comfortable in jeans rather than leggings. I don’t wear leggings as pants, or if I do, I have my bum covered. Anyway, when I saw these crazy, red, plaid pants at Target on the clearance rack, I immediately thought of my Christmas challenge.

Those of you who regularly follow me, know I have been doing a monthly column called Outside the Box. These have been posts that I have done to try to challenge myself to get out of my typical fashion mentality. Let’s face it, we all like to be comfortable. Some women are comfortable in heels and dresses. While I can do that, it is not what I turn to when I want to feel secure. My go to, as you know are jeans and cozy sweaters or flannel shirts. But I also know that part of getting older is the urge to get stuck in a rut and not be willing to learn or try new things, thus the idea of getting outside the box.

These plaid pants do not have any green in them, so they will be easily styled with other colors, but I thought they were perfect when paired with a newer Croft & Barrow v-neck cable knit sweater and a thrifted blazer.

This blazer is actually meant to have a double breasted look, but I am too big to button it in that manner. However, when I saw it, it was the buttons on each side that made me want to buy it, that and the color. I think wearing it open, using the buttons for a decoration, works just as well. Since it is more of a forest green, I felt that it keeps the outfit from being too over the top with color.

I decided on silver for my accessories and was excited to remember this large silver pendant necklace that closely resembles a snowflake. That and my SO silver flats and a small silver clutch complete the ensemble.

I think this outfit is festive and fun and would work well for a Christmas office party, or a lunch date with your girlfriends. Would you wear a pair of pants like this? How do you like to dress up for a Christmas party?

I’ve included a few shopping links for more fun plaid prints. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone.

How to Wear a White Blouse - Under Another Blouse

This is the last installment in my collaboration with Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style. We have been showing you different ways to style a white blouse. It is so easy to get into a rut, wearing the same clothing piece in exactly the same way. Jodie has a flare for mixing things up and for trying a new idea! I was intrigued when she said she was going to do a series on wearing a white button up blouse in new and innovative ways, so I asked if I could participate and she said yes. 

Monday we styled our white blouses under a tee shirt. Wednesday you can see us all wearing our white blouses under a sleeveless top. Today's post will show you how to wear a white blouse under another button up top.

For my look I chose a tunic. I am sure this particular piece was meant to be worn as a dress and I might style it over leggings as some point, but I thought it was a fun tunic length top that could be worn open or closed, belted or not. For this post, I chose to wear it like a jacket over my white button up.

If you click on the picture below it will take you over to Jodie's blog. Jodie has the joy of styling not just herself but her step mom, Nancy and her mom, Charlotte. I have trouble coming up with one outfit! I don't know how she styles three women. I love these unique takes on how to wear the white blouse. Jodie pretty much has hers only peeking out the top of her pretty floral blouse. Nancy is cool casual in her white and blue. Don't you love those cute shoes and her rolled up jeans? Charlotte looks so stylish and on trend with her white blouse showing beneath her belted chambray. Ladies you do us proud!

I found these bright red pants at the thrift store. They are Worthington brand from JCPenney. Worthington dress pants are wash and wear and unless you cram them in a drawer they don't need to be ironed. They also fit smoothly around the butt and thighs, which I love. Sometimes when I try on pants, they fit around the thighs, but then they gape around the waist. These being a wider leg trouser I am going to be able to style them in some fun ways in the future. 

I decided to cinch my waist in with a skinny belt and also chose brown shoes to match the belt. I think this would have looked better with a higher heeled shoe. For a bag I chose my navy Vera Wang.

If you look closely at this top you will see besides the blues and red, it also has a touch of teal green, so I chose that color for my accessories.

What do you think about this series on wearing a white blouse in different ways? Has it made you rethink that blouse that is hanging in your closet? Jodie and I both agree, this has given new life to button ups of all sorts, as a great piece for transitioning from the colder days of winter to the warmer days of spring. We hope you enjoyed following along.

Have a great weekend! 

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Friday linking up with Laurie of Vanity and Me, JoLynne in the Fashion Friday link up, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Saturday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever....