Since launching the new YLF Finds feature a few weeks ago we’ve made several updates, including support for many more stores. Today we added quite a big improvement that is worth explaining in a bit more detail. 

On every Find (like the one to the right of this paragraph) there is a little icon at the bottom left of the card that you can click or tap to get more information about that item, like its department, the people who have collected it and posts that mention it. Now you will also see a few additional buttons near the bottom of the popup that will allow you to share the item and recommend it to other members.

Recommending Items

If you look at the information popup for an item you will see a new “Recommend This” button. Sending a recommendation is a simple three step process:

1. Click “Recommend This”.
2. Type the name or username of another user in the text input box that appears. Select the correct person from the list that appears below the box as you type.
3. Type an (optional) note and then click the “Send Recommendation” button.

The steps are illustrated in the screenshots below. 

In the example above I sent a recommendation to Angie, using an item that Laura collected. Angie will see a little red notification in the user menu to alert her that she has a new recommendation.

If she goes to the Finds area she will see the recommendation under the “Recommended” tab. There she can reply to me using a private message by clicking “Reply with Message”. If she likes the item she can collect it in the normal way — by clicking the little heart on the top right of the item’s card.

In this case the neck is a little wider than she likes, so she will probably remove the item from her “Recommended” page. When she hovers over the item a little “×” appears that she can use to do this.

Other Ways to Share Items

We have added a few other things to make it easier to share items. First, alongside the “Recommend This” button you will see a new “Post About This” button. Clicking it will start a new forum post with the item already attached. So it is essentially just a convenient way to write about an item in the forum.

Second, below “Recommend This” and “Post About This” we have added a row of buttons that allow you to easily share the item on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or via email.

As always, we hope you enjoy the new features, and please let us know if you have any difficulty using them.

Target announces its next designer collaboration, J.Crew creates a stationery line, British department store Whistles is coming to the US, and other style news that made headlines this week.

• For the minimalists among us: British designer Margaret Howell teams up again with Converse for these leather high-tops that are available in dark navy and white. 
• Have a look at this special sale at Decades this week: 150 gowns worn by Anjelica Huston on the red carpet. 
• Vogue published a Special Met Gala 2014 edition that is available on newsstands now. 
• British department store Whistles is entering the US market with a shop-in-shop store in New York City’s Bloomingdale’s.
• The CFDA adds a new category to its awards ceremony: “Fashion Instagrammer of the Year“.
• For its first-ever foray into stationery, J.Crew teams up with Paperless Post for a collection of cards and invitations. 
• Burberry is moving into skincare, “hopes to become one of the top 10 players in the luxury skincare field”.
• After recent capsule collections by Peter Pilotto, Phillip Lim and Jason Wu, Target has announced that the next partnership will be with Altuzarra.
• Bespoke sneakers, anyone? Adidas has developed an app that lets you print your photos straight onto their ZX Flux trainers.

Fun Fashion Fact

Fob pockets — to store a small watch — were often sewn onto women’s bodices from the 1830s onwards. But it wasn’t until the 1920s that “real” pockets became a mainstream, practical element of women’s clothing, after women’s lives had drastically changed by the First World War and included more activities than ever before. (Source: The Gentlewoman, issue n° 9, S/S 2014) 

Many of my clients have fallen for the knitted tube skirt over the past few seasons because it’s a good length, flattering, machine washable and extremely comfortable. It’s also a wonderful way to wear a skirt casually as an alternative to jeans, pants and shorts. 

This ensemble was inspired by clients who like to wear their tube skirts with a hard edge. This means keeping the colours very dark, the style integrity a little tough, arty or avant-garde, and the footwear chunky. Textures are usually rich, and hardware can become a feature. The palette is monochromatic, ranging from black and shades of grey to some tan, white and metallic.

A hard-edged vibe can be intentionally “rough around the edges”, or polished. It depends entirely on how the wearer wants to interpret the look.

Here are the components of the ensemble: 

Bottoms: You’re after a knitted tube skirt in black or grey that falls on or just below the knee. Tapered hems are best when the skirt is longer because a narrower fit creates structure. Feel free to throw in a textured knit, or a style with side ruching. 

Tops: You have many options. From oversized arty tops that drape, slouchy T-shirts and linen pullovers, to asymmetrical split hem tops, tank tops and boxy cropped tops. Keep the colours within the palette, possibly throwing in a little dark blue if that tickles your fancy. Photographic patterns and camouflage work particularly well. Think AllSaints. Keep the tops fairly roomy to offset the tightness of the skirt. Wear them a little longer if you’re uncomfortable showcasing your hips and the top part of your thighs. 

Wear the tops untucked or partially tucked in front for a little structure. Remember that boxy tops with high-low hemlines, split hems or tapered hems add structure to the outfit.  

Topper: A topper is not essential. But if you need to cover up, think moto jackets, moto vests, dark denim, waxed denim or utility jackets in camouflage prints. A tuxedo jacket could work quite well too, and so will a short avant-garde jacket with architectural volume and drape. 

Footwear: Think chunky footwear like cut-out booties, Birkenstocks, gladiators with wide straps, flat forms, peep-toe booties, flat oxfords or cage heels. Fashionable sneakers work pretty well too. You can wear more refined footwear with this vibe, like the strappy Sam edelman wedge sandals, if that’s more to your taste. 

Accessories: I vote a clutch with hardware, a black canvas tote or satchel, or a sporty crossbody or fashionable backpack. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

I don’t have a hard edge to my style so this is not an outfit combination that I would wear. When I do wear tough items and dark colours together, there has to also be an element of softness and “pretty” to make me feel comfortable in the outfit. That said, I absolutely appreciate a hard-edged look on others, and enjoy dressing clients who wear this style persona with verve and panache.

I shopped the sale with a client today and noticed more great items that are worth a second look. Remember to browse through the colour options. 

• Helmet Lang Leather Biker Vest: An architectural piece that’s fashionably boxy. Wear it open for the full roomy effect.  
• Free People Flying V Lace Inset Pullover: Fashionably slouchy, casual and great on tall gals. Also available in iris. 
• Free People Stripe Textured Peplum Jacket: A casual knitted jacket with a peplum. Looks good both open and zipped up. 
• Free People Faux Leather & Linen Blend Moto Jacket: An interesting piece. It’s lightweight and rough around the edges in a uniquely Summery way. Boxy in silhouette. Leave it open. Fun over dresses and with skirts too. 
• Nordstrom Collection Stripe Cashmere Sweater: The photo does not do the style justice. It’s roomier and looks better in motion. The side detail is fab, and the diagonal stripe a little different to a regular horizontal stripe. 
• Classiques Entier Lamb Moss Leather Jacket: A good shape for apple shaped body types. Fab on a shorter neck and larger just. Buttery soft leather and very lightweight.
• Vince Camuto Smart Denim Single Button Blazer: A great lightweight modern classic. Tailored and office appropriate. 
• Tildon Manda Platform Ankle Strap Sandal: As light as a feather and very fashionable. Pretty comfortable but needs a higher volume foot. I particularly liked the gold. 

Warm weather has hit our neck of the woods, which means that Spring and Summer pieces are in full swing. I hope that’s the case for you too.