This ensemble is based on an outfit I wore earlier this week. It’s all about lengthening the leg line of ankle pants with ankle strap footwear. By keeping the colour of the ankle strap the same as, or very similar to, the colour of the pants, you extend the visual length of the pants and create flattering proportions. Also, the slither of ankle skin between the ankle strap and the hem of the pants creates an interesting effect as you stride. 

Here are the components:

• Ankle Pants: Choose a style that is tapered at the hems and cropped to just above the ankle. By all means roll a full length pair of pants to create this length. I’ve chosen black ankle pants because they are easier to match with black ankle strapped footwear. But any colour will work as long as the ankle strap and pant hems are a similar colour. An alternative to ankle pants is oh-so-trendy leather track pants. In silky fabrications these are just as fab. They are often cropped to just above the ankle, or can be pulled up to that length, making them a magical combination with ankle strap footwear. 
• Top: I vote upscale sweatshirt, welted raglan sleeve pullover, basic welted pullover in a neckline of your choice, drape front blouse or high-low sweater. All in a fluid fit and left untucked to create a little movement and drape. These tops create “Relaxed Polish” by bringing an unstructured integrity to an otherwise structured outfit. Choose a print or solid, in any colour, and either high or low contrast to the pants. Scrunch the sleeves for extra structure. 
• Footwear: An ankle strap that fastens above the ankle is key to the ensemble. Your choices are ankle strap pumps, ankle strap sandals, ankle strap cage heels and sandal booties, or cutout booties.
• Topper: If you need a topper, opt for a trench coat, blazer, moto or denim jacket
• Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a structured bag to contrast and complement the relaxed vibe of the top, and/or track pants trouser option. No need to belt or add a scarf. Add eyewear, watch and jewellery as desired.

The version with the slim ankle pants and heels is on the casual side of business casual and work appropriate in some settings. If I don’t want to wear jeans I will sometimes wear this combination to work with a client who leans casual. If I had silky track pants, I would wear them in this way too. I’ve found the outfit combination comfortable on cool Summer days and very mild Autumn days.

French mail order fashion company La Redoute has created Le Billboard Météo, a billboard that displays different outfits based on real-time weather.

Tracey Emin, Helen Mirren and Grace Coddington are among the lineup of celebrities and inspirational figures in Marks & Spencer’s new Autumn ad. According to The Guardian: in a move “to position itself as a serious fashion contender, one that appeals to cultured, cool and creative women”.

In the meantime, Gap is investing again in television advertising after a four-year break from TV, as it seeks to build on the chain’s recent successes in drawing customers in with new denim and fitness apparel.

Fab Links from Our Members

Deb found this wonderful photo collection of couture clothing from a different perspective. She recommends watching the video in full screen mode.

Milehighstyle(Linda) loved Alison’s response to a magazine article on style “rules”, because as we’ve so often discussed on the forum, putting everyone over a certain age in the same box just doesn’t fly.

Angie enjoyed a softer Burberry Prorsum collection for Spring and Summer 2014, her favourite show at London Fashion Week. She said: “Pinks for me, lilacs for Inge, and lots of midis, lace, short sleeves, dots and stripes”. 

Laurinda was surprised that the dress codes for Abercrombie & Fitch workers are this detailed — down to the size of the cuff on jeans.

These two style sudokus on Mint Velvet caught Vildy’s attention, and also led her to this office wear-inspired one on Pinterest. When you do the fashion math by connecting items across, down and diagonally, you should end up with 10 outfits. Vildy points out that you’ll get even more outfits when taking into account each quadrant!

Goldenpig loves Chie Mihara’s fab and comfy footwear, and recommends watching this video of the designer at work coming up with shoe ideas. 

La Belle Demimondaine absolutely adores “silly ’60s-attempts-at-a-period-film-but-you-can-see-the-’60s-style-all-over-the-place-movies”. She found the Movie Star Makeover’s take on “The Great Race” deliciously entertaining and wants to watch the movie right now to see if it can give her ideas on how to style her Anthropologie Edwardian-style coat.

Clara T loved seeing all the beautiful textures, patterns and colours in this Tehran street style series. She adds that “even within the ‘cover-up’ lines these women have to stay within, they are creative, fresh, modern, and beautiful.”

I frequently mention semi and faux tucking tops, assuming that the distinction between them was clear. But judging by the number of questions I’ve received, that wasn’t a good assumption. So here’s what I mean, with some examples to illustrate. 

The Semi Tuck

This is when you tuck only one section of your top into the front of jeans, trousers, shorts or a skirt. The tops are usually a little fluid or oversized, although tailored tops can sometimes also work. T-shirts, knitted tops, blouses, button-down shirts and un-welted knitwear semi tuck very effectively. The photos below illustrate the concept to perfection. Semi tucking works well with waistbands that are mid to low rise. I find semi tucking less attractive with high rises, although it’s not a fashion faux pas. Belting a semi tucked top adds a great finishing touch.

The Faux Tuck

This is a term I invented for an alternative to the semi tuck. It only works when the top has a welt (a wide band on the hem) and you need to be wearing a belt. You create the faux tuck by resting the welt on the front section of the belt. You are barely tucking anything at all, but the belt will keep the top in place.

I have faux tucked welted tops in the outfits below. Again, faux tucking works best with waistbands that are mid to low rise. 

I’ve found that knitwear and fleece are great fabrications for faux tucking because of their excellent drape. Silky fabrications with ribbed welts faux tuck pretty well too, despite being lightweight. Flimsy T-shirt fabric drapes less well and therefore isn’t great for the faux tuck.

So you don’t need a welt to semi tuck, but you DO need a welt to faux tuck.

I do not semi tuck tops because the visual effect doesn’t work with my personal style. Instead, I faux tuck my pullovers. The effect is tidier and more dressy, which is a better match with my personality. I am just too neat by nature to make the semi tuck feel right in my outfits. That said, I do love the semi tucked look on others and most of my clients enjoy semi tucking their tops. In fact, semi and faux tucking have turned around many of my formerly belt-phobic clients, who now happily wear belts. This style of casual tucking has been revolutionary, refreshing many a personal style, and, I’m sure, increasing belt sales in the process.

Who is semi tucking and who is faux tucking? And who has yet to try either style of casual tucking?

Many of my clients enjoy wearing shades of burgundy and blue. I’m thrilled to see a good assortment of these great, mainstream colours in stores across all wardrobe items. 

• Vince Camuto Stripe Paneled Tee: A roomy piece that’s fab over a pencil skirt or straight leg jeans and trousers. The placement of the stripes is different and fun. Good for apple shape body types. Runs true to size, or a little large. 
• Marc by Marc Jacobs Clover Satchel: A beautiful little tartan bag. Casually structured. This will give you a burgundy and blue fix for the season. 
• MZ Wallace Belle Nylon Tote: Nylon bags are looking “fresh and new”. They are superbly lightweight, weatherproof and robust. The burgundy edging is subtle and lovely. Actually, this bag is as fab in black with the bright gold zippers and burgundy edging. 
• BlankNYC Faux Leather Jacket: Fitted and runs small. Read the rave reviews. 
• Spanx Lace Bouquet Tights: So pretty I can’t stand it. Match these with burgundy or black footwear, a tonally deep red dress or simple little black number and you’re done. 
• BCBG Kitty Baseball Cap: Cats continue to inspire fashion. Someone be a devil and sport this felt cap that is as chic as it is adorable. 
• Echo Denim Tech Gloves: Keep your hands warm using a touchscreen phone. I love that this product is finally available in a fashionable style that is not black. 

Burgundy looks great with bright, light and dark blue. If you haven’t tried these colour combinations, give them a bash. Throwing in a coral or burnt orange with the burgundy and blue is fab too.