I enjoy how fabulous forum member and Seattle local Sandy can make a casual  pair of chunky Danskos look chic and classy. So she was the first person I thought of when we had the opportunity to review one of the new styles in the Dansko footwear collection. She’s been wearing Dankos for years and we even shopped for a pair together last year. Dearest Sandy involved the whole family when she put her new Danskos through their stylish paces.

I got my first pair of Dansko clogs about 10 years ago and they still have good tread on the sole even though the tops show wear. Since my first pair I’ve collected several more, including a couple of pairs of sandals, a pair of tie up oxfords, cute flats, red patent leather backless clogs, and even a pair of winter boots.  So when Angie asked if I would like to do a product review for the Dansko shoe company, I was pretty happy about it. Dansko love, I admit I have it!

I chose blue Dansko Serenas to review. They have a flower motif, brass studs and some topstitching to add depth to the decoration.  I think they are good looking and happy pair of shoes.

My husband Arnie and I turned the product review into a real adventure as we set out to road test the new blue Serenas. Our dog Tori also wanted in on the deal as she decoratively positioned herself as a backdrop behind the shoes. We are very proud of her!  The Serenas are fun to match up with a similar colored summer top that I had been wanting to wear. The sun was out that morning and it was fun to look down at my feet and see pretty blue sandals that make me smile.

After posing around the yard we decided to go to the Saturday Market to see if they were selling tomato plants yet.  We even put Tori on a leash and took her to the market with us for a little family outing.  I wanted to change my outfit to see if matching the blue Serenas with more things in my closet would be easy.  It was easy and feel that the color and style will serve me well. Walking through the market I felt I was walking on bouncing shoes. The bottoms on these are just wonderful, and the tops did not bite me at all.  Soft, comfortable and arch supporting. I got a compliment from a lady at the market when she looked at my feet and exclaimed, “nice shoes”.  That made me feel pretty good.

The nice woman at the quilt tent told us about a quilt show at the local library where a few of her art quilts were hanging, so Arnie and I decided that would be our next destination.  The quilts were hanging from the ceiling so we could not get a picture of me standing in front of one, but we really enjoyed the show. Once again my Dansko backless clogs were bouncy and fun to wear, but by this time in the day I was beginning to notice a problem.  I ordered the backless clogs in the same size I wear my other Dansko shoes that have a back. These are loose and there is no way to adjust them. I advise to buy them snug so they stay on your feet. I lost a shoe a couple of times and it hurts when your foot hits the pavement out of the blue like that.

We went home and I changed into another outfit and switched to another pair of backless Dansko clogs that I bought last summer called “Selas”. These have a buckle on the top so I can tighten them down.  They are beautiful red patent leather and I got a big compliment on them too.  Even though they have a buckle on top to adjust them to your feet, I would still advise buying them snug because tightening the buckle too much distorts the style of the shoe.

During our drive home Arnie noticed a garage sale sign so that was our next destination.  The Selas have the same bottom on them as the Serenas so walking in them was with the same comfortable bounce that I had been experiencing for the first part of our outing.

Knowing what I know now, I would not buy a backless clog. Dansko offers sandal styles with back straps that are equally as beautiful and those are the styles I’ll buy instead. Your feet may stay in the backless shoes better than mine do but I prefer to play it safe and have the security of the back strap.

I would definitely advise everyone to have a look at the Dansko brand because they are well worth the money in comfort. And judging by the look of my 10 year old pair of clogs, they will never wear out.  The styles are great and get better looking every year.  I like having a brand that is in style, and that I know is going to last, and that are healthy for my feet. They are a great shoe brand and I love them as much as my feet do.

Thank you Dansko for providing the blue Serenas on the left. the Selas on the right I bought last Summer.

Giveaway

Dansko is kindly giving away a pair of clogs or sandals from their Summer collection with this review. To enter the competition, say why you like Dansko shoes in the comments section below. Feel free to leave more than one comment, but only the first one will be counted as an entry. The competition closes at midnight Thursday 13 May. We’ll use random generator to select the winner, who will get to select a pair of Danskos from the available stock. Good luck!

Update: Megan L. is our winner. Congratulations.

If you liked the Nine West “rose dot fan print dress”, you might like this style too. It’s got flattering front knot detailing and drapes in a similar way. Great for defining the waistline, whilst camouflaging those extra bits around the midriff.

When compared to the Nine West dress there are differences to note aside from the colour and being sleeveless: it’s longer, not as full on the bottom, more plunging in the neck, and in a less weighty fabrication. All in all, it’s a more Summery interpretation.

I wish that the dress had a more cut away sleeve just because I think that’s a more flattering line than the grown-on sleeve. But you might prefer the extra coverage and it’s still a pretty look. The neckline is ideal for gals with shorter necks and/or fuller bust lines, and the length works for taller gals too.

Again, it’s a “dry clean only” label, but you might be able to get away with the hand wash in cold water on your delicates cycle in the washing machine (and hang dry). This is how I wash most of my dry-clean-only frocks and no disasters so far.

The adorable apple is next on the list as I continue refreshing the body type guidelines. If you’re still unsure of your body type or the concept of body types in general, read this post for background information.

Two important points before I begin:

1. These are only guidelines: Don’t get too hung up on following the information here in the strictest sense. But we all have to start somewhere in order to dress in flattering ensemble combinations and getting your head around the guidelines is a great starting point. Once you have a firm grasp of the guidelines, you can bend them in clever ways and still look fab. That’s the challenging and fun part.
2. There are 5 simple archetypes: My philosophy is to define a few simple body types and then be flexible when working with them. No, you are probably not exactly an apple, but you might be an hourglass with apple tendencies. Or you’re a rectangle who carries extra around the midriff. Either way, it’s all about choosing and applying the relevant sections across the various body type guidelines to help dress your unique body.

You are apple shaped when you are well-proportioned but carry weight around the tummy area and are therefore without a defined waistline. Rectangles also have a less defined waistline, but the apple body type is curvier and rounder all over. You have relatively slim limbs and can either be small or full chested. Your slim arms and legs are an asset, but you do need to think about how to balance them with the rest of your body.

I’ve dressed many apple shaped body types and it comes down to dressing the top of the body in one of two ways. You can either strive to create a more emphatic waistline, or you can embrace the waist-less trend by wearing voluminous tops or/and dresses. Both looks are equally stylish when the correct variables are in place.

Define the waistline by adding structure

• Wear the best possible bra. Lifting the bust line will start the waist definition process.
• Even if you’re small in the chest, you’ll look best with low-ish necklines like V’s, scooped necks, cowl necks, open shirt collars and boat necks. The lower neckline helps to accentuate the long lean line.
• Wrap tops, mock wrap tops, tops with front/side ruching, and tops with front knot detailing are very flattering. The strategically placed folds create curvature.
• Look for tops with lots of sleeve detail like flares, slits, gathers, embroideries and cuff treatment as this will attract attention to your slim, pretty arms.
• Look for tops and dresses in patterns and with texture. They have better “camouflaging capabilities” than solid colours.
• Woven tops can be magical. The rigidity of form fitting garments made of woven fabric will skim the contour of the body instead of clinging to it like jersey knits do.
• Look for cotton, viscose and merino wool blends in fine gauge knitwear. Their thicker texture is less clingy than drapey jersey knit and therefore more flattering.
• The length of your tops should either catch you just below your hipbone or a few inches above crotch point when you wear jeans or pants.
• You can sport the leggings look with the right A-line dress or tunic because this vibe is about the dress and not the leggings.
• Sometimes tucking tops into a fairly high rise pencil skirt has a flattering girdling effect, so don’t shy away from tucking tops into skirts. This is a fabulous look on many body shapes and I do it often.
• You look best in single breasted structured jackets with V-shaped lapels that button below the bust line because the “V-shape” that is created in front of the body has an hourglass effect. Make sure that it’s snug on the shoulders and nipped in at the waist. Also, leaving your jacket open creates a slimming vertical line down the front of the body.
• Your body works well with most lengths of jacket, but try not to go shorter than the top of the hipbone.
• The easiest way to define the waistline is to layer a structured and tailored jacket over a top because it draws attention away from the midriff and creates curves in all the right places. Waistcoats and cardigans can have similar tailored effects, but aren’t quite as structured. Unfortunately this strategy requires cooler weather but it’s hands down the most effective.
• Your body type showcases many dress silhouettes extremely well. Bias cut dresses, sheaths in woven fabrications, weighty jersey dresses with front knot under bust detailing are good options because they create a waistline but skim over the extra bits. Dresses with center front ruffle details, belted shirt dresses, and mock wrap frocks with plenty of side seam rushing will also work.
• Belted trenches (at any length) and classic single breasted coats with tailored lapels at both thigh and knee length look fabulous.
• If you can get your head around wearing waist-defining belts, try to find your sweet spot. It’s often a little higher than your natural waistline so that your belt hits the smallest part of your torso. Try belting a woven blouse or tunic over a skirt or pair of pants with a part elastic belt. The woven top won’t cling and the stretchy belt provides comfort as you move through the day.

Surrender the waistline with strategically positioned volume

• You’ll look narrower in a tailored silhouette, but it’s fun, carefree and liberating to surrender the waistline from time to time. And when you do, you’ll simply draw attention to other parts of lovely you. It is also a good option if you are self conscious about drawing attention to your waistline.
• Select tops, shirts and blouses that float away from the waist, but that are structured on the shoulder and sometimes at the hem. Think empire cuts (with or without gathers), banded tops, swing tops and trapeze silhouettes. Volume in the right place can be your friend because it doesn’t cling to the midsection. Remember that you can also layer a structured jacket or cardigan over a top that floats away from the waist. That way you’ll create a tailored look over a voluminous layering piece. Quite a fun arty vibe.
• If you like the look of sack-like tunics and dresses, you’ll be able to wear certain very specific styles. If they’re straight or A-line in silhouette, slim in the sleeves or sleeveless, structured in the shoulders with a scooped neckline, fairly short in length, and in soft drapy fabrics, chances are high that they will work. A word of warning though: voluminous silhouettes  look wide from the side even when they are cut well. So you have to be at peace with that.
• If you like fashionable boxy styles like boyfriend jackets, boyfriend shirts and billowing blouses, wear them in fairly drapy fabrications and pair the look with sleek bottoms. Add heels to the look and you’re good to go.

Add volume to your bottom half to balance out proportions

• Structured pencil skirts look fantastic on your frame. Keep them  knee-length  and the side seam cut straight down from the hip. Bias cut skirts, trumpet skirts, and paneled A-line skirts are also good choices.
• Sometimes skirts can be more flattering than pants and walk shorts, especially when they are pencil in shape. They elongate the leg line and break up the torso, which looks very attractive.
• Wear higher rise pants, jeans and skirts for that good old girdling effect. The right shapewear helps if you’re comfortable wearing it regularly, but no worries if you’d prefer to leave it off. Wearing the right rise length and tops will work too.
• Choose flat front, straight leg, boot cut or flared pants/jeans and avoid pleats and gathers.
• Choose bottoms that have stretch. This will keep your midriff comfortable and give you optimum shape.
• Knee length walk shorts are great and you might prefer them to sleek clamdiggers that add volume to your hips and thighs.
• You are the shape who can rock a pair of cargo pocket pants. I vote choose a style in soft silky fabrications, but rigid cottons will also work.
• Avoid wearing overly tapered pants as this will accentuate your thin legs and make your top look larger. Opt for a straight leg and match with shoes and boots of your choice. But tucking skinny jeans or leggings into knee high boots will absolutely work because the volume that is created by the boots balances out proportions.
• If you don’t have a pair of trouser jeans get a pair right now. It’s a must for apple shaped body types.

If you have further tips on how to flatter the apple shaped body type, let us know. If there are further questions on how to wear items when you’re hourglass shaped, let’s hear those too.

Not all daughters are close to their Mothers and that’s okay, but I was close to mine. So like I do every year, I dedicate this Mother’s Day post to all YLF mothers, and my precious late Mum most of all.

Over the years, I’ve shown pictures of my very glam Mum when she was dressed up for an occasion or posing for a formal photo shoot. But she was also, like all Mums, very much a Mum-on-the-go and that’s how you’ll see her today. I was about six years old in these pictures so hello 1976.

My Mum took fashion and style seriously, but she took her children and dogs even more seriously. She took us wherever we needed to go and saw to our every need without question.  And even though my Mum looked like she couldn’t get down and dirty – she could and did. But it was always with the utmost grace, chic and the very best posture.

We lived in Hong Kong in the 70’s and for several years in a row we spent part of the Summer vacationing in Hawaii. It was all about swimming, beach barbecues, picnics and going to the zoo. I have such fond memories of those trips.

My Mum was a frock gal so she wore dresses as a busy Mum on the go. That’s Mum and me at a picnic table on the beachfront in Hawaii. I can’t remember what I did to my shorts but they’re off and that’s why I’m standing in my knickers. The other picture is us at the zoo a couple of days later on the same Hawaiin holiday. We used to spend the entire day at the zoo and we loved, loved, loved petting the animals and deciding which ones we’d bring back with us on the plane home. Looks like I became a frock gal too.

The family also did outdoorsy stuff, which made my Dad and brother especially happy. I remember going on long weekend day trips which involved lots of walking and hiking on some of the outlying islands of Hong Kong. We’d take a hydrofoil ferry to get there and be kitted out in sports gear ready for an active day. Even in those settings my Mum and I were joined at the hip wearing matching windbreakers (mine red and Mum’s mustard) as we danced the polka on the deck of the ferry.

We also spent great Summer days on Chinese boats called junks, cruising the Hong Kong bays. My older brother and I plus a few of our friends would swim and play games while Mum kept a watchful eye in her bikini, turban and sunglasses. Never an unstylish moment for Mum, who’d also get into the water with us once she’d swapped out her turban for a floral swimming cap.

Even though I was little back then, I vividly remember my Mum’s elegance. She never let her style get in the way of doing things with her children, yet she was always well turned out. Whether it was swimming in the pool, riding horses, playing in the sand, taking dogs for walks or hiking up a mountain, Mum looked impeccable and feminine no matter what.

We don’t have children so I’m not a Mum on the go. But if I was a mother, my Mum would have inspired my style. I love the way she kept her look dressy and feminine but wasn’t worried about getting dirty and messy either.

I miss you Mum. I wish that we could still have Summer barbecues, go on junk trips and take our dogs for walks. It’s 10 years since you passed away and I still think about beautiful you each day, wishing that at the very least I could hear your voice on the phone. Sadly that’s not possible, but I’ll take the priceless memories. You are in my heart forever.

We at YLF wish you a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.