Embrace this day of eating and merrymaking by staying away from form fitting clothing. Opt for ensemble pieces that stylishly float away from the tummy area:

1. Voluminous tops with hip welts that allow for easy belly expansion
2. Woven tops that are forgiving on the torso
3. A-line empire cut tunics and dresses that gracefully widen when you do
4. Capes and trapeze tops that hide a multitude of sins
5. Leggings that stretch in all the right places
6. Jeans that grow (highly frustrating under normal circumstances but they’ll come in handy today)

I’m wearing a roomy grey sweater dress with cream knee-high go-go boots and pearls. I’m cozy, comfy and ready to pack in the delicacies of the day. Can’t wait!

We at YLF wish you a happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your continued support. You’re fab.

It is hard to make a general rule about the amount of skin you should show between the top of your boots and the hem of your skirt. There are just too many variables. The style of the boots, the silhouette of the skirt, your height, your body type and the hosiery you wear are all factors in the equation. I’ve seen everything work: from thigh-high minis with calf length boots, to mid-calf skirts and knee-high boots.

One combination that seems to work on almost everyone right now is a knee-length skirt or dress worn with knee-high boots. Experimentation will reveal whether you should show the knee cap, show just part of the knee cap or cover the knee completely. Hose keeps you warm and often finishes the look, but isn’t a necessity.

Personally, I like my skirt and boots combination best when my kneecap is covered and there’s a hint of skin before the top of the boot (either with or without hose). I also like to wear skirt and boot ensembles that show no skin at all. Occasionally I’ll wear a skirt or dress that shows my entire knee cap but that’s rare. In these shorter skirt instances, I’ve found that adding monochromatic textured hose gives my legs more shape.

Have you found your skirt-skin-boots sweet spot, or is it still a mystery?

Mini-skirts with calf length and knee-high boot combinations, each showing a different amount of space between the hem of the skirt and the top of the boots.

Longer skirt styles showcasing less or no leg space between the end of the skirt and the top of the boots. This is my personal skirt-skin-boots sweet spot.

Boston-based off-price retailer TJX (home of the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains) invited the nation’s top fashion blogs to participate in a two-day event at their buying headquarters last week. The goal of the event was to share the company’s business model and strategy with the fashion blogosphere. Flattered and intrigued, the YLF team set off for the East Coast to hear TJX and meet fellow fashion bloggers.

First introductions between bloggers, Ogilvy Public Relations and TJX were made in the lobby of Boston’s palatial Fairmont Copley Plaza, where we stayed for the duration of the event. We met fashion bloggers from The Budget Babe, The Budget Fashionista, Nitro:licious, Shoe Smitten, Stiletto Jungle, Broke and Beautiful, Second City Style, 55 Secret Street, My Fashion Life, Mom Central and Style Hive as we walked over to Skipjacks for a casual evening of getting to know who’s who. People were dressed to impress (loads of black and cream, fabulous boots, statement coats and designer bags). After all, this was a fashion occasion and your style quotient had to be top notch.

Early the next morning a bus took us off to TJX headquarters in Framingham, MA, where we enjoyed a full day of education and hospitality. The agenda included interactive sessions with corporate marketing teams, a preview of holiday lines, a Q&A with the President (Michael MacMillan), a fashion show, “guess the price of this item” competitions, merchandise tours and store visits. The event was fun, informative and superbly run.

The “splurge and steal” fashion show (above) was a great way to see how ensembles from T.J Maxx and Marshalls could stand their ground against much more expensive options from full price department stores. Click the picture to see a larger version of the ensembles on the right and let us know in the comments which you think is which.

We learned a lot about TJX in the process. For example, one of their biggest challenges is the perception that budget store + low prices = low quality. Although their more than 1600 T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores cut costs to the bone, many of the items are high end, sometimes even couture brands. More than 85% of the merchandise is from the current season, and less than 5% is irregular. TJX buyers work hard all year round to find great deals, and the result is a rapidly changing range that varies from store to store. Although the stores can be hard to navigate, there are fantastic bargains hidden on the rails.

Bloggers enjoy a sneak peek at some of the upcoming TJX Winter merchandise.

No matter what your budget, everyone loves a bargain which means that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls should thrive in our tough economic climate. Their Fall marketing campaign “this season, smart shopping is the new black” tickled my toes. If you’re an expert merchandise scanner and can see past an untidy and less than glamorous shopping experience, you’ll score treasures at half the price for sure. You might even enjoy the treasure hunt.

Thank you for the entries to Friday’s TJX competition. We are evaluating your thoughtful suggestions on the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls shopping experience and will announce the winner after Thanksgiving.

Short (calf or ankle length), “tough-looking” boots are back in style. A bit of biker buckle, a sturdy low heel, a bulky toe and playful top stitching makes for a fab, casual and weatherproof Winter look. They are cute under wider jeans, over skinnies, with casual knitwear and with the odd skirt or dress. Their laid-back and untailored appeal is a nice alternative to fashion sneakers and Converse. I had a brown pair in the early 90’s that I wore with Levi 501’s and, you guessed it, a button down shirt.

Short rugged boots seem more mainstream and wearable than the classic Doc Marten because the design detail varies and you can choose a more refined style. I think the look is cool and I’d wear them again in an instant. Are they your cup of tea?

It’s great to see a wide range of footwear product in store – from the super pointy-toed stiletto to these boots. As much as I like pretty, dainty and feminine things, I fancy the look of boyish, hard-core looking items too. I’m thoroughly enjoying this fashion revival and suspect that it will be around for a while.