I’m not sure whether “grinning” in this context is a universal term, but it is one that I learned years ago when I was a fashion buyer. A garment “grins” when the background behind a garment of sheer fabrication creates a noticeable high colour contrast.

In the photo below, the model wears a low contrast blush coloured camisole under a blush coloured blouse. The garment does not grin on the areas where the camisole layers under the blouse. But the trousers are high contrast to the camisole, so on the areas where the blouse layers over the trousers, the garment grins.

If the model wore a black camisole under this blouse, which is low contrast to the trousers, the garment would not grin. It would be the same colour from top to bottom, excluding the parts where we see the skin of the model through the sheerness of the blouse.

In the photos below, the models wear camisoles that are low contrast to the bottoms, preventing the grinning effect. (Again excluding the areas where skin grins through the sheerness of the fabric).

You can also prevent garment grinning by using a layering piece that is of similar length to the top over it. This can be achieved by wearing an un-tucked camisole of sufficient length. The models below illustrate this perfectly.

I love it when sheer fabric drapes over the skin of arms, necks, shoulders, backs and décolletage, exposing the contrast between the garment underneath and my skin. But generally, I like garments to grin as little as possible between my top and bottom because it eliminates an additional, unflattering horizontal line across the middle of the body.

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We at YLF wish our American readers a happy Fourth of July! Hope you’re enjoying the celebration with friends and family.

This week’s poll was inspired by both Sal’s post on perfect polish and what forum member Alaskagirl refers to as RATE, an abbreviation for “rough around the edges”.

Years ago, style was synonymous with a perfectly polished appearance. This meant things like pristine and wrinkle free clothes, immaculate hair and make-up, manicured hands and feet, wearing perfectly tailored garments in quality fabrications, and un-scuffed accessories and footwear. Polished looks are also generally quite simple and sophisticated.

However, many a style icon is hip and cool while sporting a less than polished appearance. Kate Moss springs to mind. Her hair is often messy, her clothing somewhat wrinkled and sloppy, and her appearance far from pristine, un-scuffed and tailored.

Many of us probably feel that we have both a polished and RATE aspect to our style. So we’ll place the descriptors on opposite sides of a continuum, and you can slide along it as you feel fit. If you slide further across to the Polished side of the continuum, you’re on Team Polished, and vice versa for Team RATE.

I may not have regular manicures and pedicures, but my overall appearance is uncreased, uncluttered and tidy. I wear voluminous clothing, scuffed Dr. Marten boots and scrunched sleeves, but the rest of me is neat as a pin. I like to wear pristine garments made of beautiful fabrications, and I keep my hair in place. My make-up is minimal, but it’s there and adds to my look. And I really look after my skin. I am a total neat freak so a polished appearance comes more naturally to me than a look that’s RATE. I bat for Team Polished.

Over to you. Are you on Team Polished or Team RATE? Tell us why, and no batting for both Teams.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the new KarenKane.com!

Michael Kane, son to founders Karen and Lonnie, had the complex task of launching Karen Kane’s first online store. My head is spinning just thinking about the time, energy and stress that went into this project. Congratulations, Michael!

The assortment is deliberately small to begin with, but will grow each month as traffic builds up. It was a real challenge coming up with the right range of items to launch the site. Michael didn’t want to overstock the store upon launch, but he also needed to provide a good taste of the whole collection. So Karen Kane supplied the store with the type of merchandise they produce for “A doors”, or top stores in the nation, like Macy’s Herald Square in NYC. In future they will also include items that are exclusive to the online store, and I can’t wait for those goodies to appear.

The launch merchandise is a fabulous mix. Of course, I have my personal favourites:

• Side Wrap Halter Top: A versatile piece that works on it’s own or layered under a jacket. Great for casual or career wear. Nice in burgundy.
• Blouson with Beaded Scroll: This reminds me of the Elves in Lord of the Rings. So fab! I can see it work over a pencil skirt and jeans too. I love how a black camisole gives this blouse extra body.
• Pleated Neck Belted Dress: Simple, elegant, chic and easy to wear. Wear it on it’s own or pop it over skinnies or leggings.
• Palm Print Dress: A no-brainer easy style in a pretty colour. I’d wear it with little ballet flats and a denim jacket.
• Dark Rinse Jegging: Soft and stretchy, and just look at the length of that girdling high rise.
• Raw Seam Godet Skirt: Elegant and comfortable. I’d front knot my denim shirt with this skirt and add my sling back wedges.
• Pencil SLV Ruffle Shoulder Top (Plus): Something different and with a sleeve!
• Extended Black Hem Dress (Plus): A signature Karen Kane piece that’s as comfy as your sweats, but a lot more stylish.

The site will be loaded with new product on July 27, in time with the launch of Fall collections. So as with any online shopping destination, it’s worthwhile to keep checking back. Karen Kane will also be launching the online store for their more contemporary label “Fifteen-Twenty” in the Fall.

To kick off the launch, Karen Kane is offering a 20% discount code for all YLF members until 8 July. Just use the promo code YOULOOKFAB when you make your purchase. I am off to purchase some fab new stuff.

Anyone play with Smurfs and Smurfettes when they were little? These stylish Surfettes are accessorized to the hilt, which Anna thought made for a fun fashion shoot.

Style never goes out of Fashion as AdvancedStyle shows fabulous women rocking their looks over the age of 80. Rosee really likes the way these ladies wear their clothes.

Taylor, our Captain of Team Heels, was impressed with this guide on how to take care of her beautiful heeled shoes.

Lisa was looking for outfit inspiration for her white jeans and came across this guide from denim debutante. The adorable white kitty stole her heart.

This bold outfit from from Citizen Couture, worn by a hat designer, intrigued Jonesy because of it’s many interesting elements.

Kyle likes Florida local J’s Everday Fashion, because her outfits are real world and budget conscious.

Imogen’s question on why we hate our stomachs so much had a positive effect on Queen Mum, who thereafter embraced her own lovely tummy.

Rae was mesmerized by the intricacy of these woven Prada pumps. Different colours, checks and stripes. They inspire a lust so strong it trumps fiscal sanity.

Inge liked Fashionista’s take on the 10 Best Fashion Illustration Blogs. They interpret current fashion trends and portray people in the fashion industry. Fun!

Alicat is crazy for Mrs. O’s style.

Patti Smith’s Uniform on Tomboy Style was inspiring to Desmo April in light of a great recent forum discussion on the meaning of androgynous style.

Mo, who awaits the arrival of her own LBD, thought that these 5 ways to style a LBD were both achievable and well illustrated.

Maryk liked Jennette’s post on how to edit your closet when your weight keeps on fluctuating.

And last but not least, I loved Mrseccentric’s rugged yet chic look, and was even more impressed when I read that she made the blouse!