Link Love: New Spring Toppers

Spring has finally arrived here, but we still get plenty of chilly days that require some kind of topper. If you are looking for a new Spring topper, then you might find some inspiration here:

Fab Links from Our Members

efbgen wanted to share this NY Times article featuring a gentleman who knits sweaters with familiar landscapes and then poses in front of them.

As several forum members are doing a closet edit, The Cat thought this blog post might be of interest.

Blogger Christina Brown participated in Dove’s self-esteem project to help her daughter develop the confidence she needs to blossom in life. Ledonna N. thought it was a great read.

She also enjoyed this interview with Jenny LeFlore of Mama Fresh, “a community of Fresh Mamas who pick up their little ones and explore the city” (Chicago).

Vildy recommends watching PAQ, a popular YouTube series about street fashion and sneaker culture: “I started exploring their series of short video challenges and was completely charmed. If they’re not having fun with fashion, I don’t know who is. I liked that within the strict rules about what is cool now — judges are often within the same esthetic and might even be wearing the same exact sneaker model — each stays true to his own style image.”

The Perfect Length for Ankle Pants

Cropped is a generic term used to describe any style of trouser that is shortened to a length where the hem finishes on the lower leg. The length varies between two to six inches above the ankle bone. Some retailers will include jeans when they refer to cropped pants. Silhouettes run the gamut, as you can see in the collection below.

Mango
Bow Belt Trousers
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Mango
Printed Crop Trousers
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Mango
Bow Linen Trousers
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Mango
Bow Linen Trousers
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Mango
Paper Bag Trousers
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Mango
Bow Belt Trousers
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Nordstrom
Topshop Mom Jeans
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Mango
Cropped Button Pants
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Ankle pants are one variation of a cropped pant. Again, some retailers will include jeans under the heading of ankle pants. They’re sleek, tailored, tapered on the hem, and showcase the ankle. Lengths are typically two to three inches above the ankle bone. Two inches is quite the sweet spot, especially when the calf is wider and more muscular.

Eloquii Kady Fit Double-Weave Pant

Style consultants and fashion professionals will differ on what is the best length for ankle pants. Lengths are my thing. I am pedantic about them so I have strong opinions on what is most flattering. I believe that when hems are longer than two inches, ankle pants don’t look intentional, but more like regular length pants that are too short. If you’re going to wear ankle pants, show your ankles.

Here’s a collection of ankle pants at the perfect length.

An Abundance of Yellow Toppers

I recently added a fifth item to my collection of yellow toppers. You may think this is too much wardrobe repetition, but it works for me. They are wardrobe workhorses, with all five of them getting regular wear. Their bold colours make them statement pieces, and they are a part of my signature style. 

Sour brights are my happy colours. Others may wear black, blue and grey to feel soothed, chic and confident. I wear a sour bright or white to feel that way. And I particularly love sour yellows like citron, neon lime, apple green, chartreuse and lemon yellow.

I chose the silhouettes and weights carefully across a range of dress codes and fabrics so that I can wear a seasonally appropriate yellow topper throughout the year. The citron trench is dressy, tailored, classic, and for milder weather. It can go to a cocktail party, or be worn with jeans and hi-tops. The woolly citron peacoat is my go-to casual coat in Winter. I wear it more frequently than my navy Burberry peacoat. The neon lime cropped jacket is fab for warmer Spring weather and is quite unique. The chartreuse Modern Retro cocoon coat is my best Winter coat purchase of all time, and feels magical each time I wear it. It’s very warm and I love the elegant length. It can be dressy or casual, and works over several layers and chunky knits. It looks equally good over a formal dress and with jeans and boots.

My most recent purchase in the collection is the Helene Berman Revere Lapel Coat, which I can wear on warmer Spring days and into Summer. It’s a Spring blazer weight in cotton, but in a coat length that has a Modern Retro integrity. I’ve worn it four times in two weeks because it filled a wardrobe hole. I needed a topper that didn’t look like a trench, moto or raincoat, wasn’t as warm as my woolly Winter coats, and could fit over my chunky cotton pullovers. This long blazer in a cocoon silhouette ticked all the boxes. It was a bonus it’s in a fab shade of yellow.

These toppers are all extremely versatile, which is useful in a city where you need some sort of topper for much of the year. I can dress them up or down, so they cover many dress codes. The shades of yellow combine well with the rest of my wardrobe. It helps that I love colour-mixing and wearing bright colours. I’ll wear yellow with light and dark neutrals, with pastels, earth tones, and with other sour brights.

They are also standing the test of time. I’ve had the citron trench and peacoat for eight years, wear them a lot, and they’re still going strong. I got the chartreuse cocoon coat in London in 2016, and it was still the coat I wore most frequently this Winter. 

What may seem like unnecessary duplication for one person, can be dead right for another. Listen to your feelings, identify the styles and colours that make you the happiest, and make a statement with them. That’s what I’ve done with these toppers, and I don’t think the collection is even complete. I’d happily add a regular citron blazer, because I know I would wear the heck out of that too.

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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Mum-on-the-Go in Red, White and Blue

A new outfit from Amber McNaught of Forever Amber, whom we introduced to YLF in July 2014.

A casual, put-together outfit with nautical influences. New Mum Amber paired distressed skinny jeans with a boat neck Breton long-sleeved tee and Modern Classic Converse sneakers. The zipped cuffs on the jeans are a fun design detail that add a little extra something. Her white lightweight blazer adds polish and effectively dresses up a jeans and tee outfit. So does the tomato red satchel that matches our blogger’s go-to red lipstick. Cat-eye sunnies and Amber’s signature red locks finish off the look.

Forever Amber - 1

Forever Amber - 2

Nordstrom Roundup: Comfy Closed-Toe Spring Shoes

Closed-toe footwear is great for mild Spring weather, and the collection below showcases some of my favourites in Nordstrom right now. I’ve included a few boots and boot hybrids too. Many of these were recently winners on clients, and the online reviews are excellent. Most of the shoes are very comfortable. Be sure to browse the abundant colour options, because you might like the shoe more in another colour.

  • Ron White Nell Slip-On Sneaker: Beautifully made sturdy slip-on wedge sneakers with fab texture. The patterned versions are great too. Best on higher volume feet, a quality item, and super comfy. More supportive than expected.
  • Ecco 'Soft 7' Cap Toe Sneaker: A repeat style and ongoing favourite with clients across a spectrum of colours. Works best on regular and higher volume feet, and can fit an orthotic. Loving the gentle earth tones for Spring. Extremely comfy.
  • Paul Green Roxy Espadrille: If ballet flats slip off your feet - try these. Quite supportive, well made, and works on higher volume feet. Size down half a size for lower volume feet. The white looks particularly fresh.
  • Hispanitas Yakira Mule: A dainty and pretty mule in a delicate lilac (or tan), that fits a regular volume foot. Made in Spain and a quality piece. Very comfy. Buttery leather.
  • SARTO By Franco Sarto Ayers Loafer Flat: A loafer-sneaker hybrid with extremely good reviews. Fun streamlined sporty vibe. Runs big so size down.
  • Paul Green Sheri Ballet Flat: Elegant and classic ballet flats that stay on your feet because of the subtle elasticated top. Quite supportive and very well made. Works on higher and lower volume feet. Lover volume feet size down half a size.
  • Hispanitas Mariel Slingback Pump: Dainty slingback with a hard edge, so quite unique. Elegant on the foot, made in Spain, and best on lower volume feet. A quality item and very comfy if your feet are narrow.
  • Linea Paolo Waylon Western Mule: Fun and very trendy cowboy mules that add pizzazz to outfits. Works best on higher volume feet.
  • LEWIT Cara Mule: Buttery soft mules that work on a variety of feet. Good on high insteps. Comes in neutrals too. Quite maximal on the feet, so consider yourself warned. Lower volume feet can try sizing down.
  • Leith Gillis Stretch Bootie: Fun refined floral boots for low volume feet and narrow ankles only. Higher volume feet - stay away. Quite comfy if you can manage the heel height.
  • Aquatalia Emmaline Embroidered Loafer: Beautifully made white loafers with asymmetrical embroidery detailing. A little jarring on the feet at first, but stunning after five seconds. Works on an range of feet. Comfortable.
  • Loeffler Randall Lulu Block Heel Mule: Flattering on the foot, unique metallics, and read the rave reviews.
  • Me Too Zara Block Heel Mule: A fab substantial casual mule that works well with jeans and cropped pants. Good on regular and higher volume feet.
  • Topshop Jolly Flared Heel d'Orsay Pump: A synthetic and affordable white pump for lower volume feet. Read the rave reviews.
  • Free People Sienna Ruffle Mule: You have to get used to the exaggerated length of the mule because it completely covers the vamp of the foot. A little avant-garde and best on longer feet. Comfy.
  • Munro Durell Oxford: A very comfy chunky oxford that comes in a variety of widths and colours. The white soul and heel makes the shoe pretty and modern. The perforations are ventilating.
  • Pelle Moda Dezi Pump: An elegant and dainty classic that works on low and regular volume feet. I vote navy. Slam dunk with dark ankle pants.
  • COACH Bowery Tea Rose Cutout Chelsea Bootie: A bootie that's best on lower volume feet and narrow ankles. The shaft might cut into your shins depending on how you stride.
  • SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer: A repeat style in its third or fourth season - they are THAT timeless, fab, comfy and quite affordable. I have four pairs: tomato red, blush and two pairs of white. They are my go-to shoe in Spring and Summer because they work with every outfit. Very comfy, dressy and a modern classic. Works on a variety of feet. Size down half a size, and read the rave reviews.
  • Hispanitas Mina Loafer Pump: Extremely elegant on the foot. Beautifully made in Spain, and a quality item. Comfortable. A tad maximal despite the soothing colours. Make sure you like the two-toned effect when you style the shoes in outfits. Works for both lower and higher volume feet.
  • MARC FISHER LTD Charly Western Bootie: Super cute Western shootie to wear with bootcuts, flares or ankle pants. Works on a range of feet.
  • PIKOLINOS Royal Water Resistant Derby: Extremely comfortable and quite playful. Less chunky than it looks in the photo. Works on both higher and lower volume feet. Both the blue and gold are fab.
  • Naturalizer Simonette Mule: The style of the mule encloses more of the foot which makes them feel more secure. They don’t “cluck," and are soft and cushioning. Elegant, refined and dressier than most mules. Available in WIDTHS, so low volume feet should order a narrow size. I have them in a narrow in white, and they are AMAZING. A quality item.
  • Naturalizer Emiline Flat Loafer: You can almost always count on Naturalizer to cover narrow, regular and wide shoe widths, and I’m thankful for that. These loafers are heavenly comfortable on the feet in the solids and metallics, and are well worth the rave reviews. The navy and blush metallic options are unique. If loafers fall off your feet - try these.
  • Madewell Brady Block Heel Bootie: Well-made cut-out booties for higher volume feet. Comfortable, crisp and polished.
  • Hispanitas Melanie Pointy Toe Pump: Very comfortable and well-made teal floral pumps. Quality item. Best on low-volume feet.
  • Hispanitas Carmela Loafer Pump: Beautifully made heeled loafer for regular and lower volume feet. Crisp and dressy. Looks cleaner than the ubiquitous Gucci to my eye.
  • MATISSE Half Moon Ankle Strap Loafer: Great backless ankle strap loafers for wider feet. Comfy and quite unique. They were too wide for me, but super cute on the foot.
  • Free People 'Royale' Pointy Toe Flat: A fun futuristic boho-lite style for high volume feet that comes in many colours. Read the rave reviews.
  • Naturalizer Blair Bootie: Clean, crisp, polished and comfortable. Comes in wide widths. Might be a little wide on the ankle in larger sizes, but not too bad.

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

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LEWIT Cara Mule
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