Ensemble: Black & Light Blue

I’m generally not a fan of ‘90s fashion, but one of the things I remember fondly was the resurgence of light blue, and how well it worked with black. The ensemble here is based on that memory. I threw in some pearl grey to lighten the palette for those who aren’t that fond of black. 

Think of any way at all to combine black with light blue. Faded denim counts as light blue. Here are some renditions to get you started.

Column of Black

Create a column of black with separates and add light blue accents with scarf and bag, or even shoes. Throw on a light blue jacket if you like. Finish off the outfit with grey, black or silver footwear.

Black-Lite

Combine a light blue patterned item with a grey separate. It works well when the pattern incorporates some black. Finish off the look with grey, black or silver footwear, and black bag to match.

Light Blue Top

Combine a black bottom with a light blue top. Add a black necklace, earrings or specs to balance the black up top. A black or grey topper could work. Finish off the look with grey, black or silver footwear, and bag to match.

Mid-Tone Denim

Try a mid-tone blue top if the pastel is too light. Combine the top with cropped black flares, and by all means wear a dress over bottoms to create a tunic effect. Finish off the look with grey, black or silver footwear, and a bag that works with the palette.

Ensemble: Black & Light Blue

Link Love: Tattoo Stories

Refinery29 reports that watercolour tattoos, “that make even the most vibrant hues look refined and soft,” are the latest body art trend. The colours really are incredible!

Female-run tattoo parlours have become more common in recent years, and are trying “to make the tattooing experience a kinder one not only for clients, but also for women trying to make headway in a business that has often been marked by macho behavior and sexist treatment.”

Here, 19 people share the story behind their first tattoo.

Fab Links from Our Members

Hubert de Givenchy passed away this week, and Jenni NZ wanted to share this article about the iconic French designer and his muse, Audrey Hepburn.

High heels are the worst, and women are finally ditching them.” Greenjeans found this article refreshing, and hopes it’s a thing and not just a trend.

Greenjeans also wanted to share the trailer for Fresh Dressed, a 2015 documentary about hip hop fashion. Lots about music, fashion as self-expression, men’s fashion, street style, and what it takes to bring a new brand to retail. 

Rachylou enjoyed this interview with Kate and Andy Spade, the founders of the Kate Spade brand.

What self-care really means isn’t about fashion per se, but La Belle Demimondaine thinks “it’s significant at a time when a lot of us are talking through all of our ‘life stuff,’, trying to sort out the chaff, before being able to settle upon specific style choices and wardrobe building.”

Tomato Red and Toffee

A new outfit from Annette Hoeldrich of Lady of Style, whom we introduced to YLF in January 2015.

Tomato red paired with toffee is an unexpected colour combination that looks chic and fresh. Annette is wearing a tailored white button-down with elegant wide-leg trousers. Tucking the shirt into the high-waisted trousers accentuates her waist, and lengthens the leg line. Her taupe pointy toe booties complement the colour of the coat and also have an elongating effect. The beautiful suede trench gives the look a luxe vibe, while creating lots of textural interest. Our blogger adds a fun matchy-matchy touch with the red tote. Coral lipstick, large silver hoops, and a statement pendant are the polished finishing touches

Annette Hoeldrich - 2

Annette-Hoeldrich-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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Weekly Roundup: Assorted Items

More good stuff at retail this week. These items were winners on my clients and on forum members, and two pairs of the jeans made it into my wardrobe to replenish my jeans capsule. Ann Taylor’s White Frayed Jeans are an excellent extra wardrobe essential, which you can see fitted on me in this forum thread. Pilcro’s Lemon Grove High Rise Cropped Bootcut Jeans are deliciously playful and a maximally fun addition to my jeans capsule. I LOVE patterned pants.

  • Maeve | Anthropologie Tallulah Lace Skirt: A stunning length skirt that looks awfully elegant and pretty. Can work on a straighter and curvier body type. Lightweight and Summery. The lace is soft and looks like a stained glass window. Turquoise is rare in fashion these days, so the skirt has my attention. I'm deciding whether it will earn a place in my skirt capsule.
  • Boden Effie Silk Top: A handy little layering shell to wear under blazers and jackets - or on its own. Crisp, polished, and beautifully made. Plenty of armhole coverage. Available in solids.
  • KUT KOLLECTION KUT from the Kloth Catherine Boyfriend Jeans: Great jeans for a curvier body type. Straighter body types need to size down. Thick fabric, and a good mid-length rise for shorter waists. The crisp embroidery is a fun juxtaposition against the very washed out denim.
  • Ann Taylor Frayed Crop Jeans in White: The best white jeans of the season because they look like JEANS - not leggings. Fabric is quite thick. Not too stretchy. Crisp. Not too soft. NOT body-con. Not see-through. Nice pocket linings. Don't suck the living daylights out of you. Plenty of room on the calves. Run TTS unless you're narrow on the hips and thighs, in which case you could size down. They fit me tighter and shorter than on the model. They earned a place in my wardrobe, and I'm thrilled with them.
  • Pilcro And The Letterpress | Anthropologie Pilcro Lemon Grove High-Rise Cropped Bootcut Jeans: If you're into warm-weather maximal jeans, crisp patterns, sour colours, and cropped flares - try these. The fabric is thick, not too stretchy, and very polished. The fit works well on a straighter or curvier body type because it moulds to your shape in a tailored and not body-con way. They are a little longer on me than on the model. A quality piece with a retro vibe, and I adore them.
  • Rebecca Minkoff Moonwalking Leather Satchel: A beautifully on-trend tote for Team Lilac. On sale.
  • Summit by White Mountain Elodie: Despite the '90s platform, these booties are surprisingly refined on the foot. Super cute and space-age casual. Comfortable, forgiving, very lightweight, and sturdy. The silver is warmer in person. Available in bronze.
  • Freda Salvador | Anthropologie Freda Salvador Oxford D'Orsay Flats: Gorgeous cut-out oxfords for Team Teal. Refined Rocker with subtle stud detailing. Might need to size down half a size.
  • Lauren Ralph Lauren Trench Coat: Good SINGLE-breasted trench coat in yummy watermelon. Fab on both a smaller and larger bust. Streamlining. Fits a range of body types. Available in olive and black.
  • Hobbs Saskia Trench: I love the length of this trench because it's elegant and versatile. Best on a small or regular bust, but works quite well on a larger bust because the lapels of the collar fold down to create a flattering V-neck. These are British sizes so size up two sizes for the US equivalent.
  • Veronica Beard Britton Shirtdress: Structured Smart Casual Fabness. My heart skipped a beat when I saw my client in this number. STUNNING on a straighter boyish body type with a square shoulder line and smaller bust. The buttons are going to pull across the front of the skirt if your hips and thighs are curvier so consider yourself warned. The buttons break up the black very effectively.
  • Karen Kane Lace Trim Top: Boho-Lite Fabness. Pretty and streamlined despite the volume. Comes in white and is bra-friendly.
  • COFFEE SHOP Gingham Hooded Rain Jacket: Super cute Modern Retro raincoat that works on a range of body types. Might need to size up a size.
  • Pilcro And The Letterpress | Anthropologie Pilcro Mid-Rise Slim Boyfriend Jeans: Adorable floral jeans that work well on a curvier and straighter body type. Hem can be shortened. Works well on a short waist and short rise.
  • Loft Wildflower Satin Split Neck Blouse: The photo does not do the '70s inspired blouse justice. The insets and piping are well made and give the top personality. Vibrant and festive. Might need to size down.
  • Banana Republic Sloan Skinny-Fit Floral Pant: The great thing about these pants is that the floral pattern does not stretch out and distort when it's on the body. Works well on both a curvier and straighter body type. Crisp and polished in a smart casual way.
  • Zara Metallic Leather Moccasins: These heeled loafers look better in person and on the foot. More professional and polished than you would think. Great with cropped pants, skirts and dresses, and quite comfortable.
  • Massimo Dutti Red Nappa Leather Ankle Boots: Stunning bootie for low-volume feet and narrow ankles. Don't touch them unless your feet and ankles are narrow because the fit is VERY slim. Fit like Ferragamos. Extremely comfortable for low-volume feet, and beautifully made. They are super soft and "sock-like," so NOT a robust shoe. They would have been mine if they were more tomato and less fire engine red.
  • Banana Republic Gingham Flounce Tee: A handy textured knit top with an effective avant-garde flavour. Crease-resistant. Very straight on the waist, and runs a size big. Comes in navy and white.

Remember that more and more regular sized collections are offering extended size ranges to include US14 to US20 so be sure to check sizes before you assume that your size is not available. Browse the collar options.

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

Trend: Western Boots

Cowboy boots and boots with a Western vibe are about to have their fashion moment. The trend hasn’t yet hit mainstream stores, but it’s gaining momentum. I expect it to become completely mainstream over the next few seasons. 

Of course, in some parts of the US, authentic cowboy or Western boots have been THE look for decades, are completely mainstream for men, women and children, and will be so forever. Cowboy boots are part of the culture, and worn with anything from shorts and slip dresses to tuxedos and wedding gowns. In those parts of the world, there is no shortage of prestigious cowboy boot retailers, and people make a strong statement with the look.

It is a little odd to talk about the Western boot trend when cowboy boots are iconic, and always in style. But that’s the way it goes in fashion. Polka dot patterns and trench coats are similarly iconic, yet fashion has chosen to put them on a pedestal for a while.

The Western boot trend runs on a continuum with die-hard authentic cowboy boots on the one end, mules with a slight Western vibe on the other, and countless variations in between. The collection below showcases this diversity.

Shopbop
Marni Sabot Mules
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Top Pick
3
Shopbop
Frye Flynn Mules
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6
Nordstrom
Ariat Javea Bootie
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3
Nordstrom
Ariat Dulce Bootie
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Top Pick
3
Zappos
Ariat Willow
$159.94
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2
Zappos
Ariat Western Wildcat
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3
Zappos
Ariat Circuit Savanna
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4
Zappos
Old Gringo Ninna
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5
Zappos
Ariat Darlin
$139.94
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1
Zappos
Dan Post Bouquet
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3
Zappos
Lucchese Wynonna
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4
Zappos
Old Gringo Rainha
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3

You might be thinking, why boots for Spring & Summer? Well, authentic cowboy boots are often worn in Summer, Spring can be very chilly, and in some parts of the US Summer is not that hot. Also arctic air conditioning and cool evenings by the ocean can make boots very wearable in Spring and Summer. But if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s the less covered mule version if your feet prefer ventilation.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Whipstitched Leather Ankle BootsGANNI White Callie 70 Leather Ankle Boots

I would have expected the return of full-length bootcuts and bell-bottoms with this trend, since they are the slam dunk silhouette to wear with cowboy boots. I’m willing to bet that bootcuts and bell-bottoms are in the trend pipeline. That would complete the enormous variety of jeans and pant silhouettes in modern fashion, so I hope it happens. In the meantime though, the idea is to wear Western-style boots and mules with just about any outfit.

I like cowboy boots, and am very open to a refined, streamlined and low-heeled pair, without the bells and whistles, in a shade of white or a pastel. If I’m going to wear them, they have to be pretty, smart casual and crisp, and not rugged, casual and chunky. This pair from Gianvito Rossi looks perfect, although I’d appreciate a lower price.

Over to you. What’s your take on the Western boot trend, and do you like cowboy boots?