For many years now fashion designers haven’t just been bringing out their seasonal clothing collections. They have also successfully branched out into accessories like footwear, handbags and jewellery. Some are even taken it a step further and are adding other style-related items to their repertoire. Think Kate Spade smartphone covers and laptop cases, or books written by big names in the industry. 

However, this type of merchandise isn’t limited to products made by designers and fashion labels. Many other items with a style theme fall in this sideline category, be it because of the fashion images they sport or because of their ingenious design, stunning colours, interesting mix of patterns or fab texture.

Products that fall squarely into this category are fashion and style inspired calendars and organizers. I recently came across some beautiful examples that can help you stay organized at home, in the office and on the go. Here are my top picks for 2012.

Wall Calendars

• Condé Nast Archive Fashion Magazine Art Wall Calendar: Deliciously retro fashion images from the Condé Nast archives spanning the 1920s to 1940s.
• Little Black Dress Wall Calendar: Even if the little black dress is no longer the almost mythical “go-to must-have solution for every occasion and every woman”, this collection of gorgeous black frocks still makes for irresistible eye candy.
• Glamour Vintage Fashion Illustrations: Sumptuous ensembles, exaggerated leg lines and tiny waists evoke the fashion trends and lifestyle of days past.
• Audrey Hepburn Wall Calendar:  No fashion calendar post would be complete without mentioning Audrey Hepburn, one of the most famous style icons of the 20th century. Here’s a look at the different months.
• Vogue Wall Calendar: With iconic fashion illustrations from the covers of Vogue throughout the mid- to late 1920s, a fantastic homage to the art deco era.
• J’Adore Glamour Small Wall Calendar: As a huge fan of René Gruau’s fashion illustrations – his clean, very strong lines and bold colours are divine – I simply cannot resist this little treasure.
• Haute Couture Wall Calendar: Romantic, yet modern artwork by French artist Fabrice de Villeneuve adorns this colourful wall calendar with large day grids for notes.
• Erté Wall Calendar: Beautifully illustrated calendar by renowned Russian-born fashion illustrator Erté, that combines almost architectural lines with old-world opulence.
• Shoes Gallery Calendar and Handbags Gallery Calendar: Two delightful page-a-day calendars for those of us in need of their daily shoe or handbag fix.

Organizers & Planners

• Daily Muse Shoes 2012 Calendar: Elegant-looking diary with fab purple cover and full-colour shoe illustrations for every week of 2012. Comes with a shoe time line, iconic designers and sizing charts.
• Fashion 2012 Small Agenda: This compact diary easily fits in your handbag, with fun black and white vintage fashion photography and lovely cream and green interior.
• Shoes Compact Engagement Calendar: Whimsical shoe illustrations on the cover of this weekly planner with space for notes and addresses.
• myAgenda Desktop Planner – Zebra: Sweet zebra print cover made from stain-resistant material, plenty of note space and extra features like a separate area for expense records.
• High Button Boot Slim Planner: A boot to remember, the striking red and the ornate gold detailing stand out against the black background of this cute dayplanner.
• Petals, Purses & Pumps Engagement Calendar: Michel Tcherevkoff creates an almost fairy tale-esque atmosphere with footwear and accessories fashioned from fresh flowers.
• Stripe Weekly Planner and Polka Dot Weekly Planner: Sarah Pinto’s navy blue stripes and yellow polka dots look so brilliantly cheerful next to each other, that I’m tempted to get them both.
• Moleskine Red Weekly Notebook Diary/Planner: Moleskine always appeals to my minimalist fashion sense. Most of their collection comes in the trademark black, but this bright red version is super stylish too. Fans of fun colours might also fall in love with the X-Small Horizontal Weekly Planner in lime green or the X-Small Daily Planner in sky blue. If you fancy a separate, compact and colourful notebook for each new month, then the Colour A Month Daily Diary/Planner might be just the thing for you.

Just as I’m not the person who would wear a particular designer from head to toe, I have no plans to decorate my entire home around a fashion trend or only use style-themed accessories from now on. But I love keeping up to date with what’s out there and tremendously enjoy browsing “fashion merchandise”. Also, if an item catches my fancy and it fits my personal aesthetic, I’ll happily snap it up. How about you? Are you interested in fashion beyond what you wear? And do calendars like the ones above interest you?

I vote yay. I loved plaid trousers as a child and teen, and still love them today. My old zippered cream and black micro check skinnies are close to my heart and I don’t think that I will ever pass them on. 

I am much more likely to wear plaid on the bottom half of my body, be it trousers or skirts, because I prefer to wear crisp, simple and clean-cut tops and jackets close to my face. I used to enjoy wearing bold  lumber jack plaid shirts in the early ’90s, but those days are over. I also have a bold plaid jacket that I am almost ready to pass on to a happy home. But I adore the colours so I’ll wear it a few more times. 

As much as I adore plaid trousers, I do prefer a specific vibe and silhouette. I like them best with tapered hems both is bold and subtle plaid designs. Skinny silhouettes and slouchy pleated styles tickle my fancy in any plaid design as long as they cover the ankles (here is my version in glen plaid). I also really like bootcut styles in subtle plaids like the styles below. Add a simple solid top and footwear, let the plaid do the talking, and you’re good to go. I generally do not like wide-leg plaid trousers in bold, bright plaid designs. Those tend to look more clown-ish to my eye. 

Although I bat for Team Minimal, I also like plaid matched with argyle knitwear. To my eye, the combination is a harmonious geometric mixture of squares and diamonds. Perhaps I should have taken up golf. 

What’s your verdict on plaid pants? Do you wear them? Can you appreciate the look on others if it’s not your cup of tea?

After considering all the entries to last month’s competition, Rob and team chose punkgurl as their favorite example of stylish cycling, and winner of a brand new PUBLIC bike. They particularly enjoyed seeing her variety of comfortable bike-riding styles with both boots and heels. Her photos showed great outfit details and in-motion riding shots (chicken chasing included!). 

Queen Mum won the second prize, a signed copy of the book “A Girls Bike”. 

Congratulations, punkgurl and Queen Mum! Hope that you enjoy your prizes.

By the way, we couldn’t help but notice that PUBLIC has introduced 5 new colors in time for Christmas.

I must give credit where’s it’s due. Each year there is a greater selection of fab looking and affordable puffer coats, and my clients have had no trouble finding styles that make them feel sharp and toasty. Stylistic preferences will differ, but for me it’s essential that my puffer have easy access side entry pockets, a double-zipper and snap closures, an oversized collar for extra neck warmth AND cover my knees. I don’t need a hood because I can wear a hat and scarf, but welcome a hood if it’s part of the style. 

These are my top picks this season (be sure to click through all the colour options). Here’s a guide on how to fit a puffer coat if you need a refresher.

1. Kenneth Cole Reaction Faux Fur Hood Chevron Down Puffer Coat: The diagonal chevron pattern is  extra flattering and the fit is pretty roomy all over. 
2. London Fog Contour Seamed Hooded Faux Fur Trim Down Puffer Coat (Plus): If you prefer a shorter puffer, this one is superb. The vertical seam detailing running down the front and the back of the coat is very streamlining. 
3. Patagonia Downtown Loft Hooded Coat: An amazing coat with an interesting puffer pattern. Impeccable quality, great length for taller gals, and very warm. Love it! 
4. Laundry by Shelli Segal Quilted Coat with Faux Fur Trim: Laundry offers wonderful puffers each year and this one represents her signature look. It’s patch pockets and belt make it a little fussier, but it’s a great puffer all the same. Another good length for taller gals. 
5. Sachi Fox Fur Trim Hooded Down Coat: Just all round flattering. Huge side entry pockets! It’s also available in petites and in taupe. 
6. Soia & Kyo Puffed Collar Coat: I have a style very similar to this that’s a few seasons old and I can’t rave enough about it. It’s beautifully made, extremely warm, and just that bit dressier than most puffer coats. I wear it over multiple layers including leather jackets.Two warnings: the brand runs small and the hectically oversized collar is best on long necks and gals who have short hair or tie up their hair. You might feel claustrophobic if you don’t have enough neck for this type of collar.
7. DKNY Pillow Collar Quilted Coat: This coat also has a high and oversized collar, but the quilted part stands away from the neck. Again, it’s a little challenging with long hair, but you could tuck it away like the model has done in the photo. 
8. Bebe Quilted Sateen Coat with Detachable Hood: The gold hardware is great for Team Gold. A sweet coat that runs small, but looks particularly good on petites. 
9. Calvin Klein Down Jacket: If cropped sporty puffers are your thing, try this one. It has a good fit and doesn’t feel too bulky. 
10. 1 Madison Quilted Coat with Fox Fur Trim (Plus): Fabulous! And in such a rich brown. 
11. Betsey Johnson Quilted Down Parka with Faux Fur Trim: One of our forum members recently bought this in white and it looks fantastic. Check out the back ruffle detail. 
12. Kristen Blake Quilted Down Coat (Plus): Another great flattering shape. I love the way the collar opens up and lies flat, and the silver colourway is a nice departure from all the black. 
13. State & Lake Mercy Jacket with Fur Trim: Clean and crisp with a good size hood.
14. Cole Haan Belted Puffer Coat: This one’s more glitzy and chic. If you like pillow collars, give this one a go. It lies a little flatter and is less overwhelming. 
15. Lands End Women’s Regular Essential Down Coat: Lands’ End makes fantastic puffer coats. They are basic and more casual-looking, but for the price, colour options and quality they can’t be beat. This style does not have snap closures, which would be a deal breaker for me, but might work for you. 
16. Lands End Women’s Regular Shimmer Down Coat: My favourite Lands’ End puffer coat. Read the raving reviews. They run large, so if you wear a very small size, you might find that their smallest size is still too big. 
17. Eddie Bauer Essential Down Parka: Eddie Bauer also makes great puffer coats. This style is ideal for those who want a hood sans the fur trim. Like Lands’ End, their styles run large and you could be sized out if you wear a very small size. 
18. Eddie Bauer Sun Valley Down Parka: This style has more pocket detailing than the Essential Down Parka, and an optional faux fur trim on the hood. It doesn’t have snap closures, but it’s still a super puffer coat . 
19. Eddie Bauer Lodge Down Parka: This is my favourite Eddie Bauer puffer jacket because the puffy squares are smaller, which somehow makes the coat look prettier to my eye. 
20. Hilary Radley Studio Pillow Collar Braid Trim Puffer Coat: The braid trim and toggle buttons make this puffer coat a little different to the rest. Sweet!

There are many more good looking and affordable puffer coats available at brick and mortar Macy’s stores with a 40% discount, which are not available online. Searle also makes excellent puffer coats, but they cost a pretty penny. Please feel free to add to this list if you’ve scored a great puffer coat. 

Puffer coats aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m a huge fan for two reasons. One, a down puffer coat is the best way to stay adequately warm when temperatures fall below freezing. In that type of cold, I just don’t find wool and thinsulate as warm no matter how much I bundle up with the right layers. Two, to my eye puffer coats can look stylish if you choose a flattering style. Granted, a wool coat will always look more chic, dressy and streamlined. But a fabulous puffer coat has it’s place. 

Do you wear a puffer coat, and do you think that they can look stylish? Or are you on team NEVER wear a puffer coat because you’ll look like the Michelin Man no matter what.