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Two Easy Outfits for Cropped White Bottoms

— by Angie
on May 9, 2016

Here are two styling ideas for cropped white jeans that you can probably pull together right away. The photos here provide a starting point for the looks, but feel free to create your own renditions. Wear white boyfriend jeans, cropped pants, flared crops, culottes or cropped skinnies as cropped white bottoms. Heck, throw in a white skirt if that’s more your style. 

Layered Cropped White Bottoms & Olive

Combine cropped white bottoms with a light neutral top, an open unbuttoned shirt and an olive topper. Feel free to leave off the shirt layer if that’s a stretch. Or create a high contrast with the underlayers instead of a column of colour. If it’s the bomber part of the outfit that tickles your fancy, wear one in any colour with the rest of the pieces. Finish off the look with metallic footwear and bag.

Outfit - 1

Layered Cropped White Bottoms & Grey

Combine cropped white bottoms with grey top layers, like a tee and cardigan. Or a shirt and jacket, or a pullover and vest. The belt is optional. Finish off the look with light neutral footwear and a bag that works with the palette.

Outfit - 2

If you’re a dress gal, combine an olive dress with white accents. Or wear a grey dress with a white jacket and silver footwear and accessories. Let those creative juices flow as you shop your closet for a fabulous new combination.

Outfit Creation
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Happy Memories on Mother’s Day

— by Angie
on May 6, 2016

Every Mother’s Day I dedicate a post to my late Mum, who passed away in May many years ago. She was the one who encouraged my interest in fashion and style from an early age. When I was 21 she supported my career change from Psychology to Fashion when my Dad needed a little convincing. 

Thinking back to my 29 years with Mama, it was the time before I was a teen and then again when I was in my twenties that we were the closest in our relationship. I had the best childhood growing up in Hong Kong, and my Mum had everything to do with that. I entered the fashion industry at age 22 and Mum was an instrumental positive force at that pivotal moment. Bless her for supporting one of the best decisions of my life. 

Mama never knew YLF, but she was there for our wedding in 1996. She was in her late fifties then, and passed away a few years after that. I designed my own wedding dress, and had it made by a talented 80 year old seamstress who my resourceful Mum found in Cape Town. Mum also designed her own outfit, which — true to her glam self — was a shiny column of warm earthy glitz, draped with lots of gold and garnet jewellery. 

This is one of the most recent photos I have of us together. It was taken a few hours before I walked down the aisle to my beloved Greg. I got ready for our wedding in my parents’ house and she and I had a ball. I’m wearing her dangly pearl earrings as the “borrowed” item for my outfit. We had a lot of fun organizing the wedding in record time, and I owe lots of the finesse of the beautiful day to my forever stylish Mama. 

Mum

All these years later and I think of Mama many times a day, both with a sad and happy heart. She would have turned 75 this year, and would have loved to visit us in Seattle. She’d have liked the food, shopping, Spring blossoms, Asian culture, pretty Seattle scenery, and our friends. But spending time with our Yorkies would have been the biggest highlight, because there are few people as besotted with dogs as my late Mum was. Her fiercely protective and unconditional love for her husband, children, and dogs is what I remember most vividly about her. A very precious memory. 

We at YLF wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.

Administrivia
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Taking a Stand with My Summer Body

— by Angie
on May 5, 2016

My legs are covered in spider veins. My dermatologist tells me that they are, thankfully, not a health issue. I could have some of them removed, but the results would be temporary and incomplete, because there are just too many. Two years ago I started the treatment, but stopped halfway. It was just too painful. 

So here I am two years later with more spider veins than ever, and in Seattle’s record setting hot weather, also baring my legs in skirts and dresses more than ever. Just as they are. And why not? My legs aren’t perfect, but they are healthy. They serve me extremely well, whether it’s racing around with a client on a shopping trip or holding a pigeon post at yoga. The fun I’m having wearing knee-length skirts and dresses trumps any remaining insecurity I have about the way my legs look. 

At 25 I would feel self-conscious about baring my pale skin at the start of the warm weather season, because in my circle tans were an essential way to look healthy and stylish in the Summer. Now at age 45, I don’t mind one bit looking untanned throughout the year. For me and my complexion, maintaining healthy skin by staying out of the sun is a much more important style goal. 

Spider veins and pale skin will continue to accompany my Summer outfits because that’s who I am. It’s empowering to no longer feel embarrassed about these aspects of my body.

These are small things, I know, but they used to loom much larger for me. I’m grateful that age has helped me to put them in perspective. As summer approaches I hope you too can put any perceived imperfections in their place and enjoy the wonderful weather.

Individual Style
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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: Summery White Items

— by Angie
on May 4, 2016

Few things scream Summer as much as adding white items to your wardrobe. White items look fresh, cool, crisp, light, soft and pretty. There’s also something graphic about them that works well with black. And of course, white is a slam dunk with any shade. 

All my clients add white to their Spring and Summer wardrobes – some in higher volumes than others. Some like to wear white tops, footwear and belts. Others like to wear white jeans and jackets. Fewer wear white dresses, but white handbags are gaining momentum. 

Here’s a selection of Summery white pieces, that are also available in multiple colour options if white is not your thing. The vibe ranges from casual to dressy.

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

Bloomingdale's
Sanctuary Julia Ruffled Off-The-Shoulder Top
View Info
Top Pick
5
Bloomingdale's
Maje Louison Lace Top
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Top Pick
5
Nordstrom
Fossil 'Emerson' Print Leather Satchel
$268.00
View Info
Top Pick
4
Eddie Bauer
Women's Beachside Tunic Sweater
View Info
Top Pick
5
Eddie Bauer
Women's Yarrow Point Top
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Top Pick
10
Eddie Bauer
Women's Beachside T-Shirt Sweater
View Info
Top Pick
6
Eddie Bauer
Women's Favorite Sleeveless T-Shirt
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Top Pick
12
Eddie Bauer
Women's Boyfriend Cropped Jeans - White
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Top Pick
5
Nordstrom
Lace Fit & Flare Dress (Regular & Petite)
$148.00 $88.80
Sale
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Top Pick
3
Nordstrom
Tencel Denim Shirtdress (Regular & Petite)
$108.00
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Top Pick
11
Shopbop
Azure Saddle Bag
$85.00 $42.50
Sale
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Top Pick
6
Zappos
Clarks Glove Puppet
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Top Pick
11
Nordstrom
'Catherine' Denim Boyfriend Shorts
$69.00 $46.20
Sale
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Top Pick
8
COS
Cut-out tunic shirt
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Top Pick
5
Everlane
The Petra Magazine
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Top Pick
4
Bloomingdale's
Elie Tahari Lennon Asymmetric Lace Skirt
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Top Pick
6
Nordstrom
'Joan' Cotton Peasant Blouse
$78.00 $46.80
Sale
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Top Pick
3
Nordstrom
CeCe By Cynthia Steffe Contrast Trim Sleeveless Daisy Jacquard Top
$79.00 $47.40
Sale
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Top Pick
6
Shopbop
Harlowe Raw Edge Linen Top
$95.00 $47.50
Sale
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Top Pick
7
Banana Republic
Eyelet-Trim Shirt
$88.00 $49.99
Sale
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Top Pick
6
Banana Republic
Ruffle-Trim Tee
$49.50 $39.99
Sale
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Top Pick
7
Nordstrom
MELISSA MCCARTHY SEVEN7 V-Neck Dolman Sleeve Mixed Media Peplum Top (Plus Size)
$79.00 $47.40
Sale
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Top Pick
2
Nordstrom
Gibson Cutout Yoke Detail Sleeveless Knit Top (Regular & Petite)
$48.00
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Top Pick
7
Nordstrom
'Odynna' Pointy Toe Pump (Women)
$109.95 $65.95
Sale
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Top Pick
22
Nordstrom
KUT from the Kloth 'Helena' Denim Jacket (Regular & Petite)
$74.50
View Info
Top Pick
18
Nordstrom
Söfft 'Innis' Low Wedge Sandal (Women)
$89.95 $53.96
Sale
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Top Pick
6
Nordstrom
L'Amour Des Pieds 'Daney' Flat Slide Sandal (Women)
$198.95 $149.90
Sale
View Info
Top Pick
4
J.Crew
Short-sleeve popover shirt
$78.00
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Top Pick
7
J.Crew
Wrap dress in cotton poplin
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Top Pick
11
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Linear Quilted Clutch Bag, White
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Top Pick
6
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Perforated Saffiano Tote Bag, White
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Top Pick
5
Zappos
Ecco Soft VII Sneaker
$149.94
View Info
Top Pick
30

Lists
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The Alluring Ankle

— by Angie
on May 3, 2016

Fashion has been highlighting the ankle for several seasons. Once considered more risqué than exposed breasts in western society, and still off limits in some cultures, ankles definitely have an allure. In most cases, the ankle is highlighted by exposing it, but sometimes it’s covered in just the right way. Here are some examples. 

  • Cropped pants and jeans in multiple silhouettes come to mind right away. Flared or tapered hems are cropped two to four inches above the ankle to make a statement, for example. 
  • Ankle strap footwear with straps that are positioned on or above the ankle bone showcase the ankle quite beautifully. Ankle straps that criss-cross along or above the ankle are another way to do just that. Cage heels showcase the ankle too.
  • High-vamped footwear like loafers, oxfords, short shaft booties, cut-out booties, sandal booties and sneakers are more subtle ways of showcasing the ankle. Their high vamps highlight the ankle by cutting close to it, or covering it to create emphasis. 
  • High-low maxi dresses and skirts lift a little higher in front to showcase the ankle. 
  • Tattoos are strategically placed around the ankle to draw attention to it.
  • Statement ankle socks, which are particularly popular with the fashionable youth of Japan and Hong Kong, draw immediate attention to the ankle. 

You might not want to showcase your midsection, décolleté, back, upper arms or thighs, but you CAN showcase your ankles, and feel instantly confident and attractive when doing so. You don’t need to have slim, sculptured ankles to make the fashion I described here work well for you. All ankle shapes can look great sporting today’s ankle-accentuating fashions when you find the versions that work best for you. 

I think it’s marvelous that a seemingly nondescript part of the body is having its fashion moment. I hereby declare the ankle the body part of the year.

Spring 2016 · Summer 2016 · Trends
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