We were so excited when YLF Veteran AJ told us that an outfit she submitted was published in InStyle magazine (page 108 of the March edition). Killer! AJ is a stay at home Mum who lives in Texas and her fabulously creative, polished and ladylike style is inspiring to us all. No wonder InStyle published her outfit!

This trench coat outfit is deceptively simple. While it may seem like just another autumn ensemble, it’s actually a snapshot of the style evolution I’ve undergone since joining YouLookFab a year ago. My daily morning read of Angie’s blog posts, along with insights from other YLF forum members, have helped me gain knowledge and confidence to style my outfits. My InStyle appearance is a fun validation of how much I’ve learned through YLF.

It was during Angie’s coverage of New York Fashion Week last year that I realized I had a strong preference for playful, colorful outfits. Designers like Custo Barcelona and Carlos Miele inspired me to embraced color and print in my own wardrobe.  What was once a closet full of plain, solid neutrals now contains many colorful items like this eggplant trench coat.

I’m surprised at how much I enjoy trying out trends that are highlighted on YLF. I realize the skinny jeans in my trench coat outfit are not cutting-edge fashion anymore, but I never would have worn them without YLF. Angie’s posts on upcoming trends motivate forum members to try and interpret the looks in ways that work for them. I followed their example and have learned to strike a balance between looking current while still feeling like me.

Take footwear, for example. The wedge heeled booties I’m wearing in the magazine are both on trend and in keeping with my new goal of buying only comfortable footwear. Angie’s insistence on comfortably stylish shoes in her own wardrobe has shown me how fabulous footwear can take outfit basics up several style notches. No more painful shoes for me!

I’ve also learned through YLF that it’s the little details that make an outfit special. Usually I avoid double breasted coats or jackets, but it was the contrasting buttons on this trench that caught my eye. The stylist for the InStyle look had switched out their coat’s belt for a satin ribbon. I immediately thought of my tortoiseshell belt and was instantly pleased with how it complemented the trench and added some polish. I try to do this with all my outfits and accessories like pearls, scarves and hats now form an integral part of my every-day style.

An important part of my style journey has been documenting my outfits through pictures. This helps me see from afar how my clothes fit me and if the proportions suit me. The InStyle submission was a picture that I had already taken days before as part of my usual outfit photos. I highly recommend taking photos even if no one else will see them. It’s interesting what you will notice in the picture that wasn’t readily apparent to you in the mirror. Remotes and/or self-timers on digital cameras make this process easy if you’re uncomfortable with asking someone to take your pictures for you.

Finally, my confidence to submit my photo to InStyle is a direct result of Angie’s number one rule: have fun with fashion. I encourage new YLF readers to check out the party that is going on at the YLF forum. Besides outfit posts, currently there are forum threads of encouragement for those who want to temporarily take a break from shopping, as well as support for those who want to adopt healthy living habits. Angie has established such a positive and supportive environment here; it’s hard not to participate!

Thank you, Angie, for sharing in my excitement over my outfit submission to InStyle! I feel grateful for the freedom to enjoy fashion and style that you and the fabulous forum members provide. Many thanks for all the hard work that you and your husband, Greg, devote to YLF to encourage women worldwide.

We are on our way to Mexico City where I’ll be working with my amazing client Fernanda Solórzano. Fernanda is a local film critic and writer who frequently appears on television and speaks on the radio. She also travels abroad and attends fabulous functions.

Fernanda contacted me to help her evolve her already fantastic sense of style. She has magnificent clothing, footwear and accessories and we will be putting outfits together for various occasions, ranging from casual to super formal. We’ve been working together online for a few months and in preparation for a productive face-to-face session we’ve been filling gaps in her existing wardrobe so that we have most of items we need to create countless outfit combinations by the time I arrive in Mexico City.

Greg and I are looking forward to our Latin adventure and I’m champing at the bit about getting stuck into Fernanda’s closet – as well as getting my teeth sunk into some killer Mexican food. We hope to post about our experience so stay tuned.

It’s business as usual for YLF while we’re away, except that there will be one blog post tomorrow instead of two. We’ll be lovingly reunited with Yorkies Rosie and Jasmine on Sunday afternoon in time to cover the Oscars.

Don’t worry! I’m not suggesting we expose our midriffs. Instead I’d like to introduce you to a covered cropped top that can look quite cute when worn in a particular way.

The examples below illustrate the new boxy cropped sweater vibe. Sometimes the sweaters are a little longer in the back than in the front. I think it’s key to wear a cropped sweater in a roomy silhouette. Somehow a form fitting version looks dated.

Boxy cropped sweaters range in length. Some are really cropped and fall above the natural waistline (grey sweater, top left) and others fall on the natural waistline (the other three sweaters). When styling these sweaters it is helpful to think about two options: layering and no layering.

A longer layering top underneath

As seen in the photos below, you can create different effects by changing the colour contrast between the layers and your bottoms. This type of layering works best with streamlined bottoms to balance out the boxiness of the top. Alternatively, wear a boxy cropped sweater over a form fitting sheath dress to create a relaxed arty look.

No layering

When the cropped sweater is a little longer and finishes on the waistline, you’ll achieve a similar look to a tucked-in top sans the tucking. These types of cropped sweaters work best over more voluminous bottoms with a high rise. By volume I mean front pleated trousers or shorts, wide leg pants or jeans, and flared skirts. The high rise on the bottom keeps the belly covered, while the banded bottom adds structure to the ensemble.

This trend is still very fringe and whether it will take off or not is anyone’s guess. I am drawn to the boxy cropped sweater because the proportions look new. I see cropped blouses emerging too, which could be interesting.

Not to worry if you’re having an allergic reaction. I assure you that regular length sweaters and tops are definitely still the mainstream look. Even if cropped sweaters and tops gain popularity over the next few years, there will still be a variety of lengths represented in retail because that’s how fashion itself has evolved over the last five years. We are no longer living in a fashion world where one style reigns supreme.

So, who is feeling the new boxy cropped sweaters?

You are on Team Tuck if you prefer to tuck your tops into your skirts, trousers and jeans. You are on Team Un-Tuck if you prefer to leave tops hanging out.

I tuck in my tops quite frequently, especially when I wear skirts and more recently when I wear jeans and trousers. But I still wear lots of my tops un-tucked, more so than tucked, so I am on Team Un-Tuck.

This is probably the easiest poll to date. I am also willing to bet money that Team Un-Tuck will reign supreme. So without further ado, over to you. Are you on Team Tuck or on Team Un-Tuck? Tell us why and no batting for both Teams.