Outfit components that match closely in colour pull the look together. And it’s often attractive when footwear matches accessories. But not everything needs to match. For example, match your shoes with your belt or bag, and mismatch the rest.  A tonal colour match is just as effective as an exact match. Mismatched patterns work together when their palettes match. Subtle colour repetition in the tones of solids or the palettes of patterns harmonizes the outfit, creating a coordinated look. Intense colour mismatches can look interesting. There is creativity in the clash. When in doubt abou ..read more

These items have been winners on clients or have good reviews. Browse the colour, pattern and size options, and watch for the flash sales. Banana Republic and Boden offer discounted prices regularly in the US, so it’s worth waiting for good deals.  1. Banana Republic Cotton-Linen Cut-Out Midi Dress A linen-flax sleeveless dress with a bit of stretch that fits surprisingly well. The length is good and the armholes aren’t too low. It’s back cut-out is subtle and very well positioned. Not too revealing and quite covered. The skirt component is roomy and forgiving. Comes in a black and toffee ..read more

We see florals every Spring and Summer, and at the moment, large florals that are spaced out across all sorts of backgrounds are current and gaining momentum. They are the polar opposite to small, compact ditsy florals. The patterns run the gamut of flowers, colours and vibes.  Here are examples across a range of clothing items. Big spaced florals are my favourite kind of flower pattern. I usually have a few in my wardrobe. I like both realistic and abstract floral designs on dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets, pullovers, and pants. I tend to wear them in the Spring and Summer in brights ..read more

Camisoles are knitted or woven items of underwear that also work as loungewear and leisure wear. They have narrower straps than tank tops and are made of cotton, silk, satin, modal, tencel and elastane. Pick camisoles with very comfy fit and fabric.  Choose a body con or tailored fit in a cosy fabric. Cottons are popular and launder well. Handy adjustable straps alter the neckline position. A little longer than hipbone length is most versatile. Tucking camisoles into bottoms keeps them in place. Wearing white camisoles under white opaque tops makes their white look richer. Camisole strap ..read more

Inge and I will both be posting less during the rest of April, with posts on only Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. When I edit a wardrobe with one of my clients, it’s usually in a single session. Sometimes two. A session can take one to six hours depending on the size of the wardrobe and how well it’s been edited before I get stuck into it. We go through EVERY item. Apart from wardrobe basics and accessories, my clients fit on most of the items. We assess each one’s current fit, quality, colour, vibe, and comfort level. How it can be worn, and whether it works with their style aspirations ..read more

YLF turns eighteen today. Eighteen years since the first blog post. That’s a long time! You are what makes YLF a special social community. Thank you for your insightful, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful and often amusing contributions, from which I learn, reflect, and grow as a person. Special shoutout to Fabbers who have supported YLF for more than a decade. I am humbled by your loyalty and engagement.  A big thank you to Inge, who has been part of the YLF team for fourteen years, and a Fabber for sixteen. Inge is an absolute sweetheart, and one of the most thoughtful, patient, pol ..read more

Sustainability is a complex subject. There are no easy solutions and there are many compromises. Reflect on what sustainable and ethical fashion means for you and your style. The problems won’t go away unless we all act.  Purchase from sustainable brands. Purchase items with longevity. Take care of clothing so it lasts. Repair, recycle, and upcycle. Shop your wardrobe instead of the store. Rent, swap, donate and resell. Recycle to prevent items going to the landfill. Sustainability means different things for different people, and some can manage it more easily than others. It’s not a con ..read more

You are on Team Spring if you prefer dressing for Spring rather than Summer, and vice versa. Spring temperatures are cooler, which you might prefer, or not. Spring is by far my favourite time to shop. I love the colours, all the whites, the weights and textures of the clothing, the vibrant and happy patterns, the crispness of the fabrics, the footwear that is neither sandal nor boot. And that silhouettes are reasonably covered before stores are full of skimpier clothing for hot Summer weather. Spring weather in Seattle is all over the place. It can be cold, wet, damp, grey and windy. Snow ..read more

If you’ve ever slipped into an outfit that feels just right, you know the magic of clothes. And when it comes to outfits that make us feel invincible, there’s nothing quite like channeling the spirit of Wonder Woman. Let’s dive into why donning an outfit inspired by the iconic Amazonian warrior can transform not just your look, but your entire outlook.  The Magic of Enclothed Cognition Imagine the boost you get from wearing your favorite power outfit. That’s enclothed cognition at work. It’s the idea that our clothes impact our psychological state, influencing how we think, feel, and perf ..read more

Catch up on the jeans and footwear trends for 2024 if you missed them. Here are the rest of the trends for Spring and Summer as I see them. Many are familiar and a continuation of what we’ve been seeing. There are slight variations in colour palette, and some new combinations to enjoy if they’re your cup of tea.  There is more emphasis on how items and colours are combined and juxtaposed to create a refreshed and signature look, than in the silhouettes themselves. As always, feel free to feast, snack, or fast from the buffet of trends, and do your own thing. Almost anything goes these day ..read more