Models with short hair are so few and far between. That’s why I especially enjoyed the Max Mara campaign for their Spring 2013 Studio line.

Refinery29 has asked the pros for tips on the best tools for your hair type.

I’ve always been fascinated with film director David Lynch’s hair and this comparison to fine art equivalents had me in stitches.

Fab Links from Our Members

If anyone over fifty needs some style inspiration, then look no further than Linda Rodin, says CocoLion.

Vildy was almost seduced to buy a Made In Lieu sweater when she realized she doesn’t actually wear sweatshirts…

Qfbrenda is not a commuter but loved Alison’s suggestions on how to look good in bad weather.

In light of Angie’s Jeans Q&A, RoseandJoan recommends Paula Cocozza’s article on the success of the skinny jean.

David Bowie turned 66. The perfect time to look back at his eclectic style, says Caro, who loves Mr. Bowie in a suit.

Velvetychocolate was surprised to learn that much higher numbers of men are battling eating disorders than previously thought.

Mrs. Obama’s inauguration outfit launched Kyle into orbit. She refers us to The Huffington Post for more details about the First Family’s style choices.

And for those of us who admire Michelle Obama’s approachable and doable style, Vicki found this blog dedicated to her current and past looks.

Nadya is very taken with the idea to limit either your colours or your shapes to help build a more cohesive wardrobe.

Angie is impressed with this extreme commitment to slouch, and wonders (as do I) how those trousers stay up.

“Celliant is a new type of fabric that increases circulation and blood oxygen levels by converting visible and invisible light to energy.” JulieJohn is particularly interested in its practical applications.

The Big Picture brings news stories in photographs. Krista thought this set of photos from famous and obscure fashion shows absolutely brilliant.

We saw soft printed blazers trending last year. This season we’re seeing floral jackets make a statement. Not just in blazer styles, but in bomber and denim jacket silhouettes, moto styles and tuxedo shapes. Floral patterns are large, small, ditsy, abstract, bright, pastel, neutral or tonal. Lots of variety. 

I bought a soft grey floral blazer last year in a tuxedo style and loved it. I found it quite versatile, wearing it over dresses and with trousers, denim cut-offs and jeans. It was a great weight for Seattle Summers, adding a nice dressy touch to denim. Unfortunately it’s slipping and fraying at the seams and cannot be fixed. So I’m looking to replace my floral blazer with another, and hence it went onto my Spring shopping list. I’m unsure whether to go neutral, pastel or bright, but clearly I’m a yay vote on this trend. To my eye it looks fresh, romantic and fun. I’m also not opposed to wearing a floral trouser suit. 

My clients have generally enjoyed wearing patterned jackets and blazers, but that’s across a spectrum of patterns and not just floral. Some won’t wear florals at all because they feel prissy, precious, frumpy and like a garden tea party. Others will only entertain the idea in quiet neutrals or tones of the same colour. Others are open to wearing a floral jacket, but have not found the right floral pattern yet. And some just won’t wear patterns, full stop. 

Over to you. Do you like the trend and would you wear a floral jacket?

By transitional footwear I mean shoes that you can wear in mild weather that’s not too hot or cold. Breezier than booties but more insulated than sandals. 

• Kate Spade New York ‘Gwen’ Flat: I have this pointy toe flat on my radar in either silver or gold because the silhouette is ladylike and modern. I love the way it looks with skirts, frocks and tapered jeans or trousers. Warning: it does make your feet look long, and the toe box, although regular width, will pinch if you prefer a roomy fit. I find that the pinch of pointy toes sometimes goes away with wear, but your mileage may vary. Also available in red and black. 
• Attilio Giusti Leombruni Pinked Loafer: It’s rare to see a shoe in an air force blue. So fab! The best part about the shoe is that the heel isn’t quite flat. 
• Joe’s ‘Dakota’ Flat: More sci-fi fabness. Size up at least half a size. 
• Cole Haan ‘Monroe Reflective’ Loafer: Extremely comfy and a true updated classic. Comes in fun colours and a cool reflective silver. 
• Anyi Lu Sophia Pump: Anyi Lu keeps repeating this style because it’s a winner. Particularly versatile as a textured neutral. 
• Indigo by Clarks Purity Snow Pump: This one is for high heeled wedge fans. Casual, textured, patterned and neutral. 

Most of these shoes are “slip-on” styles, some with low vamps and some with higher vamps. If you have trouble with ballet flats or pumps staying on your feet, try slip-on shoes with higher vamps. They provide better support and don’t slip off as you stride.

This is a very impractical outfit to wear in a dirty city, but I can’t help it. I LOVE wearing shades of white, and seeing as it’s one of my style goals to wear more white this year, I’m walking my talk. The visual effect of wearing so much white is clean and crisp, while the feeling is luxurious. There’s also something magical about the juxtaposition of bright white against the urban grit of city life. 

This outfit is almost Winter white from head to toe. I wanted to wear a Winter white and gold form fitting turtleneck, but I didn’t have one when I shopped my closet (note to self: add this item to the shopping list.) So I went with my indispensable wardrobe essential, a fine gauge black merino wool turtleneck, instead. Form fitting black turtlenecks make me look curvier and larger in the bust, which is my small nod to the Kingdom of Bombshell.

I’ve had a pair of drapey and lined Winter white trousers with narrow hems on my list for ages, and was pleased to find these Modern Sporty Twill Straight Leg Pants at Ann Taylor last year. Mine aren’t as fitted as they are on the model, which suits me just fine because I generally prefer looser fits. Soft, lined trousers like these are so comfortable that it sometimes makes me wonder why I wear jeans at all. And then I remember that we live in an age of casualization. Yup, jeans just work better in certain settings.

It’s been cold in Seattle so that means that I layer a jacket under a coat to keep toasty warm, and keep my jacket on indoors when my coat comes off. The leather jacket, a sentimental and favourite piece because Greg bought it for me, is five years old and still going strong. I travel with it, wear it frequently, and it hasn’t been professionally cleaned once. I firmly believe that if you’re careful and look after your white items, they look good for a long time. The coat I’ve also had for years, but that goes to the cleaners at the end of the season. 

I finished off the outfit with a plaid belt, small black clutch and off white patent booties. I originally paired my cream snake skin booties with the outfit, which worked well. Then I thought it would be fun to extend the line of the leg with the same colour booties as the trousers. I was torn which option to wear, so I asked my in-house fashion stylist Greg what he thought. He preferred the dramatic sci-fi vibe of the solid cream booties, so that was that. As usual, I sport no jewelry apart from a watch, wedding ring and specs.

It was fun to run into our friend Ruth who was walking their sweet little Spaniel Eddie downtown while we were prepping this photo shoot. Eddie is a bundle of happy, wagging, warm, loving energy and we had to say hello. I’m polished but not precious. Sharing cuddles with a gorgeous doggie is top priority, with or without a Winter white outfit.

We won’t be attending New York Fashion Week in February, but if we were, I’d have worn this outfit on the first day. In a sea of ultra trendy, spunky, creative and avant-garde outfits, I enjoy making a statement with graphic modern classics.