Fashion evolves. Our bodies and lifestyles change constantly, and with them the contents of our wardrobe. Updating, replacing and duplicating clothing, footwear and accessories is a way of life. But alongside the items in our wardrobe that will only last for one season, there are others that have lasted a lot longer. Today we pay tribute to these wardrobe golden oldies.

These are the rules:

1. The items must be purchased first hand by you, or by someone else for you
2. Thrift store items, vintage pieces and hand-me-downs don’t count
3. Old items and sentimental pieces that you don’t wear don’t count

I’ll go first:

• Diesel denim jacket: It’s 8 years old and I’ve had it completely altered. Now that it looks updated, it’s back in full stylish swing. I am never giving this jacket away. It’s going to end up in someone else’s closet as a vintage piece when I’m 85.
• Prada handbag: It’s 10 years old and virtually looks new. It’s black, silver studded and the “baguette” style that was all the rage in the 90’s. I used to sport it all the time when it was new because it was my favourite piece back then. Today I have lots of favourites so it comes out less often. It’s still quite the show piece and attracts loads of attention.
• Chanel handbag: It’s 13 years old and was a gift from a manufacturer during my days as a fashion buyer. It seldom comes out to play. This is not the Chanel bag I’d have personally selected, but it’s a beautiful classic piece that will never date. I hope to use it more as I get older.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of the oldest items in your closet that are still in stylish circulation?

If you like fringe, this is your season. Robin Hood meets Pocahontas with a bit of the Wild West and the good old ‘70’s thrown into the mix. You’ll find boots, shoes, handbags, scarves and clothes overtly trimmed with statement fringe in stores right now.

This is not my favourite Autumn 2008 trend. I don’t fancy fringe on anything other than a flirty 1920’s flapper dress, and I only purchase items with fringe if I can remove it (for example, scarves). I’ll be bypassing this one. Will you?

It’s important to distinguish between knits and wovens in your wardrobe. Knits are fabrics like jersey, mesh and knitwear. Wovens are fabrics like denim, twill, tweed, raw silk and satin (refer back to my detailed post if you need to refresh your memory on the differences). Each fabric has a set of good and bad properties and there is room for both in your wardrobe.

The pros of knits:

• Predominantly casual
• Comfortable to wear and always stretchy
• Easy to launder
• Relatively inexpensive
• Often wrinkle-resistant (e.g. mesh)

The cons of knits:

• Lack a certain “crispness”
• Never as dressy as a woven
• Shrink and stretch-out
• Look shabby fast (less stable fabric composition)
• Can cling in the wrong places thereby spotlighting muffin top

The pros of wovens:

• Tend to look “crisp”
• Offer a smarter appearance and luxurious integrity
• Add structure to an outfit
• Look pristine for longer, seldom shrinking and losing shape
• Have a rigid fabric composition that combats muffin top

The cons of wovens:

• Not as soft as knits
• Don’t always stretch and sometimes feel restrictive
• Can be laborious to launder (dry clean and press)
• Wrinkle quite easily
• Relatively more expensive

Knitted tops are ideal for busty gals because they stretch comfortably over the bosom (no woven gaping). They also tailor the waistline in ways wovens won’t unless they’re altered, or contain a  stretch component. Wovens are a must for all bottoms because they create structure. Knitted bottoms are for lounging and gear only.

I have a strong preference for wovens. I love the way they look and last. I’m usually sporting woven tops, jackets, dresses and skirts. I often wear knitwear and sometimes knitted tops, but I always wear woven bottoms. I seem to be in the minority with my woven preference here in the US. Do you prefer wearing knits, and if so, why?

The classic 30’s and 40’s spectator ped makes a modern comeback for both men and women. You’ll see them two-toned, three-toned or monochromatic. Peep-toed, mary jane and T-strapped, close-toed, matte, patent, flat or heeled. Take your pick this season. Spectators are huge and there’s lots of variety.

I adore spectators and like them best two-toned. They’re magical with a suit and just as fab with a pair of jeans. I also like spectators with frocks and skirts and a great pair of sassy hose. So chic!

I have a pair of cream spectator booties from last season that I can’t wait to wear. But they’re 3-hour shoes, so ideally, I’d like to get a pair two-toned 8-hour spectator pumps with a two inch heel. I know: tall order.

An assortment of spectator shoes for lasses and lads. If I could be assured of their comfort level and “hem” their heel height, I’d be all over the cream and black Marc Jacobs pair (top right). They send me into orbit.

Menswear inspired trends are hot for Autumn, and I love a bit of the old androgynous look thrown into the mix with an uber feminine twist. Ties, waistcoats, spectator peds, tuxedos and boyfriend cardigans are great ways in which menswear looks can work on women with the right amount of grace and girly edge.

Bobbie Thomas of NBC’s TODAY describes several ways that women are working masculine items into their wardrobes. Katie Holmes takes this trend to an extreme, wearing what looks like hubby’s jeans. Do you think she pulls off the look with style?

I run into loads of Mums taking kids on shopping sprees at this time of year. I suspect that treating kids to new clothes before school starts is common. Perhaps even an American tradition and a fun bonding opportunity.

The concept of wearing civvies to school is completely foreign to me. I wore a school uniform for both Primary and High school. As much as I disliked my uniform, it made life easy. I  knew exactly what I had to wear each morning. There was no clothing rivalry because everybody looked the same (for the most part anyway). As soon as I grew out of my uniform, my parents bought the next size up without pause. My individual school style was stifled, but I made up for that after hours. We dressed up to the nines every opportunity we got. Walking across the road to hang out with a neighbour became a major fashion event.

School must have been a different experience sans the uniform. I’d love to hear what it was like expressing your individual style at school. How did you feel about what you wore, and how did  your peers make you feel about your style? Is there really variety, or is it just a new type of uniform as most kids make every effort to conform with their cool outfits from AE, Abercrombie and Fitch, Old Navy and Hollister.

Casual micro-check pants have started to surface in the US. I really like the look of these pants and have two pairs that I enjoy wearing when I’m bored of denim, but in the mood for a relaxed pants look. They are a great alternative to jeans in the casual pants category.

A “micro-check” is a monochromatic, fairly subtle, plaid design. Micro-checks can be casual or business casual depending on the integrity of the fabric. In order for this look to stay casual, you’re after pants in a cotton-rich fabrication. Fabric is key. Purchase these pants in a rayon or viscose wool blend and they’re instantly dressy.

Select a leg silhouette that works for you and commit to a heel height. I like micro-check pants best matched with plain tops, but prints will work if you choose them carefully. Add a denim jacket when it’s chilly and check-mate, you’ve beaten the casual pants dilemma.

The Gap has two nice micro-check pants options in at the moment (98% cotton, 2% spandex).The one style is flared and the other straight. The black and white flared leg is not nearly as low rise as its described. It has a brilliant adjustment detail to make it fit perfectly on the waistline.

I adore timeless denim skirts and always have a few in my wardrobe. They are a nice alternative to jeans for casual and smart casual dressing. I’ve found them extremely versatile and cost effective because they are inexpensive and I can wear them throughout the year. They’re ideal in warm weather with a top and sandals, and just as fab in cool weather with knee-high boots and a cropped jacket.

One of my complaints every season is the lack of denim skirt variety. I’d welcome a range of silhouettes, colours, lengths and washes. At the moment, there’s a nice selection of knee-length straight-ish denim skirts. It’s a look most body types can wear if you get the right fit on the hip and thigh area:

• To create a curve:  choose a style that tapers in towards the knee.
• To straighten a curve: choose a style that hangs straight from the hip down, or flares out slightly.

I personally prefer a dark wash, but have successfully popped clients into lighter washes, black-black, cream and grey denim skirts as well. If you don’t have one already, consider adding a denim skirt to your wardrobe. It’s a great way to get out of a pants rut.

An assortment of knee length straight denim skirts. Some of the side seams taper in, while others hang straight or  flare out slightly. Dress them up or down and make skirts a “go-to item” when you’re sick of jeans.

If you haven’t heard of the Sweet Pea brand, it’s time you did. Their tops are versatile, comfortable, flattering and fun to wear. A flop-proof option to have in your wardrobe if you don’t mind man-made fibers and bold printed designs.

Sweet Pea tops are made of a 100% polyester knitted mesh and come in a range of styles and printed patterns. They are great dressed up under a jacket for smarter occasions, and just as fab dressed down with clamdiggers and casual sandals. The fabric is wrinkle resistant, which makes them easy to launder and the perfect traveling pieces. There’s no chance of shrinkage and the fabric wears well. Shiny, our YLF cleaning queen, mentioned in the forum that the dye runs when you hand wash these tops. So make sure your laundry batches are colour coordinated!

Usually priced between $60 and $95, Tanya recently pointed out that Bluefly is having a sale and styles are 50-70% off at the moment. Sweet Pea tops are perfect on their own, or layered with cardigans for Autumn. They’re a win if it’s your style. I haven’t had a disappointed sweet pea client yet.

An assortment of sweet pea tops. They don’t seem to cling nearly as much as other knitted tops do. Their all-over-print designs, the nature of the mesh fabric, and clever styling details often make them forgiving around the mid section.

Spring’s fringe “it” shoe is now everywhere. I suspect that the peep-toe bootie was well received at retail six months ago, explaining why fashion buyers repeated the transitional look for Autumn. Interesting.

I liked the look of the ped when it first came out and I still do. It is edgy, modern and very new. They look super with a pair of skinny bottoms. I also like the peep-toe bootie with frocks and skirts on the right body type. This shoe is off limits for me personally, because I can’t wear peep-toes or soaring heel heights. But I whole heartedly appreciate the trend.

This style was not popular at YLF when it debuted. Has your eye adjusted? Are you sporting peep-toe booties? Or is this still a look you can live without.