Link Love: Shopping for Quality Items

The Guardian’s Closet Clinic series provides tips on how to care for your clothes and accessories, and offers good (shopping) advice on how to keep garments in your closet for longer and out of the landfill.

Fab Links from Our Members

Runcarla thought this was a good review of jeans trends with a nod to practicality and the mid-life bod.

Vildy loved this analysis of our purchasing mindset through all the shoulder seasons

LaPed and Jenn found this interesting: “Eileen Fisher Is Back. Her Fans Are Younger Than Ever.

Suntiger directs us to this article about curbing shopping addiction. She adds: “Most is common advice, but I especially liked the bit about taking a photo of the thing.”

Slim Cat found “Why the super-rich love understated dressing” an interesting read.

Nuancedream greatly admires Jacinda Ardern’s leadership and service to New Zealand as well as her respect and (sartorial) acknowledgement of the Maori people.

Embrace the Art of Style

Style is more art than science. It cannot be described completely by objective measurement or concrete facts. It is subjective and personal, based on preferences, tastes, opinions, moods, and emotions. It varies from person to person. 

Style is Subjective

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. What is stylish to you might not be stylish to others. And your poison eye will sometimes be someone else’s eye candy. You will see them loving and wearing the look you loathe, with panache.

Keep an open mind. If you’re interested in style, try to understand what makes people love the looks that you find challenging. It might broaden your own horizons. At the very least, support the fact that they feel fabulous.

Monochrome Glam with Gold Boots

A new outfit from Zia Domic of The Hunter Collector, whom we introduced to YLF in November 2021.

Zia expertly mixes casual and dressy elements in this glam monochrome look. She has paired a champagne midaxi slip skirt with a boxy cropped sand-coloured turtleneck sweater. The swooshy, bias-cut skirt creates a unique type of structure that clings to the body with fluidity, and tempers the volume of the sweater. The chunky cable knit juxtaposes with the sleek, shiny satin, adding lots of visual and textural interest. Zia amps up the glam with a pair of gold metallic knee-high pointy-toe boots with architectural heel. A baguette bag with oversized chain-link strap, big white sunnies, gold hoops to match the boots, and raspberry lippy finish off the look.

Zia Domic - 1

Zia Domic - 2

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Fab Finds: Tops, Jackets Dresses, Shoes

Spring and Summer collections are in full swing in the Northern hemisphere, and items are frequently on flash sale too. More items are made of natural fibres and blends, as opposed to 100% polyester. A good thing! The items below have been winners on my clients and some YLF forum members. Be sure to check out all the colour and size options.

1. Zara Knitted and Woven Tops

Zara’s assortment this season is exciting. Lots of on-trend and fashion-forward architectural tops in knits and wovens, across a range of neutrals and non-neutrals. Fits are mostly fluid, but some are oversized and tailored. I’m enjoying the intricate design details of their shirts, blouses, and tops, which are far from basic. They don’t come through well in the small stock photos, so click the links to get a better idea. Most are solid, but patterns are present too. Most items do not run small, which Zara items can typically do.

I bought the citron knitted textured top with matching pleated midi skirt to create a two-piece dress (the last two finds in the collection below). The skirt is unlined, so I’m popping a cotton half-slip underneath. I wear the top softly untucked and drapey to create a Modern Retro effect. The citron is brighter in person. The armholes are a little wide, so I might have those sewn up a bit. Although they are super breezy on a hot day.

Zara
Shoulder Pad Top
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Zara
Pleated T-shirt
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Zara
Striped Poplin Shirt
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3
Zara
Premium Tailored Shirt
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4
Zara
Sleeveless Ruched Top
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3
Zara
Linen Blend Crop Shirt
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3
Zara
Flowy Printed Shirt
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3
Zara
Draped Top
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2
Zara
Printed Chain Shirt
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Zara
Draped Top
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Zara
Contrast Stripe Shirt
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4
Zara
Printed Pocket Blouse
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Zara
Textured Top
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Zara
Pleated Skirt
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2. Naturalizer Karissa Pump

If you like to wear black or dark, on-trend pumps, keep these on your radar. Their square toe and Mary-Jane strap look new and elegant. They are comfortable if you can manage the heel height. Some options come in a wide size. They look great with skirts, dresses, and jeans and pants across a range of lengths.

3. Zara Textured Tweed Jackets

If you’re looking for a Spring tweed jacket, keep these ones from Zara on your radar. They are fully lined, and rather nice quality. Most are under a $100. They run true to size and not overly narrow. The lilac gingham tweed jacket is brighter in person and gorgeous. The oatmeal and cotton tweed jacket is brighter in person, and the earthy buttons are lighter. It works well with my honey blonde hair and over the citron two-piece dress, so it followed me home.

4. Dresses

These dresses cover a range of price points, and some are of natural fibres. Many of the styles have pockets. Hobbs dresses are AMAZING, and impeccable quality. I have my eye on the watermelon Carly dress. I tried the striped shirtdress from Polo Ralph Lauren and loved it too. Gorgeously classic, pretty, and well-made. It has pockets although the openings are sewn closed. It might replace a dress that I need to pass on. The Zara printed midi dress is 100% cotton and fabulously beachy and Summery. I love the collar, tiers, sleeves, length, and navy/white pattern. It’s unlined, but the volume creates an opaque effect. The Zara striped poplin dress is fashion-forward, avant-garde, and oversized. You might need to size down. Size down on the Everlane dresses too.

Zara
Printed Midi Dress
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Zara
Striped Poplin Dress
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Hobbs
Carly Dress
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Hobbs
Blythe Dress
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Hobbs
Carly Spot Midi Dress
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H&M
Shirt Dress
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Zara
Belted Gabardine Dress
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Zara
Long Print Dress
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Zara
Long Print Dress
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Zara
Patchwork Midi Dress
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Zara
Belted Shirtdress
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Zara
Belted Printed Dress
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Zara
Adjustable Waist Dress
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Outfit Formula: Simple Greens

Shades of green are especially popular with our forum and my clientele this year. From soft mints, sages, mid-tone greens, bright emerald, Kelly green, and lime, to earthy olives, avocado, fern, forest green, and teal. Here are some simple ways to combine greens with other greens, or with neutrals. 

1. Green with Black and White

Think of ways to combine greens with black. You might want to throw in some white too. For example, combine black tops with green bottoms, or green bottoms with black tops. Or wear a pattern in the palette. The collection shows some examples.

Here a long Summer patterned wrap skirt in green, black and tan is combined with a boxy and fluid black tee. The short length of the tee is key to creating flattering proportions to my eye. The cropped length means you don’t need to tuck or semi-tuck it for structure, which is easier, and often more comfortable. It also lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. Simple gold sandals are the polished finishing touch. Add a bag that works with the palette. A gorgeous and comfy look for a Summer’s day.

Green with Black and White

2. Sporty Pastel

Here’s a simple look made of wardrobe essentials and a statement topper. Combine a pair of skinny or straight leg blue jeans with a casual black top like a tee, sweatshirt, or sweater. Pop a pair of white fashion sneakers on your feet. Top the lot off with a celery anorak, or the like. The quilted tan tote is a fun neutral addition.

Sporty Pastel

3. Earthy Sage

If you like to keep your palettes soft, calm, and subtle, this might be of interest. Greyed sage greens can look lovely with tans, oatmeals and toffees. Here, a pair of trendy tan trousers is combined with a sage blouse. It has an oatmeal turtleneck layered underneath it, but feel free to skip that part. The blouse is tucked to showcase the waist detail of the pants. A shimmery sage bomber jacket tops the lot, adding a casual touch. Dressy shoes match the dressy trousers. Nice juxtaposition.

Earthy Sage

4. Bright

Last is my favourite since I like my greens bright and enjoy a neon touch. A pair of Kelly green wide leg jeans at the new shorter full length that graze the vamp of the feet is combined with a mid-tone mint very fluid blouse. It’s tucked to offset its volume. A gigantic neon necklace has a scarf-like function in the outfit adding a dramatic and punchy effect. It matches the lime platform sandals on the model’s feet. The iridescent silver bag adds textural shine. A glorious combination of greens!

Bright