Weekly Roundup: All Sorts of Fits

This week’s list covers a variety of wardrobe items across a range of fits. I’ve added some Swedish COS items for those who enjoy an architectural and voluminous touch to their look, although these items are more gently architectural than typical COS designs. I’m 5 foot 6 and slight in frame, and can wear voluminous COS items if there is just enough structure in the right places. So please don’t be put off by the volume if you fancy the idea, but feel that silhouettes will overwhelm you. You have to take it item by item, select wisely, and give it a chance. Both hubs Greg and I love COS and have several items in our wardrobes. Their items are great quality, and always a little different to everything else. Browse the colours, size options, and read the rave reviews for an alternative opinion to mine

  • P448 Star Embossed High Top Sneaker: This brand makes really comfy sneakers with easy side zipper access. They might run narrow if you have wider feet, but loosening the laces helps. The lilac and turquoise snakeskin is deliciously unique.
  • KIYONNA Promenade Top: A boho-lite top that's super flattering and easy to wear if you sport an empire waist under the bust well. It's forgiving on the midsection and very comfy. Lots of a patterns and colours to choose from.
  • Nic + Zoe NIC + ZOE Mixed-Up Blooms Midi Dress: Fun Patchwork Shirt Dress Fabness. The placement of the contrasting patterns down the centre front creates ample vertical integrity.
  • Gap High Rise Cigarette Jeans with Secret Smoothing Pockets With Washwell: These work really well on BOTH straighter and curvier hips, seat and thighs. Click the links to see different models wear the same silhouette. Straighter figures might need to size down.
  • Swedish Hasbeens Mirja Platform Sandal: These clogged sandals are a winner with Team Clog every season. The smaller peep-toe area makes them work better for a narrower foot or pointy foot for a change. Delicious in lime, and comes in tan.
  • Adidas Originals Track Pants: Modern Retro Joggers for Team Sporty. The earthy colour is unique, and fab with a black and white support act. They are NYLON so make sure you like the fabric.
  • MARINA RINALDI Occhiali Directional Stripe Jersey Shift Dress: A beautifully fluid frock with structure in all the right places. Forgiving on the midsection, trendy yet classic, and elegantly relaxed.
  • Madewell The Jean Jacket: If you're looking for an authentic crisp denim jacket WITHOUT stretch - try this one.
  • Sanctuary Ives Long Sleeve Top: This tee is well suited to a larger bust, shorter neck, and is reasonably forgiving on the midsection. It's fluid but not overly so. Good length too.
  • ADYSON PARKER Slouchy Fleece Hoodie: A slouchy hoodie with a shark-bite hem in this shade of mint is a rare find. The tailored sleeves provide a nice bit of structure. Available in more colours.
  • Vince Night Garden Floral Square Neck Satin Dress: I don't know how this fits in person, but the drape of the bias cut looks gorgeous. It's the first time I've seen a more size-inclusive option from the brand. Good for Team Moody Floral.
  • Sanctuary Terrain Camo Cargo Pants: These work well on a straighter and curvier bottom half. Clean, relaxed yet polished fit. Straighter figures may need to size down.
  • SLINK Jeans Easy Fit Distressed Drawstring Denim Bermuda Shorts: Great fitting longer denim shorts with a mid-rise.
  • Boden Heather Split Neck Blouse: An easy breezy and fluid cotton Summer blouse for Team Tropical Bird. Comes in rainbow leopard too.
  • COS Wrap Shirt Dress: Click the link to see this fun architectural wrap dress in action. By all means wear it as a tunic too. It can also be worn as a boxy and straight shirt dress. Comes in beige.
  • COS Leather Bowling Bag: A '90s inspired bowling bag with a 2021 twist for Team Black Crossbody.
  • COS Oversized Sweatshirt: Apparently this is one of COS's best selling items. Ombré Tie-Dye Oversized Sweatshirt Fabness. It looks more polished than you expect despite the slouch. I love it combined with a dressy support act. Model looks smashing.
  • COS Wrap Shirt: The asymmetrical and optional wrap-front detailing of this shirt gives it structure and architectural flair. It can be worn big and boxy too. It's the type of style that is beyond body type. You have to let it hang, do its thing, which you either like the effect of or you don't. It can be worn with sleeker and wider bottoms, or silhouettes like cropped flares and bootcuts that are sleek on the thighs and flared at the hems. Shirts are my thing, and I've ordered it.
  • COS Ribbed Cardigan: This is an unusually classic cardigan for COS. The shade of mustardy chartreuse is rare, so it's well worth a look. The stitch detailing creates vertical integrity and adds interest. Comes in some neutrals.
  • COS Boxy Sweatshirt: I love the architectural shape of the sleeves, which you can see in detail when you click the link. It's fab paired with a pencil skirt, wider pants, or sleek pants. This takes me back to the glorious '80s and comes in more colours. I'd be trying it if it layered well under toppers.
  • Jeffrey Campbell Student Platform Loafer: '90s Platform Loafer Fabness. Not for fussy feet, so you've been warned. Super dandy and fun. Check out the other colour combinations.
  • COS High Waisted Pleated Pants: COS makes really nice pleated pants if you like the silhouette. I had a similar pair to these in navy that were passed on due to a dry cleaning mishap, but I really liked them. Plenty of room in the seat and thighs. Comes in black.
  • COS Ribbed Knitted Top: If you're after a tight top to wear with skirts that does not cling - try this one. Comes in a coppery gold mustard. Soft and comfy. Easy to layer under toppers with fluid sleeves.
  • Madewell Bayview Balloon Sleeve Jacket: If you like earthy trapeze toppers, try this one that comes in cinnamon. Click the link to see the playful pleated back. Can work well on apple-shaped body types.
  • Børn Cove Modern Leather Sandals: Very comfortable slip-on sandals with covered ankles that work well for lower volume feet.

You can see the items alongside my descriptions on the collection page.

COS
Wrap Shirt Dress
View Info
Top Pick
6
COS
Leather Bowling Bag
View Info
Top Pick
4
COS
Oversized Sweatshirt
View Info
Top Pick
3
COS
Wrap Shirt
View Info
Top Pick
11
COS
Ribbed Cardigan
View Info
Top Pick
8
COS
Boxy Sweatshirt
View Info
Top Pick
3
COS
Ribbed Knitted Top
View Info
Top Pick
6

Celebrating a Stylish Life

Instead of writing the annual Mother’s Day post about my late Mum, I’m celebrating her style on the date she passed away. On May 17th, 2000, my precious Mum died at age 59 after a very unexpected diagnosis of fourth stage liver cancer that had spread to her lungs. Thankfully, Mama did not suffer for long. The loss of our Mother was absolutely shocking and gutting for our family. Twenty-one years later, the wounds are less raw, but still there. Time does help one to process feelings and cope with loss in a more peaceful way.

My interest in fashion and style came from my Mother, who was innately one of the most stylish and elegant people I’ve known. When I was a child growing up in the ‘70s I saw her beautiful style first-hand, and I’ve pored over incredible photos of her in the ‘60s. It’s no coincidence that these fashion eras — along with the ‘80s when I came of age — are my favourites.

Mama taught me at a young age about good grooming, looking neat and polished, feeling comfortable in your clothes, and having fun with fashion. She also taught me that style was not about wearing expensive clothes or frequent shopping trips, but about doing your own thing, and making the most of the resources that were available to you.

Mama was hands down my favourite shopping buddy. After a little shopping spree, we would enjoy outfit creation fashion shows together at home. We would dance around, loving our outfits, and smile and hug in gratitude. My Mum was candid when she didn’t like a look, but she encouraged me, was full of compliments, giving me a positive body image and self-esteem.

I absolutely adored and looked up to my Mother. As a little girl, I wanted to dress in the same outfits that she wore. Mama, who was handy with the sewing machine, pandered to my whims. She would make a dress for herself, and one to match for me in a style that was appropriate for a child. Those are my fondest fashion memories with Mama.

I like two things best about Mama’s style. First, she stuck to the classics because they looked dressy and she did not tire of them. Years later I can relate to that and feel similarly. But more impressively, my late Mum was the epitome of what hubs Greg describes as “polished but not precious.” No matter what life threw at her, Mama was always well turned out with make-up, styled hair, immaculate polish, well cared for skin, and a great outfit. She would rough and tumble with the dogs on the floor in white jeans, dresses, skirts, pretty flouncy blouses, and pantyhose. Shovel dirt and compost in an adorable big hat, silk blouse, patterned pants, and perfect posture. Muck out horses stables in jodhpurs, boots, and anorak, and not break a sweat. And looked as fresh as a daisy in the morning after being up with sick animals all night. To me, THAT is a style worth celebrating.

Here’s Mum back in the ‘70s at horse riding stables in the Netherlands. The family had just come back from a hack in the woods, and we had cleaned horses and the stables. She’s relaxing afterwards looking clean, elegant and poised. After wearing a riding hat for hours, her hair looks great too.

Stables

This one is on a ski trip in Zurich back in the ‘60s with some friends. Mama is the shorter person on the right with the lighter coloured hood and dark hat. Fabulously pulled together in snow gear.

Snow

And last, a 1963 May 10th wedding ceremony in Hong Kong with my Dad who is cautiously cutting the cake. My fiery and kind Mama was ecstatic to be marrying my strong and gentle Dad. Her sparkly eyes, happy heart, and megawatt smile were her best accessories of the day.

Man and Dad

This month I’m decking the house with Mama’s favourite flowers, which were any type of pink rose. And I’m saying thank you for 29 years of unconditional love and support, and fabulous style.

Outfit Formula: Fluidly Tailored

On to some tailoring to temper the unstructured volume that has dominated YLF lately. Eloquii does a fantastic job styling their models with ample structure and polish, and a dose of fluidity. Some looks are more structured and less fluid than others. Here are some fab examples. 

Outfits that are fluidly tailored are my favourite because I enjoy the visual definition and polish of outfit structure, but I don’t like to wear items that are tight, form-fitting, body-encasing, or restrict my movement. My outfits have to flow, and move when I move. To some extent my clothes have to stand away from my body, for lack of a better way of explaining it. I like my tailored pieces roomier than most so that I can get on with my active day without them bossing me around. That said, when clothes are oversized in the wrong way, they are awfully bossy too. Finding the right amount of tailoring and fluidity is a delicate balance.

Here are some outfits that are for the most part fluidly tailored, and I’d happily wear my version of each of them.

1. Trendy Classic

The pullover is a gorgeous fit. It’s tailored in the sleeves, neckline and hem, but fluid everywhere else. The wide crops are similarly tailored up top, but roomy on the leg. The semi-tuck adds waist definition and lengthens the leg line from the hips upward. The loafers are a grounding touch, and bookend the model’s hair.

Trendy Classic

2. ‘90s Casual Suit

I adore the way these items fit. Perfection. The suit is tailored but not tight. The wide pants look Summery and chic. The column of colour creates vertical integrity, and offsets horizontal lines created across the outfit. The length of the pants are elegant, but make sure you don’t trip over the hems. The flat slides are a lovely relaxed touch and match the bag,

'90s Casual Suit

3. Boho Rock ’n’ Roll

The bohemian tunic is beautifully fluid everywhere with tailored structure across the shoulders, neckline and under-bust. The rock ’n’ roll leggings on the other hand are 100% body-con, and there is nothing fluid about them. The outfit works well, and is a good example of the long-over-lean look. Wearing a pair of roomier bottoms like a slim pair of wide crops, cigarette pants, or pair of palazzo pants would add fluidity to the look.

Boho Rock 'n Roll

4. Skirt Casualization

Just about any skirt can be dressed down and worn more casually with the addition of a casual top, fitted denim jacket, and relaxed footwear like sneakers, sandals, slides, mules, boots, or espadrilles. Here, the flared skirt and tee are fluid. The denim jacket is tailored. Tucking the tee to showcase the waistline creates a further tailored effect. Sometimes, I wear my own fitted denim jackets like a tailored top by buttoning them up. This is an outfit formula that I wear frequently in warm weather. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

Skirt Casualization

Roundups

Simpler Items

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

Read More

Assorted Items

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

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

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

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

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

Read More

Hints of Spring

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

Read More

Dressier Items

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

Read More

The Power of Alterations

I’ve written about clothing alterations many times on YLF, and it bears repeating. When an item that you adore is a close-to-perfect fit, and alterable, the question is whether you’ll go to the effort and expense of the alteration. For me, it’s almost aways a resounding YES. 

If I choose the right size in a brand, silhouette, and cut that is suited to my body type, clothing items generally fit quite well. That said, items don’t always fit perfectly straight off the rack. Because I am a stickler for perfect fit and do not sew, I will spend the time, effort and money to have items altered. I’ve found that perfectly fitting garments are not only more comfortable, flattering and practical, but they amp up the polish of my style, and create better proportions.

Fits, silhouettes and sizes change with the trends, and these days, I’m finding that I have to alter more than I used to. If I’ve bought the item at Nordstrom, my alterations are free and top notch. Otherwise, I’m lucky to have found a competent tailor a block and a half away from our home. Her rates are reasonable and her work very skillful.

I’ve had these items altered over the last eighteen months to create a perfect fit. Some were an easy alteration, and others more complex.

  • Suistudio Plaid Pants: An easy hem shortening to wear with flats.

  • Boden Turquoise Coat: An easy sleeve shortening despite the lining.
  • Boden Plaid Coat: A more complex alteration because the lined coat was too wide, although great on the shoulders. I had the back and side seams tapered to add a little more structure to its fluid A-line fit.
  • Boden Polka Dot Dress: This was tricky because I had the dress altered a whole size down, and it’s fully lined. It now fits like it was made for me.
  • G-Star White Jeans: This was the trickiest alteration because I had the seat, hips and waist altered with double-seamed and top-stitched denim. I persevered with this big alteration because reasonably affordable sustainably and ethically produced white jeans made of thick, crisp, non-stretchy denim in a roomy fit are hard to find. With the rise, length and leg fit bang on the money, I had high hopes that the rest could be fixed. I bought the item on sale, which offset the price of the alteration.You can see the stellar results.

My weight is quite stable, so when an item is altered to fit, it tends to fit for the duration of its life in my closet. Showcasing clothing that fits perfectly also sets the example for clientele who aspire to perfect fit. These things definitely help me to justify the expense of my alterations.

Finding items that I love and fit perfectly off the rack is first prize. But when that doesn’t happen, I make alterations a priority and absorb the expense. How about you? Do you go to the trouble and expense of having items altered to achieve a better fit?

Link Love: The Mending Mentality

From the art of visual mending to how to stitch old things to new life, I liked this blog post about the fact that much thought is now going into saving garments as we all do our bit to consume less.

If you’d like to try your hand at darning a hole in a sweater or cardigan, have a look at these tips.

“‘Meet Australia’s Fashion Fixers’: As people become more conscious of reducing waste, Australia’s professional menders are welcoming a new wave of customers.”

Fab Links from Our Members

Nuancedream directs us to this interesting Teen Vogue article on sustainable and size-inclusive fashion. Some progress has been made, but there is still room for improvement.

JAileen recommends this article on what to do with our face masks after the pandemic.

Isabel found this funny in a way: “Now that we have discovered elastic waists, will we ever go back?”

Suntiger immediately thought of Angie when she saw this: “Finally, It’s in Fashion to be a Horse Girl.”

She also thought this was a good post for anyone interested in moving towards a minimalist wardrobe.

LAR101 thought this could be useful: “You Probably Wear the Wrong Bra Size. These TikTokers Have a Solution.”

Bj1111 is loving the patterns of these Vans made with Liberty fabrics.

Zaeobi thought Alison from Wardrobe Oxygen’s update on ‘going out’ tops was interesting — has the concept really changed that much since 2005? And if it has, will we continue to even need ‘going out’ tops after we emerge into the ‘reopening’ of society?

Angie is so with Alyson Walsh and her views on the versatility and fabness of the classic striped Breton.

Fashintern came across this article about apps that let you try on clothes virtually.

Shevia thought this was a very good exploration of the issue of thrift store gentrification, although, she adds: “I do not think it took into account that many smaller thrift stores are primarily run to support charities, and raising money rather than providing clothing is their main goal.”

Sal has been enjoying stylist Kate Young and her new YouTube channel. Lots of information about what it takes to get those red carpet looks.