Comments on: Your style evolution in Spring and Summer 2009

By: Robyn

Robyn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:56:40 +0000

My season updates have been autumn-winter based (living in Tasmania, Australia) but thanks to YLF and Angie I’ve been thinking about it too:
* Shorter (knee-length instead of below-calf) skirts, with just a little gap above boots
* Adapting to middle-aged spread at middle (alas I’ve lost my lovely waist) by layering
* Adapting two little-worn black cocktail dresses as tunics to wear over trousers (cunningly concealing thighs)
* Deciding not to give away brown shoes and cardie but to treat them as neutrals and wear with black top and bottom
* Taking up the denim jacket and teaming it with a big boho-style scarf – you have no idea how un-bo-ho I am normally but it looks a treat, I think, with both pants and skirts
* Adopting a new hairstyle
And following your posts, I’m looking forward to acquiring some knit dresses and perhaps a sheath for spring/summer. Zippy leggings, way to go!

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:34:59 +0000

Last summer I was wearing the dreaded capri-length cargos with pockets in all the wrong places, plus t-shirts and chunky sandals — this summer is a 180-degree turn for me. Dresses with leggings, clams with voluminous tops, ballet flats and strappy sandals … these are my new staples.

I am more excited about the changes I’m making for fall, since that’s our dominant season (and since summer is halfway over and it’s been so cool here that it seems it’s barely gotten started). Sack dresses, leggings, ankle boots, moto vest and jacket, military jackets … I am trying to bring a urban edge to my look, much like Ana.

Angie, I am *very* interested in trying to incorporate gold, too. For fall I am imagining a red jumper-type dress, layered over a black turtleneck & leggings, and gold accessories … hmmmmm …

By: Kari

Kari — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:27:23 +0000

Oh, there are so many (partly because I became active on the forum right before spring, so got a LOT of help.) Here are the main highlights.

*Flesh colored shoes: I’ve worn them, but not quite so often. Part of this is because…
*I’m wearing skirts and dresses more often than pants (especially as the weather is warm – this will probably change quite a bit in the fall & winter.)
*Leggings: Never thought I could pull them off! Again, something that’s easier now that I’m wearing dresses so often.
*Moto jackets: I am not a biker girl, but I like bringing an edge to otherwise girly pieces
*Metallic details like snaps or rivets or zippers: see above!
*Gladiator-style sandals (mine are the pretty/delicate variety, but still – not a style I thought I’d try and like!)
*Color and pattern mixing: SO much more than what I did in the past!
*Lots of green: I’m not sure I’d say that it’s a signature color, but it’s one of my best colors and I wore a LOT more of it, especially during spring.

A more deliberate focus on accessories:
*Bright, colorful handbags (I still use the same bag for months on end except for special occasions, but having a daily bag in a gorgeous shade gives me a lift.)
*Brooches and pins (not too many so far, but I enjoy them)
*Hats: particularly my straw sun hat, but I also picked up a couple of knit hats for fall
*Wearing glasses more often than contacts: part of this is practical, since contacts have a limited lifespan and I want to save $$, and when my allergies act up contacts irritate my eyes
*Silk scarves: I used to only wear thick scarves in winter but never wore lightweight scarves in summer, and now I LOVE them.
*Adding the occasional skinny belt

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:50:56 +0000

Leggings, all the way. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair of jeans. They are perfect for air travel!
Summer boots- not as hot as you’d think, and allow you to bare upper leg without showing it all
summer cardis (instead of jackets)
voluminous styles without a belt (I think they definitely flatter a range of sizes, especially to a flat chested, boyish body like mine)
summer scarves
(helps that NYC has been quite mild this summer)

By: Taylor

Taylor — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:10:12 +0000

Something really different for me was volume. A few dresses that weren’t fitted. I still have to fight myself to NOT put a belt with them. But they are fun and I love to wear them.

Yellow gold has been my staple forever and only in the last couple of years have I added white gold or stearling, so I will be happy to do more yellow gold again.:)

I am working on the leggings thing….A trend I wore to death in the 80’s and early 90’s. I am a little nervous at my age…trying to do it *just right*

By: Loulou

Loulou — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:08:57 +0000

My new summer looks are:
Leggings and stirrup tights
Skirts
Dresses
I’m loving these new looks

By: san

san — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:55:59 +0000

First, thanks Telly for the laugh this morning with the video.

Angie, you know how to keep things shaken up with the ever evolving style. I need to remember to keep mixing and changing things up.
My changes have been too numerous to mention them all, and they have been documented on the forum. I’m having fun and just need to remember to not let it get static.
One thing I am happy to think about is neutral shoes. I am not the “pop of color” type so much. I’m very happy to know that it’s OK to not do that.

By: K Lauren

K Lauren — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:55:18 +0000

Finally a break in the action – we’re doing “The Producers” on one stage next month and “The Bad Seed” on another in two weeks! Lot’s of costumes, never enough time!
I’ve gotten that book by Kendall Farr – really interesting to me. Thinking about what I say about myself with what I wear.
New this summer – pewter and silver metallics as a neutral. Dove gray as a neutral for me. Got a dove gray JJill jacket and have been wearing it to death. Especially great worn with pewter or silver metallic shoes – have some flats and two different sandal types – also getting worn alot.
Statement specs – Chanel black with silver & pearls (real ones!) – go with everything and make me feel super cool
Leggings – not just for dance/exercise – and not flash dance style (on me – ooh scary!) I’m with Vani – like the comfort and security under skirts and dresses – love my gray ones with matching dress and a bright shrug sweater – comfortable and easy.
In my line of work, I get sick of pants everyday, so leggings offer some modesty under skirts/dresses when I’m bending and sitting or on a ladder.
Thanks Telly – the Obama “jeans” thing gave me a real chuckle!

By: Nonie

Nonie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:49:06 +0000

Angie..
I am regular follower of your blog but I almost never leave comments or post on forum, I guess I should start doing that.

I see statement necklaces are everywhere, can you maybe address that. How easy/difficult it is to incorporate statement necklaces in our wardrobe if our style is pretty casual (but yet put together).

By: Marianna

Marianna — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:42:22 +0000

Jeans have always been a staple in my wardrobe (all seasons) and this season I decided to push my comfort level and get some cute walk shorts. I LOVE them! I wear my walk shorts more than I wear any denim bottom and that is a miracle for me. I feel really chic, modern and put together in a nice walk short paired with a metallic sandal and cute top.