Street style blogs popped up on my radar about four and a half years ago, around the same time that I discovered YLF. So many different people with very diverging style preferences, each putting together outfits that tell us something about who they are without having to say a single word. It still delights me no end. 

Over the years I’ve noticed that the outfits that really stand out to me, the ones that I file away for future reference, often fall into these five categories. Five very different categories, but all of which have at some point helped me get unstuck when I was in a bit of an outfit rut.

1. Who’s that girl? – A look that represents a fashion persona that is decidedly not my own, but is an inspiration for being so well executed.
2. Style detail – One element in the photo has caught my attention. It could be the luxurious fabrication or perfect drape of a midi skirt, the pocket placement on a blazer, a striking haircut… Here it’s the way the scarf has been tied (picture 3).
3. Colour palette – It’s not the particular clothes, or even the same silhouette that I’m after. But I love the colour combination and will try to create an ensemble around these colours that is more in keeping with my own style persona. Case in point: a ton-sur-ton look in this season’s gorgeous purples and burgundies. 
4. One tweak – With one small or major tweak I would feel completely happy and very me in the outfit. For example, I second Angie’s suggestion: switch out the black blouse for a crisp white button-down, and this sharp black trousers and loafers look will leave me breathless.
5. 100% copycat-ready – A look I want to wear from head to toe right now. Strong simplicity always calls my name, and this elegant wide leg trousers suit with green trim completely fits the bill. The simple gold watch and beautiful animal print clutch in grey tones are the perfect finishing touches.

How do you use street style photos? Have you perhaps noticed certain patterns? Do you also have an inspiration “classification system” or do you go about it more randomly?

Now in YLF Books

In his second book, The Sartorialist: Closer, Scott Schuman shares a new compilation of street style images snapped all over the globe. As is his habit, he mixes action shots of famous fashion figures with photos of people from different walks of life, always with one goal in mind: “to bring him closer to the true essence of the person while still capturing them as stylish subjects”.

Here are a few not so regular tuxedo jackets, three of which I have seen in person and fitted onto clients. None of them are black and classic “le smoking” with satin lapels. I love a classic tux jacket, but these are more playful, casual, and might be more to your taste. 

• Bowie Colour-Blocked Tuxedo Jacket: This one is for David Bowie fans. Loving the colour blocked stripe from wrist to wrist. Graphic fabness. 
• Bowie Printed Tuxedo Jacket: Another for the Bowie fans who like bright blue. 
• Cain Printed Jacket: This photographic print is even more wow in person. 
• Bowie Embroidered Jacket: This darling should have been called the “Le Bon” embroidered jacket because it screams Simon Le Bon. 

Match these up with classic black slacks, jeans, cigarette pants, slouchy trousers, pencil skirts or a sheath dress. Fabulous with the right pair of dressy shorts too. These jackets do not need to be reserved for fancy occasions. They’ll work as well in an office environment with appropriate business separates.

Have you always wanted to peek inside Dries Van Noten’s kitchen cabinets, wouldn’t mind a private tour of Hubert de Givenchy’s French castle? That’s Not My Age reports that you can now browse to your heart’s content in the December – fashion special – issue of The World of Interiors magazine.

Zara Home has been around for quite some time, and there’s good news for American shoppers. Since October 2012 their collection of home decor goods and furnishings is also available online for the US market.

These days all eyes are on Martin Margiela’s clothing collection for H&M, but did you know that the DNA of his fashion house also lives on in La Maison Champs Élysées, the first hotel decorated by Maison Martin Margiela?

Fab Links from Our Members

Laurinda has a soft spot for J.C. Penney and really appreciated their everyday low pricing. It appears this was not a successful strategy for the department store chain, so they are now trying a stores-in-stores concept.

What did Kristen Stewart wear to the premiere of the final Twilight movie? Parsley is afraid she will have to put this dress in the “What was she thinking?” category.

Shevia never realized how much bigger Zara is than its competitors and enjoyed reading all about How Zara Grew Into the World’s Largest Fashion Retailer.

Leather track pants? Angie says yes please: Chic, modern and comfortable – not words you would automatically associate with track pants…

Stef over at diversionsblog is so colourful, her outfits put a smile on my face on gloomy Autumn mornings, says Rabbit Heart. 

Annagybe loves this exclusive trio of leather jackets carefully hand painted by designers Ed Meadham and Ben Kirchhoff for NET-A-PORTER.

CocoLion enjoyed this piece on election day street style in NY City.

Carole related to this article about analyzing purchasing mistakes and highly recommends you check out the “four traps to avoid”.

Michelle is on the hunt for the perfect signature scent and was delighted to stumble upon Now Smell This, a website with a wealth of olfactory information.

I returned from working with a wonderful client a few days ago and posted this on our facebook page shortly thereafter: 

“There is a unique style confidence and grace that is conveyed by women in their 50’s and older. While working with my 52 year old client today, I was once more reminded of this special style je ne sais quoi that comes with age. I can’t wait to turn 50.”

As “je ne sais quoi” implies, it’s a quality that is not easily described. It’s like you’ve climbed Mount Everest after you’ve turned 50 and no one can touch your inner strength. You’ve loved, laughed and learned from life. Your experiences, wisdom and self-acceptance turn into a sense of  confidence and calm. An elegance, cool and grace that shines through in the way you dress and carry yourself. And sometimes it’s a wonderfully quirky and eccentric sense of elegance, cool and grace. 

Of course, younger gals are confident, cool and graceful too, but not in the same way. It isn’t quite as natural, relaxed, refined, strong and deliberate. These unique style qualities come with age, and they are powerful.

There are obvious advantages to being a youngster in a fashion conscious world. But growing older in style is just as fab. I believe this with all my heart because your ability to shine more brightly, own your look, exude confidence, and embrace all that makes you who you are cannot be beat. PLEASE don’t think your style becomes invisible after a certain age. If anything, your style becomes stronger because you are stronger.

I feel fortunate to work with my older clients and forum members. At 42 it is my job to guide them on their style journey, but they also constantly inspire my own style and the way I think about style. They make me even more excited about the next 42 years of my style.