Blokes are the lucky ones at fancy occasions because they’re cozily layered up in suits, socks and shoes, while us lasses often end up feeling the chill in order to showcase a smashing outfit. Not so fab. 

Your party ensemble probably looks best worn on its own with hose, heels and clutch handbag. But if you’re miserable because you’re cold, you have to cover up, even if it’s for just part of the time. The good news is that you can do so in style. Here are eight cover-up options. 

Evening Coat

A very dressy knee-length coat made of satin, brocade, taffeta, velvet, sequins, or something else equally formal makes for a substantial cover-up. Sometimes the coat looks even better than the dress! It might be worth investing in this item because you’ll wear it over and over again, season after season. I am definitely investing as soon as I find a style that works for me.

Capes or Capelets

‘Tis the season of the cape. Keep the fabrication dressy and you’ll make a dramatic party entrance. Is anyone in the mood for pom poms? 

Shrug

A short cardigan that’s shaped like a bolero or very cropped jacket is an easy cover-up solution. Shrugs can either be woven or knitted, embellished or plain, and solid or patterned. They are especially comfortable over sleeveless dresses (no sleeve bunching). 

Sequin or Metallic Cardigan

This item is a little more relaxed, but certainly does the trick. Think of cardigans in silver, pewter, bronze, copper or gold. Any shape cardigan with a sparkly surface interest is an option. 

Faux Fur Topper

You have choices a-plenty. From faux fur knee-length coats, to cropped jackets, vests, boleros, shrugs or capelets. Always retro and, at the moment, so very on trend. 

Tuxedo Jacket

This is my favourite way to cover up a party frock. I have a cropped black tuxedo jacket that I wear with party outfits and jeans, but I’d also like a longer version to wear with trousers. I absolutely LOVE the crisp clean lines of a tuxedo jacket. 

Wrap

Stores are full of basic pashmina type wraps that I personally don’t think look all that smashing with a party outfit. The more interesting wraps are usually harder to find and much more expensive. I like wraps with a vintage integrity made of substantial fabrications. I found a black quilted shawl made of sparkly brocade five years ago and, although it cost a pretty penny, I’m glad that I bought it. Every so often it comes in very handy and I think it’s fairly timeless. 

Cropped Jacket

A cropped jacket in jacquards, velveteen, satin, lurex and brocade looks nothing short of splendid over a party frock or skirt. And if you’re in the mood for a little avant-garde spunk, try a short leather jacket with your party attire. 

These are the cover-up options I explore with my clients when they’re concerned about feeling cold in their party outfits. Sateen trench coats, shrugs, wraps, sequin cardigans and velvet jackets are most popular, but faux fur and tuxedo jackets are gaining favour. 

When we have a fancy do at our house in the colder months, we turn up the heat up so that no one feels cold. The gents usually end up taking off their jackets, but at least the ladies are happy. We are the belles of the ball, after all. 

Sometimes I think I’m a person of extremes. Friends call me a bit of a tech nerd. I absolutely love my smartphone, use electronic apps to keep track of appointments and projects, send e-cards regularly and love online shopping. Developments in new technology have certainly made my life easier. But I also carry a paper diary in my handbag, and adore cracking open a fresh new notebook and jotting down that first sentence. I have a back-up address book with family and friends’ phone numbers just in case my digital data get lost. And saying that I’m a huge fan of stationery and paper goods would be an understatement. Call me a dinosaur, but for me nothing beats the personal touch of a beautiful, hand-written greeting card or an artfully wrapped present.

That’s another reason why I can never tear myself away from a good bookshop. Nowadays both brick and mortar and online bookstores not only carry books and DVDs on every possible topic, they also have wonderful gift and stationery sections. Books, calendars, organizers, paper goods and other related items seamlessly go hand in hand, so we loved the idea of adding a carefully curated selection of “style merchandise” to YLF Books. Our new Merchandise department opens today and you can browse this section for style-related products and fashion-themed items like calendars, smartphone cases, greeting cards and notebooks. They make for fun and colourful gifts, and the beautiful images and fab designs definitely count as eye candy.

Do you love to send and receive paper greeting cards? Do you still use a paper organizer or calendar or have you gone the electronic route? And would you pick stationery with a fashion theme?

YLF Book Club Starts Today

Today’s the official start date for YLF Book Club, and we’re excited! As you know, we created this online discussion group so everyone can get together to talk about selected books and movies from our bookstore. 

The last few weeks many readers have told us how much they are enjoying Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange, the first title on our list. Visit the Book Club forum category if you’re curious to hear their thoughts about this fun style guide with a French twist. Or start a new thread of your own to discuss other aspects of the book that have struck a chord with you. 

Quick reminder: On the Book Club page you can find the schedule of previous, current and future Book Club titles.

When I work with my clients, we also address lounging style because I think it’s important to feel pretty good in your lounge clothes. This area of one’s style is often neglected because budgets are tight and wearing an old tee and stretched out sweater seems a good enough solution. 

I don’t wear a robe so my loungewear goes on first thing in the morning when I get out of bed. I wear it until I shower and get dressed for the day, and then again after my evening shower. I never wear loungewear during the day — even when I’m relaxing at home, I wear casual clothing with socks and slippers — but I often wear loungewear in the evening when we’re staying in to watch movies. 

For loungewear I prefer sweats over yoga gear, polar fleece, leggings, tees or flannel pajamas. I find sweats perfectly cozy, soft and roomy in all the right places. I wear American Eagle sweat pants and hoodies in very bright, happy colours. Yes, it’s a juvenile look, but the sweats are nice quality, a super fit, and I feel great wearing them because the colours make me smile. And apart from hubby, our doggie Rosie and occasional house guests, no one ever sees me in my vibrant teenybopper sweats. 

I wear my sweats for a couple of hours each day, so come year end they are shot and need replacing. To prevent laundry bottlenecks, I always have two pairs, and I always take advantage of the discounts and purchase them at this time of year. This has been my loungewear capsule and purchasing plan for many years and I am still happy with it. 

Well, if you think about it, loungewear is a wardrobe workhorse like underwear. Like our bras and knickers, our lounge clothes deserve love and attention at least once a year. With the season of giving around the corner, AND the super discounts in stores and online over the next month, you might like to think about updating your loungewear. Perhaps Santa Clause will be extra generous this year. 

What’s your lounging style and when do you wear your lounge clothes? Do you think it’s important to feel pretty good in your lounge clothes, or does it just not matter. Also, feel free to share your favourite lounge clothes with us and where you purchased them. I’d love to hear your recommendations. 

Laura B. has been hugely inspired by a colour website called design seeds, which lists visual blocks of colour and colour palettes based on photographs. She has been using the information to put together colours in her own outfits.

“14 Designer Versions of The Ugly Christmas Sweater” reminded Annagybe of the time she had to find a Christmas sweater to wear to an ugly Christmas sweater party.

Kappy loved seeing cropped sleeved cardigans worn over swimsuits in this 2012 resort wear trend report. 

Ironkurtain shares a fascinating story from Luxirare Shoe Repair on how an indie designer completely redesigned a pair of vintage shoes.

Inge recommends watching this short video showing American designers in 1939 predicting fashion trends for 2000. They weren’t exactly spot on, but Inge liked the black and white retro film footage.The white pantsuit looks particularly modern. 

Janet points to an article describing how H&M puts real model heads on fake bodies for the pictures on their website. RoseandJoan found more info on the same controversy. 

Shoes of the Very Famous is brought to you by MaryK. AMAZING. 

Bella likes to indulge her inner princess and browse through Sartorial Splendour. Here’s a super write up of tiara terminology. 

This Inside Out Style video on how to measure body proportions prompted Vildy to take out her tape measure. She didn’t know that she had longer calves. It also made sense to Vildy that weight gain shows up more where your body is shortest. 

Jonesy loves all of the examples of bold, beautiful pattern mixing on the street fashion blog, STREETFSN. Very inspiring!

Fancy some really striking Christmas presents? How about a piece from Elizabeth Taylor’s jewel collection, which goes on sale this month. Ornella thought this might tickle your toes. 

Laurinda reminds us that December 16th is Free Shipping Day for more than 1600 US retailers.