There are many, many reasons to bypass a fashion trend. Often, you just don’t like it. It’s too young, too frumpy, too fussy, too dressy, too expensive, too bold, too ugly, too edgy, too dramatic, too frilly, too revealing, too girly, too hard to launder… the list goes on. Sometimes you like the trend, but something else gets in the way. You can’t find the perfect incarnation, or you think that’s it’s not flattering for your body type or complexion. Sometimes a trend is late in the cycle by the time it wins you over, and you feel it’s too late to join the party. And then there’s the finances. With a finite budget you can’t jump on every trend that tickles your fancy. Especially ones that might date in a season or two.

Recently I’ve found that I’m bypassing more and more trends because of the footwear they require. For example, I really like the look of long, silky, slim-fit cargo pocket pants, which to my eye look best with at least 3-inch heels. Since I don’t wear heels that high unless it’s a sitting occasion, I say goodbye to the trend. Same goes for certain styles of tapered cropped trousers, skirts and dresses, which look fabulous with cage heels, monster wedges or super strappy sandals. Sure, I can choose to wear kitten heels or flats with trends that were meant to be worn with high heels, and sometimes do, but sometimes it just doesn’t look right. I find it such a shame!

Over to you. What are your main reasons for bypassing fashion trends?

Seattle-ites welcomed a stunning sunny weekend after months of soggy Spring. These photos were taken in the more residential part of Capitol Hill, a few blocks walking distance from where we live. Although it was sunny on Saturday, it wasn’t hot so I’m still layered. But I braved my closed-toe slingbacks sans hose, which means it’s definitely warming up around here.

If you don’t like brights or high colour contrasts, I apologize for my loud and bold outfit this Monday morning. Think of it as colourful caffeine to kick start your day. It’s no secret that I adore tomato red and citron, and wearing them together in clashing form makes me happy. I’ve made these colours seem even brighter by pairing them with white, because that makes me even happier! Colour blocking bright colours for Spring and Summer is especially on-trend this year. But honestly it’s something I have been doing since the 80’s so to me it doesn’t feel all that new.

I frequently wear white or cream bottoms and it only recently occurred to me that they bookend quite well with my hair. This might be one of the reasons I like them so much. Perhaps that’s why I don’t wear black opaque tights or black trousers.

Most of these items are golden oldies. The jacket is a three year old purchase from Barcelona. It’s 100% cotton which makes it perfect for mild Spring weather. Most of the time, I like to wear it belted, but unzipped, so that more of the underneath layer peeks through. The colour launches me into orbit so I am never giving it up.

My straight leg white jeans are 5 years old. My lazer cut silver wedges are the same age and are showing considerable wear on the wedge portion. This doesn’t bother me too much, because they are extremely comfortable and very versatile. Self-fabric dressy wedges with a stable two inch heel and 8-hour walking comfort are hard to find. I shall wear them until they literally fall apart.

To me, this is an accessory-free outfit. Although my sunglasses, handbag and watch are theoretically accessories, they serve a practical and necessary purpose, which is beyond the decorative in my book (although they do add to the outfit here). I am really enjoying wearing fewer accessories because in some strange way – it makes the outfit stronger.

The citron sweater is new and I can’t believe that I scored it in my size on mega sale at Anne Taylor a few weeks ago. It’s perfect for a Seattle Spring because it’s warm, but not Winter-y. I’m all matchy-matchy with the citron bag because that was the choice Greg preferred when I ran a few options by him for this outfit. Good thing I live with my fashion stylist.

I look a little tired in these photos because they were taken right after I’d spent the better half of nine hours working with my client in the San Juan Islands a few days ago. I posed right outside her house, with its beautiful backdrop of golf course greens, blue skies and pretty Spring foliage.

This may come as a surprise but I am very active when I help a client review their closet. It’s not a relaxing process where I sit on a chair, point with my finger and say: “yes, no, maybe”. I get stuck into hauling out clothes, footwear and accessories, reviewing them, creating outfits, taking pictures, making notes, rearranging clothes, folding knitwear, sorting jewelry, measuring inseams and dragging rubbish bags. I also constantly adjust the fit of items as my clients try them on, making suggestions and explaining fit challenges and wardrobe strategies as we go along. It’s an intense and tiring process, which is why my client was ready for a glass of wine and a relaxing bath after our session was complete!

I need comfortable clothes while I work for hours on end. In this case I was also traveling, so fairly crease-resistant clothes were a must. I wore a comfortable lined and knitted paint splotch patterned pencil shirt with a tucked-in Brooks Brothers non-iron button down shirt. Because it’s still cold in this neck of the woods, I covered up with an off-white leather jacket and stirrup leggings. My low heeled biker booties are 8-hour walking shoes, which make them a no brainer for a day of standing, sorting, traipsing and fiddling. My lime green bag makes the outfit feel more like Spring. I kept all the metals silver and the specs black. On closet review days, I keep my jewelry refined and simple so that it doesn’t dangle and get in the way.

I’m my own boss and I work in a creative environment, so I have the luxury of adding non-conventional touches to my outfits — like stirrup leggings. I much prefer them to normal opaque tights because the skin exposure on the ankle breaks up the severity of black on my legs and feet. Plus, I find the look interesting. It’s an acquired taste for sure and I do understand if it’s not your cup of tea.

I spent most of the day jacket off and scrunched sleeves, ready for lots of closet and outfit creation action. My client was a pleasure to work with and we had a very productive day.

Greg and Rosie joined me on this trip. It warmed my heart to see them straight after a hard days work away from home. Rosie, having travelled the world with us, is quite the veteran traveler. She was most delighted by her unexpected little Island experience.

See these photos and a few more outtakes in this YLF Facebook album.

Obviously, we all pay attention to how jeans look from the front. But how important is the fit and the position of pockets from the back? You are on Team Back if you pay as much attention to the back of the fit of jeans as you do to the front. You are on Team Front if you pay more attention to how jeans fit from the front.

I’ve noticed that many online retailers showcase their jeans from the back, which leads me to believe that some customers pay special attention to how they fit at the back. And more specifically, that back pocket size and positioning has become very important.

The back of my jeans need to fit, no question. I’ll have the waistband adjusted if necessary, and I like the look of a fairly snug denim derriere (apart from my baggy flared jeans, which fit more loosely all over). But I pay very little attention to back pocket size and positioning because I’m not that fussed about whether my bottom looks perkier in one style versus another. You might be surprised to hear that to my eye, it really doesn’t make that much difference how flat back denim pockets are sized and positioned. The front fit of jeans however, is crucially important to me, more so than the back. This puts me on Team Front.

Over to you. Are you on Team Front or Team Back? Tell us why and no batting for both Teams.