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

An eye-catching polka dot pleated skirt is the life of the party in this Summer-y Modern Classic outfit. The oversized navy dots are both playful and girly. Amber’s paired it with a cropped lightweight navy sweater with welted hem to create structure and showcase her waist. Showcasing the waist lengthens the leg line from the hips upward when you’re wearing flats. The subtle see-through pattern on the pullover adds an alluring touch. Red flats with little bows look fab with the white and blue, and echo Amber’s bright orange-red lipstick. The red also emphasizes our blogger’s beautiful wavy locks. A white shoulder bag and oversized wooden sunnies finish off this elegant look.

Zappos

Bella-Vita Fonda

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I’ve wanted a pair of gold sandal booties for several seasons, but battled to find a pair that comfortably fit my low-volume feet and didn’t look hard-edged. Styles were too high-heeled, stiff, unstable, and wide – until I found Bella Vita’s Fonda. These sandals are soft, stable, pretty, and fit like a dream in a narrow width. I was awfully happy to have found them three months ago, and love the way they look.

Unfortunately, these sandal booties have two strikes against them:

• A two inch heel, which has turned out to be a little high for me these days, unless I wear them for short periods of time, or as Summer “sitting” shoes. 

• I do wear sandals, but generally prefer to wear closed-toe shoes in the Summer because I like the look of covered toes and need the insulation for a less-than-hot Seattle weather. 

As a result, I haven’t worn them yet. 

Instead, I reach for my three new pairs of loafers and an old pair of gold loafers most of the time. They work with just about all my Spring and Summer outfits, look sufficiently dressy for client meetings — and most importantly — go the distance. A new pair of sparkly navy pointy toe flats from Paul Green — a birthday gift — are also going to become workhorses. 

For dressier outfits, I reach for a new pair of dainty white Modern Retro slingbacks because they have a lower heel, and are closed-toed. My old snakeskin round square toed ankle strap pumps have come out to play too. And when it’s been hot enough to wear sandals, I reached for my older two pairs because they have lower heels. 

Here are the exact Summer shoes from my wardrobe that are competing with the gold sandal booties:

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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Nordstrom

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer (Women)

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Amazon

Stuart Weitzman Women's Schooldays Ballet Flat

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Nordstrom

Paul Green Margo Cross Strap Flat

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Zappos

Calvin Klein Georgette

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Clarks

Chinaberry Ice

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Nordstrom

Shellys London 'Bea' Buckle Sandal (Women)

$119.95 $59.96

Sale

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Zappos

Naturalizer Lanna

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This brings me to my dilemma: Should I keep or return the oh-so-hard to find narrow gold sandal booties?

Keep them, and they might be orphaned if I don’t wear them over the next two months. Return them, and I might regret that I let them go after finally finding fabulous Summer sitting shoes that fit my low-volume feet.

Should I hold out for a pair with a one and a half inch heel? Should I keep these as fun sitting shoes to wear on special Summer occasions? After all, we can’t expect every item that we purchase to be a wardrobe workhorse. That’s unrealistic and for me, takes some of the fun out of my style. 

I’m undecided. What do you think I should do?  Keep or Return? And let me know why.

We’re living in an era that is accepting and encouraging of all sorts of outfit juxtapositions, colours, fabrications, silhouettes and combinations. Never before has there been as much variety in fashion and style as there is right now. Although the fashion industry has a long way to go, it’s also more diverse than it used to be. All this to say that there is absolutely no one way to be stylish. That’s the style principle that grows stronger each year. 

As a result, the style guidelines that ruled supreme as recently as five years ago are dated now. Today the goal is to create an open-minded fashion and style world that is relatable, manageable, affordable, practical, sustainable and fun. Here are seven guidelines that aren’t as important as they used to be.

A Polished Style is Best

A polished appearance used to be the pinnacle of style. Fashionable clothing that is pressed and fits to perfection. Immaculate make-up, pristine nail polish, coiffed hair, glowing skin, and a graceful demeanour. Tidy, sharp, scented and having excellent posture at all times. Power to those who can achieve a polished style naturally and with ease, but it’s only one way to go, and not the best way if it causes you stress and discomfort. 

These days having a more forgiving style that is “rough around the edges” (RATE) is considered just as fashionable and stylish. A RATE style is often more achievable, and can look interesting, gritty, and urban. Case in point: Many models these days are styled with messy hair and look deliberately dishevelled. 

Don’t Wear White After Labour Day & Before Memorial Day

I read about this dressing guideline when we moved to the US thirteen years ago. At first I thought it wasn’t serious — it was that foreign to me. But it was, and I’ve had several clients ask me how I felt about it over the years. WEAR WHITE YEAR ROUND in all wardrobe items. 

Stick to Seasonally Appropriate Colours 

There is no need to stick to a rigid colour palette that reflects the season. Wear brights and pastels in Autumn and Winter. Wear grey, black and earth tones in Spring and Summer. The guideline is to wear the colours that make you happy throughout the year because your colours are always in style.  

Only Dress for Your Body Type

Body type dressing guidelines were extremely popular about ten years ago. And while they do provide a solid starting point if you want to create traditionally flattering outfit proportions that are visually balanced and slimming, you don’t have to stick to them to look fabulous. These days, it’s a much better idea to come up with an individual set of figure flattering priorities that makes you feel fab in outfits. That way you shan’t feel restricted and “left out” when you love a trend and want to wear it, but your body type guidelines suggest otherwise. Finding the version of a trend that works for you is a much more open and accepting approach to style. Just as it should be. 

Always Create Tall, Slim, Hourglass Proportions 

Just like you don’t need to stick to body type dressing guidelines to look fabulous, you don’t need to wear outfits that make you look taller, slimmer and curvier to look stylish. Creating proportions that are “just flattering enough” is the modern approach to dressing, and more interesting and creative too. Slouchy silhouettes, oversized fits, shortened leg lines, shortened heights, surrendered waistlines, and horizontal integrity can add a whole lot of sass, ease and comfort to your style. That’s just what we need so that we can forget about our outfits and and get on with our day. 

Heeled Footwear Elevates an Outfit 

Less than ten years ago, you were at a stylish disadvantage if you couldn’t wear heels because they were thought to kick most outfits up a notch. These days, flat footwear and low heels up to an inch and half are as stylish and on trend as ever. You can wear them with anything. In fact, because dressy flats are widely available, there is no reason to wear heeled footwear unless you prefer the vibe and they make your feet happy. 

Less is More

You might prefer simple outfits that are visually minimal, but they’re not the stylish benchmark anymore. Eight years ago, it was a faux pas to wear more than one animal printed item in an outfit. These days the only limit to the number of patterns, accessories and colours in an outfit is your own tolerance for the combination. 

We all have our preferences, but no one wants to be boxed into only one way of creating a stylish appearance. The PERSONAL in personal style reigns supreme. Empowering, liberating and modern.

This ensemble was inspired by clients who have sworn off wearing T-shirts with shorts in the Summer because the combination doesn’t make them feel fab. They love to wear shorts, but they just don’t feel good in T-shirts despite the fact that they are easy to launder and affordable. They were looking for a step-up from the ubiquitous basic tee that was as casual but more polished and feminine. 

I made two suggestions for T-shirt substitutes: a knitted top, and a woven boho blouse. The latter has been popular, even for those who swore they “don’t do boho”. I guess it’s the ease, interest, relaxed vibe, coverage, and forgiving silhouette of the boho blouse that has created the appeal. 

Choose any colour palette. Here are the components of the outfit formula. 

Shorts: Choose a pair of denim, cotton or linen shorts at a length that tickles your fancy. Choose solids or patterns. Blue denim shorts work particularly well with boho blouses because they are versatile and crease-resistant.  

Boho Blouse: Choose a cotton, silk or linen-rich blouse with a bohemian integrity that works with the bottoms. Think peasant and gypsy styles that are breezy, pretty, and somewhat drapey. Sleeved or sleeveless, patterned or solid, it’s all good. 

Footwear: Finish off the outfit with casual flat footwear. Think sandals, sneakers, espadrilles, or any other kind of casual flat. I’ve seen the look paired with heels, but personally much prefer it with flats. 

Accessories: Add a casual bag like a hobo, crossbody or straw tote. Add jewellery, watch, headgear and eyewear as desired.

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