Burberry Prorsum opened up their Spring 2015 runway show with fitted denim jackets, which I thought was fabulous. Denim jackets are a modern classic and very versatile, especially when worn over skirts and dresses. Here are some of the looks from the show. 

Fitted dark denim jackets worn with funky midi skirts, sneakers, satchels or crossbody bags is a wearable look with lots of room for substitution. I’ve shown three renditions, of which the one on the left is the closest to the runway outfits because it includes sneakers. The other two options are inspired by the original outfits, but more conventionally flattering and less edgy. Lets break it down into components.

Denim Jacket: This is the most important part of the outfit. You need a fitted denim jacket in dark or light wash that you can button all the way through so that it looks like a top and not a jacket. In the past when I’ve worn my denim jacket this way, I’ve left the bottom button unfastened to prevent the band of the jacket from digging into me when seated. Leave the sleeves down, so no rolling or scrunching. This is not the most comfortable way to wear a denim jacket, so it does help when the fabric has a little stretch. If you like, you can sew a little faux fur to the inside of a denim jacket to create the peplum effect of the runway looks.

Midi Skirt: The look is knee-covering, which means midi all the way. Choose a pencil, fluted or flared style. Basic pencil midi skirts are fine, but ones with ruching, insets, ruffles, flounces and asymmetrical hems are better because their romantic integrity creates a fun juxtaposition against the strict workwear vibe of the denim jacket. 

Footwear: Add sneakers for a funky and Sporty Luxe touch. They needn’t be lace-up trainers like the models are wearing if that’s too much. Think slip-on sneakers, Converse sneakers, or wedged high-tops. If sneakers aren’t your thing because they make you feel dumpy and flat-footed (or you don’t like the combination), opt for pointy toe flats with high or low vamps like loafers, d’Orsay flats or slipper flats. And if you insist on wearing a heel with the combination, opt for pumps, ankle strap pumps, peep-toe booties, or caged heeled sandals. 

Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a satchel or crossbody bag. Add hose for extra insulation. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. 

I wish I could make slip-on sneakers work for my feet because that would be my preference for this outfit formula. Next up are dainty pointy toe flats, which I also need to get this season. The version with the heels and flared skirt is one I’ve worn before and enjoyed, but I’d like to give the more casual versions with flats a whirl.

I love buttoning up my fitted denim jackets and find them quite comfortable. I also know it makes some people feel like they are wearing a straightjacket.

Today’s the last day of New York Fashion Week, then it’s on to London, Milan, and other stylish cities around the world. I love checking out the new collections, but enjoy the background coverage just as much. Here are some articles that caught my eye.

• The Guardian interviewed fashion show attendees, and asked them how they brave the cold in NYC sub-zero temperatures.
• Brandee Brown tells Refinery29 What It’s Like To Be A Natural-Haired Model At Fashion Week.
• A short audio fragment explaining Why Music Matters on the Runway.
• The Fashion Spot’s One Minute interviews with designers presenting at New York Fashion Week.
• BoF spoke with Stefan Beckman, the man behind some of fashion’s most elaborate runway sets.
• Then there were the street style photos, of course: Winter Street Style, Proof That Great Street Style Can Survive Any Weather, and Models Off Duty.
• Last but not least, 40+ Seriously Cool Bags Spotted On The Streets of NYC.

Fab Links from Our Members

Elizabeth P and Sarah Kay found this adorable post by a mom who let her 3 year old son pick out her outfits for a week. The conclusion really resonated with them: “The last thing I learned from this experiment, is to find moments to be silly. Sillines is good for your kids and for your heart. Don’t take yourself to serious: they’re just clothes.”

Angie would like to share these street style looks from Emmanuelle Alt, who wears jeans and modern classics like no other. Chic, on trend, confident and comfortable.

UmmLila thought this article on How Your City Affects Your Style an interesting read.

In keeping with the current theme of Angie’s posts on her travels in Hong Kong and the upcoming Chinese New Year, Vicki enjoyed reading Designer Vivienne Tam prepares for Lunar New Year as well as Fashion Week.

Gauche points us to The Average American Mall Explained in 6 Charts.

Annagybe came across an article explaining how Fashion Week scalpers are selling invitations to the shows.

CocoLion enjoyed this piece about Nora Ephron, her approach to dressing reflected her attention to detail and authority on the set.

The cropped floral pants that I wore last week are quite versatile, and work well with both black and white tops. Here I combined them with a white button-down shirt from Banana Republic, flat white Calvin Klein booties, a mixed media denim jacket, and graphic Milly satchel. The tucked shirt and high-vamped booties elongate the leg line, while the denim jacket relaxes the outfit. 

I am thrilled with my new white booties because they go the distance. I’ve walked Hong Kong flat in them already, and they’re extremely comfortable. I will be buying a back-up pair when I get back home.

Karen, who we’ve known for more than twenty years, is my Chinese sister. We are the same age (born in the year of the dog) and worked together in the fashion industry many years ago. We spend quality time together when we’re in Hong Kong, which is always a treat. So earlier this week, Karen fetched us from our hotel on the Island just before lunch, and drove us up a very windy Magazine Gap Road to the Victoria Peak. On the way we stopped by Hong Kong Island School, where I went to school, and also drove past the apartment block where I used to live, just for fun.

We got to the top of the Peak to see the breathtaking view of of Hong Kong. It was very misty, but that didn’t really matter because we’ve seen the view on a stunning clear day many times before. After that, delicious lunch at a Cantonese restaurant on the peak. Karen and I had rice noodle soup with fish balls, while Greg had flat rice noodles with beef. We finished off the meal with condensed milk on hot buttered toast, which sounds odd, but is awfully yummy.

Karen then drove us into Kowloon to see the Wong Tai Sin Temple. The colourful designs, statues and intricate carvings on the temple structures are beautiful and well-preserved.

It is particularly busy at Chinese New Year when people pay their respects to ancestors. Incense sticks are burned, and food and fruit is offered in return for a blessing of luck and good fortune.

In one spot single people can ask for a special blessing and the ritual involves winding a piece of red string around your fingers in a very particular way. We saw a cute gal performing this ritual and she kindly allowed us to take a photo of her.

We then drove out to Sai Kung for dinner. We walked around a little, soaking up the traditional atmosphere of the fishing village before eating up a storm. Afterwards Karen drove us through the Prince Edward flower market, which was bustling at 11.30 p.m. with people buying flowers and orange trees for Chinese New Year. We got back to the hotel after midnight, relaxed and well fed, having had a brilliant day.

Once a fishing harbour, Sai Kung is still home to some of the best seafood in Hong Kong. It is beyond the reaches of the mass transit railway, so Angie and I might not have ventured out here if it weren’t for our Hong Kong friend Karen. She’s been coming to Sai Kung to enjoy fresh seafood since she was a little girl and wanted to share it with us. The restaurant she chose is called Loaf On. 

The main part of our meal (top to bottom and left to right below) was fish soup with tomato and potato, fresh boiled prawns, spicy abalone, razor clams, scallops and steamed grouper. It was a leisurely meal — we received each dish in turn and completed it before we moved on to the next one. That made it possible to appreciate the flavours of each course. And the flavours were spectacular. Some dishes, like the soup and the prawns, were subtle and allowed the natural flavours of the ultra fresh ingredients to shine through. Others, like the abalone and razor clams, had a more prominent support act in their sauce or seasoning.

We finished off the meal with fried noodles, green veggies (yes, I forgot the name) and some fresh pineapple. Another meal in Hong Kong that we’ll remember for a very long time.