This week’s fab finds are a nod to the mixed media, sci-fi and pointy toe trends. I also threw in a little retro and modern classic. 

• Ann Taylor Studio Sweater: Although the top is shown with skinny jeans, it’s fabulous over a pencil skirt, full skirt and slouchy trousers. Just the right amount of fluidity and structure. 
• Ann Taylor Lace Print 3/4 Sleeve Top: Similar to the studio sweater, pair it with the same bottoms. It’s one way to add casual elegance to a pencil skirt and pumps outfit. 
• Banana Republic Bold Houndstooth Pencil Skirt: This skirt is selling like hotcakes for good reason. It’s graphic in a muted grey and white, which is softer than a black and white houndstooth. 
• Michael Kors Oversized Lexington Watch: Watches with black faces look fresh and retro, which is why I purchased a similar style last month. I like the Rolex-esque integrity here. Also available in silver. 
• Underground Blitz Pewter Winklepicker Ankle Boots: Refined Sci-Fi Mod with a little Tough thrown into the mix. Add a playful element to casual outfits with these numbers. 
• Faith Camborne Strap Pointed Mid Heel Shoes: A Marc Jacobs inspired pointy toe Mary Jane that’s fab with and without hose. A low heeled alternative to wear with skirts, dresses, trousers or jeans. Warning: the leather is not soft, so it might not meet your comfort standards. 

Wear the lace print top with the houndstooth skirt and pointy toe shoes for a refreshed office look. Make the pewter ankle boots part of a casual Fall capsule. 

Sweater sets, or “twinsets” as I’m used to calling them, are a tricky item. On the one hand they can look awfully dated and frumpy. I can’t tell you how many sweater sets have not made the cut when I review closets with clients. But on the other hand, they can look fresh, new, fun and retro. 

Thinking about this interesting wardrobe item and why it works in some ways and not others, I have identified the design features that make it look updated and current to my eye.   

Add “Now” with Pattern, Texture and Colourblocking

While there are exceptions, it’s solid sweater sets that tend to look dated and frumpy. But pop them into a pattern, textured lace, or a graphic colourblocked design, and you add in the now-factor. I fell in love with a colourblocked twin set last year and have worn it over and over again. The interesting colour combination was one of the reasons it felt fashionable instead of frumpy.

Keep the Fit Sleek and Cheeky or Oversized

The cropped and formfitting sweater set is cheeky and works really well, like the Ann Taylor example below in the geometric pattern. A little fluidity in the torso can work, as shown on the J.Crew and St. John examples, but the sleeves are very sleek. Wear these sets too long and too roomy in the sleeves in a tailored fit and you’re back to frumpy. Alternatively, make the fit oversized and tunic length like the earthy Hobbs example.

Use Complements to Make it Modern

Take the updated retro modern classic and wear it with on trend bottoms, like boyfriend jeans, faded denim, leather pencil skirt, slouchy trousers, checked pants, silky track pants, full patterned skirts, and harem pants. Wear a button-down shirt under the set for a fresh layered look. Ground the outfit with on trend footwear and accessories like Beatle booties, pointy toes, ankle strap pumps, slipper flats, biker boots, sassy sneakers, over-the-knee boots, wedged boots and clutch. 

Below are some great examples of sweater sets that don’t look frumpy.

Perhaps sweater sets will always look frumpy to your eye, and I understand that perception because as I said earlier, it’s a tricky piece. But I’m a yay vote on the new sweater set when the fit and outfit execution is modern and current. What’s your verdict?

There is life after jeans for casual Mums and gals on the go who do not want to wear skirts and dresses. Choose casual pants. The formula below has been popular with my clients as we head into Autumn. So on that note, I stuck to a traditional Fall palette, but feel free to choose another set of colours. 

Here are the components:

• Casual Pants: Stretchy black Ponte pants, or cotton spandex pants, are an easy and comfortable alternative to jeans. Camouflage pants aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I do have clients who love wearing them. Remember that camouflage pattern can be subtle, which might be a little more acceptable. Choose straight legs or skinnies. 
• Relaxed Top: Jersey layering tops or lightweight knitwear are ideal. Wear them fluid or oversized to offset the tight bottoms. Drapey tops work well too. If you prefer a tailored look, wrap tops are fab, as are formfitting tees. Or pop on a button-down shirt. 
• Casual Jacket: Denim jackets and leather or pleather motos are the obvious choice. But a pinstriped blazer is another option, and especially daring when pattern mixed with the camo pants.
• Closed Footwear: Pack away the sandals and haul out covered footwear. I’ve chosen pointy slipper flats and simple low heeled suede ankle boots. Sassy sneakers, d’Orsay flats, oxfords and Beatle booties are other options. 
• Accessories: Finish off the outfit with a bag and eyewear. As a salute to Autumn, I chose a large weathered cognac tote. A hands-free crossbody is always great for Mums on the go. Add a scarf, watch and jewellery as desired. Throw in a beanie or newsboy too. 

The ensembles here are the start of another casual Autumn mix-and-match capsule. The tops and toppers can be interchanged with the pants, and so can the shoes, eyewear, watch and bag. If you want to keep a very tight and small wardrobe for mild Fall weather, you could add another four tops, one more pair of bottoms, and two scarves and wear different combinations over and over again.

The September issues have hit the newsstands again. Today, just like last year, Wendy at Glossed Over is live blogging her — trademark sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek — take on the biggest Vogue issue of the year (902 pages this time). As I’m writing this she’s just past page 108.

Did you know that an average September issue takes from between nine months to a year to put together? Fashionista spoke with Glamour’s Cindi Leive about determining who will be on the cover and everything else to do with how the September issue gets made.

The Business of Fashion recently published an interview with Eva Chen, the new editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine. She chats about her vision and plans for the mag, and how she started out in fashion.

Fab Links from Our Members

Lisa always enjoys posts that focus on remixing outfits, and found the capsules here very interesting.

Being a shoe collector, Milehighstyle(Linda) liked this fun guide to which shoes to wear with different bottoms.

“We fear that we’ll miss out on something if we stop shopping, even if just for a little while — what if ‘the perfect thing’ is out there and we miss it?” Vildy liked this blogger’s perspective on turning toward fear to learn about yourself from it.

Greg recommends checking out The Suits of James Bond, with wonderfully obsessive attention to detail on sartorial choices for James Bond (and other characters in the Bond movies). (Via Daring Fireball)

MaryK points us to this interesting Slate piece about how professional women are criticized for being too fashionable and being too homely. 

J.Crew is debuting its Fall collection on Pinterest. Kyle expects there will likely be a debate between those who find the new styles boring or pedestrian and those who feel J.Crew is renewing its commitment to the brand essence and core customers. What do you think?

Angie says this is the best way to have tea, read a mag, and listen to your phone messages when you’re in Paris. Couldn’t agree more!

Lyn* enjoyed reading this reminder from Rebecca over at The Clothes Horse that building a wardrobe that is uniquely your own doesn’t happen overnight, and that mistakes will be made among the way.

“There is no wrong way to have a body”. Marlene loved this powerful blog post by writer Hanne Blank on the celebration of individuality.

Niefern found “The Coffee or the Cup: Which is More Important?” very insightful. It is indirectly related to style, especially the second half of the article where the author concludes that “presentation matters”.