V-necklines create a V-shape below the base of the neck and on the décolletage. Sometimes garments have back V-necklines, which is fun and unexpected. V-necklines can be deep or shallow. Front V-necks that are to deep are annoying when they showcase too much cleavage, or require a camisole that interferes with the shape of the V. Back V-necks are great when they’re high enough to cover the bra strap.

A top or dress with a structured shirt collar creates a V-neckline when a few of the top buttons are worn unbuttoned. A more subtle yet effective V-neckline can be created when a long and chunky pendant necklace is worn over a higher neckline like a crew or turtleneck.

V-necklines are fabulous because of their elongating integrity. They visually flatten curvier top halves by creating space and breaking up the expanse. They also give you room to breathe. They create the most conventionally flattering effect on:

• Larger busts
• Shorter necks
• Shorter waists
• Broader shoulders
• Petites

Many of my clients enjoy a V-neck because they are a slam dunk for their body type. After fifteen years of dressing women, I’m still in awe at how magically a V-neckline can minimize the size of the bust and lengthen the neck. Conversely, a high neckline does an excellent job of visually shortening the neck and increasing the size of the bust.

I’m seeing lots of dresses with V-necklines coming through for Spring and Summer, which we haven’t seen for years. That’s fabulous and a long time coming.

Personally, I avoid front V-necklines because I have the opposite of the body type that wears them well: a regular bust, regular waist, narrow shoulders and a very long neck. My short hair makes my neck look even longer. The higher the neckline, the better it’s suited to my body type. That said, I successfully wear a V-neckline when it’s a structured shirt collar with a few of the top buttons left open. That’s because the collar adds coverage to my long neck and shoulder neck point, especially when I pop the collar. I also enjoy wearing tops that have high necks in the front, and V-necks in the back.

Here are the V-necks in my wardrobe. Every item is a shirt collar accept for a blouse that has a high front neck, but dips to a V-shape in the back.

Over to you. Do you like and wear V-necks, and do you fit into the body type that wears them best?

Here are items that have been winners on clients and forum members recently, or that simply caught my eye. There are hints of Spring in the mix to cheer up those in arctic and snowy weather.

• Topshop Topshop Zebra Mesh Midi Dress | Nordstrom: I like a mesh dress because it's crease-resistant, lightweight, comfortable and packs well. It's also a easy to launder. The fab part of this style is the structured fluidity. Quite fitted on the torso and sleeves so you have to be okay with that. A little earthier in person. The lining does not go all the way down the dress, which makes in quite breezy, Might need to size up. Comes in a black and rust pattern too.
• HOBBS LONDON Saskia Trench Coat: A repeat trench coat style that is all that. Beautifully made, a classic, and gorgeous in this shade of lilac. Chic and a quality piece.
• Topshop Topshop Crystal Heel Genuine Calf Hair Ankle Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom: A statement bootie for lower volume feet. Moderate comfort.
• 1901 1901 Double Breasted Blazer (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom: A fabulous blazer for Team Tall, or if you like long blazers. Soft, thick, fun lining, and quite well made. It runs a size big and has a roomy fit on the sleeves. Works well on a curvy body type.
• HOBBS LONDON Braidy Teddy Faux Fur Coat: Teal Cocoon Coat Fabnes. Oversized, architectural, and well made. Works on a range of body types.
• AGL AGL Pointy Toe Derby (Women) | Nordstrom: A beautifully refined flat oxford that fits a range of feet. Size down for low-volume feet. Comfortable if you don't need a lot of arch support. Can fit an orthotic.
• BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN Alham Dress: I haven't seen this dress in person yet, but it's the type of silhouette that works well on those with a defined or straight waist. It can work on a curvier bust and bottom half too. Length can be hemmed for petites.
• SOMETHING NAVY Something Navy Quad Scarf (Nordstrom Exclusive) | Nordstrom: Soft and cosy fabness. Comes in five colours.
• SCOTCH & SODA Mixed Print Shirt: The stock photo does not do this blouse justice so click on the link to see it up close. It has a fun trapeze silhouette and is colour blocked with a stripe. Nicely made.
• Novelti Quilted Water-Resistant Parka: This puffer coat has been popular on our forum because it's well made, warm, on sale and streamlined. The black has a pretty blush lining on the neckline. Comes in navy and mauve too.
• Fabiana Filippi Fabiana Filippi Doriana Ball Necklace | Nordstrom: A statement necklace with a high longevity factor.
• Alexander McQueen Alexander McQueen Spider Bracelet | Nordstrom: An interesting bit of arm candy if you enjoy wearing black, gold, and skulls.
• Treasure&Bond Treasure & Bond Oval Link Drop Earrings | Nordstrom: These drop earrings caught my attention because they are dainty, yet bold. Geometric and different.
• Reiss Hayley Large Scale Floral Printed Shirt: The placement of the pattern is interesting, which adds a playful element to the classic silhouette. Check out the back, and nicely made.
• Cinq A Sept Tous Les Jours Harmony Pants: A little '80s Fabness that's best on a longer rise and torso. Not great on a short waist.
• Eileen Fisher Women's Sport Crisscross Sandals: I have many happy clients in this repeat style sandal that is available in few shades of neutral. It's extremely comfortable, and feels like a sneaker on the foot. It's good on regular to higher volume feet. Not good on very narrow or wide feet, or feet with high insteps.
• Botkier Cobble Hill Crossbody Bag: A surprisingly roomy crossbody that holds a lot more than you think. The guitar strap is optional. Very structured, thereby looking as dressy as it does casual. Comes in lots of colours.
• FitFlop Women Uberknit Slip-on Sneakers-Metallic Hi-Top Trainers: An extremely comfy sneaker that can work as a house shoe. Comes in 15 colours.
• Boden Addlestone Blazer: A gorgeous blazer with a cut-away front that visually streamlines the body by defining the waist. Fun polka dot lining and the sleeves run long and a little wide. Thick and substantial fabric. Quite heavy. Comes in three colours. Well made.
• FitFlop Twiss Crystal Slide: Comfy and supportive sandals that can work as house shoes too. Can fit a lower volume foot and a wider volume foot. Lower volume foot might need to size down half a size. Comes in three neutrals.
• H&M Knee-length Skirt: A comfortable flared black midi with great drape and heft. Substantial crepe. Elastic waist, and nice topstitching on the seams.
• Nordstrom Nordstrom Butter Crew Socks | Nordstrom: The cosiest socks of them all. Great for long flights and lounging. Lots of colours.

Go to the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Why do we care about our figure flattering priorities? Why do we bother with accessories and make-up? Why do we want fabulous hair, straight teeth, and great skin? As long as we’re clean, covered and comfortable, why should we expend the effort to look appealing and attractive?

You wouldn’t be reading this post unless you were interested in fashion, personal style, and your physical appearance. But your reasons for caring about style might be different to mine. Here are nine things that drive my interest in personal style. 

1. Style is Aesthetic

I’m a visual person. I’m happy, energized and proud when I’m surrounded by beautiful design. That’s why I go to great effort to make the things around me look nice to my eye. This includes our decor, artwork and garden, the way I wrap gifts, the crockery I use to present a home cooked meal, and the way I plate food. Even our Yorkie Sam’s collars, the tissue holder in my bag, my iPhone case, and our luggage tags are not chosen randomly. Thought went into whether they look visually pleasing. The way I present myself to the world is a natural extension of my aesthetic appreciation for everything.

2. Style is Creative

Personal style is a creative outlet. Our body is the canvas and our wardrobe items are the raw materials. I view outfits as a creative expression, and they are no less an art form than a painting on a wall or a nicely decorated room. And it’s a form of expression that’s available to almost everyone. 

3. Style is Confidence

The way I look on the outside affects the way I feel on the inside. When I’m happy with my outfit and feel attractive, I’m active, positive, strong, and feel that I can take on the day. Of course, feeling good about my outer appearance is not the only thing that builds confidence and gets me through the day. But it helps.

Psychological studies also show that people who feel that they are dressed appropriately for a job, perform better at that job. Psychologists even have a name for this phenomenon: Enclothed Cognition.

4. Style is Communication

Our clothes, footwear and accessories overtly communicate our aesthetic preferences. They can also communicate subtle things, like our attention to detail, and cues about our personality. Our style can pique the interest of someone across the room or in a crowd before they’ve introduced themselves. Even if we don’t express anything about ourselves in our style, people will probably assume that we are and make some assumptions anyway. Like the subconscious first impression you make when you’re meeting someone for the first time. I embrace this form of communication because, to some extent, I do care what other people think.

5. Style is Entertaining & Fun

Dressing is an art form, which makes people walking works of art. I thoroughly enjoy seeing and looking at what people around me and in other geographical areas are wearing. I like observing the differences and similarities. It’s fascinating to look at and appreciate all types of style, and there is never a dull moment.

I LOVE clothes, footwear and accessories. I enjoy keeping up with fashion trends and what designers are creating. I thoroughly enjoy looking at wardrobe items in stores, online, and trying them on. I love to shop, both for myself and for other people. I love dressing other people too. It’s a hobby and an enjoyable way to spend time.

6. Style is Therapeutic

I am extremely relaxed about fashion, my own style, and my work with clients. Those areas of my life cause me no stress and give me lots of pleasure. I relax into every style analysis, closet edit, closet review, purchase, sale, hunt, shop, outfit creation session, and don’t let any of it boss me around. I enjoy online retail browsing because it can be a relaxing distraction when other stuff is stressing me out.

7. Style is Community

Fashion trends and timeless style have the power to unite people from around the globe in a way that few other subjects can. The YLF community is a very good example of this. Most of the people in our social community have never met in person, yet feel a sense of camaraderie and friendship because they share a common interest. Being part of fashion community is social, fun, and therapeutic when the members are supportive, helpful and positive to one another.

8. Style is Culture

The older you get, the more you look back on previous eras and realize how the essence of time is captured in style. The bohemian vibe that captures the social liberation of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Or space age looks that reflected the emergence of technology in the ‘80s. When looking at a picture of an event, it’s quite easy to judge the time in history based on the fashion and style.

There are cultural differences in fashion and style across the globe that make the world a more interesting place. And similarities that bring us together.

9. Style is My Career

I’m a fashion stylist, and a style activist. Fashion and style have been a part of my career for 27 years. It’s part of who I am. I love to share it with other people. It’s a privilege that I can also make a living from something I’m so passionate about.

Fashion and style can be frivolous, fickle and superficial, and it mustn’t be taken too seriously. Yet it can help us meet our needs to create, communicate, build confidence, appreciate diverse aesthetics, define ourselves, have fun, relax, and share things with others.

Over time, wardrobe items will tear, pill, scuff, snag, stretch, fade and get stains. Laundering an item weakens the fibres, changes the fit, and dulls the colour. Items were made to be worn, but I do want my favourite items to look pristine for longer. So I make a point of “sharing the wear”. Here are three ways to do that.

More Items in Rotation

If you spread the wear evenly, then the items in a larger functional wardrobe will take longer to wear out. This isn’t so much about having a large wardrobe as it is about ensuring that you purchase items that are going to be worn. A dysfunctional wardrobe with many wardrobe orphans can make even a large wardrobe feel small. Conversely, a modest size wardrobe can feel large if the items were bought strategically.

Multiples of Similar Items

When you have multiples of similar items in rotation, they will all look less worn over time. These can be wardrobe essentials, wardrobe basics, completers, or statement pieces. For example, simple white footwear across styles that span the seasons are a wardrobe essential for my style. They are workhorses and I wear them many times in a week. The key is that I have many pairs of white booties, loafers, flats and sandals, which keeps them looking fresh, crisp and less scuffed over the years. If I had one pair of white boots that I walked in all season, they’d be battered after three months.

I also have a large collection of outerwear and handbags, and the items have held up really well. Some of my almost ten year old coats and bags look fairly new because I swap out the look very frequently, which shares the wear. If you sport the same bag all year, and the same pair of boots all season, they’re going to look worn fast.

Pick the Right Item from the Pile

When you have many pairs of panties, bras, socks, camisoles, tees, PJs, turtlenecks, thermals, sweatpants, workout tops, leggings and the like, it’s easy to keep on wearing and laundering the same ones instead of sharing the wear across the range. Put freshly laundered items at the bottom of the pile, or deliberately reach for items that are further down.

This isn’t essential. You might prefer your bags, jeans, sweats, leather jackets, and footwear to look worn because you like a rough-around-the-edges vibe. Maybe you’d prefer to have a small, tight wardrobe that you replace more frequently to prevent outfit boredom. Or maybe you’re fine for some items to look worn and others to look pristine.

I prefer my items to wear evenly across my wardrobe so I can enjoy my favourite items for longer. Sharing the wear helps me to do this.