Personally, I have always enjoyed the look of flat oxford shoes. To quote hubby Greg: “They are VERY cute”.  But there is no doubt about it: flat oxfords shorten the leg line and look masculine because they are flat shoes with high vamps. Unless you have a proportionally long leg line they aren’t the easiest shoe to wear.

With some experimentation you can balance out the masculine vibe and shortening effect. Here are some things you can try:

• Pair them with tapered pants, jeans or ankle length leggings: Showing off the entire shoe when wearing pants, jeans or leggings somehow makes them look more feminine. When sporting perfect pant lengths with wide legs or bootcuts, the tips of the shoe peek out while the rest of the shoe is covered. This looks more masculine to my eye. Of course, the masculine look might tickle your fancy so by all means wear flat oxfords with wide hemmed pants if you prefer that visual effect.
• Reveal skin on the foot: Sometimes, allowing a bit of skin to peek through between the vamp of the oxford and the hem of the pants keeps things feminine. That’s why I like to go sock-less when I wear my oxfords with tapered jeans. Although it shows more skin, I do not cuff my jeans when wearing flat oxfords because the horizontal cuffs and finished length of the jeans are too leg shortening for my tastes. Instead I leave my skinnies scrunched.
• Raise the hemlines of skirts, dresses and shorts: This visually lengthens the leg line. I’m not one to wear short hemlines, but a couple of inches above the knee works well. Baggy short shorts work particularly well with flat oxfords because they showcase most of the leg.
• Voluminous pieces: Unstructured items complement the look of flat oxfords. It’s not a slam dunk, but short sack dresses, breezy blouses, boyfriend cardigans and baggy boyfriend blazers like to be paired with flat oxfords. Somehow, surrendering the waistline is key.
• Cropped jackets: Boyfriend blazers work beautifully with flat oxfords when worn with tapered jeans, but cropped jackets work well too. Wear a cropped jacket over a flared skirt or dress, tapered pants or with walk shorts. The short hem on the jacket visually draws the eye to the waistline which raises the line of the leg.
• Add hosiery: Keeping a low contrast between the colour of your legs and the shoes creates a longer leg line. For example, wearing black opaque tights with flat black oxfords is visually lengthening because there is no contrast between the oxfords and the leg. Wearing black micro fishnets with my oxfords keeps the contrast low too.
• Choose a low contrast shoe colour: Sometimes, opting for nude, metallic, light grey or light brown flat oxfords works better with dresses and skirts because there is low contrast between your leg colour and the shoe. It can also soften the integrity of the shoe, making it more feminine.

A combination of these tips will also work in an outfit. It’s really up to you and your figure flattering priorities. If you like to keep a long leg line as I do, these tips will help. If sporting a shorter leg line works for you, wear flat oxfords with just about anything.

Although flat oxfords are an acquired taste, adding them into your current wardrobe mix can change up the look quite dramatically. They bring both an arty and an androgynous element to your style, which can be appealing. And the comfort factor is pretty compelling too – after all, my flat oxfords saved my feet at Fashion Week!

You might remember these outfits from my recent Fashion Week posts. And that’s forum member Tara peaking over my shoulder in the first picture. Adorable!

My make-up drawer is typically quite lean because my make-up routine is fast and simple. However, a few free samples here and one or two gifts there, and before you know it there is extra stuff all over the show. It drives me bananas.

I seem to allow the contents of my make-up drawer to accumulate until it’s time to pack the toiletry bag for a trip. Then I get stuck in, throwing stuff out and passing things on. We travel fairly often, so editing my make-up drawer happens frequently. It has become a pre-travel routine for me. How often do you edit your make-up drawer?

My favourite season is here! Crisp air, exquisite foliage, homemade soup, and lots of scarf and boot wearing opportunities. I can’t get enough of everything Autumn.

There are many ways to look more seasonal, and you don’t need cool weather in order to pull together an Autumn outfit. So depending on the outside temperature, select what works from the list below and leave the warmer outfits for chillier days. They are good across a range of dress codes – from casual to business formal – so take your pick:

1. Add a scarf: The possibilities are endless. Sport the messy scarf look over a sleeveless top or dress if it’s still hot in your neck of the woods. Try the authoritarian look under a button down. The Angie knot is effective, as is a classic Euro knot. Audi’s scarf tying tutorial is fab and don’t forget the muffler look.
2. Add a waistcoat: Refresh  your memory on how to layer this arty and androgynous piece. Shaggy versions and moto vests are fab too.
3. Add close toed footwear: Pack away sandals and start wearing ballet flats, pumps, flat or heeled oxfords, fashion sneakers and loafers.
4. Add boots to skirt and dress outfits: Think booties, mid calf lengths and knee high styles. Wear them sans hose if it’s mild outside.
5. Add boots to walking shorts and clamdigger outfits: Love this look! Hip, fun and ever so slightly cheeky. With youth on your side, match short shorts with boots too.
6. Add cardigans: Think cascading and boyfriend styles. If you prefer classic cropped silhouettes that’s fine too. Layer them over tops, shirts, blouses and dresses and add a belt if you’re after extra waist definition.
7. Add a jacket or blazer: Think boyfriend cuts (both tailored and baggy), classic blazers, sharp shouldered looks for the fashion forward, tuxedo jackets, military silhouettes, moto vibes, trench coats and  anything retro. Denim jackets are a Summer item for me, but they might be the perfect Autumn option for you.
8. Wear three quarter sleeve tops: Now is the time to do it.
9. Layer interesting pieces: Layer a T or knit top over a button down shirt, mix patterns, and layer together different lengths of tops.
10. Add leggings: Check out our forum members and click through all the links for a refresher course on how to wear leggings.
11. Change your hair colour: It’s fun to go a little darker in Autumn. I do.
12. Change your lipstick colour: Try earth toned lipstick, or a richer shade of what you’re wearing. I go from a coral to a spicy red in Autumn. But my evening time fire red lipstick stays the same all year round.
13. Change your finger and toe nail polish colour: Try plums, burgundies and bronze tones.
14. Layer a button down or blouse under a dress: And it doesn’t need to be a sheath dress either. Try layering all sorts of shirts and blouses under dresses and see what happens. The results could be arty and fab, as well as cost effective and versatile.
15. Add hose: It’s probably not cold enough for tights, but sheer hose in fun self-colour patterns add an effective textural edge to your outfit.
16. Wear darker colours: If your Autumns are hot, swap out bright coloured Summer clothing for neutral tones.
17. Wear jeans: Any cut, style or wash. From leans to trouser styles.
18. Wear skinny cargos or fashionable pants: There is style life after jeans.  Think skinny cargos, or more fashion forward dress pants.
19. Wear short sleeved knitwear: Milk it  before your arms feel cold.
20. Add a fun hat: So many sweet newsboys, cloches, fedoras, beanies and berets all over the show. If you look great wearing a hat, go for it. Could be the solution to a bad hair day – as long as the hat stays on.

In some instances you’ll use only one of these tips, and at other times you’ll combine a few of them to create an Autumn outfit. For example, in Seattle its cool enough to match a sheath dress with a denim jacket, scarf and boots. If you live in Texas or Florida, you might like to match an earth-toned ensemble of walk shorts, sleeveless blouse, waistcoat and pumps.

With this list in hand, shop your closet first. You’ll be surprised at how much you can put together with what you already own. Next, use the exercise to identify the gaps. By adding in a few scarves, a pair of booties, some layering pieces and a fab jacket, you might be set for the season.

If I’ve left anything out, lets add it to the list. Are you ready for Autumn?

Today’s post is written by long, long time YLF reader and fabulous forum member Tara (tarzy), who I remember posted a question on YLF in 2006 about investing in a black handbag. Thanks for sticking with YLF all these years, Tara! That’s brilliant.

Tara is a native New Yorker who currently resides is Los Angeles. She’s a talented writer who oozes a hip, casual “blazer and boots” style and likes to wear lots of black. She recently flew to NYC to see her Dad and that brought with it the opportunity to pull together another YLF gathering.

Gentle Readers, it was my good fortune recently to meet several members of the forum in New York, and I beg your indulgence as I relate the tale of our happy gathering.  Knowing that I was to be in town, I contacted our own Maya, who proceeded to organize a gathering.  Imagine my delight when I learned that Angie herself would join our party!

I could scarcely contain my excitement that morning as I boarded the train to our mid-town rendezvous.  I waited nervously at the Shoe Parlor on Seventh Avenue, and soon a lovely dark haired woman approached me with a warm smile.  She introduced herself as Bella, and we embraced as if long lost friends.  We chatted excitedly for several moments until we spied a small group of ladies promenading down the Avenue, and knew them immediately to be the rest of our party.  How happy I was to finally meet Maya, more petite than her photographs convey, and quite fashionable in black leggings and a tunic.  With her was the lovely Lisa, in premium dark wash jeans, a sleeveless silk blouse and cropped sweater.  Of course, the incandescent Angie stood out in a bright citron blouse, jodhpur jeans and flat black and white oxfords.  With a hug as big as her smile, she instantly put me at ease, and I was delighted to hear her exquisite accent – British with a subtle trace of her time spent in South Africa. Our merry group exchanged greetings before we turned our attention to the racks of boots, which unfortunately yielded very little in the way of sizes and styles.  Angie jokingly yet firmly chided the store clerk for the poor selection, and he seemed quite amused by her forthright manner.  Undeterred, we pressed on, making our way easterly toward Fifth Avenue, to an establishment called “Zara.”

Once inside, my eyes immediately fell upon a grey blazer that featured strong shoulder lines.  I do not like to think of myself as one easily influenced by others, but when Angie revealed that she owned the very same blazer, well, Gentle Readers, how could I resist?  The other ladies assured me it looked quite fine, and the thought of being a “blazer twin” with Angie was all the encouragement I required to purchase it.  After further perusing the wares, Maya reminded us we had yet another member to meet.

We left Zara and found Tanya at the appointed spot, dressed in a charming light grey silk tunic blouse and black skinnies. After another round of enthusiastic greetings, Maya insisted it was time for a cupcake break.  Well, we knew better than to argue with Maya where cupcakes were involved, and strolled to the Magnolia Bakery.  I am not embarrassed to say we purchased delicious cupcakes and devoured them on the spot.  Newly energized, our happy assemblage then walked to “The Loft” to view the garments on offer.

And now, Gentle Readers, comes part of the story I fear you may scarce believe to be true.  Had I had not witnessed it myself, I might doubt its veracity – but I assure you, it did indeed occur.  No sooner had our group set foot inside, when we noticed a pretty young saleswoman regarding us with a startled expression.  She quickly regained her composure, and excitedly approached Angie.

“Excuse me,” she exclaimed, “but are you by any chance Angie? From the fashion website YLF?”  As you can imagine, we all were quite surprised.

Angie quickly responded, “Why yes! I am!”

The delighted young woman clasped her hands together and proclaimed, “I am a huge fan! I read your blog all the time!”  She introduced herself as Erin, and after our group took a moment to marvel at the improbability of such an occurrence, I asked Erin if she would pose for a photograph with Angie.  She willingly obliged before discreetly leaving us to continue browsing.

We spent a good amount of time considering various items, soliciting Angie’s advice, which she willingly gave.  Maya purchased a lovely gray sweater with dolman sleeves that Angie approved, while Lisa acquired a blue blazer that was pronounced suitable for many occasions.  Tanya modeled a brightly colored blouse, and a striped tunic, both of which looked stunning on her.  It was quite exciting to watch Angie regard each item in question, making a small adjustment here or there, suggesting a different size or color.  Her expertise was quite apparent, although she never imposed her personal taste upon any of the ladies, but instead seemed to understand our own particular style and preferences.  It was a joy to watch, and an even greater joy to be on the receiving end of such attention.

By now our group was quite ready for luncheon.  We took ourselves to “La Bonne Soupe,” where to our great delight, Angie’s charming husband Greg joined us.  After ordering tasty crepes and salads, we spent the next hour chatting amongst ourselves, discussing a range of pleasant topics.

Gentle Readers, we were almost at the end of our meal when the most dreadful incident occurred.  I was filling a glass with water, and my hand slipped, and I proceeded to completely douse Angie’s plate!  Gasps went up around the table, and I was frozen, staring in horror at what I had done.  Ever gracious, Angie proclaimed that she was finished with her meal anyway, although the poor thing truly had no choice at that point.  I fear I shall forever be known as “the girl who watered Angie’s crepe.”

Sadly, our time together was of necessity drawing to an end.  After securing group photos, we all said our good-byes.  Angie and Greg went off to Fashion Week, and Tanya, Lisa and Bella went off in search of more shops.  Maya and I walked together to our respective train stations, chatting and sharing observances of the day.

Gentle Readers, I urge you — if you ever have the opportunity to meet fellow members of YLF, do so.  You will find instant warmth and companionship, as well as valuable fashion advice.  And if you ever have the opportunity to meet Angie, you must not hesitate.  She is more charming and sparkling and lovely in person than my meager words can ever convey.