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Fashion News Roundup: Week 39, 2015

— by Inge

on September 25, 2015

A new plus-size brand inspired by Theory and Vince, a handbag to raise awareness of domestic violence, and other style news that made headlines this week.

Last week Nordstrom opened its third Canadian and first international flagship store in Vancouver.
Inspired by Theory and Vince, new plus-size brand Universal Standard offers “modern essentials” for sizes 10 to 28.
Three new Bloomingdale’s Outlet stores will open their doors in November: in San Diego, Manhattan, and Philadelphia.
Kerry Washington and Dee Ocleppo have designed a limited-edition handbag to raise awareness of domestic violence and financial abuse.
A group of Finnish organizations are teaming up to turn waste cotton into new fibres for the textile industry.
Reese Witherspoon is opening her first brick-and-mortar Draper James store in Nashville this Fall.

Fun Fashion Fact

According to body language experts the way we carry our bag can say a lot about our personality. For example, sporting a crossbody with the bag in front of the body “is almost a form of armament. This style of bag-wearing often indicates a more cautious personality, someone who is reticent or shy”, says writer Kathlyn Hendricks. Do you agree with what this Glamour article has to say about your bag-carrying style?

News

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Ensemble: Grey, Black & Cobalt

— by Angie

on September 25, 2015

This ensemble was inspired by a client who didn’t think she’d like the combination but ended up loving it because the cobalt brightens grey and black. I’ve created a few renditions to get you started, but think of combining grey and black with cobalt in any way at all.

Black Bottoms, Grey Topper & Cobalt Top

Combine black jeans, pants or skirt with a cobalt top and grey cardigan, jacket, vest or coat. Finish off the look with black footwear and a bag that works with the palette of the outfit. The example on the left with the black jeans and two-toned cardi is almost the exact combination that won my client over.

Grey Bottoms, Black Topper & Cobalt Bag

Combine a grey skirt with a black top and topper, and finish off the look with a cobalt bag. I’ve chosen a marled grey skirt, a black windowpane blouse to create a pattern-mixed effect, and topped the look off with a black poncho. Black shoes and blue bag finish off the outfit. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

I’ve added cobalt trousers – feel free to make it a skirt – into the mix to create a cobalt column of colour. Or match it with a black top and grey topper. A cobalt sheath dress is fab with a grey or black wrap and silver pumps. The combinations are endless.

Ensembles

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Link Love: Cosy Cashmere

— by Inge

on September 24, 2015

The Telegraph has tips on the best cashmere brands to buy this Winter.

An interesting NY Times article about how Afghanistan’s goat farmers have found a luxury niche in cashmere.

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview with Brunello Cucinelli, “the king of cashmere”, who pays his workers “wages that are 20 percent higher than the industry standard, mostly because it allows his company to encourage and continue the Italian craftsman traditions.”

Fab Links from Our Members

Shevia adores the Kate Spade Miss Adventure series starring Anna Kendrick and some incredible guest stars, including her dog!

L’Abeille loved these vintage trading cards depicting professions for women of the future imagined in 1902.

Vildy would like to share a selection of excerpts from Cintra Wilson’s Critical Shopper column for the New York Times that ran until March 2011. Vildy just finds her fascinating to read, as she holds back nothing.

Angie came across a guide on how to keep heavy brooches from flopping back onto your clothes. Enter foam backing. Great idea!

With Pope Francis visiting the US at the moment, Marlene thought the timing right to have a look at his wardrobe.

25 women bare their unretouched thighs, and describe them in one word. Robin especially enjoyed the comments from women about how strong and useful their thighs are. She adds: “People measure their beauty and worth against impossible standards, and they also expect their bodies to stay the same over time and are distressed when that doesn’t happen.”

Link Love

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Roundups

Simpler Items

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

Assorted Items

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

Casual Summer Vibes

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

Summery Earth Tones

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

Hints of Spring

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

Dressier Items

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

The Tunic Sweater Vest for Fall

— by Angie

on September 24, 2015

The tunic sweater vest is a long, chunky sleeveless pullover with a fluid or oversized fit. Most often the neckline is high, like a funnel, turtle or structured cowl neckline. There are often vents or slits on the side seams for ease of movement and practical comfort. And in some cases the hems are high-low. Here’s a collection with some examples of the look.

Banana Republic

Textured Sleeveless Turtleneck

$79.50 $39.99

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Banana Republic

High/Low Sleeveless Turtleneck Tunic

$98.00 $59.99

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Banana Republic

Textured Sleeveless Turtleneck

$79.50 $39.99

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Banana Republic

High/Low Sleeveless Turtleneck Tunic

$98.00 $59.99

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Anthropologie

Knitted & Knotted High-Low Sweater Vest

$118.00 $59.95

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Anthropologie

Moth Cowled Sweater Tunic

$118.00 $59.95

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Nordstrom

Theory 'Beylor T' Ribbed Knit Turtleneck Tunic Vest

$335.00 $200.98

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Loft

Sleeveless Sweater Tunic

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Nordstrom

Topshop Sleeveless Ribbed Mockneck Sweater (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$68.00 $40.79

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Most tunic sweater vests here have been styled as a top that is worn on its own, but I see it more as a layering piece over a long sleeved T-shirt, turtleneck, blouse or shirt. These street style looks show the layered effect in action:

Of course, there is no need to create a column of colour from top to toe. Feel free to create a contrast between the tunic vest and the layering top. But if you want to create a longer leg line, keep the contrast low between the vest and the bottoms. The horizontal line that is created between a high contrasting long vest and bottoms can be conventionally unflattering unless you have a very long leg line or wear heels, so consider yourself warned. Shorter renditions, or at least versions with higher front hemlines, are better suited to petites.

I vote skinnies, straight legs, bootcuts, or cropped kick flares as best to pair with the tunic sweater vest because a structured thigh fit offsets the blocky and baggy volume of a long, chunky pullover.

The layered tunic sweater vest is a good piece to wear in Fall or mild Winter weather, although a jacket or coat can be layered over everything for extra warmth. I like it! What’s your verdict on the look?

Autumn 2015 · Knitwear

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Weekly Roundup: High-Shaft Booties

— by Angie

on September 23, 2015

Booties with higher shafts are one way to refresh your wardrobes for Fall & Winter. The higher shaft should cover the ankle and finish one to three inches above the ankle bone. They are shorter than mid-calf boots. The idea is that you wear them with trendy cropped pants or jeans, or with pants and jeans that are rolled at the hems to create a cropped length. The extra length in the shaft compensates for the length lost in the cropped pants or jeans. The combination allows you to cover up leg skin and socks in cold weather. This is a MUCH warmer and more practical pairing than exposing leg skin with regular booties and cropped pants or jeans.

Here’s an assortment of dressy and casual high-shaft booties to get you started. Some styles have been winners on clients and forum members. I’ve included a few lace-up options because the silhouette can be more comfortable against the shin. Be sure to browse through the multiple colour options.

Aquatalia By Marvin K. Women's Lilli Boot: Sleek, dressy, versatile and comfortable on a low and regular volume foot. Excellent with cropped pants for the office. Might need to size down half a size.
Report Iggby: A well-made bootie for low volume feet and narrow ankles. The mustard suede is unique. The snake skin option is vegan, which is suprisingly more comfortable than the suede. It's soft and does not cut into your shin. Needs an extra cushioning insole.
Spring Step Narvi: Fun, maximal and different. I haven't seen them in person, but I believe that the brand is quite comfortable.
Blondo 'Zena' Waterproof Riding Bootie (Women): Weatherproof, casually refined and very comfortable.
Matt Bernson Windsor Wool Boot: The back zipper feature makes the lace-up style an easy pull-on and go. Casual, dramatic and bright.
Shearwater Booties: A classic weatherproof style in a fun forest green.
Carmen Booties: Sleek, casually refined and well made.
Jensen Suede Booties: The pointy toe works surprisingly well for a high volume foot. Plenty of room in the toe box. Delicate and fashionable. Great bookending for strawberry blondes.
Bogs Pearl Slip On Boot: Weatherproof and robust. Fits a wide ankle.
Diane von Furstenberg Abbot Too: Dressy and sleek. Best on low and regular volume feet. Needs a cushioning insole.
Bella-Vita Kody: Flirty Fun Fringe. Comfortable if you can manage the heel height. Available in narrow and wide widths, and goes up to a size 12.
Frye Sabrina Double Buckle: Hard-edged and rugged. Read the rave reviews.
AGL ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI 'Lucida' Bootie (Women): Sleek, dressy, beautifully made and extremely comfortable. Fits a low volume foot and narrow ankle. Might run half a size small.
FIORENTINI + BAKER Fiorentini + Baker Engineer Boot (Women): A repeat style that has become a classic. Buttery soft leather that improves with age. Very comfortable and well made.
Sole Society 'Jett' Bootie (Women): '90s Fabness in a great shade of blue.
Arche 'Musaca' Boot: An extremely comfortable bootie that is well made and quite robust. Read the rave reviews.
Frye 'Phillip' Harness Boot: A popular classic for Team Ultra Casual. Harnessed, and available in three shades of brown. Many rave reviews.