I’ve included closed shoes in this Summer roundup because some of us need to wear closed shoes to work, find them more comfortable than wearing open shoes, or need insulation from indoor air conditioning. Most of these shoes have been tried and tested on my clients and are available in several colours. 

1. Vince Camuto Ryker Sandal: The tiny wedge heel prevents the sandal from feeling too flat. The reviews suggest that the ankle strap is too large although I did not find that to be the case. Any tighter and it would have rubbed my skin silly. Love the convenience of the back zipper. Pretty comfy, minimalist and modern. These would be mine if I wore sandals. I vote snakeskin all the way
2. Born Julianne: A super cushioning casual ballet flat. Read the rave reviews. I vote gold, white and light blue.
3. Miz Mooz Waltz: Retro, ladylike and fun. 
4. Miz Mooz Nomad: I like the the piping detail and V-cut of these booties from the front. Flattering and interesting. 
5. Steve Madden Troopa: A little distressed lace-up bootie fabness to wear with Summer frocks ’90s style. 
6. Rieker D4552 Thalia 52: Comfy, stable and super soft leather. I vote wear this colour blocked darling with colourful clothes to amplify its cheerful spirit.
7. Stuart Weitzman Guything: A stunningly beautiful ped. Refined and androgynous. Read the rave reviews.
8. Dolce Vita Giya: A pretty pointy toe loafer with bling. Add a cushioning insole, or orthotic if it feels too flat. The leather is not soft, but not overly hard either. 
9. Ivanka Trump Natalea: This shoe does not work for a wider foot, but it’s pretty comfy on a low volume foot. I like the streamlined shape of the wedge and on trend pointy toe. 

Some of these shoes will take you straight into Fall. It’s good to think ahead!

Frequently worn wardrobe items can fall out of favour because newer items that tickle your fancy even more take their place. As a result, newer pieces become the wardrobe workhorses and older items go into hibernation. It isn’t that you dislike the items that are in hibernation. In fact, you probably still love them. That’s why you hold on to the darlings, allowing them to vacation in your closet while other stuff does the heavy lifting. 

A year or two goes by, and for a variety of reasons some of the hibernating items come back into rotation. The vacation is over, and it’s work, work, work. 

I’ve found this often happens when I can refresh the look of the hibernating item. For example, I barely wore my animal print booties in 2012 because I favoured two pairs of cream booties and wore them all the time. But I’ve worn the animal print booties a lot in 2013 because I like to pair them with new white boyfriend jeans that are rolled at the hems. In this way, they look refreshed and feel “new”. 

Similarly, I haven’t worn my bright gold satchel in years. But now I’m wearing it again because I like the way it matches my new gold pointy toe pumps. It’s nice to break up my daytime clutch style, and be all matchy-matchy for a change. 

Is it really a good idea to pass on wardrobe items that have gone unworn for a year? I’m not so sure and that’s why I don’t suggest a specific timeframe for letting things go. Some items do swing back into rotation after a good long while, and it would be a pity to lose them. Of course, there are some items that definitely should go if you haven’t worn them for a year. 

So how do you know when to keep and when to pass on a wardrobe item that you haven’t worn in a while? It’s tricky, but I usually suggest that if you still LOVE the piece despite not wearing it for a while — hang on to it if it fits, is in good shape, and isn’t overly dated. Chances are high that you will find a way to remix the look and wear it again. 

Cap sleeves can look unflattering, especially when they are extra short and tight. That’s why I’m quick to suggest sleeveless or elbow length as the more flattering option. Or I suggest what I call “diagonal sleeves”, although I have also seen the silhouette referred to as a short dolman sleeve. 

Diagonal sleeves are a mix of a short and a cap sleeve. They’re like an oversized cap sleeve with a much looser fit around the upper arm. The hem of the sleeve creates a long diagonal line across the bicep, which is how it gets its name. The drapey fit and longer length of the diagonal sleeve make it easier to wear than a short tight fitting cap sleeve. The diagonal lines also minimize the size of the bust, especially when the neckline is V-shaped or scooped. Furthermore, the diagonal integrity of the sleeve has a more interesting and structured visual effect than a wide short sleeve, which can look a little frumpy. 

As seen below, diagonal sleeves work with an assortment of necklines and fabrics. Some top styles are more roomy than others, and the sleeves vary in length. Something for everyone. Have you tried diagonal sleeves, and do you find them flattering?

Over at The Genteel, Amanda Coen reports how several devout, young Orthodox Jews are offering personalised contemporary clothing that respects cultural traditions.

It turns out that the young rabbi mentioned in the article also happens to be an apprentice tailor at Savile Row’s Maurice Sedwell, who keeps a tumblr blog with menswear inspiration shots. Very dapper looks!

Photographer Sarah Shamsavari’s recent exhibit “London Veil” features a series of women wearing colourful hijabs tied in lots of different ways. With this project she wanted to “steer clear of the debate surrounding the hijab, and instead focus on her subjects’ individuality”.

Fab Links from Our Members

Deborah found this guest post on Already Pretty quite confronting, and added: “I am ashamed to say that I never considered that I am in fact privileged that I can dress the way I want, in public, and without fear”.

TraceyLiz had fun browsing these music festival looks throughout the years, starting with Woodstock.

White shirts and points. This photo of Audrey on her points absolutely blew Angie away.

Annagybe enjoyed the BBC article about Matthaeus Schwarz, a 16th century accountant who for forty years recorded in detail what he wore by commissioning watercolour paintings of himself. The original fashion blog perhaps?

“It’s tempting to dismiss fashion as mere fluff. Until, that is, we start to decode its many meanings and marvel at what it reveals.” Caro agrees wholeheartedly with this quote from a blog post on the woman in the red dress at the recent Istanbul protests.

Vildy recently read up on American designer Claire McCardell, creator of the “American look”, who introduced affordable and stylish sportswear looks. She also popularized flats for women, and, inspired by men’s clothing, used rivets.