Choosing the correct transitional accessories for your ensemble as your wardrobe moves from Summer to Autumn is a quick and inexpensive route to go. Some ideas:

• Scarf: This was the most popular bridging item that I saw people wearing when we lived in France. I was amazed at how the scarf (worn in the same manner as in the picture below) was the first “clothing item” that you’d see adorning outfits as temperatures started to cool. While I would gravitate towards a cardigan or jacket, in Paris it’s all about wearing the scarf before you wear the cardigan or jacket. Add a beautiful bulky scarf to a fairly plain ensemble and look like a Parisian.
• Hat: Headgear is particularly popular in Europe and is often worn together with a scarf before the addition of a jacket. Sporting a scarf along with the hat is not a necessity – hats can make quite a statement on their own.
• Closed shoes: Storing your sandals and adding closed shoes to your outfits (like the new Oxford) is an easy change. However, adding hose to peep-toe shoes is also a trendy look and good for Autumn.
• Hose: Whether it’s hose or leggings, add them to existing skirts and dresses and change the mood of your outfit. Ribbed, patterned, coloured, opaque or sheer, they’ll all work depending on the level of drama that you want to create. It’s very fashionable to add black opaque tights and heels to a Summery dress at the moment.
• Handbag: Switch back to your “cold weather” bag if you chose to keep your handbag selection to a complement of 3. Structured bags are a good choice for Autumn because they denote a level of seriousness that somehow works with the turning of the season. Away with whimsical wicker and onto solemn fun.

I can’t stress enough how “accessories” make the outfit. They remain one of the most effective ways to accomplish a stylish appearance.

Scarfs and hats are ideal ways of adding the Autumn touch to an existing outfit.

I giggle every time I hear the word “vest”. Where I come from a vest is an undergarment, and the thing I’m talking about in this post is called a “waistcoat”. (Of course, this isn’t quite as funny as the time in France when I told my hairdresser that I loved her pants, only to discover after much hilarity in the salon that thanks to my broken French, I had complimented her underwear.)

Waistcoats, or vests, traditionally make up the third piece in a mens three-piece suit and are once again all the rage for women this season. This androgynous trend was rampant in the ‘80’s, popular last year, and is even bigger right now. Waistcoats are absolutely perfect over a white shirt, matched with wide-leg pinstripe slacks and Oxford shoes. But funk things up little and wear a waistcoat over all sorts of Summer blouses, collared shirts and knitted tops. They’ll even work over the odd Summer dress. Think laterally with your outfits and add an eclectic edge to your Summer look with a Winter waistcoat.

Tailored waistcoats or vests with crisp white shirts make for a sassy business casual look. Short sleeved shirts and blouses will work just as well.

Adding a cardigan is one way of layering up Summer dresses, but there are more interesting options if you have the right pieces. Here’s how to create the look:

• Pop a shirt, blouse or better-end knitted T-shirt under a plain-ish dress (sheath, A-line, sack or empire). I’ve used a black sack dress to illustrate below, but you could experiment with a subtle pattern. Jersey dresses will also work if they stand away from the body from the waist down. Dresses that cling will show through the extra layer which is not ideal.
• Add the right jacket. This is a little trickier then you might expect. An ultra cropped jacket (like a bolero) or knee–length trench will work over most dress styles and won’t look frumpy. Anything else you’ll need to test buttoned and unbuttoned and judge whether it works.
• Cinch in your waist with a wide belt for an extra bit of shape and sass.
• Finish it off with leggings and you’ll have an updated look for Autumn.

These versatile layering options are the perfect way of adding a new dimension to your office look if you’re stuck in a pants rut. They can be interpreted in a modern-classic or trendy manner depending on your fashion persona.

A black of-the-moment sack dress and various layering options – blouses, a shirt and a knitted top.

A cardigan (cardi for short) is a piece of knitwear that buttons or ties in the front as opposed to a pullover which is “pulled over” the head. There is more to this item than the traditional V-neck button-through style that forms the outer layer of twinsets (these types of cardis can look shapeless and matronly). Cardis with hip and interesting design details are in abundance this season. They can be smart or casual, classic or funky, plain or patterned, fine or chunky and long or short.

The right shape cardi adds the perfect Autumn dimension to an existing Summer outfit…

• With dresses: Match a cropped cardi with a fit-and-flare dress, and a long A-line cardi with minis and sack dress styles.
• With blouses or shirts: Pop a cardi over a sleeveless or narrow-sleeved romantic blouse or streamlined shirt. Blouses and shirts with billowing sleeves bunch up underneath cardis with fitted sleeves and this looks unsightly. If you have a traditional cardi style in your closet, try cinching it in at the waist with a wide belt for an updated look for the office.
• With knitted tops or camisoles: Layer just about any cardi style over a knitted top or camisole, and enjoy the versatility of this extra layer.

I personally prefer finely knitted styles to chunky versions because they’re the more adaptable choice. Fine knit cardis can be dressed either up and down, or layered underneath jackets. They’re also slimming because they’re not as bulky. Choose your cardigans wisely and they shall give you great joy. My wardrobe does not function without them.

These fine knit cardigans look smarter and are therefore more office appropriate.

Cardigans with Chunkier knit stitches are more casual and super with jeans or casual dresses.

A traditional cardigan style (left) is instantly updated with a wide waist belt. Long A-line cardigan silhouettes are great with A-line dresses or pants.

Summer is “officially” over in the northern hemisphere, and with that comes cooler temperatures. Over the next set of posts I’m going to talk about Autumn bridging pieces. These are pieces that increase the ROI of items already in your closet, thereby making your transition from Summer wardrobe to Autumn wardrobe cost effective. In some instances you will have all of the pieces and it’s just a question of putting them together; in other instances you might need to purchase a piece or two.

Here are some of your options:

• Layering up an existing Summer ensemble with a cardigan, which is available in all shapes, sizes and stitch types and is far from boring or frumpy.
• Layering up a Summer dress can end up becoming the most versatile and interesting option in your wardrobe.
• Adding a vest (or “waistcoat”) is a particularly fashionable choice this season and a trendy twist on office wear.
• Re-inventing a Summer ensemble with the appropriate accessories like hose, tights, scarves, hats, handbags and closed shoes can add the perfect Autumn dimension.

We’ll discuss each of these in more detail over the next few days so that you can get the best bang for your fashion buck as temperatures begin to cool. Particularly if your fashion budget is tight, a thoughtful bridging strategy is the way to go.

Tell us about your own bridging strategies in the comments.

As you might have gathered from the length of my “raves” list yesterday, there was little this season that we couldn’t adapt to suit who we are. As always, it’s a matter of knowing how to sift through new trends in order to add just enough of “right now” to our existing wardrobe. Here are the items that didn’t make it through my filter:

• Hectic high heels that soared at 3½ inches or more were the order of the day. Many of them were beautiful, but most were impossible to walk in. While ballet flats were also in abundance, there was virtually nothing fabulous in-between. I’d have enjoyed seeing a wider selection of 1½ to 2 inch heels.
• Hippie tops were everywhere and often unflattering. While easy swing tops can be adorable, the wrong empire-cut top will do little for your look. Well endowed women battled with the empire seam cutting straight across their bust line instead of sitting comfortably underneath the bust. Also, these tops often stopped just above the widest part of your thighs which made them impossible for the pretty pears among us. In general, shoulder lines were sloppy and back ties were too long and frequently juvenile-looking.
• Black and white and other neutrals, like brown, tan and navy, continued to play a significant part in modern-classic and urban collections. Red shone through as a bright basic, but that was it. I love the clean and classic black and white look, but I would have also loved see a colourful assortment of clothing beyond the eclectic and boho-inspired styles.
• Crocs emerged a lot earlier than Spring 2007, but they certainly got a lot of attention over this last season. The company is doing exceptionally well and “making massive fistfuls of money with its wacky little shoes”. The trademark plastic molded shoes have their place, but it isn’t as everyday footwear when you’re out in public.

There were also a couple of missed retail opportunities:

• A deeper assortment of fabulous shrugs, cropped V-neck cardigans and tasteful bolero jackets might have made a killing if they were available alongside the multitudes of sleeveless dresses. The additional cover-up would have made frocks more wearable for work and air-conditioned environments. 
• Pants without side entry pockets are universally more flattering. It was a tall order finding pants  (especially white pants) without any pockets this season.

Overall, it was a fabulous season, but feel free to attack Spring and Summer 2007 a little more before we close the door and concentrate on Autumn. What do you think was missing this season?

Beautiful shoes with insanely high heels.

Most of us still have a good few months of warm weather to enjoy, but we’ve seen the last of Spring and Summer in store. It’s that crazy retail cycle again. Autumn collections are in full swing and, as ever, I am champing at the bit to talk about them. But first, some final thoughts on the last 6 months of fashion.  

Here are my raves (hold off on the rants…we’ll tackle them tomorrow).

• Dresses, dresses, dresses were everywhere. From jersey to chiffon, empire to sack, and casual to smart, dresses look fab on all body types. They’re perfect for hot weather and an easy all-in-one item to throw on. It’s been a great resurgence of the quintessential feminine piece.
• Yellow and cobalt  were “new” retro 80’s brights and a breath of fresh air amongst the neutrals.
• Longer length tops and tunics were perfect for skinnies, leggings, straight legs and boot cuts. Tunics and dresses over pants are a uniform in my wardrobe because they’re elegant, flattering, comfortable and versatile. If short tops become fashionable again, I might need to stay stuck in this decade.
• Swing tops that were easy to wear and forgiving on the mid-section get my thumbs up if they didn’t make you look pregnant when you weren’t. 
• Voluminous sleeves were dramatic, 40’s and girly. What’s not to love?
• Trapeze jackets worn over longer-length fitted tops and paired with slim bottoms were a new look. This watershed silhouette change became more mainstream this season and it’s nice to see something very new.
• Skinnies and slim pants were the best match for voluminous tops and tunics. After my initial trepidation a year ago, I have grown to appreciate skinnies again.
• Leggings with dresses were an unexpected hit, and a good look for Autumn.
• Waist belts remained an inexpensive way of adding that “of-the-moment” look to an existing ensemble.
• Patent in all it’s hues was a cheerful update from Winter and a wonderful way of adding colour and depth to a neutral outfit.
• Polka dots were fun!
• Ballet flats worked especially well with skinnies and leggings. A fashionable and comfy flat is always fab. 
• Bright accessories added lots of excitement.
• Clutches were the “it”  bag and a refreshing streamlined change to slouchy hobos.
• Black and white. Despite the overdose it continues to be a striking combination.

Now that our eyes have adapted to the fundamental changes in fashion over the last year, it’s time to embrace the trends that we like and make them wearable for our body type. What were your favourite trends this season?

It seems appropriate to close the season with bright footwear and accessories.

Yesterday’s post on leggings started a great discussion in the comments, so I thought I’d follow up with more information on how to apply this trend. I have seen all body types and ages pull off this look with style. From sizes 0 to 28 and petites to tall, it can be done. Here are some guidelines that might help:

• Dress or tunic style. You’ll want a dress that doesn’t cling and show through the detail of the leggings underneath. Thicker jersey knits, spandex knit blends and mesh work best. Fancier silk sack dresses will also work when paired with a heel. A-line patterned styles with empire cuts and front-knots work particularly well because they’re forgiving on the hip, tummy and thigh area. Straighter shift styles work well for those with apple and rectangular body types.
• Dress or tunic length. If you have slim thighs, wear your dress/tunic as short as mid-thigh length and no shorter. If you’re leg-shy or carry a little extra on your thighs, wear your dress around the knee (either just above, on, or just below). Do not wear leggings without wearing an extra long top, or as a substitute for pants. Those nightmarish ‘80’s fashion days are over.
• Leggings length. I like leggings best when they stop on the widest part of your calf because accentuating a shapely calf muscle is flattering. Somehow, this length seems to work whether you have small or big calves. Wearing leggings that stop below your knees but above your calf muscle will also work. Wearing them ankle length looks best paired with a high heel. Most leggings are ankle length which means that you’ll need to scrunch them up to your best length. This automatically makes them more opaque, which gives you extra coverage.
• Legging types. There are plenty of options to choose from. Footless tights are cheap and made of nylon. Brands like Hue, DKNY and Frenchi in plain colours will cost you between $6-$12 and you’ll find those in the hosiery section of any department store. Cotton lycra leggings will cost a little more ($22-$40) and you’ll find them scattered amongst the clothing. Once you get the dress right, you’ll get way with spending $6 on leggings.
• Shoe options. The look works with both flats and heels and will depend on your preference. If you feel a little flat-footed and short, opt for a heel. Ballet flats, wedges, fancy thong sandals and shoes with chunky heels are my favourite footwear combination for this look.

It’s fun to try a different look, especially if you feel in a bit of a rut with the clothes in your wardrobe, so give leggings a bash. If you still feel that the look is not quite “you”, you’ll at least have had a bash at something new.

A-line front-knot and empire cut dresses (left) are a “default” option for the leggings look. Sack dresses (right) also work magically with leggings (I personally prefer this combination with a small heel).

Last Spring I popped the revival of the ‘80’s leggings fashion fad into the “teenybopper box”. But this year I can’t seem to get enough of the look. The adapted trend can be worn in a flattering and age-appropriate way. The revival of dresses, minis and tunics this season have given leggings a stylish return. I’ll give you 7 reasons why you should spend $7 and get yourself a pair to experiment:

1. They tone down the “dressy” aspect of wearing a dress. Match leggings with a jersey dress, add some flats and you’re ready for anything.
2. They give you coverage if you are skin-shy about your legs.
3. They are incredibly comfortable. Pairing a sturdy dress with leggings feels like you’re wearing sweats and a top instead of a frock. 
4. They add an interesting layering element to your ensemble. Choose a colour that co-ordinates with your dress or top and be playful with patterns and colours if you dare. If not, stick to black.
5. They keep you warm when the air-conditioning is freezing.
6. They are inexpensive, and an easy way of injecting the right amount of “right now” into your wardrobe.
7. They are a great transitional item for Autumn. Add leggings and a cropped jacket or cardigan to an existing dress and you’re hip for when temperatures start to cool.

Don’t get caught up with the notion that you need to have thin legs to wear leggings. All they do is peek out from under your mid-thigh or knee-length dress or tunic. Make sure that what you wear on top is flattering and the leggings look will fall into place. This dynamic duo is best with knitted dresses and tunics, but certain sturdy woven styles can also work. Last week, I was thrilled to see my ready-to-pop pregnant friend in a gorgeous vintage empire-cut maternity dress that she had matched with black leggings and wedges – she never looked better!

When I’ve introduced this ultra-comfy look to my clients, they haven’t looked back.

I overlooked this versatile and affordable ballet flat at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I’m adding it to my hot picks list. It’s by “Me Too” and currently available for $52.90 (soon to be priced back to $78.95 on August 4). It’s ultra soft, supportive, flexible, pointy-toed and not completely flat (you actually feel like you’re wearing a shoe and not a slipper).

The fit is super for both fairly narrow and wider feet because the inside cushioning seems to mould around the silhouette of your foot beautifully. It’s available in a pearlized patent burgundy or black, and an embossed dark bronze or pewter from sizes 5 to 13. Perfect for now, perfect for Autumn and a fab little basic to throw on with just about anything. They’re really comfortable and make the 8-hour mark.