Almost there! Today we tackle the 8th of my 10 casual outfit formulas for Mums and gals on the go (refresh your memories with formulas #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 #6 and #7). This formula is all about pairing boots with short length pants like walk shorts and clamdiggers. This look is a little more daring and creative, but entirely sweet and arty when the components of the ensemble work in harmony:

Clamdiggers + long sleeved T + scarf + tall boots

I first saw clamdiggers (or shorts) and tall boots worn by funky lasses of all ages in Hong Kong (the photos below were taken in December of 2006). I was immediately inspired and have been sporting the look ever since. I don’t know why, but wearing this formula makes me feel mischievous. Sort of like a naughty schoolgirl. Crazy.

I wear this formula at the start of Autumn when I break out my boots, and at the start of a chilly Spring when I’m still wearing boots. The outfit combination isn’t warm enough for a Seattle Winter, but it’s perfect for mild Winter days. The added advantages are that short length pants double duty in cooler weather, and that tall boots are easier to slip on because it eliminates tucking fuss.

Here are the components in more detail:

• Clamdiggers: You’ll need slim cut denim clamdiggers or winter weight walk shorts, preferably in a tweed , heavy weight twill, denim or wool. The length of the pants should hit somewhere between the top and the bottom of the knee cap. Roll the pants up a little if they’re longer. Showing skin between the top of the boots and the bottom of the shorts is fine and just a different type of look. Go with your aesthetic preference.
• Long-sleeved T: Any top that works with a scarf is good. A solid layering T is a great backdrop for a patterned scarf, but you don’t need to stick to basic T styling either. Banded tunic styles, empire cuts and wrap styles are more interesting alternatives. Button down shirts and crew, turtle and V-neck knitwear will also work. You can even switch the solid and pattern mix around by wearing a patterned top and solid scarf. Think boyfriend blazer, trench coat, cropped coat, biker/plaid/military jacket, or one of the new look, longer length cardigans for the next layer.
• Scarf: Versatile wrap-style scarves are my top pick because they look great both indoors and outdoors. Silky scarves are just as fab, but not as casual. Neckerchieves are harder to wear but look good on long necks. For an instantly flattering look, tie scarves vertically with a loop knot, muffler style, or with the Angie knot.
• Tall boots: Choose knee-high and mid-calf boots that are either flat, wedged or low heeled. Mid-calf boots tend to look better with shorter walk shorts because it balances out proportions. The world is your oyster when it comes to the aesthetic of the boots. From riding boots and slouch styles, to biker boots, cowboy looks and 20 eyelet Doc Martens. Take your pick.

And the accessories:

• Hose: I prefer this look sans hose because it’s cleaner and more sophisticated that way. But hose is not a no-no here so feel free to experiment.
• Handbag: A flat tote or cross body bag will do the trick.
• Other accessories: Your specs and watch are the most important accessories on your body so attend to those first if you wear them. Consider a necklace if you’d prefer it to a scarf, and bangles make a nice change too. Small earrings are a finishing touch but not a necessity.

And now some examples. The first is a neutral modern-classic interpretation, while the second is more trendy and urban. Remember that this is a formula, so you can substitute the items in the visuals for those that that are more to your taste. Note that you can click on the pictures to find details about individual items in Polyvore, but take the specific items I chose with a grain of salt. I selected them purely based on what was easily available and what made the right visual impact.

Neutral Modern Classic:

Trendy & Urban:

So Mums and gals on the go, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this formula. Too daring? Think you’ll give it a bash? You aren’t allowed to say no until you’ve tried it out!

Today we tackle the 7th of my 10 casual outfit formulas for moms and gals on the go (refresh your memories with formulas #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6). This one is all about micro check pants and shirts, so I turned to British forum member Julie (“Rose and Joan” on the forum), whose eclectic style was perfect for showcasing this formula. Julie lives in picturesque Edinburgh, Scotland, where she is a part-time financial administrator, wife, and Mum to two gorgeous little daughters. Julie’s edge, verve, sass and love for all things vintage comes through in how she rocks this formula.

Of all of the looks of the season Angie highlighted at the start of Autumn/Winter, it was the denim shirt that instantly grabbed my attention. I envisioned wearing one belted over a cream lace dress with lashings of lustrous pearls. However, my life as a Mum on the go to two very fabulous but demanding cherubs left that particular outfit firmly in the realms of fantasy. Fast forward to October 7th when the denim shirt made a sudden reappearance as part of Angie’s flop proof MOTG Formula #7:

Micro check pants + denim shirt / knit top + pleather / leather jacket + loafers

I was intrigued. I already owned a pair of cream and black houndstooth micro check trousers (they had fast become my skinny jeans alternative), and this particular combo eliminated the dreaded denim on denim faux pas.

Finding my denim shirt proved to be more difficult than expected. I tried vintage shirts from the nineties (too boxy), tailored city shirts (too masculine for my feminine, romantic style persona). It was the most unlikely of shops where I stumbled upon my tunic length shirt, a shop which specifically catered for the teen and pre teen market. The material is a little thin but that is to be expected for the price point. Surprisingly the lack of fabric substance helped the shirt to drape and aided belting.

My perpetual Mum on the go dilemma remains, how to balance the clothes I love to wear against the clothes that are practical for my lifestyle? I’m a vintage girl at heart. I love red lips. Love the wiggle heels create. Love the impact of a flirty floral frock. I’m just not comfortable in a full on casual ensemble. I have to add a touch of glamour. I now wear a shorter version of my treasured heels and find the occasional red lip the ultimate pick me up after a sleepless night. I also expect my Mum on the go essentials to work as part of my smart casual capsule with a simple switch of accessories.

I wear my denim shirt belted to add the requisite glamour, interest and curves to my racy rectangle body type. With this particular shirt I prefer a slim belt to cinch my waist and position the belt slightly lower than my natural waist to elongate my extremely short-waisted torso. I also like to add a touch of embellishment with my belt, as the majority of my jewelry wardrobe has been consigned to the bedside drawer until my youngest daughter passes her grabbing stage. To this point, scarves work better than necklaces, worn either muffler style or tied in the Angie knot, my outfit becomes instantly pulled together and child friendly.

I favour a shopper style of bag over the Mum on the go cross body bag. The hands-free option wriggles over my shoulders, slides down my body and eventually lands in a loop around my feet. Not Fab. I look for a shoulder bag which sits comfortably under the arm and yet is roomy enough for the girls’ essentials.

My choice of coat or jacket depends on both the weather and the day’s ensemble. I love to wear my leather jacket on milder days; it adds instant edge to my style. As the temperature drops I opt for my false plain wool coat. To avoid a strobing effect I tweak the formula by substituting my micro check trousers for a casual alternative such as leggings or Ponte knit trousers.

The success of the Mum on the go formulas lies in their versatility: they can be tailored to suit all aesthetics, budgets and lifestyles. I can replicate the silhouette of formula #7 by wearing my dark wash skinny jeans with an alternative shirt, or replace the denim shirt with a tunic or shorter dress. The possibilities are endless and all of the clothes in my limited wardrobe are now in full rotation.

With Angie’s guidance I’m able to spend less time on planning my outfits and devote more time to the family. If only all decisions were as simple as getting dressed in the mornings…

Today we tackle the 6th of my 10 casual outfit formulas for moms and gals on the go (refresh your memories with formulas #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5). This one is all about the skirt, so I turned to uber-stylish and sassy Virginia forum member Danja, who is a full-time software engineer, wife, and mom to a gorgeous daughter. Danja wears skirts 60% of the time in casual settings and 70% of the time in professional settings. As YLF’s skirt queen and mom on the go who errs on the smarter side of casual, this is how Danja rocks formula #6.

I work in an environment where I am expected to look polished, so getting dressed for work is a lot of fun. However, dressing down for the weekends has been a big challenge for me. As the mom of a 4 year-old girl, I spent the last four years in a uniform of jeans, knit shirts, ballet flats and jackets. And although the outfits avoided being outright frumpy, I was not enjoying my weekend style.

That all changed when I started reading You Look Fab. Angie’s expert advice opened up my eyes and helped me see so many opportunities for fun weekend outfits in my closet. The biggest obstacle to my weekend style was allowing my work clothes to play with weekend pieces. Once I cleared that up in my mind, it was much easier to have fun with my wardrobe on the weekends. The formula that works best with my personal style is formula #6:

Denim skirt + knit top + leather or pleather jacket + slouch boots

I love wearing skirts. They make me feel very feminine and elegant. So when I bought a denim skirt earlier this year, my weekend style quotient immediately improved. I like to wear my denim skirt with turtlenecks, button down shirts and cardigans, or fitted t-shirts. Adding a scarf around my neck adds “a little dressed up feeling”. I almost always tuck tops into skirts, so that also makes the look dressy – which is what I like. Now that the weather is cooler, I can also get away with wearing shorter skirts by pairing them with opaque tights and low-heel boots. If I wear a shorter skirt, I keep the top layer longer by wearing a trench coat.

My job is fairly sedentary, so I wear high heels during the work week. But I am anything but sedentary on the weekends, so my footwear changes to low heels. Ballet flats are my favorite, but during winter months I like to wear booties and riding boots. Both play very nicely with skirts. I don’t own a leather jacket, so I usually wear a trench coat, a military jacket or a boyfriend blazer with my weekend skirts. I have an old leather trench that my mom wore before I was born, and every once in a while I will wear it purely for sentimental reasons.

I love scarves and shawls, so they are my preferred accessories. They also add color and extra warmth, so that’s all the more reason to wear them. I’ll wear necklaces occasionally, but I like to keep them simple (a single strand wrapped around twice so it’s not too long). As far as bags go, cross-body bags are my favorite because they keep my hands free. I don’t own neutral color bags because I like my bags to add extra color to the outfit. Sometimes, I borrow my husband’s giant messenger bag since it has plenty of room for snacks, wipes, drinks, Scooby-Doo, flower headbands and any other “essentials” my daughter likes me to carry.

I’ve taped a printout of Angie’s 10 formulas onto my closet door and they have been invaluable.

Today we tackle the 5th of my 10 casual outfit formulas for moms on the go (refresh your memories with formulas #1, #2, #3 and #4). This one is all about the boyfriend blazer, so I turned to fabulous Boston forum member Jennifer (or “shiny” in the forum), who is a full-time telecommuting professional, wife, and mom to two beautiful teenage girls. As an early fashion adopter, stylish Jennifer got her head around how to wear a boyfriend blazer in no time at all. This is how she rocks formula #5.

As a 44 year old mom of two teens, my biggest challenge is achieving that ambiguous state of style that we call “age appropriate.” I do not know which is worse: being the mom in the pickup lane who doesn’t try hard enough (showing up in sweats and her husband’s baggy tees), the one who tries too hard (squeezing into her daughter’s clothes), or the one who got stuck in the 80s and never left.

So when Angie first proposed wearing embellished T’s, Converse or boyfriend blazers, I dismissed each out of hand, thinking: “This is not for me. I am old enough to have teenagers who live in graphic tees and Converse and I already did the boyfriend blazer thing in my younger years!!!” But with lots of trepidation and some coaxing, I decided to give it a try. I learned how to pull off wearing all three, even all at once, and without looking like a teenager! You can, too.

Here is Angie’s formula:

Jeans + graphic / embellished T + boyfriend blazer + Converse sneakers

And here are my tips:

• Boyfriend Blazer: Because I’m only 5’0”, I was dubious about finding a boyfriend blazer that would not overwhelm me. But once you find one that’s scaled to your frame, structured on the shoulder, not too long, and with the stance in the right place, you’re good to go. Alternatively, this look will work with any structured blazer. The fact it is a blazer will automatically make the outfit “grown up.” Why? Very simple, because teens do not normally wear them! This is the item that pulls the outfit together and makes it look more sophisticated. Do experiment with your career clothing because I love the juxtaposition of a serious business suit jacket worn over a casual, whimsical tee. And what better way to make your wardrobe work double duty?
• Graphic T: Just because it’s an inexpensive T does not give an excuse to skimp on fit. While you’ll want to leave the cute sayings to the teens, it’s okay to express your interests and have fun. Do choose a flattering neckline and length. Alternatively, any nicer knit top or tunic will work. For a casual date-night look, try a dressier silk blouse and juxtapose feminine with masculine.
• Jeans: Try the look with dark wash or black boot cuts, straight legs, or skinny jeans. Ponte knit pants work too.
• Footwear: For a more “grown-up” look, stick with bootcuts or straight-legs when you wear Converse or fashion sneakers. When I wear my skinnies with a boyfriend blazer, I opt for ballet flats, but slouchy flat boots, loafers, brogues and booties will also work. I love the look with my metallic oxford booties. Yes, they are heels, but since I spend a lot of time schlepping teens around in the Toyota instead of my arms, I can get away with it. Not to mention, they and all their friends tower over me now, so I could use the extra inch or two of height to give me “mom” authority!
• Layering: Add a cami, cardigan, vest, scarf for extra warmth and interest. Think of your boyfriend blazer as you would any fall-weight jacket, but so much sharper than a Polar fleece or hoodie.
• Accessories: I like the look of a long necklace with the lean line of the boyfriend blazer. Or I skip it entirely and go with the ease of a simple pair of hoops. Add a watch if you wear one, and a cross-body bag, slouchy hobo, or tote in a fun color.

While there are many ways to incorporate a boyfriend blazer into your wardrobe, this formula is ideal for the Moms and gals on the go because it is casual, comfortable, practical, and so easy. Above all, I love how the blazer gives me authority when dealing with teens that are taller than me. So over to you. Are you willing to give this formula a try? Let’s hear your opinions on formula #5.

I like to roll up the sleeves for attitude. The purple T advertises my favorite theater group’s recent production. It works when the blazer is added to give structure. Since my lifestyle involves lots of taxi-driving these days, I can also wear this formula with heels too.

Today we continue to work through the 10 casual Autumn formulas I blogged about last month, devoting a separate post to each outfit formula. With formula #1, formula #2 and formula #3 down, it’s on to formula #4. This formula is all about boot cut jeans so if that’s your favourite style of denim, this one is for you:

Jeans + tunic sweater + leather or pleather jacket + ankle boots

Here are the components of this formula in more detail:

• Jeans: You’ll need boot cut jeans, but straighter legs and trouser cuts will work just as well. Choose any wash and remember that black-black and grey jeans are great options too.
• Tunic sweater: Opt for knitwear that’s longer in length. Mid-thigh is best but you can go shorter if you’re petite. Form fitting tunics are lovely, but voluminous styles are more forgiving on the midriff area (think empire cuts and banded styles). If tunic sweaters are too warm, opt for tunic button down shirts, tunic T’s or tunic knit tops. Remember that you can belt a tunic to rein in some of the volume so don’t dismiss the idea yet! Of course, wearing a normal length top with pants is always an option if tunics aren’t your thing. But I’m encouraging banded 80’s style tunics because the look is “new”, forgiving and very comfortable.
• Leather or pleather jacket: It’s the jacket that adds structure to this formula and there are countless styles of leather and pleather silhouettes this season. Think beyond black leather and try colours like cream, caramel, burgundy, teal and blue. If you don’t like biker jackets, opt for bomber styles, classic blazer and peplum looks, or groovy belted 70’s vibes. The jacket can be short to add a dramatic layering effect over the tunic, or longer for a more streamlined look. After dressing many women in this formula, I’ve found that empire cut tunics look best when matched with longer length jackets. A cropped jacket tends to look best over a streamlined tunic that tapers in at the hem when worn over jeans. If leather and pleather are not your preference, complete the outfit with a corduroy blazer, military jacket or retro trapeze jacket instead.
• Ankle boots: Casual flat ankle boots are a no-brainer, but you might like to try cowboy boots too. Short Dr. Marten boots will also work and so will styles with a low heel or wedge. Once again, think beyond black and try footwear in colours like tan, blue, grey, red, eggplant and burgundy. We tend to wear lots of black, brown and grey tops in Autumn and Winter so adding an unexpected colour with footwear makes a refreshing change. Ankle boots are not your only option here. Swap them out for converse sneakers, flat oxfords and loafers if you want to wear cozy socks, but ballet flats are also great when it’s warm enough to go sockless.

Notes on the accessories for this formula:

• Scarf: Scarves are not essential, but they’re always visually appealing. Versatile pashmina wrap-style scarves are my top pick because they look great both indoors and outdoors. Silky scarves are just as fab, but not as casual. I’m not particularly fond of neckerchiefs because they cut your long lean line, but they can work if you have a long neck. Scarves are best when tied vertically (like this, this and this).
• Handbag: A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both hands free to attend to little ones, a cross body bag is the solution.
• Accessories: You know the drill, attend to your specs first and your watch second, because they’re the most important accessories on your body. A statement necklace is a nice alternative to a scarf and earrings add a nice touch.

And now some examples. The first is an interpretation on the daring side of modern classic, the second is more trendy and urban, while the third is bohemian and earthy. Remember that this is a formula, so you can substitute the items in the visuals for those that that are more to your taste. Also, clicking on the pictures will take you to Polyvore where you can see the individual items, but take the specific items I chose with a grain of salt. I selected the items purely based on what was easily available and what made the right visual impact. So I am not suggesting that you need a $21,000 Cartier watch to make the modern classic look work.

Modern Classic

Trendy & Urban

Bohemian & Earthy

I like to sport formula #4 with converse sneakers and loafers because I don’t own flat casual ankle boots. But I’ll sport a smart casual version of the formula with dressy heeled ankle boots or booties and a silky blouse instead. Mums on the go, I’d love to hear your suggestions on how to improve this formula.

We’re seeing several styles of boyfriend jeans this season. The item started out looking baggy and distressed, which has its appeal on preteens and teenyboppers. But as the season unfolded, sleeker, more refined and “grown up” boyfriend jeans appeared in retail stores.

I’m not wearing boyfriend jeans, nor am I advocating the look because, for the most part, I don’t think it’s flattering. Occasionally I see someone pull it off to perfection, but they are few and far between. I’m still hyper sensitive to pant lengths that end somewhere below the calf and above the ankle bone because it’s leg shortening style suicide. The horizontal rolled-up cuff at this odd length on your lower leg cuts your long lean line.

I’ll admit that boyfriend jeans look better when the jeans are tapered and rolled to just below the knee. And further, matching the look with a super-high heels is a must. But other than that, I’m still not sold. Are you?

The boyfriend jeans on the far left work because they look like clamdiggers. But I have a hard time with the two boyfriend jeans styles in the middle because they shorten the leg line, even on these super tall and whippet thin models with heels! By way of comparison, the scrunched, un-rolled skinny jeans on the far right look infinitely more flattering to my eye.

Today we continue our journey through the 10 casual Autumn formulas I blogged about a few weeks ago. Formula #3 is all about the casual dress, so I turned to super stylish, Chicago forum member Laura, who is a freelance writer and busy Mum on the go. She’s a frock gal who owns this look. Who better to convince you that frocks are fab than our very lovely Laura with the killer pixie do and two darling boys in tow.

Of all of Angie’s brilliant formulas for moms on the go, I probably wear Formula #2 the most (for practical weather purposes), but my absolute favorite is Formula #3:

Casual dress + tights or hose + tall boots

I wasn’t always this convinced! Until about a year ago, you would find me in jeans most days. My conversion took place in the dressing room of Macy’s in Herald Square, during the YLF Manhattan convention. Angie dragged us kicking and screaming to the gigantic Macy’s flagship dress department. Thirty minutes and three fabulous frocks later, I was reborn as a dress girl.

Dresses make me feel pulled together and feminine, but still practical and comfy. It’s one simple garment, and all you need to add is tights and boots for extra coverage. What could be easier? Also, wearing casual dresses is a great alternative to jeans and sweaters. I get so sick of wearing jeans!

For Fall I love non-restrictive and forgiving empire cut dresses, A-line dresses and sack dresses in thicker fabrics with stretch. Ponte de Roma knits are pure genius, and sweater dresses and jersey knit are great too. When I shop, I generally look for long or ¾-length sleeves. But sleeveless works as well: I simply put a thin layering turtleneck underneath, or pop a cropped cardigan, military jacket, denim jacket or moto vest over it, and I feel covered. For extra warmth (remember I live in Chicago), I’ll layer over a trench coat, wool coat and eventually a heavy duty down puffer along with headgear, scarf and gloves.

I’ve also gotten over a phobia about hose. Now I wear tights, textured hose and leggings. If you’re not sure about hose, start by wearing leggings under a dress. Leggings are basically a thicker form of tights, and can give you that extra comfort level if your day calls for sitting on the floor with your baby or chasing a toddler around a playground. I love how black tights matched with black boots give me a nice long line. And make sure your dress is the right length — at the knee or a few inches above the knee for most of us.

My handbag of choice is a large tote or cross-body bag when I need to be hands free. I like to wear a fun colour to contrast with my monochromatic outfits which keeps things cheerful on a gray windy day! I always wear my big white statement watch but I tend to keep earrings and necklaces dainty because that’s my style preference.

I have road tested formula #3 time and time again, and what makes it work when you’re running after your 3-year-old around (as I am) is making sure the dresses are casual and pairing them with footwear that’s practical with a capital P. I wear all sorts of casual boots: ankle boots, Doc Martens, knee- high riding boots, flat slouchy boots, Frye harness boots, and cowboy boots.

So, over to you. Are you a dress girl at heart? If not, are you willing to give this formula a try? Let’s hear your opinions on formula #3.

I’m a huge fan of micro fishnets, but I’m also into other types of patterns on black textured hose. Lace, checks, swirls, chevrons, polka dots, florals, stripes and diamond designs are among my favourites at the moment. Textured hose is versatile because you can dress it both up and down.

I know what you’re thinking – hose is dressy. The same way you might think that dresses are generally dressy. But these perceptions are not entirely true because dresses worn with hose can look relaxed if you add casual elements into the mix. The picture below shows gals in dressy ensembles matched with black textured hose and heeled pumps. The hose smartens up the outfits for sure. But wear the hose with a pair of flat, casual boots and a casual dress or skirt and you’ve dressed down the look.

For example, try one of my favorite looks for Autumn: a no-nonsense day dress with Frye boots and sheer black checked hose. This pairing is unexpected and more visually interesting than falling back on plain old black opaques.

Fashion unites us, but style sets us apart. It’s HOW you wear the item that makes the difference. Anyone can purchase black textured hose and wear it with pumps and a dressy frock, because that’s the combination that makes traditional sense. But wearing fashion items in unconventional ways can often be a lot more fun. This also helps you get the most out of a small wardrobe, which is a real cost saver. An all-round win.

Wearing black boots with black textured hose is flop proof because it gives you a long leg line. Mismatching the colour of the hose and the boots can be done, but you might find it harder to achieve the long lean line.

I promised to devote a separate post to each of the 10 casual Autumn formulas I wrote about earlier about this month. With formula #1 down, it’s on to formula #2:

Skinny jeans + long sleeved T + scarf + tall boots

Tucking jeans or pants into tall boots is extremely practical for winter weather. Really, there is no substitute for this footwear formula if you’re out braving the elements and commuting on foot. Living in rainy Seattle, I tuck jeans into boots frequently and it happens to be one of my very favourite looks of all time. I feel stylish, sleek, comfortable and pulled together for the rain, ice and snow. And above all my feet are warm and dry.

Here are the components of this formula in more detail:

• Jeans: You’ll need slim cut, casual pants or jeans that are super tapered on the lower leg to make tucking an easy operation. If jeans are not your thing, you’ll achieve the same look with Ponte de Roma knit pants, micro-check pants, or denim leggings. Choose any wash of jeans and don’t forget that black-black and grey jeans are good options too. Because extra-skinny jeans are ideal for this look, you might like to reserve certain pants and jeans solely for the purpose of tucking into boots.
• Long sleeved T: A good quality, solid layering T is a super backdrop for a patterned scarf. But you don’t need to stick to basic T styling either. Think banded tunic styles with dolman sleeves, empire cuts and wrap styles as more interesting alternatives. Button down shirts and cru, turtle and V-neck knitwear will also work. You can also switch the solid and pattern mix around by wearing a patterned top and solid scarf. Honestly, any type of top with a scarf that works is good. As an extra Autumn topper, think trench coat, cropped coat, leather, pleather, corduroy, plaid, military jacket, or one of the new look longer length cardigans.
• Scarf: Versatile pashmina wrap-style scarves are my top pick because they look great both indoors and outdoors. Silky scarves are just as fab, but not quite as casual. I’m not particularly fond of neckerchiefs because they cut your long lean line, but they can work if you have a long neck. Scarves are best when tied vertically (like this, this and this).
• Tall boots: Choose knee-high and mid-calf boots that are either flat, wedged or low heeled. The world is your oyster when it comes to the aesthetic of the boots. From riding boots and slouch styles, to biker boots, cowboy looks, fleece lined snow boots and anything else that tickles your fancy. Wellington boots and 20 eyelet Doc Martens are superb too.
• Handbag: A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both hands free to attend to little ones, a cross body bag is the solution.
• Accessories: Attend to your specs first and your watch second, because they’re the most important accessories on your body. There’s no need to wear a necklace because this look is all about the statement scarf, but earrings add a nice touch. If you like hats, then newsboy caps, berets, slouchy beanies, riding caps and felt cloches are all super choices.

And now some examples. The first is a fun and bright interpretation, while the second is edgy and urban. No modern-classic interpretations today! Remember that this is a formula, so you can substitute the items in the visuals for those that that are more to your taste. Note that you can click on the pictures to find details about individual items in Polyvore.

Fun & Bright:

Edgy & Urban:

Forum member Tanya recently challenged herself to wear a different casual Autumn formula each day, covering eight of the formulas in one week. She looks KILLER in every outfit and I can’t possibly pick a favourite. Tanya’s chic, casual, everyday style is a true inspiration for us all so be sure to take a look.

Mums on the go and gals on the go, I’d love to hear your suggestions on how to improve this formula. Also, if you post your interpretation of this formula on your own blog, link to my post and we will list you below when we see the trackback.

I promised to devote a separate post to each of the 10 casual Autumn formulas I blogged about last week. So I’m kicking off the series with flop proof Autumn outfit formula #1:

Jeans + embellished / graphic T + new look cardigan + ballet flats

Here are the components of this formula in more detail:

• Jeans: Opt for boot cut, straight leg or skinny jeans in a wash or colour of your preference. Faded blue jeans are completely fine for a super casual look, and black and grey jeans are great options too. Black jeans look particularly good with blue tops, while grey jeans are fab with black, white, red and jewel tones.
• Graphic or embellished T: This keeps the look extra casual, but is still a step up from a basic T. I’m not always a fan of T’s, but as fun layering items I’m all for it. Look for arty motifs, or pretty design features like rosettes, ruching, ribbons and ruffles. Tunics and banded style T’s will also work. If T’s are not your thing, opt for a more refined mesh or rayon knit top, woven blouse or button down shirt instead. It’s all good.
• New look cardigan: This is the season for the long “new look” cardigan. Think cascading or flyaway, curved hem or boyfriend. These new look cardigans are voluminous when worn un-belted. Fabulous! Comfy, forgiving and super relaxed as long as there is significant structure along the shoulder line. Finer gauge knits are more slimming and look dressier, but chunkier knits can work too. Petites can absolutely wear tunic cardigans as long as the length is not too long. Belting the style to showcase your waistline is an option but not a necessity. If you insist on wearing a classic cropped cardigan then that’s okay too. But it would be fun to try something new.
• Ballet flats: Flats are the best choice for practical reasons, but feel free to wear a casual, low heel or wedge if that’s your preference. If you don’t like ballet flats, think ankle boots, cowboy boots, loafers, fashion sneakers or Converse. A casual wedged pump will also work. With the exception of ballet flats and wedged pumps, which look best sans socks or with hose, you can wear all the other options with cozy socks. Be mindful of the hem width of jeans you pair with specific shoes. Converse and fashion sneakers tend to look best with boot cuts.

Notes on the accessories for this formula:

• Handbag: Keep it healthy and make the size and shape work for you. A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both hands free to attend to little ones, a cross body bag is the solution.
• Accessories: If you wear specs, sort them out first because they are your most important accessory. If you wear a watch, that’s next. Choose between statement necklaces or earrings but don’t wear both at the same time. Casual pendants on leather cords are great, but scarves make a nice seasonal change. For those that like hats, newsboy caps, berets, slouchy beanies, riding caps and felt cloches are all adorable choices.

And now some examples. The first is an arty and fun interpretation, while the second is more refined and modern-classic. Remember that this is a formula, so you can substitute the items in the visuals for those that that are more to your taste.

Arty & Fun:

Refined & Modern Classic:

For more inspiration, check out forum member Tanya who isn’t a Mom on the go, but dresses casually for work. She effortlessly and beautifully wore this particular formula for most of last week. Wonderful budget babe Dianna recently recreated Autumn formula #1 using affordable items from the web. Both posts are well worth a look. I’m impressed.

Mums on the go, I’d love to hear your suggestions on how to improve this formula. Here are some examples from our readers:

• Ana, of The Math Fashionista, brings Cheetah print into the equation

If you post your interpretation of this formula on your own blog, link to my post and we will list you here when we see the trackback.