Some style books suggest sticking to heels with skirts and dresses to ensure a flattering leg-lengthening look. That doesn’t mean sticking to stacked four inch heels when a two inch wedge or platform heel works just as well. I agree that frocks and skirts look fantastic with heels, especially when they’re on the dressier side. It’s a flop proof outfit formula that makes a fabulous impression.

But I also love the look of skirts and frocks with ballet flats and flat sandals. It dresses down the outfit to casual, practical and less fussy. Wearing flats does shorten the leg line, but if you have proportionately long legs, it’s no problem. If your legs are on the short side, raise the hemline to either right above the knee, or a few inches above the knee. This will make your legs appear longer.

I often wear flats with frocks and skirts and not just in a casual sense. I’ll go as far as adding dressy flats to a dressy dress. I adore wearing flats or shoes with a one inch heel, AND I adore wearing skirts and dresses. For me, marrying the two items in the right way is a perfect solution. Am I alone in liking flats with skirts and dresses? Do you feel dumpy if you don’t wear heels with this look?

The first dress is dressier than the others, but looks just as fab with refined, flat thong sandals. The hemline of the second dress is below the knee, which isn’t quite as flattering with flats. It doesn’t look bad, but a shorter length dress would look better. The third dress is a mini. A super Summer look for younger gals with killer legs.

Tomorrow is the official start of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale, but in store the markdowns are already in place. I was shopping with a client this afternoon and we got some great deals.

While not as much of an event as the Anniversary Sale, which previews upcoming merchandise, this clearance of Spring product is still a great opportunity to get premium items at bargain prices.

If you can’t get to the store before the weekend, consider shopping online to nab the best deals early on.

For the first 25 years of my life I cursed my pale skin, envying dark-skinned, tanned gals who always looked healthy and fabulous in Summer clothes. In the 70’s and 80’s, living close to the beach in a tropical climate would do that to you. Back then it just wasn’t fab to be un-tanned.

So in my early twenties I lay on a few sun beds and slathered blotchy self tanning lotions on my body in an effort to look sun-kissed and fresh. I thought it would increase my style quotient.

In my late twenties everything changed. I became paranoid about what the sun and tanning beds can do your skin. I started to loath the idea of rubbing self-tanning lotion on any part of my body. My deliberate sun tanning and self tanning days came to an end.

These days I am extremely mindful about protecting my skin from the sun. I use SPF 40 on my face and hands every day. On sunny days I use it all over. I am never tanned and stay my pale, fair-skinned self all year round.

My natural skin colour is what it is and I’m relieved now that I can embrace this fact. My legs are super white, but I wear dresses and skirts all the time. Dark-skinned, tanned gals still look healthy and fabulous in Summer clothes, but I have learned to love my milky complexion.

Over to you, pale skinned lasses. Do you find the need to tan or self tan? Do you feel better with a bit of colour? Or do you leave it au natural like me.

Make an outfit instantly look and feel more Summery by adding white. It freshens things up, especially when contrasted with a bright or dark colour like black, navy, chocolate brown or grey. The effect is often eye-catching, which is why white acts like a bright, even though it’s a neutral.

Think of incorporating the following white items into ensembles as temperatures rise:

• White tops: They often need a camisole to make them look whiter and less see-through which is not ideal in sweltering weather, but it’s worth it if you’re in air conditioning. A white top accessorized with texture and contrast is flop proof.
• White bottoms: I’m a huge fan of white jeans, clamdiggers, pants and skirts. They are the perfect bridging piece as they make existing wardrobe items (like black tops) feel seasonally right. White bottoms do not make you look fat if the fit and fabric is fab.
• White camisoles: Where you would have opted for a black camisole, try using a white one instead. You’ll be surprised at how this one change can make a big difference.
• White outer layer: Consider white lightweight jackets, denim jackets or cardigans if you need a second layer. In order to prevent “the lab coat” effect, choose jackets with a contrasting button in black or a metal.
• White handbags and shoes: If you don’t like to wear white clothing, sport the colour through handbags and shoes instead. It packs instant punch.
• White accessories: Think white chunky beads, pendant, bracelet, watch, belt, earrings, specs and sunglasses when you’re adding Summer accessories to your look.

If you don’t like to wear optical white, choose a variation like off-white or cream. They work just as well. Also, you don’t need to be tanned to wear white next to your skin. I’m pale skinned and somehow wear white well. If you’re still not convinced, use it as a layering vehicle instead.

I’ve adored all things white and cream since I was little. There is something magically clean, crisp, sophisticated and cool about this neutral, which is why it holds a special place in my heart. Most of the time white is my black. I do lots of laundry because of my impractical obsession with white things, but it’s worth it.

Our affiliate partners are running some interesting sales right now:

• Boden: Get 15% Off Plus Free Shipping and Returns
• eBags.com: Get 15% Off Handbags
• CJ Banks: Get Up To 50% Off All Clearance Items
• ESPRIT: Get 10% Off
• CoutureCandy: All Styles 25% Off

Be sure to save some of your budget though. The Memorial Day sales, and Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale will make next weekend quite the shopping opportunity if you are in the United States.

It’s one thing to sit by a shady pool drinking iced tea all day when temperatures soar, but it’s quite another to look polished, professional and pulled together in hot weather conditions. Believe it or not, it’s possible to be cool, calm and collected instead of a sweltering, sticky mess in extreme heat. I learned how to dress for these conditions while living in Asia and Africa for a large part of my life.

Here are some suggestions as we in the Northern Hemisphere head into summer:

• Fabrications: Look for items made of lightweight natural fibers like cotton, linen, muslin and silk. Fabric blends with a high content of natural fiber are just as good. To my surprise, I’ve found that super thin, man-made, gauzy, mesh-like fabrics work well too.
• Colours: Shades of white are great for reflecting heat, but dark colours and patterned items are ideal for camouflaging perspiration spots. Your choice may depend on whether your day is like Cape Town’s dry, windy summer, or Singapore’s unbelievable, year-round tropical humidity.
• Sleeveless: Some people find it cooler to cover up from the sun in lightweight fabrics, while others prefer to wear garments with less coverage. I’ve found that as long as I use sunblock, going sleeveless is hands down the coolest solution.
• Breezy dresses: A sleeveless, flowing, knee-length, knit or woven, A-line dress that’s fitted on top and flared at the bottom is very ventilating. Nothing too tight or clingy, just tailored in the right places and super airy.
• A-line skirts: A knee-length skirt that floats away from the body is cooler than a pencil skirt. Add a sleeveless top and its built-in air conditioning.
• Walk shorts: Shorts that end around the knee, or a little shorter, are not nearly as cool as skirts and dresses but at a push they’ll work too.
• Voluminous tops: You might not like the sound of this but trapeze tops, empire cuts and banded tops in both knits and wovens are brilliant in the heat. Forget about defining your waist when you’re desperate and stick to a strong shoulder line instead. Add a short streamlined bottom and you’re in business.
• Single layer: Find items that look good worn on their own, sans a cami, cardi or second layer. If the neckline gapes, have it altered so that you’re happy with the amount of cleavage exposed.
• Sandals: Open shoes like thong sandals and gladiators with fewer straps are ideal.
• Practical hairstyle: Opt for a do that works in heat and humidity. Keeping it shorter is the obvious answer, but tying back longer hair in flattening ways is another solution.
• Frequent showers: It really helps to come home and start again. Cleaning up and popping on a fresh set of clothes works wonders.
• Slower pace: Instead of rushing around, take your time and don’t be desperate to hurry everything along. It sounds ridiculous and I was dubious about this suggestion at first, but it makes a huge difference.

I do pretty well in the heat if I dress accordingly, take multiple showers and keep my hair super short. My main challenge is combating frosty air conditioned interiors when I’m dressed for the 90 degrees plus outside. Layering flimsy clothing with cardigans, lightweight jackets and scarves is not sufficient when it’s 68 degrees indoors. My exposed feet freeze which makes me instantly cold. What I usually end up doing is dressing for cooler temperatures when I’m going to spend time in AC and taking my sweaty chances when I venture outdoors. I guess I’d rather feel too warm than too cold.

Over to you. What have I left out? How do you manage your style and wardrobe in extreme heat?

It isn’t unusual to be doubtful about a trend and then change our mind when we find the version that works for us and figure out how to wear it well. Sometimes it’s also a question of allowing our eyes to adapt to a particular look. Some trends never work for us because they don’t suit our body type or style preference, and that’s  fine too. They will work on someone else and we can appreciate them in that way.

That said, in the last seventeen years of my professional fashion life I have come across a few recurring trends that I don’t find flattering on anyone. Despite being the the number one frock in stores this season in all its bohemian and 70’s glory, relaxed maxi dresses is one of these trends.

Casual ankle length frocks worn with casual flats for either day or night just don’t work in my book. It’s too much fabric for daytime and the look swallows you up if you’re short. They also resemble nighties when worn at night and look odd when sported with dressy heels. However, if you have a bit of height, I love the look of a dressy ankle length gown or skirt for formal occasions matched with dressy high heels. I guess my challenge is that I find it hard to accept the ankle length frock as a casual thing. It’s not only hard to wear (knee-length dresses are infinitely more flattering) but it screams “formal”.

The question of casual maxi dress wearability keeps coming up on YLF now that it’s getting warmer and the style is everywhere in stores and on the street. So I went back to try the look AND had clients do the same, but my perspective has not changed. Nevertheless, if you like the way casual maxi dresses make you look and feel, I won’t hold it against you! I feel strongly about the guidelines that I evangelize, but this case feels more subjective than most.

The two maxi dresses on the left are casual and I just can’t get my head around the look. The two gowns on the right are evening formal and super dressy. I love that look.

My Spring 2009 wardrobe updates are complete and it’s onto Summer. I don’t need to stick to accessories this time round but Summers in Seattle are short which means that purchases will be minimal. In this neck of the woods, it makes more sense to save pennies for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which is less than two months away.

One of my favourite looks is to mix retro 50’s and 60’s inspired pieces with modern style. So it was love at first sight when I saw this fun, ladylike sleeveless sheath. The frock is a little shorter than I usually wear which actually makes it more versatile since it double duties as a tunic. Fabulous.

I can wear this item in at least four different ways, dressed both up or down. From left to right (click on the pictures to see a larger view):

1. On its own as a frock: Add chunky pearls, a clutch and heeled metallic wedges and you’re good for a dressy occasion. Wearing a necklace with this type of roll neck collar is subtle but effective. It’s not completely visible when you look in the mirror, but noticeable from other angles to passersby.
2. Over leggings: I adore leggings and wonder why the look isn’t as popular in America when it’s around every street corner in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Israel. Refresh your memory on why leggings are fab and how to wear the look. I’m willing to bet you won’t be disappointed once you get your head around the trend. Much softer than denim, easy to wear and cheap as chips. What’s not to like.
3. With clamdiggers: I’ve taken off the pearls, added a floral pin, silver flats and a vegan tote. Dressed down, a little more casual but just as pulled together.
4. Layered over skinnies with a cropped cardigan: Blue or black straight leg, skinny and boot cut jeans would have worked equally well, but it’s about white jeans in Summer time so viola. Add a cropped cardigan, an interesting wristlet and low heels for a funky and physically warmer outfit (a good idea on a chilly Summers day).

This particular style and colour of tunic dress might not be for you, but simply substitute the item for one that is to your taste and apply the same formula. It’s a versatile piece that’s bound to give you more bang for your fashion buck.

If you’re looking for bedroom slipper-comfy, non-patent, run around shoes, the Me Too “Nadia” ballet flat might be your answer. It’s more casual than the “Swann” and just as great. The leather-and-rubber sole provides instant flexibility and the foam-cushioned interior is as soft as can be.

I usually bypass shoes with elasticized toplines because the elastic cuts into my skin after twenty minutes of walking. But Me Too footwear is generally comfortable, so I decided to give these a whirl. Sure enough, I did have to size up half a size, but the elastic is gentle on the foot. It will also keep the shoes from falling off your feet when they stretch out (a common problem with super soft leather).

I was sold and came home with a Summery silver pair to wear with leggings, white, blue, or grey jeans, clamdiggers and breezy frocks.

Unfortunately Me Toos do not have arch support or come in wide widths. But you could pop in an orthotic, or have the toe box stretched to solve these challenges. Thank you Me Too for once again providing my fussy feet with a fabulously fun 8-hour flat.

The Nadia looks similar to the Me Too “Garner”. There are more colours to choose from in the Garner, but I did not find them as comfortable. But if they work for you, they’ll make for another cozy and flop-proof ballet flat option.

A smile is not a tangible item but it’s certainly something that you wear. It costs nothing to give, but offers much in return.

When your smile is sincere, people smile back. The infectious act automatically makes you friendly, approachable and attractive. Obviously there are times when you don’t want to smile because you’re focused, serious, stressed or feeling blue. And that’s okay. A fake smile does not fly. It’s got to be from the heart.

Sometimes I am so enamored by a person’s smile that the rest of their style falls by the wayside. That’s pretty powerful. I like to smile (my prominent laughter lines are proof of that), and I like smiley people. Do you think that smiling increases your style quotient?