It’s another blast from the past. Remember the calf-length zippered jeans that we wore 20 years ago? I’ll admit I wore the leg-shortening style back then until my Mum said one day : “Those jeans make your legs look short. It’s not very elegant. Your Levis look much better”. I never wore those zippered jeans again.

But my fondness for zipper detailing continues, so I was thrilled to see zippered skinnies back on the fashion scene. They are more sleek and streamlined this time round, and thankfully at a much better length, WITH stretch. I adore the way the open zipper looks like a vent cascading over the top part of the foot, especially when worn with a heel. Subtle and alluring, yet interesting and edgy. Very fab.

Zippered skinnies look nice zipped up at the hems too (picture on the far right). They’ll scrunch voluminously around the ankle when the length is longer (I prefer skinny jeans to scrunch). I’m all over this trend and hope to add a pair of zippered skinnies to my denim collection this year. I wonder if Mum would have liked this version better.

Wearing the same colour and wash of denim on both top and bottom is a fashion faux pas. Too cowgirl and awfully matchy-matchy. You’ll look like you’re wearing a denim suit, which is not so fab.

But if you mismatch the denim pieces, so that the top looks entirely different to the bottom, you’ll get away with wearing them together. For example:

• Match black, or dark blue denim jeans with a faded blue denim top or jacket
• Match any wash of blue or black denim jeans with a white denim jacket
• Match white jeans with a blue or black denim top or jacket

These combinations are fashionably acceptable, but no longer my cup of tea. I guess I overdosed on the look when I wore it to death in the 90’s. Over the last 10 years I’ve been big on wearing ensembles with contrasting textural interest, which means keeping my outfit to one denim item only.

But I’ll admit that with 90’s trends resurfacing, it might be fun to revisit the trend. As long as there is a new twist. If not, it’s one item of denim at a time for me.

I don’t often single out specific items, but I’m impressed with every inch of this ruffle tank from J. Crew and I highly recommend that you give it a try if the style is to your taste. It might not look very different to the average run of the mill knitted top at first glance, but fabrication and construction make it a cut above the rest.

The top is 100% cotton and machine washable, which is ideal in sweltering heat. It’s made of super soft, better-end knitted slub yarn that has body and drapes to perfection. The lawn ruffles that run down the front of the bodice and around the neckline are made of woven cotton. This is clever. It gets you double the textural interest and a crisper looking garment after laundering (woven ruffles generally hold their shape better than knitted ruffles).

The silhouette is flattering too. It’s not overly tight at all. Mine hangs looser than it does on the model, which is another plus in the heat and ideal for hiding those little extras around the mid riff. No clinging. But it’s tailored in all the right places so that you look and feel pulled together in a perfectly casual way. The neckline is high enough that you won’t need to wear a camisole, but low enough to work for bustier gals too.

Fab on its own, or as a layering piece under a waistcoat, jacket or cardigan. Unfortunately the style doesn’t come in petites and at $35 a pop it’s by no means cheap. But I’m tough to please when it comes to knits and this item passes my grade with flying colours. I’m duplicating.

Boho fashion is earthy, layered, loose, relaxed and natural. Picture the hippie movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s and you will have a great visual of what it’s is all about.

• Natural fibers and elements like cotton, linen, stone, shells, wood, aged leather and suede
• Flowing silhouettes like maxi dresses, empire cuts, flared pants, faded cutoff jeans, crocheted toppers, peasant blouses, ankle-length gypsy skirts, shaggy waistcoats and bell-sleeved tops
• Intricate design details and trims like top stitching, handkerchief hems, bat wings, ditsy florals, beads, macramé, smocking, folksy embroideries, wooden buttons and fringe
• Rustic fabrics like aged leather, chunky knitwear, patchwork and tie-dye
• Casual accessories like organic jewelry, slouchy hobo bags, headbands, broad brimmed floppy hats, and hip slung belts
• Earthy colours, with lots and lots of brown

Items are supposed to look weathered, distressed and matte. Shine is at a minimum. That’s the authentic vibe.

Boho style works well in casual settings. Think faded denim, folksy embroidered T or peasant blouse, flat leather sandals, wooden beads, slouchy brown bag and cute straw hat. Viola. You’re good to run errands, take kids to the park, enjoy a BBQ, have a picnic, or sightsee on a hot Summer’s day.

It’s also fun to add bohemian elements into a modern urban style. Try white or dark jeans with a silky empire cut bat-winged top, heeled silver wedges, pearls and patent handbag. I have one bohemian top and that’s the way I like to interpret the boho chic trend.

My personal style is about as un-boho as it gets, but I admire those who embrace the look with sass and spirit. I have clients and friends who look killer in bohemian fashion because it suits their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and who they are. Totally fab.

Bohemian fashion trends strongly some seasons and less so in others, but you’ll always find the look in US stores like Anthropologie, Lucky, Fossil and Free People. As you can see from the pictures, there seems to be a fair amount of boho fashion in stores at the moment, which makes me think that it might be big next year. New merchandise that comes in at the tail end of a retail season is usually an indication of next year’s trends. Time will tell.

Clamdiggers and walk shorts make my must-have list for Summer 2009 as a warm weather go-to alternative to pants and jeans. One specific variation on this theme that deserves more attention is the utilitarian cargo clamdigger.

Their look is uber relaxed when offered in fabrications like crinkle cottons, terry cloth and twills. This makes them work with casual flats and sandals. But sometimes the vibe of the cargo clamdigger is a little smarter when offered in fabrications like silk and linen-rayon blends, making them work well with a dressier sandal or heel. Both are good looks on the right body type.

Unfortunately, this animal is hard to wear. It’s best on inverted triangles, racy rectangles and some adorable apples because straight-ish upper legs are a prerequisite. Stay away from the look if you don’t want to draw attention to your thighs, which means “no” for pretty pears and “be careful” for hourglasses. This does not mean that you have to be super slim to wear the style. It’s a question of having thighs that aren’t curvy at any size. I hope that makes sense.

The cargo clamdiggers worn with flats are casual. The style on the left from Banana Republic is dressy, which is why it’s shown with dressy heeled sandals (but they would work with cute flat sandals too). I like the vibe of the dressier cargo clamdigger best and I’ll stick to basic clamdiggers for casual and smart casual dressing until I find a suitable pair. If not this season, then next year will do.

If my previous posts weren’t enough to convince you that leggings are fab, here are some more reasons to give them a chance:

• They give short frocks and skirts new life: Leggings rescue items that are a tad too short, making them wearable and current.
• They can go casual or smart: Leggings are generally casual and look superb with flats. But they look just as good with heels and a fancy frock or skirt, thereby adding an interesting and arty dimension to an outfit.
• They are an alternative to jeans and clamdiggers: Choose leggings as an alternative to the casual bottoms that you normally wear.
• They flatter all calf shapes: Surprisingly, leggings add shape to unshapely calves like mine. They also accentuate and streamline a curvier calf. It’s a win.
• They cross all boundaries: They are suitable for all body types when worn correctly. Plenty of ladies in their 40’s, 50’s and 60s are rocking this look with sophistication and sass.

If basic leggings weren’t your cup of tea, perhaps some of the new trends will get you on board. From extra-long, over the heel styling and stirrup detailing, to zipper trims, lace insets, button snaps and self-coloured textured designs. There’s loads of variety in stores at the moment so take your pick.

Be sure to look in both hosiery and clothing sections because you’ll find leggings in both store areas. You will find them in both cotton and nylon. I’m happy with either fabrication, as long as the leggings are thick and offer sufficient coverage.

Some examples of the new detailing. I have recently added a pair with zipper trims to my basic assortment and I’m excited to try the stirrup variety next.

Cross body bags (or sling and messenger bags as I know them) used to be my favourite type of bag five to eight years ago. I loved this look because it was hip and hands free. But out of the blue, carrying a bag across my body started causing neck, chest and shoulder pain. I stopped cold turkey, passed on most of my sling bags and have hardly sported the look since. But I got all soft at the Macy’s sale last week when I saw something that had my name written all over it. I was prepared to give the look another chance. Enter my next Spring update: a cream cross body bag. Along with my other new off-white bag, this is my favorite of all the Spring updates thus far. I’m a bag lady at heart.

My previous cross body bags were quite large, and even though I keep the contents of my bag to a minimum, a big cross body bag does not work for me anymore. To my surprise, the smaller style works really well. I’ve worn the new micro version several times and no pain. I can hardly feel it’s on my body. I’m thoroughly enjoying the return of this handbag style to my ensembles. Along with wristlets, it’s made a nice change to the large flat totes that I sport daily.

Click here or on the pictures for a larger view of the outfits.

There are many variations on the cross body bag: large and small, plain and printed, casual and dressy or boho and classic – take your pick. This one errs on the dressy side, but even so, the integrity of the look is relaxed and modern. I can match up this particular style with both pants, leggings and frocks because it’s small, whereas large cross body bags seem to lend themselves better to pants, slacks and jeans.

A cross body bag of any size is an especially good idea for commuters on foot, and mums-on-the-go with kids in tow. It’s also a handy option for city travel, day trips and long shopping days. Zappos, Fossil, Nordstrom and Macy’s have great selections of cross body bags at the moment, which you’ll probably nab for a song. Mine was marked down from $129 to $42. Brilliant.

Other Spring 2009 accessory updates:

• Scarf and handbag
• Casual necklace
• Fun floral belt
• Floral pin
• Turquoise scarf

Today is Laura’s second guest post in a series on her experiences with Angie’s flop proof outfit formulas. Laura is an uber-stylish mother, professional writer and active YLF forum member from Chicago.

Another true confession: Until I road-tested Angie’s flop-proof outfits for “mom on the go,” (outfit 1, outfit 2, and outfit 3) dresses and skirts seemed, well, a bit too formal. Impractical, even. Moms in dresses evoked June Cleaver in a poufy crinoline, complete with apron and heels, carrying a tray of icy cold lemonade to her three sons on a hot summer’s day. Haven’t we modern mamas gone beyond that?

Then I met Angie at the YLF convention in New York, and all it took for her to convert me was 30 minutes in the dress department of Macy’s. (I am an easy target! Plus, Angie is persuasive and always right!). In the dressing room, trying on piles of casual day dresses, Angie showed me how easy and flattering a dress can be.

For moms-on-the-go, it’s all about a CASUAL skirt or dress worn with flats, or a tiny wedge heel. Imagine popping on a cami, a dress and a pair of flats and looking completely put together. Really, what could be easier? The clincher was that because I live with three boys (including my dear husband), wearing dresses and skirts keeps me in touch with my feminine side. Hurray for skirts and dresses!

Today, I’m here to convert you, too. Moms CAN run around after kids in skirts and dresses, provided that your footwear is comfy and practical. If you’re concerned about cleaning, buy garments that are wash-and-wear. And while it’s not ideal to climb on playground equipment in a skirt, you don’t climb on monkey bars all day, every day (unless you are an actual monkey). Sooner rather than later, your tippy toddler will become a well-balanced preschooler and you’ll be keeping your feet on the ground.

The dress formula: casual day dress + cami + cropped cardi or denim jacket + ballet flats + statement bag

This dress will flatter most body types and can easily be dressed up or down. Imagine it with heels and a statement necklace for a Mother’s Day brunch. On a mom-on-the-go day, dress it down with a denim jacket, and add a pop of color with yellow flats.

The skirt formula: skirt + girlie top or graphic T + short-sleeved cardi or denim jacket + ballet flats, sporty flats or sporty mary janes + statement bag

This fun, casual skirt outfit is cool and swingy and will take me on errands and to the farmer’s market this summer. Angie has loads of clients wearing these Ecco skimmers and they are highly recommended!

Don’t worry if the shapes or colors above aren’t best for you. Simply substitute items that fit your color preferences and body type. Everyone can find a dress and skirt shape to suit their figure. You can start with the Dresses category here at YLF. For more inspiration, check out some of the fashion-forward moms who post their outfits on the forum, like Patience, Dani, Shiny, Kyle, Marianne and Antje, or others who aren’t moms, but have mastered the casual look, like Tanya.

Moms-on-the-go, let’s hear from you. Can dresses and skirts fit into your lifestyle? Have I convinced you to make them part of your wardrobe this spring?

I’ve been promoting micro-check pants as a stylish alternative to jeans for ages, but I have the impression that many people still have their doubts. Perhaps they need to see more people sport these pants and adjust their eyes to the style. Although micro-check pants are a typical Euro look, they are hard to find in the US. This no doubt contributes to the lack of adoption.

For me, micro-check pants are indispensable. They’re fabulous when paired with the right pieces and my wardrobe would not be the same without them. I have three pairs, but the casual cream and black checked skinnies that you see below are my hands down favourite casual pants. They’re soft, stretchy, flattering and loads of fun. I can wear them with different moods and in several combinations. Here are three examples:

1. Classic: add an immaculate button-down for a streamlined look.
2. Retro: add a voluminous jacket for a 50’s vibe.
3. Edgy: add a biker jacket for a bit of tough girl sass.

It doesn’t stop there. Add a graphic T and waistcoat, sport a cowl neck top with a V-neck cardigan, or match up a knitted top with a denim jacket. The possibilities are endless. I wear black, red, yellow or cream ballet flats with these pants most of the time, but occasionally I’ll add a pair of pumps. You could also wear Converse sneakers if the hems are boot cut or wider. This particular pair is skinny so I don’t wear them with Converse (that’s too young looking for a 38 year old).

I bought these pants in Spain last year, so you probably won’t find the exact same pair. My clients got lucky at Talbots, Facconable and Macys last season. This season I’ve seen similar pairs at Euro stores in the US like Zara, H&M, French Connection, and Esprit. And I’ve just spotted a fabulous pair at Club Monaco that has my name all over them.

Today we have uber stylish Mum, writer and forum member Laura reporting on how my original Mum-on-the-go outfits worked for her. Laura will do three posts on this topic and I’m excited to hear what she has to say.

As the working mother of two young sons, I have a true confession: As much as I love YLF, I was skeptical about Angie’s flop-proof outfits for “mom on the go.” (outfit 1, outfit 2, and outfit 3). The prospect of so much wardrobe change left me bewildered. Wear dresses during the day? Try skinny jeans and their warm-weather counterpart, clamdiggers? I hadn’t worn skinnies since the 80s! And casual skirts? Skirts were reserved for dressing up, in my world. My “mom” uniform consisted of boots, jeans (and yes, corduroys!) and sweaters. In warm weather, that was translated into sandals, lightweight cargo pants (often with pockets in the most unflattering locations) and t-shirts. No button-downs. No scarves. Other than wearing a cami under a sweater, I did no layering, period.

Since then, I’ve road tested a slew of Angie-recommended casual and smart casual outfits to see how they worked in real life. Moms are notoriously hard on their clothes (think toddlers smearing smashed banana on your premium denim) and notoriously discerning about their budgets. My sons’ need for new jeans usually trumps mine, since my jeans rarely get actual holes in the knees or become three inches too short overnight. As a writer, I work from home or from whatever cafe will have me (thank you, Starbucks!), so mom-on-the-go clothes are the bulk of my wardrobe. Sometimes I dress up to meet a client, but the majority of my clothes are smart-casual and casual. My clothes need to work hard, be comfortable, and fit into my family’s budget. The ensembles must be appropriate and stylish. A tall order!

Six months later, you can imagine that I am as surprised as anyone to admit that Angie’s flop-proof formulas covered my most demanding “momwear” requirements, and then some. Best of all, I feel better about myself in these ensembles than I did in my boots-jeans-sweater uniform. I’ve learned how to dress my outfits up or down a notch to fit whatever my day demands (one tip: if you want to make an outfit instantly more casual, add a pair of hoop earrings and/or a piece in denim, if you aren’t already wearing jeans). I am now a mom-on-the-go-flop-proof-outfit believer!

In the first of a three-part series, I’ll feature the best of the best. These are the outfits that have taken me from school parties, to coffee with friends, to working and running errands, and to the playground or play dates.

The most worn ensemble in my wardrobe for winter, hands down, has been this one: Tall boots + jeans (if jeans are skinnies, tucked into boots) + girly blouse or graphic t-shirt + cardigan or jacket + tote bag. Wearing boots over jeans is not for everyone and might not be for you, but it works well for me and was especially practical for our snowy Chicago winters.

This ensemble has taken me everywhere in my daily routine, with style, and feeling completely appropriate. And it’s an ideal transitional outfit, as boots are still practical here until at least mid-April, and I can easily pop a trenchcoat over the outfit, or leave off outerwear entirely, as we ease into the first days of spring.

Here’s how I’ll update the formula as Spring officially arrives and temperatures rise: Flats + jeans + girly blouse or graphic T-shirt or tank top + cardi + tote.

In summertime I’ll be swapping jeans for clamdiggers in dark or white denim, and trading my long-sleeved cardi for a short-sleeved, cropped version, or for a vest (check out this post from Angie on the graphic T + vest look).

Don’t worry if the colors in these ensembles aren’t your favorites, or the styles don’t suit you. Simply substitute items that fit your color preferences and body type. For more inspiration, check out some of the fashion-forward moms who post their outfits on the forum, like Patience, Dani, Shiny, and Nicole, or others who aren’t moms, but have the casual look nailed, like Tanya.

Let’s hear from all the stylish mamas out there. What are your favorite go-to ensembles? How can I improve my outfits?