Whether it’s elegant or edgy, knitted or woven, plain or printed – no wardrobe is complete without a few pretty girlie tops. If you’re not one for frills and flounces then simpler kimono cuts and tuxedo styles can be just as alluring. Their increasing popularity is due to their tremendous versatility. Girly tops are perfect paired with jeans for smart casual dressing; and slacks or a skirt for business casual attire. Add the drama with ultra-dressy separates and the right accessories, and your outfit is appropriate for any semi-formal occasion. Contrary to what you might think, girly tops are easy items to put together in outfits. Here’s how:

• Add the extra layer – pop a camisole or tank top underneath if it’s sheer; pop a cropped jacket over for a dressier look.
• Add the bottom – jeans (skinny, bootcut or flared), walk shorts, skirts and slacks can all be worn with girly tops. Choose jeans when you want to dress your top down, and slacks or a skirt for a more formal look.
• Add the accessory – keep your jewelry pieces to a minimum when you wear girly tops with lots of detail (like neckties, bows, multiple ruffles and bold prints). Dainty earrings and/or one longer length necklace is best. Cinching in your natural waist with a wide or skinny belt is another good option.

You won’t look back once you’ve got the hang of putting together outfits with girly tops. They’ve become a staple in my wardrobe because they make me feel feminine, well groomed and put together.

Girly tops come in all sorts of silhouettes, colours and fabrications. Anthropologie, Bebe and Nordstrom have a wonderful selection this season.

Vintage and peasant silhouettes from Anthropologie.

Frilly and flouncy options with woven prints from Bebe and Nordstrom add drama.

Simpler knitted options from Nordstrom.

Ballet flats are the new look of comfort and style. Round, pointy and square toed alike – they’re all fabulous and extremely feminine. They are here in full force for autumn and perfect for right now, just before we’re in boots fighting off the cold and rain for months on end. Wear them all season if temperatures remain mild where you live – you can’t go wrong.

Ballet flats (or “skimmers” as they’ve been referred to this season) are very versatile. They’ll work both in casual and smarter dress codes. Wear them with:

• Either bootcut or skinny jeans and pants
• Walk shorts 
• Leggings and a tunic length top
• A pencil skirt if you are at least regular height (5’4″ and above)

Give your precious feet a rest from heels and treat yourself to ballet flats. Patent, red, black, metallic and leopard would be my top choices this season. This fashionable and practical shoe option is just what the doctor ordered for those of us who need to zoot around at high speeds all day. Mums and urbanites – enjoy this fantastic trend!

An abundant assortment of ballet flats or skimmers are available at Zappos.com.

The answer is “no”. Women well into their 60’s and 70’s can wear jeans with style. It’s a question of…

1. Finding a pair with the right cut and wash. Older women need to opt for dark blue washes that are higher in the rise and boot cut at the hem.
2. Matching them with the right tops and shoes. The key is to keep the matched up items a tad smarter then the norm (even for casual purposes).  The older we get, the smarter we need to become in our everyday dressing. Casual collared shirts, styled knit tops with jackets and dressy flats are more age-appropriate than cru-neck t-shirts with sneakers.

60+ women who wear jeans with style not only look effortlessly young for their age, but feel young at heart!

Autumn’s end-of-season sales are upon us before we’ve wrapped our heads and our bodies around the season’s new looks. Stores will soon be receiving their winter and holiday collections.

Banana Republic for Men continues to be a shopping destination for gents. They are currently on their 40% mid season sale and gents should have a look at their jeans, knitwear and shirting. Ladies who shop for your loved ones at Banana Republic for Men should stock up at this sale.

Their ranges for women, however, have proved disappointing over the last few seasons. Inconsistent sizing, dowdy styles and expensive prices have prevented me from spending my retail dollars there for a while. At the sale Ladies might have a spot of luck with the odd trench coat, smart pants and basic knit at reduced prices.

The good news is that the clothing on offer for the next part of the season (which is not on sale yet) looks like a vast improvement in style and price and this is what I am most excited to share. Banana Republic for Women might be on its’ way back.

Banana Republic for Women sales items that are worth considering: A striped wool cardigan, military inspired cropped trench, grey micro spot wrap dress with voluminous sleeve detail and cropped herringbone walk shorts are super choices not only for the  modern classics among us, but also for the trendy fashionistas who will mix it up with funk and flair.