I’ll admit that I’m tough when it comes to the quality control of my wardrobe items. I have lower quality expectations for budget priced stores like H&M, but expect more from mid-priced retailers like Anne Taylor and Banana Republic. And I expect superior quality from pricier better-end stores like BCBG, or prêt a porter collections. To me, that’s a reasonable expectation.

But no matter what the price I don’t expect to see visible deterioration after one or two wears. An item of clothing, a pair of shoes or an accessory has got to give you more value than that. Surely.

Well, here are some disappointing updates:

• My new denim dress started tearing under the armhole after the second wear and the tears just got worse and worse. In the rag trade this type of quality problem is called “seam slippage”. It happens when the fabric starts tearing along the seams while the seams are still intact. I returned the dress, hoping it might be an isolated incident, but because Martin & Osa are going out of business they couldn’t give me a replacement. This was my favourite dress of the season and I’m irate.
• The pretty knitted grey, drapy dress from Melrose Street started pilling by the second wash. I’ll still wear it a few more times to super casual occasions but I’m left frustrated with knits all over again. With Melrose Street you do have to take into account that the price points are really low. And the other knitted item I received from them is holding up well. Still, I’m frustrated.
• Then there is the squeaky pair of Kate Spades. At least with this one I was able to nip the problem in the bud and return them immediately. As much as I love Kate’s shoes, I was disappointed to receive a pair with such an obvious quality control issue. I hope it is an isolated case.

Items aren’t meant to last forever and that’s fine by me because I don’t want to keep things forever. But I’d like to get through at least one season of wearing my new goodies before they fall apart or start looking shabby.

Have you experienced any frustrating quality problems lately?

Earlier this morning we sent out the newsletter for May. We hope you enjoy it.

Last month quite a few people asked us whether we could make the newsletter available online for those who aren’t subscribed. So here are the first two editions:

• April Newsletter
• May Newsletter

One change this month is that we aren’t automatically adding new YLF forum members to the newsletter email list, so please sign up manually if you would like to receive it in your inbox at the end of each month.

The way you sign up will depend on whether or not you already receive daily updates:

1. If you are not signed up for daily blog or store updates, then please go to this page to sign up for the newsletter. If you like, you can also sign up for daily updates at the same time.
2. If you are already signed up for daily updates, but would like to add the newsletter to your subscription, then please go to the footer of one of the daily update email messages we sent you and click on the link that says “Update your Profile”. This will take you to a page where you can manage your YLF subscriptions. Click the checkbox alongside “Monthly Newsletter”.

If you’re into RSS rather than email, then please read Greg’s post on all the feeds that are available from YLF.

Enjoy!

This is Nordstrom’s end-of-season sale for Spring/Summer 2010, and second only to their Anniversary Sale in terms of bargain opportunities. I’ve been shopping the sale with several clients over the last few days and here are some of the winning items (note that these are all affiliate links):

1. A pristine, beautifully classic trench that’s super for Autumn. So fab that it isn’t black.
2. This chestnut pleather moto jacket is also great for Autumn. Looks best un-zipped.
3. A pretty and breezy coral blazer with a flattering defined waist.
4. Slip on this shift dress when it’s hot and you’re in a rush. No waist and good to go.
5. A sizzling dress for those with a strong shoulder line. Runs large, so size down.
6. A wash and wear frock that’s easy to wear. Slip on and go.
7. Another great wash and wear frock. Karen Kane makes good stuff.
8. If you like CJ jeans by Cookie Johnson, there are three styles on sale (#1, #2, #3).
9. Joe’s Jeans The Muse are great for curvier bodies.
10. A classic sheath that might fill the gap in your wardrobe.
11. Another waist-less dress, but a dressier kind that showcases your limbs and neck.
12. Who can’t enjoy a fun ruffled clutch. Perfect for wedding season.
13. This is a more practical clutch that functions more as a day handbag.
14. If you don’t yet have a fun wallet, try this one.
15. Another fun wallet.
16. Everyone needs a fun bright bag for Summer.
17. I love L.A.M.B. bags. Always different and with just enough edge.
18. Knickerbocker cropped pants can be fun and I liked this pair.
19. A flattering boyfriend cut cardi with super buttons.
20. A very pretty sheath.
21. A lovely embroidered tunic.
22. This Sweet Pea top is pretty, breezy and pulled together in a casual way.
23. Another top with nice spicy colours and flattering  fit. Super with skinnies and heels.
24. This flat is a little clown-ish, but oh so fun. And comfy to boot.
25. A great retro T-strap pump in both colours.
26. A fabulous Portuguese sandal.
27. A nice breezy ballet flat that’s quite comfortable. Love the red and metallic.
28. Mums on the go at the park, this sporty flat is for you (especially in Metal Silver).
29. Classic loafer gals must try the Stuart Weitzman ‘Zwick’.
30. A fun strappy gladiator that’s edgy as well as comfy.
31. More fab Fidji shoes from Portugal. Size down on this style.
32. A cute little Summer oxford. I like the Gold Leather version.
33. And another cute oxford flat. Be warned — the elastic cuts into sensitive foot skin.
34. Fab round toe wedge. Not an 8-hour shoe but really slick and great for the office.
35. Another fun athletic-inspired shoe that’s great for walking.
36. This Fidji shoe is more avant-garde but killer if you like that look.
37. Super cropped casual clams. The rise is mid length.
38. Stunning pencil skirt. I want one!
39. An unusual knit top that’s a little clingy, but looks great if that’s your cup of tea.
40. Adorable maternity peasant top. Pure cotton on super soft. Great for baby and you.

Happy Shopping!

We’ve been conditioned to hide our bras. If the straps peek out from under a top or dress our instant reaction is to push them out of sight. When the front of our bra peeks out we wear a camisole for coverage. If sections of our bras peek out from under our arms we either cover up with a camisole or discard the clothing item in favour of something with more coverage.

Personally, I don’t mind a little bit of bra exposure in casual and smart casual settings. Obviously, in professional and formal settings bra coverage is a must. And if you feel best covering every square inch of your bra at all times, than I fully support that too. But here are three scenarios where a little exposure can be acceptable:

1. Exposing straps with the right style of top or dress and the right colour bra:  For example, black bra straps peeking out from under the tops or spaghetti strap dress below are fine in my book. Red bra straps under the dress’s spaghetti straps would look great too. If the bra straps match the top, then the subtle effect of strap exposure looks like deliberate layering. But having beige bra straps peeking through wouldn’t look fab. In this case the bra would look like a bra and not a layering item.
2. Exposing small sections of bra under the arm with the right colour bra: I don’t like the look of an exposed beige bra under the arm holes of a sleeveless top or dress. But as soon you wear a bra colour that matches the colour of the top or dress you’re in business. For example wear a black bra with a black patterned top or black dress. Or, wear a black bra with a dark brown, navy or eggplant top. Sometimes a white bra works with a white top, but black bra’s generally are more effective “layering pieces”.
3. Showing off a lacy bra: This option is more risqué, but the effect can be beautiful and perfectly stylish. In France women take their lacy lingerie very seriously and showcasing part of it in an outfit is totally acceptable. So un-buttoning a blouse in the front to show parts of a lacy bra becomes part of the overall look of an outfit.

In warm weather I expose my bra straps the way I describe in the first two points above. It’s always with a black bra and with a dress or top that looks like I’m visually layering lots of pieces. I’m also fine with exposing small portions of bra under my arm as long as I’m wearing a bra colour that works with my ensemble. Again, it has to look like I’m layering and not like I’m showing my bra. Option three is not for me because I don’t have the goods to flaunt. An exposed bony chest doesn’t look great, no matter how pretty the bra.

Please don’t think that I’m encouraging bra exposure! If you don’t like the idea, then by all means do what you need to do to keep the bra completely covered. But if your bra does sometimes peek out, then these guidelines will help you to ensure that the result looks acceptable.