It has taken almost 20 years for red to come back as a major fashion colour. It’s just what the doctor ordered to brighten up a dark palette for autumn and winter. The revival of red goes hand in hand with the revival of ‘80’s urban punk chic this season. It’s the colour of power, love and good fortune – and a lot more versatile than you might think.

Everyone can wear red – and that includes redheads! Nicole Kidman was breathtaking in Moulin Rouge when she wore red. It’s a question of finding the correct shade and intensity, which depends on the undertone colour of your skin. Your skin can either have warm or cold undertones; and shades of red can either have yellow or blue undertones. It’s easiest to determine which undertone you tend towards by looking at the inside of your hands.

• Skin with warm (yellow) undertones should select tomato reds 
• Skin with cold (blue) undertones should select richer cherry reds. 
• Some people have both sets of undertones and can therefore wear both.

I have always thought of red as a basic colour, along with black, white, grey and tan, despite its ability to be bright. If it’s a colour that you are not used to wearing – consider it as an accent or accessory instead. Stay tuned for how to wear it with style.

It’s fabulously feminine to show a bit of leg, so hiding less-than-shapely ankles under long pants is not always an option. If you are going to show them off, it is best to avoid certain shoe styles and stick to others.

Avoid…

• Pointy flats – the thinness of the point makes your ankle look stumpy.
• High ankle straps – enclosing your ankle will draw attention to it.
• Kitten heels – the daintiness of the heel is not in proportion to the size of your ankle and gives you that “falling over” effect.

Choose… 

• Loafers or clogs – the more substantial the shoe, the more in proportion it will look.
• A simple thong – the detail is around your toes, thereby drawing attention away from your ankle.
• Shoes with chunky heels – wedges and stacked heels will help balance the broadness of your ankle.

Finally, avoid tapered pants and pants cropped at the ankle – they are like spotlights on an area that you would prefer not to highlight.

Examples of footwear that will slim down thicker ankles – loafers, chunky heeled Mary-Janes and a pair of espadrille wedges (all from Zappos.com).

We need to wear clothes for all aspects of our life and that includes lounging around at home. While some of us might think that wearing an old size XXL varsity sweatshirt with pyjama pants is acceptable – we can do better then that. Invest in at least one set of comfy and currently styled sweats that you can climb into when you feel like relaxing at home. They are available at inexpensive stores like the Gap, old Navy or Target for under $70 (or even $50-$60 if you watch the sales). My sweats double up as a robe for my lifestyle. I get into them first thing in the morning and before I go to bed instead of putting a robe over my sleepwear.

I have found my trendy sweats to be an indispensable part of my wardrobe because I use them every day. Do yourself a favour and update the clothes that you lounge around at home in. It will kick your style quotient up a notch, and save you some embarrassment when someone unexpectedly turns up on your doorstep.

A hooded track jacket in yellow & brown from Target ($24.99) and a A pair of brown velour lounge pants from the Gap ($29.50).

A sweat hoodie from the Gap ($44) and a pair of flare leg fleece sweat pants from American Eagle ($29.50).

In the light of this season’s all important white shirt, I thought it best to address how to wear white successfully if you feel that it washes you out.

Misconception: you need to be an olive-skinned brunette to wear white and cream

I am blonde with pale skin (which is never tanned) and wear white and winter-white all the time. I absolutely love pearls and often wear them against my white skin. And it works. Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Keep your face polished – this means grooming and filling in your eyebrows, wearing mascara, keeping your cheeks rosy and your lips a darker shade of your natural colour. I am an advocate of showing restraint when it comes to applying make-up – but just the right amount adds polish to your face by making your features more distinctive.
• Create a contrast on top – layer an item in a strong colour over your white shirt (e.g. black waist coat or red jacket) or wear a necklace in a strong colour close to your face (e.g. green choker beads).
• Create a contrast on the bottom – wear your white shirt with dark jeans, pants or skirt.
• Opt for cream instead – sometimes the tone of a warmer version of white (like cream or off white) is better than pure optical white.

Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Renee Zellwegger are excellent examples of women who successfully wear white and cream despite their creamy complexions.