Link Love: Sunglasses Chains Are On-Trend

The Fashion Spot reports that sunglasses chains are getting a fashion makeover, and shows us 10 fun options.

I have a light blue chain that matches the rim of my sunnies, and would love one of the pearl versions shown in this roundup.

From glassy beads to shell-adorned, here are 17 more styles to choose from.

Fab Links from Our Members

La Pedestrienne read an inspiring yet sobering article about the contradictions between entrepreneurial growth and sustainable fashion.

She also loved this article about the colour mustard throughout history and in our present cultural moment.

Angie enjoyed Susan’s post because she hit the nail on the head when she says that we’re never going to change the negative perceptions and problems of ageism if we try to erase the signs of aging.

Shevia wanted to share these great historical pictures of Bermuda shorts, her favourite style of shorts.

It’s Ascot week, and Runcarla enjoyed this historical retrospective.

Nemosmom reports that former Snapchat Chief Strategy Officer Imran Khan is launching a digital marketplace for luxury goods.

Kyle directs us to this Vanity Fair article about the new J.Crew.

Vildy is always glad to see smiling models. That’s why she refers us to the iconic Dawson’s Creek catalogue mentioned in the Vanity Fair article above: ” I particularly liked the uproarious photo where they’re splashing and ‘decide to ruin all their nice J. Crew clothes.’ We can overthink clothes so much that it’s easy to forget not only to have fun with fashion but to have fun in fashion.”

Suntiger thought this was a really good description of what works for Ethereal-style blend identities: “Many of my choices make so much sense now!”

InStyle interviews the stars of Little Big Lies on ambition and leading in Hollywood as a woman. Bj1111 adds: “It’s tangentially fashion-related — the outfit photos are stellar.”

Suntiger liked Imogen’s tips about pattern placement, including how to avoid questionable patterns.

Kkards enjoyed how this article about Eileen Fisher speaks to the brand’s, and the designer’s, values, and how they are starting to appeal to a certain type of younger customer.

Checking In On My 2019 Style Goals

We’re halfway through 2019 and it’s time to check in on the style goals we set in January. I’ve had a smashing first half, I’m in a very happy place with my style, and I’ve added fewer items to my wardrobe than I did by this time in 2018. 

Some of the trends are against me, so I haven’t found as many tops, pants and dresses that ticked off the boxes. My shopping strategy is to choose classics when the trends don’t work, which is exactly what I did with tops. I’m back in classic silk and cotton blouses, body-con knit tops, a shirt, and pullovers with polo collars — all of which I haven’t worn for ages as I favoured trendier styles. I’m thoroughly enjoying my new classic tops because they’ve changed things up, and layer well under jackets in arctic air conditioning

With an active urban walking lifestyle across four seasons, I’m even pickier about footwear comfort. I’ve added fewer pairs to my capsule than in previous years, and am wearing non-athletic and refined sneakers more frequently than I used to. Now that more styles of sneakers are available in narrow widths, they finally fit and are comfortable. This has made all the difference for my sneaker style. I’m also enjoying the duplicated footwear that has taken the place of the first worn out pairs.

These are the items that I’ve added to my wardrobe this year for Spring & Summer. Some of it will go straight into Fall & Winter:

COS
Silk-cotton Polo Shirt
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13
Boden
Arabella Sweatshirt
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13
Hobbs
Saskia Trench Coat
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21
Boden
Silk Shirt
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Top Pick
19

On to my goals. I set twelve in January, and I’ve managed to reach most of them.

  1. Wear outfits that are Modern, Crisp, Retro, Soft and Dressy. Check.
  2. Prioritize quality. Check. My commitment to wearing beautifully constructed and finished items made of gorgeous fabrics that launder well is higher than ever. I haven’t been disappointed in fabric quality of my new purchases so far. Some items are more well made than others, but that’s okay. Thankfully nothing looks like schmutters after a couple of laundry cycles.
  3. Express my style through colour and my favourite patterns. Double Check! I like stripes, checks, polka dots and some florals best because I do not tire of these patterns. I added plenty of colour too. Happy colours and patterns make me happy.
  4. Continue adding elegant touches to my style. Check. I take elegance to heart, and try to style my daily look accordingly. For me, that means wearing longer hem lengths on skirts and dresses, soft and structured fluidity, dainty footwear, dressier attire, and adding the finishing touches that create polish, glam and shine.
  5. Sport my signature style despite the trends. Check. That means short blonde hair, statement eyewear and handbag, natural make-up, white pearls, white shoes, white jeans, structured outfits with lots of movement, lots of colour, high contrast, light neutrals, dark blue, flat footwear, a dressy appearance, and no nail polish.
  6. Add a pair of red pants, orange bottoms or dress, and a red Winter coat. Uh oh. I managed one pair of red jeans that became an instant workhorse, and that’s it. Hopefully I’ll do better in the second half of the year.
  7. Wear black in small doses. Check. Dark Blue is my black.
  8. Wear skirts and dresses more frequently year round. Check
  9. Wear casual and dressy trousers more frequently, and blue jeans less frequently. Check. I have worn blue jeans a LOT less frequently this year.
  10. Mix high-end and low-end items in one outfit. Check.
  11. Find wardrobe gems on my travels because they are unique and sentimental. Check.
  12. Have even MORE fun with fashion. Triple Check. It’s impossible for me not to have fun with fashion and style. It’s one of the least stressful parts of my life and very therapeutic. I relax into every wardrobe and style decision and don’t let it boss me around. I love my fab-for-me wardrobe and am grateful to have a closet brimming with items that spark tremendous joy.

I finished shopping for Spring and Summer by the end of May, which is right on track because I prefer to shop early in the season. All that’s left to do is wear the heck out of my stuff and repeat my favourite outfits. With the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale around the corner, I’m already thinking about my refreshed cold-weather style.

Weekly Roundup: Comfy White Sandals

White sandals look Summery, and are a nice alternative to metallics. They are just as versatile and a lot more crisp. White footwear is trendy at the moment, but I think it’s always in style. It pulls an outfit together that has white components in it. It works well with white accessories, or when you have light blonde or white hair to bookend the look. Or just wear white footwear because it looks modern and graphic.

Here’s a large assortment of comfortable dressy and casual white sandals. Many are repeat styles, and many are winners on clients. Some styles come in wide and narrow widths. Some have built-in arch support. Remember that arches and insteps are NOT the same thing. The arch is on the bottom inside part of the foot between the toe and heel. The instep is the top arched part of the foot, or vamp of the foot. Also remember to try a wide size when you have wide feet.

I’ve chosen the white options here, but there are other colours to choose from too. Browse the colours and read the stellar reviews.

  • Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Rockport Cobb Hill CollectionCobb Hill Aubrey: 812 GLOWING 5-star reviews for good reason. They look better on the foot in person.
  • SCHUTZ Elida Double Strap Mules: Soft leather and a very stable heel make these a lot more comfy than they look. You need regular volume feet to fill them out.
  • Gentle Souls By Kenneth Cole Gentle Souls by Kenneth ColeLavern: More substantial and structured than flip-flops, these slides are easy to walk in if your feet fill them out. Too wide for low-volume feet.
  • 'Tonga' Leather Sandal: Incredible arch support that suits a range of foot types because of adjustable straps.
  • Naot NaotLisa: These are an excellent fit for flat feet or for those that need a lot of arch support. The straps adjust for width, and the vamp fits most shapes of insteps.
  • Naot NaotPixie: This gets my vote for best smart casual dainty sandal with arch support. It's easy to find sandals with arch support, but they're usually very casual and quite chunky. These are not. Best on regular volume feet.
  • LifeStride LifeStrideCarnival: A dressy sandal that is reasonably soft and cushioning. Elegant on the foot. Too narrow for wide feet.
  • Benue Ankle Strap Sandal: These are my favourites because they're refined and dainty. Surprisingly, the buckles do not dig into your feet and ankles, but they are too wide for my narrow feet. NOT for feet that need arch support.
  • Me Too Me TooArena: Fabulous for a wider foot and can work for bunions too. Great on a wider ankle.
  • Vandy Slide Sandal: These are an update on the classic Arizona Birkie, and they look as great as they feel. The platform heel adds a bit of NOW. I like these best on wider feet and ankles. Very flattering.
  • Dolly Block Heel Sandal: A relatively comfortable '70s and '90s sandal with statement buckles. Better on a lower volume foot because the bottom strap is not adjustable.
  • L'Amour Des Pieds L'Amour Des PiedsDordogne: Modern and fun in a utility kind of way. These can work with bunions if your feet aren't wide. They cover a lot of the foot, so you have to be okay with that.
  • Sola Sandal: Extreme comfort with just enough support. Works best on higher volume feet.
  • Patsy Sandal: These look better on the foot and in person. Their excellent cut suits a range of foot types. Size down half a size for narrower feet. The criss-cross strap detailing is very flattering.
  • Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Rockport Cobb Hill CollectionCobb Hill Helen: Extreme casual comfort with a touch of boho. Very manageable heel height. The cut-out detailing on the foot creates a maximal effect, so consider yourself warned.
  • Premium Offroad Sandal: Trendy Sporty Sandals for high volume feet.
  • Maritsa Lara Slingback Sandal: These have worked well on wider feet with narrower ankles. Can be forgiving of small bunions. The V-shape of the vamp is flattering on wide ankles.
  • Rockport Cobb Hill Collection Rockport Cobb Hill CollectionCobb Hill Hollywood Two-Piece Sandal: Pretty good arch support and two-toned fabness with the metallic inserts. Maximal on the foot, and super cute on a wider foot.
  • Season Sandal: If you enjoy Danskos, give these a try. They're wider than they used to be and the shape of the last is a little dfferent. That said, I have many happy clients in the fun clog that's best suited to higher volume feet.
  • 'Amadour' Platform Sandal: These have worked well on narrower feet with bunions. Your toes will only peep through the hole if your feet are narrow. There is room in the toe box though, so good for bunions.
  • PIKOLINOS PikolinosP. Vallarta 655-0720: Streamlined Boho-Lite for regular volume feet. Might work on slightly wider feet.
  • Luna Sandal: Pretty and quite unique with the high vamp, slit and bow. They look like they'd be wide on the ankle, but they aren't as long as the vamp fits the shape of your instep.
  • OAK Espadrille Wedge Sandal: These are remarkably comfy as long as you don't mind the inflexibility of the platform. Especially flattering on a wider foot and ankle.
  • Aceline Slide Sandal: Streamlined, dressy and versatile. Very comfy on a regular volume foot.
  • LifeStride LifeStrideMilly: A modern classic and affordable wedge that goes the distance. Best on regular volume feet.
  • Laguna Sandal: Excellent uber casual support for wide feet.
  • Naturalizer NaturalizerNalani: I have these, and duplicated them because they are one of the very few styles that are available in a US6.5 NARROW. They are classic, extremely comfy and go the distance. Look better on the foot. Love them, and wear them with dresses, jeans and pants.
  • SAS SASSavanna: Dressier, classic, versatile and VERY comfy unless you need a lot of arch support. The black heel will bookend dark hair. Adjustable straps and FIVE options of width allow for a great fit.
  • Rieker Rieker43711 Mirjam 11: Interesting and quite maximal on the foot. Boho-lite, and crisp in the white. Well suited to regular and lower volume feet.

Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.

Zappos
Naot NaotLisa
$145.00
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3
Zappos
Naot NaotPixie
$149.94
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9
Zappos
Me Too Me TooArena
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3
Nordstrom
Sola Sandal
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5
Nordstrom
Patsy Sandal
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3
Nordstrom
Season Sandal
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7
Nordstrom
Luna Sandal
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7
Nordstrom
Laguna Sandal
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3
Zappos
SAS SASSavanna
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1
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: Polo Tops

A polo top is a knitted top with a very specific style of knitted collar and placket. The placket typically has two or three buttons, and an optional pocket. It’s inspired by golf wear, equestrian wear, and tennis wear. The most famous polo shirts are by Lacoste, complete with crocodile emblem and starched piqué fabric. Lacoste shirts or Crocodile shirts are classics that look as fab today as they did decades ago.

The fashion industry is giving the polo shirt and its fun iterations its trendy moment. Sleeves are all sorts of lengths and fits range from body-con to fluid. Fabrics are KNITTED and made of piqué, all types of jersey, gauze, mesh, ribbing, or yarn that resembles knitwear (sweaters in the US). The collars and plackets are standard. The collection showcases a wide assortment of polo tops across patterns and colours.

Mango
Openwork Knit Polo
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5
Zara
Crocheted Polo Shirt
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4
Nordstrom
Polo Sweater
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1
Nordstrom
Heart Logo Polo
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1
Nordstrom
Ray Stripe Polo
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2
Shopbop
Stella Jean Polo Tee
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1
Shopbop
Le Superbe Room Polo
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2

Very few of my clients and friends wear fashion polo tops, although many wear the gear version for golf and tennis. They generally find them too strict, sporty, angular and hard, unflattering and preppy, and don’t like the collar. Some find them twee, dowdy and unattractive. They’ll wear them for sport, but not for fashion.

I’m in the minority because I LOVE polo tops. They are casual but dressier and more interesting than a basic tee. I wore fluid versions in the ‘80s, and fitted versions in the early ‘90s. I also wore pony club polo shirts for horse riding in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The collar and placket are a slam dunk for my body type, giving me the structure that I crave around my shoulder neck points and narrow shoulders. My long neck loves the coverage of the collar, which I pop when it’s relatively stiff. Polo tops are a magical fit most of the time, so it’s no wonder I’m fond of them.

I have two knitwear versions at the moment that have been fab for Spring. A short sleeved version in ink blue from COS, and a patterned bubblegum pink with longer sleeves from Scotch & Soda. The fits are fluid and welted. They work well worn over or semi-tucked over jeans, utility pants and dressier pants. I always wear them with my chunky pearl necklaces with a few of the top buttons undone. The pearls add glam and a dressy integrity to the polo.

Although on-trend, polo tops are classics, which is another reason I like them. I’m back to wearing all sorts of classic tops this year because the trends are against me, so it’s fab timing that this classic is having a fashion moment. I hope to add some versions for high Summer, and cold weather too.

Over to you. What’s your take on the polo top?

Coach 1941 Fitted Polo Top

FUZZI Camo Polo

Ten Reasons to Wear Bralettes

A bralette is a bra without wires, moulded cups, or much compression. Some resemble sports bras, but without the shock absorbing support. Bralettes are designed to be easy-going, lightweight and comfortable. They tend to create a flatter and more spread-out lift under clothing, as opposed to the round, high and perky lift an underwire bra gives you. The collection below shows a good assortment of bralettes, which are the styles YLF forum members enjoy wearing. They’ve been tried and tested with good results.

Our Team Bra versus Team Jiggle poll revealed that many women wear bralettes instead of bras either exclusively, frequently or occasionally. This surprised me since I have very few clients and friends who wear bralettes, and I don’t wear them either. I thoroughly enjoy wearing pretty bras with underwire and lots of structure so bralettes aren’t on my radar. This is not the case for others, who enjoy or prefer wearing bralettes for one or more of the following reasons:

  1. Daytime Comfort: The lack of compression, ultra softness of the fabric, and zero wire is a lot more comfortable than a regular bra with structured extras. Some have chosen to wear bralettes exclusively for this reason.
  2. Nighttime Comfort: Some wear regular bras out in public, but switch to bralettes at home for lounging, sleeping, gardening, housework, hanging with family, or working from home. The bralette offers just enough coverage and freedom without full-on braless jiggle and exposure.
  3. Travel Comfort: Some reserve bralettes for plane travel because the straps and hooks of regular bras ride up, chafe, and dig into the skin after sitting in a plane seat for several hours.
  4. Breast Sensitivity: Extreme breast and nipple sensitivity is bad news in a regular bra. The ultra soft bralette is just the ticket by providing forgiving and gentle protection.
  5. Outfit Accessory: Decorative bralettes are dead right to wear with low-cut tops, low-cut armholes or sheer tops by providing coverage and just enough support.
  6. Bra Break: The engineered support of a regular bra when you’re larger in the bust can create dents on the shoulders, which is quite heavy going. Wearing a bralette from time to time gives you a break without braless exposure.
  7. Bra Saving: Some wear bralettes to save their expensive bras from wearing out too fast. This is especially true for those who perspire a lot in hot and humid weather.
  8. Easy Care: Some prefer the wash care of a bralette because they can be thrown in the washer and dryer with ease. Bras with underwire on the other hand generally need a little more laundry care.
  9. Cooler in Hot Weather: Apparently bralettes are more ventilating than regular bras, which makes them fab if you run warm, have regular hot flashes, or it’s extremely hot weather.
  10. Shapes a Very Small Bust: A bralette can provide a nicer shape than a regular bra when you have a very small bust.

You don’t need to be small in cup size to effectively wear a bralette. Brands like Cosabella, Torrid and Aerie provide a large assortment of sizes and styles, and chances are high you’ll find one that fits if you like the idea of a bralette.

Black Lace Racerback Bralette