Fabber Kyle suggested this hair product in the comments section of my post about the Olaplex Bond maintenance set. It was intriguing and affordable, so I tried it out. It turned out to be one of my favourite haircare products of 2022. 

I use it instead of conditioner. It leaves my hair soft, silky, shiny, hydrated, and healthy-looking. It reduces hair static too. I have fine hair with a bit of a wave that is undyed. I’m not sure how well it works for other hair types, or for chemically treated hair.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t last as long as regular conditioner. The viscosity is very low and a little does not go a long way. But I don’t use it daily, just a few times a week, and I’m hooked. It’s made the best textural change to my longer hair so far.

Thank you Kyle, for the recommendation.

If you enjoy wearing roomy bottoms, like wide legs, wide crops, palazzos, or parachute pants, try topping off the look with a short jacket like a moto, cropped blazer, aviator, bomber, trucker, or denim jacket. Pop a layering top like a tee, knitted top, pullover, shirt, tank or blouse underneath, and you’re almost done. 

Personally, I bat for Team Short Jacket, and love these proportions. There is something cheeky and peppy about a short jacket. I enjoy how a shorter jacket lengthens the leg line from the hips upward, which is especially great when you don’t wear heels. I also like how the shorter jacket tempers the volume of wider bottoms by showcasing the outline of the hips.

Here are some examples.

1. Checks and Moto

A pair of brown wide leg checked pants are combined with a cropped white tank. A short black moto tops the look. A pair of chunky lug-soled boots and black belt match the moto and pull together the look.

2. Relaxed Dressy Aviator

A pair of dressy woolly grey wide leg pants is combined with a striped black and white mock turtleneck knitted top. It’s tucked into the trousers to create a sleek effect. A white shirt is layered over the knitted top for an interesting high-contrast effect. The outfit looks great without it, so feel free to leave it off. A short black aviator jacket tops the lot, and cream dressy boots complete the outfit.

3. Boho Teddy

A pair of black wide cropped pants is combined with a white graphic tee. It’s tucked to showcase more of the pants. The pairing is topped with a short peach teddy jacket with rich red brown tortoiseshell buttons. The outfit is completed with the same rich brown boots and a felt hat. They match the buttons and the model’s gorgeous red hair. The peach teddy is tonal with the model’s hair too. Layered gold necklaces add some glam.

4. Bomber and Jeans

And last, my favourite of the four. A pair of light blue denim wide leg jeans is combined with a tucked white Henley tee. Cream sneakers add a casual touch. A very polished and crisp short navy tweed bomber with a ‘70s vibe tops off the lot. The tee can be worn untucked with its hem peeking out from under the jacket, if that’s your preference. Add jewellery, watch, bag, and eyewear as desired.

Fashionista reports that shoes are finally getting more inclusive: “A new generation of footwear brands are working to rewrite the traditional definition of who can wear what.”

“In Italy, Family-Run Shoe Factories Are Part of the Culture. What Happens If They Close?“, this article from 2020 still feels relevant today.

In that same article series, I also enjoyed “For Behind-the-Scenes Shoe Designers, the Glory Is in the Craft.“

Fab Links from Our Members

April says it’s good to know the gents are thinking about New Year’s style resolutions too.

Marlene1 recommends the podcast “Articles of Interest,” especially the latest season, “American Ivy.” This season delves into prep style including its origins, spread to Japan and hip hop culture, popularization by Ralph Lauren, etc.

The Fug Girls ran a Vivienne Westwood red carpet retrospective, and Roberta found it fantastic to see how her designs worked on women of every age and figure (given that they are all beautiful actresses). 

Vildy likes how the family at Classy Girls Wear Pearls seems to be living life in technicolour.

Suntiger directs us to this article: Will the Rise of Secondhand Fashion Erase Gendered Shopping?

She also liked Christine Scaman’s blog post about jeans for 12 seasons.

Runcarla thought this was a meaty piece on trends for 2023. She adds: “I liked a lot of what I saw/read — including Carolyn Bessette/Calvin Klein aesthetic and skirts at my favourite at-the-knee length!”

Judy loved this article on patching jeans.

Nuancedream hopes that other airlines will follow Virgin Atlantic’s lead regarding gendered uniforms.

Stagiaire Fashion enjoyed this Instagram reel featuring Iman.

She also thinks this “Greenwashing Awards” reel by fair fashion campaigner Venetia La Manna is worth a look.

I got an Apple watch three years ago, and to my husband’s surprise, haven’t looked back. I wear it all day and every day because I LOVE its features and functions. I’m a dressy dresser who used to wear a formal gold watch every day. I don’t have a sporty style, and I’m not a sporty person, yet I’ve gotten used to the casual and sporty aesthetic of my Apple Watch. That said, I dress it up to work with my outfits.

Here’s how I temper the sporty vibe of my watch.

1. Add a Fancy Strap

I have a rose gold Apple Watch because I bat for Team Gold and do not mix metals. At this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I bought a dressy Michele strap in white silicone and rose gold to give my sporty watch a more formal look. I chose white to match my workhorse white pearls. White also works best with the palette of my wardrobe.

The fancy strap was one of my best purchases of 2022. The Michele silicone is much better quality than the Apple Watch silicone I’ve had in the past. I’ve worn it non-stop for six months and it hasn’t stained, discoloured, or needed a clean. It looks brand new. It’s extremely robust, seems to repel dirt, and is very comfortable.

2. Adorn With Arm Candy

I wear my watch on my left hand, along with one of my white pearl wedding rings and an assortment of pearl bracelets. I like the way the white and gold of the watch neatly matches my pearl rings and bracelets. I wear either one of these combinations daily, and it does not change. No more, and no less. I don’t wear nail polish so my fingers always look the same too. To my eye it’s a versatile combination that works with every one of my casual and dressy outfits. And I don’t tire of the look.

Over to you. Do you also dress up your smart watch? If so, what’s your strategy?