The Most Effective Styling Tool of Them All

Fit, fabric, flow, colour, silhouette, juxtaposition, and proportions are very important. After all, style is an art form that is expressed visually. Yet it is your personality that will take your outfits to the next level. This is the most effective styling tool of all.

Style Has Personality

Style is more about how you wear it than what you wear. The attitude and energy that you express while wearing an outfit will become an integral part of your look. Your emotions will impact the way other people perceive it.

Life is full of challenges. We go through hard times when the positive energy is hard to find. But we do have the power to seek it out. Focus on the happiness that exists in your life. Wear your positive energy and help others to do the same.

Fab Finds: Simple Details

These items are fairly simple, but they have fab, on-trend details that can change the landscape of your wardrobe. They range in price point and are fairly neutral, although you’ll see some brights popping up too. Some items are on flash sale, and most have been winners on my clientele. 

1. ECCO Soft 7 Mono 2.0 Metallic Sneakers

Metallic footwear is having a fashion moment, and wearing comfy metallic sneakers is one way to wear the trend. If you like to wear classic and crisp ECCO sneakers like I do, these are EXTREMELY comfy. They are my favourite fashion sneakers of all time in terms of comfort. I add an insole to make them fit better because they are wide for my narrow feet. I bought the gold which is subtle, and has quite a bit of white in it. The colour is closest to the Dillard’s stock photo. Clients who have these sneakers say that the metallic is durable and quite immune to scuffing. That is why I got them!

2. Denim Jackets and Wide Legs

The Scotch & Soda Utility Trucker Jacket is the best denim jacket I’ve seen this year. Each time a client tries it on – I dance with excitement. It is more architectural in person than in the photo. The XS fits a US size 2 to 4. Remember it must look roomy. Thankfully, it has structure in all the right places so it’s not overwhelming. The Banana Republic Roper Jean Jacket has gorgeous toffee piping giving it an earthy touch. The Old Navy and Gap wide leg and wide crop jeans are an excellent way to experiment with the silhouette at a cheaper price point. The Gap Strider Jeans work well on a curvier body type that enjoys higher rises. They come in tall, regular and petite.

3. Belts

We’re seeing many more belts with silver hardware, thanks to the huge influence of on-trend ‘90s fashion. My Boden belts are amongst the best quality that I’ve owned so I am especially vouching for them. Surprisingly, they far outlived my Burberry belt which looked shabby sooner than expected. I’m in the mood to wear a belt again, so I refreshed my capsule with the Kate Spade Jacquard Belt. It’s pretty, playful, and works well with my cream and white bags and footwear. It also works with the new gold ECCOS.

4. Franco Sarto Naya Ankle-Strap Pump

These are extremely pretty and dainty pumps, and right on trend with the sculptured heel. Classic with interesting design details. They run a bit big and wide, so you might need to size down. Make sure you can walk in them without your feet slipping off the sides. They are on the cusp of being too high for me, but I can manage them. The citron is mine, and versatile for my wardrobe. I sized down half a size and got them on sale. 

5. Knitted Fitted Skirts

If you like form-fitting knitted skirts, these are worth a look. Wrinkle-free, easy to pack and launder, easy to pair with fluid untucked tops, and won’t break the bank. You might need to size up on the Topshop skirts. The pleated skirt from Mango is flared, and one I haven’t seen in person, yet. But it looks awfully pretty.

Trend: Rosettes

Rosettes are having a fashion moment, having last been a mainstream trend at the beginning of the ’00’s. I’m quite surprised that they are still quite hard to find at retail, with most available options at high, designer price points. 

The rosette is romantic, ruffly, maximal, and pretty. Some are magnificently architectural and gigantic. Others are soft, small, and subtle. You’ll see rosettes as adornments on dresses, blouses, jackets, and skirts. They make quite the statement on handbags, belts, hats, headbands, and shoes. You can wear rosettes as floral pins and pop them onto jacket lapels, or at the top of a buttoned shirt collar. Wear rosettes in your hair. Or you can wear a soft rosette like a scarf around your neck, ‘70s style.

This collection shows some examples. If the rosette is hard to see in the product photo, follow the link to zoom in and see them more clearly.

Zara
Ruched Flower Brooch
View Info
Top Pick
1
Zara
Resin Flower Bracelet
View Info
Top Pick
1
Zara
Flower Choker
View Info
Top Pick
1
Mango
Textured Swimsuit
View Info
Top Pick
1
Zara
Floral Scarf
View Info
Top Pick
1
Zara
Wide Flower Bracelet
View Info
Top Pick
1
Mango
Flower-detail Top
View Info
Top Pick
1
Mango
Maxi Flower Choker
View Info
Top Pick
3
Mango
Floral Chiffon Top
View Info
Top Pick
2
Zara
Pleated Floral Top
View Info
Top Pick
4
Zara
Floral Raffia Hat
View Info
Top Pick
3

I loved this trend back in the early ‘00s. I had a collection of playful rosette pins that I wore on the lapels of jackets. I had rosette belts that I wore with low-rise jeans, dresses, and shirts. I also have the best rose satchel of all time — a gift from some very special members of YLF.

I wore the rosette pins and belts until they eventually fell apart. Thankfully, I will have the rose satchel forever.

The easiest, most cost effective and versatile way to wear the rosette trend is as an accessory. That way you can pander to your rosette-wearing mood – which might come around daily, weekly, or a few times a season. A clothing item with a permanent rosette is more of a commitment. Prices are high right now, but there are affordable options if you look hard enough.

If I found a rosette pin I loved, I’d wear it just like I did in the ‘00s. If you have a couple you can dust off, by all means wear them again. In the meantime, I will carry my rose satchel, which I wear every season anyway. Rosettes don’t need to be on-trend for me to carry one of my most prized possessions.

Over to you. What’s your take on the rosette trend?

Frances Valentine Elle Fringe Blazer Boucle Pink

Anthropologie Maeve Rose Applique Blouse

Roundups

Simpler Items

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

Read More

Assorted Items

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

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

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

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

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

Read More

Hints of Spring

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

Read More

Dressier Items

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

Read More

Outfit Formula: Cute Colour Combos

Here are four colour combinations that might inspire you. If you like the palette, shop your closet to pull together a look that approximates the vibe. You needn’t use the same outfit components if they are not to your taste. Focus on the palette, and substitute the components to taste. You’ll see both patterns and solids. If patterns aren’t your thing, choose solid versions, or vice versa.

1. Toffee, Lilac, and Black

Combine toffee bottoms, like a skirt or pair of pants, with a lilac or lavender top. Top off the look with a complement of black consisting of a jacket, shoes, and bag. Or you might like to switch things around by wearing black bottoms with a light purple top and a toffee topper. Substitute the black for navy or dark grey if you don’t wear black.

Toffee, Lilac and Black

2. Burgundy, Pink and Orange

Combine a pair of burgundy pants or a skirt with a bright pink top. If the top has orange in it, bonus! Complete the outfit with orange shoes and a bag that works with the palette. Or combine burgundy bottoms with an orange top. Complete that look with a pink complement of shoes and bag.

Burgundy, Pink and Orange

I’ve worn this combination with solids, and loved it. I combined my burgundy suit with an orange top, and shocking pink bag. My shoes were white boots to match my white pearls. Here are the exact items from my wardrobe.

3. White, Pastel Pink, Grey and Black

Grey combined with pastel pink is a classic combination. So is black combined with white. Combine both palettes and end up with something like this. Pattern mixers, this one is for you! Combine white bottoms with a patterned pastel pink, black and white top. Throw a grey topper over the lot and finish off the look with black shoes. Take it a step further with a grey, black and white plaid patterned topper, where the black and white in both patterns pulls them together. Add a black or white bag.

White, Pastel Pink, Grey and Black

4. Orchid and Lime

This is a chaotic floral pattern mix that harmonizes peacefully to my eye. The patterns are the same, except that they are different colourways. Despite the delicious clash, the visual repetition of the pattern allows the eye to rest. The white mules match the white in the orchid pattern. Choose solids instead of patterns if that’s more your thing. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Orchid and Lime

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.