The New Year brings with it lots of 70’s style inspiration for Spring and Summer. Even though the early 60’s and mid 80’s are my favourite fashion eras, I can absolutely appreciate aspects of 70’s fashion. For one thing, I saw my Mum wear it for the first 10 years of my life and back then I unconditionally equated what she wore with style.

I’ve been going back to old photos of Mum in the 70’s and now that I’m ready to wear her jewelry, her outfits have inspired me to try some 70’s rich looks of my own. I also recently saw 1975 movie Three Days of the Condor and was equally inspired by what the actors wore on the set.

My Mum, brother and I had professional pictures taken in 1975 of which this photo was my Dad’s favourite – and it’s still framed on the dresser in my Dad’s apartment in the Netherlands. My Mum was 35, my brother Hugo 10, and I was 5 years old. Looks like turtle necks have always gone down well with Mum and me. And I can’t help but love my brother’s groovy shirt and oh so on trend 70’s hairstyle. Killer!

This picture brought back a flood of 70’s fashion memories that I’m going to use to update my style. I’ve already road tested some of the looks and felt fab all day – partly because they are so nostalgic.

Are you inspired by 70’s fashion, and do you have any old photos in your family album that can bring the decade to life? Share them in the forum if you dare!

I only offer my unsolicited fashion and style advice to two people: darling hubby Greg and my dear sweet Dad. Papa is much relieved that I’ve taken over his wardrobe management, since he loathes shopping and my Mum is not there to do it for him anymore. And Greg appreciates my two cents most of the time – as I appreciate his style advice most of the time! I do not offer unsolicited style advice to anyone else.

When I was discussing this post with Greg, he pointed out that I do offer my opinions to friends, colleagues and family members in ways that are more subtle than direct advice.

First, I reinforce people positively with compliments. For example, if I saw someone wearing a colour that brings out the rose in their cheeks and the sparkle in their eye, I would gush about it to them. Second, I sometimes buy people gifts of apparel and accessories, and implicit in a gift is the message that I think the item will work well on them.

In neither case is this a conscious effort to give style advice, but I guess Greg is right that I am providing a point of view. Perhaps I’m not as restrained as I thought.

What’s your policy on offering unsolicited style advice to others? Care to share a few stories?

If you’re still looking for practical and fun outerwear, these might tickle your fancy:

1. Guess Quilted Puffer Jacket: Great for après ski and casual settings with the kids.
2. Tahari Grechen Pillow Collar Down Coat: My tall clients look AMAZING in this puffer coat. Very wow.
3. Calvin Klein Coat, Funnel Collar Double Breasted: I’m all over the colour and cut. The funnel neck works particularly well on those with long necks and short hair. Runs a little large.
4. Esprit Wool Blend Trench: In true Esprit style, basic with fun casual flair.
5. Boden Carnaby Coat: Weatherproof and classic. Nice colours and length. Also runs a little large.

Happy shopping!

I’m sure that most of us have done this at one point or another. You leave the house in one pair of shoes, and change into a second pair when you reach your destination. I can think of three instances when this works quite well:

1. Braving the elements: When it’s snowy, slushy or very wet, it’s a good idea to wear sensible shoes when you’re outside. For example, snow boots or rubber wellington boots in the treacherous outside conditions and ordinary shoes when you’re back indoors on safe ground.
2. Commuting in Comfort: If you commute on foot, you can wear comfortable walking shoes during the commute but switch to prettier and dressier footwear once you reach your destination.
3. Visiting in Style: Some households do not permit shoes indoors. If you’re uncomfortable wearing socks or walking barefoot in another person’s home, bring along a pair of slippers or house shoes to change into once you’re there.

The strategy definitely has drawbacks:

• Sometimes the more practical footwear doesn’t look fabulous with what I’m wearing. Like when I wear snow-friendly Doc Martens with a business casual outfit that’s begging for dressy boots, or when I pair ballet flats with a frock that looks infinitely better with pumps.
• Carrying an extra pair of shoes is cumbersome and storing them on the other side is not always possible.
• Keeping the heel height of both pairs of footwear the same is a pain. Trousers that are hemmed for heels drag on the ground when wearing flats. Annoying!

All in all these are reasonable compromises, so I from time to time I do switch my footwear. I pull together the look as best as I can with the practical shoes, and keep the second pair of shoes in mind so that the transition is easy. I’m fine with making the temporary sacrifice in the spirit of safety, warmth and foot comfort.

Is this something you do? If so, do you have any additional tips to share?