One of our readers left a very interesting reply to last week’s post on layered necklaces:

“Statement piece….? What is the statement? Is it something like a secret that only the wearer knows? But then you’d be making a statement to yourself. That word is used sooo much in fashion and I really want to understand. Like the necklaces above…is the statement something like “Oh, hey I AM BIG!” or “Look here!” Or is it more like “I am a deep person with a unique interest in complex/simple design… a reflection of my inner self…? Or is it like, “I am da bomb!”Maybe I am thinking too much…..impossible…aaaargh…..I do get the “Key” pieces in the wardrobe thing…..but again, what is the statement that the wearer is trying to make…?

I talk about statement pieces all the time, so this got me thinking. What is it about an item that makes it a statement piece?

I think of statement pieces as interesting, attractive and relatively eye-catching wardrobe items that reflect your personality. They are usually quite bold and unique, but not necessarily brightly coloured and oversized. They are often, but not always, the thing people notice first about your outfit. Sometimes they become items that people associate with your signature style.

For me personally, the first statement pieces that come to mind are accessories: my specs, my watch, my wedding ring and my handbags. But I also have coats, scarves and shoes that I consider to be statement pieces. My cream trench or red Kate Spade shoes, for example. All of my statement pieces make me confident and happy with my outfit.

Are statement pieces a personal inner thought, or an overt statement to the rest of the world? I think a true statement piece has elements of both. My philosophy is that style is about creating a positively reinforcing feedback loop between the way we feel and the way we look. It connects our inner thoughts and feelings to the story we tell to the rest of the world. Statement pieces are like the headlines in this story.

How would you define a statement piece? What are your statement pieces?

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?

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.

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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?

Is feeling sexy wrapped up in an attitude, or is it about the way we dress? For me it’s a little of both. I feel my most alluring when I’m really confident. It is about knowing myself, making the most of my strengths and accepting my weaknesses. In other words, being comfortable in my own skin and keeping insecurities at bay.

But let’s face it, a hot outfit really helps to boost that confidence on any given day. Here are the ones that do it for me:

• Sleek: Sleeveless sheath dress with high neckline and heels
• Commanding: Skinny jeans tucked into flat knee-high boots with black turtle neck, fabulous scarf and biker jacket
• Naughty: Pencil skirt with turtle neck or button down shirt and heels
• Crisp: Impeccable white blouse with skinny jeans, belt and ballet flats
• Hip: Sleeveless sack dress with heels

This may be somewhat atypical because in most cases I’m covering up skin (leaving something to the imagination can be sexy too). And the silhouettes are generally form–fitting, which is revealing in its own way.

I’ll add four things that make me feel attractive no matter what I wear: a great hairstyle, well cared for skin, a pretty scent, and matching bras and knickers.

Your turn. What makes you feel alluring and why?

Imagine if you had a set of appropriate clothes that made you look good and feel great for EVERY aspect of your life. It is possible. You need to understand how the needs of your lifestyle translate into a set of understandable and manageable chunks that I call wardrobe capsules. This concept is an essential part of the process that I follow with my clients and I’d like to start using it on YLF too.

Wardrobe capsule: a set of clothing, footwear and accessories that satisfy the style needs in one area of your life.

The first step in wardrobe capsule creation is to assess your needs. You need to take into account what you do during the day, what you do for fun, where you go on vacation, the roles you play in life, the climate where you live – anything that impacts your choice of clothing, footwear and accessories. In some instances the items in a capsule form complete outfits (like a beach and poolside capsule), and in others the items don’t create complete outfits, but support several other capsules (like the weather resistant capsule).

To help you get started I will list some of the main areas in your life that impact your wardrobe needs. Once you’ve thought about these areas, factors like climate, age and budget will also play a role. Start making notes:

Getting around

Whether you commute on foot, by car or use public transport will impact your capsule choices. For example, I live in an urban area where the climate is cold and wet. I travel short distances by car, but I don’t have a garage and I’m on foot most of the time. These aspects of my life created the need for an elaborate weather resistant capsule. I have a whole slew of jackets, trenches, coats, scarves and umbrellas of different shapes, sizes, thicknesses and levels of dressiness. I also have several pairs of flat, or one inch 8-hour walking shoes and boots (some for rain and some for snow).

Parenting & Children

Casual or smart casual Mum-on-the-go capsules are imperative when you have young children. This capsule will comprise the bulk of your wardrobe if you’re a SAHM, but less so if you work part or full time, unless work allows casual and smart casual dress. I like to divide up this capsule even further so that my clients have a set of clothes for settings like: going to an amusement park, visiting a farm, playing in the park, camping, or attending sporting events.

Mothers to be will need a maternity wear capsule. In a sense, maternity wear will cover most areas of your lifestyle, but it is sufficiently specialized that it deserves a capsule of its own. Also, understanding your other capsules will make it easier to build this one.

Social life

Your life stage and how you spend your leisure hours gives rise to different types of capsules. For example, you might need a date night capsule, a fine dining capsule, a party capsule, a clubbing capsule, or theater capsule. In most cases, these capsules require dressier clothing. But your social life might be more casual like having game night at home with friends, or attending BBQ’s in Summertime. In these cases a casual capsule will work.

Vacations

If you like to holiday in the sun, you’ll need a beach and pool capsule. If you enjoy Winter sports, you’ll need an après ski capsule. If you like to sail, you’ll need a boating capsule. There are countless vacation possibilities and some of them require a particular set of clothing, so make sure that those needs are covered too.

Work Life

If you work in the corporate world, you’ll need extensive business casual and/or business formal capsule. But if work dress codes are less strict like they are for me, you’ll get away with a small business casual capsule and a large smart casual capsule. Also think about whether business travel warrants its own capsule. For example, traveling for business might require smarter dress than working back home, in which case you’ll have a business travel capsule.

Travel

I also like to dress in a particular way when I fly and since we travel quite often it’s created the need for a traveling capsule. Of course, your travel capsule may be optimized for a different mode of transport.

Religion & Tradition

You might require a special capsule for religious practices like going to your place of worship. In these cases clothes are usually smarter or more modest than normal dress. Furthermore, religious beliefs might impact all of your capsules.

Sporting

You’ll need a workout capsule if you like to go to the gym, or the right gear when you practice a specific type of sport. For example, your sporting activities might require a cycling capsule, snowboarding capsule, hiking capsule, swimming capsule or kayaking capsule.

Lounging & Sleepwear

Everyone needs a lounging capsule. Curling up on the couch to read, or watching a movie at home requires comfy sweats. These are also the items we turn to when we’re home for the day and desperately want to get out of day attire and into something super relaxed. Old, beaten-up collegiate T’s and sweats won’t do. Treat yourself to something nicer. And if you wear sleep clothes, give that area of your wardrobe some thought too. A fun sleepwear capsule is a super idea.

Events

Weddings, Christmas parties, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, cocktail functions, auctions, special celebrations and fancy fundraising events require a formalwear capsule. If you attend one or two of these types of functions a year, you’ll need a small formalwear capsule, but if you attend several, you’ll need a more diverse one. If it looks like you will be attending many weddings over a period of time, then you may even consider a wedding wear capsule.

Wardrobe capsules are not to be confused with dress codes. In some instances, a capsule adheres to a particular dress code, like a formal wear capsule, but at other times it comprises of several dress codes. For example, a business travel capsule might comprise of three dress codes: casual (plane travel), business formal (client interfacing), smart casual (dinners out at night). The casual wear dress code on the other hand, covers capsules like in Mum-on-the-go and beach and pool.

Effective wardrobe capsule management helps you to decide where to skimp and where to invest. The strategy prevents unnecessary wardrobe duplication and identifies the gaps. It also allows you to become deliberate about changing your wardrobe when your lifestyle changes. And it saves you time. Once your capsules are in place, you’ll turn to the ones that are relevant for that day without fuss or thought, updating and evolving them when necessary along the way.

What are your important wardrobe capsules? Are there additional areas that you would add to my list above?

The huarache post last week sparked off a few thought provoking comments:

Starry: “I find I am drawn to so many different styles, partly from being exposed to persuasive styling in magazines/stores, or admiring how something looks on another person… and I don’t always have the clearest picture of what is ‘me’ and what isn’t. I suspect having that kind of clarity makes a person much better at shopping and building a good, functional wardrobe.”

Budget Babe: “Starry makes a good point. I often struggle with passing up those trends that truly aren’t “me”, i.e. I might go ga-ga for something on the rack, but then it’ll end up sitting in my closet because it doesn’t work with my personal style. I was loving the huarache trend until I actually tried them on and it just felt way too “boho” …maybe the heels you showed above would work, but the flats, nope.”

I know that I am very open to wearing new trends and am constantly trying them out, but I also have a strong sense of my own aesthetic preferences. For example, because my individual style is modern, retro, trendy, professional, fun, modest and practical, I’m automatically attracted to items that are in line with those descriptors. On the flip side, I’m less attracted to items that are overly casual and sporty, eclectic, earthy, bohemian or too revealing. But then again, it doesn’t mean that I don’t adore those types of styles on others. Instinctively I just know that they are not for me.

I occasionally force myself to step outside of my comfort zone, but it is hard to trust your own judgment in these situations. How can you tell whether it’s a question of getting used to a new trend, or whether it just doesn’t work with your personal style? What does it mean for something to be “you”? Sometimes you will love a style on other people, be confident that you can pull it off, but still feel that it isn’t “you”. How can you tell whether your individual style will adapt and incorporate the new look over time?

This is an area where I can really help my clients. They need an objective opinion that they can trust in order to get past their comfort zone and extend it into new territory. This objective opinion could also come from your friends and family (including your friends and family on the YLF forum), or even from complete strangers – sometimes the best thing is to wear a new look and see the response that you get from other people. Often my opinion is enough to get my clients to wear something new, but it is only when they get lots of spontaneous positive feedback that they really open up to the new style.

Do you have a clear picture of what style is “you” and what isn’t? If so, how did you arrive at these conclusions? How do you test the boundaries of your comfort zone?

I love today’s fashions. There is an ever-widening assortment of wardrobe possibilities for all budgets. Still, I’d trade it all to see the following fashion eras make a comeback:

• The glamour of the late 50’s: I’m all over this look as a benchmark for ultimate style. Pencil skirt suits, pearls, all sorts of frocks and tailoring galore. Absolutely beautiful.
• Mod fashion of the early 60’s: My favourite fashion era of all time. I’d be happy to see anything worn by Twiggy or inspired by Andy Warhol back in stores today.

Sure, individual trends have returned and some of these items are available in stores if you look for them, but I’d love to see a total saturation for a couple of seasons. From a fashion and style point of view, I should have lived in the late 50’s and early 60’s. But I’d have to visit those eras in a time machine so that I can take along the inventions of Lycra and elastic. I CANNOT imagine wearing underwear sans stretch.

Part of my desire to go back to these eras is to relive a time when casual dressing was less the norm. Don’t shoot me. For the most part I embrace the fact that daily dress codes are more relaxed and that comfort is our number one priority. I couldn’t live without my jeans. But I guess I’m really bored with the aesthetics of casual attire. There are more ensemble possibilities when you add chic elements to your style.

Which fashion era are you dialing into your time machine?

Twiggy was our mod fashion queen of the 60’s. Painfully skinny, but fabulous all the same. Apart from the green tights, I’d wear all of these outfits (and I’ll take the puppies too).

Fashion trends often make a comeback every 20-30 years, but generally they are not identical flashbacks. Repeated trends have been modernized, refreshed and improved the second time round, making them more becoming and “new” to wear.

Once you reach a certain age, you’ll probably find looks in stores that you used to wear before. The question is, will you wear them again? I absolutely will, but only if they are a flattering and contemporary incarnation. After all, our goal is a style evolution, not a style stagnation.

Sometimes it takes me a while to get used to the new improved trend. At other times I can scarcely contain my immediate excitement. For example, I had to rethink skinny jeans but I was all over voluminous trends from the word go.

I’m having a ball with the revival of 80’s fashion. It was hideous when I sported it the first time round, but I was at an impressionable age and thought it was fabulous. Like most people, I went through years of cringing at my 80’s style and vowed I would never wear fashions like that again. But I’m blown away with how creatively and successfully designers have re-interpreted the good elements of 80’s looks and I’m embracing them with loyalty and enthusiasm.

At the end of the day revisiting old trends makes me smile because they are nostalgic and current at the same time. Over to you. Do you wear trends that you’ve worn before? If not, why not?