Here are two items that went down well with my clients last week. The one is a dressy, ladylike wool coat with bright gold trim. The other one’s a casual, masculine, military inspired jacket made of a waxed cotton that is machine washable. 

• Double Cloth Great Coat: A modern classic wool coat that’s warm and always looks chic. Absolutely gorgeous in the dark navy option. If I hadn’t just bought an ink blue coat, this would be a strong contender because of its crisp and versatile integrity. 

• Downtown Field Jacket: Perfect for mild Autumn and Winter weather in a casual setting. The hidden waist tab allows for some waist adjustment, although it’s still quite a boyish and boxy jacket. Both olive and navy colour options are fab. 

It’s fantastic to see coat and jacket options in colours and neutrals besides black and grey this season. My clients and I are rejoicing. Long may it last.

I’m conflicted about sporty puffy vests (or “body warmers” as I grew up calling them). I wore them a lot as a child and teen when I went horse riding, so I think of them as authentic equestrian sports gear and not fashion. Also, they are often worn very casually here in Seattle along with gear like t-shirts, fleece, yoga pants and Keens. This is not a fab look to my eye unless you’re going for a power walk or attending a sporting event. 

The photos below illustrate how I like puffy vests worn best: with a good dose of trendy fashion. Some of the looks are casual whereas others are more dressed up. Some vests are very puffy while others are less so. Some are neutral and some are bright. 

Try wearing a puffy vest in a less outdoorsy way by creating a less expected juxtaposition of ensemble items. Mix in a bit of glam and texture. For example, layer a puffy vest over head to toe denim matched with pointy toe pumps. Wear it with on trend sweat pants and booties. With leather pants and heeled oxfords. With a sparkly skirt. Over a dress with leg warmers and boots. With tailored trousers and a cashmere sweater. Over a silky blouse with shooties. With slouchy trousers and heeled sandals. Take the puffy vest out of its sporty box.  

Would you wear a puffy vest, and if so how would you wear it? Do you like the way puffy vests are being worn in the outfits shown here?

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.