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Your Fingernail Polish Style

— by Angie

on August 22, 2016

Nordstrom

CHANEL LE VERNIS Longwear Nail Colour

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Like toenail polish, fingernail polish is making a bigger fashion statement than ever. It has gained enormous momentum over the last five years, and there is no stopping the trend. I’ve found that clients who “talk with their hands” look particularly fabulous with dramatic fingernail polish because their hands are on show, and at eye-contact level. I especially encourage eye-catching fingernail polish in these cases because it becomes an effective accessory that is very much part of the outfit.

I on the other hand, have never been one to wear fingernail polish. Even on our wedding day, I wore a very soft pearly white polish and that was that. I do give myself quick manicures, keeping my fingernails short, filed, buffed and moisturized. And lately I pop a quick double coat of clear nail strengthener on my nails to prevent them from tearing. I really like the subtle shine on my fingernails because it creates a polished appearance and looks pretty.

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OPI OPI Natural Nail Strengthener 15ml/0.5oz

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I do like high-contrast fingernail polish on others. For some of my friends and clients it’s a signature part of their style, and it would be weird to see them without bright or dark fingernails. Very dark fingernail polish works extremely well when you have a hard-edged style.

Over to you. What’s your fingernail polish style, and what’s the reason behind the colours that you choose? Do you prefer a high or low-contrast colour on your fingers?

Grooming · Individual Style

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Ensemble: Statement Kimono & Denim

— by Angie

on August 19, 2016

This ensemble was inspired by some of our forum members and street style shots that I saw recently. Combine denim bottoms with a layering top and striking kimono for an arty and dramatic look. The comfortable combination can work on any body type, and strikes a wonderful balance between dramatic and casual. The sensual romance of the kimono top is a fun juxtaposition with the sturdy and rougher integrity of the denim.

Any colour palette will work: Brights, pastels, neutrals, mid-tones, earth tones, jewel tones. Here are the components of the outfit:

Kimono: You’re after a cotton or lightweight silky kimono topper in a pattern that drapes like a dream. Think flowing and theatrical. The length can be as short as to the hip bone, or up to ankle length. The longer the kimono, the more dramatic the look.

Layering Top: Wear a layering shell top, silk camisole, fitted T-shirt, drapey T-shirt, tank top, or blouse under the kimono. Neutrals like black, white and grey are a slam dunk, but matching the top to a colour in the pattern of the kimono is another way to go. Feel free to pattern mix the top with the kimono. Tuck, semi-tuck or untuck the top.

Denim Bottoms: Choose any style of jeans in any wash. Think cropped straights or flares, boyfriend jeans, culottes, skinnies, shorts, cuffed straights, bootcuts, or full-length bell-bottoms. A denim skirt will work too. Blue, white, grey or black denim is fab.

Footwear: Choose footwear to work with the vibe of the outfit. Pumps, ankle strap pumps or cage heels for dressier looks. Gladiators, thong sandals and mules for casual renditions. Wedged sandals and espadrilles can work, and so can d’Orsay flats, dainty loafers and peep-toe booties.

Accessories: Finish off the look with a bag that works with the outfit. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

This outfit is especially good in motion because of the way the breeze fills out the blowing effect of the kimono. A fun and elegant look.

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Ensembles

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Link Love: Fashion-Themed Colouring Books

— by Inge

on August 18, 2016

Colouring books for adults are everywhere these days. According to The New York Times “coloring is therapeutic, fosters creativity and reaps benefits associated with meditation.” Stores are offering colouring books on a vast array of topics, but today I’m bringing you a round-up of fashion-themed ones:

American and British Vogue both have their own colouring book.
There are also Vintage Vogue Detachable Postcards.
Most fashion eras are represented, from Renaissance Fashions to the Roaring Twenties, Art Deco, and 1950’s and 1960’s designs.
There are colouring books featuring individual designers and illustrators, like Erté and Alphonse Mucha.
If you like to colour in images with small details, then have a look at Vintage Hand Fans or the Liberty of London Colouring Book.
These two books showcasing Japanese kimono designs also look beautiful.
Gothic and Steampunk fans are also catered for.
The Advanced Style ladies have their own colouring book too.
And, of course, Paris Street Style gets its very own book.

Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments, or post images of finished coloured-in pages on the forum.

Fab Links from Our Members

Milehighstyle (Linda) thought the many animal lovers here might enjoy reading about how fur coats are being repurposed so that abandoned baby animals can snuggle in them.

Angie enjoyed reading Sally’s strategy on how to hone and develop your personal style.

The recent posts on the lack of plus size and petite fashion reminded Ginger of two posts by Fashion-Incubator: What is a size break? and Grading is not morphing. Ginger adds that the technical challenges involved in a new set of sizes are much vaster than she realized.

L’Abeille feels inspired by WhoWhatWear’s article on the secret of nailing your office dress code.

Ledonna N. loves the everyday fashion images on I See A Different You, a tumblr page by a collective of Soweto born creatives who want to change the world’s view of Africa from the negative to the positive.

Link Love

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Narrow Ankles and Ankle Boot Fit

— by Angie

on August 18, 2016

I have narrow ankles and I prefer a tailored fit, which makes it challenging to find ankle boots that fit well. I have become quite intolerant of the “stem in a flower pot” visual effect of my own ankles in booties when the openings are too wide. The visuals below are good examples of boot openings that look overly wide on the ankles, at least to my eye. This is definitely a personal preference.

I showcase the entire boot by wearing them with flared, straight and skinny cropped pants and jeans, or with skirts and harem pants. This makes it all the more important for the tops of the boots to fit closely around my ankle. These visuals are a good example of how I like my own ankle boots to fit.

I have become a bit more accepting of a wider bootie fit on my ankles when I wear cropped flares, straights or culottes (see the pictures below). The wider hems of the crops seem to complement the larger bootie opening, which offsets the “stem in a flower pot” effect a little. It’s NOT perfect, and getting booties that fit more closely to my ankles (like in the pictures above) is absolutely first choice. But since I also have fussy feet, I will make the compromise.

In fact, I just did so by committing to Calvin Klein’s Narla booties. They don’t fit nearly as widely on the ankle as the examples below, but not as closely as I would like either. As long as I wear them with cropped straights and flares, culottes, or full-length flares, we’re good. I will not be wearing them with skinnies, skinny crops, skirts or dresses.

Over to you. Do you have narrow ankles and find ankle boots hard to fit? How tolerant are you of gaping around the ankle when the bootie openings are wide?

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Footwear

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Weekly Roundup: Jeans & Boots

— by Angie

on August 17, 2016

I like that brand new Fall merchandise is trickling into stores early this year, despite our hot Summer weather. Usually, I wait until September to refresh my jeans capsule, but when you find a pair of jeans that’s perfect in every way, why wait.

AG’s Jodie Crop Side Slip Jeans are just that. My word, their fit and quality are sublime. They’re tailored, but not body-con. Their higher rise doesn’t dig into my waist, and the length is perfect at two inches above my ankle bone. The long side slits are unique, and the denim does not bag out. The fabric feels like 100% cotton denim and is not overly stretchy (bonus). I LOVE the uniform dark denim as I’ve grown tired of distressing. This is what I expect from premium denim and am glad that AG has not dropped their standards.

Here’s a selection of items that tickled my fancy this week, most of which I’ve seen in person. Topshop continues to make fabulous and comfortable footwear.

AG The Jodi Crop Side Slit Jeans: These might go down as the best jeans of the season, and it's only August. They will fit both a straighter and curvier body type just because the cut and fabric of the jeans are sublime. Streamlined, chic and very flattering. The crisp dark denim is dressy and looks fresh amidst a sea of distressing. Gorgeous dramatic side vents. Length can be shortened for petites. Not suited to an apple shaped body, and probably too much room in the thighs for inverted triangle body types.
Free People Chelsea Cropped Kick Flare Jeans: Much more distressed and dramatic in person. The low rise works well on a short torso. Fab for Team RATE. Good on both a curvier and straighter body. Plenty of room in the thighs. Petites will need to hack off some length.
A Gold E June High Rise Sailor Jeans: Fun sailor pants that are VERY long. You need to be tall if you don't want to hack off the length, and preferably not short in the waist either. The legs are streamlined and create a good fit. Very '70s. A lot more dramatic in person, and good on a straight or moderately curvy body type. Best on Team Tall.
Topshop ANA Elastic Ankle Boots: Comfy, and good on narrow ankles. Built-in socks have their advantages.
Topshop MERCURY Soft Toe Ankle Boots: SUPER soft leather. Feels like slippers on the foot. Very comfortable. The leather is quite delicate so consider yourself warned. The grey is crisp and graphic. Works for many foot types because the leather stretches over the shape of your foot.
Topshop **BELVOIR Chelsea Boots By Unique: Impeccable quality and very comfortable. Looks like a designer shoe. Works on low and regular volume feet. Might run big. Very dramatic on the foot, and you will need to be okay with that and the exceptionally long footbed. Makes your feet look long. I found them too hard-edged for my own style, but they are going to work beautifully on someone else.
Topshop 'Marilyn' Square Toe Bow Bootie (Women): A beautiful maximal girly bootie. Looks a little Valentino. The colour is a muddy blush and darker in person. Very comfortable, with a nice narrow ankle fit. Shafts are quite high. Works on a variety of foot shapes. Also available in black.
Jeffrey Campbell 'Saffron' Round Toe Bootie (Women): This one is for Team Arty Earthy Casual. A quirky bootie that feels like a slipper on the foot. Soft and supple, and most of the bootie is vegan. Good on a narrow ankle. The shafts are higher than usual.
Jeffrey Campbell 'Viggio' Brocade Bootie (Women): A fabric bootie with a unique pattern. Quite comfortable despite the lack of leather. Runs small, and read the rave reviews.