Net-a-Porter is merging with Yoox, an exhibition featuring high-end mannequins, Chanel branching out into e-commerce, and more style news that made the headlines this week.

• Australian Uniqlo fans: Sydney is getting two new stores of over 1000 square metres this Autumn.
• Online fashion retailer Net-a-Porter is merging with its Italian competitor Yoox.
• Marc by Marc Jacobs creative directors Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley are launching their own ready-to-wear label.
• Chanel has announced plans to branch out into e-commerce next year.
• A small exhibition at the The Museum of Arts and Design in New York features high-end mannequins created in collaboration with artists and designers.
• H&M teams up with Kering and Worn Again for a new initiative to recapture fibres from end-of-use clothing and textiles.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Alexander McQueen’s Plato’s Atlantis Spring/Summer 2010 collection was the first fashion show that was live-streamed online. In The International Herald Tribune, Suzy Menkes called the event — that ultimately crashed the website because of high demand — “the most dramatic revolution in twenty-first-century fashion”.

This ensemble was inspired by DVF’s Camden Floral Print Silk Top. Combining burnt orange and burgundy with white works really well. The subtle dark pink accents are an optional fun addition. 

Think about combining these colours in any way at all. Use tan, light grey or taupe as a neutral if you don’t fancy the white. Or add it as a second neutral along with the white. Shades of coral and peach can be substituted for the orange. Shades of berry and cranberry can be substituted for the burgundy. If you have a wardrobe item in a pattern that combines orange, burgundy and pink, so much the better.

Here are some casual and dressy renditions to get you started:

White Bottoms with an Orange and Burgundy Top

Combine white jeans or trousers (any style) with an orange and burgundy patterned top. Finish off the outfit with white, taupe, light grey or metallic footwear, and a handbag. Adding a belt in the same colour as the footwear is optional. Feel free to leave out the orange and simply wear a burgundy top with white bottoms. I’ve chosen an on trend ‘70s vibe for this rendition just for fun. 

Burgundy Jeans, Orange Top & Pink Bag

Combine burgundy bottoms with an orange pullover, tee, shirt or blouse. Or turn the formula upside down by wearing orange bottoms with a burgundy top. Finish off the look with taupe, tan or light grey footwear. Throw in a pink bag as the final touch. 

Cranberry Skirt with White Top & Orange Shoes 

Combine a cranberry or burgundy skirt with a white top, orange footwear and a taupe bag. If light neutral footwear is more your thing, wear that on your feet and throw in an orange bag. A bright cognac can become “your orange” if that’s more your cup of tea. Add jewellery, headgear, eyewear and watch as desired. 

A light tan, cream or taupe trench coat works well as a topper, as does a leather, pleather or linen jacket in those colours. I’ve deliberately kept black and denim out of the outfit, but they could work as alternative neutrals.

Some of my clients have done well refreshing their Spring wardrobes at Banana Republic. All items here are tried and tested and most are 40% off until Sunday if you use the code “BRGOOD”. Be sure to browse through the colours because there are several options for many of the styles. Some styles are available in petite and tall. 

Update: As Phoebe points out in the comments, the items in my my list that are “BR Picks” are excluded from the promotion, even if they have the 40% discount message on the item page. The “BR Picks” tag is just above the color swatch.

• Banana Republic Celia Scarf: A Summery linen scarf that isn't scratchy. It's soft and not overly bulky. Excellent with white, olive and cognac outfits.
• Banana Republic Bonded Lace Pencil Skirt: The photo does not do this non-crease skirt justice. It has a fun graphic lace design. Good on a curvier body type.
• Banana Republic Rosella Ghillie Sandal: On trend lace-up sandals with a sturdy high heel.
• Banana Republic Hartford Satchel: A very well-made bag with many compartments. Looks designer. Not too heavy for its size.
• Banana Republic Cool Girl Crossbody: An excellent compact crossbody bag with an urban integrity. Good on petites.
• Banana Republic Dixie Scarf: This scarf comes in two colours and looks excellent with light neutral outfits.
• Banana Republic Raw-Edge Blazer: A Summer ink blue tweed jacket with a well-defined waist. Best on a curvy figure. Quite long, so particularly good on a longer torso.
• Banana Republic Waffle-Knit Cropped Top: A modern short-sleeved cropped sweatshirt made of a cubed waffle knit. Fably '80s.
• Banana Republic White Sateen Peplum Top: A good piece for a curvy torso. I love the dramatic high-low hem of this peplum. Excellent shape from all angles.
• Banana Republic Lace Layered Pullover: A LINED soft and simple all-in-one layered lace top. Runs big.
• Banana Republic Makayla Mid-Heel Pump: Very elegant and great for low volume feet. Nice heel height. Fits similarly to the Sam Edelman Okala pump. The memory foam on the footbed makes it extra comfy. Good for fussy feet.
• Banana Republic Kinsley Pump: The leather is a little stiff, so best for moderately fussy feet. The memory foam does help with footbed comfort. Works surprisingly well for higher volume feet.
• Banana Republic Laney Lace-Up Sandal: Very trendy and sassy, but very high on the heel. Soft leather and many, many colours to choose from.
• Banana Republic Heritage Boyfriend Jean: A tailored boyfriend jean. Read the rave reviews.
• Banana Republic Linen Vee: One of the best V-neck linen tees I've seen. Great on a curvier body type. Many colour options.
• Banana Republic Heritage Printed Blouse: A great blouse on a curvier figure. The diagonal sleeves are flattering. Partially tuck the front for more structure.
• Banana Republic Sateen Cropped Top: Fab trendy top to combine with pencil skirts for a trendy work look. The sleeves are boxy so consider yourself warned.
• Banana Republic Sloan-Fit Slim Ankle Pant: This repeat style ankle pant is great on both straight and curvier figures. The olive is fab with shades of blue and white accents. Read the rave reviews.
• Banana Republic Textured Moto Jacket: My favourite piece at Banana Republic at the moment. It's WOVEN and not knitted. The texture and fabric are divine. Looks like cracked patent. Non-crease, crisp and very sharp. Great for work and play. Lightweight and ideal for business casual. Good on a shorter torso. Might run a little small.
• Banana Republic Sleek Wide-Leg Culotte: I haven't seen these culottes on a person because they ran out of stock in Seattle. It sold like hot cakes. But the fabric is great and the length is versatile. Good reviews.
• Banana Republic Boyfriend Jean Short: Easy, comfy and durable.
• Banana Republic Soft Leather Small Duffle: A beautiful quality piece. Looks designer. A nice smaller satchel size that is often hard to find.
• Banana Republic Drapey Sleeve Top: A great stand-alone trendy white shell to wear over pants or skirts. Best on broader shoulders. Runs big. No need to wear a camisole.
• Banana Republic Cross-Front Turtleneck: A fun cross-front funnel pullover to wear layered over shirts, blouses and tees. Best on a long neck. Casual.
• Banana Republic Mixed-Media Pocket Tee: A good mixed media drapey tee. Partial tuck is a must for structure. Grey and navy are fab, but white is see-through and needs a camisole.
• Banana Republic Indigo Boyfriend Jean: A tailored pair of boyfriend jeans in a dark wash. Read the rave reviews.
• Banana Republic Larkin Tote: A practical large leather tote in great colours. Quite lightweight for its size.

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

We are in the middle of swimwear season, so if you need a new bathing suit this year and like to have options, now’s the time to start looking. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started:

• Refinery29 has a roundup of The Raddest Swimsuits To Buy For Under $100.
• They also bring us 20 Swimsuits Worth The Weird Tan Lines.
• StyleCaster gives five tips for How to Buy Swimwear Online.
• Popsugar’s suggestions for how to find the perfect swimsuit for your body.
• Maternity Swimwear For Every Trimester.

Fab Links from Our Members

Desmo April loves the Flannel Foxes’ interpretations of menswear. Talk about tomboy style.

Laura (rhubarbgirl) points us to this interesting article about how the brain gets a physical “hit” from buying something new, and how retailers have learned to craft their sales approach to take advantage of it.

Author Linda has been shopping for an investment trench, and found this post on trench coats informative and very useful.

Sally shares why most dresses are sleeveless these days. Apparently one of the reasons is that sleeves are frumpy. That was news to Angie too! She adds: “I actually think sleeved dresses look more modern, fresh and fashionable than sleeveless dresses these days. Designers need to put more sleeves on dresses.”

Angie also enjoyed this roundup of nine ways to wear flared jeans.

Susie Bubble swapped wardrobes with French stylist Valentine Fillol-Cordier. The two women couldn’t be more different in their styles, and Approprio thought that both look completely lost in each other’s clothes. Make of that what you will.

LadyLilac found a great review of The RealReal, a consignment business that deals with designer items, over at Extra Petite.

Doubleh loves seeing vintage fashion styles, and particularly enjoyed the non-airbrushed photos of more realistic body types in these bikini photos. She adds she is a bit more ready to start the swimsuit try-ons now.

The people at WhoWhatWear feel that Ines de la Fressange is a good style role model and “the perfect inspiration for ladies of a certain age”. Joy enjoyed browsing the French style icon’s outfits.