Wong Kar-Wai’s poetic film, In the Mood for Love, set in 1962 Hong Kong tells the story of newspaper editor Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and secretary Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) who move into neighbouring apartments on the same day. Soon they discover their spouses are having an affair. Hurt and angry they find comfort in their growing friendship, but while trying to piece together the circumstances behind the affair, they realize they now need to come to terms with their own mutual attraction.

This movie with its outstanding acting, the poetic and melancholic story, compelling music and deep film noir colours is a must-see in my book. I could watch it over and over again just for actress Maggie Cheung’s movie wardrobe alone. During filming she wore a total of forty-six different cheongsams, the straight, body-hugging silk dress with a high neck and short sleeves worn traditionally by Chinese and Indonesian women. Not all of them made the final cut, but there were more than enough left to leave me breathless. This is my type of alluring! The cheongsams are exquisitely elegant, formfitting but very covered-up, with the slit skirt showing just a hint of leg, and the bare arms contrasting beautifully with the high collar.

I’ve seen this type of dress work outside the movies too. At my sister’s wedding, a friend of hers wore a stunning bright red version with a gold and green pattern. Brigitte is a tall lass with a blond pixie and a long neck, the dress fit her perfectly. She certainly stood out that night, but it didn’t feel contrived or out of place at all. It was without a doubt an unusual choice, and a very individual look that really appealed to me. We all agreed that she was one of the best dressed guests at the wedding.

Do you like cheongsams? And would you ever consider wearing one yourself for a party or a special occasion?

We’re talking about the crease lines that are deliberately pressed into the centre front and back of both men and women’s trousers as shown in the photos below. 

I have an irrational dislike for crease lines on my own trousers. I iron them out immediately when a new pair comes into my wardrobe. I also inform the cleaners, “no crease lines, please”. Strangely, I do like the creases on Greg’s trousers. I also don’t mind seeing these crease lines on the trousers of others. But when it comes to my own trousers, I definitely prefer the way they look sans the crease. I guess I feel more polished and streamlined that way. It’s illogical, but there you have it. I cannot make peace with this particular crease.  

I am a nay vote for me, but a yay vote on others. What’s your verdict? Do centre crease lines enhance the look of trousers, thereby adding vertical integrity and elongating the leg line. Or do they take away from them.

After the controversy over Chinese-produced Team USA uniforms, Ralph Lauren pledges that, beginning with the 2014 Olympics, the uniforms will be made in the United States. In the meantime, FLARE Magazine takes a look at some of the biggest designers in fashion who are dressing athletes for every moment of the Games. Jamaica wins gold for the most cheerful uniform, wouldn’t you agree?

Can wearing the right-coloured outfit make the difference between walking away empty-handed or with a medal? The Guardian did some research into the psychology of dressing for Olympic success.

From French tennis player René Lacoste to twelve time swim medalist Dara Torres, in honour of the 2012 Olympics, Lucky Magazine pays tribute to the hundred most fashionable sports stars of all time.

Fab Links from Our Members

Sarah found a fun board on Pinterest, where the pinner creates outfits based on Disney characters.

Apparently refreshing one’s hairstyle is overrated. Rae was highly amused by this tip on how to become a fashion icon.   

Angie is super excited about the “Miss Wu” collection that designer Jason Wu is creating for Nordstrom. The collection will be a few price points above Target, and Angie has high hopes that the fabrications will be luxurious. 

Laurinda recommends this Design Fix DIY to sew a hospital gown that is fashionable and more comfortable – and also a great way to introduce a newborn to colour and pattern.

Who says prom dresses have to cost a pretty penny. Gaylene thinks this 17-year old girl had a lot of fun making her own dress by using her math homework as the material. 

Shevia is smitten with the combination of lace, length and pointy-toed flat loafers in Giorgia’s outfit, and would love to find a similar pair of peds for herself. 

Last but not least, SuzyCue discovered this wonderful tutorial on fitting denim over at Grasping for Objectivity. Blogger Rachel used twelve volunteers with different body types to model the jeans! 

This is the last post in a four part series for Nordstrom. In the first three posts I shared ensembles based on Phoebe’s, Meredith’s and my own purchases at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Today our final model is another client and friend, the stunning Bei-jing, who first appeared in YLF after last year’s Anniversary Sale. 

I use this particular outfit formula all the time because I bat for Team Jacket and you need lots of layers when you live in Seattle. By layering a jacket under a coat you keep the structured integrity of the outfit when you remove the coat indoors. For this formula you’ll need a fairly streamlined indoor jacket or blazer, and a coat that layers comfortably over the entire ensemble. All my blazers and leather jackets can be layered under my coats and trench coats. For me, this is a prerequisite when I fit my coats. 

Bei-Jing said to me recently that she was done wearing form fitting items from head to toe, and that she wanted to tone down the hard edge in her look. Her hairstyle is enough edge at this point. At age 40, she still wants to dress in a theatrical, retro, bold and spunky way, but she also wants to amp up the “lady like” aspect of her style. Simplifying the components of her outfits and wearing roomier silhouettes was all important. It was very interesting to hear how Bei-Jing wanted to evolve her style because it was similar to the way I felt when I turned 40 a couple of years ago.

With this in mind we tackled NAS preselection. Bei-Jing is a HUGE skirt wearer and it was love at first sight when she saw Rachel Roy’s Crepe Combo Print Skirt (1). She loves the ’40s vibe of the longer length, which is midi on her petite height. The patterned panel down the centre front made for fun pattern mixing possibilities. 

Amber Sun’s Double Breasted Jacket (2) was just the type of lightweight topper that Bei-Jing was looking for. She liked the boxy fit, low stance, double breasted button detail, side entry pockets and back tab feature. Retro, yet modern, and so very much her look. Bei-Jing went home with all three colours because, with a simple layering top, they work over her wide assortment of pencil skirts. But she does like the teal blue best! 

We could have added black footwear to this ensemble, but adding an old pair of animal print mary janes (3) was “more Bei-Jing”. A bit of mismatched, on trend pattern mixing is right up her style alley. Although Bei-Jing is not wearing hose in the photo, she’d sport nude or sheer black with the outfit for Fall and Winter. 

Last but not least, Bei-Jing gasped with delight when she saw the orange Kenneth Cole New York Notch Collar Bouclé Coat (4). She fitted it on right then and there. The one button styling is super modern and the deep V-neck extra flattering on a full bust. “I love it when my boobs can breath!”, says Bei-Jing. She bought the size that allows for several layers underneath, and is loving the orange matched with teal.

You know the drill when it comes to the formulas: Absorb the concept and substitute the items so that they reflect YOUR style.

A very big thank you to my gorgeous clients who modeled so effortlessly to help make this series come alive. Meredith, Phoebe and Bei-Jing, as always I LOVE shopping with you. We laugh up a storm, work fast and hard, make fab selections, and have loads of fun together. You rock my style world.