During August I thought and wrote a lot about closet editing and wardrobe management, so that’s our theme for the monthly newsletter. Also this month: four ensembles, two outstanding outfit bloggers and other must-reads.

If you subscribe to the newsletter, then it’s probably already in your inbox. If not, please consider signing up. For those who aren’t signed up, here is the online version.

 

The most common orphaned items in my clients’ wardrobes are skirts. And the most common silhouette of orphaned skirt is a fit-and-flared style, especially when the client is short waisted. Tucking a top into a high waistband is tricky on a short waist, and finding a top that is sufficiently fitted and cropped to wear untucked is a tall order. 

That’s why I’m reminding you about what I used to call the skirt rule. But since there is only ONE rule on YLF — which is to have fun with fashion — I’m now calling it the skirt purchasing guideline: 

Don’t purchase a skirt unless you purchase the accompanying top at the same time, or you already have a top that will work in your closet.

The first part of the guideline is easy because you’re pulling together a complete outfit right away. No orphans. The second part requires a little more discipline because wardrobe items that we think will work together in our head don’t always do so in reality. Try on the skirt with the tops you had in mind to make sure that they DO work. If they don’t, return the skirt. 

You could hang on to the skirt and hope that in time you find a top or two to work with it. But this takes even more discipline, and can lead right back to the orphaned skirt phenomenon that we’re trying to prevent. A skirt that stays in your wardrobe for more than a season without a support act to wear with it is dead weight. Be strict from the start if you know you’ll battle to find a top to go with that skirt.

A T-shirt that will last 30 years, Donna Karan’s memoir, the first-ever Stuart Weitzman TV commercial and other style news that caught our attention this week.

• Repetto, the French brand renowned for its ballet flats, is opening its first US store in Manhattan this Fall.
• Donna Karan’s memoir My Journey comes out in mid-October, but here are a few excerpts to whet your appetite.
• Business of Fashion is now offering free online fashion courses.
• On Sunday evening, MTV will air the first-ever Stuart Weitzman television commercial, a 30-second clip directed by Mario Testino.
• In an effort to cut its environmental impact, H&M is offering an annual $1.16m prize for new techniques to recycle clothes.
• British designer Tom Cridland has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an ethically made T-shirt that will last 30 years.

Quote for the Day

I like this down-to-earth quote by Stella McCartney on why she doesn’t subscribe to fast fashion because it also touches on the fact that budgetting is an integral part of the process as sustainable clothing often costs more:

“When I design, it’s about designing pieces that are stand-out, staple, long-term commitments in your life. They’re made beautifully in the finest places in the world and should be cared for, loved, and handed down to the next generation. So for me, it’s not about ‘wear now, buy now’ or whatever. It’s about buy[ing] whenever you can buy it, whenever works for you, and wear[ing] it forever.”

This colour combination was inspired by a runway look that uses black instead of ink. I prefer the idea of ink blue because it’s softer with the chartreuse and white. Feel free to use navy instead of ink blue, and cream instead of white. The hint of cobalt is quite nice too. Note that chartreuse is a greener and earthier version of citron, and not nearly as bright or yellow. 

Think of any way to combine these colours. I’ve put together two easy options to get the ball rolling as we head into Fall. 

Ink Bottoms, Chartreuse Top & White Accents

Combine a pair of ink trousers or skirt with a chartreuse top like a blouse or pullover. Choose a solid or patterned top that works with the palette. Top the lot off with a white jacket or vest. I’ve paired the ink ankle pants with ink high-shaft booties, and the skirt with white pumps. You can leave off the white topper if adding white footwear. The touch of cobalt in the bag is optional. 

Jeans, White Top, Ink Topper & Chartreuse Bag 

Combine a pair of jeans with a white top and ink topper. Finish off the look with footwear that works with the bottoms and a chartreuse bag. I’ve chosen flared jeans, a white tunic, an ink cocoon cardigan, animal print booties and chartreuse satchel. Tailored bootcuts look fresh and so does the pairing with a tunic. 

For a look that’s a little harder to pull together, take your cue straight from the runway outfit and combine chartreuse bottoms with a white top and ink jacket. Throw in a cobalt accent just for fun.