Link Love – Holiday Medley 2022

Here’s a collection of thought-provoking style-related stories that are worth a look. Enjoy!

We”ll be back in the new year with more Link Love posts. In the meantime, I want to wish you lovely holidays with lots of happy moments.

Wear Heattech Under Dressy Winter Outfits

We recently went to a dressy holiday dinner with friends. I’d been planning the outfit for a while, and was awfully excited to wear it. I combined a navy tulle skirt with a cropped, patterned, silk-front, horsey cardigan that I buttoned all the way up. I did not layer a red turtleneck underneath the cardigan like you see in the product photo. I finished off the look with cream patent booties, a cream bag, and a pile of pearls. I always wear my specs, which are light blue on this leg of my style journey. I topped the lot off with a red maxi coat and leather gloves when we walked outside. The exact items are in the collection.

It’s cold in Seattle, and I run cold. It’s been snowing and sleeting, and it’s icy outside. Wearing a camisole and sheer black hosiery underneath this outfit would not have kept me warm. Thankfully, I was able to layer Uniqlo’s Heattech tee and leggings under the outfit for insulation. Heattech undies are very effective. Super comfy, lightweight, fitted, soft, discreet, and I was toasty warm.

Granted, my outfit was very covered, so the long undies were invisible. The skirt is a midaxi length, which hid the leggings. You can pull the leggings up to shorten them a bit. Or, instead of wearing Heattech items from top to bottom, you can wear the top or the leggings if that’s better suited to your dressy Winter outfit. But if you tend to run warm and overheat, please leave off the Heattech.

I’m looking forward to wearing this outfit again with toasty underpinnings for Christmas Eve!

Fab Finds: Boden and Nordstrom Sale

This is the last selection of top picks for the year. For the most part, 2022 showcased fabulous retail collections in the US. Stocks were varied and sufficient. Most retailers are sourcing more sustainably and ethically, which is reassuring. My own shopping, most of it done online, was successful. I found the items I wanted at good prices, along with some wild cards and extra items. So far, I’m happy with the quality of the items I purchased. My clients are mostly satisfied with their wardrobe additions too.

1. Boden Winners

Here are some Boden items that have been winners for clients and friends. Some earned a place in my own wardrobe. Some items go on flash sale, so watch out for that.

The Drawn Wool Coat has a more architectural and oversized vibe to it in person and looks like a COS coat. It can also work sized down. The antique shade of pink is GORGEOUS, and so is the sea blue (softer than cobalt). The Crombie coat is offered in a chic and classic black and oatmeal herringbone.

The dresses and skirts feel substantial, with plenty of length. The velvet tops are festive and adequately covered for warmth. The high-necked sweaters are deliberately oversized, and more so in person than on the model. They worked best on Team Tall. Personally, I’ve done extremely well with Boden’s puffy sleeve knitwear.

2. Nordstrom Sale

These Nordstrom items are worth another look now that they’ve been discounted. Be sure to browse all the colour options.

You can see the pictures alongside the items on the collection page.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Toffee and Tomato Red

A new outfit from Coral Manson of Stripey Coral, whom we introduced to YLF in October 2021.

This is a fab example of Angie’s Not So Earthy outfit formula. Coral’s blue jeans and the tomato red stripe in her sweater temper the earthiness of the toffee. Our blogger has paired an oversized turtleneck sweater with skinny jeans. The skinny jeans temper the volume of the sweater with its fun flared sleeves and chunky collar. The jeans are tucked into suede knee-high boots with leather trim and gold-bit hardware that fit snugly on the calf. Tall boots feel fresh again, and this toffee pair matches the sweater perfectly. Coral continues the earthy colour palette by accessorizing with a sleek leopard print crossboy that brings a second pattern into the mix for extra pizzazz. Bright red lippy that matches the red stripe, sunnies, and earrings provide a polished finishing touch.

Coral Manson - 1

Coral Manson - 2

Team Low or Team High-Shaft Booties

You are on Team Low-Shaft Booties if you prefer them to high-shaft booties, and vice versa. Low-shaft booties tend to finish on the ankle bone. High-shaft booties cover the ankles and come up higher on the leg, but aren’t as high as mid-calf boots. 

I like and have worn both low and high-shaft booties. But over the years, I’ve switched over to high-shaft booties almost exclusively. I find the higher shaft, when it fits in a tailored and comfortable way, more versatile, practical and dressy. It allows me to wear cropped pants in cold weather without baring ankle and lower leg skin. The coverage keeps me insulated. When I wear midaxi skirts and dresses, the higher shaft bootie covers my ankles and looks visually sleeker than a low-shaft bootie. There is something about the horizontal line higher on the leg that makes it look less cutting and more vertically elongating, if that makes sense.

Here is my collection of booties. All but the last white pair are high in the shaft.

All of that said, high-shaft booties can cut across the shins as you stride, making low-shaft booties more comfortable. Low-shaft booties can also be easier to walk in, lighter weight, and less bulky than high-shaft booties. Yet, I bat for Team High-Shaft Booties and I have found comfortable options.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Low or High-Shaft Booties? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. If you can’t pick a side, or don’t wear booties, I’m serving homemade onigiri sushi and kale salad on the bench. The best buttery South African shortbread with tea for dessert.