Being stylish does not mean following every fashion trend. In fact, it’s unstylish to wear fashion for the sake of it when it’s unflattering for your body type.  The skinny pant has returned and has been all the rage on catwalk runways since autumn. The item has filtered down to high fashion stores and we will continue to see this trend as long as the 80’s remain an inspiration to top international fashion houses.

The skinny pant is difficult to wear and fails to look elegant even on supermodels. The look is completely contrary to my “perfect pant length theory”, with hems tapered at the ankle and high heeled shoes or flats left completely exposed. Those of you who were teenagers or older during the ‘80’s will recognize this statement as a blast from the past – and an unsightly one at that! The difference, however, is that the skinny pant is not “mainstream” today like it was 25 years ago. It’s an ultra high fashion option for fashion slaves. Something new for straight-up-and-down lanky teenagers and girls in their twenties.

Bottom line: There is little chance of anybody being flattered by tapered jeans and pants.

Low slung slim fitting straight leg pants are fine if you have the boyish body to accompany them; but opting for boot cuts will raise your level of elegance. There are more options for different body types each season – boycott those skinny pants if they’re not for you!

For supermodels or fashion slaves: skinny pant options from Urban Outfitters and Arden B.

Skirts for skirt lovers will be few and far between this season because it’s all about shorts! Let’s have a closer look at what you should be looking for when you buy this item. 

Choose the hem length that best suits your body type. Walk shorts that hit you anywhere on or just below your knee cap are most flattering because this is the point where your legs look the longest and the slimmest. Pear shaped ladies should wear their shorts a little wider at the hem and preferably with a heel. Petites may need to hem their shorts even shorter as knee-length will definitely be best for you.

• Work walk shorts – Select these in refined materials like poly rayon pinstripe or trouser – like fabric. You’ll need to remain modest and professional by keeping them at least knee length, structured and worn with a heel.
• Casual Bermudas – These are a little more relaxed in fit and best in denim or stretch cotton. You can opt to wear them with casual wedges, espadrilles, ballet flats or gladiator thongs.
• Tailored short shorts – These thigh high short shorts are for the young and daring with fabulous legs. The point is to keep them chic and dressed up which means looking for tuxedo stripes, classic tailoring and cuff detail. They are a far more practical alternative to the ultra short mini skirt and will only look good whn matched with heels.
• Rolled-up short shorts – Are once again for those blessed with great legs. They are best in cotton and linen blends and perfect for the beach.

Match those walk shorts up with layered longer length tee’s, girly tops, knitted tops and shirt and jacket combinations for an updated Summer look.

Structured work shorts (Nordstrom), casual bermudas (Gap), chic tailored short shorts (Bebe), and casual rolled-up shorts (Macy’s).

You don’t need to be “all dressed up” to look stylish. If you work from home, have a casual dress-code at work, or are a stay at home Mum, then traipsing around in heels and fussy clothing that takes too long to think about is not appropriate. But neither is wearing sweats, running shoes and looking like you are off to go camping. The quintessential favourite American outfit of “jeans and a t-shirt” also needs seasonal updating.

The best news about t-shirts and knitted tops this season is that they are styled and longer in length. Not only is this more versatile and comfortable, but more flattering as well:

• Pulling more form fitting longer tees up a little so ruching that occurs on the sides of your hips disguises anything that you might want to hide in this area
• It’s a super layering garment underneath last years shorter length tees – perfect for pear shaped ladies in particular
• Pop a belt over your natural waistline and look ultra trendy; or pop one on lower on your hip bone and still be trendy but more comfortable
• Wear them underneath last season’s jackets, cardigans and shrugs and update your look completely
• Bend over to pick up your child and rest assured that you are completely covered and draft free
• Taller ladies and ladies with longer torsos will especially welcome this new t-shirt style change  

Below are some examples of new shape knitted tops. Stay tuned on how to wear them effortlessly with jeans for a casual and classy alternative!

Longer length styled tee’s and a layering camisole from Arden B.

Examples from Macy’s and Nordstrom.

By the way, for those of you who shop there – Banana Republic is currently on sale.

I’ve talked about what’s fabulous this season (see Spring 2006). Many high fashion items become “mainstream” a year after their so-called debut. Other items come back into fashion decades later – hence the term “vintage”. Unfortunately, there will also be items that were complete fashion fads last season and just won’t be stylish to wear again this season. Here’s the scoop on what to keep, what to store, and what to give away.

To keep:

• Well fitting jeans –  boot cut or flared with or without bling on the back pockets
• Gauchos – walk shorts would be this season’s update, but in Europe – culottes are always a stylish classic!
• Bling T-shirts – any style embellished with sequins, glitter, studs or metallic print
• Puffy sleeved items – in any form  e.g. t-shirt, jacket or blouse
• Strapless tops – still great to use as layering items
• Embellished thong sandals – gladiator thongs would be the update, but you’ll still be hip wearing those pretty Indian versions you wore last summer
• Hip belts – fitted long tops are very fashionable and despite the fact that belts are moving onto our natural waist again, you’ll still be able to wear hip belts over long tops and look fab
• Ethnic accessories – still very much in vogue

To store:

• Chunky turquoise jewelry – it becomes popular every 5 or 6 years
• Out of style designer handbags – you paid an arm and a leg for them and they will be fashionable again, I promise. I’ve just started reusing my 8 year old Prada bag

To give away:

• Cropped front-tie shrugs
• Long-tiered peasant skirts
• Anything tie dyed
• Faded, ripped jeans

When passing on your clothes; consider dropping them off at a Dress for Success site. There are women in the world who literally have nothing to wear and they will be grateful for your donations.

If you are going to buy anything to update your wardrobe this Spring, consider the following suggestions:

The absolute “must haves” for everyone, irrespective of body type, age, and lifestyle”:

• Crisp white fitted shirt – to tuck in, belt at the waist or layer with a t-shirt, jacket or piece of knitwear
• Metallic bag – in gold, silver or any metallic shade in between
• Metallic shoes – in either a stacked heel, pretty ballet flat or strappy Grecian thong
• Fitted cropped jacket in a neutral tone – in either white, black, cream, tan, khaki or all of the above
• Knitted wrap dress – the ones that Diane von Furstenberg made famous. Don’t think that you can’t wear one – you’ll be surprised. Try one on and discover how flattering and forgiving they are!
• Long strand of beads – in wood, plastic, metal or pearls… or a combination of these 

For the more adventurous among us, feel free to add:

• Fitted knee length trouser shorts – in denim or any neutral stretch fabric
• White pants – fully lined and fairly wide legged
• Vintage ruffle blouse – in a neutral tone, soft flouncy fabric and perhaps made of stretch lace
• Crocheted shrug – finely knitted versions are smarter (we don’t want a repeat last season’s bo-ho chic look)
• Spotted anything – usually best in a blouse, skirt or dress 

And for the ultra fashionista:

• Horizontal “jailbird” stripe top – in black/white, brown/white, black/grey
• Short shorts – high on the thigh and worn best with heels
• Wide waist belt – preferably in some sort of stretch fabric for comfort
• High waisted pencil skirt – also best in a neutral tone
• Patent shoes – in a primary colour

Whether you’re a cutting edge girl, or prefer to remain currently classic – it’s important to update your wardrobe every season.

The season’s biggest fashion colour is white, but what does that mean for those of us that don’t tan and aren’t dark skinned? You might hold out even less hope if you are blonde. This is how I felt when I first heard about the new trends for Spring. Well ladies, I am thrilled to announce that it can be done! With some attention to detail – we can all look fab wearing white.

The trick is to create contrast.

• Layer underneath your white jacket – by wearing a black or colourful collared shirt or fancy t-shirt underneath your white jacket, you’ll have a flattering tone right up against your face
• Adjust your make-up – darken your lipstick, emphasize your eyebrow colour and add rosy cheeks if you don’t naturally have them
• Embellish your white shirt – layer onto your white shirt with black or another colour either in the form of a piece of knitwear or even a fancy t-shirt
• White pants only – wear white pants on their own (as opposed to an entire suit) and contrast them with preferably a black or brown top and add in metallic shoes and bag
• Wear chunky beads – liven up any white top with a colorful or metallic strand of short chunky beads against your face
• Contrast your white bag – wear a strong colour on top so that your white bag can contrast against it eg. black, brown, red or bright yellow jacket/blouse/t-shirt
• Contrast your white shoes – white shoes are not best against a fair skin, however, wear them underneath long denim jeans and you have your contrast

There are countless different ways in which we can create a striking contrast with all this ultra-trendy white merchandise in stores.  We may not all be able to wear white from top to bottom as trends forecast, but carefully selecting key white pieces will help us to update our look.

Choices for this Spring/Summer season are plentiful. There are lots of options for everyone; many of them seemingly contradictory. Let’s have a closer look at what you can wear to be “in style” this season:

• Gold and silver
• Black and white
• Neutrals and primary colours
• Elegant lady-like suits and combat gear
• A-line skirts and pencils skirts
• Natural waists and low waists
• Ruffle blouses and t-shirts
• Stacked heels and ballet flats
• Pointy toed shoes and round toed shoes
• Skinny pants and wide pants
• Shift dresses and shirt dresses (a-line dresses that tie at the waist)
• Above the knee hemlines and knee lengths
• Oversized totes and delicate clutches
• Long bead necklaces and short choker styles  

All you need to do is make some savvy decisions as to what will suit your body type, skin tone, lifestyle and budget and there you go – you’ll look fab.

Embrace the variety – a season encompassing such versatility does not come around very often!

Ladies and gents – beware of what I call “the black rut”. Despite the fact that black items of clothing tend to make one feel slimmer, smarter and possibly even more powerful; black is not a colour- it is the absence of it. Black items of clothing, accessories and shoes certainly have an important place in anyone’s wardrobe, but such items need to be put together “with style”. Ending up with a cupboard full of black clothing is easy to do – especially with the strong rebirth of neutral tones that is happening right now.

So how can we successfully wear the colour black?

• Black looks it’s absolute best when worn with one, or a combination of neutral tones (e.g. white, grey, cream, tan, gold, silver, bronze and brown)
• When wearing black with a colour, be sure to add another neutral tone to the ensemble – it looks less dated that way
• It isn’t easy to look good in black when worn from head to toe, but it can be done. Make sure that each item of the outfit is of a different texture. The trick is “add dimension” and avoid “looking flat”. Consider adding subtle self color pinstripes, lace and feathers (if you are a lady), surface-interest fabrics and sheen. Prada and Donna Karan specialize in creating this 3 dimensional all black look and they do it very well.
• Black items need to be very black! As soon as they start to lose their colour – the overall flattering effect is lost
• Refrain from wearing black all the time. It has the power to “drain” one’s appearance. Remember to alternate with other colours that suit your skin tone

It’s therefore a fallacy that “black goes with everything”. It’s actually the one neutral tone that doesn’t!

Donna Karan does black with neutrals

Spring trends are all about neutral tones – white, black, brown, navy, beige, cream, silver, gold, bronze and denim. If you have previously been one to wear lots of colour like I have, and have suddenly found yourself at a bit of a loss as to what to do – don’t despair! Red, green, yellow and lilac will start to appear in stores soon if it hasn’t already. In the mean time:  

• Liven up your neutrals by mixing them up (not just sticking to one) and adding the newness of the season with metallic accessories eg. bag, belt , shoes
• Throw in last seasons beautiful grass green or turquoise bag while keeping those shoes metallic – you’ll still look updated. Remember that those days of matching your shoes, bag and belt are gone
• Add a colourful necklace to kick your neutral outfit up a notch. Consider gigantic plastic beads either around your neck or on your wrist – they are the accessory of the moment
• Throw in a stronger shade of lipstick like red, cherry or dark mauve – it will make you feel less monochromatic, but still trendy

If you have always been one to embrace a neutral palette, this is your season – enjoy it!

If you are a little strapped for cash, don’t have the time to shop, or just don’t fancy what the new trends have to offer. Whatever your dress size, think about getting a few, or all of these “quick fixes” that will automatically pop you appropriately into the new season: 

• a pair of new shape jeans (granted they suit your body type)
• a new bag and belt
• hot off the press new look shoes 
• the accessory of the moment
• a new haircut, hair colour and makeup application

Invest in anything metallic and “animal” as far as accessories go as these trends are going to be around for at least another year. If you are a platinum and silver type of girl and still can’t get your head around all this gold that is everywhere – start yourself off slowly by adding bronze, or buying gold that’s matte and brushed…..that’s what I did! Don’t buy a little dog to have as a fashion accessory. Get a pet to complete you as a person, not your look. Our Rosie & Jasmine would be heartbroken if they thought that the only reason that we had them was because we thought they “looked fashionable”.