Eight years and three thousand blog posts later, there’s a lot of content and many, many style tips for fashion lovers on YLF. If I had to narrow it down and choose my ten favourite style tips, these would be them. 

Assess your bra, hairstyle and specs upfront

Begin the process of a style renewal or refresher by addressing the fit of your bra, your hairstyle, and your eyewear (if you wear specs daily) before you address your clothes, footwear and accessories. Having these aspects in place gives you an effective head-start and the rest will fall into place more easily. 

Dress your body in clothes that fit today

Embrace your size and shape, and buy clothes that fit and flatter. If you’re on a long weight loss or gain journey, purchase items that fit along the way. Keep purchases to a minimum, but don’t spend months in ill-fitting clothes while your body changes.

Ask these 3 questions to troubleshoot problem outfits 

You can often identify the problem with an outfit that is “not quite right” by asking these three questions.

1. Is it the length of an item that will make the difference?
2. Is it the contrast between the items and your skin tone?
3. Do you need to add heels to the outfit?

In some instances you’ll solve the problem by actioning one fast tweak. 

Create proportions that are just flattering enough

You’ll find fashion and style a lot more forgiving and fun when you create outfit proportions that are just flattering enough instead of sticking to conventional forms of figure flattery. By using subtle techniques that create structure and elongate an outfit, you’ll find this modern way of dressing very liberating. 

Assess how you FEEL in an outfit

Sometimes an outfit looks great in the mirror, or to others, but doesn’t make you feel fabulous. Style starts from within, so listen to these feelings because it’s YOU wearing the outfit. Wear outfits with a high happiness-factor because they are the ones that will make you the most confident and stylish version of yourself.

Create brow, lash and lip definition and look after your skin

Cleanse, moisturize and use sunscreen daily because healthy skin makes your style shine more brightly. A workout does wonders for your skin too. 

You don’t need to wear lots of make-up daily, but a little goes a long way to making you look brighter and more alive. Create eyebrow definition by grooming your brows. If they are light, use eyebrow dye or eyebrow pencil. Mascara makes your eyes pop. And a little lippie, whether it’s gloss, lipstick or tinted balm, adds the final polished touch. 

Be patient with your style

It takes time and resources to build a baseline wardrobe and refresh your style seasonally. It also takes time to accurately identify your needs and refine your style preferences. And just when you think you have it all figured out, your lifestyle will change and so will your preferences. Be patient and don’t expect everything to fall into place after one season. If you’re frustrated with shopping or another aspect of your style, take a break, and revisit things later. Style is an ongoing journey with many paths and temporary destinations. Enjoy the process as much as the end result, and learn from each leg of the journey. 

Leave no retail stone unturned 

Each retailer has its good and bad points, and should be awarded a clean slate at the start of the season. Shop all price points. Shop the kids and menswear sections if you have to, and don’t forget the sporting goods store. It doesn’t matter where you shop as long as what you buy fits the bill and makes you happy. 

Keep poison eye to a minimum

We can’t help our “poison eyes” (items or combinations that we don’t like on anyone, ever), but do try to keep them to a minimum. Fashion and style is subjective, which makes keeping an open mind especially important. Your own style preferences might be narrow, but try to appreciate items and styles that are outside your personal preferences on someone else. Doing so reflects a love for fashion and style that goes beyond your own appearance.

Have fun with fashion at every age

It’s never too early or too late to have fun with fashion and style. We need a wardrobe that suits our needs and style preferences throughout our adult lives. Dressing daily is an opportunity for self expression, creativity and FUN.  Shout this from the rooftops and spread the word.

Summer 2014 retail is winding down, so it’s all about bargains at this stage of the season. Still lots to shop if your Summers are hot and long. 

1. Chelsea28 Embroidered Lace Pullover: I should be curbing my own Summer purchases, but find a pretty and sporty lace piece in white hard to resist. Gorgeous with white jeans. I love how the contrast of your skin peeking through the pattern adds texture to a white-out look. It’s in my shopping cart. 
2. Trouve Moto Vest: Fab with casual pants and peep-toe booties.
3. Chelsea28 Print Woven Track Pants: Partially tuck a roomy white tee into those babies and wear with white or metallic sandals. 
4. Trouve Pointed Hem Tube skirt: A gorgeous, sleek fit with interesting hem and plenty of length for tall gals. Very comfy. 
5. Trouve Pinstripe Reverse Lapel Jacket: A fab Summer jacket for the office. Not too formal, plenty modern, and fably polished. 
6. Sanctuary Editor Linen Moto Vest: A rough-around-the-edges layering piece for a hot Summer. 
7. Free People Topsy Turny Stripe Knit Detail Tunic Tank: Wear with cropped white skinnies and sandals. 
8. Stateside Knot Detail Heathered Tee: A tee with a marvelous built-in partial tuck that adds structure to an outfit. 
9. Stem Split Neck Sub Knit Tee: A breezy tee for the larger bust and shorter neck. Nice short sleeves. 
10. 1.State Collared Poplin Top: Oh how I love this shirt. But I do not have the shoulder width to pull off the overwhelming width of the kimono sleeves on my slight frame. I hope to enjoy it on someone else. 
11. ElevenParis Ludger Tuxedo Stripe Track Pants: Silky track pants with a structured waistband and hem are hard to find, but these fit the bill. 
12. Zella City Shorts: Think Sporty Luxe when you style these fun bottoms. 
13. Topshop Medium Clean Satchel: A retro classic that’s also available in white and grey, and tan and lilac. 
14. French Connection Carry All Hobo: A versatile casual Summer tote in a subtle animal pattern. 
15. Topshop Jelly Satchel: Super fun. 
16. Caslon Ramona T-Strap Sandal: Refined wedge sandals are NOT dated. This one is versatile and a little Retro with the T-strap. Read the rave reviews. 
17. Topshop Fancie Sandal: A Birkie lookalike in rose gold. 
18. Sole Society Anneke Pump: Similar to the Valentino Rockstud at a fraction of the price. 
19. Sole Society Sable Sandal: A deliciously comfortable suede sandal with oversized buckles. I vote lilac all the way.
20. Vince Camuto Ruched Midi Tube Skirt: Gorgeous drape and the perfect tube skirt for pear shape body types. As comfy as pajamas.

I’m glad that toppers are available year round these days because no matter how hot the temperature is outside, air conditioning can feel uncomfortably cold inside. Layering is key to making you feel comfortable both indoors and outdoors.

With her gorgeous pixie cut and love of stripes, Maren Murphy is a gal after my own heart. This 29-year old outdoor recreation planner lives in Montana and documents her outfits over at Bureau of Chic. Maren is an Elegant Girly Tomboy with lots of Polish. Her style is gamine and sporty, but with ample injections of feminine. She is also a little Maximal, as she wears lots of visible layers, and adores earrings, necklaces, hats, sunnies and bags. 

My style is constantly evolving. Since I began working professionally after graduate school, I have had to marry my work clothes with my casual wear, and make sure that my pieces are multi-functional on many levels. Given this, I have really challenged myself over the past few years to be creative with my style in order to balance my office identity with my personality. I enjoy dressing up for work, and this has helped elevate my sense of style overall, but I am still very true to myself. Currently, I describe my personal style as smartly casual, modern and chic, with a touch of tomboy. I like graphic prints, boxy cuts, and mixing nontraditional items together. I love to experiment with shoes, and feel the best in simple looks with statement accessories. With my blog, I seek to provide a fresh look on the modern working gal trying to set herself apart with a strong fashion sense and a hard work ethic.

Doesn’t this colour palette look incredible on Maren. The chambray blue and soft blush look gorgeous with her skintone. They’re also the perfect match for the dark khaki pants, cool-toned brown satchel and taupe booties. Great juxtaposition between the soft, feminine colours up top and the harder-edged bottom part of the outfit. Rosy cheeks and the daytime sequins on Maren’s cardigan further play up that contrast. Very clever. Maren wears her strict buttoned-up shirt untucked over the skinny cargos, and lets the hems sit right on top of her booties, so no severe diagonal lines to cut up the body. Her trusted sunnies and simple silver studs finish off the look.

This is how you create a polished Summer outfit around a simple T-shirt dress. Maren picked a just-above-the-knee length frock with a nice drape in her signature black and white stripe. Pairing it with a short, tuxedo-style blazer and colourful scarf brings the polish, and makes this look appropriate for a casual office. Our blogger chose this jacket in a happy yellow colour that’s bound to make her smile each time she wears it. The angular shape forms a great juxtaposition against the soft T-shirt material. It also contrasts fabulously with the bright blue shopper and the blue shades in her scarf. Comfy brown T-strap clog sandals add an earthy touch to the the outfit. And when Maren removes the scarf, a statement necklace with triangular details is revealed that gives the whole look that typical “Maren edge”. I’m picking this as my favourite look.

First allow me to introduce you to Maren’s doggy Harney. Isn’t she the cutest! She was the first thing I noticed in these pics. The second thing I loved was how Maren’s gingham shirt coordinates with her fun black and white mittens (knitted by her Mum). It ties this practical and casual Winter outfit together beautifully. Our blogger is sporting skinnies tucked into cosy Sorel snow boots, the blue laces are also a nod back to the blue in the rest of the outfit. A warm chunky knit turtleneck in grey leaves part of the gingham check shirt exposed, which makes for stylish visual interest. The navy puffer vest repeats the blue of the jeans, and hits Maren at the same spot as her shirt which creates great outfit proportions. A fun green beanie and sunglasses are all this sweet duo need to get on with their day.

Our 5’4″ petite gamine blogger is right on trend with this Sporty Luxe outfit that she wore to visit a Montana cidery. She only recently started wearing athletic sneakers outside the gym, but she’s a pro at it already. For her day of sightseeing, Maren kept it comfortable with relaxed straight leg jeans worn as boyfriend jeans, rolled once to expose some ankle skin (that makes the sans socks look to my eye). The light grey upscale sweatshirt has tiny polka dots that add a girly touch to the look. Maren threw over a black moto jacket that ties in nicely with the strong graphic black and white pattern of her Nikes. Comfortable and stylish. The blue crossbody is an easy and fun choice for a day of walking. As always, our blogger’s fab short ‘do adds plenty of polish and pizzazz. She finishes things off by sporting several statement pieces with avant-garde edge from her impressive jewellery collection.

Jewelry is something that I have really only started experimenting with in the past two years. I’ve had my ears pierced for as long as I can remember, but I never really saw the value in investing in accessories. While living in Portland a few years ago, a new jewelry designer named betsy & iya opened a store a few blocks from my apartment. I visited the store one day, and instantly became hooked. Since then, I have really cultivated my jewelry identity with statement pieces, lots of gold and bronze, and geometric shapes. I love angles and lines, so I am really drawn to pieces with a hard edge. I don’t have a huge collection, but I wear the pieces I have nearly every day. For me, jewelry is a way to make an outfit special, and to set the mood. A delicate necklace softens a look, while a statement piece can create a more edgy and unexpected vibe. For anyone just getting into jewelry, I recommend starting basic to understand what sorts of shapes, textures, and attitudes you are drawn to. Then you can build your look with more unique pieces as you become more confident with your jewelry identity. For unique pieces, definitely check out local boutiques and jewelry stores. Also, Etsy is a great place to discover jewelry designers from all over the country (even the world!). And when traveling, look for cute shops to check out jewelry. I find that a ring or a necklace is a great souvenir from travels, and adds to a fun story of your trip. Jewelry and fashion is fun, so make sure you have a good time with anything you wear!

This fairly monochrome colour palette of light grey, black and cream works beautifully on our blond blogger. The strict sculptural pleats on the raw hem scuba skirt provide ample structure, while the shorter skirt length and knee-high slouchy boots add a playful vibe. The black pullover is cropped so as not to interfere with the beautiful play of the pleats. The angular shape of the split hems creates extra visual interest and structure. To keep her legs warm, Maren is sporting black opaque tights that together with the black boots also elongate the legline. A slouchy double-strap black bag and silver jewellery fit the mood of the outfit, while Maren’s ovesized sunnies and draped-over-the-shoulder coat — I adore the oversized gingham pattern — add a touch of daytime glamour.

Our budget-conscious blogger likes to remix her favourite pieces whenever possible, and you’ll probably recognize the yellow blazer, clog sandals, fab blue shopper and that amazing triangle necklace from the outfits above. It’s a great opportunity to show you can create a completely different outfit just by adding in a few well-chosen pieces. Here, Maren has switched out her striped T-shirt dress for a pair of on trend trousers with subtle slouch and elasticated hems. The grey works brilliantly with the bright yellow and blue. A short-sleeved black and white top with geometric print adds enough visual interest when you have to take off the topper inside. Brass-coloured flat, round earrings complement Maren’s statement necklace. The soft coral lipstick adds Springful charm.

Have fun browsing the rest of Maren’s Elegant Girly Tomboy outfits over at Bureau of Chic. Or go check out what inspires our blogger on Pinterest. But first tell us what you think of her fab gamine and feminine style.

I’ve posted about the ultra handy Tide-to-go pen before. It’s a great little pen that removes small stains on clothing very effectively. Simply scribble with the pen onto the stain, let it dry, and voila — no more stain. Tide-to-go comes in very handy when you’re wearing white jeans or tops and are worried about a little spillage of something during the day. The pen also removes the paw prints from any friendly pets you may encounter during the day. 

It’s not all that great at removing make-up that comes into contact with your clothes, but it will take the edge off the mark.

Keep a pen in your bag, in the car, at your desk in the office, or in your dressing room. Use it as needed instead of throwing the item straight into the laundry basket. You’ll definitely get a few more wears out of your white jeans with a Tide-to-go pen. And by all means travel with the pen to sort out the occasional mishap. It’s available at most drug stores.