Anniversary Sale: 5 Top Picks from the Forum

Members are sharing their NAS purchases on the YLF forum, and I’ve enjoyed every thread. Most of all I enjoyed seeing “new-to-me” items that look stellar on our forum members, or were highly recommended by them. Here are five such pieces. 

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

Denim on Denim Lite

The denim on denim trend hasn’t gone mainstream for a reason: it’s hard to commit to that much denim in one outfit. For many, and this is generally the case with my clients, wearing a denim jacket with a pair of jeans can feel overly masculine, stiff, cowboy-esque, hard-edged or matchy-matchy. This is especially the case when the wash of the denim jacket and jeans are very similar.

Here are some super fashionable examples of the look:

That said, most of my clients will wear a version of what I call denim on denim lite. There are three main versions of the look. Combine a denim jacket with a pair of jeans in a different wash of blue denim (either lighter or darker). Pair blue denim with white, grey or black denim. Or wear a mixed media denim jacket with jeans. In all three cases, you’ll break up the expanse of blue denim, creating a less matchy-matchy combination. 

Blue Denim Jacket with Different Wash Blue Jeans

The collection shows a blue denim jacket combined with a pair of jeans in a different shade of blue. The pairing can be subtle or high contrast. Patterned denim and acid wash denim add a textural dimension to the outfit. Wearing a denim jacket in a non-classic silhouette — like a bomber, trapeze style or blazer — puts even more distance between the outfit and a hardcore denim on denim look. 

Blue Denim with White, Black or Grey Denim

Combining blue denim with white, grey or black denim is even less match-matchy and the most common with my clients. By all means wear a white or black denim jacket with pair of blue jeans. Create a low or high contrast between the two items of denim. The collection below contains many such combinations. 

Shopbop
Aidan Jacket
$158.00 $94.80
Sale
View Info
Top Pick
1
Shopbop
Aidan Jacket
$158.00 $94.80
Sale
View Info
Top Pick
1
Gap
1969 denim jacket
View Info
Top Pick
14

Mixed Media Denim Jacket with Jeans

A mixed media denim jacket incorporates a second fabric like leather, tweed, waxed denim, faux fur, shearling, fringe or terry cloth. Again, the additional fabric breaks up the expanse of denim. Wear blue, black, white, grey or coloured jeans on the bottom. 

Layering a neutral top with denim on denim lite is a slam dunk because it creates a chic tonal effect, and draws attention away from the denim. Adding a top in colour or bold pattern tends to highlight the matchy-matchy top and bottom, which is not a bad thing if that’s your preference. 

Over the years my own preferences for the denim on denim look have changed. I used to wear black jeans with a blue denim jacket in the ‘90s. Then I went off the denim on denim trend completely for a while, feeling it was too masculine and stiff. But I changed my mind a few years ago and now enjoy wearing a blue mixed media denim jacket with a white top and white jeans. I’ve also developed a liking for combinations of the same wash blue denim in one outfit after I saw many people sporting this look in Amsterdam. My increased fondness for denim on denim lite was the catalyst to purchasing a fourth denim jacket while travelling last month.

The powder blue darling with white buttons has proved to be even more versatile than I thought. I wear it with white, medium blue and light blue denim. I’ve enjoyed wearing it in the outfit below most of all. A soft tonal combination of white and light blue.

Over to you. Do you wear denim on denim lite? If so, how do you like to combine your denim top and bottom? Or is the combination too much denim no matter how you slice it?

Three Tips for Cleaning Light-Coloured Shoes

I wear light-coloured footwear most of the time, rain or shine. And yes, it does get dirty. But I’m vigilant about keeping my light footwear clean and pristine because I bat for Team Polished. This is how I do it. 

A Once Over with Moist Wipes

You’ll be surprised at how well a moist wipe works to remove grime from most leather shoes (not only light-coloured styles). It takes the edge off and instantly makes them look better. Moist wipes tend not to remove stubborn scuffs and stains (see tricks 2 and 3 below for that) and don’t use them on suede footwear. This method works well for my white loafers. 

Magic Eraser for Suede Shoes

The best way to clean light suede footwear is with a magic eraser. Wet the eraser and gently scrub the dirty areas of the suede. Keep on going over the areas until the marks are going, and make sure the eraser is very moist. Bits of the white magic eraser crumble onto the suede as you’re scrubbing, but they brush off easily. Allow the shoe to dry and Bob’s your uncle. You might not have removed all the marks, but you’ll definitely notice an improvement. This is how I clean my silver grey suede ankle strap pumps which have been getting a lot of wear this year. 

Nail Polish Remover for Scuffs 

This trick works like a bomb. I’ve removed footprints, scuffs and denim dye from my white flat booties and white Franco Sarto Holts with ease using nail polish remover and a cotton pad. Nail polish remover is also great at removing scuffs off patent footwear (all colours). I first give them a once-over with the moist wipe before I apply the nail polish remover. 

Please share your own tips for cleaning light-coloured footwear in the comments section.

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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Retro Gingham Elegance

A new outfit from Catherine Summers of Not Dressed As Lamb, whom we introduced to YLF in June 2013.

What a showstopper this frock is! With its fit-and-flare silhouette and bold gingham pattern, it would have been right at home at the 1950’s French Riviera. Yet, its timeless integrity feels just as retro modern and fun today. The wrapped waist with bow in the back is a beautiful design detail that accentuates Catherine’s small waist. The colour blocked flats with metallic accent show that you don’t need heels to make a midi work. Note how Catherine has picked colour blocked accessories in neutral colours. They cleverly complement the checked pattern of the dress without competing with it. Her braided hair, Panama hat and playful starfish earrings are the perfect finishing touches.

Catherine Summers - 1

Catherine Summers - 2

My 2015 Anniversary Sale Purchases

2015 has been one of my best shopping years ever. I came back from our month long trip to the Netherlands and England with ten amazing wardrobe items that went into rotation right away. Soon after returning I found several more stellar pieces at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It’s very unusual for me to add this many items in less than two months, but my style has evolved a lot recently and I’ve been lucky to find exactly the right items. It does mean that my shopping is going to slow down quite a bit for the rest of this year.

With the help of a few gift cards, I purchased seven trendy items and was only slightly over the budget I set for my NAS shopping. The items  are neutral to complement my colourful travel shopping spree. Dresses are a NAS highlight, but I didn’t buy any because I’d recently bought two on our trip. Instead, I put the lion’s share of my budget into tops because my top-to-bottom ratio was not as balanced as I’d like it to be. 

  1. Current/Elliott The Cropped Straight Ankle Jeans: I loved these because they’re different to what I have, and I adore the shade of light blue denim. Remember that you needn’t be swayed by how items fit the model. Choose the way you want the item to fit your body. I’m into wearing tailored blue jeans on this leg of my style journey, so I sized down to create a more snug fit than what you see on the model. I can wear them with ankle strap shoes in the Summer, and with ankle boots with higher shafts in Autumn and Winter. This was my trendiest purchase, which I debuted yesterday with snakeskin ankle strap pumps.
  2. Autumn Cashmere Fair Isle Sweater: Although I’m not generally drawn to Fair Isle, I loved this right away because it’s cream, cropped, warm, and complements the shades of my hair. I like the way it blousons at the waist and has extra long scrunched sleeves. I don’t have anything like it. I can wear this with my high-waisted flared jeans, high-waisted cream trousers, dressy black trousers, and a few skirts.  
  3. Vince Textured Crewneck Sweater: I was drawn to this item because it reminds me of Greg. I love the asymmetrical zipper, shade of ink blue, cozy integrity, and relaxed fit. It’s great with my old ink blue booties and new “white painted” G-Star Jeans. Fab with my very old zippered dark blue jeans and jodhpur jeans too. 
  4. Theory Jodi Cotton & Cashmere Short Sleeve Sweater: Although grey and I are not friends, I do like a very soft and textured light silver grey worn with white or light blue denim. The high neck on this pullover is great for my long neck. The cropped length and short sleeves are fashionably fun and a little different. The fluid fit is dead right.  
  5. Diane von Furstenberg Dezi Jumpsuit: This is my pièce de résistance. I’ve been looking for the right jumpsuit for years and finally found it at this year’s NAS. Very unexpected. Spontaneously trying on this ‘70s inspired piece was extremely fun, and it ticked off all the boxes. Non-black, sleeved, substantial fabric, great drape, dressy and elegant. Hello Studio 54. It’s an impractical piece that’s not going to get much wear, but we’re allowed one of those from time to time. It’s too Modern Retro to date all that quickly, and far too fun and perfect to pass up. The French seams on the pocket linings were grinning through to the front of the trousers so I’m having them restitched. I also had the length shortened to work with low heels. 
  6. A.L.C Clay Print Silk Top: I tried on this exact blouse last year and loved it, but it was not within my budget at the time. A year later it’s within my reach, so I grabbed the feminine little darling that looks amazing with my flirty black Valentino skirt and black silk harem pants. I love it’s soft and pretty integrity, high neckline and structured fluidity. The only reason I bought a breezy blouse at this time of year is because we’re having the very best hot Summer. It’s not going to be orphaned.  
  7. Timberland Glastonbury Six Inch Sneaker: I’m bored with regular sleek ankle boots and moto boots for Fall and Winter, which is why the haute hiking boot and sneaker hybrid appealed to me — another wild card. I chose the Glastonburys because their sleek silhouette is a proportional match to my low volume feet and narrow ankles. They don’t look like they’re wearing me, which is so often the case with chunky footwear. They are comfortable, practical and funky. They’ll inject a lot of newness into my casual outfits and look great with cropped jeans, straight leg jeans or streamlined white boyfriend that are rolled at the hem. After creating outfits with both the black and wheat colours at home, both worked well with my wardrobe. But I went with the wheat because the colour excited me more than the black.  

If you shopped the NAS, let us know about your successes in the comments below.