We’re temporarily leaving stunning Fall foliage and grey Seattle skies for sunny Santa Monica. While there at the end of September we took the opportunity to do a photo shoot on the beach near our hotel. Greg and I snuck out at the crack of dawn one morning to take these pictures. 

I have worn my Kamalikulture Oval Dot Turtleneck Dress a lot over the last few months, and I brought it along to Santa Monica to wear in the evening, for sundowners on the hotel veranda and supper thereafter. I prefer this Kamalikuture dress to the first one I bought simply because I’m more in love with the pattern. But both frocks have been great purchases and easy to style. The non-crease and lightweight nature of the dresses makes them ideal to pack in a suitcase for a trip. 

As with most dress outfits that don’t require additional layering, there is little to it. Pop on the frock, add shoes and bag, and you’re done. Extra accessories and topper are optional. In my case, I bring along a topper just in case I feel cold.

I chose a very casual, two-tone denim jacket. I prefer the dress without additional layers because it’s at its most simple and strongest that way. And that to my eye is best. But I’m glad I had the option of wearing the jacket. The cool sea breeze is not to be underestimated, especially at night when you’re dining near the beach.

I finished off the outfit with ankle strap pony pumps, my favourite Summer shoes of all time, and which are now in hibernation until warm weather returns. A pastel turquoise clutch adds a trendy element to the outfit, and sunglasses protect my eyes from the bright Santa Monica glare. Watch and wedding ring are all I need in the jewellery department.

The high neckline might imply to you that this is a cold weather dress, but it’s very lightweight and something I comfortably wore in Summer and early Autumn. Unless the heat is sufficiently cranked up indoors, I shan’t be wearing my Kamalikulture dresses for a while because they just aren’t warm enough. Cold, wet weather has hit Seattle and I’ll be in cozy knitwear, separates and boots for a good long while. I’m already missing the beach, the warmth of the sun against my skin, and wearing this dress.

Invisible Woman talks about the evocative powers of scent, and why it’s important to choose the right perfume.

An interesting read in the LA Times explains why perfumers are returning to classic scents that “evoke the glam, retro feel of perfumery’s Golden Age in the first half of the 20th century”.

Barbara Herman shares five tips if you are thinking about exploring the fragrant world of vintage perfume.

Fab Links from Our Members

Bridgette Raes talks about “anticipatory anxiety” and goes into the reasons why a person might be reluctant to change their hairstyle or upgrade their wardrobe, even if they want to. Laurinda found this quote inspirational: “it’s a heck of a lot easier to deal with the fall out of that change than living with the paralysis of over-thinking it and not doing anything about it”.

Vogue published a selection of designer-made Halloween masks. Angie especially loved the shirt and the cats.

HiggsMistress found Susie So So’s blog post “Call Me Picky” quite entertaining and enlightening. Her comments on stripes and complementary stitching had HiggsMistress checking her striped tops to make sure they matched.

This one’s for anyone who’s missing “What Not To Wear”. Nancylee informs us that Clinton Kelly is now available to answer your fashion questions (courtesy of Macy’s) on all the social media platforms. Just use hashtag #HelpMeClinton.

While reading Lisa’s post about field jackets, this quote caught L’Abeille’s attention: “Fashion at 50+ requires a fairly strong sense of self, and a good visual imagination, to get rid of cues meant for other demographics”.

DonnaF was looking for styling ideas for her Mum’s taffeta Dior New Look skirt and thought that the slide shows on Diorable Style, especially the year by year review in the middle, were great. She adds that it also demonstrated how dated prints and patterns can become.

Dresses, especially Little Black Dresses, are all the rage at holiday party time. I fully support the fab factor of party frocks if you’re a dress gal at heart. They are ultra feminine, usually more formal, an easy all-in-one outfit solution, and less complicated than putting together an outfit of separates. 

There is life beyond the LBD. Party separates are not to be underestimated. Here are four reasons why they make sense, and why they might have the edge on party frocks. 

1. More Versatile: You can change up the support act of separates to create current and fashion forward looks, party after party and season after season. I get bored wearing party dresses because they look essentially the same when you don’t layer over them. Mixing and matching separates provides the ability to change the outfit more dramatically. And if you’re concerned with wearing pieces that will be remembered by people from the same social circle at different events, remixing separates to create new combinations is the way to go.
2. Extra Warm: Separates can be warmer than dresses, which in the dead of Winter is a welcome toasty treat. 
3. Look Fresh: Party separates look modern and fashion forward to my eye just because they are the less traditional choice. 
4. Easier to Dress Down: In our age of casualization, holiday parties are more casual than they used to be. Separates are easier to dress down than a party frock.  

On that note, here are eight party pieces that can be remixed each season with an on trend support act. Remember that black is NOT your only colour option here. Think all shades of neutral, pastels, jewel tones and even the odd bright colour. 

• Lace Pencil Skirt: Wear it with a sparkly sweater to one party, and with a shirt and tie to the next. Match it with a tuxedo jacket or moto. If lace is not your thing, think shiny jacquards or sequins. 

• Dressy Fit & Flare Skirt: Choose one in a dressy fabrication, like jacquard, lace, flocked velvet, a sophisticated pattern, or even leather. Wear it with a cheeky sweater or turtle neck, hose and heels to one party, and tuck a shirt into it for the next. 

• Tuxedo Trouser Suit: The jacket comes in handy as a topper over dresses and skirts, while the trousers can be worn with a dressy sweater and heels. Or wear the suit with a silky camisole, or a tuxedo shirt. 

• Sparkly Sweater: Pop this over any party separate, wear it under the tuxedo suit, or simply pair it with jeans and dressy footwear. 

• Evening Coat: A dressy coat in an extra refined cashmere wool, velvet, faux fur, or shiny and formal fabrication is a useful topper. I vote longer than mid-thigh length for maximum versatility. 

• Sparkly Jeans: These are becoming more popular as parties become less formal. Wear sparkle on the bottom and pair it with a solid top and blingy arm candy. 

• Gorgeous Black Trousers: ‘Tis the season for Kendal Farr’s Little Black Pant. You’re after a stunning pair of wool trousers in a fluid fit for extra chic and elegance. They need to drape like a dream and make you feel magical. Choose flares, straight legs, or even a harem style if it’s formal and dressy. I have a pair of luxurious flared black wool trousers that I turn to over and over again as a dressy bottom. I match them with anything from a structured and tucked button-down shirt and formfitting turtleneck, to a swingy high-low sweater and cropped chunky cable knit pullover. These trousers never let me down, and I love the way they move as I stride. 

• Beaded Clutch: A small, retro beaded clutch is always in style. I vote in a neutral other than black, a colour, or metallic, to break up a sea of black separates. Holding a shiny little package in your hands is ladylike and dressy with all party outfits. 

If you’re looking to put together a mix-and-match party capsule that you can turn to year after year, a few of these separates will make a solid starting point. Build onto the base with trendy pieces to refresh their look and stop stressing about what to wear during party season. Over the years I’ve accumulated all of these party separates apart from the lace skirt, which is still on my shopping list.

Cats continue to inspire designers as cat motifs and shapes appear on all sorts of wardrobe items. This selection is for those who are besotted with kitties. 

• Leopard Intarsia Knit Cashmere Sweater: Its short length and fluid fit makes it ideal for pencil skirts, full skirts, bootcut trousers, or slouchy trouser styles. 
• Love By Design Kitty Pattern Sweater: A swing top for those who like mauve. 
• Alice & Olivia Sequin Cat Merino Wool Sweater: A little graphic daytime sparkle to match with black bottoms. 
• Moschino Cheap & Chic Catwalk Cashmere Sweater: Not so cheap, but playfully chic and beautifully made. Crisp and luxurious. 
• Halogen Crewneck Sweater: Plain and simple can be best. 
• Marc Jacobs Rue Cat Intarsia Sweater: An abstract design which is even nicer in person. Arty and chic. 
• BP. Cat Ear Ring: A ring with cat ears. 
• Zero Gravity Meow iPhone 5 Case: Increase the style quotient of your iPhone with this pretty face. 
• Marc Jacobs Dynamite Rue Cat Stud Earrings: Adorably chic. 
• Evelyn K Cat Ear Beanie: Feline warmth on your head, just for fun. 
• Quay Kitti Sunglasses: Retro cat eyes with lots of spunk. Available in five colours. 
• Tom Ford Nastasya 56mm Sunglasses: Another pair of cat eye frames that are as modern as they are retro. Sleek, refined and beautifully designed. 
• Charlotte Olympia Kitty Clutch: The ultimate conversational and avant-garde piece. 

I believe that with a sophisticated support act, kitty wardrobe items can be worn at any age. They are playful, fashionable, whimsical and make your heart happy if you love cats.