I was not excited by the shape of this cardigan until I tried it on. I’ve subsequently fitted it onto other people with equally good results. There is something about its drapy integrity, dipped back, and curved hem that’s flattering and forgiving for both curvy and straighter body types. And it’s wide neck welt adds extra vertical interest which is somehow streamlining.

Wear the curved hem tunic cardigan loose for a breezy casual look, or belted for added waist definition. It works well over pants and skirts, and layered over button down shirts or fine gauge form fitting knits. If you are going to wear this look unbelted, remember to keep the bottom half of your outfit sleek. I prefer this style of cardigan with streamlined sleeves because the volume in the torso is sufficient. Too much volume in one garment is tricky to wear and a nuisance to fit under a coat.

This style is a nice alternative if you couldn’t get the boyfriend style to work. I say give it bash if you love cardigans and are after a newer and more arty look.

I bought the grey style on the right in a moss green last week. It’s not the best quality, but the silhouette looks great belted over a tailored black button down. Unfortunately it’s not available online anymore, but you’ll find it (or similar styles) in stores.

Eighties superhero-style latex leggings are once again a fashion statement. I’ve seen them in all the colours and can scarcely believe they’ve made a comeback.

I saw two relatively young fashion industry professionals wearing the black ones a couple of months ago. They incorporated their glossy vinyls into an uber-tailored, sophisticated, daytime work look. Wearing impeccable jackets, fabulous blouses and killer heels with their second skins, they just about got away with it.

So what’s the verdict on the slick sheen, ladies. Are they stove-piping hot – or not?

I’m pretty sure latex leggings are a fad. I’ll eat my words if we see them again next season. Time will tell.

Trapeze jackets started coming through in 2006 and became all the rage in 2007. They were still popular for Spring 2008, but have taken a back seat to form fitting jackets in the second half of the year.

I welcome the return of jackets that define the natural waist because of their universally flattering integrity. There should never be a shortage of this type of jacket in stores. So does that mean that trapeze jackets are out? I don’t think so. Trapeze jackets have a vintage, retro flavour that lengthens their fashion life. I have a few examples in my wardrobe and I’m still regularly integrating them into ensembles.

By all means continue to wear trapeze jackets if you bought into the trend and fancy the look. They do not look dated and get a big fat “in” from me. If a jacket with waist definition is your preference, you’ll find plenty of those around this season too. There is something for everyone.

The idea of a sweater dress is appealing. Throw it on with hose and boots and you’re ready to roll. If only they weren’t so hard to fit. The sweater dress guidelines below are by no means flop-proof, but they might help get you on your way:

• Embrace an unstructured look: Many sweater dresses are supposed to look untailored and a little boxy. It’s fine if they float away from the hips and don’t come in at the waist. It’s a cute look if the rest of your outfit is pulled together (good fit on the shoulders, fab hose, nice boots and handbag). Clingy sweater dresses are extremely tricky and not my preferred choice for most body types. I say go with the volume and embrace a less structured look.
• Consider an Empire cut: The baby doll style is a good option if you’re not busty. It’s tailored on top and roomy on the bottom, which makes for a forgiving A-line silhouette.
• Consider a Fit and Flare: Styles that are belted at the waist for structure, but spacious at the bottom for comfort are another good way to go. You can also change out the belt for a more polished appearance.
• Choose heavier knits: This does not necessarily mean “chunky knit” because fine gauge knits can have substance. Knits with weight smooth over the contour of the body instead of grabbing onto curves in an unflattering way. Many sweater dresses are made with flimsy knits and this is usually the deal breaker for me.
• Get the length right: Sweater dresses can’t be hemmed or lengthened, which means that the length has to be perfect upon purchase. I like them best just above the knee. I’m personally finding most sweater dresses too short, but I know that petites are finding them too long. Not easy!
• Test the complete outfit: Make sure you try a potential sweater dress with hose and boots before you say no. Getting the ensemble right can make all the difference.

Add the desire for non-scratchy wool, a pretty colour and a flattering neckline to the above variables and the search gets even harder. It’s a miracle we’re wearing sweater dresses at all.

I’ve been lucky to find two that I love but it’s taken two seasons and lots of experimentation. One is an empire cut and the other is a sack-like shape. Several possibilities opened up to me once I got my head around the fact that I could still look and feel pulled together wearing an unstructured style.

Have you had luck finding a sweater dress, or have you given up? Any more tips on how to find this elusive item?

Four sweater dress styles that are generally more flattering: an empire cut, two fit and flares and a sack dress. The weights of the knits look pretty substantial too. Be sure to check out bluefly for sweater dress deals.

Flat oxford shoes, or “brogues”, are a fringe trend in ladies footwear this season. These peds remind me of roaring jazz 20’s and the good old 80’s.

Flat oxfords are supposed to be worn with jeans (any hem width), dress pants or slouchy wide legged-slacks as a dressier alternative to the fashion sneaker. I’ve even seen taller gals wear them with walk shorts, skirts and dresses. Both slip-on and lace-up versions are available in various colours, leather treatments and stitch interests.

This trend appealed to me because I like flats and oxford shoe styling. I had a pair of chestnut brogues 18 years ago, so I set out to give the funky jazz shoe another go. But I couldn’t get them to work with my style this time around. I tried them with different outfit options, but felt they made me look masculine, short limbed and flat-footed. Right now, I prefer the look of a ballet flat, bootie or heeled oxford for my style.

It’s a shame because I actually found a sassy pair that was comfortable. Oh well, at least I tried. Do you like the look of boyish flat oxford shoes and have you managed to successfully incorporate the trend into your look?

An assortment of masculine, flat oxford shoes for ladies. I wouldn’t be surprised if the look becomes mainstream next season. If I haven’t figured out how to wear them by then, I’ll be bypassing the trend.

We see tartan, or Scottish “plaid” every year and this season is no exception. It’s trending a little more at the moment because of the strong ‘80’s revival and, for the most part, I’m enjoying the vogue.

I adore tartan skirts, scarves and shoes. I’d love to get a funky red tartan pencil skirt to wear with my biker jackets but haven’t found one yet. I like some tartan dresses, and also quite like the idea of tartan skinnies. Tartan coats and jackets can be fun and daring if the cut and colours are flattering.

But I’m not into tartan blouses, or button-down shirts. They bring back bad teenage memories of shoulder pads, dreadful frills, lurex thread and barn dances. If tartan tops in the 80’s weren’t bad enough, they continued to be one of my dreadful looks through the early ‘90’s when I sported the grunge vibe with an oversized tartan shirt and Doc Martens. It’s a look I can’t do again.

Tasteful tartan pieces make bold statements, which is probably why I’m attracted to them. Ignore what the magazines say and wear only one tartan piece at a time (the same way you would wear ruffled items and animal print). I’ll give tartan another bash if I find that pencil skirt. Does tartan tickle your fancy?

Jackets, skirts and shoes in tartan appeal to me more than shirts. The latter are too much of a blast from the past.

Most fashion magazines are pushing pleated pants styling. You guessed it, another revived ‘80’s trend that took us well into the ‘90’s. I know I was not alone in wearing loads of unflattering pleated pants 20 years ago (especially high-waisted styles that were baggy on the thigh and tapered at the ankle). I even wore a bodysuit with pleated paper-bag jeans. Awful.

Most revived trends come with updated and innovative design improvements. For the last two seasons, the “new” pleated pant has been offered in two variations: slouchy and wide, or slick and skinny. The question is, do they look better than they did in the ‘80’s? Can some body types pull off pleated pants with style, or is this look beyond redemption?

I’ve got my own ideas on the recovered trend, but before I spill the beans I’d love to hear your thoughts. Yay or nay for pleated pants?

Wide and slouchy pleated styles.

Sleek and skinny pleated pants styles. The black pair are looking a little genie-ish.

Long and lean boyfriend cardigans, another revived ‘80’s trend, are a key look for the season. They are fab layered over button-downs, camisoles, blousy tops and sleek sweet pea tops, either buttoned-up, or buttoned and belted at the waist. They also look quite nice belted over frocks. Look at how effortlessly Dani, Tanya and Debbie sport their boyfriend cardi looks.

Although the longer length cardigan is an easy and comfortable item to add to one’s wardrobe and a nice alternative to the more traditional cropped cardigan, I’m battling to get clients into the style. Eyes are not adapting to the tunic-y boyfriend as quickly as I had hoped. For some it’s a bad ‘80’s flashback, and others see it as a dumpy, hippy and unflattering look.

I like the look of these tunic-length cardigans, especially on taller gals. I think it’s a refreshing change and adds variety in stores. I do caution petites to keep their cardi a little shorter to balance out proportions.

Are you going to sport a boyfriend cardi this season? Has your eye adapted to the look? If not, why not?

An assortment of boyfriend cardigans (also referred to a “grandpa” cardigans). They can be worn open or closed, and belted or unbelted. They’re also available in the petites if you’re after a shorter tunic length.

Pencil skirts are typically part of a business formal clothing capsule. That’s where we’ve seen the bulk of the pencil skirt trend over the last few decades, but not this season. Playful pencil skirts are popping up all over the show in an abundance of fabrications (and their style detailing is wicked). For those of you who like to sport the “naughty secretary” or “librarian look”, your fashion fantasy just came true.

The pencil skirt has been making it’s comeback for a while. It’s resurgence goes hand-in-hand with the rebirth of ‘80’s tapered jeans. Both profiles are about looking sleek, sleek, sleek.

Pear shaped body types should be careful with pencil skirts, because A-line silhouettes are generally more flattering. But if you’re a pretty pear and you want to wear a pencil skirt, I say give it a bash. I’ve had success with pear shaped gals in pencils if the silhouette falls straight from the hip down (no tapering). This type of pencil style offers the look of a pencil with the advantages of an A-line. It’s a win.

The opposite holds true if you’re after a little more curve on the hip and thigh area. Opt for a silhouette that tapers in from the hip and follows the contour of your legs. Also a win.

A lass in a slick top and curve-hugging pencil skirt is as feminine and alluring as it gets. I like to pair my pencil skirts with a tucked-in button-down, form fitting polo-neck, or blousy top, a biker jacket or denim jacket, and knee high boots, fancy flats or chunky pumps. YLF forum members are having a ball sporting their pencil skirts this season. Feast your eyes on Sarah, Kyle, Eva, Nicole, Patience, Tanya and Ana. Each a different body type sporting a different style. They look fab!

For some reason there aren’t many pencil skirt options available online, but there are fantastic styles at stores like Anne Taylor, Express, Macys, Club Monaco, Benetton, Anthropologie and Nordstrom. Remember that denim and corduroy pencil skirts are superb casual alternatives if you feel that tweed and smarter fabrications are too fussy for your lifestyle.

A puffed sleeve is gathered at the sleeve crown and hem. It’s appearance is usually poufy because of the volume both at the shoulder and at the base of the sleeve.

I’m all for feminine details on blouses, tops, jackets, coats and frocks, but the puffed sleeve epidemic is becoming frustrating. A great fashion season is one that offers variety to its customers, but I don’t see a great enough assortment of sleeve silhouettes in store right now. Especially with petites, where the challenge is often to prevent my clients from looking like their young daughters. Perhaps we need a hip designer to showcase a collection of “Not Your Daughter’s Tops”.

Puffed sleeves can look fabulous on a certain body type and at a certain age. Pretty pears with narrow shoulders and youth on their side look killer in short puffed sleeves. But it often isn’t a flattering sleeve silhouette, especially on an older woman. It tends to look cutesy and juvenile instead of stylish and sophisticated. It also isn’t a good look for women with broad shoulders and strong shoulder lines, as it tends to make that body type look top-heavy.

I personally enjoy fun sleeves that are gathered at the crown, but sleek at the hem, in a three-quarter or long length. This type of voluminous sleeve looks more streamlined and age-appropriate if you’re in your late 30’s and older. But they aren’t easy to find because the short puffed sleeve is out of control.

See what I mean? What are your thoughts on all the short puffed sleeves in store at the moment?