I can’t think of a better way to describe this concept than “the blousey twin set”. Both layers are the same colour, like the original twin set that is made up of two knitwear layers, only this time the bottom layer is a blouse. You could also view it as a more cozy, comfortable and relaxed combination than a jacket and blouse in the same colour. 

I’m not a cardigan girl, but blouse combinations always pique my interest. I find the combination of the same colour silky blouse and fine gauge V-neck sweater simple, clean and strong. To my eye, it’s a more texture rich, alluring, and modern combination than a double layer of sweaters. The scrunched sleeves add extra interest. 

Woven silky blouses are not your only choice of bottom layer here. Think of other luxurious fabrications, like crushed velvet and sequin tops. Dressy and drapey knitted tops can achieve a similar effect, although technically, knitted tops are not blouses.

The colours that J.Crew is offering in the combination are particularly appealing because they add an edge to the look. An item in an atypical colour can take the vibe from classic to more edgy. For example, the concept looks classic in grey, brown, navy and tan, but more hip and modern in unusual colours like brights and blush. Please look past the bubble gum pink if you don’t like the colour. I used it because it was the only example where the model is wearing both items in one outfit. 

It’s a versatile top combination that works both for casual and business casual settings. For example, wear it over bootcut and tapered trousers, or a pencil skirt for an office setting. Or with jeans and boots for casual settings. It’s also a great match for leather skirts and pants. 

Remember that it’s HOW you put the outfit together that will give it either a classic, arty, romantic, urban or spunky integrity. The blousey twin set can look fun and interesting if you want it to. What are your thoughts on this matchy-matchy combination?

This week we were in the mood for a bit of history, so we travelled back in time with two new titles in the YLF Books Retrospective section. Are you also curious to find out more about the style concepts, technologies and ideas that left their indelible stamp on fashion as we know it? Then read all about it in Harriet Worsley’s 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion. Flapper: A Madcap Story of Sex, Style, Celebrity, and the Women Who Made America Modern tells the story of the Roaring Twenties’ flappers and how they helped shape the era that brought about mass consumerism and modern advertising.

For our Movies category we selected The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears. Helen Mirren is very much in her element as Queen Elizabeth II in this account of what happened behind the scenes after Princess Diana’s death in 1997.  

As it happens, two of this week’s picks have also made it onto our first YLF Book Club reading list. As soon as we mentioned starting our own book club, feedback started pouring in. Good stuff! We’ve been working behind the scenes to sort out the specifics and posted our first official YLF Book Club reading list on the forum this week. You told us you would love to alternate books with movies, so that’s exactly what we are going to do. Friday will be our regular YLF Book Club day, and we’ll have our online meetings on the YLF forum. Every new title will get its own separate thread, and I’ll also announce the new meeting in that Friday’s Book Nook post on the main blog. 

To make sure everyone has plenty of time to get the titles on our list and really dig in, here is our calendar for the next five months:

• 9 December 2011: Parisian Chic
• 6 January 2012: Bill Cunningham New York
• 17 February 2012: 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion
• 16 March 2012: The Queen

We would love to hear your thoughts, so get ready to pull up a chair, grab a glass of wine and chat about books and movies!

For some time now there has been a movement toward “the nude lip”, a shade of lipstick  that resembles a richer, lighter and creamier version of your lips. The effect is a soft and somewhat theatrical blending of lip and skin tone. 

I love this look on others, but was never convinced that ultra pale, blonde me could pull it off. Each time I tried a nude shade of lipstick, it felt like I was putting concealer on my lips. I looked awful. I thought that’s it, I’m sticking to lip balm when I don’t want to wear lipstick! 

Of course, it all boiled down to finding the right shade of nude lip for my lips and complexion, which turned out to be MAC’s “Creamesheen Modesty”. It is glossy and ever so slightly pink, which means I don’t look like a ghost when I wear it. I found this shade a few days ago and I’m hooked. It’s an added bonus that hubby likes it too.

The visual effect of a nude lip is an acquired taste. People usually wear lipstick or gloss to make their lips darker and stand out, not blend into their skin tone. Do you like it, or do you prefer deeper shades? If you do sport a nude lip, which brand and colour works best for you?

MaryK was amused by an article in the New York Times about the fashion competition amongst New York Moms when picking up their kids from school.

Lisa realizes how ridiculous one looks in real life when posing in the same way that models do in fashion shoots. 

Inge loves the blue and cognac oxford inspired heels that are being used throughout this presentation of Karen Walker’s new collection. Her mixture of blues is beautiful. 

Astrid adores Charlotta’s Fall outfit, where she accessorizes a simple dress with the scarf, belt, tights and boots in Autumn colours.

Laurinda enjoyed Hourglassy’s black T-shirt advice for full-busted lasses. A black T-shirt ups the ‘classy factor’ when it comes to showing cleavage.

Di really liked the discussion of style and personal strength at Already Pretty.

Anna says that Doo-Ri Chung was shocked when Macys asked her to design for them.

Goldenpig found Imogen’s tips on how to pose for outfit photos very helpful, and encourages all YLF lurkers to post their outfits on the forum. Speaking of Imogen, Vildy imagines the stress of choosing conference outfits that you know will be judged by people who judge outfits for a living.

Kyle found these street style slides from Fall 2011 Fashion Week wildly inspirational. 

Kappy, who couldn’t find appealing graphic tees, is inspired to make her own using cool patterned plastic bags. 

Mrseccentric liked Cynthia’s unique insight into a totally new system for closet purging on Be Fabulous Daily. 

DressLover informs us that Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld is launching his own brand, Karl, in January. The collection, described as “rock chic” and considered a budget line, will be followed in Autumn 2012 by his upmarket brand, Karl Lagerfeld Paris. I’m curious about this collection! 

We’ve linked to My Closet In Sketches before because the sketches are fantastic! Cocolion and I believe that another shout out is in order. 

Vicki highly recommends seeing the small temporary exhibit of theatrical costumes from Italy’s world famous haute couture designers if you live in the Beverley Hills neigbourhood in California.