This post was inspired by an article in the November issue of InStyle Magazine: “5 Ways to Wake Up your Work Wardrobe” (p. 186). I was nodding all the way through the article and found I could tie their points back to previous posts on YLF. So if you’re bored with your work wardrobe, here are 10 ways to spice things up. The first five are InStyle’s points with my take on them, and the last 5 are my additions. 

1. Add Colour: Pick a work appropriate separate and wear that in a colour with a neutral support act. If you dare, wear colour from head to toe. Or, throw in coloured accessories like shoes, scarf, belt and bag. This classic outfit builder illustrates how colour is mixed with neutrals in a work wear ensemble. The more on trend outfit builder incorporates colourful accessories. 
2. Add Sparkle: As InStyle puts it “Shine needn’t be sequestered to the evenings“. I like daytime sparkle in tops, sweaters, jackets, skirts and footwear. Although it isn’t a rule, I prefer daytime sparkle in neutrals other than black because black sparkle tends to look more “evening” to my eye. Tone down the sparkle with tweeds, denim, silk and wool separates. 
3. Add touches of Lace: We addressed whether lace was appropriate at the office and I voted yay if the execution is modest and neutral. Lace trimmed camisoles and blouses are great, and lace shell tops are excellent layering pieces. Dress down a lace skirt with a sweater. 
4. Mix in Prints: If you are print-adverse, bring them in slowly and in subtle ways. Stick to low contrast neutral designs that are quiet instead of loud. Wear a patterned scarf if a separate or dress is too much. Mix animal print shoes and belts with solids. 
5. Incorporate Leather: The right leather jacket makes a nice change to a wool blazer. By all means wear a leather skirt with soft professional separates. 
6. Mix Patterns: Start by mixing plaid, pinstripe and tweed bottoms with printed tops. If you like this aesthetic, you can go to town with the combinations. Refresh your memory with this beginners guide to pattern mixing.
7. Try New Trouser Silhouettes: This has been my favourite way to change up my own business casual vibe this year. We saw client Christie model her tapered trouser looks a few months ago, and now she’s hooked. It’s a trouser season ladies, and there is so much to explore in the silhouette. Think extra flared, or tapered, and look for those design details that tickle your fancy. Think high waisted and pleated if you dare. 
8. Wear dresses and skirts: This is old hat for some, but for those who are still uncomfortable wearing skirts and dresses to work, I’d love to encourage the change. Client Bei-Jing, who holds a senior position in a male dominated tech industry, wears skirts and dresses to work two to three times a week. 
9. Swap out pumps for booties and oxfords: Pumps are great for work and always look professional. But booties and heeled oxfords add an on trend bit of magic to an outfit, especially if you pair them with skirts and dresses. They are also much easier to fit than tall boots. If there is one thing to add to your Fall or Winter work wardrobe, let it be booties or heeled oxfords. 
10. Throw in fun hosiery: Black opaques are not your only option. Consider textured neutral hose and choose small subtle patterns. If you work in a creative environment, experiment with all sorts of hosiery. The assortment improves each year. 

So far this season, my business casual clients have been especially excited about new trouser silhouettes, daytime sparkle, pattern mixing, booties and leather skirts or jackets. Do these ideas resonate with your work wardrobe? Please feel free to add to the list.

You know that one item in your closet you love dearly? The sartorial outsider that you feel expresses your personality to a T, and that you wouldn’t want to give up for all the money in the world, even if it’s not your “usual style”?

That happens with books too. There we have all these amazing, unexpected, offbeat titles, that aren’t necessarily the perfect fit for our “standard” bookstore categories, but nonetheless deserve a place in the spotlight. We want them to feel right at home in YLF Books too, so that’s why we’ve created our Quirky Corner just for them. 

Be prepared to get your socks charmed off by the protagonists in our first quirky title. The Catwalk Cats share a house with Vogue’s creative director Grace Coddington and her partner Didier Malige. Want to take a guess at who’s the boss chez Maison Coddington? Or maybe you’ve been feeling a litte uninspired in the kitchen lately? Then the American Fashion Cookbook – 100 Designers’ Best Recipes might be just the thing to rekindle your culinary fire.

The intriguing A Shade of Red – One Lipstick and One Hundred Women is a new addition to the Personal Stories section. Photographer and writer Alyson Fox travelled the country to photograph one hundred very different women all wearing the same shade of bright red lipstick. This is the visual account of her journey.

New Giveaway

In last week’s Book Nook we announced that we’ll be reading 100 Ideas that Changed Fashion, written by Harriet Worsley, for the YLF Book Club. Well, today we have a fun surprise in store for you: Laurence King Publishing has kindly offered to give away five copies of the book! The competition will run until Thursday 10 November and we’re chuffed that it is open to all our readers worldwide. So don’t forget to visit our Competitions section and answer the giveaway question for a chance to win one of the five copies.

You can tie a regular scarf into all sorts of styles using different knots, tucking the ends away or leaving them to hang down the front of the body. This makes them very versatile. The thing is, you have to know how to tie the knots!

The infinity scarf, on the other hand, couldn’t be easier to wear. It’s “ends” are joined or knitted together, making a tubular form with no ends and no knot required. It has one main look, where you wrap it around your neck once, twice or three times like a muffler. Some infinity scarves can be wrapped like a capelet, which Sal is doing with an Eileen Fisher scarf in this outfit.

Infinity scarves tend to look more casual because they work best in knits that allow them to stretch over the head with ease. Regular scarves are often non-stretch and woven, and therefore dressier, especially when they’re silky in texture.

Infinity scarves are also quite bulky, while regular scarves can be small, or lie very flat against the body. 

I bat for Team Dressy and Team Woven, so it makes sense that I have many regular scarves and not one infinity scarf. But there is lots to appreciate about an infinity scarf and I completely understand the appeal. What is your take on the pros and cons of regular and infinity scarves?

By the way, veteran forum member Nicoleb hand knits infinity scarves and sells them in her Etsy store, nickichicki. Her scarves are as adorable as she is, so be sure to stop by.

Regular scarves on the left, and infinity scarves on the right.

Ornella was impressed with this amazing example of cashmere shawl restoration. Wow! Carole came across the same site, MaiTai’s Picture Book, and loved how scarves are tied differently in each outfit. 

Alaskagirl is fascinated by Kasmira’s comparison of her current style to that of five years ago. She discusses which items she kept and which she passed on. 

Inge thought that these tights from Patternity were both eye-catching and arty. 

Laurinda thinks that these 4 universally flattering clothing colours are good shades to keep in mind when expanding a wardrobe palette. She also thinks that they make good colours for blousey twinsets. 

Kyle says “pile on the bracelets“! Our very own Veteran forum member Taylor has been piling on bracelets for years, trademarking the trend. 

Joy was interested to see that certain designers are more wearable by older women according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Cocolion loves the chic country squire vibe of Jentine’s outfit. 

Dianthus found this article on change by Elsita of the Hidden Seed very interesting. 

Jonesy thinks it’s fascinating that our weight is seen by many as something shameful that needs to be kept hidden. Given this state of affairs, just stating one’s weight and measurements publicly as Sal does can seem like a radical act. 

Vildy felt justified when Imogen from InsideOutStyle suggested that you stop over cleaning your clothes. Apparently wool is antibacterial and therefore only needs to be washed every 14 wears! 

Vani is curious about Bootights, tights made especially for boots with built-in padded socks. I’m curious too. 

Mismaven wonders how many of us suffer from what Bridgette Raes calls the China Syndrome? I suffer from many things but China Syndrome is not one of them!

DressLover says that New York Fashion Week might once again be moving venues. Nordstrom might also be opening its first shop in NYC. At last!

Annagybe thinks that this sweater with a gold leather collar is super cute. 

Greg shared this video about the importance on Men’s Shoes according to Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon. I wholeheartedly agree and am happy to report that Greg passes the test with flying colours.