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?

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.

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.”

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.

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:

• A column of colour with dark cropped skinnies.
• Ink-out with bling.

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?