More and more designers are mixing it up on the runway with wildly clashing patterns. Some of the patterns are in the same colour palette, which helps create a harmonious visual, and then there’s the rest. The trend is what I call the “chopped salad look”. Whether that tantalizes your taste buds depends on your stylistic preferences. 

The two outfits above from Zara are particularly advanced examples of pattern mixing. To my eye, these patterns clash in such an extreme way that they actually work. The more muted colour palette helps gel the patterns together. This is not a look that I would wear, but I can see it working quite well on a few of my clients and some of our forum members.

The second two examples aren’t as crazy as the first, but they are still bold and daring. For myself, I prefer the more graphic vibe of these mixed pattern outfits because the effect is more crisp and simple. I adore the combination of the rugby stripe and nubby tweed in the J. Crew outfit and would happily wear that with a pair of flat oxfords. 

I wholeheartedly believe that advanced pattern mixing is a brilliant and fun fashion forward concept that allows you to flex your creative and daring style muscles, AND make the most of your wardrobe. Think of all the extra outfit combinations you could sport if you fearlessly mixed up most of the patterns in your closet. But in the same breath, much like messy hair, advanced pattern mixing is hard to pull off. There is a risk of looking unstylish and clueless about patterns. The outfit components have to be just so, making the overall effect chaotically cohesive. 

Does advanced pattern mixing work to your eye, if not for you but on someone else? Can it look attractive in an arty and dramatic way? When does the effect work, and when does it flop? Or do you find the chopped salad look distasteful, no matter what.

You are on Team Scent if you wear perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, or a scented body lotion fairly frequently because you enjoy a fabulous fragrance. You also enjoy smelling a scent on others. You are on Team No Scent if you virtually never wear any fragrance or scented body lotion, and you do not enjoy smelling it on others.  

I am very much on Team Scent. I have been wearing a few modest spritzes of eau de parfum “Kenzo Flower” daily for 15 years, that it has become part of my style. Even hubby says so, and thankfully he likes it. I do not wear any other fragrance and very seldom wear scented body lotion. Once I tried a different perfume just for the heck of it and Greg said: “What’s that smell!? That does not smell like you, and I don’t like it”. And that was that. 

I find fragrances so very sentimental, meaningful and memorable. There is nothing that instantly makes me think of my late Mum like the two perfumes that she wore daily throughout my life (Opium and First). I vividly remember snuggling up to her as a child and feeling very comforted by her familiar fragrance. I equated the aroma with feeling safe and loved. I also have friends who wear a particular fragrance and when I smell the familiar aroma, it makes me think fondly of them. Furthermore, I love citrus, vanilla and jasmine scented candles, and our home often smells this way. I am definitely a sucker for sweet smelling aromas, and consider myself fortunate that allergic reactions are not something I suffer from when a scent comes my way. 

Over to you. Are you on Team Scent or Team No Scent? Remember that there is no right or wrong with these polls. You are merely stating a preference and we can all live in stylish peace.

Blokes are the lucky ones at fancy occasions because they’re cozily layered up in suits, socks and shoes, while us lasses often end up feeling the chill in order to showcase a smashing outfit. Not so fab. 

Your party ensemble probably looks best worn on its own with hose, heels and clutch handbag. But if you’re miserable because you’re cold, you have to cover up, even if it’s for just part of the time. The good news is that you can do so in style. Here are eight cover-up options. 

Evening Coat

A very dressy knee-length coat made of satin, brocade, taffeta, velvet, sequins, or something else equally formal makes for a substantial cover-up. Sometimes the coat looks even better than the dress! It might be worth investing in this item because you’ll wear it over and over again, season after season. I am definitely investing as soon as I find a style that works for me.

Capes or Capelets

‘Tis the season of the cape. Keep the fabrication dressy and you’ll make a dramatic party entrance. Is anyone in the mood for pom poms? 

Shrug

A short cardigan that’s shaped like a bolero or very cropped jacket is an easy cover-up solution. Shrugs can either be woven or knitted, embellished or plain, and solid or patterned. They are especially comfortable over sleeveless dresses (no sleeve bunching). 

Sequin or Metallic Cardigan

This item is a little more relaxed, but certainly does the trick. Think of cardigans in silver, pewter, bronze, copper or gold. Any shape cardigan with a sparkly surface interest is an option. 

Faux Fur Topper

You have choices a-plenty. From faux fur knee-length coats, to cropped jackets, vests, boleros, shrugs or capelets. Always retro and, at the moment, so very on trend. 

Tuxedo Jacket

This is my favourite way to cover up a party frock. I have a cropped black tuxedo jacket that I wear with party outfits and jeans, but I’d also like a longer version to wear with trousers. I absolutely LOVE the crisp clean lines of a tuxedo jacket. 

Wrap

Stores are full of basic pashmina type wraps that I personally don’t think look all that smashing with a party outfit. The more interesting wraps are usually harder to find and much more expensive. I like wraps with a vintage integrity made of substantial fabrications. I found a black quilted shawl made of sparkly brocade five years ago and, although it cost a pretty penny, I’m glad that I bought it. Every so often it comes in very handy and I think it’s fairly timeless. 

Cropped Jacket

A cropped jacket in jacquards, velveteen, satin, lurex and brocade looks nothing short of splendid over a party frock or skirt. And if you’re in the mood for a little avant-garde spunk, try a short leather jacket with your party attire. 

These are the cover-up options I explore with my clients when they’re concerned about feeling cold in their party outfits. Sateen trench coats, shrugs, wraps, sequin cardigans and velvet jackets are most popular, but faux fur and tuxedo jackets are gaining favour. 

When we have a fancy do at our house in the colder months, we turn up the heat up so that no one feels cold. The gents usually end up taking off their jackets, but at least the ladies are happy. We are the belles of the ball, after all. 

Sometimes I think I’m a person of extremes. Friends call me a bit of a tech nerd. I absolutely love my smartphone, use electronic apps to keep track of appointments and projects, send e-cards regularly and love online shopping. Developments in new technology have certainly made my life easier. But I also carry a paper diary in my handbag, and adore cracking open a fresh new notebook and jotting down that first sentence. I have a back-up address book with family and friends’ phone numbers just in case my digital data get lost. And saying that I’m a huge fan of stationery and paper goods would be an understatement. Call me a dinosaur, but for me nothing beats the personal touch of a beautiful, hand-written greeting card or an artfully wrapped present.

That’s another reason why I can never tear myself away from a good bookshop. Nowadays both brick and mortar and online bookstores not only carry books and DVDs on every possible topic, they also have wonderful gift and stationery sections. Books, calendars, organizers, paper goods and other related items seamlessly go hand in hand, so we loved the idea of adding a carefully curated selection of “style merchandise” to YLF Books. Our new Merchandise department opens today and you can browse this section for style-related products and fashion-themed items like calendars, smartphone cases, greeting cards and notebooks. They make for fun and colourful gifts, and the beautiful images and fab designs definitely count as eye candy.

Do you love to send and receive paper greeting cards? Do you still use a paper organizer or calendar or have you gone the electronic route? And would you pick stationery with a fashion theme?

YLF Book Club Starts Today

Today’s the official start date for YLF Book Club, and we’re excited! As you know, we created this online discussion group so everyone can get together to talk about selected books and movies from our bookstore. 

The last few weeks many readers have told us how much they are enjoying Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange, the first title on our list. Visit the Book Club forum category if you’re curious to hear their thoughts about this fun style guide with a French twist. Or start a new thread of your own to discuss other aspects of the book that have struck a chord with you. 

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