As much as we enjoyed soaking up the ambiance of the streets, the best part of our visit to Belgium was meeting fabulous long-time YLF forum member and Antwerp local, Inge. The charm of Belgium, which to me seemed to combine so many of the great elements of French and Dutch culture with a uniquely Belgian twist, was wonderful. We had a magical time touring the cities, savouring local delights, fitting on the fashion and generally yakking about everything. There was lots of laughter from start to finish, which made it feel like we’d known each other for years. How lucky are we! Today’s blog post, written by Inge, describes our Belgian adventures.

I had been eagerly counting the days ever since I found out that Angie and Greg were coming to Belgium on their next European trip. Last week “le moment suprême” had arrived and from the minute I saw two exceptionally stylish people smiling at me warmly from their hotel balcony, I knew we would hit it off perfectly.

Over a wonderful tapas lunch we quickly devised a game plan: exploring the area around the Grand Place with its baroque guildhalls and majestic Town Hall, lively shopping streets, famous “chocolatiers” and ornate galleries. As I’m never one to turn down a treat, I was particularly pleased to hear they also wanted to seize the opportunity to taste some of the Belgian delicacies.

We certainly didn’t dilly-dally, and after saying hello to Manneken Pis, the tiny but renowned statue that is dressed in different costumes several times a week (he’s the proud owner of over 700 outfits), we shared a gaufre liègeois (waffle from Liège) with the typical small lumps of sugar in it.

We had decided to save the big shopping for Antwerp, but of course couldn’t resist popping in a few shops and malls on the way. Mexx in particular had some very impressive goodies. I hope to get their fantastic dark denim button-down tunic with a bit of sheen to it, and a gorgeous pin-striped blazer with red lining. Very playful and ideal for layering purposes.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent sightseeing, chatting, and walking, topped off with a delicious glass of homemade lemonade at Le Pain Quotidien and scrumptious food at a small Thai restaurant.

I’d be hard-pressed if I were forced to pick a favourite moment, but have to admit one of the highlights of the day was when I got to hold Angie’s famed red Valentino bag for a bit;-) It’s a beauty, oh yes!!

The next morning we met up again at the recently renovated Central Station in Antwerp that, very conveniently, opens out on to the High Street with all the well-known mainstream clothing brands. First part of the day was spent looking for comfortable and fab shoes suitable for work and play. We both loved a pair of blue-green, low-heeled pumps by the Italian brand MJUS. Their shoes were all over town, and from what we saw of them, they come highly recommended.

I also had the privilege to experience Angie working her magic firsthand, yes, I’m a lucky lass!  I still can’t quite wrap my head around how she does it! You find yourself in the fitting room trying things on, Angie just readjusts the garment, grabs some accessories, starts putting together outfits and all of a sudden you look like a million bucks.

With her guidance I finally learnt how to make even skinny belts work for me. A cute cream studded number and a heavier belt with small metal rings are high on my wish list now and I’m champing on the bit to try them at home, so stay tuned. Other winners were a beautiful black and white wrap dress and a sleeveless Summer top at WE, a bright green cascading cardigan at Zara, and a fun casual dress at Esprit.

Real Belgian fries were next on the menu. We had them at what’s probably the most stylish looking and unconventional “frituur” (chip shop) in Belgium (artwork on the walls, environmentally friendly cutlery, transparent chairs and B&W print tables…). After all that savoury deliciousness, we needed something sweet for dessert, so we stopped at a small bakery for a frangipane pastry (a small puff pastry cake with almond paste filling) and a mini dark chocolate Easter bunny. Later on I introduced Angie and Greg to “Australian Ice Cream”. Believe it or not, a Belgian brand.

We found ourselves smack in the middle of the trendy neighbourhood Het Zuid (The South), where the shops of famous Belgian designers such as Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester and Walter Van Beirendonck happily coexist with independently owned boutiques. The perfect place for people watching and snapping up one of a kind items. We admired the industrial and arty vibe of a shop-window in the Volkstraat, where old hospital beds and army blankets had been used to showcase the wares. Such amazing eye for detail! We swooned over a jaw-droppingly beautiful red leather jacket by Essentiel, a designer dress with a boldly striped skirt and literally had to drag ourselves away from a small handbag boutique where we could have done some serious damage.

The shops close at 6pm here, which meant we had a little time to spare before our delicious pasta supper. So I gave Angie and Greg a tour of my new flat, followed by happy hour at an outdoor café with a view of the 14th century Gothic cathedral. We had a bit of a chuckle when the resident giant white poodle, up to a lot of mischief, was carried inside by its owner. Such a comical sight.

One last quick drink after dinner, and then it was time to say goodbye. I was sad to see it end, but I’m still super chuffed that we got to spend two whole days together and I think Greg will confirm Angie and I never stopped talking. About YLF and all the lovely forum members, of course, family and friends, the difference between American and European cookies (chewy vs crunchy), our favourite cities, how spoken Flemish and Afrikaans sound quite similar, memorable concerts, how to make your own curry paste… We could have gone on and on…

Thank you Angie and Greg, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of our “city trip”, you are both absolutely delightful and I’m so glad we finally met in person. Let’s do this again soon!

Sometimes we have an allergic reaction to a new trend. The negative reaction might be to a particular colour, silhouette, design detail, pattern or fabrication on a garment, the heel on a shoe, or the way an outfit is put together. These reactions are inevitable because we can’t possibly like all trends.

But more often than not, we get used to the picture after seeing other people wear the look – after all, fashion is but an adaptation of the eye. What looked awful before suddenly doesn’t look so bad. We warm up to the idea and, lo and behold, even try the trend ourselves. And before we know it we’re actually sporting the look, despite our initial allergic reaction.

Even though I’m an early adopter for most trends, this has happened to me many, many times in my fashion life. It’s gotten to the point where I seldom say “never” because I often end up eating my words later. At the very least, I do own up each time I have a change of heart.

These are most memorable times I’ve had to eat my words:

• Skinny jeans. I vowed I would never wear them again when they first started resurfacing. Too many bad ‘80’s flashbacks. But six months down the line we were inseparable and still are.
• Leggings. I filed them under “for teeny boppers only” for half a season. Then I saw my style icon Vera Wang, who is 20 years my senior, rock the look in her usual urban and sophisticated way. The penny dropped and I’m still all over the trend.
• Harem pants. I laughed at this silhouette thinking it was just all wrong. Then I went to Israel and saw how the stylish Tel Aviv ladies pulled off the look and was totally swayed. I’m still not into the knitted versions with sagging crotches, but I’ve been trying to get a woven pair with a normal length crotch for almost a year. Hope to find a pair soon.
• Gold accessories. I couldn’t appreciate the resurgence of the metal in the ‘00’s in any shape or form. But somehow, this forum challenge turned that around and now I happily wear both silver and gold jewelry and hardware.
• Denim on denim. Well, you just read all about that.

I’m absolutely sure that you’re wearing trends, colours and clothing styles today that you initially disliked when they started appearing in magazines and in stores. Now it’s your turn to own up.

Bracelets and bangles are a year round thing. But they’re visually most effective in warmer weather when bare forearms and wrists create a perfect backdrop for the accessory. I see bracelets and bangles becoming more popular at retail level each season, and more people wearing them too. There is jewelry life beyond necklaces and earrings!

There is so much available in the world of arm candy that it’s quite overwhelming. From leather cuffs, metal cuffs, feathered cuffs and stretch bracelets, to enamel bangles, wooden bangles, bangle sets, charm bracelets, and beaded bracelets. There is no end to the variety of this jewelry statement.

If you like accessories with a quirky twist, bracelets and bangles seem to affordably offer that quality more than other jewelry in my book. It’s much easier to sport something unpredictable on your wrist than close to your face.

A studded pearl leather cuff, a peacock feathered wrist band, a bracelet set made of recycled Japanese newspaper and beads made of cake sprinkles, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to eccentric bracelet choices.

I am new to the world of arm candy and have precisely one style that I wear. It’s not an accessory that I am personally drawn to because it’s hard to find styles that fit my wrists. They also sort of get in the way when I pick up and cuddle our little dogs, which happens a hundred times a day. But I love looking at all sorts of bracelets and bangles and often admire them on others. Do you wear arm candy? If so, what’s your bracelet style? If not, do you think you’ll venture out into the world of arm adornment?

White bottoms make my “must have” list every warm weather season because they’re one of easiest and most cost effective ways to inject a bit of Spring or Summer into your wardrobe. They are the perfect Summer bridging piece, because they instantly make all tops look more Summery. White items in general get you out of Winter mode and spell the start of Summer fun, adding a fresh and contemporary edge to your outfits. If optical white feels a little too stark, off-white and cream are good substitutes.

Yet every season I receive the same feedback from ladies who feel that they can’t wear white pants, jeans, clamdiggers, walk shorts, skirts or dresses because they’re unflattering, thinking they need to be stick thin in order to wear the look. I wish I could take you all shopping because it’s simply not so. A flattering pair of bottoms is about the fit and the fabric and not the colour.

I am nothing if not tenacious! So here’s a list of tips to get you on your way if you’re still battling with the concept of white bottoms but want to wear the look:

1. Choose denim fabrications first: White is more transparent than any other colour. Denim is thick, offers great structure and ample coverage. So if you’re a newbie to white bottoms, think white jeans, or denim walk shorts, clamdiggers and skirts.
2. Choose matte and thick fabrications second: Weighty and substantial fabrications are less revealing and great options for tailored bottoms. Lining can help too.
3. Pay special attention to pocket detailing: It’s a real shame that the pocket linings of white pants with pockets show through in unattractive ways – even when the pants are lined. Sometimes, pocket linings can be cut out or sewn closed so keep that option in mind. First choice is to opt for pants sans front pockets. This is yet another reason to choose denim because regular five-pocket denim pocket positioning does a better job of camouflaging pocket lining.
4. Size up: White and light coloured bottoms can be more revealing so wearing them a little looser helps.
5. Wear longer tops with white pants, clamdiggers and jeans: If you’re shy about exposing your bottom, hip and thigh area, match white bottoms up with longer tops. Clever coverage works wonders.
6. Wear flesh toned undies with good coverage:  It’s the best way to prevent your knickers from showing through.
7. If pants fail, stick to skirts and dresses: If you just can’t get white jeans, pants, clamdiggers or walk shorts to work, choose a denim pencil skirt or short, breezy A-line skirt instead. No thigh and bottom cling. Roomy white cotton Summer sundresses are sweet too, especially when worn with a denim jacket.

There you have it. Another attempt to encourage those who are dying to wear white bottoms to take the plunge. How say you now, ladies? Have I managed to keep the door to wearing white bottoms ajar? Any further tips to share? Do you wear white bottoms, or are you still dead set against the look?