Topshop is a British retailer with brick and mortar stores and online operations across the globe. They have standalone stores in US cities Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and the brand is available at Nordstrom. Some Nordstrom stores have built Topshop “store within a store” concepts that are just like walking into a mini Topshop. 

The brand is super trendy, daring and fashion forward, and although that might not be your cup of tea, it’s always worth a look. The styling is clever, colour-rich, texture-rich, and the quality is pretty good (several notches above H&M). It’s one way to incorporate a fun piece that changes up the landscape of your wardrobe, but won’t break the bank. Here are four pieces that I think are fun and very wearable: 

• Oversized Wool Boyfriend Coat: I was blown away by the cut of this coat, which is somewhere between a man coat and a cocoon silhouette. It’s perfectly oversized and tailored at the same time. The small lapels are magical, and looks as good open as it does closed. It’s lightweight and not very warm, so perfect for mild Winters. You might need to size up for the right fit. It’s also available in coral.
• Vinyl Coat: Add a little ’60s Mod Fabness to your wardrobe with this topper. It’s stiff and plastic-y so consider yourself warned. 
• Animal Textured Sweater: Here’s one way to achieve the subtle round-shouldered look. I loved this sweater, but found it a dash scratchy. Hopefully, it won’t be scratchy on you. Fab with grey jeans. 
• Plaid Front Sweater: Cheeky, bright and fun with boyfriend jeans or a skirt. It would also have been mine if it wasn’t a dash scratchy. 

Remember that it’s HOW you wear a piece that counts. Remix uber trendy items with a modern classic support act if they are “too young and out there” when worn how the model is sporting the look. Add a sophisticated edge for extra chic. And by all means sport high-low style, thereby remixing better-end pieces with the items from places like Topshop.

I’m frequently asked whether it’s acceptable to wear hosiery with open shoes. The answer is yes. It’s fashion forward to wear all sorts of hosiery with heeled strappy sandals, T-strap pumps, ankle strap pumps, and peep toe pumps. From basic sheer hose and dainty micro-fishnets, to self-colour patterns, opaques, and texture-rich tights. 

Visuals speak louder than words, so check out how these ladies wear hosiery with open toed footwear in casual and dressy outfits. 

• Strappy high heels with textured hose
• Colour blocked opaques with strappy heels
• Ankle strap sandals with opaques
• Sheer black hose with gold sandals
• Turquoise sandals with black opaques
• Fuchsia opaques with yellow sandals
• Evening heels with sheer black hose
• Evening heels with hose for daytime
• Ankle strap peep toes with polka dot hose

Both high and low contrast between the shoes and hosiery can work. Wear sheer or thick hose in smooth or textured surfaces. Neutrals or colours. Solids or patterns. Truly, just about any combination of open shoe and hosiery goes when worn with fashionable intention. And the more unexpected the combination, the more arty, creative and eclectic the outfit. 

If you like the vibe of this look, and want to sport it despite being thrown out of your comfort zone, start off with a low contrast and dressier combination. Wear sheer black hose or opaques with dressy black open shoes. The effect of that combination is subtle and less eye-catching, and a safer way to dip your toes into the trend.  

Personally, I prefer open footwear worn with hosiery when the back of the heel is covered by the shoe, like the ankle strap pumps worn with hose in the first photo. This is not essential, but to my eye the extra bit of heel coverage grounds the look, which makes the combination more seasonally appropriate. The foot looks a tad too naked when the hose at the heel is exposed. That’s why I will not be wearing my Okala pumps with hose. Again, this is by no means a rule or guideline. 

Over to you. What are your thoughts on wearing hosiery with open shoes?

This is the holiday party formula you are probably most familiar with: dressing up jeans. There are many ways to dress up jeans, and this outfit formula focuses on pairing denim bottoms with a fancy sweater. Extra comfy, cozy and easy. It deliberately leaves out dressy blouses and shirts, and leaves off the jacket. The idea is to wear a coat over the outfit if you need an extra layer. 

Choose any colour palette. Here are the components: 

Jeans: Choose a favourite pair of jeans in any wash and colour. I’ve chosen faded denim because I like that shade of blue, but dark blue, black, white, grey, or waxed denim options are just as fab. Choose skinnies, straight legs, bootcuts, trouser jeans, boyfriend jeans, moto jeans, or bell bottoms. Any style at all. 

Festive Sweater: You’re after a pullover that is more than a basic. It’s embellished or texture-rich in some way, and there are many options. Sequin sweatshirts, fuzzy cropped pullovers, drapey tunic styles that sparkle, and sweaters with built-in neckline bling will do the trick. Or wear a fashion forward digital print sweatshirt and pile on your own bling with a large chunky necklace. Wear the sweater untucked, or faux tuck with a dressy belt. 

Footwear: The footwear is key to making the sweater with jeans look festive and party-appropriate. Choose dressy and feminine shoes to offset the casualness of the outfit. Pumps, dressy flats and refined booties are great options. I vote leave off the rugged boots. Bring a pair of pretty shoes to swap into once you’re back indoors if you need to wear weatherproof boots outside. Wear nude knee-highs for warmth. 

Accessories: Clutches are fabulous with dressy shoes. Choose a party clutch and you are set. Remember that clutches can be practical if you choose one with a strap. 

This type of outfit needn’t be reserved for casual holiday parties. Wear it on date night, gals night out, evenings out, to dinner with friends, entertaining at home, or even on Casual Friday in some work settings.

eBay and the CFDA recently commissioned five American designers to create unisex tech bracelets that double as USB chargers. The limited edition bracelets are now available on eBay.

Smart watches and other wearable tech gadgets may make it easier to stay connected while on the move, but there’s also the aesthetic side to consider. One question I see popping up reguarly is: Do you find the options that are currently out there stylish enough to incorporate into your daily outfits? 

Fab Links from Our Members

LaCeleste enjoyed this NYTimes Article on the Demise of the Fashion Eccentric because it’s a look at true fashion eccentricity versus the current attention-seeking culture.

As someone who “has an embarrassing amount of Levi’s Bold Curve jeans because she’s afraid she’ll never find another pair that fits as well”, Milehighstyle(Linda) appreciated Alison’s post on the “FoMO Closet“. The next day Alison posted a follow-up article that clarifies the difference between buying multiples and veering into “Fear of Missing Out” territory.

A while ago we linked to Rachel’s informative blog post about how to get a flattering rearview fit in jeans. Laurinda recently came across an update that focusses on how to find great plus-sized denim.

Elle did a roundup of the 30 Best Celebrity Pixie Cuts. Angie is going with Jean Seberg, Hallie Berry, Michelle Williams, Emma Watson and Charlize Theron as her all time faves. She thinks that Jennifer Lawrence looks amazing with her new crop too.

Goldenpig loves how gutsy and funny Tarynn Brumfitt is, and urges us to check out the before and after photos in this article about “The Post-Pregnancy Truth That Nobody Talks About“.

The photos in this article about “Extreme Cream Fashion for Fall” grabbed Joy’s attention as this is one of her favourite colours. Joy also enjoyed seeing the combination of their varied shades of white, such as cloud cream and angora.

ClearlyClaire would like to share this pictorial on how 10 clothing items can be combined into 56 outfits (without shoes or accessory changes), and adds that it might look a little dated but the math still works.

As someone who bikes, Alecia finds the invisible Hövding helmet really cool. It does seem to align with the current trend for wearing scarves, so she wonders if it would have gotten as much traction if that wasn’t the case?