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. 

This poll is about the colour red because it’s trending strongly for Fall and Winter 2012, especially in its darker hues.

You are on Team Dark Red if you prefer crimson, claret, burgundy, oxblood, maroon, sangria and bordeaux. These reds are deep, rich, earthy and at times bordering a shade of purple. You are on Team Bright Red if you prefer acidic shades like tomato red, fire engine red or pillar box red. These types of red border on a shade of orange.

I am 100% Team Bright Red because tomato red is one of my favourite colours. I personally prefer a red that has a lot of yellow in it, although I love a deep red on others. I have never worn dark red, not even as a toenail polish. That said, I might wear a pattern that incorporates a bit of dark red if it’s surrounded by crisp, sour colours. 

Over to you. Are you Team Dark Red or Team Bright Red? If you like dark red, this is your season! 

This is the third in a series of ensembles that I’m creating for Havaianas. For this one I chose their Slim Geometric flip flop design, which was inspired by the Portuguese tiles that adorn the facades of old colonial houses in Brazil. 

Flip flops are ideal for hot beach and pool settings because they are extremely casual, waterproof, ventilating, and slip on and off in less than two ticks. 

This beach and pool outfit formula is more casual than the kaftan look, and it’s easy to put together. First, you’ll need a flared knitted skirt with an elasticated waistband for easy  pull on and pull off action. Surprisingly, you can find these types of skirts at sporting goods stores. Choose your desired length, colour, solid or pattern. I’ve chosen an on trend emerald high-low skirt as one option, and a more classic, longer black fit-and-flare skirt as a second option. These skirts are practical, comfortable and double up as a swimsuit cover-up.

Add a fitted t-shirt or tank top over the skirt, wearing your swimsuit under the ensemble. I’ve chosen a white tee because I love white, but feel free to choose any colour. Add a cropped sleeveless denim vest as a third layer, and I vote faded for an extra relaxed vibe. It’s also fun to wear the denim vest over your swimsuit as a cover-up. 

Lastly, add a pair of flip flops, eyewear, sunhat and beach tote. I chose aviators because I adore RayBans. I chose a canvas cap as an alternative to a straw hat with a wide brim, just to change things up. I threw in a patterned tote because stripes are a nautical classic. Pack a set of underwear so that you can change out of your wet swimsuit on the way home. Bob’s your uncle: You’re ready for a day at the beach or pool.   

As with all the outfit formulas, absorb the concept and substitute the items with ones that are more to your taste. Wearing a pair of cut off shorts, tee or tank, and flip flops is an extremely popular outfit combination for the beach and pool these days. But remember those easy breezy skirts too!