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!

These items deserve a special mention because the prices are affordable and the details interesting. I’ve seen most of them in real life as they were tried and tested on my clients.

1. Michael Kors Three Quarter Sleeve Snake Skin Blouse: This blouse is better in real life than on the models. Looks sensational over a pencil skirt. Don’t let the high neckline put you off either. I had this on a petite client with a full bust and we added a long pendant necklace to elongate the silhouette. She looked killer. It’s available both in petites and regular sizes.
2. Rachel Roy Twisted Up Sleeveless Mesh Dress: Give this a whirl if you like cobalt blue. It looks especially good over black leggings and layered with a scrunched sleeved boyfriend blazer.
3. Free People Plaid Shirt: Cropped asymmetrical blouses are everywhere right now, and this one is a personal favourite. Love the drapey pockets and crisp plaid design. The style is supposed to be extra boxy so don’t be shocked when you drown in the style.
4. Olivia Moon Print Chiffon Blouse: It’s bold, breezy and easy to launder. There is little wrong with a good quality polyester these days. If you are after something non-iron and machine-washable that’s much less expensive than silk, this is the way to go. Belt it for waist definition. Also available in this print.
5. Karen Kane Handkerchief Hem Dress: I wore this drapey delight over the weekend with a cropped denim jacket, black and white ballet flats, white watch, green bag and RayBans. I officially declare this dress as comfy as my sweats.
6. Gianetta Pinch Shoulder Blouse: The colours are more dull than they appear in the photograph, but the sleeve details are interesting. Cool yet covered.
7. Steve Madden St. Tropez Pants: It truly doesn’t get more cozy than this for Summer. The drawstring is a little long so feel free to trim it to a shorter length.
8. Grace Elements Smocked Waist Crinkle Paisley Skirt: This skirt is so flattering. I love the way it hugs the midriff and flares out at the hip to a fab midi length. Cool and insanely easy to wear. Add a simple tank top, cropped jacket or cardigan, heels, and you are good to go. It’s available in several patterns from paisley and patchwork, to butterflies and florals.
9. Gap Two Tone Pocket Top: Chanel-esque, on-trend and perfect with casual short shorts. Layers nicely underneath jackets and cardigans too.
10. Maggy London Drape Jersey Sheath Dress: Great drape and nice colour. It’s a super departure from all the empire cuts and sheaths that rule the retail floor.
11. Fidji E286 Booties: Kickstart Autumn with these discounted darlings. Super comfortable, a little edgy and run true to size. I love Portuguese shoes.
12. Stephan & Co. Endless Beaded Necklace: The retro yet modern appeal here is fab. Knot it high or low to add interest to both casual or dressy outfits. Available in gold and silver.
13. The Original Falling Whistle Necklace: Stop traffic with this one. Just for fun!
14. Birdcage Charm Bracelet by Monserat De Luca: Quirky and fabulous don’t you think?
15. Club Monaco Wild Pearl Ring: Its delicate yet chunky integrity is divine.

Stock up now if Summer is your dominant season. Autumn merchandise will be in full swing on shop floors from mid July onwards. In the Northern Hemisphere, our days are already getting shorter.

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