AnOther analyzes the body language of models posing for some of this season’s most unique ad campaigns. A fun read!

Refinery29 introduces us to six models who are considered the faces of plus-size fashion today.

Androgynous design has always been one of Hedi Slimane’s trademarks, so it didn’t come as a surprise that he has now picked Dutch female model Saskia De Brauw to star in Saint Laurent Paris’ first menswear campaign.

Fab Links from Our Members

Greg found this slide show on Politico that looks back at some of Michelle Obama’s outfits in 2012.

What do we tell the world when we choose to wear makeup… or not? MaryK thought this round-table discussion very interesting.

This Yves Saint Laurent frock from 1966 made Angie look twice. Very clever indeed.

Suz recommends this article about writer Katherine Govier’s “Shoe Project”,  in which she uses shoes as an entry point to learn the stories of women who have immigrated to Canada.

When she runs out of outfit inspiration Lyn* uses the colour palettes on Design Seeds to help her find complementary colours.

Caro discovered these great before and after visuals that once again show just how important the right bra can be.

Laurinda’s resolution for 2013 is to be less ironic, both in clothes and words. Therefore she really enjoyed Passage des Perles’ blog post reminding us how pervasive irony has become.

It’s never essential to evolve your style. My style is in a happy place at the moment, so I doubt my style shifts will be dramatic or even all that noticeable as we head into 2013. That said, I’m always looking for ways to inject newness into my look, no matter how subtle the change, because that’s part of what makes my style journey fun. Combining constancy with change is a prerequisite for my style at the start of each new year and fashion season. 

In 2013 I will strive to keep the following aspects of my style constant: 

• Combining the classics with a big dose of modern as I incorporate new trends
• A colour palette of black, shades of white, and sour brights
• Equal parts Boyish and Ladylike
• Dressy
• Polish
• Simplicity
• Crispness
• Strictness
• No jewelry, except for my watch and wedding ring
• Low heels
• Very little make-up and no fingernail polish
• Gold

As for the changes, this is what I’m craving: 

• Softness: I rediscovered my love for light blue last year and want to continue exploring pretty pastels. 
• Refinement: More and more I appreciate a sense of refinement across all wardrobe items. I LOVE menswear inspired shoes and clothing, but they must look refined and not rugged. 
• Romance: I adore lace and flirty midi skirts with movement. I want more.   
• Pointy Toed Footwear: I’m going to wear more low heeled and flat pointy toed pumps after re-acquiring the taste with a recent purchase of pointy toed, heeled oxfords. I’m in the mood to combine the severity of pointy toes with soft dressing. I wish I could wear dainty pointy toed shoes with ankle straps, but my feet have rejected ankle straps. Perhaps I’ll find a magical pair that works. 
• Trousers: Still crazy about all sorts of trouser silhouettes and can’t wait to sport the new long shorts shape for Summer. 
• Ink blue: I keep on craving more of it in my wardrobe. It’s softer than black, beautiful with white, and very chic. 
• White: I already wear a lot of white and cream, but want to wear even more. 

I don’t make resolutions, and I don’t hold myself to a rigid set of style goals. Style goals are important, but they must be flexible enough to allow for spontaneity. I’ll look back on this post at the end of the year and compare my thoughts to how my style actually evolved over 2013. Always an interesting exercise!  

Over to you. Do you have thoughts on how you plan to evolve your style this year?

A tailored fit means that items follow the contour of the body and are neither overly form fitting nor oversized. They are structured and define the waistline. Tailored fits are forever flattering and always in style. 

Here are a few tailored pieces from Nordstrom that are well made, fitted and a little different. Wear them to work or over the weekend by dressing them up or down. 

• Max & Mia Plaid Riding Blazer: Equestrian fabness in a classic tartan complete with playful elbow patches. The high-low hemline is attractive as is the buckle detailing. Wear it both open and closed. 
• Ted Baker London Jacquard Blazer: Tuxedo-esque. One button jackets with low stances look modern and especially good on a larger bust. Fun colour blocked collar too. 
• Two by Vince Camuto Metallic Moto Jacket: I have my eye on this cropped moto as a way to introduce the space-age trend into my wardrobe. Another item for Team Magpie, and machine washable at that. 
• Just Cavalli Alligator Print Pencil Skirt: An animal print of a different nature. Graphic. 
• Armani Collezioni Tonal Windowpane Blouse: The back button detailing ensures a tailored fit. Great length and beautiful fabrication. Classic, crisp and always in style. 
• Only Mine Stripe Cashmere Sweater (Petite): Green is Pantone’s colour for Spring 2013. Get a head start with this space-striped sweater. Personally I prefer the navy and ivory option, but the green looks fresh for 2013. 
• Gallery Two Tone Asymmetrical Coat (Plus): I can’t resist another cheerful Spring darling, although the weight of this weatherproof trench is perfect for mild Winters. Revere collar, princess seams and side entry pockets create a flattering line on the body. Runs a little large, which makes it ideal for layering. 

All my clients wear tailored fits and the oversized fit is increasing in popularity. With a few exceptions, like the weather-practical jeggings tucked into boots combination, it’s the body con fit that is being left in the dust.

It warms my heart to kick off 2013 with an outfit that was inspired by Greg, the person who inspires me most. For starters, I’m wearing his happy colours, namely ink blue, grey, black and a touch of white. Quite the opposite to my happy tomato red, citron, apple green and turquoise. Nevertheless, this outfit has a high happiness factor and here’s why. 

First, the jodhpur jeans need no introduction. They’ve caused a stir and continue to evoke a passionate reaction by those who see them. Fabulous to some, and desperately unflattering to others. Greg, whose style judgement I trust implicitly, found them for me in Milan a few years ago and that was that. I love everything about these jeans. Their unique cut, quality, fit, non-stretch, comfort level, faded wash and history. The fact that Greg chose them on a shopping trip while we were on holiday when he does NOT like to shop is the cherry on top. They are my most special pair of jeans of all time, and I am never passing them on to another home.

Second, the Vince colourblock turtleneck sweater was a birthday gift from dear friends and I’ve worn the heck out of it. It’s warm, non-itchy, on trend, a turtleneck, and in my new favourite neutral – ink blue. The high-low hemline has its advantages and its roomy fit is fun to wear. I usually wear a tucked top and belt with these jeans, but I’m also enjoying the untucked slouch with the bagginess of the jeans because it makes them feel “new”. The effect here is both structured and unstructured, which is a combination I am most drawn to at the moment. 

Third, my new Loeffler Randal lizard print booties were love at first sight. Refined, low-heeled, crisp, tailored, graphic, a little masculine, and very comfortable. Along with my cream snake skin booties, they’ve become wardrobe workhorses because I can wear them with most of my jeans and trousers. They do make my feet look extra long, but that’s fine by me.

Fourth, the ink blue military coat — my Edward Cullen Coat — is streamlined and classic. Combining it with avant-garde jeans, a trendy pullover and eye-catching booties grounds the outfit making it feel “right” for my style. After all, I’m happiest when I am wearing at least one modern classic piece. Furthermore, it’s Greg’s favourite coat, so much so that I think he wants an ink blue military coat too. 

Finally, the sporty colour blocked bag is an old favourite that comes out to play in Winter. The white parts brighten up what is often a very grey Seattle day. It also picks up the white in the boots and in my specs. I’m not wearing jewelry other than my wedding ring and watch. 

Sometimes we wear outfits that are extremely flattering both in colour and silhouette, but they don’t quite hit that top notch happy-factor. Other times we wear outfits that are less flattering in a conventional sense, but for a myriad of reasons make us extremely happy. This is one of those outfits. It is already being filed away for my 2013 year-end favourites list. 

We at YLF wish you a healthy, prosperous, adventurous and fun 2013 filled with outfits that make you happy!