For me, “jellies” are another late 80’s and early 90’s fashion flashback. But jellies back then didn’t look nearly as pretty or refined as they do now. They were either styled like a juvenile, strappy gladiator sandal (awful), or a ballet flat with many spaced-out interwoven straps so that your foot peeked through. Equally awful and dreadfully uncomfortable.

The jelly shoes below are examples of what footwear designers are doing with the same synthetic rubber material today. There is a far more sophisticated attention to styling. It’s definitely an aesthetic improvement, but I’m on the fence. I don’t loathe it, but I don’t love it either.

Comfort challenges aside, would you wear jellies? Are they a stylish option, or just plain nasty. Perhaps they would make the perfect hot weather, torrential rainy day shoe. Hmmm. Help me out with your thoughts.

Mark your calendars! This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS) starts on Friday, July 17th. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s when Nordstrom previews their brand new Autumn and Winter collections and offers them at insane prices for two weeks only (usually between 40 – 60% off). Prices are marked up again after the sale period. This is my favourite sale of the year because the merchandise is hot off the fashion press. It’s much more fun getting items at reduced prices at the start of a new retail season as opposed to waiting for end of season sales.

I was particularly interested to see what would be on offer this year in the light of our tough economic climate. After preselecting sale items last week I’m thrilled to say that this has been the best NAS that I have seen in my six years of living in the US. For the most part, the collections are a great combination of excellent tried-and-tested wardrobe basics with new design twists, AND brand new “it” fashion items. There is ample choice for both classic and trendy customers.

Navigating the sale requires some strategic planning and forethought. Here are some guidelines that might make it easier:

• Concentrate on the good stuff: This is your time to splurge on one, or a few, high end or big ticket items. Retail sales are common in the US and you’ll be able to get more ordinary items anywhere at excellent prices as soon as the new retail season hits stores. If Nordstrom clothing is not your cup of tea, hit the handbags, footwear and accessory departments instead. You are bound to come home with treasures.
• Do not judge the collection based on the catalogue alone: The catalogue is a small representation of what is available and you have to physically go to stores or shop online for the best assortment of product.
• Shop in stores and online: The merchandise varies from store to store and it is possible that your Nordstrom is not as well stocked as others, so be sure to shop online as well.
• Preselect if the opportunity arises: As a Nordstrom cardholder, you’re automatically invited to preselect merchandise a week or two before the sale is open to the masses. I thoroughly recommend this option as the best merchandise goes fast, especially in sizes 0, 2 , 12 and 14. I have known people to preselect without an official invitation, but this really depends on the specific Nordstrom (some stores are stricter than others).
• Shop online at midnight on 17th July: Doors open at 7am on the first official day of the sale. But the online store opens seven hours before that Pacific Time. I wasn’t able to make it to presale selections last year so I shopped online at midnight which was very worthwhile.
• You’re not married to anything: Don’t worry if you found it hard to be selective during sale time. You can return anything at any time once you’ve retried the look in the most important dressing room of all – your own.
• Don’t give up on your size: Be sure to ask for your size if they’ve run out of it in stores or online. Nordstrom sales staff is extremely helpful and chances are high that they’ll track down your size eventually.

There was an excellent selection of leather and pleather jackets at all price points this season. Long, cropped, retro, modern, ruffled, biker, classic, sporty, you name it and I saw it in a whole slew of colours. Impeccable pencil skirts, fabulous dresses, cute cascading cardigans and cheeky jackets in beautiful and affordable fabrications were also top notch. The handbags, sunglasses, costume jewelry, watches and hosiery areas were brilliant. I’m delirious with excitement. You have to take a look!

Unfortunately, the footwear and coat areas were disappointing. Petites was a little poor too, particularly after excellent NAS selections in these areas in previous years. I guess the sale can’t be everything to everyone each year.

I really hope you score at this year’s sale. My clients and I have collected wonderful NAS treasures over the years piece by piece. The presales are loads of fun too and it’s fab to go with a friend. There has been lots of NAS excitement (and a little footwear frustration), on the YLF forum. Feel free to ask for help about the NAS by posting questions on our forum. Happy shopping everyone!

We’ll see quite a few fur waistcoats for Autumn and Winter. Unfortunately the catwalk runways were full of them in all sorts of real exotic skins, which makes me sad. Luckily, offering exotic furs to mainstream masses won’t happen because it’s just too expensive to produce and sell. Nowadays, fabric technology is brilliant and improves each year. Faux fur can look quite authentic at a fraction of the price. It’s a good option for those that like the look but are on a budget and don’t want to wear real fur.

The shaggy waistcoat (or vest if you live in the US), is a nice bridging piece into Autumn as the weather cools down. It’s a bulky item so it’s best to go with a cropped style that’s cut narrow on the shoulder and ends somewhere between waistline and hip bone.

Keep the layers you wear underneath fairly sleek so as to balance out the boxiness of the silhouette. Skinny or bootcut jeans, a turtleneck or button down shirt with boots is a simple no-brainer combination for this item. But I also like the combination of a blouse, pencil skirt and pretty pumps as you see in the photo below. The shaggy vest could also look fab over the right frock. Quite edgy. Any takers for the look?

I’m hoping that places like H&M, Topshop, MNG, Club Monaco and Zara will bring out inexpensive faux fur versions of the shaggy waistcoat. That way we have the option of having fun with a dramatic and somewhat wacky trend without breaking the bank. The vibe is quite boho which is not my style, but I’m attracted to the trend because of its vintage and retro appeal. I hope I find the right piece this season as I see several outfit possibilities.

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.

Click pictures to enlarge

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?