Link Love: Talented Women in Fashion

This double interview details how Chanel’s global chief executive, Maureen Chiquet, has been mentoring accessory designer Eddie Borgo.

Ecosalon introduces us to seven influential women in sustainable fashion.

BoF has been doing a series that highlights some of the most interesting jobs in the fashion industry: Role Call.  I enjoyed reading this instalment with Valerie Steele, the director and chief curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The Guardian features Rosamund Ward, Astrid Andersen, and Lou Dalton, three women who specialize in menswear.

Meet Olivia Kim, the director of creative projects who is “teaching Nordstrom to think small”, and the driving force behind the retailer’s new Space concept.

Fab Links from Our Members

Gail lets us know that British Vogue has revealed its best dressed list.

Even though we have a long way to go regarding plus-sized clothing, mileshighstyle (Linda) found this article on the nearly non-existent plus-sized clothing options in South Korea eye-opening.

Angie would like to share Sally’s post on aging gracefully.

What’s Bad About ‘Too Good’ & ‘Good Enough’.” Alaskagirl thought that Rae’s post is really smart and true: another way to look at your closet and what you’re wearing or not wearing.

Ensemble: Burgundy, Navy & Blush

Loft
Fanfare Utility Blouse
View Info
Top Pick
12

This ensemble was inspired by the Loft’s Fanfare Utility blouse that contains all three colours. Wearing burgundy with navy is straightforward and classic. Adding the blush makes the combination look unexpected and more modern. 

Think of any way to combine burgundy, navy and blush in an outfit. Any one of the colours can be the accent. Burgundy, navy, brown or grey footwear can work to complete the look. Dark blue denim can be used as the navy item. Feel free to use ink blue instead of navy. Here are some combinations to get you started. 

Burgundy Bottoms, Blush Top & Navy Coat

Combine burgundy jeans, trousers or skirt with a blush top like a pullover or blouse. Finish off the look with navy topper and burgundy footwear. Since each of the colours is represented by a clothing item, throw in any colour bag that tickles your fancy. I threw in blush to match the pullover.  

Burgundy Bottoms, Navy Top & Blush Bag

Combine burgundy jeans, trousers or skirt with a navy top and finish off the outfit with a blush bag, burgundy, navy or brown footwear, and a navy topper. Feel free to use a patterned top that works with the palette instead of a solid navy one. 

Navy Bottoms, Printed Top & Blush Bag 

Combine navy skirt or trousers with a patterned top in the colours of the palette. Finish off the look with navy, burgundy or brown footwear, a blush bag, and navy topper. This combination is light on the blush. 

Navy Bottoms, Burgundy Top & Blush Topper 

Make dark blue jeans your navy item and finish off the look with burgundy top, blush topper, burgundy bag and brown footwear. A blush top instead of a burgundy one works as well. I chose pathwork jeans instead of solid denim to change things up. Add jewellery, watch, eyewear and headgear as desired.

Ensemble: Burgundy, Navy & Blush

Top Picks: Nordstrom Fall Clearance Sale

Nordstrom launched its Fall clearance sale today, and these items piqued my interest across a range of price points. Some of them are distinctive in their styling and colour, while others are practical pieces that can become wardrobe workhorses. 

Be sure to browse through the colour options.

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

Read More

Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

Read More

Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

Read More

Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

Read More

The New Ruffled Blouse

About eight to ten years ago the fashion industry flooded the market with ruffled items, bringing with it an onslaught of ruffled blouses. It was extreme and put most of my clients, friends, forum members off ruffles for a very long time. The trend ran its course and ruffles disappeared, which I believe was a good thing. The disappearance of a mainstream trend makes you appreciate it so much more when it comes back as a fringe trend several years later. This is what has happened to the ruffled blouse. 

The pictures show the types of ruffled blouses and tunics that are a fringe trend right now. Ruffles can be subtle or dramatic. Either way they are soft, romantic, flouncy and cascading. Not stiff and structured like they were back in the ‘80s. Peplums are a subtle form of ruffle. Ruffles that are found along the edges of high collars are a nod to the ‘70s and the Victoriana trend. Layered ruffles and shoulder ruffles have an ‘80s vibe — only this time, no shoulder pads. Ruffles that float down a long sleeve look new, as do ruffles that waterfall across the front of the blouse. Ruffles that cascade vertically down the front of a blouse add vertical integrity to an outfit. And asymmetrical ruffles look architectural. Choose your ruffle placement carefully so that they flatter the contour of your body and they aren’t bossing you around.

H&M
Patterned Blouse
View Info
Top Pick
20
Loft
Fall Flutter Top
View Info
Top Pick
6

The beauty of the ruffled blouse is that it can be dressed up or down. Wear it tucked into a pencil or flared skirt for the office. Wear it tucked or semi-tucked into high-waisted trousers for a dressier vibe. Wear it untucked over tapered trousers or jeans, semi-tucked with flares, or over short shorts. Sport a ruffled tunic over leggings for an extra comfy rendition. 

You CAN toughen up a ruffled blouse by wearing it in black and adding a hard-edged support act like black waxed denim jeans, leather leggings, leather skirt, tough boots, studded belt and a moto jacket. Or you can embrace the retro vibe by wearing it with tweed, flares and brown leather. But the easiest way to wear a ruffled blouse is to match it with jeans, dressy shoes and clutch. Add a topper for warmth. 

The absence of the mainstream ruffled blouse has made my own heart grow fonder. Its soft, pretty, dressy and retro integrity looks fresh amidst a sea of trendy oversized casual slouch. My current love for Retro Futurism means it’s time to add a ruffled blouse back into my wardrobe. What’s your verdict?

Nordstrom Roundup: Comfortable Booties

These bootie styles are comfortable, as many of the reviews confirm. Order half a size up for orthotic inserts, and add a cushioning drugstore insole if you like EXTRA padding on the soles of your feet like I do. Most of the shafts are relatively high, which makes the styles versatile. Wear them with cropped jeans or pants, and in some cases skirts and dresses. Check out all the colour options. 

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.