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Link Love: Shopping Intel

— by Inge

on December 4, 2014

10 Ways to Shop Charitably This Season: The Huffington Posts lists 10 brands that use part of their profits to give back to the community.

Refinery29 did some research and presents The Smart Girl’s Guide To Loyalty Programs.

BoF reports that in an effort to entice customers to use their services, PayPal and Google Wallet are offering holiday deals and discounts.

Fab Links from Our Members

Laurinda reports that Australian TV anchor Karl Stefanovic wore the same navy blue suit for a year to show the different dress code requirements for men and women. Now he is auctioning off the well-worn suit for a campaign to end violence against women. Update: Deborah kindly let us know that the suit was sold for $10,000. The guy who bought it owns and runs a resort that specializes in wedding events and he is going to have the suit available for hire. Any money made from it will go to the White Ribbon organization.

Approprio enjoyed this wonderful video about the craftsmen of London’s Savile Row, home to the last of the bespoke tailors in Britain.

Several forum members have expressed interest in dressing for your personal contrast levels. Milehighstyle (Linda) points us in the direction of Imogen’s post with photos and detailed explanations of how it all works.

Dianthus found Accidental Icon’s post “Clothing Matters As In Grey Matter” very interesting.

Angie loves Catherine’s killer tartan scarf outfit. Simple, on trend, practical, comfortable, and equally dramatic. She would also like to share Sally’s list of clothing resources for tall gals.

Laura stumbled upon these location-enabled jackets for navigating around Paris.

Carole loved Imogen’s recent post on determining if an article of clothing will date quickly.

In this era of fast fashion, Vildy would like to share an article that talks about the Japanese tradition of Boro: items of clothing sewn from hemp that “would be maintained throughout the owner’s lifetime, or perhaps even longer”.

Suz was fascinated by this short history of why Asians wear surgical masks — aside from the obvious fears of pollution, that is.

Lyn D. recently thrifted a Mulberry handbag, and wanted to share the Festive Film on their website.

Link Love

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How Often Do You Wash Your Hair?

— by Angie

on December 4, 2014

The answer to this question will vary a lot from person to person. Variables like your hairstyle, your hair type (and in particular whether it tends towards the dry or the oily end of the spectrum), your daily activities, and your local climate all play a role.

So there is no right or wrong answer, but I do believe it is helpful to establish a routine that suits your style, lifestyle and hair type. That way you’ll feel your best and have a healthy head of hair. After all, you know how it goes. Your fabulous outfit feels off when your hair isn’t right.

I shampoo and condition my hair every morning. I may have dry facial skin, but I do have fine, oily hair that looks and feels best on the day it has been washed. And since my hairstyle is a prominent part of my look, it is important to me that bad hair days are kept to a minimum.

Surprisingly, the high washing frequency has had a positive effect on the health of my hair. I have my hairstylist Teresa to thank for suggesting the right Redken shampoo and conditioner. I don’t have a dry scalp, nor has my hair been stripped of its natural oils. It feels clean and soft, and looks shiny. A big improvement over its condition when I was using the wrong products.

I have my hair trimmed every six weeks, which takes care of dry ends and prevents it from looking limp.

Luckily, my short hair is easy and fast to style so I don’t feel like it’s an annoying hassle to deal with wet hair every day. Washing and styling long hair, on the other hand, is a much more laborious task. I was much less inclined to wash my hair daily when I wore it longer.

Over to you. How frequently do you wash your hair? Are you happy with your routine?

Grooming

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Team Start or Team End of Season Shopper

— by Angie

on December 3, 2014

This week’s poll is about your seasonal shopping preference. Do you prefer to shop at the start or at the end of a retail season? Note that there are only two official retail seasons, Spring and Fall, each of which lasts about six months.

I prefer to shop early in the season because that’s when I’m most excited about the new collections. Items look fresh and I want them right away. Most of my own seasonal refresh is done during the first half of the season because that’s when fashion buyers tend to stock stores with “cherries”.

Although prices are considerably reduced at the end of the season, pickings are slim and sizes are scarce. I’m also usually bored with what’s on offer at the end of the season. I’m already looking forward to the next season’s range.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Start or Team End of Season Shopper? For the purposes of this poll, mid-season shoppers fall into Team Start of the Season Shopper. Remember, no batting for both sides.

Team X Team Y

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Roundups

Simpler Items

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

Assorted Items

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

Casual Summer Vibes

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

Summery Earth Tones

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

Hints of Spring

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

Dressier Items

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

The Ongoing Fair Isle Sweater Trend

— by Angie

on December 3, 2014

We see the distinctive Fair Isle pattern on knitwear every season, and over the decades it’s become quite the classic. It is particularly popular during ski season and over the Christmas period in the northern hemisphere because of its strong Wintery integrity. Fair Isles are often prominent on the “holiday sweaters” that come out for casual holiday get togethers with friends and family.

Fair Isle knitwear can be chunky or fine gauge, and comes in a wide variety of colours and silhouettes. Sometimes the patterns cover the entire sweater, and sometimes only parts of it, like the yoke and hems. They are strictly casual pieces, but can be worn with dressier bottoms to create interesting juxtapositions.

I am lukewarm on the Fair Isle sweater trend. I’m drawn to the neutral styles with a yoke and hem border every season (the cream oversized turtleneck sweater from the Gap tickles my fancy). But I haven’t felt fabulous in a Fair Isle since I was a teen back in the ‘80s. Perhaps that’s my challenge. I think of Fair Isle as a juvenile pattern.

Fair Isles can look slightly frumpy when worn without fashionable intention. I also find the stitching across the yoked styles uncomfortable when I reach out or raise my arms because there is no shoulder seam. But I’d definitely wear a fun neutral Fair Isle if I met the right one. They look cuddly and gorgeously Nordic.

Over to you. What’s your take on Fair Isle sweaters?

Casual Wear · Knitwear · Winter 2014/2015

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Fab Sale Finds: Unconventional Jeans

— by Angie

on December 2, 2014

Interesting, unconventional jeans come in handy around the holidays, especially when they lean towards dressy. Combine them with a festive sweater or a plaid shirt and blazer, a dressy pair of shoes and some extra bling, and Bob’s your uncle. You’re dressed up for a relaxed setting. Here’s an assortment across various price points, and three bonus items at the end.

Hudson Jeans 'Krista Vice Versa' Skinny Jeans (Punk Universe): These jeans are uniquely lace from the front, and plaid at the back. Wearing them with a pair of booties with a higher vamp is a great way to insulate their cropped length. I love lace so these made it into my shopping basket. Might need to size up a size.
Rag & Bone/JEAN Stretch Skinny Jeans (Anfield Splatter): Splattered jeans for an arty touch. A fun juxtaposition when worn with lots of sparkle.
Free People Destroyed Denim Trousers: An '80s flashback. Slouchy, pleated, patched and distressed. I dare you to make a statement with this blast from from the past.
True Religion Brand Jeans 'Halle' Leopard Print Skinny Pants: A self-colour pair of flocked jeans is chic and versatile. Size up.
NYDJ 'Ami' Houndstooth Print Stretch Skinny Jeans: A self-colour pair of houndstooth jeans for those who prefer black bottoms. Great on a curvy bottom half, or apple shaped body type. Might need to size down a size.
Wit & Wisdom Flocked Plaid Pants (Nordstrom Exclusive): Velvety, soft and super comfy. The higher rise is excellent at camouflaging muffin top. Might need to size down a size. Read the rave reviews.
Current/Elliott 'The Ankle' Destroyed Skinny Jeans (Fool's Gold): A pair of shiny jeans is great to wear over the holidays. Wear boots with higher shafts for extra lower leg coverage. You might need to size up a size. These made it into my shopping basket because I've found metallic jeans versatile and fun to wear throughout the year.
Hudson Jeans Tie Dye Skinny Stretch Jeans (Illusions): A little white and grey tie dye for in the dead of Winter. Why not? Bright, dramatic and fab with a black or grey support act. Size up.
Nordstrom Collection Double Breasted Cashmere Poncho Cardigan: A trendy poncho sweater to wear over sleek pants or jeans. The drape is good and the gauge quite refined, so petites will not feel as overwhelmed in this style.
Adrianna Papell 'Concorde' Print Faux Wrap Dress: A wrap dress with a little more coverage on the bust area with extra hem length to boot. Fab modern pattern.
Soia & Kyo Long Down Coat with Inset Bib: Loving my own six year old puffer by this brand, I can't rave enough about Soia & Kyo puffer coats. They are very warm, heavy duty, double layered, fashionable, and beautifully made. The rib insets and high shawl collar are extra insulating. I vote military green or navy. Runs small.