Layering necklaces to achieve an extra chunky and playful effect has been in style forever. Coco Chanel sported this look in the 40’s and 50’s while Madonna reinvented the vibe in the early 80’s. It was hip back then and it’s just as hip now if you like the look.

I prefer layered necklaces that make one statement like the examples you see in the pictures above. These are actually all-in-one styles with multiple stands that give the effect of several layers. But there is unifying integrity to the look, which offers a cleaner and more streamlined effect.

The appearance of the layered necklaces below are a little different because it’s as if you’re actually wearing three separate pieces. I don’t fancy this as much but horses for courses, both looks can be worn in a stylish way.

You don’t need to purchase a readymade layered necklace to achieve the aesthetic. It can be created by combining standalone pieces that you already own. I can’t think of any hard and fast rules as to which styles of necklaces work best together. You can mix various metals, stones, shapes, styles and lengths. It’s a question of experimenting and making sure the piece is a flattering combination with your neckline and works well with the rest of your ensemble.

It is past midnight Pacific Standard Time and that means the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially underway. For those of us in the United States, this is the sale event of the season. And I’ve found the merchandise particularly good this year, so be sure to check it out.

It’s fun and necessary to keep our fashion and style feet moving each season. Kendall Farr puts it well in her new book, “Style Evolution”:

The remixing of silhouettes, retooling of proportions, experimentation with new fabric technology and treatments, new combinations of color, print and texture allow new currents to break through fashion’s surface. This is, of course, why “new” is so much fun – and who wants to stop having fun with clothes at any age?”.

So true. I thoroughly enjoy trying and retrying new trends, remixing existing wardrobe pieces and pushing my fashion envelope. I’d be really bored with my outfits if I didn’t. In some instances the look isn’t completely new, but more of an evolved and often improved version of a look that I’ve sported before. Either way, my style feels refreshed when I dress a little differently each season.

This is how I recharged my look for Spring and Summer 2009:

• Strappy sandals: This sounds absurd because strappy sandals are a common Summer wardrobe staple. But for years I haven’t been able to find a pair of sandals that go the distance AND look fabulous. I found three pairs this year and I adore wearing them with skinnies, leggings and dresses.
• Frocks, frocks and more frocks: Our atypically beautiful Seattle weather has made me more dress focused than ever. I’m particularly into the unstructured sack dress, layering it over leggings and under cascading cardigans or a denim jacket.
• Stirrup leggings and zipper leggings: Controversial, but stirrup and zipper leggings were my hands down favourite looks this season. I feel that I can take on the world in those outfits. I’ve hardly worn my blue jeans and clamdiggers because I’m frock and leggings crazy (but my white bottoms are still in full seasonal swing).
• Silk safari jacket: This earthy style in a muted green is a stretch for my style, but I like the change as long as I can wear it with pearls.
• Neutral shoes: I’ve hardly worn bright shoes this season after being all over the look for years. My red and yellow heels have come out to play a few times, but that’s it.
• Wristlets and day clutches: These were new styles for me to sport during the day and they’ve become my go-to bag this year.
• Micro cross-body bag: After years of suffering from aching neck and shoulders as a result of wearing large cross body bags, the small cross body bag is a pain-free revelation.
• Bracelet: I found one that I loved and it’s been fun opting for a chunky bracelet instead of a necklace.
• Gold hardware: Never thought it would happen, but I’ve started to incorporate the tiniest bit of gold hardware into my clothing and accessory assortment. This is a biggie.
• Raiding Hubby’s wardrobe: After successfully incorporating Greg’s T-shirt and webbing belt into recent outfits, I’m excited to scratch around more on his side of the closet to see what else will work.
• Wayfarers: I am not in the habit of wearing sunglasses, but I’m trying.

Over to you. How did you refresh and evolve your look this season? Are you liking the changes that you made?

For me, “jellies” are another late 80’s and early 90’s fashion flashback. But jellies back then didn’t look nearly as pretty or refined as they do now. They were either styled like a juvenile, strappy gladiator sandal (awful), or a ballet flat with many spaced-out interwoven straps so that your foot peeked through. Equally awful and dreadfully uncomfortable.

The jelly shoes below are examples of what footwear designers are doing with the same synthetic rubber material today. There is a far more sophisticated attention to styling. It’s definitely an aesthetic improvement, but I’m on the fence. I don’t loathe it, but I don’t love it either.

Comfort challenges aside, would you wear jellies? Are they a stylish option, or just plain nasty. Perhaps they would make the perfect hot weather, torrential rainy day shoe. Hmmm. Help me out with your thoughts.

Mark your calendars! This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS) starts on Friday, July 17th. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s when Nordstrom previews their brand new Autumn and Winter collections and offers them at insane prices for two weeks only (usually between 40 – 60% off). Prices are marked up again after the sale period. This is my favourite sale of the year because the merchandise is hot off the fashion press. It’s much more fun getting items at reduced prices at the start of a new retail season as opposed to waiting for end of season sales.

I was particularly interested to see what would be on offer this year in the light of our tough economic climate. After preselecting sale items last week I’m thrilled to say that this has been the best NAS that I have seen in my six years of living in the US. For the most part, the collections are a great combination of excellent tried-and-tested wardrobe basics with new design twists, AND brand new “it” fashion items. There is ample choice for both classic and trendy customers.

Navigating the sale requires some strategic planning and forethought. Here are some guidelines that might make it easier:

• Concentrate on the good stuff: This is your time to splurge on one, or a few, high end or big ticket items. Retail sales are common in the US and you’ll be able to get more ordinary items anywhere at excellent prices as soon as the new retail season hits stores. If Nordstrom clothing is not your cup of tea, hit the handbags, footwear and accessory departments instead. You are bound to come home with treasures.
• Do not judge the collection based on the catalogue alone: The catalogue is a small representation of what is available and you have to physically go to stores or shop online for the best assortment of product.
• Shop in stores and online: The merchandise varies from store to store and it is possible that your Nordstrom is not as well stocked as others, so be sure to shop online as well.
• Preselect if the opportunity arises: As a Nordstrom cardholder, you’re automatically invited to preselect merchandise a week or two before the sale is open to the masses. I thoroughly recommend this option as the best merchandise goes fast, especially in sizes 0, 2 , 12 and 14. I have known people to preselect without an official invitation, but this really depends on the specific Nordstrom (some stores are stricter than others).
• Shop online at midnight on 17th July: Doors open at 7am on the first official day of the sale. But the online store opens seven hours before that Pacific Time. I wasn’t able to make it to presale selections last year so I shopped online at midnight which was very worthwhile.
• You’re not married to anything: Don’t worry if you found it hard to be selective during sale time. You can return anything at any time once you’ve retried the look in the most important dressing room of all – your own.
• Don’t give up on your size: Be sure to ask for your size if they’ve run out of it in stores or online. Nordstrom sales staff is extremely helpful and chances are high that they’ll track down your size eventually.

There was an excellent selection of leather and pleather jackets at all price points this season. Long, cropped, retro, modern, ruffled, biker, classic, sporty, you name it and I saw it in a whole slew of colours. Impeccable pencil skirts, fabulous dresses, cute cascading cardigans and cheeky jackets in beautiful and affordable fabrications were also top notch. The handbags, sunglasses, costume jewelry, watches and hosiery areas were brilliant. I’m delirious with excitement. You have to take a look!

Unfortunately, the footwear and coat areas were disappointing. Petites was a little poor too, particularly after excellent NAS selections in these areas in previous years. I guess the sale can’t be everything to everyone each year.

I really hope you score at this year’s sale. My clients and I have collected wonderful NAS treasures over the years piece by piece. The presales are loads of fun too and it’s fab to go with a friend. There has been lots of NAS excitement (and a little footwear frustration), on the YLF forum. Feel free to ask for help about the NAS by posting questions on our forum. Happy shopping everyone!

We’ll see quite a few fur waistcoats for Autumn and Winter. Unfortunately the catwalk runways were full of them in all sorts of real exotic skins, which makes me sad. Luckily, offering exotic furs to mainstream masses won’t happen because it’s just too expensive to produce and sell. Nowadays, fabric technology is brilliant and improves each year. Faux fur can look quite authentic at a fraction of the price. It’s a good option for those that like the look but are on a budget and don’t want to wear real fur.

The shaggy waistcoat (or vest if you live in the US), is a nice bridging piece into Autumn as the weather cools down. It’s a bulky item so it’s best to go with a cropped style that’s cut narrow on the shoulder and ends somewhere between waistline and hip bone.

Keep the layers you wear underneath fairly sleek so as to balance out the boxiness of the silhouette. Skinny or bootcut jeans, a turtleneck or button down shirt with boots is a simple no-brainer combination for this item. But I also like the combination of a blouse, pencil skirt and pretty pumps as you see in the photo below. The shaggy vest could also look fab over the right frock. Quite edgy. Any takers for the look?

I’m hoping that places like H&M, Topshop, MNG, Club Monaco and Zara will bring out inexpensive faux fur versions of the shaggy waistcoat. That way we have the option of having fun with a dramatic and somewhat wacky trend without breaking the bank. The vibe is quite boho which is not my style, but I’m attracted to the trend because of its vintage and retro appeal. I hope I find the right piece this season as I see several outfit possibilities.

After a whirlwind trip to Tel Aviv and Hong Kong, the last part of my forum challenge takes us to London, one of my very favourite Euro cities.

You’ll see it all on the streets of London. From sweat pants and sneakers to the most lavish of designer outfits and everything in between. But generally, people are well put together in an interesting, urban and funky way. When I think of London street style, I think of daring outfit combinations, interesting layers, vintage items, retro looks, lots of black and fabulous accessories. It’s not a crisp, chic and polished sense of style like you’ll see in HK. It’s much more gritty, punk, arty and goth, with loads of attitude to boot.

Click pictures to enlarge

So this is my take on everyday London style: black-black skinny jeans, Greg’s Ben Sherman graphic T, a pinstripe suit jacket, strappy metallic sandals, cream cross-body bag and vintage pearl necklace. I couldn’t resist adding my retro Duran Duran cross-body bag as an alternative. It’s irreplaceable because I bought it at one of their concerts several years ago (Duran Duran is my favourite band of all time).

This outfit was a challenge because I never wear three black items at once, and I never wear T-shirts. I don’t even wear fitted T’s, and here I am in one of Greg’s that’s boxy all over. This is the type of unexpected pairing of clothing that reminds me of London style. Kate Moss does this all the time. It simply wouldn’t be as interesting if I’d chosen a ladies fitted graphic T. But the boxy silhouette works under the fitted jacket and gives the effect of a voluminous top so I was all over this look. Rolling up the sleeves to show the lining of the jacket added necessary textural interest.

I’d absolutely feel confident sporting this outfit because the jacket and jeans are tailored and the pearls are present. Like the combinations I put together for Tel Aviv and Hong Kong, this one extended my boundaries and added something new to my repertoire. So, for the last time, how did I do?

For part 2 of my forum challenge we’re flying to the city that’s closest to my heart. It’s home because I was born there 39 years ago today.

Hong Kong street style is something else. You’ll see haute couture fashions sported effortlessly by men and women of all ages throughout the day. From the best of modern-classic style to the funkiest and edgiest looks. Outfits are for the most part urban, dressy, neutrally toned, texture-rich, branded and brimming with character.

One of the things that I love about Hong Kong street style is that the locals dress up when they go out to play. You look the part wearing a fancy outfit to a hip restaurant for cocktails and supper. So my outfit is a take on what someone might wear to a fairly swanky restaurant. Although you wouldn’t be surprised to see this combination on a shopper in the high end Landmark shopping center, even during the day.

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The dress is a strappy sequined vintage number that I bought in HK several years ago. The jacket is Diesel and 10 years old, completely tailored to fit like a glove. The gold and leather chain cross-body bag and bracelet are pukka Chanel, received as gifts from friends in HK many years ago. The retro red patent pumps are Kate Spade and a gift from my sweetie four birthdays ago. And I couldn’t resist the 80’s Wayfarers because at this stage I want to wear them with everything.

This outfit was a challenge because it’s the first time I’ve worn a super casual jacket over a very glitzy dress (a very Hong Kong combination). I’d have normally popped a satin trench or wool coat over this number. I also NEVER wear gold hardware or jewelry because I’m a platinum gal through and through and do not mix metals. These beautiful Chanel pieces have been hibernating for 15 years for this reason. But I’m glad I took them out of their box and left off the pearls. The outfit still feels like me because of the shoes and frock and I’m actually digging the gold. So how did I do?

The challenge chain is the latest brilliant innovation from YLF forum members. Initiated by Hanna, it involves generating a list of members (the “chain”), where each one challenges the next to create an outfit (or series outfits) that are outside their style comfort zone (the “challenge”). Participants have to use what’s in their wardrobes AND must be comfortable in their outfits. The outfits have to be looks they would sport in public. 40 of our members are participating right now and the ensemble innovations are killer.

The forum then decided to challenge me. After brainstorming and voting, the lasses came up with the following challenge:

“Angie goes global: three different outfits interpreted in a way to reflect the style of three different global cities.”

Fab challenge. I chose three cities from three different continents: Hong Kong, London and Tel Aviv. I’m kicking off the report back with Tel Aviv because the predominant style in that city is very different to my own, and I couldn’t look less Israeli if I tried. The ultimate challenge!

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Tel Aviv street style is earthy, natural, bohemian and very casual. Woman wear loads of neutrally toned natural fibers, sport fashion forward sandals, the best sunglasses and usually have long cascading hair. No shine, glitz or bright colours, but lots of interesting clothing silhouettes and Middle Eastern influences.

I can’t do anything about my short blonde crop, but the rest of the outfit goes like this: black cotton-rich sheath dress, muslin leopard printed scarf tied muffler style, Greg’s webbing belt, my new Wayfarers, slouchy matte mustard satchel, olive green suede sandal booties, and a bit of lip balm. No pearls, patent, saturated colours, retro influences, drama or lipstick.

This earthy, casual look is completely new for me. But I’d be confident wearing it out because of some very “Angie” style elements, like the tailored frock and white watch, that I incorporated. How did I do?

Manicures, pedicures, facials, microdermabrasion, skin peels, massages, waxing, tinting and so much more. Spa services are expensive once you start adding them up. Before you know it you’ve spent hundreds of dollars each year pampering your body inside a soothing and sweet smelling beauty salon. Is it really worth it?

I think it’s a question of your priorities, your values and your budget. I indulge in one spa treatment regularly – facials. I take skin care seriously and find that having monthly facials makes a huge visual difference. I cannot steam and extract skin impurities on my own and the head and neck massage is therapeutic. It’s the one hour in a month where I get to completely relax. For these reasons the facial justifies the expense. For me.

I have pedicures far less regularly because I loathe them. But I grin and bear it because I believe that the foot grooming process is good for your feet and I cannot accomplish the end result successfully on my own (I’ve tried). Not only do I like the look of well cared for feet, but my calluses need close attention because of the all walking I do, and after some initial soreness my feet feel really good after the treatment. So that’s another spa treatment I find worthwhile.

As for the rest? I do my own manicures, tint and shape my own brows, do not need to wax and do not enjoy any other form of massage unless it’s part of the facial service. So I’m down to one spa service that I regard as a worthwhile frequent investment (facials), and another that I force upon myself from time to time because it produces excellent results (basic pedicures). Perhaps I’ll change my mind about the importance of other spa services later on in life, adding a few more to the list.

What’s your viewpoint on the value of spa and beauty treatments? Do you indulge? If so, why is it worth the expense? If not, why not?