• Choose the right length: If you’re after one Winter coat, opt for a versatile length that’s just above, or on the knee so that it works over dresses, skirts AND pants. Mid-thigh coats are adorable but aren’t as versatile because they don’t look as nice over skirts and dresses. But there is room for both types of coat lengths in a wardrobe so don’t feel that you need to stick with only one.
• Think about what lies beneath: It’s extremely important to wear the appropriate layers underneath a coat when you fit it on. I like to layer the following items under a wool or puffer coat: camisole and/or thermal T, fine gauge knitwear, a lined tailored jacket like a blazer or biker jacket, and a bulky scarf. Yes! I layer a jacket underneath a coat. That way when I remove my coat indoors, I still look and feel chic. Also, I’ve found that the extra layer of a jacket under a coat offers superb insulation when temperatures drop below freezing. If you don’t feel the cold like I do, your layering techniques will differ. For example, if all you need is a chunky pullover underneath your coat, then that’s how you’ll fit for it.
• Check the sleeve length and shape: I like coat sleeves to end an inch over my wrist bone for extra cozy coverage. Make sure that the sleeves look graceful and aren’t too wide. No Michelin men please.
• Opt for a flattering collar: Most lasses look great in coats with revere collars and medium sized lapels. These types of collars shape into a “V” and are slimming and elongating. Peter pan collars tend to look juvenile and shirt collars aren’t quite as spiff unless the style is double breasted. Funnel necks and shawl collars are dramatic and edgy but stay away from them unless you have a longish neck.
• Make sure the coat can close: Unlike blazers and jackets, coats have to close and look good with multiple layers worn underneath. In order to accommodate the extra layers you might need to purchase a roomier silhouette, or size up in a sleek silhouette. It’s fine if there’s a little room in the coat when you’re not wearing as many layers. But not too much room! Unless you’re wearing a voluminous trapeze coat, the fit should skim the contour of your body with and without the layers. This sounds impossible to achieve, but it really is possible. That’s why you have to try on many, many coats and purchase layering items in the appropriate thicknesses.
• Avoid sloppy shoulder lines: The shoulder line of any coat should meet the edge of your shoulders. Too wide shoulders lose structure, while too narrow shoulders look like you’re bursting out of the coat.
• Test your mobility: Make sure you can reach, walk, lift and drive. Raise your arms and stretch them out in front of you. If the coat pulls and is uncomfortable, try the next size up. Check the overall fit and drape of the coat all buttoned up WITH all your layers in a three way mirror. Make sure that there is no pulling across the bottom either.

The colour and cut of a coat is up to you. Opting for a single breasted style with tailoring features like a nipped in waist, vertical seams and panels, a revere collar and slanted side entry pockets is flop proof and flattering. Waist belts and ties offer great structure but are not a must (remember to check whether the belt loops are in the right place).

Think twice about alterations because it’s expensive to alter a fully lined garment. Shortening the sleeve and overall length of the coat, swapping out the buttons, or repositioning buttons and belt loops, are worthwhile tailoring expenses. Anything else and you’re better off purchasing a new coat.

If you live in a cold part of the world, you might like to start a coat collection, adding a unique piece each season. Choose different lengths, colours, fabrications, styles and levels of warmth. A well fitting coat spells chic with a capital C and is always a good investment.

Sleeveless dresses and tops layer exceptionally well. No fabric bunching. No cutting off the circulation to your arms. Pure comfort. With it being a tunic cardigan season, sleeveless tops and blouses are practical items to wear under long sleeved knitwear and indoor jackets. And the same sleeveless items will double duty for warm weather worn on their own.

We haven’t reached freezing temperatures in Seattle yet, so I’m still wearing sleeveless dresses, knit tops and blouses layered with cascading or boyfriend cardigans, pullovers and cropped jackets. In the chillier mornings and evenings I’ll add a trench or wool coat on top of those layers. My feet are deliciously warm in boots with socks or hose and I’ll also throw in a scarf from time to time. Inside I peel off my coat but leave on the layer that’s over the sleeveless item. Easy.

It won’t be long before I’m in long sleeves most of the time, but for now layered sleeveless dressing makes sense. Do you wear sleeveless items in colder weather like I do?

Of course, wearing long sleeved tops, blouses, shirts and dresses under long sleeved knitwear and jackets is fabulous. But hopefully this might inspire you to extend the life of your sleeveless items. We’re always trying to get the most from our wardrobes!

Most flesh-toned shoe styles achieve the leg lengthening effect. Shoes with heels and low vamps are particularly effective but strappy sandals, mary janes, peep-toes, ballet flats and gladiators also work.

Surprisingly, it took me a while to actually like the look of flesh coloured shoes on bare legs because my first impression was: “oh no! I look like I’m not wearing shoes”. But that’s the point, and since the penny dropped I whole heartedly believe it’s a good look.

I prefer a little texture and depth to my flesh-toned peds so I opt for a champagne or pewter shade of metallic that’s close to the colour of my skin instead of flat beige leather. It’s probably not quite as visually effective, but it does the trick.

An assortment of flesh-toned and metallic shoes in different styles. The comfy strappy wedge I bought last week is close to the colour of my skin so it serves as a flesh-toned shoe in my wardrobe. Works for me.

Knitwear can be successfully altered at the side seams by a competent seamstress. In fact, I’ve never tried this, but you’ll probably be able to narrow the width of knitwear sleeves in the same way. This got me thinking. Are there ways to shorten the sleeve and hem lengths of knitwear? I’ve always thought that this can’t be done, but now I’m not so sure.

Going up a size reduces the stretch, making colors more even and reducing pattern distortion. It also lowers the risk of laddering and increases the longevity of the hose, which is particularly good if you prefer the better quality, more expensive brands.

Saggy hose is unsightly, so don’t go up more than one size. If you are petite the stretch is already less than average, so you may not need to size up at all.

The penny dropped when I realized my high-waisted skirts stay put. Their waistbands lie on my natural waist above my navel. I promptly took my skirts for alteration. I had their waistbands taken in, which moved the position of the waistband higher. The end result was fuller coverage and a snugger fit around the waist and tummy area. It worked like a charm.

The alteration costs about $15, which I found well worth the price. Your mileage may vary – the higher waist is a different style and not for everyone or every skirt. Also, beware of losing length. This alteration shortens a skirt by one or two inches, so make sure you have length to play with before you move up the waistband.

Do you battle with shifting skirts? Any other tips on how we can prevent this phenomenon?

Left: Skirts with lower waistbands like these tend to shift when I walk. I found that the silhouette of the skirt makes little difference (pencils and A-line styles both shift).

Right: Higher waistbands like these shift to a lesser extent. I tend to prefer skirts with higher waistbands because I find them more comfortable (whether I tuck in my top or leave it out).

1. Know yourself: “Accept your body type for what it is”. Embrace your size and find what works for you.
2. Fit is key: Once you have found the cuts that flatter your  body type, have them altered for perfect fit.
3. Don’t fall back on black: Other colours, like navy, charcoal grey and chocolate brown are also slimming. Also, cut is more important than colour.
4. Ignore labels: Brand and size labels are secondary. The fit of the garment is the important thing.
5. Good posture is essential: “Stand with your shoulders back, boobs out and tummy in.”

These are superb tips. I see some overlap with my post on how to look slimmer in your clothes. I also believe that polish makes a huge difference to one’s appearance. A fabulous haircut goes an especially long way.

There’s one other key ingredient to looking your best: confidence, an accessory that  can’t be bought. In most cases, you only look as good as you feel. Looking good makes you feel fabulous; but feeling fabulous makes you look even better.

The jeans must have an elastic component – the process won’t work on 100% cotton jeans. After lengthening, you can wash, air dry and press as normal. But you’ll undo the stretch if you machine dry.

This might be your answer to perfect pant lengths, especially if you wear heels with bootcuts. Sometimes an extra one or two inches does the trick on a petites, or regular length pair of jeans that’s a tad too short. Tall girls, this trick is fabulous for you.

My friend Stephanie has just had her Seven’s stretched two inches and she’s thrilled. Thanks for sharing this information with us, Stephanie. May this be the end of your “short jeans dilemma”. Brilliant! What would we do without Nordstrom?

• Skinny jeans have leg openings of 12 -13 inches
• Straight–leg jeans have leg openings of 14 – 15 inches

These hem width measurements are representative of the smallest size (24 or 25 inch waist). They increase as the size of the denim increases, but not by as much as you’d expect. Straight-leg jeans can run as wide as 16 inches on a larger size hem width. But go beyond 15 and 16 inches and you’re in boot cuts or flares.

Straight-leg jeans are generally better than skinnies for gals with wider calves, or pear and inverted triangle body types. Curvy hourglasses also do a pair of straight-legs justice. In these instances, straight-legs are a great substitute for skinnies. They’ll offer a similar sleek profile with the advantage of balancing out your silhouette. It’s a win.

The styles on the left and in the middle are straight leg jeans. The hem width is the same as the width at the knee, thereby creating a “straight leg”. The style on the far right is skinny because the hem width at the ankle is narrower than at the knee.

The Yummie Tummie is a body contouring camisole that discretely slims the midsection. It’s better than a conventional camisole because of a stretchy stiff spandex panel across the midriff. Unlike conventional shapewear, this item is not supposed to be hidden. It acts as a visible layering piece under a jacket, top or dress. But there’s nothing stopping you from covering it up. It’s available in a variety of styles, sizes and lengths in most department stores and online. It’s versatility is key, but you pay for it at $62 apiece.

I haven’t personally fitted one on, but have seen it’s positive effects first hand with my clients. It works and is worth a try if you’re prepared to wear shapewear.

I suggest shapewear to my clients as a last resort. We first try to find clothing that flatters without shapewear, because that’s the more comfortable option and one less item to think about. But I do have clients who are happy wearing shapewear daily and it does make a visual difference.