A new outfit from Sabra Johnson of My Style Is My Brand, whom we introduced to YLF in May 2022.

Leave it to Sabra to create an elegant head-to-toe navy look with loads of visual interest. They’re all slightly different tones of navy blue, and work splendidly together. Our blogger has dressed up wide-legged tuxedo-striped pants with a meticulously tailored blazer and a satin pussy-bow blouse. There’s playful pattern mixing going on with the on-trend pinstripe long blazer and the white and blue polka dot blouse. Tucking the top lengthens the leg line from the hips up, and showcases a thin silver metallic belt. The structured satchel amps up the dressiness, and juxtaposes cleverly with fun, oversized hoop earrings and statement arm candy. Sabra’s blue and white striped pointy-toe pumps peeking out from under the full-length pants are the icing on the cake for me. They add a touch of whimsy and echo the pinstripes, tying everything together.

You are on Team Change if you like to change up your look. You are on Team Same if you prefer your look to the stay same from day to day, season to season, or year to year.

As I picked a team for this poll, I enjoyed reflecting about how my style has changed daily, seasonally, and yearly. I also thought about my style through the decades. The result is that I can’t pick a side. I like change, but not too much change, and not at all at once. 

Some components of my look have stayed the same for decades. Sour brights, white bottoms, pearls, blue denim, shirts, polo shirts, high necklines, statement bags, blonde hair, classic silhouettes, classic patterns, short jackets, dressy looks, flats, refined footwear, minimal jewellery, and a certain amount of structure — these are all part of my signature style. I enjoy wearing outfits that are pretty, playful, practical, polished, and a little retro. This is reflected in my day-to-day style. My make-up routine has  stayed the same for forty-five years.

Other components of my style have changed daily, seasonally, yearly, and through the decades. Weather permitting, I like to switch up between pants, jeans, dresses, skirts, and the occasional jumpsuit frequently. That way, I don’t feel bored with my style. I wear as many non-neutrals as neutrals, and am perpetually combining colours in new ways. I tend to keep my bottoms and eyewear trendy, so those aspects change the most frequently. I change outfit proportions and fits as I adopt trends that tickle my fancy. My hairstyle goes through big and small changes. I used to wear solid black, but switched to solid navy. I go through stages of wearing more solids than patterns, and vice versa. Some seasons, I’m more in the mood to pattern mix than others.

I like to change up my look, and keep it the same. The changes pander to my need to feel refreshed, current, modern, and energized. The sameness keeps my style grounded. I am benched.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Change or Team Same? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams. Feel free to join me on the bench where I’m serving Beyond Beef meatballs in sundried tomato sauce, baked broccoli cheese casserole with a cayenne pepper kick, cauliflower mash, and a flourless brownie with chocolate sauce and ice cream.

I love plaids, or checks, gingham and tartan as I am used to calling the pattern. They are an iconic geometric classic. We see a large influx of them every year, especially in Autumn and Winter. Plaids can be loud or subtle, small or large, neutral or non-neutral, quiet or loud, and I adore them all. I wear them in all wardrobe items across neutrals and non-neutrals, and throughout the year. There is something playful about a plaid that makes me happy.

Here are five plaid outfit ideas that tickled my fancy. They each include a plaid item or two, and showcase interesting outfit components, silhouettes, and colour combinations.

1. Electric Earthy Windowpane

This outfit shows a clever remix of colour, pattern, texture and shine. A pair of relaxed straight taupe windowpane crops is paired with a heathered light cinnamon sweater. Stompy black boots match the model’s hair and dress down the vibe of the pants. A shiny short and sporty bright orange puffer tops the lot, and an even shinIer olive nylon tote is the choice of bag. Neither olive nor orange are repeated elsewhere in the outfit, yet they complement the sweater and pants.

2. Check Squared

Here, the same two-toned plaid patterns that differ only in scale and colour are worn together in an outfit. The black in both patterns and the rest of the outfit creates visual harmony. A cinnamon and black checked tiered skirt is paired with a black tucked sweater. The tuck lengthens the leg line from the hips upward and defines the waist. An unstructured black barn jacket tops the lot. Its open front creates a vertical and elongating line down the front of the outfit. Black stompy boots match the black of the outfit and dress down the skirt. The black and white plaid scarf adds a dramatic and interesting effect, which makes the look to my eye.

3. Fab Frocks and Skirts

For Team Plaid Dress and Skirt, here is more outfit inspiration. Notably, check out the various styles of footwear. From sandals, ballet fiats, Mary Janes, and pumps, to sneakers, booties, and tall boots. Take your pick.

4. Equestrian

For those who like to tuck skinnies into tall boots equestrian style, here’s a maximal outfit formula to consider. Choose any colour palette. Combine a fitted turtleneck with a blazer and belt the layered items at the waist. Wear them over skinny jeans tucked into tall boots. Here the brown belt matches the tall boots, creating outfit cohesion. Drape a plaid poncho, wrap, or ruana over the lot. Add a bag to match. If it’s a crossbody, wear it under the poncho and over the blazer. Alternatively, for a simpler version, leave off the belt, wear flat riding boots, and drape a plaid scarf over the blazer.

5. Strong and Subtle

Last is a version for those who prefer quiet plaids. I’m very fond of the combination of silhouettes and white loafers here, and would wear the clothes in a palette that is more to my taste. A pair of wide cropped olive barrel pants is combined with a fluid and tucked black sweater. Tucking the sweater defines the waist. A short grey and black plaid bomber-esque jacket with stand-up collar tops the lot. Refined and polished white loafers add a crisp, unexpected, and modern touch. To my eye they make the look, but you might prefer black loafers to match the top. Add a bag that works with the palette of the outfit. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Who bats for Team Plaid?

From a behind-the-scenes look at the field of textile conservation, to tips on how to end your relationship with your hairstylist, today I’m sharing 10 articles that caught my attention or gave me food for thought lately.

• After reading more about the costumes designed for The Buccaneers, I’m excited to watch this new TV show.
• From wedding gowns to a handmade 1930s evening dress, four women share their families’ tailoring traditions.
• Fashionista investigates how fashion schools should address adaptive design.
• They also report that department stores are rethinking their in-house contemporary brands for a new consumer.
• The Art of Dressing an Up-and-Coming Star.
• How to break up with your hairstylist? Huffpost asked actual stylists for their advice.
• The Profound Way That Keeping a Loved One’s Clothes Can Help You Grieve.
• Inside the World of Textile Conservation: conservators open up about their field, and how they got into it in the first place.
• Five women discuss their experiences with going grey in the workplace.
• For the perfume enthusiasts: Who What Wear asked 12 people in the beauty industry what scent they wore on their wedding day.

Fab Links from Our Members

Nuancedream lets us know that two-time Oscar winner Dame Maggie Smith is now featured in Loewe’s 2024 spring pre-collection campaign. That Puzzle handbag!

Roberta enjoyed browsing Lorenzo’s picks for knee-high boots this Fall.

If you’ve seen the TV series Our Flag Means Death, she also recommends this interview with the designer of those amazing costumes.

As a loungewear fan, Carol liked this vlogger’s “reverse” approach to wardrobe building. Instead of finding your style words, you start with what your days realistically look like.

Jaime directs us to this comprehensive consideration of what it means to have a slow fashion wardrobe.