I could fill a book with all the fabulous moments we had on YLF in 2014, but three stand out the most. 

The YLF Gathering in Boston

Greg and I went to Boston for a business trip in the Spring, and before we knew it, a group of YLF East Coasters from the US and Canada had organized a gathering. To say we had a ball shopping and sharing at the meetup is an understatement.

To top it all off, the trip coincided with YLF’s 8th birthday. The group organized a delicious surprise birthday cake, which included the names of our late and beloved doggies, Jasmine and Rosie. It was an emotional and touching moment. THANK YOU Fabbers, for making our time together in Boston very memorable. 

The Introduction of YLF Finds

We launched the new Finds feature in May. I was excited about the reception Finds would receive from YLF members, but a little unprepared for how much I would enjoy using it myself. I now have a tool that allows me to visually collect items that I like, create a shopping list, and record the ones that end up in my closet. It has organized my shopping process just beautifully.

Finds also makes it much easier to create and present visual collections of items (like my top picks, or outfit ensembles) around the site. I can recommend items to individual members, or share items with a group by attaching them to a post in the forum. And I’m able to see what tickles your fancy by browsing your YLF finds, which is interesting and informative. Thank you Greg for creating a feature that I appreciate more every day. 

September’s Epic Gathering in Seattle

Within minutes of our announcement that Inge would be flying in from Belgium, YLF members started posting their travel plans on the forum. I can scarcely believe how the Seattle gathering to celebrate Inge’s visit unfolded. Over 30 YLF members joined us from all over the US, and further afield from Canada and the United Kingdom.

It was a magical four days filled with fabulous fashion, food and friendship. At one point during the gathering, I stepped away from the crowd to observe it from afar, and my eyes watered with joy. I was blown away by the beauty — both inside and out — of the group. Those who could not join the festivities were definitely with us in spirit.

Inge’s month-long stay at the Cox Castle was in itself a highlight of my year. The opportunity to spend quality time with a close friend is a gift. 

To cap things off, YLF recently passed 100,000 likes on Facebook. A lovely way to end the year.

As 2014 draws to a close it’s a good time to reflect on one’s style goals. Updating my eyewear was a top priority this year, and I did just that in January with a new pair of apple green specs. This was hands down my best style purchase of the year. I’ve worn them every day since I got them because the green makes me so, so happy. The pop of colour allowed me to wear more tonal neutral outfits than ever before. 

The next two goals were equally important to me. One: to continue wearing outfits that were Simple, Modern, Clean, Dressy and Bold. Two: to continue adding a soft and refined element to my look while marrying my favourite style personas, Modern Classic, Trendy Fashionista, Androgynous and Punk.

Of the outfits that I posted on YLF during 2014, the ones below were my favourites. No hard-edged looks with black and grey. Equal parts Ladylike and Androgynous. A good amount of structure and classic patterns. Closed shoes with pointy toes. Lots of light neutrals, pink, and the occasional statement with bright clothing. Ink blue was my black, and cognac accents were a hit as the year progressed.

Although the outfits look quite different, there is common ground between them. Each one combines old and new wardrobe items, high and low-end pieces, and tailored and fluid fits. I much preferred carrying a small bag this year because it felt less fussy. My outfits were also more neutral than my looks in 2012 and 2013 because my green specs provided a satisfactory dose of colour with each outfit. I was able to wear dull colours like stone and oatmeal quite easily thanks to lively apple green specs and brighter lipstick.

I am clearly a jeans and trouser gal, and enjoy wearing white jeans best of all. But I have a soft spot for flared, knee-covering skirts because I LOVE the way they swoosh as I stride. I will also continue to have a soft spot for updated classics as I use them to ground the trendier pieces in my outfit.

Over to you. What were your favourite outfits for 2014? Were there big game changers to your style this year?

Here are a few items that caught my attention while I was browsing the clearance sale at Nordstrom. They’re all a little different, and can work all the way through to a chilly Spring. 

• Tory Burch 'Classic' Reversible Logo Belt: A refined animal print belt with a statement buckle. Size up if you're going to wear it lower on the waist.
• Halogen Halogen 'Touch of Sparkle' Cashmere Infinity Scarf: An inexpensive infinity scarf in an unusual colour is an easy way to spice up an outfit.
• Nordstrom Double Ruffle Wool Wrap: This wrap looks super worn as a bulky BIG scarf over a coat, and will keep you very, very warm.
• Charles Gray London Basque Waist Full Skirt: A versatile fit-and-flare style that's knee-covering. Wear with a fitted tucked top, an oversized cropped top, or a fluid welted sweater.
• Topshop Crepe Gaucho Pants: Trendy culottes look lovely with tall boots and a short jacket. This style is not for apple shaped body types because the waist pleats are poufy. Great on a pear or rectangle body type.
• NYDJ 'Alina' Print Stretch Skinny Jeans (Houndstooth) (Regular & Petite): A non-denim bottom to tuck into weatherproof boots. Practical for the long Winter that may lie ahead.
• 7 For All Mankind 'The Skinny' Stretch Jeans (Rouge Roses): A Winter floral makes an excellent statement, especially when you work or stay at home.
• KUT from the Kloth 'Diana' Stretch Corduroy Skinny Pants: A cozy and casual non-denim alternative to tuck into boots.
• Lucky Brand Textured Sweater Jacket (Plus Size): A flattering fit on a curvy body type. Knitted comfort in a vibrant colour.
• Steve Madden 'Mottoo' Moto Boot (Women): A good bootie for narrow ankles and non-fussy feet. The length is great to wear with cropped pants because it provides extra coverage.
• Kork-Ease Kork-Ease 'Velma' Bootie: Earthy, relaxed and extra comfy.
• Via Spiga 'Cleone' Leather Bootie (Women): A good bootie style to wear to the office under trousers. Fab pointy toe, elasticated ankle comfort, and available in dark brown.
• Helmut Lang Asymmetrical Silk Sweater: A striking layering piece for warm weather. Avant-garde.
• Autumn Cashmere Cable Knit Cashmere Moto Jacket: A cozy taupe moto cardigan. Different.
• Jimmy Choo 'Dondo' Moto Boot: Comfortable and beautifully made. The gold hardware makes a nice change for this tough look.
• Lucky Brand Border Print Textured Open Front Cardigan (Plus Size): A big patterned cardigan with a flattering kimono drape. The border gives the style a vertical integrity. On trend and comfortable, especially for when you're at home.
• KUT from the Kloth 'Diana' Stretch Corduroy Skinny Pants (Regular & Petite): Vibrant and fun for Winter and right into a cold Spring.
• Halogen Long Cardigan: This maxi cardigan looks good over dresses too.
• Gallery Basket Weave Coat (Plus Size): Teal is gorgeous to wear all Winter long. Versatile, roomy, and fashionable.
• Nordstrom Collection Double Breasted Cashmere Poncho Cardigan: A trendy poncho sweater to wear over sleek pants or jeans. The drape is good and the gauge quite refined, so petites will not feel as overwhelmed in this style.
• Elie Tahari 'Sicily' One-Button Wool Blend Notch Collar Coat: A light blue cocoon coat is beautifully fresh and soft, and one way to stay warm in Spring.
• Vince Car Coat Sweater: A repeat style sweater coat that needs little introduction. Runs big.
• White + Warren Curved Hem Cashmere Scrunch Neck Sweater: The rounded high-low hems are quite unique, as is this style in dark brown.
• Eileen Fisher Turtleneck Alpaca & Silk Crop Poncho (Regular & Petite): Cropped, cute and trendy layered over slim fit bottoms and tee. Runs large.

Spring merchandise in lighter weight fabrics will hit stores in February and I’m excited to see the new collections. But remember that ample outfit variety to carry you through a long and cold Winter is important, so now is the time to scour those sale racks for cold weather wardrobe items.

For those of us who need their weekly fashion fix or are looking to relax with a nice read over the holidays, I’ve rounded up 19 style-related stories that didn’t neatly fit into this year’s themed Link Love posts, but were too good not to share.

In the Papers

Tales from the fashion shop floor: Five Guardian writers share what it was like working in a fashion store.

Intelligent Life asked 11 big names in fashion who influences them and how.

Fashion hoarders: the women who only wear 20 per cent of their wardrobes was an interesting read.

Les Nudes: how high heels in a variety of skin tones became museum pieces digs into the controversy surrounding the term ‘nude’.

The story of Dr Woo, a classically trained violinist who became one of the top tattoo artists in the US.

Columns and Op-Ed Pieces

“Experiencing something that has worn well in a good quality material that gets better with age, that makes you feel fond of it. It’s like getting to know a person you really like — you don’t just dispense with them.” British designer Margaret Howell on why good-quality clothes matter.

When the statement piece you’ve been shopping for all day, turns out to have been hiding in your closet all along.

GrownUpCore: The Impact Older Women Have Had on Fashion.

Writer Fay Weldon thinks back to when looks started to matter in publishing, and observes that the gap between young and old is widening.

Visuals

Jenifer Corker’s embroidered recreations of pieces from the 2014 F/W collections are beautiful.

A Brief But Stunning Visual History Of Ballet In the 20th Century shows ballet costumes from 1910 to the 1990s.

Gemma Correll’s quirky illustrations and down-to-earth take on everything ranging from hairstyles and body shapes to pets and introverts are often spot on.

Background Stories

Beyond Central Saint Martins is a four-part series that explores what fashion education looks like today: Ireland’s Limerick School of Art and Design, New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, Tokyo’s Musashino Art University, ESMOD in Berlin.

The Typography of Trends takes a closer look at how letterforms have become an intrinsic element in the branding of fashion.

Seeing Red? The mind-bending power of colour.

Partly New asks: “Where do we draw the line between artistic inspiration and copying?”

BoF investigates what it takes to successfully resuscitate a dormant brand.

Lists

Popsugar did a fun roundup of 50 TV Shows That Changed the Way We Dress.

The Fifty Young Designers You Need to Know About Now according to Racked.

Happy reading, and have a wonderful holiday weekend!