Pantone’s colour for 2019, a UN charter for sustainable fashion, a TV show based on British Vogue in the ’90s, and other style news that caught our eye last month.

• Stella McCartney has launched a UN charter for sustainable fashion.
• ‘Living Coral‘ is Pantone’s colour of the year 2019.
• Raf Simons is stepping down from his role as chief creative officer at Calvin Klein after two years.
• ASOS has released a collection for fuller-busted women.
• Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad is filming a documentary that will focus on her private life, as well as the professional persona she presents to the world.
• Blake Nordstrom, co-president of Nordstrom, has passed away at age 58.
• Sustainable fashion brand Reformation’s denim collection is now available in sizes up to size 24.
• Chanel has announced it will stop using exotic skins in their future creations.
• A TV show based on British Vogue in the ’90s is in the works.

Fun Fashion Fact

Most people use the terms button-down shirt and button-up shirt interchangeably, but did you know there’s one detail that sets them apart. The Huffington Post explains it like this:

“Button-down shirts, like button-up shirts, have buttons running straight down the center of the front of the shirt. But button-downs have an extra set of small buttons right below the collar, and corresponding button holes on the collar tips, to fasten the collar down to the shirt”

According to Business Insider, button-downs were originally made for polo players so they could fasten their collars to their shirts during matches to keep collars from flapping up around their faces while they were playing.

Wearing white jeans in Winter looks fresh and gives your blue jeans a break. It might not work in your snowy, slushy, rural and wet climate, or be your cup of tea. But as a white jeans advocate, I’m hopeful you’ll give it a go anyway. Maybe you’ll wear the look on a bright, dry and sunny Winter’s day. Or when you’re being chauffeured and don’t need to traipse through the snow. Failing that, freeze the idea till things thaw out in Spring.

For those who like to wear white jeans in Winter like I do, here are four ways to combine them with a neutral support act. You can swap out the black for navy or olive if that’s more to your taste.

1. Classic Fabness

Create a column of white with jeans and an off-white or tan pullover. Tuck or semi-tuck into the high rise and add a belt to bookend the black jeans, and possibly your dark hair. The horizontal line of the high-contrast belt is offset by the column of colour and high rise of the jeans that elongates the silhouette. Top things off with a high-contrast neutral coat. I love this even though I don’t wear black booties. I’d substitute the black for cognac booties and belt, and wear an olive parka, or navy coat.

2. Earthy Flares

Create a column of Winter white with white jeans and a cream pullover. The white flares are lovely but desperately need DRY weather. I like the oversized fit of the pullover that’s offset by the sleeker thigh fit of the flares. The unstructured toffee topper adds visual interest. The heels create a longer leg line which can prevent that “dumpy” feeling when you wear wide unstructured layers. But by all means create a more structured silhouette and wear tapered jeans. White boots are fab, but toffee or metallic work as well.

3. Cosy and Wrapped

Combine white skinnies with a turtleneck or layering pullover of your choice. Bring on the drama with a patterned or solid wrap or poncho. Wear it unstructured or belted at the waist. Add neutral boots that work with the palette of the outfit. Here, tan boots would have worked as well as black.

4. Structured Equestrian Lite

This one is for extremely mild Winter weather. Heck, I’d wear the combination in Summer. Combine white skinnies with a black tee and plaid equestrian blazer. Add black boots, mules, shooties, loafers or booties. For a proper Winter, I’d tuck white skinnies into tall black riding boots, and layer a black turtleneck under the patterned blazer. I’d throw an anorak, military coat or cocoon coat over the lot.

Last October, The Flex, a strapless bra from Harper Wilde, had racked up a 6,000 person wait list.

The Guardian reports that “the new lingerie is all about comfort and body confidence.”

“It may not seem like it, but there has never been a better time– not in the whole, entire history of bras — to find a bra in your size, in your style and to fit your budget,” says Fashionista.

New lingerie brand CUUP is revolutionizing bra sizing.

Lingerie brand Lively is combining lingerie and leisure, and has penned the term ‘leisurée’.

Popsugar recommends the Pepper the All You Small Cup Bra for small busts.

The Pool has tips on where to find underwear that feels good on your body and makes you feel good in turn.

They also have recommendations for bralettes and non-traditional bras which offer decent support and comfort.

Fab Links from Our Members

Suntiger thought specs wearers would find this blog post on eyeglass frames for your natural colouring interesting.

As we’re looking at style directions for 2019, she also wanted to share this post.

“The hottest branding trend of the year is also the worst.” Shevia thought this was very telling.

Runcarla enjoyed this interesting interview with designer Tanya Taylor. “Great points about inclusivity, optimism, and having fun with fashion.”

Vildy wanted to share this article about the luxury marketing strategy: “These exclusive brands market for generational endurance and use counter-intuitive strategies to position themselves even away from other luxury brands. They don’t want to know what the consumer thinks about them! They tell you what to think. And whether you may buy. And when and how. And this works.

She also thought this article about Fashion Nova, an online fashion store offering affordable clothing, and how influencers tend to look the same and wear the same things, was food for thought.

Here are some thoughts on style that I revisit at the beginning of every year. I hope they resonate with you too.

1. Don’t compare and despair because you’ll never be happy. Compete with the best version of your current self, and be satisfied with that.
2. Do create outfits that adhere to your personal figure flattering priorities.
3. Don’t add to your list of looks that are poison eye because there is a version of every trend for everyone.
4. Do judge the outfit, but not the person wearing it.
5. Don’t take the emotion out of your style. The more you are in tune with your preferences, needs and emotions, the easier it is to sport a style that is manageable, authentic and makes you feel fabulous. Pay attention to how you feel in an outfit.
6. Do dress the body you have right now, and don’t wait to reach a goal weight.
7. Don’t keep wardrobe items for good. WEAR them because if not now, when?
8. Do relax into your style and don’t let it boss you around. There is a workable solution for every fashion challenge, and there will always be another sale or killer item. If you’re feeling frustrated with fashion, walk away and revisit things when you’re in a better headspace.
9. Don’t worry about laughter lines because they’re proof that you enjoy life.
10. Do celebrate your body because it’s an incredible gift that deserves daily care and praise at any size and age.
11. Don’t pass up the opportunity to compliment others about their style, because a few genuine and kind words go a long way.
12. Do remember that there is no one way to be stylish. Style is a celebration of individuality, diversity, and an art form that is enjoyed by a range of audiences.
13. Don’t shop online when you’re tired, stressed, angry, bitter, or out of sorts, because it almost always leads to poor purchasing decisions.
14. Do set the stylish standard and don’t let anyone make you feel bad for dressing in a way that makes you happy.
15. Don’t give up on signature looks and colours that aren’t on-trend if they make you happy and feel fabulous. Your signature looks are what’s personal about personal style, which is the point.
16. Do be patient on your style journey. It takes time and resources to build an effective wardrobe, especially when some fashion seasons are more to your taste than others. Focus on what you have and what you’ve achieved with your style instead of feeling dissatisfied about what you don’t have. Your style will fall into place after a while.
17. Don’t keep wardrobe items that are uncomfortable, make you sad, or make you feel bad and unconfident. Life is too short for this type of negativity.
18. Do appreciate all the different ways we can be beautiful because life would be awfully dull if we all looked the same.
19. Don’t take fashion and style too seriously. Experiment with new things, but don’t fix things that aren’t broken. Be surprised at what works, and learn from what doesn’t. Laugh a lot.
20. Do have fun with fashion. It can build amazing social communities like YLF, and shopping with friends is therapeutic. Selecting what to wear can be creative, entertaining and satisfying. Wearing the heck out of your fabulous wardrobe sparks joy, a sense of achievement, and allows you to get on with the rest of what life has to offer.

Style is beyond age and size. It’s an energy, attitude and confidence that is expressed through clothing, footwear and accessories. For some style is an innate and intuitive thing, but more importantly, it can be learned. We at YLF wish you a stylish and happy 2019 filled with lots of fun and satisfying fashion adventures.