This ensemble was inspired by an outfit from Net-a-Porter, and many similar outfits I helped clients put together last Autumn and Winter. Clients wore versions of the look to a business casual office, or out and about (during the day and in the evening) when they were bored with jeans.

Choose any colour palette. Here are the components:

Cropped Pants: The point is to wear a cropped length so that you showcase the stye of the bootie. Choose a straight or flared silhouette, and add knee-highs if you’re cold. 

Pullover: You have two choices: Wear a fun pullover in a fluid or oversized cut with built-in sparkle as seen in the examples below, or choose a solid pullover and add a bling support act. 

Bling: If you’re wearing a pullover sans embellishment (see the rendition on the left) add a statement necklace. Feel free to add bling through other items of jewellery or as an adornment on your footwear. Metallic booties are good too. 

Booties: Choose a pair of booties that works with the outfit, and don’t feel that you need to stick to black footwear. 

This is a VERY easy and versatile outfit combination that can look sharp, and is comfortable to boot. Go Team Daytime Sparkle.

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If you are interested in thrift store shopping, or are hoping to snap up a one-of-a-kind vintage find, then Vogue has 17 practical tips for you.

In this Smart Girl’s Guide to Shopping Vintage Like a Pro you’ll find suggestions like “forget what you know about sizes”, and “think outside the women’s section”.

This article explains why it’s hard to find plus-size vintage.

Here’s a guide to buying vintage denim online.

Racked lists Philadelphia’s top vintage and thrift stores, while Yahoo! Style rounds up the best vintage stores from coast to coast.

Fab Links from Our Members

Beth Ann enjoyed this video about the CEO of a Belgian bra company letting his male employees experience what it’s like to have large breasts.

LaBelle Demimondaine recently discovered Berlin vlogger and wardrobe minimalist Jenny Mustard. In this video she has “3 Weird Fashion Tips” that LaBelle thinks are pretty genius.

Rachylou wanted to share this retrospective with 26 moments that defined street style photography.

CocoLion directs us to this Washington Post article that goes into why sales are suffering at women’s stores, and the discussion that ensued on our forum. She also thought the related article about customers experiencing fashion fatigue was interesting.

CocoLion also came across a video with tips on how to take “outfit of the day” pictures.

Angie was delighted to see Sally wearing a fit-and-flare frock again — something that was signature for her style, and then it stopped as she shifted onto another path in her style journey. The chunky sandals and body art look fabulous with the tie-dye pattern. Breezy boho hard edge for Summer works well for her.

These items piqued my interest because most of them are quite simple in design, but have a good dose of added interest. This makes them a step up from basic, and therefore a little more interesting. 

• Vince Breton Stripe Cashmere Turtleneck: A striped cashmere T-neck with a trendy twist. It has wearable extended sleeves, especially if your arms are long. The cropped fluid length looks fresh, and the vertical stripe going up the shoulder is clever. Might run a size big.
• Nine West 'Konah' Buckle Bootie (Women): The shade of tan is cooler in person (not as yellow), and more of a taupe or mocha. The low patent heel is fab, and the buckle detail is maximally on trend. Very comfortable and fits quite neatly around the ankle. The shafts do not dig into you as you stride.
• Zara Printed Blouse With Plunging Neckline Details: A blouse for cat lovers. Best on a large bust and broader shoulder.
• J.Crew Structured peplum top in stripe: A peplum top with strategically placed bias cut stripes to create an interesting effect. Runs a size big.
• Zara Double Look Leather Mini Crossbody Bag Details: A small crossbody bag with a removable guitar strap is playful. Teal matched with pink looks fresh and fab.
• CAMPER 'Kobo' Oxford Pump (Women): A good style for lower and higher volume feet. Very comfortable. The sturdy block heel is wonderful, and the colour combination launches me into orbit. Blush and neon green FTW. These may have followed me home. Also available in solid black.
• Alice + Olivia Anila Ruffle Sleeve Sweater: An elegant and trendy bell-sleeved pullover that works best over skirts or high-waisted jeans and trousers. Quite fitted.
• CAMPER 'Lea' Bootie (Women): Comfortable if you can manage the heel height. Good on higher volume feet and wider ankles. The same style is available on a lace-up oxford for a tighter fit on the foot. Great shade of dark teal.
• MARC FISHER LTD 'Zala' Pump (Women): A trendy version of a classic pump with chunky block heel. Quite comfy and available in many colours. Best on low and regular volume feet. Read the rave reviews.
• Chelsea28 Print Open Stitch Blouse: A rust blouse with short bell sleeves. Fluid fit and rich colour. Available in grey.
• Karen Kane Lace Inset Sweater: This top drapes like a dream. Luxurious fabric and fun tiered lace hem. Forgiving on the midsection and very comfortable. Instantly fab over slim black bottoms. Also available in regular sizes.
• TOPSHOP Boutique Stripe Twist Top: Architectural Striped Shirt Fabness. You have to be at peace with the peculiar drape and fit on the sleeves and torso because that's the point of the avant-garde silhouette. Good on a narrower shoulder line.
• Banana Republic Sailor Flare Jean: Versatile and slimming sailor pants that make your legs go on for miles. Very comfy and higher in the rise. Size down unless you are curvy.
• Banana Republic Riley-Fit Bow Shirt: The colour is sublime (it's blue), and the bow deliciously Modern Retro. The fabric is gorgeous. Silky, stretchy and weighty. Well made. French seams, a subtle French cuff, and tailored. It narrows on the waist. My larger bust client looked amazing in this - she simply sized up to accommodate the bust, and it was still tailored at the waist. Plenty of length for tall gals.
• Hispanitas 'Loralyn' Bootie (Women): These booties look amazing from the front. The zippers make a big statement, and are quite unique. Cushioning comfort and well made. The shafts don't dig into your shins either. Fits a low and regular volume foot.
• Hispanitas 'Omega' Pump (Women): A trendy block heel ballerina pump in ink and black. Dainty and ladylike. The buckle makes a vintage statement. Very comfortable, and can work well for bunions if you size up half a size because of the stretchy and soft leather.
• Vionic 'Caballo' Pointy Toe Flat (Women): A flat with AMAZING arch support. WOW. I couldn't believe it. Very comfortable if your foot likes arch support. It stays on the foot too, and has a lovely shape. Might showcase toe cleavage. Can work for bunions. All the colours are soft leather except for the animal print.
• Vince Camuto Print Long Sleeve V-Neck Blouse (Regular & Petite): A fab blouse for a larger bust, shorter neck and apple shaped body type. The centre front pleat is unexpectedly flattering. Roomy yet streamlined. Also available in plus sizes. Really good on petites. Read the rave reviews.
• Rag & Bone / Jean 'Charley' Roll Neck Wool & Cashmere Henley: A back to front pullover. Delicate, well made, wearable extended sleeves, and a little fluid. Good on a long neck.
• Topshop Lace Grommet Oversize Sweatshirt: '80s Sweatshirt Fabness.
• Nordstrom Collection Techno Stretch Crop Pants: Trendy Versatile Dressy Fabness. The fabric and colour do not come through in the photo but they're sublime. Thick, sturdy, and beautifully iridescent. Team Blue will be enamoured. The fit is flattering on a thicker midsection, and the rise provides ample coverage. Easy to hem and size down a size.
• J.Crew Rhodes blazer in Italian wool: A stunning classic blazer in every sense. Luscious fabric, gorgeous drape, and a good fit on straighter and gently curvy figures. Love the Retro gold buttons.
• Rag & Bone 'Edith' Plaid Silk Blouse: Extended sleeves on a round-hem tunic shirt are luxurious and very trendy. The diagonal lines of the pattern are magical. The cuffs can be turned back. Not good on petites.
• J.Crew Collection Drake's for J.Crew perfect shirt in Pink Bengal Tiger: An avant-garde conversational blouse. Silky, luxurious and very trendy if you mix it with other patterns.
• J.Crew Rhodes pant in Italian wool: An early '90s style trouser in a delicious colour. Luscious fabric, gorgeous drape, and a good fit on straighter and gently curvy figures. Easy to hem for petites. It has a matching blazer to create a suit.
• J.Crew Sailor pant in bi-stretch wool: Marvelous sailor pants for straighter figures on the bottom half. Fun cuffed hems.
• J.Crew City trench: A "rough around the edges" trench coat in a lightweight golden mustard cotton blend. It's not nearly as dressy as it looks, and will stand the test of time. Urban Fabness.
• J.Crew Ruffle-front chiffon top in vibrant paisley: The prettiest pink paisley blouse of them all. California Indian Summer. A straight cut so best semi or fully tucked. Size down a size unless you have a full bust.
• J.Crew Matte crepe trouser: Amazing pull-on and go cropped crepe pants for the office. They will work on most body types. Inverted triangles will need to size down. Super easy, crisp, crease-free, comfy, and trendy. Great with untucked or semi-tucked tops. The dark olive colour way is very interesting. Available in blue and black too.
• J.Crew Avery heels in tweed: A very sharp shoe with a manageable and sturdy block heel. Not for fussy feet because the tweed is quite hard, but gorgeous all the same. Size up for higher volume feet.

You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.

Sonia Rykiel has passed away, J.Crew is coming to Nordstrom, a documentary about Japanese denim, and more fashion news that caught our attention in August.

• As was widely anticipated, Raf Simons has been named Chief Creative Officer of Calvin Klein.
• Iconic French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel has passed away at the age of 86.
• Have a look at Christophe Lemaire’s first collection as Uniqlo’s Artistic Director.
• The new documentary Weaving Shibusa tells the story of Japanese craftmanship and dedication through their love and fascination of denim.
• Stuart Weitzman is stepping down as Creative Director of his eponymous label.
• French Vogue is launching a two-day Vogue Paris Fashion Festival which will target both industry and consumer audiences.
• The top-pinned lipstick of all time is M.A.C’s cult favourite Ruby Woo.
• J.Crew plans to start selling an assortment of women’s clothes at Nordstrom stores.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be staging a solo exhibition about Rei Kawakubo next Spring.

Fashion Fact

Sonia Rykiel, often dubbed the Queen of Knitwear, not only invented the “poor boy” sweater — a ribbed pullover with high cut arm holes and a shrunken fit — but also was one of the first designers to feature words and motifs on sweaters, inspiring generations of women to make a statement.