Upon my return to YLF after the holidays, I realized that I’d become a veteran over the Summer. I think I joined late July last year, but I’m not sure of the exact date. Like many of you I feel a strong gratitude for being so lucky to stumble upon this wonderful community. During the past year I’ve come to regard you as my inspirators and friends, and reading Angie’s inspirational and educational daily posts, Inge’s Thursday Links and Blogger features is a true delight. Thank you for this.

What have I learned from my first year on YLF? First of all, I think my style has evolved a lot, and for the first time in my life I feel quite certain of who I am, style-wise. That is not a small achievement for me. I now really enjoy building my wardrobe piece by piece, and I enjoy more than ever putting it all together. There’s still no need for a lot of pieces as long as they are mixable. I’ve learned to accept my playful side, and not fight it although I’m now in my forties. For a while that baffled me — I thought I needed to “grow up”. When I neglect my playful side too much I’m in frumpy land before noon. But there has to be a balance, too. Certain looks are better appreciated on others, and now I better understand how to identify which ones. I also now better understand why I’ve always loved classic pieces and certain colors. My wardrobe essentials are more or less covered for a while. My Spring/Summer wardrobe has been a treat this year, and I anticipate that when I pull out my Autumn/Winter stuff, I will find it in great condition and ready for a few updates. I’ve become better at identifying the holes, but who is perfect? There must be room for the serendipitous, too, and I will continue making mistakes. That, too, will keep me going. I’m always in for a new fashion challenge. Above all, I’ve learned to embrace RED!

I don’t quite remember what my first post was about, but I think I asked for advice about a tweed jacket and a dress combination. You were overwhelmingly responsive and helpful. My first What I Wore’s were posted with great anxiety. Would anyone find me foolish doing this, would I get ridiculed, have my head chopped off? On the contrary: I very soon learned to rely on your kind feedback. I can truly say that I’ve NEVER been offended or hurt by anyone’s remarks here on YLF. You are an astounding group, and probably quite unique on the Internet. We are very different in many ways, but we share a love and interest in fashion and style that unites us. I love that. Thank you for a wonderful first year, Angie, Inge, Greg and all fabbers!

Here are a few favorite outfits from my first YLF-year:

1. My first KILLER rating! For my birthday last September.
2. Lesson learned: A navy V-neck is a workhorse for me, and tall black boots, too.
3. The red dress. Worn over and over, for work and celebrations.
4. Stripes, slouchy pants and heeled booties. Have to love it!
5. The black Banana Republic wrap dress.
6. The Boss LBD has already proved its versatility.
7. My dear leather moto.
8. Red coat and white jeans, how did I not know that I needed you both?
9. And the white tux and clutch, too.
10. A white skirt with a preppy knitted blazer. New thrifting skills have opened even more possibilities for me.

“From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly — Beyond the Icon“, a new exhibition at Museum McCord in Montreal celebrates the iconic style of the Hitchcock muse and Princess of Monaco. “The spotlight is on her personality, talent and values.”

Pringle of Scotland invited a number of Central Saint Martins fashion design students to create a selection of knitwear pieces “inspired by an off-duty princess” for the Scottish brand’s new capsule “Archive Collection”.

Grace looking sensational in specs, the princess sporting stripes and curls, or a Mum wearing white in the ’60s. Do check out Angie’s Audrey and Grace pinboard with loads of stunning images of the royal style icon.

Fab Links from Our Members

The New York Times reports that shibori, an ancient Japanese hand-dyeing technique, is making a comeback. Joy would love to add some of these prints to her wardrobe.

Deb recommends this interview with Diane von Furstenberg, as it’s lovely to hear the designer’s story in her own voice.

Angie enjoyed Bridgette’s “Base, Accent, Pop” approach to creating a large mix-and-match career wear capsule.

This Huffington Post article suggesting that retailer Lululemon cultivates a cult-like culture for employees creeped Laurinda out.

Lisa recently discovered blogger Tali over at Rock My Heels, who wears the trends with fun. Lisa’s favourite feature is the recap of outfits with occasion (work, going out).

Going grey or colouring your hair? The question comes up regularly on the forum, and that’s why Ornella wanted to share this post about “25 ‘Gray Hair’ Bloggers Who Rock“.

Vildy, who is interested in the concept and definition of glamour, came across this amazing Ted Talk by Virginia Postrel, a social critic. If you’d like to read more on the subject, many of Postrel’s articles on glamour are listed down the right side of her website Deep Glamour.

Every year YLF forum members discuss the challenges associated with looking their best during Summer. From not wanting to wear sleeveless items or blouses that require a camisole, to limp or frizzy hair, arctic air conditioning, unwelcome perspiration stains, and resorting to less flattering, unstructured clothing just to stay cool. For many, the cooler temperatures of Autumn can’t come soon enough. And that’s not just because the heat can be awfully unpleasant, but because wearing Autumn clothing tends to make their style feel more pulled together.

My biggest personal Summer style challenge is about combatting arctic air conditioning, which makes me layer and cover up to feel comfortable indoors. As a result I’m often dressed too warmly for outdoors, which I’ve decided is just the way it is. I would rather be too warm outside than too cold inside. Luckily, I have a high heat threshold, so it’s not too bad. 

Living in Seattle, I usually complain about how few days of Summer there are in a year. But not this year! We continue to enjoy an absolutely beautiful Summer with temperatures between 78 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 32 degrees Celsius) without too much humidity. I am LOVING leaving off my topper and wearing two pieces plus a camisole. I try to stay out of air conditioning so that I don’t need the extra layer. So while most women are waiting to add the third piece — like a blazer — back into their outfits, I’m rejoicing the novelty of two-piece dressing.

My retail challenge in the Summer months is that the merchandise is overly “beach, pool and casual vacation” focused when I’m shopping with clients from June through August. There are far fewer fabulous career wear options for warmer weather at this time of year. My clients do well at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July, but it’s Fall and Winter career wear as opposed to Summer weight business casual/formal separates. So each year I hope to see a wider assortment of appropriate warm weather career wear in stores during the Summer.

Over to you. What are your Summer style challenges and have you overcome them? If not, we’ll find solutions for them together.

I like the mixed media trend because the items are eye-catching in a sense that you do a double take. They add instant interest to your outfit without the need to sport accessories. Here’s a roundup of mixed media tops that you can wear now and into Autumn. 

1. Minkpink Versailles Top: I have my eye on this one because the mixed media integrity makes it feel less like a sweatshirt. Nice back detail too. I loved it! Looks great layered over a strict white button-down shirt. It has just enough pattern for my style preferences at the moment. Drapes well and runs true to size. 
2. Like Mynded High-Low Sleeveless Top: Great under a blazer for work, or on its own untucked over slim bottoms. Semi-tucks exceptionally well. 
3. Everleigh Faux Leather Sleeve Tee: An edgy tee with sporty perforated sleeves. Size up if you want a roomy fit. 
4. Rachel Roy Embellished Sweater: This would be on my wish list if I didn’t look awful in light grey. I love the way the lace inlay wraps around the back and front and over the sleeves. A fabulous pullover to wear with a full skirt.
5. Citron Three Quarter Sleeve Silk Tunic: Not so mixed media but pretty, arty and fluid. Drapes like a dream. Check out the back detail. Fab dressed up with black bottoms. Fab dressed down with faded jeans. Works on broad shoulders and/or a full bust. 

Who’s been embracing the mixed media trend?