Philadelphia-based Jo-Lynne Shane blogs about fashion on her website, and also shares her outfits on Instagram. She is a Modern Classic dresser who enjoys wearing neutrals and sporty jeans. For special occasions, Jo-Lynne likes to pull out all the stops with fab dressy dresses. Her style is relatable, minimal, polished, and casual with the occasional sporty touch.

“I describe my style as polished, modern, and understated. I live a casual lifestyle, and denim is a year ’round staple in my wardrobe. I prefer clean lines and minimal but thoughtfully chosen accessories. I would say over the last five years, I’ve really come into my own as far as my personal style is concerned. I know what looks best on me, and I feel confident about putting together outfits that make me feel like the best version of myself.”

Jo-Lynne has paired mid-wash blue jeans with a sage green chunky ribbed-knit sweater. At first sight, the henley neckline with oversized buttons gives it the appearance of a cardigan, which makes for an interesting visual effect. Semi-tucking the slouchy sweater lengthens the leg line from the hips up, and gives us a glimpse of a cognac belt. The cropped straight jeans showcase taupe high-shaft, block-heeled booties. A beige pebbled leather tote with thin black handles echoes but doesn’t match the taupe footwear. Dainty silver necklaces, dangly earrings, and soft pink lipstick complete this casual denim look.

Jo-Lynne combines Soft Edge with punchy colour in this polished casual look. She is wearing black cropped kick flares with raw hem and an eyelet blouse in eye-catching magenta. The ruffled collar and eyelet fabric add textural interest, as does the black neoprene woven tote. Black wedge slides match the jeans, and bookend our blogger’s sleek dark hair. A chunky silver chain-link bracelet, chain-link ring and hoop earrings also contribute to the Soft Edge vibe.

The navy slub-knit sleeveless sheath dress is the star of the show in this elegant date night look. The drapey wrap style adds movement, while the matching tie-belt accentuates the waistline. The V-neckline is filled with a gold chain-link necklace and white pearls that add lightness. A structured chalk bag picks up the white. The gold hardware is repeated in our blogger’s dressy metallic ankle-strap sandals with on-trend high block heel. Red nail polish and dark rosy lippy finish off the look.

This is a lovely example of Angie’s Summer Simplicity Outfit Formula. Jo-Lynne is wearing on-trend white ‘70s flares and a flutter-sleeve split-neck top with ruffled collar and dainty floral print. The brown top is a little unexpected and works marvelously with our blogger’s dark brown hair. Tucking the top showcases the high-rise and lengthens the leg line from the hips up. Beige platform sandals come peeking out from under the new shorter full-length jeans. Jo-Lynne keeps the accessories neutral with a small taupe bag that matches the footwear. Oversized sunnies and big hoop earrings add polished glam.

Crisp white roll-cuff denim shorts and a fun sleeveless graphic tee form the basis for this casual high-Summer look. The sunny orange vintage-style Grateful Dead graphic illustration adds colourful playfulness. Toffee leather flat sandals with interlocking vamp straps dress up the outfit and create textural interest. A large pebbled-leather tote in chalk with gold hardware matches the shorts and brings structure to the look. Large rattan teardrop earrings play up the relaxed Summer vibe.

Jo-Lynne tops off a simple tee and jeans outfit with a utility jacket in greyed-out khaki. She’s tucked the white V-neck pocket tee into mid-wash high-waist cropped jeans. The just-slouchy-enough tee adds drapey nonchalance and draws attention to the gold coin layered necklace. The soft utility jacket is a great lightweight topper for mild Spring or Summer weather. Block-heeled platform sandals with criss-cross vamp straps in a nude-for-her neutral add height. A structured toffee tote, silver bracelet, watch, and glam oversized sunies are the accessories of choice.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Jo-Lynne’s wonderful outfits! Let us know in the comments, and be sure to visit her website or Instagram account for more style inspiration.

A couple of weeks ago I felt a sharp, piercing pain on the ball of my left foot while walking up the stairs barefoot. After it subsided I still couldn’t put pressure on the ball of my foot. For the next day I rested my foot, iced it, and kept it elevated. None of that helped, so I made an appointment with a podiatrist. It was only a few days before I headed into the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with my clients, which would involve 20,000 steps a day. Not so fab with a sore foot.

I have metatarsalgia. There is no inflammation, fracture, or swelling, which is why what I was doing had no effect. Instead there is compression in the joint of the second metatarsal. Apparently this is not an uncommon condition with feet shaped like mine, which the podiatrist described as extremely flexible with very little padding. Walking on hard surfaces barefoot or with socks is bad for my feet.

Treatment is fairly simple. First, my second toe is taped with Tensoplast adhesive bandage. The tape is unobtrusive, and acts like a supportive ligament. I cannot feel it on my foot at all. Second, I need to wear supportive shoes at home. Luckily I had a headstart knowing which brands work for my feet and which don’t. Third, I must avoid standing on tip toes and other movements that put pressure on the balls of my feet until my foot feels completely better. Fourth, I must avoid uncomfortable shoes.

I bought two pairs of shoes to wear at home only. A pair of ECCO sneakers in white, which the podiatrist approved right away when he saw the outdoor ECCO sneakers I was wearing to the appointment. He recommended I try Dansko footwear, which is usually too wide for my low-volume feet. But I remembered that Dansko has an awesomely supportive house slipper that works for clients with narrower feet. So I got those to try too.

I was wowed. Wearing these shoes at home with the tape soothed some of the pain instantly. By the next day, I was limping less and could walk more easily. A few days later I wasn’t limping at all. A few weeks later and I can comfortably stand on my tip toes, and walk my fast walk. My foot has healed and feels great. My feet did extremely well working with clients during the NAS, as long as I wore my ECCOS. Thank goodness for them!

I use to wear at-home-only sneakers at the start of the pandemic because my feet ached wearing slippers at home on our hardwood floors for long periods of time. That really helped, and I wore through those house sneakers. But as the weather grew hotter and my feet recovered, I complacently went back to wearing soft slippers, footies, or going barefoot at home. I learned the hard way that I MUST wear proper shoes that protect and support my feet at all times. Even at home.

I’ve been enjoying “Travel Week” over at Fashionista. With summer-getaway season in full swing, they’re sharing product recommendations, outfit ideas, wellness tips, packing advice, and more:

• 6 Beauty and Wellness Travel Tips Flight Attendants Swear By.
• 36 Expert-Approved Skincare Travel Essentials.
• Fashion people share their go-to travel outfit.
• Hairstylists list their must-have travel haircare products.

Fab Links from Our Members

April loved this article about the brand Bode: “I’m only partially biased because the photos are by one of my ‘extra sons.'”

Minaminu is delighted to read about this new approach to reduce waste, and hopes many other countries will follow!

Roberta has always had mixed feelings about expensive clothes and shoes that look ratty. This article looks at a brand that is almost couture in its fabrication, but looks like decades-old cast-offs. 

“Time to jettison that tired athleisure wear and adopt some tennis-core,” says nuancedream.

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” Runcarla says: “We’ve discussed this topic before, but it bears repeating — and, Susan at ‘une femme d’un certain âge’’ has articulated it particularly well.”

Suntiger directs us to this article about the smart coat revival.

Kyle enjoyed this bit of cartoon humor about Summer dressing.

She also found it interesting to read that men are getting onboard with tailoring all their clothes (not just suits).

On Saturday I listed my 25 top picks for the entire sale. Yesterday I did top footwear and jackets and coats. Earlier today I posted about the best tops and bottoms at the sale. Last, I’m suggesting my top picks from the accessories department. 

The handbags and belts were particularly good this year. My top picks are below. I haven’t provided detailed descriptions, but I’ve seen them all in person so don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments below.

Handbags

Belts

I bought the bag and belt set in bubblegum pink, which you can see me fitting on in the dressing room.

That’s the finish line for the marathon of NAS posts for 2023. Feel free to ask questions about items in the comments section, or in the NAS section of the forum and I’ll do my best to help out. Remember that items do come back into stock, and that there are plenty of other departments to visit.