A couple months ago, I enjoyed a lovely Saturday morning cruising the stores in downtown Seattle with “my fashion friends”  – at least that’s what I call the diverse  group of women that get together for YLF meet-ups every few months. Even though there is a rotating mix of women who come to these events (and always at least a couple of new faces) and even though I don’t even see the “regulars” more than twice a year, I feel a connection that goes beyond a mere shared interest in fashion and that truly feels like friendship.

I’ve talked to a couple of other “YLF oldies” (nothing to do with age – just referring to women who’ve followed Angie’s blog and who have participated in real-world events for a couple years or more), and it seems like I’m not alone with this sentiment. When I asked Amy, a regular Forum contributor, what she expected from her very first YLF brunch & shop, she said “I expected to have a nice time hanging out with friends and that’s what it truly is.”

This is powerful! From having done some professional research into online groups I knew that a key factor strengthening a virtual (online) community is a cross-over into the real (offline) world. Meeting some of the people hidden behind creative screen names or avatars at real-world events tied to the virtual community (for example, a meet-up of cycling enthusiasts who share biking stores online, or an in-person poker tournament for online Texas Hold’em fans) strengthens the attachment to and engagement with the virtual community.

It has been truly eye-opening and rewarding to experience this effect in person: I was part of the very first YLF get-together, an afternoon gathering at a Seattle tea house in 2008, and it was marvelous to see how quickly we all started chatting and bonding. And my hunch is that the report and the photos we posted on the blog later contributed to the sense of community that makes YLF a very special place on the web. Even readers and contributors who do not participate in real-life events can relate more to Angie and fellow YLF members when they see pictures and read about meet-ups and shopping adventures. The offline connections of a few thus help to “make it real” even for those online.

I continue to be amazed and awed by the strength of the ties YLF members have formed, and the trust they share. From activities like “Secret Santa” where women send a little fashion gift to a randomly selected YLF member, to making a detour during a trip to meet new fashion friends in other cities, there is a degree of involvement and care that I’ve rarely seen or heard about, especially given that YLF is not a small niche site but has a huge readership all over the world. 

And it’s not all about fashion and style, either. YLF members rally and support each other during life events, including career changes, caring for elderly parents, and even grieving for a spouse – all without ever having met each other in person. Kari, a YLF veteran and regular contributor to the Discussion Forum, expressed it very well: “I’ve made a bunch of connections with women who are becoming friends. I’ve been through some ups and downs, and seeing how women responded to me and others on the forum has given me a sense of strong connection. These are not just random people who give me feedback. This is my online family. I feel we are a very intimate group even if we don’t spend a lot of time together in person.”

This level of connection can’t be manufactured; it grows organically and thrives on TLC. Angie has created a very special place where women inspire and encourage each other, and everyone who comments and posts and shares their perspective in a constructive way helps YLF to transcend a fashion and style blog and forum to become a true community.

Classically Casual was surprised to hear that according to “Clothes Make the Fashion Victims” in the Wall Street Journal, certain clothing choices can undermine our health.

ManidipaM introduces us to a blog called Wearabout, in which a photographer captures the street style of men, women and children in India across all socio-economic demographics. It’s AMAZING. 

Tarzy stumbled across a video that shows us how to tie a bulky scarf and has never looked back. 

Lisa appreciated this article from Financially Fit on the best times to go shopping. Thursday is a great shopping day, ladies. 

Velvety Chocolate is very interested in the changes within Canada’s retail sector. Read about Sears Canada slashing prices on 5000 items in The Globe And Mail. 

Annagybe found this comparison of sizes at different British retailers very interesting. 

Mochi hits on something that was indeed annoying at Fashion Week and it involves iPads. In our experience, it’s often best to stand at the shows for the best view of the runway. 

Jem found an article on Forbes that is truly intriguing: How Target Figured Out a Teen Girl was Pregnant Before Her Father Did. 

Helen of Canada is much reassured after watching this video on the CFDA Health Guidelines for Models at the Huffington Post. The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) is bringing healthy weight requirements back to models who hope to work the runways at Fashion Week. Furthermore, girls have to be at least age 16 to work the shows. 

Lena says that fashion label L.A.M.B is moving it’s handbag design and production to another source because Gwen Stefani’s style aesthetic has evolved. The change has held up production, which is why new handbag styles have been scarce for a while. I’m looking forward to the new look! 

Ironkurtain introduces us to a minimalist blog called the divinitus, where the blogger only wears one colour and clothing by one designer — black and Rick Owens. How’s that for style focus and discipline. 

Inge says that Converse and Marimekko have joined forces for Spring. Now that’s a delightful collaboration. 

Carole enjoyed reading about 10 Bold and Fashionable Ways to Break Out of a Style Rut. 

Here’s a great story brought to us by Vicki about a store owner from her home town and his love for vintage eyewear. The store is called “Old Focals” and it’s beautiful eyewear has graced the sets of many movies. I want to fly there right now and try on the specs. 

Last but not least, American clothing label Karen Kane is doing a super “Made in USA” campaign with Dillards. Karen Kane asked us whether Dillards could use Greg’s photos for their in store poster coverage, and you might recognize the ladies in the poster (here shown on the blog, Made In America Sarah).

Mixing stripes with other patterns, in both subtle and hectic combinations, is very on trend. Understandably, it might not be your cup of tea because it looks like mismatched chaos. If that’s the case, stick to mixing stripes with solids because it’s a slam dunk. But you can also mix stripes with colour blocked items as a halfway measure.The effect is not as maximal as pattern mixing, but more maximal than matching a print with a solid.

I’ve chosen a basic narrow black and white jailbird striped blouse to pair with each of the colour blocked items below. I like how the lines of the striped top work with the lines of the colour blocking. Sometimes the lines of both items run in the same direction (horizontally), and sometimes in the opposite direction (horizontally and vertically).

Stripes with a Colour Blocked Cardigan / Pullover

Stripes with a Colour Blocked Jacket

Stripes with a Colour Blocked Skirt

Stripes with a Colour Blocked Dress

Stripes with Colour Blocked Trousers

The colour black is common in each of the pairings to create a cohesive look. This is not at all a prerequisite for the formula, but the common colour denominator helps marry the two items together.

A simple two toned stripe, like the blouse, is one of the four patterns that I suggest for easy pattern mixing. You can substitute the simple stripe for any of the other patterns mentioned in that post and mix it up with a colour blocked piece. For example, pairing a black and white polka dot blouse would work just as well as the stripe.

During fashion week Greg takes photographs of the fashion both on and off the runway. Here are my favourite off the runway shots this time round, along with the reason that I thought each one was so fab. 

Check out the right hand column of our fashion week page to see the rest of the candid photos.

This stylish bloke spent long hours on his feet making sure that things ran like clockwork. He was always friendly and helpful. The staff at fashion week deserve a HUGE round of applause. They have to wear black from head to toe, but I love how he added safety pins to his jacket to be more distinctive. 

This lovely lady is captivated by the show that’s streaming on the large screens inside the tent. I love her expression, and how her red specs look so fresh with her platinum blonde locks.

Greg didn’t realize that he had taken a picture of the one and only Bill Cunningham until he was processing the photos later on. What a brilliant surprise!

This photo is so sweet. Two stylish friends clutching the same phone as they take a photo of themselves.

This dandy gentleman caused quite a stir inside the tents as the photographers lined up to take pictures. One of our forum members pointed out that the writing on his leggings sends quite the message, and one that we hadn’t noticed before posting the photo. As someone who does not swear, I was horrified! Yet it’s amongst my favourite photos.

A bloke in a superb coat, scarf and eyewear with greying hair catches my attention. Great look.

And last but not least, I hope this beautiful photo encourages those who love hats, but are reluctant to wear them! They truly are a brilliant accessory, especially when you have long hair.

Go to our New York Fashion Week Page to see all of our coverage.