The question I posed last week — “Why do you want to look fab?” — generated a lot of very interesting responses. Not surprisingly, many readers saw fashion and style as an opportunity for self expression, whether that was expressing confidence, respect for others or one’s own personality. Several people talked about the way looking fab on the outside enhances the way they feel about themselves on the inside. The reaction of others was also a big factor.

Then there were some fascinating reasons that I didn’t touch on at all: looking fab as a catalyst for social interaction, the feel of great garments, and the process and ritual of looking fab as “me time” in a life where so much of the day is focused on the needs of others, for example.

Here are some excerpts from the comments:

“If you don’t care about yourself, why should anyone else”.

“I also like to dress well out of respect for others, or for the situation”.

“As a blind person, one of my primary goals is to be able to function in the sighted world and interact with my peers without feeling at a disadvantage. My clothes are a crucial way in which I help to define that interaction. For me it’s not enough to simply have clothes that don’t clash and aren’t marred with stains. If I want to be accepted in the sighted world, I better dress the part”.

“People are nicer to you when you’re dressed well!”

“I’ve concluded that the reason I want to look ‘fab’ is because I have decided that I am just as important as everyone else in my life”.

“Putting on a cute outfit (even when I had to practically force myself) was part of my journey to regaining my self-respect”.

“For me, how I dress is an expression of myself and my personality”.

“It gives me stuff to talk about with other women, like my coworkers. Basically, I don’t like to go out to bars and fancy places or watch girly films, but I feel like we all have our love of style in common”.

“The visual yes. but also the feel. the feel of a lovely material against your skin. the feel of solidly made quality boots cradling your feet. satiny, silky, soft, caressable, they’re some of the things that make clothing so vital to life”.

“It may be shallow but I wish to project the qualities of my character which I consider important”.

“Learning to dress well has turned out to be a great form of therapy… it has also done wonders for my body image too, so I’ll add that reason”.

“I am afraid my need to look fab is deeply rooted in wanting to fit in, and avoid horrible embarrassment!”

“I am a quiet, reserved individual, but I enjoy people. My clothing items and accessories give people a reason to approach and speak to me, which means I can enjoy interacting with people even while they are the ones doing the initial approaching. I’m working on becoming more outgoing and expressive, but in the meantime, anything I can do to open the door to others and then be receptive when they approach, the better that is for me too”.

“As a stay at home mom of two young boys, getting dressed and doing my hair is my ‘me’ time”.

“I’ve realized that caring about style doesn’t take away from anyone else’s happiness, it may even add to it in a small way. It doesn’t have to get in the way of helping others, in fact it makes me a more powerful advocate”.

Food for thought.

A few days ago an article in the New York Times explored the way people are using their phones while they are shopping. I’ve been using an iPhone for the last few months and I’m warming to it, but I’m definitely not as savvy as some people.

According to the article…

“One in five shoppers said they intended to use their cell phones to shop this holiday season, according to an annual survey by Deloitte, the accounting and consulting firm. Of those, 45 percent said they would use their phone to research prices, 32 percent said they would use it to find coupons or read reviews and 25 percent said they would make purchases from their phones”.

Wow. In this new world it seems that everyone is as gadget happy as 007. Software applications for cell phones are helping bargain hunting consumers locate the best deals in retail stores in a matter of seconds while they shop the aisles of the store.

This is how one mobile power shopper goes about finding the best deals in town:

“Heather Reed, a mother in Cypress, Tex., is one of those mobile power-shoppers. She uses several apps on her Samsung Moment phone to whittle down her spending. She was recently considering a $29.99 Hot Wheels video game for her son at Wal-Mart. With a quick scan of the bar code, an application called ShopSavvy found it at Target, just across the freeway, for $19.99. Another app from MyCoupons.com provided a Target coupon that sliced off $10 more”.

As impressive as it sounds, bargain shopping on cell phones is not all smooth sailing. Inaccurate information and bad network connections can make the process frustrating. Plus, viewing items on a cell phone screen and typing from a tiny keypad is not ideal.

Needless to say, I am in awe of all tenacious and savvy bargain shopping skills. But I’m not yet using my cell phone to track down deals online. Are you a mobile power shopper? And regardless of whether the answer to that question is “yes” or “no”, what features would you like to see in a great shopping app for the phone?

We are near the end of tackling my 10 casual outfit formulas for Mums and gals on the go (refresh your memories with formulas #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 , #7 and #8). Today we bring back super stylish, Chicago forum member Laura, who is a freelance writer and busy Mum on the go. Frock gal Laura was intrigued by knit pants as an alternative to jeans and this is how she put together her look.

When Ponte knit pants began appearing in the stores this fall, so many YLF forum members were raving about their comfort and style that I decided to try a pair. I bought mine in the INC. department of Bloomingdale’s, and was instantly converted. They are warm (a big plus in Chicago winters), don’t constrict, and miraculously don’t stretch or bag out. Truly a great option for Moms on the go, travel, huge holiday meals, or any time you want to appear pulled together while staying comfy. Here is Angie’s formula #9:

Skinny stretch knit pants + button down tunic shirt + casual belt + tall boots

Because of my body type (hourglass tending toward pear), I find it most flattering to wear my knit pants with a good amount of coverage, with a top that hits at mid-thigh. And, because the pants are knit, I prefer to wear a woven top. The one exception to my woven preference is my grey, a-line turtleneck sweater tunic, which I accessorize with loads of long chains. I love that look with the pants, and it’s the ultimate in coziness on a cold winter day.

These pants have become my winter replacement for the leggings I wore to death in spring and fall. Angie encouraged me to be creative with the formula, so I paired the pants with dresses, tunics, cascading cardigans, and added a coat at times for extra coverage. Angie’s formula calls for a belted tunic shirt, and although I do wear a tunic shirt with Ponte knit pants,  my shirt doesn’t work with a belt, so you won’t see one pictured here. Unlike formula #3 (casual dresstights or hose + tall boots), which I road tested and found very straightforward, you may need to do some experimentation. And remember, you can always post your outfits on the forum for feedback.

When looking for a woven tunic or dress, try patterns and color. Plaid is big this season, in reds and blues and taupes and grays, and I found myself drawn to berry reds and grey. But, I have also paired the pants with a ruffled chiffon dress, and by adding a casual sweater coat, found the pants took the dress from formal to casual, giving me more opportunities to wear it.

Tall black boots play a big role in making this look work. I love the long, lean line they create. Riding boots or my waterproof patent leather La Canadiennes are my favorites. Try booties as well, especially if you’re in a warmer climate. The red booties are a fun alternative that provide a pop of color.

Handbags? Well, although my kids are out of diapers, I still find that a roomy bag suits my MOTG needs best. I usually go for a casual, hobo-style bag. My go-to handbag of the moment is from Ecco, and has a pretty bluish silver metallic finish. It goes with everything in my color palette!

Ladies, over to you. Are you wearing formula #9? Have you changed it up to suit your preferences? Let’s hear from you!

Casual holiday parties are actually more common than the formal celebrations we spend a lot of time talking about. These are bashes straight after work, at fancy restaurants, or in people’s homes. Some parties are extremely casual, which makes any form of casual attire appropriate. But most of the time, informal party dressing is about adding a bit of festive fun and bubbly bling to an outfit. Fancier than what you would normally wear to work, but not quite cocktail wear.

My favourite way to dress for these events is to use one of the following three formulas, and these are the outfits I’ll be wearing this year:

1. Matching a fun frock with fab boots: Choose a relatively dressy dress and throw in a pair of dressy boots, great hose and bling. I chose knee-high boots but pumps or booties are just as effective. Dramatic earrings and a bracelet make a nice alternative to a necklace, as does a sequined scarf. I leave my specs and watch on for these occasions and like to carry a small clutch handbag.
2. Dressing up a pair of sleek jeans: This is hands down the easiest formula. Choose any silhouette of smart dark blue or black-black jeans and match it with a dazzling top, dressy shoes and bling. Tops that sparkle always go down well, as does a jacket with sheen. I chose to surrender my waistline by wearing a shiny, oversized batwing blouse because the silhouette is of this fashion moment. The casual boxy-ness of the blouse contrasts well with the luster of the necklace. All in the name of trendy fun!
3. Toning down a sparkly skirt: This formula turns formula #2 upside down. Choose a dazzling skirt and tone it down with a denim jacket, adding a top or blouse, dressy shoes and bling.

You don’t need to stick to a black and cream colour palette matched with pearl and patent accessories. Pick any colour combination and throw in the bling that tickles your fancy. Your style is all about your aesthetic preferences so substitute the formulas with items that are more to your taste.

I am still in love with the pairing of black and cream matched with patent and perfect white pearls. Once a Chanel girl, always a Chanel girl. That’s my style and I feel magical every time I sport the look.