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?

The look is not quite safari and not quite military, but somewhere in-between. You’ll generally find these frocks in neutral tones and natural fibers like stiff cottons or soft silks. They are dripping with yummy uniform detailing like cargo pockets, shirt and Nehru collars, top stitching, press studs, zippers, epaulettes and tabbed sleeves. Quite androgynous and totally my style.

I realize that this look is not for everyone. Most of these styles are high maintenance to launder and not very feminine (even though it’s precisely the masculinity of the style that I find appealing). But you can make a utilitarian frock look more girly by considering one or a combination of these feminine touches:

• Keep the hemline a little shorter
• Opt for a style in a soft drapey fabric
• Choose a style with waist definition
• Go sleeveless
• Add pretty metallic gladiators
• Throw in a silky scarf

Utilitarian frocks look fab with gladiator sandals in Summer, and are perfect with boots for Autumn. Shorter tunic versions are great over skinnies, and throwing in a heel at any time keeps things feminine too. Forum member Inge recently purchased a smashing utilitarian frock and rocks the look.

I am in search for another fabulous utilitarian dress. I had one that I loved (similar to the DVF style on the top left), but it got bleach stains all over it. I hope to find one this Autumn to wear with slouchy boots.

Is feeling sexy wrapped up in an attitude, or is it about the way we dress? For me it’s a little of both. I feel my most alluring when I’m really confident. It is about knowing myself, making the most of my strengths and accepting my weaknesses. In other words, being comfortable in my own skin and keeping insecurities at bay.

But let’s face it, a hot outfit really helps to boost that confidence on any given day. Here are the ones that do it for me:

• Sleek: Sleeveless sheath dress with high neckline and heels
• Commanding: Skinny jeans tucked into flat knee-high boots with black turtle neck, fabulous scarf and biker jacket
• Naughty: Pencil skirt with turtle neck or button down shirt and heels
• Crisp: Impeccable white blouse with skinny jeans, belt and ballet flats
• Hip: Sleeveless sack dress with heels

This may be somewhat atypical because in most cases I’m covering up skin (leaving something to the imagination can be sexy too). And the silhouettes are generally form–fitting, which is revealing in its own way.

I’ll add four things that make me feel attractive no matter what I wear: a great hairstyle, well cared for skin, a pretty scent, and matching bras and knickers.

Your turn. What makes you feel alluring and why?