A few months ago I asked our forum members what is YLF’s most important rule? In came 58 responses and I so enjoyed reading them. Here are some of the answers: “always be kind”, “sport perfect pant lengths”, “keep an open mind with fashion”, “make it your own”, “leave no retail stone unturned”, “keep experimenting”  and “’dress the body and for the lifestyle you have now because you are FABULOUS’’.

These are all important guidelines and I am proud  to associate them with YLF. But as I mentioned in this morning’s post, there is really only one hard and fast rule and a handful of forum members guessed it correctly: you must have fun with fashion.

At the end of the day, the reason we take an interest in expressing ourselves through our personal style is because the process AND the end results are fun. Life is too short not to have fun with what you wear – after all, you have to clothe your body every day.

Are you having fun with fashion, or are you breaking the rule? What gets in the way of having fun with fashion and style?

Several years ago I read a sentence that really resonated with me: “fashion unites us, but style sets us apart”. Fashion and trends are, by definition, our shared viewpoint on what is hot right now. But style is all about individual expression. Fashion is about being like the “in”-crowd, whereas style is about standing on your own.

It is easy to see how this quickly leads to a “fashion bad, style good” mindset. People talk about being a “fashion victim” or a “slave to fashion”. I see it differently. Fashion definitely has its place as one element of style. I’ll even go as far as to say that you need a certain amount of the “fashionably now” in your look to be stylish. Why? Well, the current fashions are a common starting point. An inspiration.

Here on YLF we often discuss fashion trends and how to wear them at any age, body type and budget. At the end of each post I encourage readers to experiment with new trends and MAKE THEM YOUR OWN. Reader Patience did precisely that last week, making the following comment on my long shorts post:

“While the short shorts are cheeky with boots, I feel very edgy in my longer shorts and boots because I perceive I’m taking a risk by not precisely following the trend”.

Patience was inspired by the short shorts and boots trend, but made it her own by wearing longer Bermuda shorts. In my book that is style, because it is an individualistic expression of the look as opposed to a cookie-cutter version of what she saw in a catalogue.

The other important point that Patience raises is the risk factor. Creating a sense of style is often about taking risks, looking unusual and different to others (or different to the way you are accustomed to dressing). Nothing ventured nothing gained! Experiment and try new combinations. Save the looks that are hits and discard the rest. In this way developing a sense of style is an opportunity for personal growth. And fashion plays a role by kick-starting the process each season.

Another expression I like is that “fashion is in the clothes but style is in the wearer“. So express yourself through your personal style. Do not see the current fashions as a constraint, but rather use them as an inspiration for your style. The possibilities for your individual expression are  limitless. Add your own personal style stamp and you’ll find it liberating and fun. And the number one rule on YLF (the only one you are never allowed to break) is to continue having fun with fashion!

I am Team Lipstick 100%. I do not wear gloss because I can’t bear the sticky texture on my lips. I do actually like the look of gloss so it’s a pity that I can’t get past the ickiness-factor. I wear lip balm combined with lipstick every day and apply the combination several times during the day. I am rather addicted to having a layer of moisture on my lips at all times.

Over to you. Are you Team Lipstick or Team Lip-gloss? Tell us why. I’d prefer you to pick a side, but feel free to sit on the bench if you use neither product. Perhaps you are Team Lipbalm?

A few weeks ago I posted about layering underneath dresses. Today I’m going to do a first installment on layering over dresses. The sky’s the limit, from jackets, cardigans, blouses and shirts, to coats and even other dresses. Today we’re going to tackle jackets.

It’s all about finding the right combination of two variables:

1. The silhouette of the dress
2. The length of the jacket

The following guidelines are by no means hard and fast rules and I frequently see them being broken successfully by stylishly creative and daring ladies who understand how to balance out proportions. But it’s a good place to start if you’re new to wearing jackets over dresses.

Tailored cropped jackets work extremely well

Wearing a really short jacket over a fitted, fit-and-flare, A-line or sack dress is virtually flop proof. By cropped I mean that the length of the jacket hits you on or above your natural waistline. Think of cheeky styles like shrunken blazers, biker jackets, Chanel jackets, boleros, short tuxedo jackets and denim jackets. Extra short retro trapeze jackets and faux fur shrugs work well too. The length of the dress can be either a little below the knee, on the knee, or shorter. Keeping the jacket un-buttoned or un-zipped creates a vertical line down the front of the body, which is very flattering.

These pictures illustrate my points nicely.

Regular length blazers require a little more thought

A classic blazer layered over a fitted knee length sheath dress is ideal for a formal, reasonably conservative, professional work setting. But if you’re looking for a more playful outfit, try combining a shorter dress with a boyfriend blazer or hip length tuxedo jacket. I’ve found that layering longer jackets over dresses works best with form fitting or sack dresses. The proportions don’t work as well over A-line or fit-and-flare frocks unless you belt the layers at the waist. Scrunch up the sleeves for textural outfit interest.

These pictures illustrate my points nicely.

Layering knee-length trench coats and wool coats over any style of knee length or shorter frock is a no-brainer even though you’ll usually take those off inside. Shorter wool coats and trenches can work too, but they never seem to look quite as good as when the coats are as long as the dresses themselves. To my eye anyway.

If you have further questions on how to layer jackets over dresses, please ask away in the comments below. Never done it before? Start experimenting to get more mileage from your wardrobe. Any excuse to wear our beloved frocks for more of the year!