Outstanding Outfit Bloggers

On Trend Elegance in the Midwest

Photographer Heather Wyancko lives in the Midwest and documents her outfits on her blog, Forage Fashion. Her style is on trend, polished and feminine. Our blogger likes neutral colours, often uses scarves as a statement accessory, and has and interesting jewellery and bag collection. Her trademark straight blonde hair and bright red lipstick are an essential part of her look.

Heather - 1

Heather’s fringed bag and skirt are the stars of the show in this Modern Boho outfit. The blue chambray popover peasant blouse emphasizes the boho vibe of the look. The cage sandals and cool-toned color palette are the modern touches. Tucking the blouse into the wrap skirt and sporting nude heels creates a long lean line. The intricate silver with turquoise plaque belt and long fringe on the bag and skirt add tons of textural interest. Two simple cuff bracelets, and Heather’s trademark sleek blonde hair and bright red lipstick finish off the look.

Heather - 2

Heather - 2

The light grey, burgundy, and silver make for an eye-catching Fall colour combination. Our blogger is wearing beautiful burgundy culottes. Pairing them with a tailored top that accentuates our blogger’s slim waist tones down the dramatic flare of the midi bottoms. The knotted detail on the light grey top creates polished architectural drape. Silver pointy toe pumps lengthen the leg line, and work well with the rest of the colour palette. So do the snakeskin print clutch and fur pull-through scarf. Finally, for outside, Heather adds a classic tailored coat that matches the top perfectly.

Heather - 3

Heather - 3

Heather is a big fan of the on trend cropped jean. Here she’s put together a polished smart casual look with a pair of denim culottes with frayed hems. Low-contrast sand-coloured suede pumps and showcasing the waistband of the jeans with a fully tucked top lengthens the leg line. The scarf tie on the sleeveless V-neck blouse adds retro pizzazz, while the white dressy vest with stand collar adds lightweight layering interest. A fun oversized leopard print clutch, big gold watch with blue face that echoes the dark wash denim, and gold-rimmed sunnies complement the look brilliantly.

Heather - 4

Here’s proof that you don’t need layers to create a fab Summer look. Pick a dress with interesting design details, add a pair of statement shoes and fun bag and you are in business. Our neutrals-loving blogger went with a black sleeveless trench coat dress that finishes a couple of inches above the knee. She’s combined them with trendy black patent flatform brogues to create a Sporty Luxe vibe. The shorter dress works well with the high-vamped footwear. The white detail on the soles and Heather’s blonde locks add lightness. A simple watch and large black clutch finish off this minimalist monochrome look.

Heather - 5

Heather - 5

The accessories play a major role in this elegant desk-to-dinner outfit. So do the rich colours and luxurious fabrics. Heather has paired a swishy chiffon pleated midi skirt with a tailored and cosy cashmere turtleneck. The teal blue and deep burgundy look stunning together. A silk twill pocket square in a vibrant red was used as a belt to emphasize our blogger’s waistline. A mixed media calf hair saddle bag adds subtle texture. The large pom-pom in a matching red is a quirky decorative detail. Suede pointy toe pumps in a cherry red are unexpected, but work beautifully with the rest of the colours. Two pearl cuff bracelets and dramatic dark nail polish are the elegant finishing touches.

Heather - 6

An easy and relaxed denim skirt look for warm weather. Heather has tucked a drapey white linen tank top into a denim midi skirt. The button-through style combined with the cognac stacked heeled mules and casual satchel give the outfit a fun ’70s vibe. The high-vamped mules are low-contrast against Heather’s tanned skin. This helps to lengthen the leg line, as does the front split on the skirt. A vintage plaid men’s bowtie is nonchalantly draped around her neck. Putting up her hair in a top knot adds to the breezy feel of this high-Summer look. Spiky earrings, a gold watch, Heather’s favourite Ray-Bans and trademark lippie are all that’s needed to complete the outfit.

I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Heather’s wonderful style. You can also browse the rest of her outfits over at Forage Fashion, or follow her on Instagram.

Shoes to Wear with Flared Cropped Jeans

The flare on cropped jeans can be subtle or dramatic. A pair of cropped straight leg jeans creates a more subtle flare at the hem, which is usually an easier outfit proportion to work with. That said, if you have wider calves, a wider flare will be more comfortable. 

Flared crops look best to my eye when the hem finishes two to four inches above the ankle bone. That way the length looks intentionally cropped and not like you’e wearing bottoms that are too short. Lengths that are as long as half an inch above the ankle bone can work, but you’ll need to put more thought into the proportions of the rest of the outfit. It’s easier to create a longer leg line with a slightly shorter length, and an inch can make all the difference. (Note the shorter length of the flared crops on the models in the photos below.) 

You’ll see flared crops styled with all sorts of trendy shoes, but to my eye some styles look better than others. Here are six styles of shoes that create outfit proportions with flared crops jeans that are just flattering enough. You can apply the guidelines to trousers too.

1. Heeled Ankle Straps

This is a flop proof way to create a longer leg line with flared crops because the ankle strap closes the gap and creates a continuous line up the leg. The strap must be positioned on or above the ankle bone. The model showcases sky scraping platforms, but any heel height is good in a dressy or casual style of shoe. You’ll find the right ankle strap on heeled footwear styles like pumps, sandals, sandal booties, cage heels and cut-out booties.

Heeled Ankle Straps

2. Flat Ankle Straps

Trendy lace-up styles create “the ankle strap effect”, thereby closing the gap with the laces that are positioned well above the ankle bone. You’ll also find the right ankle strap on flat footwear styles like sandals, pointy toe flats, sandal booties and cut-out booties.

Flat Ankle Strap

3. Booties

You can wear flared crops in Autumn and Winter with booties. The booties on the model here are high in the shaft, which creates a longer leg line (especially when the booties are a low-contrast colour to the jeans). But feel free to wear booties or shooties with lower shafts as long as the openings fit close to the ankle. 

I don’t like socks to peek through when I sit down and cross my legs, and prefer the look of “bare skin”. I use nude knee-highs to create a bare-leg effect because that looks more dressy and polished than socks with my own outfits. Others might not find knee-highs sufficiently comfortable or insulating.

Booties

4. Oxfords

The next three styles of footwear are less elongating than the first three because they don’t cover part of the ankle. That breaks up the continuous vertical line from foot to hip. But the high vamps of these styles add back a bit of that “continuous line”, which you can see with the oxfords below. Furthermore, the silver oxfords create a low contrast against the skin tone of the model and her faded jeans, which strengthens the flow of the vertical line. You would break the flow of the line in this outfit if the oxfords were a high-contrast black.

Oxfords

5. Sneakers 

Sneakers are sporty oxfords and a very similar style of shoe (high-vamped flat lace-up), so the same guidelines apply. The white sneakers here do create a higher contrast against the model’s darker skin tone, but the shorter length of the crops, the high vamp of the shoe, and the semi-tuck of the top offsets the more horizontally cutting effect.

Sneakers

6. Loafers 

Loafers are slip-on versions of oxfords and laced sneakers, and just as high in the vamp. Here the model is wearing silver loafers that are low contrast to her skin tone, but high contrast to the dark wash of the jeans. The low contrast footwear lengthens the line of the leg from the hem of the jeans down to the toe box of the shoes. The shorter length of the jeans lengthens the leg line from the calves down, while the semi-tuck of the top lengthens the line from the hips upward.

Loafers

Of course, the concept of creating outfits that are “just flattering enough” is on a sliding scale, and you’ll need to take into account your figure flattering priorities and go with what makes you feel fab. Some like to wear low-vamped pumps and flats with flared crops, and while that isn’t my own preference, the combination can work if the hems are sufficiently short. Pointy toe boxes also help elongate the leg. 

You can further elongate the leg line from the hips upwards by fully or semi-tucking the top. You’ll find that the level of the contrast of the footwear against your skin tone and/or the colour of the crops will also make a visual difference.

My own eye is very, very particular about a cropped pants length and footwear pairing, and I can’t help but have my poison eye moments with some combinations. Yet flared cropped jeans are a wardrobe essential at the moment and I have several pairs that are in frequent rotation. I prefer to wear heeled and flat ankle strap footwear with my flared crops, but have also worn laceless flat oxfords and loafers. I don’t like the Tomboy pairing quite as much, but it’s VERY comfortable so I make sure I’m sporting a girly support act with those footwear choices. I also wear a cropped top or semi-tuck my top so that I lengthen the leg upward from the hips. 

Seven Reasons to Love Fashion & Style

You probably wouldn’t be reading YLF if you weren’t interested in fashion and personal style. For people like us, a grooming routine is more than just taking a daily shower, and our reasons for getting dressed extend beyond the need to cover our bodies in a practical and comfortable way. We expend the effort to present ourselves to the world in an appealing and fashionable manner for all sorts of reasons. Yours might be different to mine, but I can think of seven. 

Appreciation of Aesthetics 

I’m a very visual person and almost studied Fine Art after graduating from high school. My world is a happier place when I am surrounded by what I perceive to be beautiful design. From the interior of our home, the crockery that I choose, and the way I present food on a plate, right up to the way gifts are wrapped. Our doggies have carefully chosen collars and name tags, and don’t think that the tea towels in our kitchen are a random selection of colours and patterns. It’s important to me that things look nice. The way I dress is a very natural extension of my appreciation of aesthetics. 

A Source of Self Esteem

Generally, you feel good when you look good. Dressing well can boost your confidence in a very real way, which in turn can make you more effective and dynamic in a work and social setting. Wearing the right outfit can make you feel authoritative, powerful, approachable, or attractive. A boosted confidence can create a more positive outlook on life, which makes you an all-round nicer person. And your own positive attitude is a good influence on others. 

This is more than just a touchy feely thing. The improvement in our ability to perform certain tasks when we wear the right clothing is a very real phenomenon that psychologists refer to as enclothed cognition

A Creative Outlet

I can’t think of a creative outlet that is accessible to more people than personal style. Creating outfits can be an art form, especially if you sew and make your own clothes. And this isn’t dictated by budget — constraints are fuel for creativity and sometimes the most beautiful outfits are combinations that you’ve had in your wardrobe for years.

A Hobby

Shopping can be therapeutic, social, entertaining and relaxing. And wardrobe management can become quite the science if you’re into the analytical side of things. Personal style is a wonderful way to have fun at any age.

Fashion as Spectator Sport

love following trends at designer shows and at retail. I’m fascinated by how trends start on the catwalks or on the street, and how they filter down to retail. I’m curious to compare retail fashion with street fashion. I’m fascinated by the power that we as consumers have to keep a trend alive, despite them being off-trend. I also enjoy seeing trends repeat themselves as the decades go by. It’s like a sport to me, and definitely as much a leisure activity as it is part of my job.

A Topic to Share with Others

I can think of few topics that unite people as successfully as fashion and style. It covers all age groups, lifestyles, occupations, nationalities and budgets. It’s a topic that can be shared globally and across all media channels. Successful and supportive social communities such as YLF exist because people like to share their thoughts about fashion and style, and meaningful friendships are made both on and off line. Fashion camaraderie for the win. 

A Career Path 

Fashion and style can become your bread and butter, like it has been for me over the last 24 years. I love helping others find their style and maintain their wardrobes so that they feel fabulous, and I loved being a fashion buyer before that. Fashion and style is part of who I am, and I’m never giving it up. 

Have fun with fashion and style. Don’t take it too seriously. Experiment with new things. Be surprised at what works, and learn from what doesn’t. Laugh a lot. Enjoy each leg of your style journey, and encourage others to feel fabulous about themselves just like you do. 

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

Read More

Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

Read More

Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

Read More

Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

Read More

Ensemble: Casual Pants, Tee, Denim Jacket & Bling

This ensemble was inspired by a very stylish client who lives in Southern California. Nancy turns 60 this year, enjoys fashion enormously, and likes to look hip and trendy. She leads a casual beach town lifestyle when she’s not working as an interior designer and having meetings with her clients. 

We recently shopped together to sort out her casual and smart casual capsules for the season. The outfit formula here was one of my favourite looks that we put together, combining casual bottoms, a tee, denim jacket and bling. The palette we chose is quite the change for Nancy who wears dark colours most of the time. Instead we shopped for light neutrals and threw in some colour. The exact components of the outfit are represented in this collection. 

The outfit formula combines wardrobe essentials in a current way, and I’m sure you can shop your closets for this one. I’ve chosen olive, white and acid wash lilac because that’s how I styled my client in the look, but feel free to use any colour palette. I’ve also shown the combination in black, grey and blue denim. 

Here are the components: 

Casual Bottoms: Choose olive, toffee, white or stone khakis or cargo pants. Wear them cropped or rolled at the hems. Black, blue, grey or white denim jeans will also work. Choose them in ankle baring styles so that you can add trendy footwear. 

Tee: Choose your favourite style of T-shirt in white, grey or black. Semi-tuck the front for structure, and add a belt for extra polish. Or wear the tee out over fitted jeans. Feel free to add a patterned or slogan tee if solids are not your preference. 

Denim Jacket: Choose an oversized OR tailored denim jacket to layer over the top of the tee. Scrunch the sleeves for textural interest and structure. I’ve shown both denim jacket silhouettes in the Polyvore set. By all means wear the formula with blue jeans and blue denim jacket for a denim on denim look (I wear that version myself). Or wear a white denim jacket. It’s all good.

Footwear: Wear high-vamped casual and trendy footwear like sneakers, cut-out booties, caged sandals, ankles strap flats, gladiators or oxfords, to work with the ankle baring lengths of the pants. 

Bling: Add a little neck or arm candy for a touch of glam. 

Rest of the Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a bag that works with the vibe and palette. Add eyewear and watch as desired.

Ensemble: Casual Pants, Tee, Denim Jacket & Bling

My client Nancy kindly sent me a photo of herself back home in California wearing the outfit. She loves the outfit and looks fabulous! Nancy, thanks for being an inspiration to us all.

Nancy

Link Love: A Footwear Report

The Business of Fashion explains why shoe startups are making sneakers from wool.

I enjoyed reading how these Italian women have moved into the decidedly out-of-fashion trade of the shoe-shining business, once exclusively the domain of men, and made it hip.

Meet Tom Lonergan, the Birkenstock doctor. This sixty-something retiree living in Ohio saw his mail order Birkenstock’s repair business double in orders two years ago. I chuckled reading this:

“As for Lonergan, he’s not too worried that a new ‘It Sandal’ will destroy his business. “The people who’ve been loyal wearers are really good customers,” he says, “Plus, there’s always the dogs. People love Birks, but dogs love Birks. I probably get three phone calls a week where the dog has destroyed a pair.”

Fab Links from Our Members

Aquamarine thought this was a fascinating read about an older model. So inspiring.

L’Abeille is reporting sad news: Jacob, Laura, and Smart Set are joining Danier in closing.

Sally suggests how to wear black with intention, thereby creating a unified look. Angie likes Sally’s rich “black in neutral mixes” best. Fabulous necklace.

Angie also loves the ethereal integrity of Sylvia’s asymmetrical and layered pastel outfits here. Graceful, soft, pretty, on trend and gorgeous in motion. It’s a timeless look at any age.

Deb wants to share this article about 100 Years of Legendary Lips.

La Belle Demimondaine was delighted to find this Audrey Hepburn-style capsule wardrobe, and wishes she could find one inspired by Sophia Loren.

RoseandJoan came across an amusing slideshow which shows the height of fashion in the year you were born.

Jenn just discovered Likely, a brand conceived with selfies in mind.

Kari recommends Bois de Jasmin as one of the best fragrance websites because it contains beautifully written articles about everything impacted by scent.

Bernard62 recommends Austin Reed as a good source for buying menswear.

Vildy got a laugh out of this Guardian article asking if you can really wear pyjamas to a party.

Last year 13-year old bow tie entrepreneur Moziah Bridges made TIMES 30 Most Influential Teens List. Robin is cheering this young man one with all she’s got.

Shevia enjoyed this farewell letter to minimalism.

UmmLila directs us to this interesting read about The New Way Women Are Dressing for Work.