Using owls as decorative motifs for accessories is nothing new, but they do seem to be gaining more popularity recently. They are available at all price points, from $5 to $500, depending on the value of the metal and jewels that make up the piece. This in itself is interesting.

I like the playful wisdom that the symbol of an owl imparts. A little arty, a little indie, dare I say intelligent, often casual, and definitely fun. Some owl pendants look like something your seven year old daughter or niece would sport, while others achieve a more sophisticated and refined quality. I’d stay clear of the more childish interpretations and look for a style with an avant-garde integrity instead.

As illustrated in the photos of the models below, a relatively ornate owl pendant looks great against a simple neutral background (like a black top). Add a dressy bottom or  pair of jeans and you’re good to go. Simple and easy.

I’ll give an owl pendant a whirl if it’s smothered in white pearls and looks fairly “grown-up”. Do owl pendants tickle your fancy?

For me this is toughest poll to date because I’m forced to choose between two of my very favourite looks of all time: skinnies tucked into boots and sleeveless sheath dresses. Although I do like wearing skirts, Team Dress versus Team Skirt was a much easier decision.

Painfully, I’m leaving Team Dresses and joining Team Jeans. As much as I love my dresses, the reality is that I live in a cool climate. I can wear jeans most of the year and tucking them into boots for wet, slushy weather is ideal. I stay dry, warm and covered. But I bet I’d side with Team Dresses again if I lived in a warmer, drier climate. (I’m really sobbing about leaving Team Dress).

Over to you. Are you Team Jeans or Team  Dress? Were you Team Dress before? Tell us why you chose that Team and remember that you have to pick a side.

Dress pants are often a staple for women in a business casual environment, but they are not the most exciting item of clothing. So I’m often asked a variation on the following questions: “How can I make dress pants look and feel more edgy and fun?”,  or “How can I create more exciting outfits with boring dress pants?”.

By dress pants I mean a classic pair of business casual trousers, like the Semantic Athena Bree pair that is available in the YLF store. It isn’t easy to make a pair of pants like this look edgy, cool, arty and fun, but it’s not impossible either. It’s all about adding an element of drama to the ensemble and here are my favourite ways to do so:

1. A statement belt: Threaded through the belt loops, or over a top or jacket.
2. A trendy or theatrical jacket: Think boyfriend blazers, tuxedo jackets, strong extended shouldered styles, or retro and vintage silhouettes. In some instances leather or pleather moto jackets will work too.
3. Fabulous, on-trend shoes: Creating visual interest at the hems of dress pants is very effective. Think patent, contrasting colours, patterns, colour blocking and animal print.
4. Strong androgynous detailing: Think neck ties, braces and tuxedo shirts.
5. Big pieces of jewelry: Oversized bangles and bracelets, bold pendants, chunky necklaces, cocktail rings and hoop earrings. Floral pins can be fun too.
6. An edgy hairstyle: It’s amazing how a somewhat daring or ultra modern hairstyle makes an item like classic dress pants look infinitely more fashion forward. It just goes to show that style is always a sum of its parts.

These suggestions are not mutually exclusive — you can combine them to dial up the effect. How far you go will depend on your personal style, but also on your situation. The more creative the environment, the more arty, edgy and fun you can make the ensemble.

Remember that classic dress pants are not your only option for business casual bottoms. There are also skirts and dresses! More fashion forward pants like slouchy tapered styles and cigarette silhouettes are another way to go.

I only own one pair of classic dress pants because I prefer to wear skirts and dresses in business casual outfits. Occasionally I’ll wear black cigarette pants. And I’m still in the market for the perfect pair of tapered slouchy pants – if I can find a pair long enough.

Do you wear classic dress pants? How do you made them look more interesting?

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is drawing to a close (prices go back up on the 2nd of August). For me it has been a very busy three and half weeks. I started off by preselecting merchandise for myself and then preselected items with several clients – both locally and further afield. I also had loads of fun preselecting with sister-in-law Keri, who visited from London. She was absolutely thrilled with her purchases and modeled them for us.

Hours after the sale commenced at midnight on 16 July we provided a list of my top picks to help you navigate the sale. The bargain hunt was on, both online and in stores, and the forum was immediately a hive of activity. Once their purchases were made, members were excited to show them off and receive feedback on what to keep and what to return.

It’s been a treat to see NAS items modeled on the forum. Thanks to everyone for sharing your loot with us. You make stunning models and I adore the stuff you got! We have showcased some examples at the end of this post, but there are many more in the forum.

Unfortunately, there were also disappointed sale shoppers this year. Nordstrom under supplied several sale items and ran out of stock fast. Some of the items were gone in the middle of preselections and never made it to the first day of the sale. Even some preselected sale orders went unfulfilled. That’s the worst because avoiding this situation is the reason you preselected in the first place. However, NAS shoppers return heavily so some items came back into stock during the course of the sale.

For the most part it was a great sale with many happy clients and forum members. I too managed to find a number of superb pieces that you’ll probably see in blog posts over the next few months.

Did you shop the NAS and find fab pieces? I’d love to hear about your purchases. I’m sorry if you were one of the unlucky and disappointed shoppers. I hope the sale is better to you next year.

• A — Miss Sixty Faux Washed Leather Motorcycle Jacket
• B — Bobeau Tiered Flyaway Cardigan
• C — KUT from the Kloth Skinny Stretch Jeans
• D — Hinge Crop Tweed Jacket
• E — Frye ‘Jane’ Tall Boot
• F — Caslon Ruffle Front Jacket
• G — Naughty Monkey ‘Rock Out’ Bootie

• H — Bellatrix Printed Silk Chiffon Tunic
• I — Aquatalia Jack Boots (not Nordstrom Anniversary Sale)
• J — Halogen® Crop Collarless Jacket
• K — Robbi & Nikki Stripe Oversize Cardigan

• L — Halogen Merino Wool Boyfriend Cardigan
• M — London Fog Iridescent Double Breasted Trench
• N — UGG Australia ‘Abilene’ Flat Boot
• O — Miss Sixty Military Pea Coat