In keeping with the 70’s fashion revival this season, broad-brimmed floppy hats are popping up all over the show. Some are made of felt while others are made of straw and wicker.

I will never sport a floppy 70’s hat because extremely short hair does you no hat wearing favours, especially when you wear specs too. But I love the look on the right gal. Long hair is not a must, but my goodness does it work. I’ve seen floppy 70’s hats look fab with items as casual as faded denim shorts, and as dressy as a cocktail frock.

I absolutely vote yay. How about you? And would you wear a floppy 70’s hat?

I’ve wanted a pair of pleated 80’s inspired trousers as soon as I saw them appear on the runway a few years ago. I blogged about it in 2009 and I’ve been on the hunt ever since. I searched high and low for a pair with good drape and enough leg length. It was like looking for a needle in haystack! Style after style was too short, too itchy, too stiff, too poufy or too black. I finally found a pair at Club Monaco that fit the bill. They are in a soft glen plaid, not quite grey and not quite brown but somewhere in-between.

This style of trouser is an acquired taste, but for me it was love at first sight. I guess, unlike others, I thoroughly enjoy wearing trends I wore 20 years ago. They bring back fond memories and I often prefer the way I sport the trends the second time round.

I hands down like these trousers best with a tucked in button down shirt or soft drapey blouse, which is why I’ve chosen a roomy cream and black polka dot blouse for this outfit. I’ve tried tucking in a very fine gauge sweater and it looks okay, but not fabulous. I also quite like the look of these trousers with a soft, un-tucked big blouse, and I’m still experimenting with that combination.

The trousers look good with high heels and I can manage that for about two to three hours.  I wear kitten heels, low heeled booties, ballet flats and flat oxfords when I need to charge around town for longer periods of time. Belting the tucked in blouse completes the outfit.

If you’ve been with YLF for a while, you’ll recognize the cream trench and black cracked patent doctor’s satchel. I wore both items in my “coming out post” almost three years ago when I revealed my identity for the first time here on YLF. Both items are still going strong! I always carry a black handbag when I wear this cream trench coat. It’s odd how I kind of have a rigid rule about that.

The pearl necklace is quite unique in that it doesn’t have a fixed fastening. It wraps around the neck and ties like a scarf. I chose my black specs because I like those best when I wear cream – after all, I am on Team High Colour Contrast.

Although the tapered trousers are trendy, the integrity of the outfit is modern classic because of the way I’ve styled it. The colours are quite soft and the accessories aren’t edgy. I’ll give you a spunky outfit with these trousers on another day.

One last thing: Greg says these trousers somehow remind him of 20’s Art Deco design, so he’s named them my “Art Deco trousers”. I have an adorable husband.

I think we are all clear on sleeveless garments: they showcase the entire arm and often part of the shoulder. Cap sleeved garments have a small sleeve that “caps” the top part of the arm. Cap sleeves are shorter than a short sleeve, but offer more coverage than a sleeveless garment.

I own one cap sleeve garment and it’s one of my favourite dresses because I adore the pattern. I even considered having the dress altered into a sleeveless style at one point but decided that I could live with the caps. On the other hand, I have lots of sleeveless blouses and dresses because I like to showcase my entire arm and shoulder. I also prefer layering over and under a sleeveless dress because the lines of the outfit look cleaner to my eye.  At the end of the day, I feel fab in sleeveless and not as fab in cap sleeves. I am Team Sleeveless.

Over to you. Are you Team Sleeveless or Team Cap Sleeves? Tell us why and you can only pick one side.

If you like strong black and white casual outfit combinations that err on the side of dressy, this gal on the go outfit formula is for you. In some ways it’s the opposite of the earthier 70’s Mum on the Go outfit combination I posted recently.

You’ll be surprised at how many items you’ll already have in your closet, so shop there first. Here are the components:

• Striped Top: Choose a black and white striped sweater or tee, although navy/grey and white striped tops are great alternatives. The cozy sweater from Aqua and pussy bow tank from Bobeau below fit well and offer extra length.
• Black Jacket: I’ve selected a soft and lightweight casual jersey boyfriend blazer by Halogen which is as comfy as wearing a cardigan. But any black, navy or charcoal blazer will create the look.
• Jeans: Straight leg, skinny or slightly flared bootcuts look best with ballet flats. Choose any wash of blue or black jeans.
• Ballet flats: Chanel is all about two toned ballet flats with bows much like the Lifestride Avid below. Black and white, or black and tan are the most authentic Chanel colour combinations. Feel free to substitute with dressy black ballet flats.
• Flower Pin: I like the effect of a low contrasting flower pin best on a black jacket, much like the lace rosette brooch from Aldo. Tres chic.
• Jewelry: Layering lots of pearl necklaces is typical Chanel style, but it can look a little flashy for a gal on the go. So stick to simple pearl stud earrings and an enamel cocktail ring. Layer those pearl necklaces with this outfit if feeling glam is your thing. I certainly won’t stop you!
• Chain Strap cross body bag: Small cross-body bags are practical and easy on the back and shoulders, and perfect for this look in black, tan or white. I couldn’t resist incorporating the Libby chain strap crossbody bag by Hobo International. Adorably Chanel inspired.

Wearing a black felt cloche is optional and a good idea on a bad hair day (Coco would be proud). And one last thing before I leave you to play Chanel in your closet – one of my favorite fashion quotes from Coco Chanel herself: “Beauty is no guarantee for happiness. Strive instead for elegance, grace and style”.