After a whirlwind trip to Tel Aviv and Hong Kong, the last part of my forum challenge takes us to London, one of my very favourite Euro cities.

You’ll see it all on the streets of London. From sweat pants and sneakers to the most lavish of designer outfits and everything in between. But generally, people are well put together in an interesting, urban and funky way. When I think of London street style, I think of daring outfit combinations, interesting layers, vintage items, retro looks, lots of black and fabulous accessories. It’s not a crisp, chic and polished sense of style like you’ll see in HK. It’s much more gritty, punk, arty and goth, with loads of attitude to boot.

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So this is my take on everyday London style: black-black skinny jeans, Greg’s Ben Sherman graphic T, a pinstripe suit jacket, strappy metallic sandals, cream cross-body bag and vintage pearl necklace. I couldn’t resist adding my retro Duran Duran cross-body bag as an alternative. It’s irreplaceable because I bought it at one of their concerts several years ago (Duran Duran is my favourite band of all time).

This outfit was a challenge because I never wear three black items at once, and I never wear T-shirts. I don’t even wear fitted T’s, and here I am in one of Greg’s that’s boxy all over. This is the type of unexpected pairing of clothing that reminds me of London style. Kate Moss does this all the time. It simply wouldn’t be as interesting if I’d chosen a ladies fitted graphic T. But the boxy silhouette works under the fitted jacket and gives the effect of a voluminous top so I was all over this look. Rolling up the sleeves to show the lining of the jacket added necessary textural interest.

I’d absolutely feel confident sporting this outfit because the jacket and jeans are tailored and the pearls are present. Like the combinations I put together for Tel Aviv and Hong Kong, this one extended my boundaries and added something new to my repertoire. So, for the last time, how did I do?

For part 2 of my forum challenge we’re flying to the city that’s closest to my heart. It’s home because I was born there 39 years ago today.

Hong Kong street style is something else. You’ll see haute couture fashions sported effortlessly by men and women of all ages throughout the day. From the best of modern-classic style to the funkiest and edgiest looks. Outfits are for the most part urban, dressy, neutrally toned, texture-rich, branded and brimming with character.

One of the things that I love about Hong Kong street style is that the locals dress up when they go out to play. You look the part wearing a fancy outfit to a hip restaurant for cocktails and supper. So my outfit is a take on what someone might wear to a fairly swanky restaurant. Although you wouldn’t be surprised to see this combination on a shopper in the high end Landmark shopping center, even during the day.

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The dress is a strappy sequined vintage number that I bought in HK several years ago. The jacket is Diesel and 10 years old, completely tailored to fit like a glove. The gold and leather chain cross-body bag and bracelet are pukka Chanel, received as gifts from friends in HK many years ago. The retro red patent pumps are Kate Spade and a gift from my sweetie four birthdays ago. And I couldn’t resist the 80’s Wayfarers because at this stage I want to wear them with everything.

This outfit was a challenge because it’s the first time I’ve worn a super casual jacket over a very glitzy dress (a very Hong Kong combination). I’d have normally popped a satin trench or wool coat over this number. I also NEVER wear gold hardware or jewelry because I’m a platinum gal through and through and do not mix metals. These beautiful Chanel pieces have been hibernating for 15 years for this reason. But I’m glad I took them out of their box and left off the pearls. The outfit still feels like me because of the shoes and frock and I’m actually digging the gold. So how did I do?

The challenge chain is the latest brilliant innovation from YLF forum members. Initiated by Hanna, it involves generating a list of members (the “chain”), where each one challenges the next to create an outfit (or series outfits) that are outside their style comfort zone (the “challenge”). Participants have to use what’s in their wardrobes AND must be comfortable in their outfits. The outfits have to be looks they would sport in public. 40 of our members are participating right now and the ensemble innovations are killer.

The forum then decided to challenge me. After brainstorming and voting, the lasses came up with the following challenge:

“Angie goes global: three different outfits interpreted in a way to reflect the style of three different global cities.”

Fab challenge. I chose three cities from three different continents: Hong Kong, London and Tel Aviv. I’m kicking off the report back with Tel Aviv because the predominant style in that city is very different to my own, and I couldn’t look less Israeli if I tried. The ultimate challenge!

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Tel Aviv street style is earthy, natural, bohemian and very casual. Woman wear loads of neutrally toned natural fibers, sport fashion forward sandals, the best sunglasses and usually have long cascading hair. No shine, glitz or bright colours, but lots of interesting clothing silhouettes and Middle Eastern influences.

I can’t do anything about my short blonde crop, but the rest of the outfit goes like this: black cotton-rich sheath dress, muslin leopard printed scarf tied muffler style, Greg’s webbing belt, my new Wayfarers, slouchy matte mustard satchel, olive green suede sandal booties, and a bit of lip balm. No pearls, patent, saturated colours, retro influences, drama or lipstick.

This earthy, casual look is completely new for me. But I’d be confident wearing it out because of some very “Angie” style elements, like the tailored frock and white watch, that I incorporated. How did I do?

Manicures, pedicures, facials, microdermabrasion, skin peels, massages, waxing, tinting and so much more. Spa services are expensive once you start adding them up. Before you know it you’ve spent hundreds of dollars each year pampering your body inside a soothing and sweet smelling beauty salon. Is it really worth it?

I think it’s a question of your priorities, your values and your budget. I indulge in one spa treatment regularly – facials. I take skin care seriously and find that having monthly facials makes a huge visual difference. I cannot steam and extract skin impurities on my own and the head and neck massage is therapeutic. It’s the one hour in a month where I get to completely relax. For these reasons the facial justifies the expense. For me.

I have pedicures far less regularly because I loathe them. But I grin and bear it because I believe that the foot grooming process is good for your feet and I cannot accomplish the end result successfully on my own (I’ve tried). Not only do I like the look of well cared for feet, but my calluses need close attention because of the all walking I do, and after some initial soreness my feet feel really good after the treatment. So that’s another spa treatment I find worthwhile.

As for the rest? I do my own manicures, tint and shape my own brows, do not need to wax and do not enjoy any other form of massage unless it’s part of the facial service. So I’m down to one spa service that I regard as a worthwhile frequent investment (facials), and another that I force upon myself from time to time because it produces excellent results (basic pedicures). Perhaps I’ll change my mind about the importance of other spa services later on in life, adding a few more to the list.

What’s your viewpoint on the value of spa and beauty treatments? Do you indulge? If so, why is it worth the expense? If not, why not?