Nineteen Years!

YouLookFab turned nineteen over the weekend. That’s a year short of two decades since we published the first post. That’s a LONG time, and in some ways unimaginable and surreal. Someone recently referred to YLF as an OG blog. Now that I know what that means, I’m smiling. 

You are what makes YLF a special social community. Thank you for your insightful, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful and amusing contributions, from which I learn, reflect, and grow as a person. Special shoutouts to Fabbers who have supported YLF for more than a decade, and to those who chime in without fail on every blog post I write. I am humbled by your loyalty, discipline and engagement.

We’re keeping celebrations low key this year, but not next year. I’d like to mark YLF’s 20th birthday with a special event or events, and hope you’ll join me. In the meantime, many thanks for stopping by, and gracing us with your intelligent and respectful presence. Cheers to another year!

Outfit Formula: Long Cardigan

Long cardigans are an acquired taste. I have clients who swear by them because they’re practical, comfortable, and easy to wear. Some enjoy the swoosh and feel elegant in the silhouette. Some like the coverage of a long gauzy cardigan over a sleeveless top in hot weather. Others are all about the coziness of a cardi. Weather permitting, they wear cardigans instead of jackets. 

Long cardigans are a topper you can wear inside, and at home. Long cardigans can work well for lounge wear. They are softer than a jacket and can be lightweight. Fits are gently fluid or oversized. Lengths vary from thigh to knee-length. An easy layer to peel on and off in variable temperatures.

Bloomingdale's
How Cardigan
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Nordstrom
Rib Long Cardigan
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Onto some outfit ideas.

1. Patterned Set and Jeans

A patterned blouse is tucked into light wash wide leg jeans. A long cardigan in the same pattern as the blouse tops the lot to create a twinset effect. Sleeves are scrunched to show forearm skin. Red pumps pick up the reds in the tops. Add a bag in one of the colours of the pattern. Awesome look.

Patterned Set and Jeans

2. Black Pants, Stripes, and Teal

A pair of flared cropped black pants is combined with a semi-tucked black and white striped t-shirt. A long teal cardigan is the swooshy third piece. Black loafers match the black hair of the model and the black in the outfit. Add a bag to match. Simple and effective.

Black Pants, Stripes and Teal

3. Solid Set and White Pants

An olive ribbed tank top is tucked into a pair of relaxed and cropped white chinos. An olive ribbed long cardigan is the elegant soft topper that creates a twinset effect with the tank. Cognac belt and loafers add a rich earthy touch to the look. I see a brown bag complete the look. Casually chic.

Solid Set and White Pants

4. Pattern Mixed

A charcoal and silver graphic tee is worn over a pair of casual stone pants. Their hems are rolled to showcase more of the boots. A fuzzy geometrically patterned charcoal and white long cardigan tops the combination. Silver boots and earrings pick up the silver pattern of the tee. A mismatched olive crossbody bag adds interest to the outfit. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Pattern Mixed

Fab Finds: Jackets and Dresses

Spring has sprung, or is at least trying to spring, in most of the northern hemisphere. There are warm sunny temperatures, longer daylight hours, green leaves, and pretty flowers. I enjoy the change in seasons, and Spring shopping is my favourite. On that note, onto some top picks. 

1. Desigual Jackets

Desigual is a Spanish brand that makes particularly good jackets. They are fashionable, interesting, nice quality, and more affordably priced if you get them on sale. Some of the fits are narrow, and others roomy. It depends on the silhouette. There is a varied assortment of colours, fabrics, solids and patterns. Well worth a look, and a brand to keep on your radar. These jackets are favourites with clients. Petite clients do well with them too. Sleeves can sometimes be easily shortened.

Desigual has become one of my go-to brands for jackets because they fit well, and hit the right note for my look. I love the ‘70s integrity of some of their styles. Currently, I have the Desigual jackets shown in the collection. The red and chartreuse are wardrobe workhorses. Since I wear a lot of toppers in my neck of the woods, these are frequently worn. Robust and great for travel. They layer well under wool coats too.

2. Banana Republic Asymmetrical Shirtdress

Banana Republic’s poplin asymmetrical shirtdress is awesome and extremely clever because you can wear it two ways. No wonder it’s a best seller. It’s 100% cotton, machine washable, and comes in solids and patterns. Gorgeous high Summer fabric. Remarkably, you can button-up the straight sack dress to create structure on the midsection. Watch the video to see how the dress transforms. It works on a range of body types. Size down if you prefer a less architectural fit.

This is my type of dress because it’s a perfect way to stay breezy and protected from the sun in high heat. The green dress is mine. It’s brighter and richer than it appears in the stock photo, and the white buttons are awfully pretty.

Banana Republic Asymmetrical Shirtdress

3. On 34th Crew Neck Wrap Tie Dress

This dress is great value for money, and goes for a song if you get it on sale. It’s 95% cotton and 5% spandex. Fabric is substantial and launders well. It has worked on a range of body types, and is great on petites. The tie sits higher than the natural waist but isn’t an empire cut silhouette. Size up if you prefer a less fitted look. Works on a straighter and curvier body type. The diagonal pattern placement of the stripe is particularly nice.

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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Trend: Embroidery

Embroidered items are popping up at retail as a nod to the Boho Chic trend and beyond. We’re seeing the embellishment across wardrobe items like knitwear, blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts, waistcoats, coats, jackets, shorts, sweatshirts, swimwear, underwear, footwear and handbags. 

The collection below shows an assortment of embroidered items. 

Zara
Embroidered Vest
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Zara
Denim Embroidered Cap
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Zara
Embroidered Fabric Bag
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Embroidery has many variations. It can be self-colour, low contrast, and subtle. Items with a small amount of embroidery are subtle too. High contrast and multi-coloured embroidery is visually bold, especially when large areas of the item are embroidered. Some embroidery has cut-out detailing.

Embroidered clothing can be casual or dressy. Clothing with large embroideries can be scratchy on the inside of the garment so make sure that’s not the case, or wear something underneath like a tee or camisole.

I like embroidery. It’s pretty, and I enjoy wearing pretty things. Embroidery is particularly well suited to Spring and Summer clothing, to my eye. The embellishment creates an interesting texture that amps up the look of basic items. I currently have these embroidered items in my wardrobe. There’s a mix of bold and subtle embellishment. There is room for more.

Over to you. Do you like embroidery on wardrobe items?

Outfit Formula: Interesting Layers

If you enjoy creative layers, these outfit ideas might inspire you. Think in terms of the concepts if the colours and patterns are not to your taste. They might spark interesting outfit ideas with what’s in your wardrobe. Some looks are easier to create than others. 

1. Brightly Minimal

A fitted white tee is combined with a pair of black clamdiggers. A cropped and buttoned through red cardigan tops the lot. The white top is worn out to showcase the layered effect of the two tops. The look is completed with black flats and bag that match the model’s hair, and the bottoms. Easy and visually effective.

Brightly Minimal

2. Cosy High Contrast

A pair of cream wide cropped denim culottes is combined with a cosy untucked brown sweater. A teal jacket tops the combination. A black parka with cream lining tops the lot allowing the layers of unexpected colours to peek through. The parka’s cream lining matches the cream bottoms. Dark brown boots with black soles work well with the palette. I see a black or brown bag to complete the look.

Cosy High Contrast

3. Sporty Luxe

A dressy navy pencil skirt is paired with a dressy navy and white colour-blocked blouse. A sporty quilted long vest tops the pairing. It adds shine and sporty integrity to the look. Navy and white sneakers are the second sporty touch. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Sporty Luxe

4. Avant-Garde

Last, a dress is worn over pants with a blazer that tops the lot. The dress and pants, although visually hectic, match in pattern and fabric thereby adding calm to the chaos. They achieve a column of colour of sorts. Puddle length pants like this are a tripping hazard, so please be careful. An oversized pink blazer that perfectly matches the patten is layered over the top. Heeled tan sandals are the shoes of choice. Add accessories as desired.

Avant Garde

You can create the same types of layers in low contrast solids. I helped a client put this look together with a back midi dress, dark blue flared jeans, black boots and bag, and a short tan jacket. She looked awesome and felt fab!