This ensemble formula was inspired by a street style outfit that was captured by the Sartorialist. It’s a photo of Garance Dore in 2007 in an outfit that looks as hip and current right now as it did back then. And it’s five years old. Outfits with high longevity hold a special place in my heart because they still stand out in a sea of current trends and fashion forward mania. Furthermore, this is an ageless look. I can see my 25 year old and 75 year old clients wear the same concept their way. 

Here are the outfit components: 

• Striped Top: Think vertical two toned stripes in a T-shirt or sweater. I’ve stuck to black/navy and white because it’s a classic combination. 
• Blazer or Moto Jacket: Garance is wearing a classic black blazer which looks great. A black moto jacket is as much of a classic in my book, so I threw that in as another option. 
• Scarf: It speaks for itself. I chose a floral to pattern mix with the stripes. 
• Bottoms: Garance is wearing a pair of roomy khaki pants with pleats and pockets. Of course, you have many options depending on how classic or trendy your preference. Blue jeans, any silhouette from skinny to flared, are an easy and modern classic pairing. A denim skirt is another good match. Harem pants, combat pants and slouchy trousers are more fashion forward. Waxed jeans in burgundy, the colour of the season, are trendy. Tweed shorts and short flared minis are more youthful. 
• Casual footwear: Think booties, mid-calf boots, knee-high boots, Converse sneakers, fashionable high-tops or slipper flats. The tall boots look particularly good with the skirt, and Converse are great with jeans. And these days you can wear booties with anything. 
• Casual bag: I chose a simple black tote but the options are limitless. Cross body, patterns, snakeskin, a colour, or even a daytime clutch. Why not! 

As with all the formulas, I sow the seed of an idea. The next step is to interpret the look your way. Throw in the arm candy. Choose a different colour palette. Wear ballet flats. Wear white jeans. Add earrings. Add in a third pattern. This is a good outfit formula for all gals on the go. 

We are still chatting about Dana Thomas’ Deluxe – How Luxury Lost Its Luster on the forum. The kick-off thread has some very astute comments and keen insights from our forum members, and the book also led to an interesting discussion about how we define luxury and the items we are willing to splurge on.

While we continue the conversation it’s time to announce the next two Book Club titles so that everyone has enough time to get them and really dig in. We have selected two good ones that will definitely offer plenty food for thought:

• Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton (14 December 2012): A compelling documentary that allows us a look behind the scenes of Marc Jacobs’ own fashion label in the US and the ateliers of French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. With great insights into the creative and artistic process on both sides of the pond, and candid glimpses of the real person behind the successful business emporiums.

• The Truth About Style (11 January 2013): In her new book Stacy London shares her past personal struggles and her philosophy of the healing power of style. Through a series of makeovers with real-life women she demonstrates how personal style can help us become happier, healthier and more confident – perfect proof of her motto: “style can change your look, but it can also change your life”.

To whet your appetites I’d like to share a quote from Stacy London that captures the goal of the style makeovers in her new book beautifully:

“I know what it’s like to lose your sense of style, your sense of femininity, your sense of yourself… These aren’t makeovers but start-overs, they’re do-overs, a reconfiguration and reinterpretation of how we view ourselves. If you can see yourself in a new way, then you can believe yourself in a new way.” 

Quick reminder: On the Book Club page you can find the schedule of previous, current and future Book Club titles.

Cropped pants aren’t my favourite silhouette to start off with, but I firmly believe that they can be worn in flattering ways (here are my guidelines and more visuals of fabulous outfits with cropped pants). I have a pair that I love with all my heart, so I don’t have a poisoned eye for the cropped pants concept in general. 

But I do have a poisoned eye for the cropped pant silhouettes below. They are cropped to the ankle, or a few inches above the ankle, and wider at the hems. Some hems are as wide as bootcuts, whereas others are more tapered. But not nearly tapered enough to look flattering to my eye. I like the roominess on the thigh area, but that wider hem at a cropped length just about throws me over the edge. I find the visual effect of the proportions extremely unflattering and frumpy no matter how you slice and dice it. Not edgy and not attractive. 

I can count on one hand the looks that do not make it through my style filter. Cropped pants with wider hems as seen here is one of those looks. I am a HUGE nay. What’s your verdict?

Ever since reading about it in a magazine (I think it was InStyle, but it may have been Elle) I have been keen to road test this tip. 

So out came the Windex, a standard household glass cleaner, and the roll of paper towel. I sprayed windex directly onto two patent handbags and a few pairs of patent shoes and rubbed them dry with paper towel.

Bingo! It works especially well on black patent leather, making it look extra shiny and polished. My magpie gene is rejoicing.