This post is a little late this season, so without further ado, let’s get to it because Autumn has officially begun. Here are my top 13 must haves for Fall and Winter 2012. The items cut across all body types, lifestyles, budgets, fashion personas and age groups. It’s a question of finding the right version of that item that works best for you. 

1. Booties: All outfits can be worn with some form of bootie these days. From jeans, classic pants, cropped pants, jumpsuits and trendy trousers, to dresses, skirts and shorts. An assortment of booties, from casual to dressy, in all sorts of colours, heel heights, patterns, fabrications and styles is THE way to amp up your cold weather wardrobe. Start building a bootie collection. 
2. Trousers: It’s the third trouser season in a row, and the abundance is amazing. Add a few pairs of trousers to your wardrobe, be they classic boot cuts, wide legs, slouchy styles, a baggy silhouette with waist pleats, cigarette pants or harem pants. 
3. Leather: Add a leather (or pleather) piece to your wardrobe, be it a jacket, coat, skirt, pair of pants or shorts, dress or top. A leather trimmed item is just as on trend and a nice substitute if a full leather piece is not your thing. Think ALL colours of leather. 
4. Texture: Faux fur is an easy way to add texture to your outfit. So are items in suede, bouclé knit, houndstooth, tweed, mole skin and waxed denim. 
5. Pattern: Pattern mixing is bigger than ever and judging by what I see on the catwalks for next year, there is no stopping the trend. Think pattern in ALL wardrobe items. If patterned clothing is not your thing, think patterned belts and bags. 
6. Colour: Add colour to that neutral wardrobe in the form of brights, pastels, earth tones, mid tones or jewel tones. We will miss the colour when it’s not as widely available so stock up now. 
7. A Chunky item of Knitwear: Think cables and fisherman’s rib knitwear in pullovers and fast pull-on cardigans. Wear them oversized or in a tailored silhouette. 
8. Something Burgundy: It’s the colour of the season and any wardrobe item in burgundy will count. 
9. Something Metallic: If the sci-fi trend is too crazy, there’s always lurex thread and sequins to use as a substitute. 
10. Something Oversized: Surrender your shape, ladies. Think oversized knitwear, a boxy jacket, boyfriend jeans, slouchy trousers or something else that looks too big but is supposed to fit in an extra roomy way. 
11. Something Lace: Lace is a classic, although as a nod to the Baroque trend it’s particularly on trend at the moment. Think lace top, dress, skirt, trousers, shorts, jacket or shoes. If a lace item is over the top, sport a lace trimmed item instead. 
12. Daytime Clutch: You can probably think of 10 bad reasons not to carry a daytime clutch handbag, but I can think of five good ones and will cover them next week. I dare you to sport a daytime clutch.
13. Something Out of Your Style Comfort Zone: Last but not least, try a daring outfit combination, a new colour, a new clothing or footwear style, a new pattern, or an atypical item for your style persona that speaks to you for some reason. Just for fun. 

Peplums, slipper flats, high top sneakers, sassy sweatshirts, utility jackets, midis, printed pants, metal capped footwear, flat oxfords, menswear inspirations, vintage brooches and strappy pumps are a few more ways to add seasonal pizazz to your cold weather look. 

I’ve just ordered a chunky item of knitwear after not wearing chunky knits for 20 years. I have my eye on a pleated rubberized midi skirt to take me out of my comfort zone. And I’ve just bought a multi coloured pullover with a burgundy stripe as my nod to the burgundy trend. If these work out, my items on this list are covered. How about you?

I’ve been saving my new blush pink moto jacket to wear in October so that I could make a special statement for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). My Mum died of cancer 12 years ago and pink was her favourite colour. So I like to make a point of wearing pink, the international colour associated with breast cancer awareness, at this time of year to express my support for those who are currently fighting cancer. I also want to pay my respects to those who have passed away. 

I don’t wear pastels other than light blue and faded denim because I prefer black and white, and sour brights. But in the same way that I unexpectedly fell in love with a mid-toned pink floral midi dress last year, I fell in love with this blush moto jacket at this years Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It keeps your style journey interesting when you go for something out of character, don’t you think? 

Blush pink is not my best colour because it washes me out. But I can make it work if I wear it with stronger colours that are flattering against my complexion, like black, white, cream, charcoal grey, tomato red, coral and citron. Here, I’ve added a blush and slate grey silk scarf right up by my face to bring out the colour in my cheeks as well as strengthen the softness of the jacket. I further strengthen the shade of blush leather by wearing a richer shade of blush lipstick.  

All you need is a tailored, good quality top to provide an effective and crisp backdrop for the scarf and jacket. These refined wool crewneck pullovers by Valette are ideal for me because they are simple in design, warm, high in the neckline, and beautifully made. I love the back buttoning detail too. I bought this style in three colours because I can wear them for eight months of the year in Seattle with all my bottoms. The black that I’m wearing here provides a nice contrast with the blush, and bookends my retro specs. 

These are the same charcoal trousers that I wore a couple of months ago for a semi-structured trouser look. They are my favourite wool trousers, not just because the fabric is luxurious, but because they are “baggy and fitted” at the same time. That’s my favourite type of fit at the moment because it’s extra comfortable and looks modern to my eye. 

I enjoy tucking tops into trousers, so that means wearing a belt to fill up those belt loops. I chose a nondescript black belt to create a column of colour beneath the blush moto and scarf.

I finished off the look with an old pair of black patent biker shoeties and small black Chanel day clutch. I actually prefer this outfit with my cream snake skin booties because the effect is softer, and the pattern mixing interesting. These black booties, as much as I love them, can look too severe at times. But hubby Greg preferred this outfit with the black booties because it created a clean line from top to toe, and their buckles matched my belt buckle. So I wore them for him!

My minimal accessory style means no jewelry apart from my watch and wedding ring. 

The happiness factor of this outfit is a ten out of ten because I love wearing trousers, and because the sentiment behind the pink moto jacket is a meaningful one. If you like to wear pink, please join me by wearing any shade of pink this month to show our support for BCAM and for all those who are fighting or have suffered from cancer. I’m thinking of you and your favourite colour Mum.

We are excited to kick off the second season of YLF Book Club with Vidal Sassoon The Movie. This wonderful documentary offers a look into the public and private life of the legendary hairdresser who is said to have changed the world with a pair of scissors. He was a self-made man who pioneered in the 1960s with his “wash and wear” philosophy and turned his Bond Street shop into a hugely successful business empire. Be sure to drop by the Book Club forum to join the discussion.

While watching the footage of the very talented Mr. Sassoon interacting with his clients, I suddenly remembered this article about “getting therapy at the salon”. It claims that many people feel more comfortable discussing emotional problems and personal issues with their hairdresser than with a therapist. There is just something about this specific dynamic with both parties facing the mirror that invites personal confidences. I too believe that hitting it off with your stylist not only increases your chances of getting a fab haircut, but also makes for a more pleasant pampering experience. And yes, after a session with Ilse, my stylist, I always walk out the door feeling positive and more relaxed. We are about the same age and we both love fashion. Last time we chatted about our Fall purchases and swooned over her new loot: an amazing pair of bright green knee-high boots and the most splendid ink blue leather biker jacket. But we also talk about less light-hearted topics, from family problems and health issues to how to cope with aging parents. I feel at home with her and her team, and that’s definitely one of the reasons why I’ve become a loyal customer.

How about you? Do you and your stylist chat about more than haircuts alone? Have you ever switched salons because you just didn’t get along with the person doing your hair? And, conversely, is it harder to leave a salon when you are no longer happy with their services but really like your hairdresser?

New in YLF Books

Budget fashionista extraordinaire, Kathryn Finney, has been writing about how to be stylish without breaking the bank since 2003. Her first book, How to Be a Budget Fashionista – The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less, has been called “the bible of being stylish on a budget”, and is currently in its sixth print. It is filled with smart budgeting tricks, money-saving shopping tips, down-to-earth style advice for all sizes and fashion personas, and suggestions on how to become an expert in the art of bargain hunting. Her motto: being frugal and looking fabulous are not mutually exclusive. 

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

I’m really enjoying the way that Net-a-Porter is showcasing their products recently. This casual outfit, which they created for the converse sneakers, spoke to me for many reasons. First, it’s easy to pull together, and you’ll probably have similar pieces in your closet right now.  Second, I love the juxtaposition of the glitzy collar with the oh-so-relaxed sneakers and denim jacket. I love the pairing of a ladylike blouse with casual bottoms. I love the pattern mixed effect of the blouse and bag. I love that this outfit is comfortable and stylish.

The combination is particularly easy to replicate in neutrals with a dash of colour, but any colour palette is workable. There are five components to the outfit, each of which can be customized to suit YOUR style: 

1. Stretchy Pants: The Gap Real Skinny pants that I’m wearing in this outfit are a great way to recreate this look. A pair of Ponte knit pants, or stretchy cigarette pants will work too. As will a pair of black straight leg jeans or leather jeggings.   
2. Glam Blouse: The extreme juxtaposition of the untucked glam blouse with the casual outfit is precisely what I find appealing. Sure, you can substitute the glam for casual, but you won’t achieve the same interesting effect. No need to sport sequins and beading as long as the blouse has a dressy aspect to it. Feel free to unbutton the blouse, or wear a glam V-neck top.  
3. Denim jacket: This item speaks for itself.  
4. Converse Sneakers: I’d wear my yellow Chucks, but any fashion sneaker will do. Perhaps a fashion forward high top sneaker will tickle your fancy? Go with a little wedge or keep it flat. Try boat shoes if sneakers aren’t your thing. Casual flat oxfords would look great too.  
5. Accessories: The patterned tote makes the outfit to my eye. And there’s even a little arm candy action that bookends the glam of the blouse. So fab! 

This outfit formula is a super way for a gal on the go to feel casual yet pulled together, on trend and ready for action. I’m going to sport this look over the weekend while the weather is mild as I have similar wardrobe pieces. Part of me is toying with the idea of whipping out my black pencil skirt instead of my black skinnies. Let the outfit experimentation begin!