This ensemble serves as colour inspiration more than anything else. I recently saw actress Piper Perabo wear an ink blue suit with a peach blouse, brown shoes and clutch on TV show “Covert Affairs”. I was very inspired by the combination for my clients who do not enjoy wearing black, grey, and shades of white. Shades of orange look fabulous with shades of blue, so combining the pastel with navy makes sense. 

Here are the components: 

Bottoms: You’re after bottoms, trousers or a skirt, in navy or ink blue. By all means throw in a pinstripe, tweedy texture, sparkle, jacquard, or tonal blue pattern. Dark blue jeans are another way to go. I bat for Team Faded Jeans, so I popped faded blue boyfriend jeans into the ensemble, just to change things up. 

Tops: You’re after any style of peach top that works with the silhouette of the bottoms. Knitwear, shirt, blouse, knitted top, or tee. Dressy or casual. If peach is not your colour, a rich burnt orange or shade of muted coral is another option. 

Footwear: Think shades of chocolate brown, chestnut and cognac, in styles like booties, shooties, pumps, loafers, oxfords or flats. Knee-high or mid-calf boots could work with the skirt. And animal print footwear is a punchy alternative. 

Topper: Think ink blue or navy blazer, moto jacket, sweater coat, denim jacket, trench coat, or wool coat. Any style topper at all, really. Mixed media and pinstripes could be fun. 

Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a brown handbag. Match the shade of brown with the footwear or incorporate another shade of brown. Or add a brown patterned bag. Finish off with jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired. Rose gold and yellow gold look particularly nice with this palette. 

Although I haven’t shown it here, you can turn the formula upside down and wear peach or burnt orange bottoms with a navy or ink blue top. 

I’ve wanted to add a peach blouse or pullover to my wardrobe for a while, but got sidetracked with light blue and blush as “my pastels”. I’ve got the ink blue covered, so maybe 2014 will be my year for peach.

Fab Links from Our Members

Vildy finds the work of portraitist Peter Hurley fascinating. He’s the inventor of the “squinch“, a technique he claims will “make you ooze confidence and self-assuredness”.

La Belle Demimondaine is doing Into Mind’s January Wardrobe Challenge a little bit a time, and it’s giving her a fresher outlook on how to move forward.

Tarzy finds The Gap Mannequin Project very amusing. For his tumblr, Steve Venegas visits Gap stores and takes pictures of himself dressed in the same outfits as the mannequins.

Joy likes to check out the end of year roundups and predictions for the year ahead. She particularly enjoyed the Wall Steet Journal one that covers men’s and women’s style.

Elizabeth P thought this Guardian article on New Year resolutions was fun.

Over at The Vivienne Files, Janice writes about the “cluster method“, an approach similar to creating wardrobe capsules. Deborah thought it might be helpful for the many YLF readers who are currently doing wardrobe edits.

Annagybe liked Susie Bubble’s interview with Orsola de Castro, founder of upcycling label From Somewhere, on the current state and future of ethical fashion.

Greg came across this interesting article detailing the results of a recent survey about how people in Muslim countries prefer women to dress in public.

Ironkurtin recommends watching this great interview with Kim France, founding editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine.

Laurinda would like to share this thought-provoking article that investigates if angora production can ever be ethical. (Warning: the video is disturbing!)

On his website How To Pack Like A Rockstar, Shaun Huberts explains in detail why and how he uses the “vertical fold and file method”. It was a light bulb moment for HigssMistress, who hadn’t thought of using this folding technique to pack her suitcase.

Helenedith recently discovered Clothing & Age, the website of Professor Julia Twigg, where she publishes articles about research projects on this subject.

Angie points us to an older post of Sally’s in which she shares her musings on being a tattooed person. The comments are interesting too.  

Nicole D had fun reading the 10 Commandments of Style on Refinery29.

These tops have an extra long sleeve that finishes two to three inches past the wrist bone. It’s an on trend silhouette for knitwear and jersey knit tops – and not a fashion faux pas. It’s like wearing full length skinnies that scrunch at the bottom, but here the scrunch is on your arm. And it’s in line with the trends of fluid and oversized fit. 

The sleeve length works from a practical point of view because of its very tapered and structured shape on the forearm. That way, the sleeves stay put without falling over your hands and fingers. If the sleeves weren’t as tapered, they would look overly long, and therefore ill-fitting. They would also get in the way. 

I often scrunch long sleeves because I like to expose forearm skin. But when it’s too cold to scrunch, I prefer to wear really long tapered sleeves. The extra length is warm and looks luxurious. It visually elongates the arms, creating proportions I find attractive. Plus, the ruching of the fabric creates textural interest. 

My arms are long, so it’s rare that I find sleeves that are this long. But when I do, I’m as happy as a clam. Over to you. Do you like the look of this extra long, trendy sleeve length? Or do you find it sloppy and impractical?

I like it when retailers stock crisp black and white merchandise just before the launch of new Spring collections. It makes for a refreshing change after months of texture-rich and woolly Winter clothing, footwear and accessories. 

• Vince Camuto Colorblock Mixed Stripe Knit Dress: Sleeved, flattering and office appropriate. Also available in a cobalt stripe. 
• Vince Camuto Lightbox Scarf: Three toned geometric minimalism, with a soft touch. 
• Vince Camuto Chevron Quilted Arm Warmers: Here is one way to stay warm indoors at the office while adding edge to an outfit. Read the rave reviews. 
• VC Signature Talon Boot: Dressier Beatle booties that are pretty comfy. The buckles are gold and not silver, so consider yourself warned. Black patent looks fresh this season. 
• Loeffler Randall Rider Mini Leather Crossbody Bag: Compact, structured and modern. Impeccable quality and quite the statement. 
• T Tahari Oriana Jacket: Gorgeously clean and crisp despite the knitted fabrication. Placement of the colour blocking on the side panels of the midriff accentuate the tailored effect. Soft, cozy and tailored. Wear it open or zipped up. 
• Lafayette 148 New York Ariella Skirt: One of the best pencil skirts around. Great longer length, and interesting panelling and piping detail. It’s made of a brilliant non-crease textured fabrication. No creases after sitting at the office all day. Looks better in person than on the photo. 
• Guinevere Edin Cuff: A square bangle in a black and white checkerboard is playful and strong. 
• Michael Kors Asymmetrical Two-Tone Moto Jacket: Maximal and very eye-catching. You really have to love black and white combinations to wear this jacket. It’s very, very bold. 
• French Connection Chelsea Crossbody: This sporty fun bag is great for casual wear. The wide strap is comfortable, and it holds a good amount of stuff without looking overly bulky. It’s also available in black, or white in stores. 
• KG Kurt Geiger Luther Loafer: I haven’t seen these in person but they look fabulous. Refined Androgyny at its best. 
• Vince Boatneck Tee: I have many happy clients in this tee because it’s an excellent layering AND standalone piece. It’s the kind of top you reach for when you’re stuck on what to wear on top. It’s versatile, thick, non-clingy, non-crease, and launders well. Some of my clients bought multiples in the same colour because they reach for it over and over again. 
• Vince Camuto Dabs Ruched Boatneck Top: This version is less expensive and runs much tighter. Another great layering piece with ample forgiving rushing on the sides. 
• Kenneth Cole Marciel Blouse: V-necks are resurfacing. I like this blouse worn half tucked into a pencil skirt or trousers. Soft, pretty and modern for career wear. 

I’m a sucker for black and white pieces, and outfit combinations. Do you like them too?