Green Up Your Wardrobe

We’ve all heard the buzz lately about “going green” and doing our parts to help counteract some of the damage we’ve done to the planet: Drive less, walk more. Reduce your waste. Reuse what you can. Recycle, recyle, recyle. Honorable ideas, yes, but not always the most fun. Unless, of course, clothes shopping is involved! Many designers are hitching a ride on the green train and using recyled materials or organically-grown ones in their products, while others are donating money or planting trees for every item of clothing sold. Below is an overview of a few of the Yaya’s designers who are doing their part to help the environment.

Eco-Centric- Eco-Centric tees are made from 100% organic cotton and sport pretty prints of nature. The company will plant a tree for every tee sold. Shop Eco-Centric
Haley K- Haley K tees are made from 100% organic cotton and their eco-friendly messages help you show off your earth-friendly side. Shop Haley K
Billy Blues- While not “green” in the most obvious way, all Billy Blues clothes are made right here in the US, eliminating cross-continent travel and saving tons of diesel fuel along the way. Shop Billy Blues
Panda Snack- Panda Snack clothing is made from environmentally-friendly bamboo, one of the most resilient plants in the world. Not only does the fabric provide a pesticide-free alternative to cotton, the fabric is silky soft and antibacterial. Panda Snack will also donate part of their proceeds to panda preservation. Shop Panda Snack
Pure & Co.- Pure and Co. is ahead of the curve when it comes to being environmentally friendly. The company is working to find a way to reduce carbon emissions, rely on solar power, and recycle scraps whenever possible.
Armand & Alba- Armand & Alba garments are partially recycled, with scraps of old sweaters woven in.

Check out the links to the environmentally-conscious designers above and ease your conscience while improving your wardrobe!

Sale Time!

If you’re anything like me, you love a great deal. Sale, clearance, discount….you zero in on those words like a sniper to his target. So, to appease all you bargain-hunters out there, here are a rundown of a few hot sales items from Yaya’s. They’re sure to keep you in-style and on-trend for less!

First, try Billy Blues’ straight jean. They are a classic-fitting, extremely versatile style, sure to become a staple in your wardrobe. Try them with a loose-fitting tunic or a fitted tee, dressed-up with heels, or -down with flats. Or, layer them under a shorter casual dress for a unique way to keep warm this fall.

Eco-Centric’s butterfly tee is a great piece for this time of year. The pretty butterfly print feels light and summery, while the longer sleeves make it wearable into cooler fall weather. Try it with khaki pants, a short denim skirt, or black capris. Add a few bangle or cuff bracelets (still hot for summer and into fall) and you’ll look polished and put-together. Even better, the tee is 100% organic cotton and Eco-Centric will plant a tree for each tee sold.

Wanting to dress up and still find a bargain? Try Lan Vie’s paneled sleeveless dress. It has a deep V-neckline, empire waist, and slimming diagonal panels on the skirt. Wear it with metallic sandals and a long chain necklace, and add a black or silver metallic cardigan to make it work-appropriate.

Now is the time to stock up on great basic items, too. You’ll find tons of great layering pieces and body helpers under the “body basics” link in the “clothing” section above. Check out tons more great deals on all kinds of items under the “sale” link above.

Denim for All!

Time for another reader question! This week’s quandary: What jeans should I be wearing this season? Skinny, wide-leg, high-rise, low-rise? The fabulous answer: wear whatever flatters you!

Sure, that sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t.

This season’s newest, most on-trend style is the wide-leg jean. With a mid- to high-rise and in dark coloration, it looks great with a fitted top or cropped jacket. Though you may be tempted to wear a really wide pair, steer clear of anything too loose or you risk looking shapeless.

Skinny-jean lovers out there, don’t fret. You can still wear your painted-on jeans all season long, just be sure to mix them with a top that has some extra volume. A loose tunic, a babydoll top, or a chunky sweater once the weather is cooler, will provide a nice contrast to the tightness of your pants.

For those of us afraid to commit to either of these trends, we still have two great solutions: first, try a pair of flared or boot-cut jeans for a classic flatters-everyone look. Fitted in the waist and thighs and looser from the knee to the ankle, these jeans do double duty, working well with both fitted tops or looser ones. Or, if you prefer a slimmer look without going too tight, try straight-leg jeans. These will also go well with either slim or voluminous tops, and they will never go out of style!

Below are a few styles Yaya's currently carries, but be sure to check out the "denim" link above for additional styles. Check back often because we'll be getting in new styles all season long!
1. Level 99 "Dorothy" Flare
2. Christopher Blue ""Lexington" Bootcut
3. Level 99 "Laguna" Wideleg

And if you'd like to send me a question of your own, click here.

Reader question: What is "business casual" attire?

In an attempt better target my trend research and writing to be truly helpful to you, the reader, I will occasionally be answering questions from readers in my weekly column. If you have a question, please send it to me at kelly@theclothesgallery.com, and it could be featured in an upcoming week.


To start with, I will answer a question that I (and the ladies at Yaya's) hear quite often: Just what, exactly, constitutes "business casual" attire? This is a great question, though a difficult one to answer, because dress codes vary greatly by company. I've worked for a company where pretty much anything was acceptable for business casual dress, with the exceptions of jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts. I've also worked for a company where business casual simply meant that a full suit wasn't required. I guess the best I answer I can give is this: err on the side of conservatism.


A knee-length skirt with a sweater or blouse is a good start. Tailored pants of any cut, along with a casual or dressy top (nothing sleeveless), are a simple and classy look. Cropped pants may or may not be acceptable, depending on the length of the hem. Generally, ankle-length is fine, but mid calf or shorter is not. In many circumstances opened-toe and -heel shoes are acceptable, and stockings are generally not required.


If you’re concerned with business casual attire for a luncheon or other event, there is probably more leeway. You could wear city shorts (Bermuda shorts in a crisp tailored fabric) or a sleeveless top and be perfectly acceptable. Of course, if this is for a workplace, consult your company's dress code and take a look at what those around you are wearing. That is often your best reference.


If you feel that the dress code doesn't allow you to be "you", try adding some fun accessories. A print scarf or headband, an armful of bangle bracelets, or a pair of brightly colored shoes can liven up any outfit and express your true personality. Below are a few unique jewelry pieces Yaya's carries, just to give you some inspiration. Check out the "jewelry" and "accessories" links above for more.

Mix & Match

The combination of neon and neutrals is a fun look that you can show off now, and still wear well into fall. The bright punch of color gives this trend a youthful feel, but the right pieces can still be appropriate for any occasion. The trendiest of us might even be able to make this look work in a more formal setting, by pairing, say, a tangerine cocktail dress with tan jewelry and accessories, or by showing a lime button-down top under a suit. Here are a few ways to try this look for everyday wear.

These Karen Kane Capri pants in blue, when paired with this Lynn Ritchie silk tunic in grey, make a great foundation for this trend. For summer, add some cute sandals and a few bangle bracelets and you’re set for a business-casual day at work, a lunch date, or an evening at a street fair. For fall, add a cardigan for a work-appropriate look or a sweatshirt jacket for a casual night out.

Christopher Blue’s stretch denim pants in warm stone are a great neutral bottom to wear with a variety of bright and neon tops. Lynn Ritchie’s long-sleeve V-neck top in bright pink is a perfect way to “rock” the neon-and-neutral trend. Natural wood bead jewelry and natural-colored sandals or ballet flats complete the look without overdosing on color.

Do you have a fashion question you’d like answered? Email kellyjean81@gmail.com and your question could be featured in an upcoming “Ya Talk.”

And so it begins (Fall 2008, that is)

June is finally here, which means it’s time to start checking out the fall runway shows and picking the hot new looks for the season. Most fall 2008 looks are a far cry from the floral-heavy feminine looks from spring, but there are a few that transition nicely. Let’s have a look…

The first fall trend, which I think translates nicely into the transition period, as well, is the combination of neutral colors with neons. Pick a few of your brightly colored tees and tanks from summer, layer them with grey, beige, brown, or black, and you’re all set for fall!

Masculine 70s looks are a holdover from spring. If you’ll recall, a few of the hot spring trends were 70s inspired, including belted waists and safari-inspired looks. These become looks perfect for cooler weather when structured jackets over collared shirts and high-waist are substituted for halter tops and high-waist shorts.

The only feminine-feeling trend for fall is that of the maxi skirt. Most maxi skirts shown for fall were in neutrals or floral print, so they will wear well with spring’s lingerie-inspired and transparent trends. A long skirt with a camisole will be perfect for today’s warm weather, while the addition of a snuggly cable-knit sweater and boots would be great come the cooler weather.

Next week, I’ll show you the looks Yaya’s way! Until then, click on the “clothing” link above to do some fashion exploring of your own.

Street Style

I spent a few days downtown this weekend and, as always, I was amazed at the many different styles I encountered while walking Michigan Ave. From punk-rock wannabes with multi-colored Mohawks and black combat boots, to groups of kids in their Prom formalwear, I saw all kinds of clothing. My favorite, of course, was the multitude of wedding parties getting their pictures taken on the medians of the busy streets or in front of the famous architecture.

What I really noticed, though, was that in spite of the multitude of trendy stores and trendy people, most people were dressed very simply. Most women wore straightleg or bootcut jeans or khaki shorts, both with simple tee shirts, mostly in plain white or black. The other popular look was the summer standby of pretty dresses. I saw all styles and all prints, but I noticed that they were always knee-length and worn with flat sandals. Florals were everywhere, in an array of colors and prints. The most popular silhouettes were strapless empire waist dresses and loose-fitting spaghetti-strap A-line dresses.

With it being a hot and humid day Chicago, what this tells me is that we, as a whole, dress for comfort. We aren’t slaves to fashion and we don’t throw aside the basics because the powers that be tell us that what’s really hot this season is the most uncomfortable or impractical thing ever.

And what’s really great is that Yaya’s can help you maintain the perfect mix of comfy basics and trendy new pieces that make up your unique wardrobe. Click on the links above to see what we have to offer.