Blue, green, pink and purple hair has become quite the fashion statement. Although fringe, it’s definitely gaining popularity, especially in the form of “easier to wear” streaks as opposed to a full-on mop of long rainbow locks. I don’t want to sport rainbow hair, but I like looking at it on others because I enjoy the creative expression. It’s fun, daring, modern, visually shocking in neon shades, and can become the focal point of a person’s style. 

I’ve pinned rainbow hair across a variety of styles and colours that have inspired me in some way. Take a peek: 

• Long and polished jewel-toned locks with a matching set of eyebrows and nail art.
• A colour blocked bob in shades of neon worn with neutrals.
• A modern mod crop with streaks of pink and purple. 
• Geek Chic Pastel Pink and Blue Punk with a whole lot of girly polish. 
• Subtle pink and blue streaks in platinum hair with dramatic eye make-up.  
• Pink waves to match pretty lips and a soft sweater. 
• Turquoise curls, a sailor’s hat, ruffled skirt, and dainty shoes. 
• A rugged mop of teal curls to match teal nails and shoes. 
• Neon green hair to complement a neon pink skirt. 
• Cropped blue mop worn with black and blue. 
• Blue fringe fabness. 
• Turquoise streaked fabness. 
• A magical red and purple crop. 

Maintaining the brilliance of rainbow hair is hard because the colour fades, and the dye can run onto your clothing and bed linen. Furthermore, wearing rainbow hair in conservative office environments and across certain professions is risky because it can be perceived as inappropriate and unprofessional. 

A few years ago, I was close to adding a bright blue streak to my short blonde hair. But I decided against it because it would make my style too maximal when wearing colours and patterns. And since I strive towards a minimal style, my already two- toned hair, light and dark blonde, is enough for me. 

Over to you. Do you like the look of rainbow hair? Would you consider dying your hair blue, green, pink or purple? If not, why not? If rainbow hair is not your thing, can you appreciate the look on others?

We usually spend Christmas at home, but this year we decided to do something completely different and we’re in Las Vegas. We’re staying at the Venetian, where Greg took these photos earlier today. 

We plan to dress up, catch a few shows and eat at some nice restaurants. The weather is mild, the sun is bright, and we’re having a wonderful time. 

We will publish fewer posts between now and New Year’s Day as we relax, restore and refresh in preparation for 2014. We at YLF wish you a happy holiday season.

I must congratulate the retail industry for offering a greater assortment of sleeved dresses this Winter. While we’re still yearning for a greater assortment of hem lengths, at least we can keep our arms covered sans the extra layer. 

• Eliza J Leather Shoulder Trim Shift Dress: A retro shift with just enough structure to look flattering. Fab leather shoulder insets. 
• Calvin Klein Long Sleeve Cowl Neck Sweater Dress: A little fit and flare for those who prefer frocks that move as they stride. Excellent on a pear shaped body type.
• Eliza J Striped Colorblock Sweater Dress: This dress worked really well on a petite client with an inverted triangle body type, shorter neck and larger bust. Forgiving and comfortable. It’s a pity that the photos do not do this super cute dress justice. 
• Tahari Stripe Sweater Dress: Tailored, refined and ladylike. Nice for the office. 
• Old Navy Snakeskin Print Sweater Dress: One of our curvy forum members recently wowed us when she paired the grey colourway with sheer black hose and flat mid-calf lace-up boots. It’s quite short though, so consider yourself warned. 
• Eliza J Stripe Ponte Shift Dress: As retro as it is modern. A-line, yet streamlined and tailored. Looks even better in person. 
• Amanda Uprichard Ponte Knit Fit & Flare Dress: Excellent on a curvy petite with a shorter neck. 
• Helmut Lang Sonar Wool Asymmetrical Sleeve Dress: A little sheer, but forgiving around the midriff, tummy and hip area nonetheless. The diagonal sleeves are short, but still pretty covered. Wear shapewear if it’s too sheer, and enjoy its avant-garde integrity. One of my clients bought this in grey and looks like a million bucks. 

Match Winter dresses with hose and pumps, or tall slim-fitting boots to elongate the leg line. Wear booties or mid-calf boots for a more fashionable look. Wear dressy slipper flats if you bat for Team Flats.

To clarify, by knitwear I mean knitted sweaters, and not tops made of T-shirt fabric or jersey knits. In my 22 years in the fashion industry I haven’t seen knitwear make as big a statement as it has this year. It has absolutely exploded, with sweaters becoming the fashionable piece, paired with every style of bottom. And there is no stopping the trend. 

In Spring and Summer we saw an abundance of warm weather knitwear in breezy cotton, silk and linen yarns, across all sorts of silhouettes and colours. In Fall and Winter we’re seeing an even larger assortment, and my head is spinning just thinking about it. Fine gauge, semi-chunky, and chunky knitwear in body con, tailored, fluid and oversized fits. Cropped, regular and longer lengths. Pullovers, cardigans, and sweater coats. High-low hemlines, welts, swingy styles, and peplums. V-necks, scoops, boat necks, crews, cowls and turtlenecks. Neutrals, brights, jewel tones, earth tones and pastels. Patterns, heathered yarns, and solids. Merino wool, cashmere, angora, alpaca and man-made fibres. Hardware, cables, mixed media, leather trim, elbow patches, pockets, hoods and asymmetry. Sleeveless, short sleeves, three quarter, and long sleeves. Set-in sleeves, dropped shoulder seams, raglans, round shoulders, and dolmans. Dressy, casual, distressed and sparkly. And textures galore in plenty of non-scratchy fabrications.

WOW. Knitwear is the star of 2013.  

Retail has also offered a wider assortment of coats to complement the knitwear, because coats layer more easily over knitwear than do blazers and jackets. As a result, blazers and jackets have taken a back seat, allowing their knitwear mates to shine. Very unusual. 

I’m a huge yay for the bumper knitwear season. I often find on trend and fashionable pieces lacking in insulation, which is bad news for me because I run cold and live in a chilly city. But not this year. It’s been a brilliant season for me and those of my clients who welcome cozy and warm trendy fashion. We stocked up accordingly. It’s also a breath of fresh air to see knitwear being offered as professional and dressy options. Especially in the middle of Winter when it makes no sense to freeze in a little black sleeveless dress or skimpy blouse. 

Even in Summer, I loved wearing soft slubby fluid and oversized cotton, linen and silk knitwear as an alternative to shirts and blouses. It was a nice modern and extra comfortable addition to my style. I look forward to doing the same in 2014. 

I do realize that I’m very biased in favour of this trend. I love wearing knitwear year round, in all sorts of weights and yarns, depending on the weather. It’s comfortable and a good way to dress down dressy bottoms. You will probably feel different if you’re generally not a knitwear fan, live in a warm climate, and feel hot at the drop of a hat. Or if you prefer to wear dresses and blouses with blazers. 

Are you enjoying the explosion of knitwear styles this year, or are you more of a T-shirt, blouse and shirt person? Perhaps you prefer to layer knitwear over shirts and blouses. Have you noticed your own blazers and jackets taking a back seat because knitwear is making a fashionable statement, either on its own or layered under a coat?