Why do men's and women's shirts button on different sides?

Don't say we never tackle the big issues here...

From what I can work out - buttoning left over right - the men's wear way - is supposedly easiest for right-handed people.

In medieval times, women were dressed by maids so women's wear was made with buttons on the opposite side.

Another explanation is that men had to keep their right hand tucked into their coats so as to be ready for cold-weather swordplay, whereas women always breastfed with the left breast (hey, that's what it says here) and protected their babies by covering them with the right side of the dress or coat.

It is coming...

In my short blogging career I've never yet had the need to mobile blog. Nothing has been urgent enough that I have thought I must drop everything to post immediately. Until now...

While I was waiting for my coffee this morning I had a quick flick through Wish. They reported on the trends coming through from Milan Fashion Week. A trend none other than coloured jeans... Green jeans in fact...

Those who attended my Styling Workshops at The High Tea Party will know that I harped on and on about injecting some interest in men's fashion (and making an effort to move away from the blue denim 'uniform' for men's casual wear). More specifically, I championed coloured denim and promised that you would see more coloured denim coming through next season. I know some Workshopers were doubtful and dubious - but I stand by my promise, it is coming...

Mr Porter - Net-a-Porter for the boys

Online retail megastar Net-a-Porter have just announced plans to add a menswear site to their empire.

Discount sister site The Outnet launched last year and has been a huge success - and I dare say Mr Porter will follow with the same rave reviews. Men in Australia don't have the same easy access to high-end designer labels that their female counterparts do. At the moment, Aussie men have to resort to paying over-inflated prices at boutiques or run-of-the-mill stock (and picked over sizes) at bigger department stores. It will be great for men to finally have their pick of the cream of the crop.

Mr Porter is expected to go live in January 2011. Brands that have already agreed to be involved include Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, YSL, Margiela, Balmain, Dunhill, and Margaret Howell.

I love this look!

This is a fantastic spring look on Katie Holmes - definitely one I will be trying to re-create for our spring.

Visit the link below (one of my fave blogs!) to have a look and let me know what you think.

Coco's Tea Party

Maybe I will need to add a plaid shirt to my spring capsule wardrobe?

Thank you!

Thank you everyone for dropping by the LS Stylist workshop at The High Tea Party. It was wonderful to meet readers in person (and put a face to the email address!)– I hope you went away inspired and ready to create your new Spring Capsule Wardrobe.

If you need a little help with getting your wardrobe ready for spring, I have a special package available at the moment - the Mini-Styling Session for $195. This package involves a one-hour, personal wardrobe review where we will go through your wardrobe together and sort the pieces to keep and perhaps identify some signature pieces that you need to add. This will be followed by a one-hour, one-on-one shopping session. You can find all the contact details you need to know at www.lsstylist.com.au.

I'm not sure what I think about this?

[frockwriter]: sass & bide get their motors running with Range Rover

I like Sass and Bide (like, not love), I like the Range Rover Sport (like, not love) but I don't think I like the combination?

Final Images - Stamford Plaza Shoot

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe - Step One

A capsule wardrobe is so important for so many reasons. Running your wardrobe as a 'capsule' lets you keep a handle on your most favourite and most worn pieces (and replace them when needed), it lets you budget for the season ahead and also lets you define your personal style.

I'll be doing a series of posts on creating a capsule wardrobe - let us see where it takes us.

First you need to choose your 'signature pieces'. These are pieces

• you wear all the time
• are on high rotation
• that are (or need to be!) high quality
• made of a great fabric or a great colour

These are pieces you love and really say something about your 'signature style'.

You should have at least 8 pieces and up to about 24 our depending on how extensive your want your capsule wardrobe. A small capsule wardrobe (packed for a trip for example) will have about 8 to 10 pieces. A capsule wardrobe for a defined period (weight loss or pregnancy for example) will have closer to 15 or 18 pieces. A full capsule wardrobe will usually have between 20 and 24 pieces.

Over time (and over the year) your capsule wardrobe will change slightly. Your favourite jeans may stay in the mix for each season every year. Your black flats will probably hang around while your black boots may be replaced by black gladiators as the weather warms up. For the moment I think we should focus forwards and aim to create a 'Spring Capsule Wardrobe'.

This is what I'll be helping you create at my styling workshops at The High Tea Party. It may seem a little early as we have just hit the cold patch. But this gives you a chance to incorporate some of the winter pieces you are currently wearing into your Spring Capsule Wardrobe and test the boundaries whilst slowing bringing in lighter pieces for spring and summer that will be here before you know it. This also gives you a chance to start researching 'your look' for the coming warmer months.

A good start might be looking at some Spring Capsule Wardrobes from the 'Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge'. A couple of fellow bloggers participated earlier this year - they are Europe and UK based so they were about 6 months early for us but we might be able to continue on where they left off.

Stay tuned...

Brisbane Styling Workshops - 5 & 6 June 2010

I've posted a couple of times about my involvement in The High Tea Party. But until now I haven't let you in on exactly what I will be doing at the event.

Over the two day event, held at the Stamford Plaza, I'll be presenting a number of styling workshops. These workshops will focus on creating a versatile and individual Spring Capsule Wardrobe.

...

Okay I've typed and deleted a couple of times now trying to find the right words to express the importance of a capsule wardrobe. I can't find them so I'm going to try a different angle...

Let's start with 'What is a Capsule Wardrobe?'

A 'capsule wardrobe' is a thought-out and planned collection of clothes where all items easily work together and are versatile for a number of occasions. It is not a cookie-cutter, stock standard, set number of basics. A capsule is made up of your 'signature pieces' worn to suit your lifestyle. It is best built by investing in high-end, quality items.

I'll follow on from here with a series of posts to explain the importance of a capsule wardrobe and why you shouldn't run your wardrobe any other way.

[frockwriter]: World's spot of bother in Woollahra

[frockwriter]: World's spot of bother in Woollahra

I've linked to this post for my lovely Kate - lovely Kate spends more time down this end of Oxford St than at her real job. I'm not going to put words in her mouth but I'm betting she will be outraged too.