I have RAVED about these ankle strap pumps before. Soft leather, cushioning footbed, elastic insert on the ankle strap, and lightweight are what make them extremely comfortable. I bought the Okala pump in pony print first and they unexpectedly became wardrobe workhorses. I loved them so much that a friend gave me a pair in cheetah print for my birthday.

If animal print is not your cup of tea, they are also available in solid black, and colour-blocked burgundy and black. I found them to run true to size, but they do not work for a wider foot. Great with skirts, dresses, cropped pants and shorts. And just in case you think you can’t wear ankle strap footwear because it’s unflattering, think again.

Great news for cat lovers. Cats are a fashionable inspiration more than ever at the moment. We’re used to seeing cat marking prints like tiger, cheetah and leopard patterned merchandise every season, on just about every wardrobe item and in every fabrication. But here I’m talking about a different kind of cat print. Not the marking, but a picture of the cat’s face or full body in some form or other.  

The graphics are realistic or abstract, and found on tops like t-shirts, silky tops, upscale sweatshirts and pullovers. The examples below are representative of the trend. 

At first I thought this was a teenybopper trend, but soon changed my mind as I thought back to Versace’s wildly popular silky cat designs of the early ’90s. Then I incorporated big kitty tops into the dressy nostalgic tee ensemble for some of my clients, pairing it with a more sophisticated support act.

Wearing big kitty tops as layering pieces is one option if you’re worried about it looking too juvenile. Furthermore, some cat graphics look less childish than others, so choose a panel print that conveys a more “grown up” spirit. 

If you’re besotted with cats, I vote YAY for big kitty tops. Why not wear a graphic of an animal that is close to your heart on a wardrobe item. Express this love through your style.

Over to you. Would you wear a big kitty top? If not, do you vote yay for others? Or is it a juvenile look best left to teenyboppers?

Upon my return to YLF after the holidays, I realized that I’d become a veteran over the Summer. I think I joined late July last year, but I’m not sure of the exact date. Like many of you I feel a strong gratitude for being so lucky to stumble upon this wonderful community. During the past year I’ve come to regard you as my inspirators and friends, and reading Angie’s inspirational and educational daily posts, Inge’s Thursday Links and Blogger features is a true delight. Thank you for this.

What have I learned from my first year on YLF? First of all, I think my style has evolved a lot, and for the first time in my life I feel quite certain of who I am, style-wise. That is not a small achievement for me. I now really enjoy building my wardrobe piece by piece, and I enjoy more than ever putting it all together. There’s still no need for a lot of pieces as long as they are mixable. I’ve learned to accept my playful side, and not fight it although I’m now in my forties. For a while that baffled me — I thought I needed to “grow up”. When I neglect my playful side too much I’m in frumpy land before noon. But there has to be a balance, too. Certain looks are better appreciated on others, and now I better understand how to identify which ones. I also now better understand why I’ve always loved classic pieces and certain colors. My wardrobe essentials are more or less covered for a while. My Spring/Summer wardrobe has been a treat this year, and I anticipate that when I pull out my Autumn/Winter stuff, I will find it in great condition and ready for a few updates. I’ve become better at identifying the holes, but who is perfect? There must be room for the serendipitous, too, and I will continue making mistakes. That, too, will keep me going. I’m always in for a new fashion challenge. Above all, I’ve learned to embrace RED!

I don’t quite remember what my first post was about, but I think I asked for advice about a tweed jacket and a dress combination. You were overwhelmingly responsive and helpful. My first What I Wore’s were posted with great anxiety. Would anyone find me foolish doing this, would I get ridiculed, have my head chopped off? On the contrary: I very soon learned to rely on your kind feedback. I can truly say that I’ve NEVER been offended or hurt by anyone’s remarks here on YLF. You are an astounding group, and probably quite unique on the Internet. We are very different in many ways, but we share a love and interest in fashion and style that unites us. I love that. Thank you for a wonderful first year, Angie, Inge, Greg and all fabbers!

Here are a few favorite outfits from my first YLF-year:

1. My first KILLER rating! For my birthday last September.
2. Lesson learned: A navy V-neck is a workhorse for me, and tall black boots, too.
3. The red dress. Worn over and over, for work and celebrations.
4. Stripes, slouchy pants and heeled booties. Have to love it!
5. The black Banana Republic wrap dress.
6. The Boss LBD has already proved its versatility.
7. My dear leather moto.
8. Red coat and white jeans, how did I not know that I needed you both?
9. And the white tux and clutch, too.
10. A white skirt with a preppy knitted blazer. New thrifting skills have opened even more possibilities for me.

“From Philadelphia to Monaco: Grace Kelly — Beyond the Icon“, a new exhibition at Museum McCord in Montreal celebrates the iconic style of the Hitchcock muse and Princess of Monaco. “The spotlight is on her personality, talent and values.”

Pringle of Scotland invited a number of Central Saint Martins fashion design students to create a selection of knitwear pieces “inspired by an off-duty princess” for the Scottish brand’s new capsule “Archive Collection”.

Grace looking sensational in specs, the princess sporting stripes and curls, or a Mum wearing white in the ’60s. Do check out Angie’s Audrey and Grace pinboard with loads of stunning images of the royal style icon.

Fab Links from Our Members

The New York Times reports that shibori, an ancient Japanese hand-dyeing technique, is making a comeback. Joy would love to add some of these prints to her wardrobe.

Deb recommends this interview with Diane von Furstenberg, as it’s lovely to hear the designer’s story in her own voice.

Angie enjoyed Bridgette’s “Base, Accent, Pop” approach to creating a large mix-and-match career wear capsule.

This Huffington Post article suggesting that retailer Lululemon cultivates a cult-like culture for employees creeped Laurinda out.

Lisa recently discovered blogger Tali over at Rock My Heels, who wears the trends with fun. Lisa’s favourite feature is the recap of outfits with occasion (work, going out).

Going grey or colouring your hair? The question comes up regularly on the forum, and that’s why Ornella wanted to share this post about “25 ‘Gray Hair’ Bloggers Who Rock“.

Vildy, who is interested in the concept and definition of glamour, came across this amazing Ted Talk by Virginia Postrel, a social critic. If you’d like to read more on the subject, many of Postrel’s articles on glamour are listed down the right side of her website Deep Glamour.