Link Love: The Age of Customization

Racked believes that the popular trend of customizing items of clothing has shifted from a come-and-go fad to a thriving, permanent category. They are listing six brands “that specialize in making things your way”.

From Madewell’s denim monogramming service to hand-painted leather jackets, here’s a guide to personalizing, customizing and monogramming your clothes.

Would you consider having your workout leggings customized?

Customization has also reached new heights in the beauty product industry.

Fab Links from Our Members

Janet wanted to share this powerful message on grey hair and other matters of appearance.

Joy thought these suggestions for different ways to knot a too long belt might come in handy.

UmmLila directs us to an article that investigates what we really mean when we say something is ‘flattering’.

Vix recently discovered Refinery29’s “Unstyled” podcast series that explores style, body image, body size, the business of fashion etcetera via interviews with well-known women. 

Sally thought this article, asking if you should have a signature style, was a good read.

What’s better than an ugly holiday sweater, asks Milkshake chugging, burger loving glutton. A 2-person ugly holiday sweater, of course.

While looking at possible ways to pep up a sweater dress that’s in the holding zone, she also came across this roundup of tights the editors at StyleCaster can’t live without.

Match the Scarf to the Coat or the Outfit Underneath

As we wrap up for cold weather, there’s a common question that my clients ask about how to choose the scarf for their outfits. Should they choose one to match the outfit, or to match the coat? It’s particularly tricky if the scarf matches the outfit but clashes with the coat. And choosing a scarf that matches the coat but not the outfit can leave you feeling off after removing the coat.

My answer is that it’s a personal preference. I strive to choose a scarf that works with both the outfit and the coat. That way I can keep my scarf on indoors when removing the coat, and can even use it as a wrap if I need to. 

When I can’t match both, I choose a scarf that matches the coat but clashes with the outfit. My solution is to remove the scarf with the coat when I’m indoors so that I feel best in the outfit. I also make sure that I’m wearing a top that doesn’t need a scarf to look fabulous. 

Over to you? Do you match your scarf to your coat or outfit, or both?

Holiday Ensemble: Bling Up Denim

Dressing up denim is one of the most popular outfit choices to wear to casual holiday bashes these days. It usually means adding dressy sparkle, shine and glitz to jeans, but you could glitz up a denim jacket or skirt too. 

The most important part of the outfit is the bling because that’s what creates a festive vibe, and sets the outfit apart from regular jeans outfits. Incorporate bling by wearing shiny clothing and footwear, and/or add it in the form of accessories, nail polish and make-up. 

Outfits can be colourful or neutral. Metals can be mixed or matching. Footwear can be flat or heeled, as long as it’s at least smart casual. That said, a pair of blingy sneakers could work quite well too. 

Here are the components of the outfit: 

Jeans: Choose a current style of jeans in any wash. Bootcuts, bell bottoms, boyfriends, culottes, skinnies, straight legs, flared crops, straight crops or staggered hem crops – it’s all good. My own preference for this ensemble is for dark blue jeans, but by all means choose light blue and grey jeans too.

Top: Think pullovers, blouses, shell tops and upscale sweatshirts with embellishment and texture. Wear a style that’s alluring like a cold shoulder silhouette. Make sure the top works with the jeans, and tuck or semi-tuck as desired. Or keep the top simple and pile on the jewellery. A simple silky shell with a cardigan plus bling jewellery can work. 

Topper: Add a jacket, coat or wrap that works with the outfit. I vote add some texture like brocade, boiled wool, houndstooth, faux fur, leather, pleather, or simply wear an eye-catching colourful coat. 

Footwear: I vote dressy flats or heels. Shiny shoes are even more festive. Animal print is good too. Add knee-highs, tights or socks for insulation. 

Accessories: As a nod to the Maximal trend, you MUST accessorize the outfit! Add a dressier bag. Statement necklaces, cuffs, bracelets, brooches, rings, earrings and fascinators are fabulous. Glittery belts and furry mufflers are fun. Bold nail polish, mascara, eyeliner and lippie pack extra punch. And a smile on your face is the best accessory of all. 

Holiday Ensemble: Bling Up Denim

Feel free to wear an embellished jacket or jeans and keep the top simple. And although I’ve shown neutrals with burgundy and a hint of chartreuse here, remixing ANY colour that makes you happy is fab.

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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: Festive Items

Whether your style is maximal or minimal, or somewhere in between – ’tis the season for festive texture and shine. This week’s roundup celebrates just that across an assortment of items and price points. Some of the items are on sale.

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

COS
Drape collar A-line top
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Winter Hats For the Hat Averse

I found it hard to feel good in a hat because of my very short hair and specs. To my eye, hats look better when hair is peeking out from the bottom of the hat, and you don’t have eyewear competing and getting in the way of the silhouette. So yes, I was on Team Hat Averse. 

Yet I need to wear a Winter hat daily in cold weather for dog walking, or when I’m out and about for longer periods of time. It’s AMAZING how effectively an ear-covering hat can reduce earache. So I’ve done lots of hat experimentation to come up with a style that’s fairly flop proof and makes me feel fab. 

Choose a Beret

It’s not the beanie, cloche, fedora or newsboy that looks great on everyone — it’s the beret. Do yourself a favour and try one if you haven’t done so already. They come in an assortment of styles. There’s the classic, dressy and more rigid felted wool version that I’m wearing below, and all sorts of relaxed and floppy knitted silhouettes. I wear both. The collection provides a wide range of examples.

Choose a Low-Contrast Colour

I’ve found that choosing a colour that is low contrast to the colour of your hair works well for two reasons. It creates a more subtle visual effect, which works well when you wear specs or don’t want the hat to stand out in the outfit. A self-colour hat also matches every outfit because it looks like an extension of your hair. Versatile, simple and unobtrusive. 

I have platinum blonde hair, which makes cream, white and tan hats my low-contrast hat colour. Choose any dark colour beret for dark hair, and mid tones when you have medium dark hair. There is no need to stick to neutrals, although they will have the most subtle effect. 

And last, I have a small head, which makes most adult hats a bad fit. Children’s hats fit a whole lot better, and if you look long enough, you’ll find a few sophisticated silhouettes.

Beret

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