I previously wrote about the power of classic wardrobe pieces, and now more than ever want to shout this from the rooftops. Their versatility knows no bounds. Classic pieces can be molded and worked into any style, and therein lies their power. 

There is no need to wear classics from head to toe if that’s not your thing. Wear them with hot-off-the-press trends. Ground fashion forward ensembles with classic items. Add crisp classics to a bohemian, arty or avant-garde outfit. In fact, here’s my bold statement of the month: whenever you’re stuck about what to match with a particular item, reach for the classic piece because more often than not, it’s going to work. 

This list is by no means exhaustive, but the following items, when worn in tailored or loosely tailored fits, are true classics:

• Tops: button-down shirt, soft button-down blouse, denim shirt, silk shell top, lace shell top, plaid shirt, layering T-shirt, striped T-shirt
• Dresses: sheath dress, wrap dress
• Knitwear: striped pullover, fitted turtleneck, V-neck/crew neck pullover or cardigan
• Bottoms: knee-length pencil skirt, bootcut trousers and jeans, straight leg jeans
• Toppers: denim jacket, moto jacket, trench coat, peacoat, double breasted military coat, single breasted coat with revere collar, simple blazer with one or two buttons, cropped tweed Chanel jacket, tuxedo jacket
• Footwear: riding boots, cowboy boots, Frye harness boots, pointy or round toe pumps, the original Dr. Martens Boot, Converse sneakers, ballet flats, loafers
• Accessories: stud or hoop earrings, pearl necklaces, Chanel 2.55 handbag, Rayban Wayfarers, Rayban Aviators, animal print belt

Street style visuals speak louder than my words, so do look through these outfits on my Pinterest boards. You’ll see the classics incorporated with all sorts of trends, resulting in a thoroughly modern and interesting look.  

• Light blue button-down shirt and ballet flats worn with leather trousers. 
• Denim jacket worn under a cape with zippered skinnies and a 2.55. 
• Trench coat worn with a button-down shirt, pumps, boyfriend jeans and daytime clutch. 
• Simple wool blazer worn over a hectically oversized pullover with white skinnies. 
• Fitted turtleneck worn with a full flared skirt and trendy Valentino rockstud pumps. 
• Suit blazer worn with a button-down shirt, grungy sweater, jeggings and high-tops. 
• Peacoat worn with flares, chunky pullover and chain handle bag. 
• Super sexy button-down shirt with jeans and clutch. 
• Tweed Chanel jacket and 2.55 with faded jeans and tee. 
• Striped tee and peacoat with slouchy leather pants. 
• Button-down shirt layered under a cropped pullover with cigarette pants. 
• Neon pencil skirt with sweatshirt, neon hair and platforms.
• Denim jacket and pencil skirt worn with vintage coat, strappy sandals and Wayfarers. 
• White shirt worn with leather pants, stacked sandals and Aviators. 
• Trench coat with skinnies and Converse.
• Slouchy style with Converse. 
• Trench coat with plaid shirt, pullover, harem jeans and sneakers.
• Trench with striped pullover, skinnies and Converse.  
• Tuxedo jacket with bootcut trousers and silky shell top. 
• Burberry scarf worn with a biker jacket, sweater, jeans and crossbody bag. 

I also have an entire pinboard devoted to how the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag is worn with just about anything. From the dressiest outfits to micro minis, sneakers, sweatshirts and jeans. 

The trick to keeping the classics looking modern and fresh is to update their silhouettes, wear them with trendy/arty/avant-garde pieces, and in non-neutrals. You don’t need to satisfy all three criteria at once, but it’s certainly a possibility. 

So here I am again, sticking up for the incomparable power of the classic piece. It is not my intention to convert you to a classic style. The point is that the classics can be transformed and integrated into YOUR look when mixed and matched YOUR way. For that reason they are powerful and have my unconditional respect.

E and M have been reviewing beauty products at Facegoop for a couple of years now… in their own inimitable, irreverent and hilarious way. Now they have been chosen to be part of The Guardian’s fashion bloggers network. Watch that space!

A recent poll carried out by online beauty retailer Feel Unique revealed that women spend £248 (about $383) per year replacing lost makeup items. Feel Unique sees a new business opportunity here: they are going to talk to insurance providers about creating a stand-alone makeup bag insurance policy for women. Would you be up for that?

This week The Telegraph reported that some leading manufacturers are misleading the public with their labelling, and that chemicals have been found in ‘organic’ beauty products. In a follow-up article beauty editor Katy Young writes about the real do’s and don’ts of shopping for green beauty.

Fab Links from Our Members

Although “Clothing Fit: Dealing with Weight Loss and Gain” was written with menswear in mind, Elle points out that it contains universal, useful tips on the subject.

Deborah picked up some great tips from Garance Doré’s blog post on “7 Ways To Look Better in Photos“.

This exercise over at My Year Without Clothes Shopping really helped Vildy hone her style, by approaching it indirectly. Working out the second part of the answer, the “why”, was especially useful.

Charmian enjoyed skimming Free2Work’s thorough report on various apparel brands’ attempts (or lack thereof) to address labour issues in their production lines.

Behold: the most beautifully packed suitcase in the world over at Park & Cube. Angie and I were both beyond impressed.

Bj1111 recommends this post on The Vivienne Files about buying for a fantasy life, while this quote on showing up really resonated with her too.

Last but not least Bj1111 also wanted to share L’age Moyen’s musings on “Women at their most subversive“. She could see Angie wearing the outfit in the first photo, by the way.

I really enjoy wearing sleeveless tops and frocks. And I believe we can all wear the right type of sleeveless garment. There is no need to have slim, toned and young arms to sport the style. That said, it has reached the stage where I’m going to resist the urge to purchase sleeveless tops and dresses as much as possible. And here’s why: 

1. It has to be at least 30 degrees Celsius outside (that’s 86 Fahrenheit) in order for me to feel comfortable in sleeveless garments sans topper because I run very cold. We hardly ever reach these high temperatures in Seattle. 
2. Even when I’m on the East Coast during their hot and humid Summers, or in sweltering Asian cities on holiday, I find myself in air conditioning a lot of the time. Most of the public transport has freezing air conditioning too. Sure, I can cover up with a topper when I’m in a/c, but it’s still too cold wearing sleeveless tops with a topper. I find sleeved tops with topper more insulating in arctic air conditioning. 
3. I don’t want to purchase sleeveless items just to have to cover them up. 
4. When it’s extremely hot and I’m out and about in the heat, I like to protect my skin from the sun with a silk, linen or cotton-rich sleeve. You’ll often find that people in the hottest parts of the world cover up for skin protection.

Sleeveless tops and dresses sans toppers worked really well when we lived in France and South Africa because their Summers are hot and air conditioning is rare. Those are the conditions I need to feel comfortable in sleeveless stuff. 

Many of my clients are against sleeveless clothing for different reasons to me. Covering up untoned arms is top of the list. I try to convince them that they needn’t be ashamed of their arms, but I’m not very persuasive in these situations. Sleeveless garments are often cut too wide baring too much underarm. Some prefer not to wear sleeveless to the office. And some don’t like to layer sleeveless items under jackets because of the increased laundry requirement of the topper. 

Of course, there are advantages to wearing sleeveless items. It’s breezy if you run warm, ultra fashionable, and a fab way to showcase arms. There’s no sleeve bunching when you layer over a topper, plus retail stores are full of sleeveless stuff. And on that note, I hope that retailers hear our plea for sleeved clothing. 

At this rate, I will need to move to another part of the world, or go on loads of beach holidays before I expand my sleeveless garment collection. Over to you. Are you challenged by sleeveless clothing, and do any of these reasons resonate with you?

Bikinis, hipsters, boyshorts, briefs, high-cuts, thongs, with or without shaping panels, and a large assortment of colours — there is tons of variety in panty silhouettes these days. Yet we’re still searching for perfect undies. I get bored of a certain style of panty after a while and want to change things up. As soon as it’s time to replenish my undies I look for a newer and better style. 

The assortment of styles here have been winners with my clients, and I’ve road tested a few styles too. 

1. DKNY Delicate Essentials Bikini: Soft, comfy, cotton-rich and does not ride up the bottom. Read the rave reviews. 
2. Wacoal Awareness High-Cut Briefs: Great all-over coverage without feeling like you’re wearing huge un-alluring panties. 
3. Shimera Seamless Boyshorts: I used to wear these exclusively a few years ago but found that the “Vanishing Edge” boyshorts from Soma were an even better fit. But I still have many happy clients in this simple boyish style. 
4. DKNY Underslimmers Cute Girl Slimming Briefs: Conturing, covering and slimming sans the stiffness of spanx. 
5. TC Wonderful Edge Boyshorts: These were recommended by a sales assistant and I love their retro look. I have a pair on the way to me and will keep you posted. I have high hopes that these will be fabulous. 
6. DKNY Underslimmers Signature Lace Shaping Briefs: More comfortable control and coverage that doesn’t feel like you’re having the living daylights sucked out of you. Pretty lace panelling. 
7. Hanky Panky Lace Trim Knit Boyshorts: I LOVE these, and they’re my new favourite pair of undies. I adore the lace trim and low cut, which is a little different for my style after wearing high-rise boyshorts for years. They don’t ride up my bottom and I can barely feel that I’m wearing them. No panty lines. I wish they weren’t this expensive, but my word are they pretty, flattering and comfortable. I’m stocking up. 
8. Natori Bliss Girl Shorts: These are the cheaper version of the hanky panky lace trim knit boyshorts, and I enjoy wearing them too. Extra lightweight. They are low cut so consider yourself warned. 
9. Wacoal B Smooth Briefs: A comfy basic. Read the rave reviews. 
10. Shimera Full Briefs (Plus): These are the top choice for my plus size clients because they are comfortable and flattering. The elastic is soft and does not cut into the skin, and there is plenty of coverage over the bottom. Lots of stretch, no panty lines, and super lightweight. 
11. Cosabella Never Say Never Cutie Thong: This is an alternative to the oh so popular hanky panky lace thong. Some prefer the Cosabellas because they last longer, keep their elasticity, and are available in more colours.  
12. Hanky Panky Regular Rise Thong (Plus): Probably the best plus size thong on the market. 

Comfortable undies are vitally important. My day is ruined when I’m wearing panties that ride up or shift around. I’ve been a boyshorts gal for many years, and continue to love the retro look of the style. I’m also wearing girl shorts, which is just a low rise version of boyshorts. What’s your favourite panty silhouette?