In my twenty years of being a fashion stylist I have found that there are three items that are universally hard to fit across a range of body types. Family and friends seem to agree. 

1. Bras

Despite the vast assortment of bra silhouettes, styles, widths, and cup sizes across a range of fabrics and price points, it can be very tricky to find a bra that fits perfectly, feels comfortable, and looks fantastic. Breasts vary greatly in size, shape and distribution, plus the bust can be a physically and emotionally sensitive part of the body to dress. All this contributes to the difficulty of finding bras that are a comfortable fit.

When I find a bra style and size that works well, I have several of the same style in rotation, and replenish them over and over again. It’s no joke when retail discontinues a bra that you like.

2. Tall Tailored Boots

Tailored knee-high boots that fit well around the lower leg are very hard to find. They must be tailored and polished, which means they don’t slouch, gape, pinch, wrinkle too much, or come up too high on the leg. Unlike bras, tall boots do not come in a diverse set of widths and heights. People’s lower legs differ greatly in width and length, and therein lies the problem. If your legs do happen to fall within the standard dimensions of tall boots, you won’t find them hard to fit. But that’s a tall order!

3. Eyewear

There is a plethora of eyewear available. An almost infinite variety of widths, lengths, depths, styles, fabrics, colours and vibes. Yet it can be very hard to find the correct fit that works with your face, head shape and prescription, is comfortable, stays on your face, and is the right vibe for your style. Eyewear can be too square, round, wide, narrow, deep, heavy, and make your face droop. They can also work against the shape and position of your brows, and the arch of your nose. Sunglasses are often easier to fit because they  generally cover more of the face, making their shapes more forgiving.

Personally, I find all three items hard to fit. I’ve been ordering the same style of bra for years. Despite my efforts to branch out, nothing fits as well or is more comfortable than what I currently wear. Narrow calves have made finding comfortable tall tailored boots almost impossible. After looking for fifteen years, I finally found a pair. I have a small head and face, which makes most eyewear too wide and deep. 

Over to you. Are these items hard to fit for you too? And are there any others you would add to the list?

Shades of olive, green teals, blue jades, mid-tone seafoams, and a rich forest green are popular on YLF and with my clientele. They are generally cool-toned. Brighter greens like Kelly, emerald, lime, kiwi, and apple green are less popular. These greens have yellow, which gives them a warmer, brighter, and sour appearance. They are my favourite greens, and my colour of the year.

1. Bright Lime

Lime green is one of my favourite colours. Some tones border on neon, while others are almost chartreuse. Seeing sour greens at retail launches me into orbit. It’s not a common colour, and I LOVE it! Here, retailer COS combined bright lime with solid white and black items. The lime can take centre stage, or be worn as an accent. I’ve bought some of the lime COS items, and will be wearing them with navy and blue denim instead of black, and a whole lot of off-white and cream. I’ll throw in some whiskey, shocking pink, Dutch orange, turquoise, chocolate, and tomato red too.

Here’s a sporty rendition of the colour combination. A column of white, made up of white jeans and a sweater, is topped with a short lime puffer. It’s completed and complemented with black lug-sole boots and wristlet. Personally, I think a black crossbody bag would be more practical.

2. Sour Olive

If the acidity of the types of greens that I like aren’t your cup of tea, try a sour olive with earth tones and neutrals. Here, a yellow olive silk blouse is combined with a pair of pinstriped charcoal trousers. It’s topped with a slouchy bouclé cardigan in a very brown shade of olive. Black shoes and belt match the model’s dark hair and almost match the charcoal grey bottoms. I see a black or brown bag with the outfit.

3. Vivid Kelly

Kelly green is gorgeous with neutrals. Here, a sour green skirt enjoys the company of cream and earthy animal print and the visual effect is striking. A fab look for a dressier setting, and one that keeps you warmer if you wear pumps or boots instead of sandals. Add nude-for-you pantyhose for more warmth, and a tan, chocolate or toffee coat over the lot. The addition of a metallic bag could be fab.

4. Crisp Apple

Last, if you like the idea of sour green, but don’t want to wear too much of it, wear it in a pattern as an accent. Here, the crisp apple green features in the bottom part of the sleeves of the blouse, and that’s it. Neutral faded jeans and black boots complete the outfit. The black boots work well with the model’s dark hair. I see a bag that picks up one of the colours of the blouse. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Checking out what everyone is wearing, always makes watching movies and TV series extra fun. I also love reading about a costume designer’s thought process behind the selection of certain outfits and clothing items. So really enjoyed this article in which costume designer Susan Becker talks about kitting out cult movie True Romance. (And I can’t believe it premiered 30 years ago!)

Refinery29 discusses why plaid is film & TV’s go-to look right now.

After reading “7 Fall Outfits I’m Stealing from ‘Only Murders in the Building’” I’m even more curious about the show.

Fab Links from Our Members

April loves Isaac Mizrahi, and she enjoyed hearing about a new inclusive fashion line that’s created to be accessible and adaptive.

Nuancedream is just floored by the clever design and versatility of this little black dress. She also loves the grandma’s encouraging words and on point feedback. 

Suntiger thought this was a great article on the five components of prints, with useful examples.

Olive Green and Suz direct us to “Your Sweaters Are Garbage.” Olive Green adds: “This is why I wear a lot of cotton sweatshirts instead.”

Marlene1 has been bingeing the Sustain This! podcast — intelligent conversation on many fashion topics, not limited to sustainable fashion.

Faces are fascinating, expressive, and on display to the world. Arguably, they play a bigger role in communication than any other part of our body. Accentuating your facial features to increase their visual impact can make you look and feel more attractive. 

Define eyebrows and lashes with an effective grooming regimen and leave it at that. Or further accentuate these features with eye make-up. Define lips with lipstick in soft or bold colours. Lip balm and gloss are more subtle if lipstick feels too dressed up.

Heavy facial make-up is fashionable and works well in certain settings. But a light and natural make-up routine can work better from day to day. Define your facial features in a way that is manageable and makes you feel fab.