• Vogue and the CDFA have announced they will no longer be hiring models under 18.
• With The Eco Collection, Madewell is bringing out a new six-piece denim line-up “created with 65% fewer chemicals and 75% less water than conventional fabric.”
• The company will also be launching menswear.
• Meanwhile, The Row is also branching out into menswear, with a first collection coming as soon as this Fall.
• Chanel is launching Boy de Chanel, an entirely new line of makeup that is specifically “for men.”
• Old Navy is extending its plus-size section to include sizes ranging from 16 to 30 in 75 locations across the country.
• A study by YouCam Makeup revealed that millennial pink is the top lip colour globally.
• Here’s a look at Christophe Lemaire’s Fall 2018 collection for Uniqlo.
• Venus Williams’ fashion label will now also offer a 0X to 3X plus-size collection.
   

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Aretha Franklin, who passed away earlier this month, was a vocal advocate for size inclusivity in the fashion industry. “In an interview with Jet magazine in 1987, she reportedly asked Calvin Klein if he could ‘please make 14s,’ referring to the lack of clothing available over a size 12. She also called out Valentino: ‘Valentino has some of the most chic clothing that I have ever laid eyes on,’ she said at the time. ‘I become enraged every time I see the Valentino line,’ Franklin continued. ‘Please if you won’t do a 14 — and you’re making the girls who wear 14 very unhappy — please do a special order for me’.”

This is the last outfit formula for Summer 2018. From next week onward, Fridays are all about Fall and Winter fashion and style.

It’s cooled down considerably in Seattle making it easy to wear white jeans at this time of year. That said, white jeans are also great in hot Summers if you’re in air-conditioned casual offices or restaurants. Or if it cools down at night. 

White jeans are dressier than blue jeans if they aren’t distressed. That makes them more versatile for the office, work, occasions, and casual Fridays. Here are four neutral options to get you started.

1. Blazer & Closed Toes

This is an easy look to achieve, and one that makes you feel instantly pulled together because structured blazers are magical that way. Combine white jeans with a layering top like a tee, and finish off the look with a blazer and dressy closed-toe flats. You can tuck, semi-tuck or leave the top untucked. The model’s shoes effectively bookend her hair which creates outfit cohesion. The blazer and shoes create a high contrast, but feel free to create a low contrast. The low contrast of the tee and jeans create an effective column of colour, which tempers the leg shortening aspects of the outfit.

2. Blouse & Sandals

This is the most casual look of the four. Combine a pretty boho-lite or another type of soft and fluid blouse with white jeans, and finish off the look with flat or heeled sandals. A semi-tuck adds an effective amount of structure to the look, but is not essential. The low contrast between the outfit components creates the same lengthening effect had the top been worn out.

3. Maximal Top & Dressy Boots

Combine a dressy and maximal top with white jeans and dressy boots. I like how the silver boots elevate the outfit by adding polish and shine. Dressy lower heels and flats in the same futuristic silver can achieve a similar vibe.

4. Earthy Accents

And last, a bonus transition into Autumn. Combine white jeans with a black or navy top, and finish off the look with an earthy topper and animal print footwear. Cognac footwear and bag will work as well as animal print. Wear an animal print top instead of shoes, or wear an animal print top AND animal print shoes.

White jeans are one of my favourite wardrobe items. I tend to wear them in Summer with an assortment of blues and sour brights instead of black, white and grey. Now that I have cognac, chocolate and toffee footwear with matching belts, I will wear white jeans with earthy accents for Fall and Winter.

Here’s a look at some of the Autumn 2018 trends that are starting to pop up online and in Fall editions of the big fashion magazines.

• From two-toned jeans to animal print denim, here are 7 denim trends to keep an eye out for.
• Quilting is being incorporated into all kinds of garments.
• Stylish windbreakers and leather with a difference are two of the jacket trends PopSugar thinks we’ll be seeing everywhere.
• When it comes to coats, they see high-gloss outerwear, and pink and red toppers in our future.
• White boots and pleated skirts are on The Guardian’s fashion radar for Fall 2018.

Fab Links from Our Members

Pil wanted to share this article about personal stylists training bots to be personal stylists.

As a person who loves colour and rounded lines, The Cat loved reading this blog post.

This quick blurb in a Canadian magazine, praising the new Nordstrom campaign, makes L’Abeille want to watch the video, and consider online Nordies shopping even more.

Joy enjoyed browsing these Copenhagen street style photos and people sporting eye-catching checks.

Vildy finds this article about how to dress like an architect interesting because “what I enjoy the most is paring away details to achieve less ‘talkiness’ in my outfits, and this is the other extreme to what I do as it’s all about the details, everything talking at once.”

Kyle admires this woman’s creativity and talent as a seamstress.

Joyce B lets us know that Madewell has a jeans recycling programme where they turn the items into housing insulation for communities in need. You can drop off any brand and any jeans or denim items.

Madonna’s style has always been provocative and interesting. Sal is sure many of us are influenced by at least one of her iconic looks.

Cindysmith recently had to start wearing wider width shoes: “It’s been an interesting journey since so many comfort lines are not necessarily really pretty shoes. I love that women are trying to make pretty shoes that are comfortable.”

You’re on Team Skirt if you prefer to wear skirts over pants. You’re on Team Pants if you prefer to wear pants over skirts. IMPORTANT: For the purpose of this poll, pants do NOT include jeans, but they do include casual pants like joggers, chinos, jeggings, utility pants and any style of dressier pant. All seasons and all silhouettes of skirt count.

My clientele are an even split. Generally, those who prefer to wear skirts do so because they find skirts easier to fit than pants, especially when they’re curvier in the thighs, bottom and hips. They feel more alluring, dressy, sharp, powerful, comfortable and feminine in a skirt. It’s breezy and practical in Summer. Skirts can be more fun than pants because of swooshing movement and the ability to showcase great gams. Skirts are Modern Retro and fabulous.

Those who prefer pants generally find them more comfortable to wear in colder weather and arctic Summer A/C. They are versatile, insulating and practical because you don’t need to worry about hosiery, heels, indecent exposure, dainty footwear, and the wind. They are easier to style than most skirts and create a naturally long lean line when they aren’t cropped. Pants are Modern and fabulous.

I like skirts and thoroughly enjoy wearing the few I have. I don’t find skirts with movement fussy and I like to wear hosiery. That said, I am firmly on Team Pants. I am always looking for fun new pant silhouettes to wear in cold weather — especially in patterns and brights. I get very bored of blue jeans and don’t wear leggings or athleisure. I love wearing pants for their practical reasons, and find them an easy match with the type of footwear that suits my feet and lifestyle.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Skirt or Team Pants (remember: no jeans)? Tell us why. No batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, feel free to hang out on the bench where I’m serving ahi tuna with wasabi dressing and seaweed salad. Leonidas chocolate for dessert.