I didn’t attend Fashion Week on our last day in NYC because I spent most of it catching up and shopping with a friend. That friend was veteran forum member and writer, Chicago Laura, who has written guest posts on YLF about her fabulous Mom on the Go looks. 

We met late morning at Macy’s Herald Square, the largest department store in the world, and instantly yakked up a storm right in the middle of the handbag department. Clearly, the handbags could wait because we had lots to catch up on. There is much to adore about warm, friendly, stylish and lady-like Laura. I am amazed that she can wear her hair any colour. I’ve seen it dark brown, platinum blonde, and now she’s a feisty redhead, which I think I like best! Laura was blessed with beautiful big blue eyes that open up wide when she speaks to you. I love how her new red hair brings out her gorgeous eyes.

Laura is our Captain of Team Dress, so of course she wore a fabulous frock that day. Coincidently, it was the Eliza J Ponte Knit Shift Dress that made my top picks list this week. She also paired it with two items that I have featured on YLF, namely the Bandolino ballet flats in black, and London Fog Lilly cross body bag in red. I was very touched to see Laura wear my suggestions, and wear them so beautifully. She looked hip, polished and radiant. Perfectly turned out for a day of walking and shopping in NYC, which meant walking many, many blocks at a fast pace with yours truly.

Because our time was limited, I asked Laura about her shopping priorities beforehand. “Easy!” said, Laura, who wanted help with midi dresses for her petite height. Off we went to the dress department at Macy’s and within an hour we had two killer midis, the Jones New York Short Sleeve Leaf Printed Dress, and the Ralph Lauren V-neck Sweater Dress (Laura models the Jones dress below). The key to making a midi work on petites is twofold. One, keep the length either just over the knee or a few inches below it, and no longer. Two, keep the style fairly form fitting and not too voluminous. The Jones New York dress is form fitting from top to knee, so the extra length does not swallow up our lovely Laura. The Ralph Lauren dress is form fitting on top, and although the skirt portion is flared, it’s streamlined. The cut and length of these midis were so spot on that they also looked good with Laura’s ballet flats!  

After a lovely lunch with forum member Maya, who lives in NYC, Laura asked me to help her choose her first designer bag. So we trotted off to Bloomingdales for some bag therapy. We decided that Laura needed a smallish, light neutral handbag with silver hardware to contrast with the charcoals, dark blues and black that she frequently wears in Autumn and Winter. We also opted for maximum versatility by going for a semi-structured shape with a detachable cross-body strap. As soon as we saw the patent stone Exploded Dot Lock Petite Rue Satchel by Marc Jacobs, we knew it was the one! It wasn’t too bulky and the clasp makes for easy access. Laura can comfortably wear it across her body over her coats, or carry it by the handle for a daintier effect. 

Laura bats for Team Wear so she transferred the contents of her old bag straight into the new one. Love it! By that stage we had accomplished Laura’s shopping goals and headed off to the first floor of Bloomies where we tried on a few more things just for fun. I unexpectedly bought a fabulous printed midi dress from Reiss, which was very fitting for the shopping occasion with Captain Dress. Now we both have frocks to commemorate the occasion, just like we did the last time we shopped in NYC together.

Our day was sadly drawing to a close. But before it did, Greg joined us to say hi to Laura and snap a few photos. We were NOT going to let the rain get us down (that’s why we carry umbrellas, after all). But sugar levels were low, so we stopped at quirky Serendipity where we had frozen chocolate, a shake and a BLT. 

What a brilliant day! Thanks for flying in to meet with me on your way to Maine, Laura. And for being a superb fit model and loyal YLF supporter. Our day was a very welcome break from the mayhem of Fashion Week. It just goes to show that food and fashion with a friend is hard to beat. 

From time to time, people receive compliments about one of their physical features or their personal style. After a while a pattern emerges as repeated similar compliments merge with their own self perception and become the things they regard as their strong points. It isn’t necessarily conceited, but similar compliments in future are not unexpected.

And then there is the completely unexpected compliment. This happened to me a few months ago when a very sweet friend, who was looking at my outfit pictures, randomly sent email just to tell me that I had “beautiful knees”. Oh my goodness, I thought. I had never viewed my knees as anything but somewhat knobbly, and well, just there in the middle of my legs. How gracious and thoughtful of my friend to let me know how she felt. It may seem silly, but I now see them in a new light.

Inspired and touched by this exchange, I promptly emailed two other friends and gave them a sincere compliment. Who knows, maybe one of my compliments was even unexpected. It got me thinking about the supportive chain of positive body image that might result if everyone did the same.

Have you received an unexpected compliment about a physical feature or your personal style? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. 

Sunny days, fiery foliage, crisp air, hearty soups, boots, jackets, scarves, not to mention the very best merchandise in retail stores. Autumn in Seattle is particularly gorgeous and it’s my favourite time of year. 

Our outfits change as the weather cools and that in itself provides the opportunity to refresh your style. Most of my clients like to add what I call “bridging pieces” to their Fall wardrobes. These are items that bridge the gap between two seasons. By adding Autumn bridging pieces to Spring and Summery outfits, you’ll stretch them further, thereby ensuring a bigger bang for your fashion buck. 

Below is a list of my top 10 Bridging Pieces for this Fall, cutting across all age groups, body types, lifestyles and budgets.

Faux Fur Vest

Don’t just think of this item as a casual bohemian piece that you pop over a tee or empire cut top. Think of it as a glam and retro ’70s item that works over dressy frocks and skirts, and with silky pussy bow blouses or soft drapey trousers (tapered and flare leg).  

Tweed Waistcoat  

Another ’70s and equestrian inspired item that looks really cool when paired with modern pieces like wedge heels and slouchy tapered trousers. I also like tweed waistcoats over graphic tees and soft blouses with graphic patterns. If you can’t see past the English countryside integrity of the tweed, go for leather/pleather, shearling, or classic pinstripe waistcoats instead.

Blazer

A cropped or longer tailored blazer is a powerful wardrobe essential. It takes an outfit from drab to fab on all body types like nobody’s business. If classic blazers are not your thing, think quirky pinstriped fabrications, sharp shoulders,  asymmetrical cuts, and tuxedo styles. There is lots to love in the world of blazers, the perfect Autumn cover-up for a sleeveless top. 

Leather Jacket

We have spoken about leather jackets for several seasons, both as a casual item and workplace look. No need to wear moto styling or black leather if that’s not your cup of tea. There are plenty of softer versions available both in real and faux leather. Leather blazers are making a comeback, as are long leather coats. Deliciously retro. 

Cape

Autumn is perfect for capes because hopefully, it’s not quite cold enough for a wool Winter coat. Refresh your memory on eliminating cape fear. 

Ankle Length Leggings

I am a huge leggings fan because they add a modern edge to outfits, not to mention a warm and comfortable one too. I like the look best when you can see the ankle hem of the leggings with pumps, ballet flats or sandals. You lose the charm of leggings if you cover them up with boots, unless that is precisely your intention!  

Knee-High Boots

Another wardrobe essential that grounds your outfit with drama and vertical integrity. Match knee-high boots on bare legs with dresses, skirts, short shorts, tweed shorts, bermudas and clamdiggers. Think knee-high boots that are both slouchy and sleek, casual and dressy, flat and heeled, neutral and non-neurtal, light and dark. 

Booties

Create a modern classic look by wearing them under bootcut trousers and jeans. Pair them with skinnies and straight legs for a fashion forward vibe. Sport them on bare legs with cropped trousers/jeans, harem pants, skirts and dresses for an edgier look. The bootie knows no bounds.  

Scarves

Messy or neat, the scarf is a superb accessory that screams Autumn both in woolly and silky fabrications. Wear it inside or outside a shirt collar, over a sheath dress or tee, or with a jacket. Its a super colour vehicle.  

Headgear

Think tweedy newsboy caps, felt bowlers and floppy hats, berets and retro cloches. Please consider wearing a hat if you have bobbed or long hair. It looks divine and so few people wear wonderful hats these days. 

Neutral, Non-Black Handbag

If you’re up for the change from bright Summer handbags, sport a brown, chestnut, taupe, cream, grey or animal print bag for Autumn. They create an especially attractive contrast against dark outfits and tops. 

I deliberately left cardigans off this list because fashion retail has just about killed the item by saturating the market with it. However, I must give credit where it’s due: cardigans are still stylish and undoubtedly make an effective and comfortable Autumn bridging piece. 

Flick through Ann Taylor Loft’s “Style Closet” to get good visuals of these bridging prices in outfit action.

You are on Team Black if you prefer to wear black. You are on Team White if you prefer to wear White. Note that white includes all shades of white like bone, off-white, ivory and cream. You can still pick a side if you don’t wear either black or shades of white by choosing the option that most tickles your fancy. But no batting for both Teams. 

I cannot choose a side in this poll. My black tops are as important as my white tops. My cream outwear gets as much wear as my black outerwear. My cream, white and black boots are all wardrobe workhorses. My style would not function without cream pearls and handbags, nor would it function without cropped black jackets. I am a true black & white gal, favouring one no more than the other. 

So I’m out of this game. But I’m on the sidelines cheering on both sides with great enthusiasm. Over to you. Are you Team Black or Team White? Remember to tell us why.