Shoes: Beautifeel brand! Easy wearing, extraordinarily well made, and good looks too!
Accessory: 17″ graduated grey Tahitian keshi pearl strand
Outerwear: A toss-up based on the season: black Burberry slim fitting rain coat with button in wool lining/reversible black shearling jacket
Bag: Red patent structured Danbo purse for winter, bright yellow patent 3 way clutch for summer
Jeans: Citizens black Amber
Knitwear: Black 3/4 sleeve lightweightcashmere cardie (I used it daily in air conditioning on Grand Cayman & here much of the fall and early winter
Jacket: Toss-up — fitted leather jacket/blazer or Eli Tahari black collarless tie waist blazer (& matching pants)
Dress: Nanette Lepore large bright floral print in silk for summer

Outerwear: Banana Republic hooded wool trapese coat (thifted for $12), Foreign Exchange military green cowl neck coat ($42 at the holiday sale)
Jacket: Rock & Republic blue military/band jacket ($80 at Loehmann’s woohoo!), black denim bomber (thrifted in JAPAN for about $4)
Dress: hmmm… BCBG shift (thrifted for $8), All That Jazz 3/4 sleeve shift (swap meet find for $1)
Tops: my boyfriend’s super-old, original Lolapalooza tee (altered to become a shirt for me when he was about to throw it away), “Carlos O’Brien’s Bar, Grill, & Pawn Shop” tee (swapped for $1), shape fx scoop-neck tanks ($8 each).
Knitwear: Long olive cardigan with clear yellow buttons (2 for $5 swap meet deal), cardigans in general
Pants: Armani Exchange black straight leg pants (thrifted for $4), Nine West high-waist-wide-legs (swapped for $1), Guess daredevil bootcut jeans (splurged for about $80)
Skirt: high-waist baby blue skirt with navy and red N’s all over it… tag is in Korean, has a sort of Marc Jacobs look to it (swapped for $1)
Shoes: Michael Kors chunky gold sandals ($17 at Ross), BCBG black patent pumps (finaly worked my way to a 4″ heel & I love it! $40 at TJ Maxx)
Boots: Frye knee-high-fold-over-platform boots (gift)
Handbag: B. Makowsky Rebel black cross-body convertable ($90 on Ebay), Cristina yellow cross-body convertable hobo (gift) — also now loving my London Fog bag… only had it a few weeks ($80 at Marshall’s, bought with b’day money)
Accessories: Vintage brown double-pronged-buckle belt ($2? at Good will?) vintage rifle strap used as belt ($15?), and my Hawaiian Heritage heart necklace (gift)

Jacket: grey/purple plaid jacket
Purse: mustard yellow, ivory and black folderover/handle clutches
LBD: Donna ? mix of sheer and solid black materials
Top: mustard yellow, grey floral print sweet pea
Assessories: giant, contemporary 3 stone ring; white watch
Footwear: Haflinger slippers, fuzzy socks

I’m sure there is more, but that’s what comes to mind right now. Fun topic! Thanks, Angie!!! BTW–HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

hrm. sorry for the long post. I guess I just love all my clothes this year!

I found some good, cheap buys this year…and a few not so cheap.

Shoes: blue/orange/red floral ballet flats from Target (I also have to include my three-year-old top-stitched brown ankle-strap wedge heels from Naturalizer in this list; I don’t know what I’m going to do when those things wear out)
Accessory: gold-tone floral hoop earrings from Fossil
Outerwear: ivory goose-down puffer coat from Lands’ End
Knitwear: cream illusion-knit 3/4-sleeve cardigan from Anthropologie
Camisole: blue/green/brown silky on clearance at a Harold’s outlet
Top: green yoke-neck dressy t-shirt with gathering details at Banana Republic

Each of these items I wore way too much, but then, I was happy doing it.

Mine are all thanks to you Angie, and the YLF community!

Brass Plum camisoles (how did I live without these?)
2 chunky pearl necklaces (white and charcoal)
Mia Express skinnies
tall boots
Design History cashmere wrap sweater

Everyone of these items works very hard in my wardrobe.

How fun!

Outerwear: Jcrew Madeline coat (I call it cobalt but apparently it’s supposed to be purple). Second runner up: cream Mango double-breasted coat.

Jacket: My paris jacket, of course… except I’ve only worn it once so far. Hmm. I think my black 3-season wool short-sleeve jacket from BR would rate next. It’s not a statement piece, but I always felt extra-fab whenever I wore it this past year.

Dress: plum BR sweater dress; for summer, brown & white ATL dress

Tops: TOUGH!! I have so many I love. This was “Year of the Blouse” for me. I never wore blouses (other than silk shells) before this year, but now I’m a convert. It’s really hard to pick a favorite! But I would say, probably one with a pattern. I had fun with patterns this year.

Knitwear: anthroplogie grey short-sleeve v-neck top with giant floret; I have more versatile knit tops but this one got me rave YLF reviews everytime I’ve worn it. Otherwise, all my cardis… cropped and not. I can’t pick one; I wore all of them.

Pants: I want to say the Earnest Sewn skinnies which I’ve grown to love, but the COH denim was such a workhorse and that brand fits me well, so I’ll vote “any COH.”

Skirt: I’d have to say my blue floral cotton skirt from BR.

Shoes: Bronze me-too ballet flats; pearl metallic Cole-Haan ballet flats; giraffe nine-west pumps; teal and cream T-straps from ATL.

Boots: black flat slip-on Franco-Sarto’s – work over skinnies or tights, and infinetly walkable

Handbag: black Furla bag; cream Coach bag as second-runner up (it’ll come back out into circulation more as we enter spring). Special mention for my inexpensive, oversized green bag that was perfect for summer.

Accessories: long faux pearl necklace; chunky pink-pearls from AT; gold artisan necklace with teal accents; plum multi-strand crystal necklace from AT (these are the necklaces I’ve reached for most often this year)… and DH’s vintage scarves!

Can I add favorite colors? I adored most of the colors BR came out with this fall… purple, teal, emerald, plum… I am glad I stocked up.

I’m sure this list is skewing heavily towards fall/winter clothes (those currently in rotation), but then again, those are my favorite seasons for dressing.

Best trend: blouses … and ruffles. Including blouses *with* ruffles!

have to say my very fab. purple wool coat that my most favorite friend gave me several years ago. everytime i wear it i get stopped by strangers wanting to know just where they can get it, too…love the coat and the friend.

My favorite purchases for this past year are:

My red LC ankle boots.
My green patent purse.
My Gap straight leg dark jeans.
My Gap microcheck pants.
My chestnut tall boots.
My black tall boots.
My white denim skirt

My favorite pieces from years past are:

My black wool pea coat.
My pink and black striped sleeveless blouse (I never wear it solo, but I wear it under so many items, which is why I’m looking for more similar items).
My black and white Tahari sweater–with the stripe down the sleeve (even though it is now a skirt sweater).

I have a few favorite pieces that I have had to let go. My Tahari trouser jeans would have to be the one piece that I miss the most.

What a fun topic!

* Outerwear: Green peacoat from Old Navy
* Cardigans: All of them, but a special nod should go out to the red cropped cardi from BR that has jazzed up many a summer dresses and tops
* Dress: Blue/orange/cream chain-link dress from BR
* Tops: my ruffly white top from Limited. and i recently scored the same one in a dusty blue that is making the rounds in my wardrobe as well.
* Knitwear: Hmm, hard to pick a fave that has gotten me through the year! Do sweaters count? If so, then I’m going with my purple v-neck sweater that has been an easy go-to option for most smart casual events.
* Pants: My fabulous dark denim BR jeans that need to be replaced soon
* Skirt: Black fluted skirt
* Shoes: Silver ballet flats, leopard print ballet flats, grey converse
* Boots: Pink rainboots, chesnut slouchy boots
* Handbag: chesnut duffel bag
* Accessories: chunky gold beaded necklace, engagement ring!
* Best trend: Menswear-inspired fashion, ruffles

I’m a little daunted by this challenge … so I’ll chicken out and say that my favorite item of the year is my grey suede Nine West booties. I’m AMAZED by how versatile they are, how many times I wore them with really diverse outfits, and how much I still adore them.

Have a lovely New Year, Angie, and all you YLF’ers!

What a fun topic!

* Outerwear: Cream Soia & Kyo trench, brown Soia & Kyo wool coat, grey Calvin Klein puffer
* Jacket: Black leather Kenneth Cole biker jacket, grey plaid Zara jacket
* Dress: DVF navy print wrap dress, a couple of different shirt dresses worn over skinnies in the summer
* Tops: J Crew Frances blouse, white tuxedo VS blouse, a couple of DVF printed silk wrap tops, a bunch of knitted cowlneck tops, Arden B white ruffly cream knit blouse
* Knitwear: Purple cashmere Design History faux-wrap sweater, grey BF BR cardigan, claret BR cardigan, grey VS sweater jacket, purple H&M sweater jacket
* Pants: Rich&Skinny super skinny “Ladylike” jeans, Rich&Skinny Lanky trouser jeans, Diesel straight leg jeans, J Brand 14 ” white straight leg jeans, Seven for All Mankind charcoal pants
* Skirt: Various pencil skirts – denim from UO, black ruffle from Express, b&w plaid from VS
* Shoes: Pewter Me Too Swann flats, silver Cole Haan mini-wedges, purple Me Too suede wedges, grey Me Too oxford booties, charcoal Converse
* Boots: Silver 20 eyelet Dr. Martens, black croco Franco Sarto booties, flat brown suede Apepazza boots, sliver wedge black patent knee high Via Spiga boots
* Handbag: A couple of cracked patent totes: cream, red, teal and purple
* Accessories: Black skinny patent belt; scarves in cream, purple and teal; necklaces – cream pearls, grey pearls, rhodium AT gumballs, red glass gumball

These are a few of my favorite things (including items I already owned and resurrected, plus current items):
Soia & Kyo white coat
Bebe biker jacket
Burberry kilt
Mia skinnies (I prefer them to my more expensive COH Elsons!)
Docs
Red patent purse
Hermes scarves

The most important thing Angie learned was something that she taught me by example — her “nothing ventured, nothing gained” spirit gave me a new outlook this year! Thanks, Angie and happy 2009 to you and all the wonderful women of YLF

My list is skewed to a warmer climate.

Jacket: biker jacket, denim jacket, grey knit jacket
Tops: blue and white sleeveless silk top, linen AF tunic, black AF button down, DVF vest, cobalt button down
Knitwear: citron ruffle cardigan, green cashmere cardigan, black merino cardigan
Pants: my entire denim collection
Skirt: black wool pencil skirt, denim pencil skirts
Shoes: black and tan spectators, converse
Sandals: yellow wedge sandals, green gladiators, white gladiators
Boots: black riding boots, black patent knee high boots, grey Doc Martens
Handbag: cream patent flat tote, large purple patent biker tote, yellow clutch, sequin clutch
Accessories: my small collection of pearl earrings, cream scarf, micro fish nets, black patent skinny belt

I’m not counting things I have recently got or may be getting from sales but there are some potential favorites there too.

Wow! love this topic – but I’ve lost so much weight these past few months (45 #s), some of my favorites are passing into other hands (donated, traded and consigned).
But of some of the newer things I’m wearing and can’t live without -
Shoes – Sam Edleman black ruched pointed toe flats, Cole-Hann grey woven and black patent maryjane flats, grey wool pointed toe flats (Anne Klein), Naturalizer black low heel boots found at a vintage store.
Tanks – every color, get them everywhere – from purple to red to basic black, sometimes layered – worn under jackets and tops
Jackets – black and grey swing cropped jacket (again vintage), black cashmere swing cropped, chopped and embellished “anthropologie” style (by me! K Lauren)
Tops – Purple shrug-type sweater (J Jill), black cashmere v-neck top, white button-up blouse
Bags – Hobo red patent large clutch (did you know red goes with everything!), black dupioni silk bag embellished with ruched silk ribbon and flowers (by me! K Lauren), huge black vintage Hermes Birkin bag (authentic and old as the hills) that carries everything with fabulous style
Pants – Black jeans (again, by me! K Lauren – from Marcy Tilton’s pants pattern), grey wearever pants (J Jill), black tropical weight wool pants (by me! K Lauren – from Sandra Betzina’s Today’s Woman pattern – Vogue)
Skirts – Black silk deconstructed (J Jill), black elliptical skirt (J Jill), grey patterned elliptical (J Jill) (all amazing with boots and with flats)
Hermes scarves (have collected them for years!)
Cool artisan jewelry made by friends – chunky pearls, chunky beads, some wild brooches.
Nice silver and gold watch, my silver hoop earrings, lovely diamond stud earrings
I love the menswear trend too – but not too excited about the “flashdance” look I’ve been seeing sported locally.
Classic seems to always be in style and can be souped up with a drop of current trendy stuff.
Happy, happy to all of you – have a great positive new year!

My “I don’t know what I’d do without them” pieces from 2008:

Outerwear: Natural brown mink
Jacket: Olive green distressed leather blazer
Dress: Short black ABS cocktail dress
Tops: n/a
Knitwear: Ankle length cream cableknit sweater coat wi faux trim
Pants: First pair of straight leg pants; from Loehmann’s for $8.50
Skirt: ?
Shoes: Pointy toe black patent stilettos
Boots: n/a
Handbag: Red Dooney & Bourke tote from the Milano Collection
Accessories:Bangles: any kind/ any color

* Outerwear: I didn’t get any new outerwear
* Jacket: red Guess biker jacket
* Dress: I didn’t buy any dresses this year either, but next year is definitely going to be a dress year. I plan on at least 4 and I’m already looking for deals.
* Tops: UO blouse. It’s 25% off the sale price so I’m thinking of duplicating it.
* Knitwear: UO sweater tunics.
* Pants: The Gold Sign jeans I won! My favorites!
* Skirt: A black AT flippy back pencil skirt I got at a clothing swap.
* Shoes: I had a frustrating shoe year. I scored a few 4 hour shoes, but 8 hour shoes remain impossible for me unless they’re my Cons.
* Boots: Ecco boots. They’re the only new boots I got.
* Handbag: brown UO bag. I shop at that store way too much.
* Accessories: Turquoise and wood beaded necklace, hammered disc necklace. I’ve been neglectful of accessories. This definitely needs to change.

My goal for next year is to load up on accessories, esp. scarves and necklaces, and also plenty of dresses. I don’t like to think to hard about what to wear in the summer–I just like to be cool and comfortable.

First, a huge thank you to Angie and YLF for help in rebuilding a wardrobe. I don’t know what I’d do without the sound advice I find on this site! Many of the items listed below are already too big, so the wardrobe transformation continues.

Outerwear: Trench coats, long and short
Jacket: Gap dark denim classic jean jacket
Dress: sheath dress style
Tops: button down shirts
Knitwear: Sweet Pea tops, long boyfriend cardies
Pants: Dark denim and black straight leg and skinnies, Lucky Brand classic dungaries
Skirt: Karen Kane black pencil skirt, LLBean dark denim A-line
Shoes: Black Me Too ballet flats, bronze ballet flats
Boots: Brown suede slouchy boots with wedge heel, almost knee high vintage dark brown suede sheepskin lined boots from England.
Handbag: cream cracked patent tote
Accessories: White watch, belts of all kinds, gold hoop earrings in yellow and in white gold
Best trend: Skinny/straight leg pants, boyfriend cardigans, pencil skirts

The most important thing I learned this year: If it doesn’t fit perfectly or can’t be fairly easily altered to fit, just say no. Fit makes a huge difference. And hold out for what makes you feel fab.

My goal: Buy only great pieces and only comfortable (but stylish) footwear. Find more blouses long enough for pants. Find great fitting microcheck or herringbone dress pants that aren’t low rise, flare leg, or cuffed.

Thank you for indulging me, ladies. I love to hear people being passionate about their goodies, especially when they were YLF inspired. This means I’m doing my job. This positive feedback makes my heart happy.

I’m tickled by your “best of 2008 lists”, mainly because I’ve seen many of you sport what you’ve listed AND because I see similarity between the items on the lists. It’s wonderful to see pieces working hard in your wardrobes. Items should work hard in your wardrobes! It’s also a good sign to see golden oldies continue to make your “best of” lists. That means that you made savvy shopping decisions – one of our top goals on YLF.

Lori, I know the purple coat and I know the friend. You are fab.

Coming in a little late, but here are mine:

Outerwear: Red knee-length belted wool coat with black buttons by RW&Co
Jacket: Thrifted cropped Dace olive drab cotton bomber
Dress: Patchwork brocade Dinh Ba dress, purple jersey sundress
Tops: N/A–not a particularly exciting year for tops
Knitwear: Tevrow + Chase brown kimono-sleeved wrap sweater dress; cashmere/silk blend wrap cardi; all my BF cardis
Pants: Wide-legged trouser jeans; skinnies from Jacob
Skirt: Didn’t wear skirts much
Shoes: Thrifted black ballet flats
Boots: Black Aerosoles riding boots, Chooka lace-up gumboots, dark brown Frye buckle boots
Handbag: Black Gaya tote with twisted straps and pleated pockets
Accessories: Pashminas, CZ studs, scarves
Best trend: Boyfriend cardis. Long may they live. And ruffles, though I have yet to find any that I can rock myself.

K Lauren congratulations on the weight loss! The donations are worth the loss. Happy shopping for your new bod in 2009.

My faves:
- Straight leg jeans (J Crew) – worn all the time tucked into my fashion rainboots during our snow storm. White bootcut jeans (ATL). Clam diggers (J Crew).
- Fashion rainboots – loved them and got tons of compliments http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7343298/c/20709.html
- Golden Puffer coat (the JS YLF coat!)
- Charcoal vest (H&M)
- Animal print short sleeve knit (AT) (Angie recommended)
- Several bold color button down shirts to be worn under the above
- Waterproof athletic shoes for running the dogs

Oh, and how could I forget? My black and white Swatch watch!

For me, the best of 2008 was finding the cut of a pullover that was especially flattering. Now I’m trying to recognize that cut and those lines in other tops. I’m getting older but realizing I can wear things that are more current if I stick to cut, lines and colors that flatter.

oh and my best 2008 trend? Finding this blog ha ha!!

I’m definitely a “nothing ventured nothing gained” gal myself. I’ve been remembering lately especially that what makes fashion most fun for me is trying new things.