While working with clients and refreshing my own wardrobe over the last few months, four things have stood out about this year’s Spring and Summer collections. The first three observations are general, while the fourth is personal and specific. 

First, green was named the colour of the season, and while there’s been plenty of green represented in stores, it hasn’t struck me as the colour. I’ve found that all colours are equally represented thus far.

Second, if the runway shows were anything to go by, we should have seen a greater assortment of skirt and dress lengths. Hemlines in the US are generally not knee-covering, especially on flared skirt styles. 

Third, there was so much white footwear on the catwalks for Spring 2013, especially white booties, but this has not been represented in retail at all, where shades of tan reign supreme. 

My fourth observation is more personal. For the first time in a very long time I am generally underwhelmed by the designer merchandise in stores. I am more than willing to pay the price for one beautiful and expensive piece that pulls at my heart strings, instead of purchasing five lower price pieces for the same amount of money. I enjoy “high-low” style — mixing high and low-end pieces in a single outfit —  and I adore the feeling and look of impeccable workmanship and luxurious fabrications. But this season, as I browse better-end designer collections, I haven’t swooned at their offerings. And I usually do.

Cuts, fabrics and colours have generally not been to my taste, and that includes footwear and handbags. Yet I’ve found many, many items at Club Monaco, J.Crew and Zara that have pulled at my heart strings. In fact, I want to buy up half the stuff at Club Monaco at the moment, I love it so much. Similarly, the items at Nordstrom that caught my attention this year have been less expensive in-house brands and not my usual pricier go-to brands. I did purchase an Alexander Wang clutch and a few pairs of premium jeans. But for the rest, I’ve purchased more lower than higher end for Spring and Summer. 

Leave no retail stone unturned has never proved to be more true, and each retailer has the chance to start afresh each season. I love this aspect of modern retail and I’m already excited about what will be on offer for Fall 2013 — both high and low end. 

Of course, these observations might be regional, and the last one is particularly personal. Have you observed anything interesting about the last four months of retail?

Milliner Rosie Boylan talks about designing all the fabulous daytime hats and elaborate party headpieces for “The Great Gatsby”. While hair designer Kerry Warn explains how one goes about creating true to the 1920s hairstyles for over 300 extras.

Costume designer Julie Weiss sees the clothes she makes “as tools of communication”. In this Wall Street Journal article she chats about six style principles that emerged from her work on “Hitchcock”, and the similarities between movie costumes and everyday clothing.

If you enjoyed Robin Wright’s outfits on “House of Cards”, then here’s your chance to learn more about Tom Broecker, the designer behind her tailored TV wardrobe.

Fab Links from Our Members

Ingunn sees shopping vintage as a budget-friendly way to lighten her footstep on earth and a great way to develop a more personal wardrobe. She thought that the guidelines for shopping vintage over at A Pair & A Spare were spot on.

This article talks about Spring trends to avoid. While Lisa would not wear clear heels herself, she does regularly sport Bermudas in the heat.

As a mother of a 17-year old young man, Transcona Shannon believes that some of the late teen/early twenties’ men could certainly use the advice in “5 Reasons Why Young Men Should Dress Sharp“.

The Jezebel article “Please Stop Telling Me I Don’t Have to Dress Up For Work” is very funny and so true, says MaryK.

A different article on Jezebel asking if we are a nation of slobs on the other hand made Angie sad, as she is very much in favour of defying your environmental norm and setting the stylish example. Alaskagirl also started a very interesting discussion about this topic on the YLF forum.

Ironkurtin loves skateboard-apparel-designer and blogger Jayne Min, who’s a big fan of closet purging.

My Year of Fabulous had Vildy howling. Holly, a self-proclaimed “sloppy dresser”, is on a year-long mission to redeem herself, and is using “The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style” to figure out her signature look.

Sarah found this NYT article an interesting update on how major labels are responding to the crises in the Bangladesh garment factories.

Last but not least, Parsley directs us to an informative story about what really happens to those clothes you donate.

The draped blouse is also called a “crossover blouse” or “fold front blouse”. The concept of the crossover “wrap” blouse is not new to us at all, and formfitting wraps are a classic style. Draped blouses, on the other hand, are like wraps on steroids because they are slouchy and oversized, which is perfectly in keeping with directional fashion. 

I love this shape of blouse, which reminds me a little of the way Audrey Hepburn wore her shirt back in the day. The loose drape is elegant, alluring, chic, interesting and playful. Their unstructured take on a classic looks fresh to my eye, as does the high-low hemline with banded front. The shape works particularly well on a broader shoulder line and shorter neck because broad shoulders fill out the silhouette, and V-necklines elongate the neck. It can also work well on a large bust, depending on the cut. It’s forgiving over the midriff and can be dressed up or down. 

The draped blouse lends itself well to the semi-tuck, and adds an unstructured integrity to structured bottoms. Wear it with a camisole, or lots of fashion tape! It’s breezy in hot weather and pretty versatile. Fab with dressy trousers, a pencil skirt, short shorts, and just about any pair of jeans. 

The unstructured integrity of the style is also its downside, making you feel shapeless and unattractive if your preference is to show off your shape. The front crossover flaps shift about because they are oversized and look slightly odd from the side. If you’re petite, you’ll probably need to wear a heel to balance out the long torso that this style creates. And there’s the “baring all” when you bend over unless you’re wearing a camisole. You can of course add structure to the silhouette by showing skin through sleeve scrunching and choosing a sleeveless option. But you’ll have to be at peace with the downsides if this shape tickles your fancy. 

I’m in and have the Funktional fold front blouse on order. I’ve fallen in love with the draped blouse style although I don’t hold out much hope for filling it out. My dainty shoulder line and long neck are not ideal for the silhouette, but the style I chose has a shirt collar so I’m hopeful. 

What’s your take on the draped blouse?

As the first day of the half yearly sale and the day of the week that I do the weekly roundup, today is really Nordstorm day on YLF. Here are some skirts and toppers that can be worn together in one outfit with a simple layering top. Add in a cuff for fun.

• Lucky Brand Moto Jacket (Plus): Casually hip, lightweight and versatile. Make peace with the crease. Nice fit. 
• Steve Madden Coloured Denim Moto: A colourful alternative to the denim jacket. Casual and happy. I vote yellow. 
• Carole Owl Bracelet: Wise and wonderful arm candy. 
• Vince Camuto Stripe Midi Tube Skirt: I love this boldly patterned graphic skirt. Fabulous length and a good fit, although it might run a little big. Wear it with the casual coloured moto. 
• Alex Evenings Chiffon Skirt (Plus): A dressy chiffon skirt has multiple personalities. Dress it down with a denim, bomber or leather jacket. Or dress it up with a tux jacket. 
• Kelly Wearstler Keyhole Cuff: A cuff with a cut out makes for an interesting effect.

We’ve seen the bulk of Spring and Summer 2013 collections. There will be a few more dribs and drabs, lots of beachwear, and ample end of season sales on the horizon for June. Fall collections start hitting stores in July and August.