Autumn always seems to fan my love for tweed, and this week I had fun browsing tweed-inspired pinboards by pinners like Vesper Fawkes, Elena, Poupe’e Pornpakamethee and Cathryn Davis.

The Guardian reports that the UK has seen a rise in popularity of Harris tweed and wool products in general, with eight new mills opening in the past ten years. Companies that produced early estate tweeds are now also adapting their approach to changing fashion tastes, and are starting to bring out “lighter tweeds, brigher colours and wilder designs”.

Prada, meanwhile, has created a “felted tweed“, “which reinterprets classic seasonal knits like herringbone and bouclé into a distinctive ‘rough’ but refined texture”. The material is being used to craft tweedy blazers, swingy coats and retro-luxe handbags.

Fab Links from Our Members

MaryK was fascinated by this Slate article about the rise and fall of the coolness of one-strapping backpacks.

We recently linked to an article about “Fabulous Fashionistas”, a British documentary featuring six inspirational women whose average age is 80. Now Caro is pleased to report that the documentary is available to watch on youtube. Forty-five minutes well spent!

While on the subject of aging fashionistas, Vildy thought this essay in The Guardian, in which Anne Karpf poses that “ageless seems to have become a euphemism for age” was spot on.

Lisa is starting to think about holiday parties and liked the recap of makeup and hair pairings here.

We’ve had several discussions lately about how we look affects others’ perceptions of us. Deb found this Into The Gloss video very interesting because it discusses how it affects our perception of ourselves.

Angie enjoyed reading Sally’s post on Consumer Expectations versus Market Reality, in which she summarizes common complaints about our wardrobe needs, and how the market place cannot deliver all of them. The Venn diagram illustrates the trade-offs pretty well.

After some of the conversations on the forum about shopping, budgets and shopping your closet, La Belle Demimondaine found this article to be an inspirational breath of fresh air. Erin also linked to a forum discussion that gave La Belle a new perspective: “It helps just to be conscious of your shopping and what you’re buying. Not paying attention yields a closet full of duplicates… But no one needs 10 of anything, and lots of people have that in their closets. So thinking about what you’re doing helps stop all of that.”

Yesterday I spent a few wonderful hours shopping the sale with a client and close friend. Here are a few more items that caught my eye. 

• Theory Gabe B Tailor Jacket: Pretty fabulous on petites. Crisp, fitted and stunning quality. You might need to size up a size. 
• Theory Adashi K Crop Jacket: The best non-black mixed media moto jacket I’ve seen all year. A very tailored fit. It almost earned a place in my wardrobe, but an ink Gabe B 2 Theory blazer which is not on sale won out. 
• Theory Tollie Wool Blend Sweater: A simple and impeccable piece ideal for boot cut trousers and heels. 
• Theory Indra Wool Pants: Ideal for a narrow hipped and slim legged figure. Finally, some length amidst a sea of cropped pants. Size up a size. 
• Theory Double Breasted Cardigan: This looks unattractive on the model, but was magical on my client. She kept it zipped up like a pullover and not a cardigan, and wore it with bootcuts and black booties, looking like a million bucks. It’s round shouldered and on trend. I nearly came home with one myself.  
• Nordstrom V-Neck Cashmere Sweater: Great on a strong shoulder line or large bust. The welt and high-low hemline structures the volume. 
• Marc Andrew Print Down Feather Jacket: This pattern is genius. It’s a digital photograph of real fur, and that’s what I call cool. Check out the close-up. Super cozy cuffs, extra tailored, side entry pockets, and blanket collar. Simple and chic for Team Casual. 
• Kate Spade Jackson Square Small Damien Crossbody Bag: Stylistically you can’t go wrong with a satchel. This one is small enough to be worn across the body. Very ladylike and available in happy colours.
• Steven Madden Kate BKate Satchel: Gorgeous in the burgundy and cinder. Comfortable both on the shoulder and clutched in the hand. 

Now is the time to stock up on chunky and warm knitwear. Remember that by the time the truly freezing weather of January and February rolls around, stores will be prepping for brand new Spring merchandise and warm knitwear pickings will be slim.

Three years ago, I bought a pair of inexpensive vegan cream booties with a colour blocked black heel and strap. They arrived and felt heavenly, which is a tall order for my fussy feet. The heel was low, the ankle fit was sufficiently tailored, AND they were cream, which is a rarity. I wore them daily when they were new because they refreshed my style and I loved them so much. 

The boots went on sale a month after I purchased them and were even cheaper. So I bought another identical pair. Since these boots were made of vinyl, traipsing around in the rain would wear them out faster than a pair of great quality leather boots. Why not have a back-up pair? That way I wouldn’t be sad to see the first pair go once they were finished.   

The second pair of boots arrived and I kept them boxed in our closet for more than two years. Now that the old pair are worn, torn and peeling, it’s super sweet to have a brand new pair to replace them. 

I have never kept a brand new identical back-up wardrobe item in my closet before. I have bought duplicates of the same item, but they have always been in rotation at the same time. For example, I have two Brook Brothers white button-down shirts and two Banana Republic black turtlenecks in rotation to prevent laundry bottlenecks. The fact that years would have to pass before I would wear the second pair of boots is a different scenario entirely.

I thought about whether the styling would look dated by the time I busted out the second pair. But the Mod and Retro integrity of the booties provides a higher longevity factor. The bigger concern was that my own style preferences would change over time, but I was willing to take the risk with an inexpensive and fun pair of booties.

As it turns out, my risk was rewarded. I still enjoy wearing this style of bootie, despite my preference for pointier toes and simpler styling. In fact, I recently wore the new pair in an outfit post that debuted my new pink man coat so there you go. The old pair is history. 

I’m not sure I will make this kind of back-up purchase again, because it’s pretty risky. I seldom purchase off-season, precisely for fear of changing style preferences. But it was an interesting exercise, and happily, a positive outcome.

The Nordstrom end of season sale for Fall and Winter is here, and there’s lots of fab stuff. Note that Nordstrom will be adding sale items every day so keep checking for extra bargains. Here are my top picks from the current collection. 

Jackets & Coats

• Rachel Zoe Keira Crop Jacket: Avant-garde mixed media with a dash of retro. Might run a little small. 
• Gallery Basket Weave Walking Coat (Plus): Stunning in the teal and on trend in its partly cocoon and partly swing silhouette. 
• Fleurette Convertible Stand Collar Loro Piana Coat (Plus): Chic, fitted and polished. Fab longer length too. 
• DKNY Down & Feather Coat with Faux Fur Trim (Plus): Here’s a coat long enough for really tall gals. It’s heavenly warm and drapes surprisingly well for a puffer. 
• Gallery Faux Leather & Wool Blend Scuba Jacket (Plus): The sleeves are easy to shorten if they’re a little long. Runs big so size down. 
• Eileen Fisher Leather Trim Wool Jacket (Plus): A texture-rich lightweight topper that’s soft and cozy. 
• Soia & Kyo Down Coat with Front Insert: I have a version of this Soia & Kyo puffer and it’s the best puffer I’ve ever owned. Streamlined and extremely warm. Five years later and still going strong. 
• Vince Wool Blend Overcoat: A little oversized, but tailored in the right places. Understated and chic.
• Diane von Furstenberg Ofelia Metallic Blazer: Team Magpie might wear this with jeans or black bottoms. Beautifully cut despite the stiff fabrication. 

Tops & Knitwear

• Helmut Lang Print Jersey Top: A Cubist pattern that’s fab for layering, or worn on its own. Does not cling. 
• Alice & Olivia Will Print Stretch Silk Blouse: Here’s one way to wear a subtle animal print. Beautiful with leather bottoms. 
• Alice & Olivia Dominique Leather Front Sweatshirt: Wear this over a lace skirt or patterned pair of pants. Elegantly edgy. 
• Michael Kors Zip Trim Ruched Top (Plus): Never underestimate the power and versatility of a simple striped top. Great for pattern mixing and a true modern classic. 
• Helmut Lang Leather Sweatshirt: Fun matched with soft drapey pants or a skirt. 
• Vince Camuto Split Back Print Blouse: A uniquely cut, A-line piece that swings open at the back. Flirty. 
• Rebecca Taylor Woodcut Colorblock Silk Top: A tailored sweatshirt blouse in silk. Sporty in a subtle way. 
• Michael Kors Studded Cardigan (Plus): A streamlined wardrobe essential with embellished shoulders. A little different from the norm for an office look. 
• Vince Variegated Stripe Cardigan: A sweater coat that’s cozy deluxe. Might need to size down. 
• Free People After the Storm Hooded Cardigan: For Team Tall Boho Casual. 
• Tildon Tattered Plaid Sweater: Round shoulders and unzipped elbows. A fun trendy piece that won’t break the bank. 
• Kenneth Cole New York Abrienda Sweater: Cozy sci-fi fabness. 

Bottoms

• Elizabeth and James Lyle Trousers: Dress them up or down, with an untucked top and blazer for extra structure. Heeled pretty shoes or sassy sneakers. Take your pick. 
• Ralph Lauren Pleated Wool Blend Skirt: A pleated fit and flared skirt is a rare silhouette these days amidst a sea of pencil skirts, and in a festive orange for Fall. 
• Halogen Embossed Leather Pencil Skirt: Match with a soft blouse or fuzzy pullover.
• Rachel Roy Lace Trim Floral Print Pencil Skirt: The best patterned pencil skirt I’ve seen all year. The lace inset on the back and front is genius. Might need to size up. 
• 7 For All Mankind The Skinny Lace Overlay Pants: Fancy jeans for the holidays. Fab with a black top and Dr. Martens boots. Size up one size. 
• AG The Tomboy Relaxed Straight Leg jeans: Give tight jeans a break, and slouch up your style with boyfriend jeans. These have been a winner with my tall clients. 
• Paige Denim Verdugo Crinkle Print Skinny Jeans (Platinum): A tonal pattern in blue. 
• KUT from the Kloth Mia Plaid Toothpick Skinny Jeans: A subtle tartan, ideal for tucking into boots. 

Dresses

• Ivy & Blu Draped Dress (Plus): Forget black and wear violet to holiday parties. Add black hose, heels and clutch and you’re done. 
• Adrianna Papell Lace Detail Jersey Fit & Flare Dress (Plus): My heart skipped a beat when my client modeled this number. Plenty of length, texture, movements, structure, and NOT black. 
• Isaac Mizrahi Lace Fit & Flare Dress: Romantic, sleeved, knee-length and unusually green. 
• Missoni M Mixed Media Dress: A little mod but oh-so modern. Wear it over black opaques for extra warmth. 

Footwear

• B Brian Atwood Mercada Pump: The versatility of a pointy toe ankle strap pump knows no bounds. 
• Kurt Geiger London Brick Pump: This one’s a little edgier with a needle-esque stiletto heel. 
• Red Valentino Biker Boot: Mary Quant moto boots that are pretty comfy.
• Jeffrey Campbell Harrison Bootie: Super high and sleek. 
• Via Spiga Ibis Bootie: Tailored and therefore ideal for skirts and dresses. Might run a little small. 
• Rebecca Minkoff Gio Too Bootie: Dressy high vamped shoes are extremely on trend. Wear these to dressy occasions instead of pumps. A fabulous “sitting shoe”. 
• Enzo Angiolini Pamla Ankle Strap Bootie: A festive red that’s a little more comfortable in soft suede. 

Remember that dressy items can frequently be dressed down with jeans, a denim jacket and casual footwear. That way you can wear the items more frequently for maximum outfit versatility.