We see lace tops each year so the idea is hardly new. Despite the tried and tested concept, lace tops are on my radar at the moment because they look refreshing to my eye. Designers are doing a good job of mixing both classic and modern silhouettes, and knit and woven fabrications. There is both romantic and bohemian style inspiration, and colour beyond black and white. 

I loved lace tops in the 80’s and early 90’s. But lace fell out of favour for my style since then. However, Jason Wu’s Fall collection at Fashion Week rekindled my lace love and I am now after a beautifully tailored lace shirt that I can wear with jeans, my pinstripe suit, or a flared midi skirt. That’s the beauty of lace! It looks as good dressed up as it does dressed down. 

I have always liked the dressy and retro integrity of lace. I also enjoy how your skin tone grins through some of the areas of the garment. Lace is stereotypically feminine so I like mixing that vibe with overtly more masculine looks. And I also love keeping the look completely girly. 

Clearly I vote yay to lace tops. What’s your verdict?

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Last week’s post on what men think of short hairstyles for women caused an explosion of passionate  and interesting comments. This week we are turning the tables and I’m excited to hear what you have to say this time. 

RoseandJoan’s comment on the previous post resonated with me. She said “I think it is wrong to presume that all men like women with long hair or that all women like men with short hair”. I agree that both generalizations are too extreme, especially in the world of fashion and style where men and women have the freedom to push the societal norms and to foster an appreciation for new things.

On this question I am open minded, but I definitely have my preferences. I absolutely believe that some men look better with slightly longer, well kept hair, some even as long as shoulder length. If they have luscious hair, the right facial features and personality for the look, I say go for it. We have a Latin friend who looks sensational with longer hair. It’s a dream of perfect thick wavy dark curls that he wears very well. We also have a friend who has thick stick straight hair that he ties back into a short neat pony tail. We’ve seen both of these friends with very short hair and it doesn’t look as fab.

That being said, although my Greg was blessed with velvety thick curly hair, I like him best with extremely neat short hair (he has it cut every 4 to 5 weeks). It brings out his blue eyes, gorgeous smile and killer dimples. It matches his polished yet spunky style, and goes hand in hand with his mischievous streak.

My favourite hairstyle on a bloke is when a thick matt of super short, well-cut hair goes salt and pepper grey. So when most ladies were weak at the knees over Brad Pitt’s long locks in the movie “Legends of the Fall”, I went ga ga when George Clooney cut his fabulous grey hair extremely short in “The American”.

So ladies, over to you. Can you appreciate a man with longer hair when he pulls it off with panache? Or do you prefer men with shorter hair no matter what?

Mo loves how Nine West is teaming up with pedometer company Fitbit to embed their trackers in the boots of models to raise money for charity. Mo wants her own pair of boots that have a Fitbit.

April enjoyed Sal’s practical guide to learning how to dress yourself. Learning to style oneself should be an ongoing joyful process, and I couldn’t agree MORE with that sentiment. 

Taylor, who is a HUGE Ann Taylor fan, is thrilled that Demi Moore is the next face of Ann Taylor. She so wants to steal her outfit.   

Jonesy enjoyed Susie Bubble’s take on Proenza Schouler’s Fall collection because the pics are gorgeous.

Kitty400 discovered my body gallery which is all about seeing other women with the same dimensions as you. She’s not the only one who looks in the mirror and sees one thing when others say they see something totally different. 

This article on the death of street style got Rae thinking. Have companies really appropriated street style, or are people on the street dressing more commercially?

Kari was stunned that these clothes are made of milk — yes, the drinkable white stuff.

Ornella now knows how to read a Fashion Magazine. 

Alicat finds it incredibly cheering that 66 year old Helen Mirren was named Body of the Year. I LOVE THAT. 

Refugee liked this post on what to wear when you retire. Dress like your house is somewhere special. 

Annagybe isn’t wowed by the new Marc by Marc Jacobs denim collection because there is already an abundant availability of premium denim. 

Don’t you love it when tiny people invade fashion photography? Kristine did.

Joy found this interesting article on the new dirt on dry cleaners.  

For MNSara, this beauty tip is a personal treasure because it doesn’t make her add another step to her beauty regime. 

April is mesmerized by this photo of Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty.

Inge highly recommends these interviews with older women who continue to have fun with fashion. Advanced style at it’s best and I LOVE IT. 

Lisa was looking for Summer boot inspiration and found a challenge on college fashion. Who else is in? 

Emily’s Autumn Inspirations had TX Sarah chomping at the bit for Fall.

Last but not least, the incomparable Audi does a 50’s vintage outfit her way, making her own hat for the occasion. Super sassy. 

My clients have been lusting after leather skirts lately, so I’ve had extra practice with how to match them with the right tops and footwear. In one example I wrote about recently, client Bei-Jing rocked her leather skirt to work and felt fab. 

The key to wearing a leather or faux leather skirt is to keep the support act soft and texture-rich. Creating this contrast against the severity of the leather makes it completely wearable for both work and play. Follow these guidelines: 

• Keep the top soft: I like leather skirts best when matched up with a drapey silk or polyester-rich blouse. Luxurious cashmere or angora knits, and sequined tops are also a perfect pairing. Tee’s and knit tops can work, although I find them a harder combination to pull off with sass. Denim and button down shirts look okay, but provide a more hard-edged look.
• Keep the jacket texture rich: Think of lush textures like wool, boiled wool, tweed, velvet and faux fur jackets and toppers. Trench coats and denim jackets are fine, but will once again create a harder edge.
• Keep the footwear texture rich: Do not wear tall flat leather boots with a leather skirt unless you are a rock star. Knee-high suede or patent boots look a little better, but it’s a tricky business. Too much leather from waist to foot.  Suede or patent booties, on the other hand, are fab because bare legs create a textural contrast against the leather. Patent, animal print, tweed, houndstooth, mock croc, snake skin, satin or suede heels are great options. Flat leather pumps look okay, but a more contrasting texture looks better to my eye. 

Hosiery is a nice addition, but not essential. I prefer sheer hosiery with leather skirts, but semi-opaque can work too. Either patterned or plain is good. 

Who is feeling leather or faux leather skirts this season? Shout in the comments section if you have further questions about how to wear them.

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