As a writer and film critic, client Fernanda appears on local Mexican television a few times a week. Well done Mexican TV Media for putting Fernanda in front of the camera! She is beautiful, her manner compelling, and her charisma magnetic.

One of the things we worked on during our recent styling session was putting together outfits for her TV shows. She wanted her look to be different. In a way, she wanted to defy her environmental style norm.

Like me, Fernanda loves button down shirts and she also happens to like men’s ties. So in her first TV appearance after our styling session she wore a purple button down shirt and tie, along with skinny black trousers and wedged boots.

Fernanda said that when she walked into the recording studio, “people in the studio really liked the tie, and I felt very at ease wearing it”. Fernanda went further to say that: “I got some twitter comments from viewers saying that I looked especially good. They usually tweet me about the film I recommended, but this is the first time I got comments about my ‘look’. One of them said that purple was definitely my color. I’ve worn that purple shirt lots of times on TV, but it was obvious that this time the tie made it pop!”

I’m thrilled that Fernanda felt fab in her newly styled outfit AND that it received positive feedback. It just goes to show that if you’re determined and confident, defying your environmental style norm can work in your favour.

Click the image to see Fernanda in action.

There is a lot of overlap between Fernanda’s style and my own, so maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that in the process of her style journey, I discovered things about my own style that I have felt developing for a while, but couldn’t quite articulate. Now they make sense – so much so that I can write about them.

The high level summary is that more then ever before, I want to keep my outfits clean, simple, modern and bold. I have always been attracted to garments with strong simple lines; hence my love for military styling, mod dresses, sleek black turtlenecks, polka dots, button down shirts and androgynous outfits.

Here is what this means in a little more detail:

• I want to wear fewer intentionally visible layers. I have done the layered look and moved on. Make no mistake, I’m still actually layered to the hilt because I’m always cold and live in a chilly city. But I want the layers to be hidden as opposed to contributing to the overall look of the outfit. The effect is simpler and cleaner and this is my goal right now.
• Sometimes I like to look a little arty and I also enjoy interesting garment design detailing. But I am becoming less drawn to that way of dressing because it’s not quite clean and simple enough for this part of my style journey. I’ll keep my retro vibe because I’m still very much drawn to that. My love for pearls, Chanel, and 60’s and 80’s fashion runs too deep.
• On the whole, I want to sport fewer accessories in one outfit. I’ll keep making a strong statement with my hair, eyewear, watch and handbag, but the rest will take more of a back seat. I will still wear belts, necklaces, ties, scarves and the odd bracelet – but in a simpler way.
• I absolutely want to continue wearing mainstream trends and fringe trends when they tickle my fancy. That’s part of what makes fashion fun! But these trends have to be accompanied by classic pieces in order for them to feel like me. When I’m too trendy from head to toe, it doesn’t feel right. When I’m too classic from head to toe, it doesn’t feel right either. This was the most important penny that dropped when I was in Mexico.

The outfit below captures the current leg of my style journey well. A trendy belt, bold animal print shoes and an almost over the top pair of jeans are offset by a super classic, non-crease Brooks Brothers button down shirt and string of retro chunky pearls. My modern hair and specs in turn contrast with the classic integrity of the top half of this outfit. The bag adds an element of playful dramatic fun. I added my new black L.A.M.B jacket when it got cooler. It’s this type of outfit that feels most like me.

Style-wise, what felt right five years ago, or even last month, might not feel right today. That means our styles are evolving, which is a good thing in my book. Maybe you’ve recently had a style epiphany of your own and would like to share them in the comments section below.

This is the second installment on Fernanda’s style session (here’s part 1 if you missed it). We worked together for two and a half days, purging her closet and putting together outfits for all areas of her life, from casual to formal. We dug deep into what type of look made her comfortable, appropriate and “very Fernanda”, taking great care with every detail. By the time we finished her apartment looked like a bomb had hit it, with clothes, footwear and accessories absolutely everywhere!

When Angie and charming Greg landed in Mexico City, I was excited beyond words but still uncertain about my own ability to push my own boundaries and step out of my comfort zone. I had the new gorgeous items, and loved to see them on the hangers and boxes, but now it was time to wear them following Angie’s advice. I’d have to look at myself in the mirror without faking a smile. The time had come to face my demons regarding insecurities and deeply engraved ideas on what looked “right” or “wrong” on me.

Take for example, dresses and skirts. One of the first things I told Angie in our early email chats was the fact that I had always disliked my legs. Compared to my elbows and wrists, their counterparts —knees and calves— looked like they belonged to a completely different person. They seemed to me big boned and heavy —the opposite of dainty and shapely— and therefore I didn’t feel “allowed” to show them off or even acknowledge them. There was a little catch, though: for as long as I remember, I’ve drooled over skirts, dresses and all kinds of pretty shoes. Not only that, but I’ve accumulated them over the years, as if owning a small collection could make up for the “injustice” of having less than perfect legs. It was not only a matter of obsessing over imperfect things: I have a bunion the size of my house, and the fact that I can’t wear strappy sandals is something I just don’t mind.

The “leg issue”, as I came to call it, quickly caught Angie’s attention. She empathized with my problem and kindly committed herself to help me overcome my fears. Her “leg therapy”, as she came to call it,  was a mix of objective troubleshooting (finding my best hem length, avoiding a leg-cutting effect either by wearing hose or nude/low vamped shoes) and, most importantly, a step by step demonstration of how confidence trumps perfect measures, in all the cases, all the  time.

We spent two and half days of enjoyable hard work: I tried on every single item on my closet, Angie found its perfect match, we dressed it up and down with accessories, and finally took a picture that will serve as a reminder of the endless possibilities already waiting for me. Watching Angie at work was both amazing and a lesson in itself: in a matter of seconds, she looked around the room and grabbed different pieces just to see it they could work (they always did). Not once did she second guess or let her rational part take over: she trusted her amazing instinct (she even picked an outfit based on items she had dreamed about me wearing!), giving a living proof of how there’s not such thing as a strict “style theory”.

In possession of a hundred or so pictures of outfits that look as if they were planned a week in advance, I finally came to understand style as a joyful activity that can only by achieved through playfulness and self-acceptance. These two elements were the missing pieces of a puzzle I had struggled to solve for a long, long time. They were handed to me by the amazing Angie Cox, who I regard as an inspiration and a very dear new friend. My crossing of paths with her is, without any doubt, the luckiest chance encounter I’ve had in my recent life.

Epilogue: on the last day of Angie and Greg’s visit to Mexico, their beloved yorkie Jasmine fell sick, and ultimately passed. Over the last few months, Angie and I had bonded through our mutual love for our dogs, and she shared with me stories and pictures of beautiful Jasmine and Rosie. I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Jasmine. Everything good that comes out from the experience of working with her wonderful Mommy, will always and entirely be a tribute to her memory.

We’re very grateful to Fernanda for sharing her experience and allowing us to document it in photos. There are additional photos in this album on the YLF FaceBook page.

I expect this to be another really easy poll. You are on Team Jeans if, given the choice, you would wear jeans rather than leggings. Vice versa for Team Leggings. And then there’s the fabulous “Legging Jean” which is a hybrid of the two. Legging Jeans, or Leans, are more like jeans, so they fall under jeans for this poll.

I enjoy wearing stirrup and zippered leggings in fun ways, like under a voluminous woven dress or black pencil skirt. The look brings back fond 80’s memories that make me smile. But I love jeans and leans even more. I can wear them year round in Seattle and have several pairs. I am on Team Jeans.

Over to you. Are you Team Leggings or Team Jeans? Tell us why, and you know you can’t bat for both Teams.