My Spring 2009 wardrobe updates are complete and it’s onto Summer. I don’t need to stick to accessories this time round but Summers in Seattle are short which means that purchases will be minimal. In this neck of the woods, it makes more sense to save pennies for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which is less than two months away.

One of my favourite looks is to mix retro 50’s and 60’s inspired pieces with modern style. So it was love at first sight when I saw this fun, ladylike sleeveless sheath. The frock is a little shorter than I usually wear which actually makes it more versatile since it double duties as a tunic. Fabulous.

I can wear this item in at least four different ways, dressed both up or down. From left to right (click on the pictures to see a larger view):

1. On its own as a frock: Add chunky pearls, a clutch and heeled metallic wedges and you’re good for a dressy occasion. Wearing a necklace with this type of roll neck collar is subtle but effective. It’s not completely visible when you look in the mirror, but noticeable from other angles to passersby.
2. Over leggings: I adore leggings and wonder why the look isn’t as popular in America when it’s around every street corner in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Israel. Refresh your memory on why leggings are fab and how to wear the look. I’m willing to bet you won’t be disappointed once you get your head around the trend. Much softer than denim, easy to wear and cheap as chips. What’s not to like.
3. With clamdiggers: I’ve taken off the pearls, added a floral pin, silver flats and a vegan tote. Dressed down, a little more casual but just as pulled together.
4. Layered over skinnies with a cropped cardigan: Blue or black straight leg, skinny and boot cut jeans would have worked equally well, but it’s about white jeans in Summer time so viola. Add a cropped cardigan, an interesting wristlet and low heels for a funky and physically warmer outfit (a good idea on a chilly Summers day).

This particular style and colour of tunic dress might not be for you, but simply substitute the item for one that is to your taste and apply the same formula. It’s a versatile piece that’s bound to give you more bang for your fashion buck.

If you’re looking for bedroom slipper-comfy, non-patent, run around shoes, the Me Too “Nadia” ballet flat might be your answer. It’s more casual than the “Swann” and just as great. The leather-and-rubber sole provides instant flexibility and the foam-cushioned interior is as soft as can be.

I usually bypass shoes with elasticized toplines because the elastic cuts into my skin after twenty minutes of walking. But Me Too footwear is generally comfortable, so I decided to give these a whirl. Sure enough, I did have to size up half a size, but the elastic is gentle on the foot. It will also keep the shoes from falling off your feet when they stretch out (a common problem with super soft leather).

I was sold and came home with a Summery silver pair to wear with leggings, white, blue, or grey jeans, clamdiggers and breezy frocks.

Unfortunately Me Toos do not have arch support or come in wide widths. But you could pop in an orthotic, or have the toe box stretched to solve these challenges. Thank you Me Too for once again providing my fussy feet with a fabulously fun 8-hour flat.

The Nadia looks similar to the Me Too “Garner”. There are more colours to choose from in the Garner, but I did not find them as comfortable. But if they work for you, they’ll make for another cozy and flop-proof ballet flat option.

A smile is not a tangible item but it’s certainly something that you wear. It costs nothing to give, but offers much in return.

When your smile is sincere, people smile back. The infectious act automatically makes you friendly, approachable and attractive. Obviously there are times when you don’t want to smile because you’re focused, serious, stressed or feeling blue. And that’s okay. A fake smile does not fly. It’s got to be from the heart.

Sometimes I am so enamored by a person’s smile that the rest of their style falls by the wayside. That’s pretty powerful. I like to smile (my prominent laughter lines are proof of that), and I like smiley people. Do you think that smiling increases your style quotient?

Every Mother’s Day I like to dedicate a post to the Mothers on YLF, our own Mothers and in particular my late Mum who passed away nine years ago.

My Mum loved clothing, footwear, handbags, cosmetics and expensive jewelry. Needless to say she enjoyed shopping and I adored shopping with her. She was also a superb seamstress (a skill she did not pass on to her daughter) and occasionally made clothes for herself and for me. As much as I enjoyed shopping with Mum, it was the prospect of getting something new that she had sewn especially for me that delighted me the most when I was a little girl.

Often my Mum would sew herself an outfit and make the appropriate childlike version for me in the same fabric. That way we would have matching ensembles and look like twins. At that age I absolutely loved looking like my Mum and I felt like royalty wearing grown-up looking clothes. We’d confidently parade around in public holding hands in our twin outfits, which for me was the height of style. It’s a little cheesy I know, but I guess this was acceptable fashion in the 60’s and 70’s, and it certainly strengthened our mother-daughter bond.

Thank you Mum for making us matching outfits. They are my fondest fashion-related childhood memories and I was prouder than proud to mimic your look. You are still amongst the most impeccably groomed and stylish people I know. I wish you were here to share your thoughts on fashion and style, because there is still so much I could learn from your wise and wonderful self. I love and miss you more than you know and think about you every day. Know that your presence is with us on YLF because your style is alive in me.

Over to you ladies. Do you have fun fashion and style moments with your Mothers and daughters? I’d love to hear about them.

One of our twin outfits in 1976 when I was 6 years old. We’re wearing matching maxi dresses, a style I would not wear today, but I remember feeling fabulous at the time. We at YLF wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.