During an CFDA panel earlier this month, a group of fashion insiders discussed their experiences with diversity in the fashion industry. Afterwards, I went looking for more articles that shed light on this very important topic:

• The Fashion Spot examined women’s fashion print ads for Spring 2015, and found an alarming lack of diversity.
• BoF reports that one of the most promising growth areas for beauty brands “is the expanding market for so-called ‘ethnic’ or ‘multicultural’ beauty products, meaning products targeted at multi-ethnic consumers in both the West and in emerging economies.”
• Nudevotion is an online store that offers customers nude apparel — clothing, bags, accessoris, make-up and shoes — according to their own skin tone.
• A shoot for Icelandic Glamour featuring five models who set up ALDA, “an organization that aims to widen the definition of beauty and works to expand the size representation of modeling agencies in New York”, is getting very positive reactions.
• Marquita Pring, one of the co-founders of ALDA, is also part of lingerie brand Panache’s Modelled by Role Models campaign that “aims to shift the perception of what being a model really is — being celebrated for contributions to society and personal achievements rather than physical attributes.”
• The public support for 18-year-old Madeline Stuart, an aspiring model who has Down syndrome and wants to change the way people discriminate against disability, has been overwhelming.
• In this video, Nicolette Mason discusses why queer voices matter in fashion.
• Jessica Kane, creative director of online store Cool Gal Blue, explains why they only work with non-professional models.

Fab Links from Our Members

Dee had fun watching the new Iris Apfel documentary, and wanted to share this interview with the eclectic style icon.

E enjoyed this comprehensive guide on how to go on a meaningful “shopping fast” that lets you evaluate your habits and decide what you want your future consumption to look like.

Angie liked Sally’s thoughtful piece on body image and paradigm traps (she does like liquorice though!).

In honour of the Mad Men finale, Kari points us to this article and slideshow on the style evolution of certain characters.

Joy was caught up in Bill Cunningham experiencing the Greenmarket in Union Square, the dogs, wisteria and, of course, fashion. “Do people have a Farmers’ Market style?”, she wonders.

Marlene enjoyed reading Sally’s thoughts on the difference between normcore and classic style.

Vildy liked this article about five Japanese brands who are “reinventing multiple menswear archetypes (the outdoorsmen, the Ivy Leaguer, the surfer dude)”.

Runcarla and her son enjoy analyzing and learning from the outfit posts and the style articles over at Primer.

Vicki’s womanly feminist alarm went off when she read that women sporting flats were being banned at the Cannes Film Festival, even though she finds the story intriguing from a cultural perspective.

Laurinda adds: “Kudos to Inès de la Fressange and Isabella Rossellini for rebelling in flats.”

Deborah loves reading and seeing how minimal wardrobe capsules work for some women. 

It never occurred to Karymk that newly purchased clothing might need to be washed before the first wear. But that is exactly what Donald Belsito, a professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center, recommends.

Daria directs us to a New York Times article about the rebirth of Old Navy.

After reading about the art director who wears the same outfit to work every day, writer Alicia Cohn tried the same thing for a week. Beth Ann found the questions she poses, e.g. “Simplicity has become trendy. But what are we simplifying for?“, very interesting.

The surveys we ran in the past gave us extremely useful information and informed some important decisions. With today’s survey both members and non-members can give us input on some changes we’re considering, help us to set priorities, and influence the direction of YLF.

Input from our readers and members is particularly important right now because we are approaching some important decision points. For one thing, I want to re-examine the topics we write about and make sure that we are covering the things that are most important to you. So one of the questions in the survey asks you about your favourite posts.

Another thing we’re grappling with is the role of advertising on YLF. Nothing has generated more negative feedback than the ads on the site. Sometimes because the content is offensive or distracting, and sometimes because the ads have technical issues that slow the site down. The ad networks we work with provide tools to manage this sort of thing, but they aren’t perfect. We launched the latest design of YLF with fewer ad networks and fewer ads on the site and we are thinking about ways we can reduce our dependence on ads even further.

Of course, the revenue we receive from ads helps us to keep the lights on, so we need to think about alternatives. A few questions in the survey are about gauging your interest in some of our initial ideas.

The survey is short and shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to fill out. Responses are completely anonymous. If you aren’t a member then it is especially important that we hear from you. Please use the survey to let us know what you think.

Once again, here is the link to the survey. Thank you.

Nordstrom’s end-of-season sale for Spring and Summer starts today. These items were already marked down when I wrote the post yesterday, but it’s possible that Nordstrom adds new items to the sale as it gets underway. If so, I will go through the new items and write a second list of top picks. Remember to check all the colour options, and if necessary to check whether the same item is available in petites and plus sizes.

• Clarks 'Lydie Hala' Ankle Strap Sandal (Women): Breezy, comfortable and cushioning. A trendy ankle strap platform sandal with a flexible sole. Great in silver and blue.
• Sam Edelman 'Okala' Pump (Women): An extremely comfortable and lightweight heel that is UNDER three inches (the online reference is incorrect). The ankle strap is in a flattering position and fits all ankle shapes.
• MATISSE 'Nugent' Wedge Bootie (Women): Extremely comfortable, stable and spongey. Great on low and regular volume feet and narrow ankles. The glowing reviews are not exaggerating the fabness of the bootie. My pair have been gong strong for four years.
• Munro 'Lacy' Sandal: Extremely comfortable lacy black sandals that come in three colours, but the black looks best.
• Vince Camuto 'Estell' Open Toe Bootie (Women): The heel is quite comfortable despite the height. A trendy peep-toe sandal bootie in an unusual shade of brown. Excellent with ankle pants.
• KUT from the Kloth 'Chrissy' Flare Leg Jeans (White): Thick and very structured with just the right amount of stretch. Not see-through at all. Works well on a straight and curvy body type, although the waistband might need alteration on a relatively small waist. Plenty of length for tall gals. Fab swagger on the flare.
• Pleione Plaid Chiffon Tunic: Fab layered over skinnies, leggings or on its own with a slip.
• Eileen Fisher Mandarin Collar Long Silk Shirt (Regular & Petite): Create an all-black look with this tunic. Pop over a black jacket for extra textural interest and drama.
• Sam Edelman 'Sienna' Bag: Fringed and fun in shades of white. The tote lays neatly and comfortably on the shoulder and against your side.
• Opening Ceremony 'Grunge' Platform Fisherman Sandal (Women): A very trendy shoe for high volume feet. Might feel a little heavy as you stride.
• Tracy Reese 'Kelly' Raffia Check Crop Jacket: Cropped and tailored is a good shape jacket to wear over a dress.
• KENZO Polka Dot Cutaway Jacket: A bold blazer in a modern classic cut that will not date. It's extremely well made, but you have to love the pattern to be at piece with the drama.
• Frame Denim 'Le High Flare' High Waist Jeans (Hardy): Grey flares are less bright than white. A good fit on a curvy and straighter body type.
• Adrianna Papell Lace High/Low Dress (Plus Size): An elegant lace midi dress with fab back waist tailoring.
• City Chic 'Army Girl' Mesh Detail Cold Shoulder Tunic (Plus Size): An avant-garde piece that works as well as a dress as it does over slim bottoms. The cold shoulder and mesh detailing are alluring. The waist definition is flattering on an hourglass or pear shaped figure.
• Kate Spade New York stripe shift dress: Modern Mod Fabness. Read the rave reviews. Works well on straighter figures, apples, inverted triangles, and quite well on hourglasses.
• Eileen Fisher Scoop Neck Racerback Knit Dress (Regular & Petite): A very breezy midi for a hot day. The extra neckline straps are cute. Available in colours.
• ELOQUII 'Kady' Side Stripe Ankle Pants (Plus Size): Good on a curvy plus size with a longer rise. Fun with high-vamped shoes.
• Jag Jeans 'Ainsley' Slim Bermuda Shorts (Regular & Petite): A surprisingly good fit of "pull-on" shorts on both straighter and curvier body types. Read the rave reviews.
• 3.1 Phillip Lim Stripe Contrast Layered Sweater: Dramatic and bold. The tapered sleeves provide sufficient structure. Best on tall gals.
• Classiques Entier High/Low Crewneck Sweater: A high-low crew neck sweater with a rare semi-tailored fit. Great drape. It's quite long so not good on petites.
• City Chic Open Back High/Low Tunic Shirt (Plus Size): A drapey high-low tunic that works as well over a pencil skirt - for a "frock effect"- as it does over slim bottoms.
• Classiques Entier Cape Back Merino Jacquard Sweater: Geometric and bold. Good drape and substantial fabric. Best on taller gals, and excellent with white skinnies.
• 7 For All Mankind Seamed Denim Pencil Skirt (Slim Illusion Faded Blue): The front panel lines on this skirt create a visually slimming effect. Nice faded denim colour.
• Eileen Fisher Hooded Boxy Jacket: An arty hooded trench coat in fabulous fabric. Best on those who can fill it out.
• Adrianna Papell Rose Print Jacquard Fit & Flare Dress (Plus Size): A sleeveless and pretty floral midi with a V-neck at the back. Read the rave reviews.
• POVERTY FLATS By Rian Faux Leather Convertible Tote: A vegan satchel in a muted turquoise.
• Michael 'Large Berkley' Leather Clutch: A shocking pink clutch with a practical handle.
• Halogen 'Day to Night' Leather Envelope Clutch: A floral clutch that works as well in Winter as it does in Spring and Summer.
• SJP By Sarah Jessica Parker SJP 'Bleecker' Bucket Bag: A fashionable bucket bag in a muted shade of blush. It's a little bigger than most bucket bags so consider yourself warned.
• Gentle Souls 'Blessie' Leather Sandal (Women): Extremely cushioning and well made. A fab shade of light navy. Works on low and high volume feet because of the adjustable straps.
• Attilio Giusti Leombruni AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni Brogue Oxford (Women): Very comfortable and lightweight. Works for both a low and high volume foot.
• Attilio Giusti Leombruni AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni Sequin Oxford: The mermaid oxford is quite something. Looks like fish scales on the foot. Very comfortable and lightweight. Works for both a low and high volume foot.
• Bobeau Long Open Front Vest: A very lightweight maxi vest. Perfect for hot Summers when that third piece adds decorative interest to your outfit without extra insulation. Just as great over a dress.
• Paul Green 'Vince' Flat: These Paul Green loafers have been a top pick before in ink and white because they are beautifully made, comfortable, and surprisingly supportive for a flat. The rounded toe is quite almond, and not stumpy at all. They work both for high and low volume feet. You might need to size down half a size if your feet are low volume like mine. Modern, crisp and refined.

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

Last month we visited friends in hot and dry Arizona, which is where these photographs were taken. This is one of the outfits I wore and it was breezy, yet sufficiently covered for the harsh desert sun. I was very comfortable as long as we weren’t in air conditioning. All the items are new, which is unusual since I prefer to remix new items with older wardrobe pieces. 

The white eyelet empire blouse was love at first sight. The silhouette may seem out of character at first, but actually it’s sufficiently crisp, woven and structured. It has the elements of my beloved button-down shirts, making it less of a stretch than you might expect. It reminds me a bit of an Anne Fontaine shirt, which is probably what drew me to the style. I love cotton eyelet, the fitted sleeves, the prettiness of the silhouette, the perfectly neat shirt collar, and the straight lines of the knife pleated peplum that make it look more architectural.

The flat back of the style is genius, because it prevents the silhouette from billowing out too much from the side view. I can wear a nude-for-me bra without it showing through the eyelet, so no camisole required. In fact, I think the outline of a camisole ruins the lines of the blouse. That and the ventilation of the peplum and eyelet fabric means it’s definitely a piece reserved for hot days.

I couldn’t be happier with the higher rise Resolution slim straight skimmer jeans by Gap. They are extremely comfortable, super soft, and not as tight as sausage casing skinnies. Their slim fit adds structure that complements the voluminous eyelet blouse nicely, which is why I debuted the pieces together. I did not roll the hems of the jeans because I prefer them at this length when pairing them with ankle strap footwear. 

Ankle pants were made to wear with ankle strap footwear because the combination closes the gap. That’s why I chose my Franco Sarto Holt flats for this outfit. They are “my sandals” because I like closed toe shoes with open heels in Summery weather. The white toe boxes work well with the white shirt. The low-contrast straps, which are low contrast against my skin tone and the jeans, lengthen the leg line. 

I would generally have preferred to fully or partially tuck the top to lengthen the leg line from the hips up since I’m wearing flats with ankle pants. But that isn’t possible with this blouse. The low contrast between the top, jeans and footwear is what makes this outfit just flattering enough because the horizontal lines are very subtle. A high-contrast untucked black top would have broken the vertical line and made me feel short in the leg. 

I finished off the look with a rusty red suede ombré clutch from Zara. The suede is adequately casual. The shape of the clutch adds a graphic touch, which tempers the Boho effect of the blouse. The inexpensive straw cowgirl hat was purchased on our trip, and I’m THRILLED with it. For years I’ve been looking for a fun straw hat that fits my very small head. I stumbled across this one in a kids size and it’s perfect. It offers fab protection from the sun and does not create hat head. A very well spent $17. A watch, wedding ring and my only pair of prescription sunnies are all the extras I need to complete the outfit. 

If you asked me last year whether bohemian tops, high-waisted ankle length jeans and a cowgirl hat would be on my shopping list in 2015, I’d have said that’s highly unlikely. But here I am going Boho Lite for Summer. It feels fresh and panders to my need to wear soft and pretty things. As long as I can incorporate crisp, polished and tailored components into the outfit, it works for my style.