Shauna from Nubby Twiglet shares eye-catching images from Tamasin Doe’s “The Print Revolution“, a book that explores how fashion designers have put the new technology of digital printing to use.

I love a good gingham, and Style.com reports that designers are doing their part to modernize the classic checks. In the slideshow with highlights from the Spring 2014 collections, Derek Lam’s blue and black combo, and Oscar de la Renta’s outfit with black gingham knee-length skirt were my favourites. The Stella Jean photo is a little work of art in itself.

Cerebella Design uses patterns found in nature as inspiration for their handmade and sustainably designed bowties and scarves. Conversational prints with a twist!

Fab Links from Our Members

For those of us who wish things weren’t so casual, Joy submits this Wall Street Journal article announcing that casual times may be changing.

LACeleste enjoyed this NYT piece about the value of personal shoppers and personal style. She loved it that so many of the style lessons mentioned by the pros, she heard first from Angie and other YLFers.

Caro takes a trip down memory lane and would like to share some fun fashion looks from ’80s bands.

In ‘How to Re-route Body Comparisons‘ Sally spells out what we gain and lose by comparing our bodies to others. Angie found it an interesting read.

MaryK came across an article about The Prowl, a social networking website that is similar to Pinterest but more focussed on shopping.

E loved Lisa Pippus’ post on extravagant low-contrast dressing with inspirational images and helpful tips.

Janice over at The Vivienne Files shares how a small alteration like changing the buttons on a garment can create a different vibe. Laurinda is all for this type of easy and quick fix, and cheekily adds “it might lead to the enticing garden path of flattering wardrobe alterations”.

Vildy was happily surprised to discover that women up to about a size 8.5 can wear children’s shoes. Bonus is that they are often a bit cheaper to boot, and they fit Vildy’s foot better.

December is an excellent time to think about refreshing your lounging style. These items are great to buy on sale both before and after the holidays, and they make practical gifts. 

I don’t actually lounge in loungewear. I wear casual clothes like jeans or stretchy cigarette pants with a pullover or shirt and slippers when I’m relaxing at home. I never wear sweats, yoga wear or pajamas when I’m at home during the day. Not even when I’m under the weather. I do wear my sweats every single day, but more as a robe than loungewear. They do not leave the house unless I’m travelling.

When I wake up in the morning I pop my sweats over my pajamas (T-shirt and boy shorts). I make myself a much needed hot drink and attend to a few work related matters at my desk before I shower and get ready for the day. My sweats go back on at night when I’m winding down after my second shower of the day. I end up wearing my sweats for a good few hours a day, so feeling fab in them is important to me. 

I’ve been devoted to American Eagle’s hoodies and sweat pants for eight years and replenish them annually. I love their soft roomy fits and happy colours. They also launder well and keep me warm. This year I bought the same style of hoodie across two colours, pink and yellow, but wanted to try something different for the bottoms. So I bought Zella’s Barely Flare Studio Pants in purple to match the pink hoodie, and PJ Salvage’s Plush Fleece Pants in the navy and white polka dot to match the yellow hoodie. Not very chic and sophisticated for a 43 year old, but there you have it. Wearing teenybopper sweats each day is my dirty little secret. And as long as they suit my needs and make me smile, I will wear them.

My clients have been having great luck with lounge and pajama pants this season. These styles have been favourites: 

• Zella Beyond Soul Pants: These are thicker and roomier than the barely flare studio pants. I did not purchase them because I don’t like to wear grey or black sweats, but I love the way they fit and feel.
• Zella Soul 2 Pants: Thick, drapey and quite flattering. Read the rave reviews. 
• PJ Salvage Printed Thermal Pajama Pants: Personally, I do not like the waffle knit texture of this fabric against my skin, but I’m in the minority. They are cozy, available in plus sizes and in an assortment of fun patterns.
• Shimera Pattern Lounge Pants (Plus): Cotton-rich, cool and comfy. Pretty chic when matched with a black top.

Loungewear and pajama needs vary a lot. Some people like these items super soft, warm and very roomy, similar to the pieces that I purchased. Others prefer the snug, stretchy and streamlined version of yoga pants and a fitted zip top. And others like the combination of leggings and an oversized cozy top. 

Over to you. What’s your lounging style and when do you wear lounge clothes? Also, I’d love to hear your recommendations for great loungewear.

This week’s roundup is about socks and hosiery, which deserve as much attention as more expensive and more visible wardrobe items. Most of these specific items have been available for years, so you can replenish your favourites each season. 

Hosiery

• Oroblue Tricot Fishnet Tights: These are still my favourite micro-fishnets on the planet because the net is refined. I love the way the netted effect creates a subtle texture on the leg. 
• Commando Ultimate Opaque Control Top Tights: As with all Commando hosiery, the dig-free waistband is extra comfortable. Read the rave reviews. Pricey, but worth it if you love to wear black opaques. Here’s the same style without the control top. 
• Nordstrom Scroll Floral Tights: The black is fun but the cream is even better. Lots of coverage and non-scratchy. Banish the thought that white tights are frumpy. 
• Nordstrom Studded Tights: A very subtle stud that does not look gaudy or feel weird against the skin. 
• Pretty Polly Glitzy Embellished Tights: A little less subtle, and ever so slightly ‘80s. Fun with a flared black skirt.
• Nordstrom Perfect Plaid Tights: These have been my favourite patterned black tights for a while. I love the three tones of check and their diagonal positioning, which to my eye is more flattering than lines on tights that run vertically or horizontally. 
• Donna Karan Evolution Satin Jersey Tights: Extra smooth and comfy, like wearing satin instead of nylon/spandex. 
• Nordstrom Sheer Control Top Pantyhose: These are by far my favourite sheer black and nude hose because they aren’t that fragile. They create a slight shine on the leg line that looks soft, chic and pretty.

Socks

• Nordstrom Sheer Dotted Trouser Socks: These are my favourite trouser socks because the Swiss dot is dainty, and they seem to last a long time. I wear the black and nude with trousers and pumps or shooties, but not with boots. I prefer to wear thicker socks with boots. 
• Nordstrom Diamond Compression Trouser Socks: These are amazing because they don’t fall down. A very snug fit that might feel too snug if you prefer a relaxed sock. I wear these with boots and booties because they’re sufficiently thick. I do not wear them with pumps and trousers because the visual effect is not as pretty when you sit down. I prefer the look of sheer hosiery when exposing a little trouser sock with bootcut trousers as you stride and cross your legs. Available in four colours. 
• Nordstrom Knee High Socks: I wear these all Winter long because they are super soft, not too thick, warm, and for the most part stay up during the day. 
• Nordstrom Solid Crew Socks: These are the shorter version of the knee-high length. 
• Smart Wool Cable Socks: Many clients rave about these socks, and so do the reviewers. They are thick, very warm, and last. Alas, they slide off my feet. And you want to scream when socks bunch in your shoes it’s that annoying. I also found the cabled texture uncomfortable. Clearly, I am in the minority. 
• Kate Spade New York Large Bow Knee Socks: I don’t wear patterned socks, but these have changed my mind. Cotton-rich and graphic. 

I’ve tried Hue socks, but they don’t stay on my feet. The roll tops fall down my ankles and stretch out even further after multiple washing cycles. That said, some of my clients swear by them so by all means take a peek.

Winter is here and for many of us that means cold grey days with rain, ice, and very little sunshine. Black and grey from head to toe makes my mood even drearier, so I create my own sunshine by adding four ingredients to my Winter wardrobe. I can wear these items all the way into our cold and dreary Spring. 

1. Bright Coats and Accessories

Wearing bright wool coats makes me happy. There’s something about seeing them against a sea of black clothing and a grey landscape that makes them extra punchy and positive. Wear them with a neutral outfit if wearing one bright at a time is more your thing

If you prefer neutral outerwear, add bright accessories like scarves, hats, gloves and bags into the Winter mix. It’s a more subtle approach and less of a commitment than the bright coat strategy. 

Also, brights don’t need to mean acidic citron, shocking pink, apple green, turquoise, or tomato red. Choose your brights, which might mean a rich cranberry or ruby red, deep purple, earthy mustard, burnt orange, teal or cobalt blue. 

2. Shades of White 

Never underestimate the power of white wardrobe items throughout the year, and I’m talking about all shades of white. From bright optical white, to off-white, bone, cream and stone. White adds brightness, crispness, lightness, and a sense of modern chic to a wardrobe. Wear white jeans, wool trousers, chunky knitwear, leather jackets, puffers and wool coats in Winter. Sport a Winter white bag, scarf, hat, gloves or footwear. Adding shades of white to a Winter wardrobe is a great way of keeping it neutral, yet bright. 

If shades of white are too light for you, remix light neutrals like taupe and tan into your Winter wardrobe. They lighten and liven an outfit in a more subtle way. 

3. Pastels

Wear pastels in Winter. Wear them in Winter weight fabrications with brights, shades of white, and other neutrals. This is a relatively new Winter wardrobe injection for my own style, and I’m not looking back. I added blush pink last year, and light blue and mint this year instead of saving those shades for Spring and Summer. 

4. Ink Blue

Ink blue and navy (lighter than ink blue) is softer than black. It can be worn as a replacement for black, or with black. Ink blue looks particularly good with white and grey. It’s also fab matched with cognac footwear, bags and belts. One of my favorite casual Autumn and Winter combinations this year has been an ink blue and grey chunky high-low turtleneck worn with white boyfriend jeans, ink blue booties, and topped off with an ink blue blazer and military coat. A pastel turquoise clutch is the final touch. 

Working with clients in Winter, I realized that not everyone feels the way I do about livening up their cold weather wardrobes by adding brights, whites, pastels, and ink blue into the mix. Some clients want to wear grey and black all Winter long. They might add the odd dark eggplant, olive, or teal but that’s it. They wouldn’t dream of wearing a bright coat, a pastel bag, or white jeans until Summer time, if at all. 

Over to you. Do any of the ways I like to liven up my Winter wardrobe resonate with you? Or are you a dark neutrals gal through and through?