My clients are generally fans of Karen Kane merchandise for several excellent reasons: The clothes drape well because the fabric is substantial. The silhouettes are clean cut and interesting. The fit is roomy, yet tailored. The workmanship is great. The items are machine washable and the prices aren’t sky high. What’s not to love?

I’m giving Karen Kane dresses a special shout out today, boldly stating that when you see one – try it on. Chances are pretty good that it will fit and flatter. They are also available in plus sizes and their lengths are generous, which is good news for taller gals.

Karen Kane designs lean towards modern classic, but don’t let that stop you from trying on her stuff if you’re a more arty, trendy and spunky dresser. Remember it’s HOW you style an item that gives it a unique and unexpected flavour. Not only the item itself. I can’t stress this point enough.

The dresses pictured here are easy styles that can be worn on their own or layered with cropped jackets, coats and cardigans. I particularly like the longer length handkerchief style on the right.

Add the appropriate footwear to make these dresses YOU. For some that means adding rugged flat boots, for others it’s mixing it up with trendy booties, flat oxfords, ballet flats, mary janes, stacked sandals or classic pumps.

In fact, all of the footwear options below can work with each of the dresses. Every combination creates a different ensemble vibe and taps into a different fashion persona. Some combinations are dressy, and others more casual. Scrunch up the sleeves or add leggings. Honestly, the sky is the limit when it comes to styling a fairly simple dress.

Which of the 16 combinations floats your boat?

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Low heeled and flat slingback pumps and peep toe pumps are popular for Spring and Summer 2011. Actually, I never stopped wearing my own two old pairs of wedged round toed sling back sandals. They still have good mileage and are very comfortable, so I’ll continue to wear them this year.

I like low heeled and flat slingbacks as long as the back strap is comfortable and does not cut into my flesh or slip down. I’ve found that a broader strap with an elasticated insert is the best option.

Much like normal pumps, low profile Spring slingbacks look great with just about anything – from leggings, tapered jeans and skirts, to dresses, trousers, bootcut jeans and shorts. They also make a nice alternative to ballet flats. And like ballet flats, they can be dressy. Versatile!

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I recently asked our forum members whether they dressed in a feminine way. This might seem like a straightforward question, but the responses were anything but. They came flooding in and reached much deeper than I had intended. Even the word “feminine” meant different things to different people.

The first sign that this was a complex issue actually came before I even posted on the forum. As I pondered the question I found myself second guessing my own answers.

Feminine means “pertaining to a woman or girl.” Hmmm. Well, I enjoy wearing stereotypically feminine wardrobe items like form fitting clothing, dresses, pencil skirts, low heels, bows, poufy sleeves, pink, sheer blouses, pearls, lace camisoles, flouncy tea length skirts and the occasional ruffle. I also like to carry a handbag, wear lipstick and define my waistline. Chanel and Valentino rock my fashion world. When I think about these aspects of my style, it’s clear that I dress in a feminine way.

Then I started thinking about the stereotypically non-feminine aspects of my style. I have very short hair and don’t wear earrings. I prefer flat footwear and sport short natural fingernails. Many of my favourite wardrobe items have a masculine or androgynous edge: jeans, button down shirts, blazers, flat oxfords, denim jackets, trench coats, oversized watches, biker jackets and flat boots. I adore classic gangster-like pinstripe suits, neck ties, cuff links, cravat style scarves and military styling. I like to surrender my waistline and wear unisex footwear like Converse sneakers and Dr. Marten boots. And on top of it all, I rather fancy looking strict and buttoned up.

Now here’s the interesting part. I still feel completely feminine when I wear boyish clothing and footwear, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t very curvy and doesn’t have a full bust. I attribute these feelings to two things. First, my manner is lady like and that ultimately makes me feel feminine no matter what I wear. For me, feminine dressing is more about an attitude and a state of mind, than it is about the specific items that I wear — I have a feminine attitude and act in a feminine way. So to a large extent for my style, feminine dressing comes from within.  Second, and more superficial, I still wear stereotypically feminine accessories and lipstick along with masculine clothing and footwear. This goes a long way to making me feel like a girly girl.

Having seen the richness of the responses of the forum it is clear to me that feminine dressing can mean very different things to different people. Just like there is no one way to look stylish, there is no one way to dress in a feminine way.

And it can be interpreted as a controversial question, tied into important topics like the empowerment of women and what it means to be a feminist. There was a time in my life when these broad topics were top of mind for me. As a sociology student in the late 80’s and early 90’s I was writing essays about the way stereotypical gender roles shape and affect society, while living through South Africa’s struggle against discrimination and oppression. But these days I’m much more focused on helping individuals look and feel their best. One of the privileges of living in a free society is that you feel free to enjoy simple things, like the lines of a beautiful dress.

What does feminine dressing mean to you? Does it mean wearing stereotypically feminine and romantic items, or is there more to it than that?

I can’t believe we just posted our first newsletter for 2011. Time flies by so fast these days it’s ridiculous. Greg and I need at least another 5 hours in the day.

The January newsletter went out last night and you can read it online if you’re not signed up to receive it. My biggest surprise this month was hearing how much our readership likes the look of maxi dresses and skirts. Perhaps we won’t see as many on the sale rails this season!

We don’t automatically add new YLF forum members to the newsletter email list, so please sign up manually if you would like to receive it in your inbox at the end of each month.

The way you sign up will depend on whether or not you already receive daily updates:

1. If you are not signed up for daily blog or store updates, then please go to this page to sign up for the newsletter. If you like, you can also sign up for daily updates at the same time.
2. If you are already signed up for daily updates, but would like to add the newsletter to your subscription, then please go to the footer of one of the daily update email messages we sent you and click on the link that says “Update your Profile”. This will take you to a page where you can manage your YLF subscriptions. Click the checkbox alongside “Monthly Newsletter”.

If you prefer RSS updates over email, then please read Greg’s previous post about all the feeds that are available from YLF.

Just a few more months of Winter left. So wrap up while we think about our Spring wardrobes. I cover the new Spring trends in the newsletter. Enjoy!