The strongest trend over the last few seasons has been the revival of ‘80’s street style. It’s hard to believe that “the decade of anti-fashion” serves as an inspiration to creative fashion designers today. But the key word is “inspiration”. The trends we see coming through today are a cut above the tasteless and unflattering ensembles most of us wore 20 to 25 years ago.

80’s fashion was awful in many respects, but I loved it at the time. So to mark the end of another season of 80’s revival, we’re throwing a virtual YLF party. Come as an 80’s icon or create your own deliciously dreadful 80’s outfit. I’ll be turned out much as I was in 1985:

• Shocking pink, boxy V-neck pullover tucked into high-waisted, tapered, ankle-length, front pleated white pants.
• Mile high shoulder pads, white plastic bangles, pink dangly earrings and a turquoise studded belt.
• Pink plastic, pointy picklewickers over thin white rolled down ankle socks for my feet.
• Neon pink lipstick, green eyeliner and teased, sprayed hair to finish off the look. I can barely see you through my curtain of a fringe.

Thankfully, the decade with the worst fashion had the best music. It’s a night of Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Wham, U2, Ultravox, the Thomson Twins, Brian Ferry, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Simple Minds. Everyone’s invited, but first you have to share what you’ll be wearing. I will choose my favourite outfit and showcase it on the blog next week.

My raves list is always long. I find good things to say about every fashion season because it’s a matter of knowing how to sift through trends and make them work for you. These are the items that did not make it through my filter:

• Maxi dresses: The word “nightie’ springs to mind when I see someone in this style. Maxi dresses weren’t as big in America as they were in Europe. Thank goodness I live in America.
• Wide leg pants: They look great on the right body type but are generally hard to wear. There was too much of this product in US stores. Complete overkill. It’s interesting that this look did not take off in Europe.
• Empire cut tops: Another overkill. You can’t wear these tops if you’re busty and many of my clients “feel pregnant” in them. There was little else to choose from in mainstream fashion stores which makes for a poor tops season.
• Denim rises still too low: Higher rise pants were a fringe fashion statement, but generally mid rises on jeans were still too low. The best way to beat belly and back bulge is with a higher rise and layering techniques. Flattering rise measurements are still hard to find on premium jeans.
• Pants with side entry pockets: It’s great when 50% of all dress pants have pocket detailing. But when 90% of them do, it’s a challenge. Pants with clean, flat fronts look best on most body types. I wish fashion buyers would get this.
• Soaring heel heights: It’s the old story. Most fabulous looking shoes are uncomfortable and hard to walk in.
• Skirts and dresses generally too short: When petites start shopping in regular departments to gain 3 inches of length on a dress and skirt, you know items are too short. I’m all for mini’s as part of the fashion mix, but when most of the frocks are far above the knee there’s a problem.
• Too much trapeze: This little jacket makes a great retro fashion statement but moderation is key. I’m relieved to see them side by side with fitted jacket silhouettes for Autumn.

Missed opportunities:

• Shortage of skinny and straight leg jeans: Voluminous tops look best with sleek bottoms. Most voluminous tops were matched with wide leg pants because that’s what trending in bottoms. An awful look.
• Denim skirts and denim jackets: These no-brainer versatile items are always hard to find.
• Casual pants that aren’t jeans: We need casual micro-check pants!
• Short length tops to wear with skirts: A store that specializes in shorter tops to wear with orphan skirts would make a killing. I’d take all my clients there.

Bring on Spring and Summer 2008 rants ladies, and don’t hold back. We are putting this topic to rest today.

Some people loved the Maxi dress trend, but I wasn’t one of them. Just too much fabric for daytime in Summer.

End of season sales are drawing to a close and it won’t be long before stores are full of Autumn and Winter merchandise. We’ve seen the last of Summer collections even though most of you have months of hot weather to endure (it’s that crazy retail cycle again). If Summer is your dominant season, remember to stock up now.

You know the drill. YLF closes every retail season with a “best and worst”. Raves today, rants tomorrow. I enjoy hearing your final thoughts on the last six months of fashion. Here are my raves:

• White jeans: The ultimate warm weather bridging piece. Everything looks good with a pair of white bottoms.
• Clamdiggers: A versatile cropped pant option and the perfect answer to the Summer skinny.
• Shirt dresses: Great over skinnies or on their own. A classic piece that can be interpreted in a multitude of ways.
• Bright coloured clothing and accessories: We saw every bright colour this season. Yellow, citron and tomato red are personal favourites with turquoise in the wings. I hope turquoise is a big colour next Spring.
• Cardigans: It’s been the best cardigan season yet. Every colour, style, print and fabric composition was represented. This versatile item is a must in every wardrobe. Three cheers for fab cardigans.
• Spring trenches: I was impressed with the style and colour choices this season. There was a great assortment and retailers thought further than the classic black and tan belted looks. Bravo.
• Back and white: I love black, white and cream outfit combinations. It was great to have these choices alongside vibrant seas of colour in stores.
• Cracked patent: Love it’s urban edge. Long may it last.
• Voluminous trend: These silhouettes are liberating for the midriff area. Woman can look polished in looser styles if there’s strategic tailoring to other parts of the garment. I like having the voluminous trend alongside the body conscious trend. Ample choice in one fashion season is how it should be.
• Longer length tops and tunics: An elegant and comfortable look that I continue to love.
• Flat shoes: There was a superior assortment of comfortable flat shoes this year. The fact that I found three pairs is a miracle.
• Waist belts: They make for a great polished hour glass look.
• White accessories: White shoes, bags, belts and watches make a fresh and strong impact. My white watch, cream flats and cream trench are the best items I purchased this season.
• Wedges: The quintessential modern heel. I can’t imagine my wardrobe without a stable sassy wedge.
• Gladiators: A great way to dress down an outfit.
• The re-birth of Banana Republic: Their new design team is stellar. After years of boring product, they have never looked better.

Hopefully you found loads to rave about this season. Let’s hear about it in the comments.

It was all over designer collections, but didn’t filter down to mainstream. And with good reason because the paper-bag-waist skirt is hard to wear. A super slim, non-curvy body type, plus height, a smallish chest and great gams are the prerequisites.

I don’t think a short person with the rest of the goods will pull off this look. The paper-bag waistband needs a long torso so that the impact of a defined waistline is achieved. If the paper-bag part rides up too high, it’s unflattering. It’s also essential to tuck in the top and look great in poufy, gathered skirts (another look that’s hard to pull off).

I like the look on a boyish silhouette because it adds curve, interest and shape. The dramatic nature of the style makes for great catwalk appeal, but it’s best left as fringe fashion. I just can’t see it taking off in the real world where most women are shorter and curvier.

Gladiators and strappy stacked sandals are the “it” styles for Summer 2008 footwear. Combine the two and you’ve got the next “it” sandal – the stacked gladiator. It’s hectically high, super strappy and hard to walk in for any length of time. It’s the shoe on Carrie Bradshaw’s feet in the recent “Sex and the City” movie. I have a hunch the trend is here to stay.

My feet hurt at the mere sight of these shoes, but I appreciate the look. Right now it’s uber hip paired with voluminous dresses, paper bag skirts and skinnies. The hardcore edge of the stacked gladiator creates a contrast with pretty dresses and skirts. That’s the uniqueness of the look which you either like or you don’t. Has your eye adapted to this look?

I have a hip client who can wear just about anything on her feet, and sports the silver snake skin, sling back style. She took one look at them on our shopping trip and said “those are fly!” With great excitement she wore them to work the next day with stone washed skinnies and a tomato red, belted, shirt dress tunic. I know she felt and looked fly.

Blouses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea because they are fussy, dramatic, dressy and high laundry maintenance. For these reasons many people stick to comfy knitted tops.

Blouses with neckties have a small target audience because they’re even fussier and hard to wear if you’re well endowed. This happens to be my favourite type of blouse and I know I’m in the minority. I adore their vintage, yet modern appeal and playful charm. They make me feel feminine, lady-like, elegant and alluring. (I’m very drawn to the “naughty librarian look” which works well with my specs and short hair).

Necktie-blouse don’t need to be sleeveless. They’re just as fab with a longer sleeve in Autumn layered under a cardigan or jacket. Opt for a V-necktie blouse to elongate the neckline. Stick to wovens for a crisper look. You don’t need to tie a bow at the neck with this silhouette. A neat square knot or loose tie often looks better.

A necktie blouse is a superb way to maintain a professional look in warm weather. Pop it over a pencil skirt, slacks, jeans or clamdiggers and you’ve got a great little look (belted or voluminous). Blouses in general are my “go-to” top in warm weather and I wear one almost every day. Any other blousy girls out there?

Most necktie blouses are woven, but occasionally you’ll find one in a knit like the black style above (which theoretically makes it a necktie knitted top). Necktie blouses that tie at the neck look particularly good on women with a smaller bust line and longer neck. But it’s easy to elongate this look if you don’t have a long neck by knotting the ties instead of tying them into a bow.

Fab casual pants are a missed retail opportunity. Apart from jeans and cropped pants (clamdiggers and walk shorts), the options are limited.

Here’s why:

• Khakis: It’s hard to look hip and stylish in an ultra-casual pair. Khakis either look too young, too conservative or dated when matched with casual shoes and knitted tops. Substitute a pair of casual khakis with white/cream cotton pants (pique or twill), or jeans (blue or white) and it’s an instantly better look. A smarter pair of khakis matched with a tailored black or white top and dressy shoe is a nice outfit. But that’s business casual, and not the relaxed vibe you’re after.
• Cargos: Few women look great in rigid cotton cargos. They’re best on inverted triangles if you find a pair with a sophisticated edge. Most styles tend to look wide, masculine and teenybopper-ish. Silk or silk blend cargos in drapey fabric are sweet, but delicate and shiny. They tend to look best with a dressier shoe which once again takes you out of the casual dress code.
• Poplin, seersucker, stripes and prints: Casual pants in these fabrics can work, but they’re not versatile. It’s hard to match them with tops and you’ll have wardrobe orphans if you aren’t careful.
• Linen: You either like the creased linen look or you don’t. If you don’t, it rules out another casual Summer pants option.
• Micro-check: I like this casual pants look, but it’s hard to find in America. I’m referring to a very fine, subtle plaid in neutral colours. It’s usually in a cotton or poly-blend and looks great in full length pants or cropped styles. A super look with sandals, thong sandals, Converse or ballet flats. Wish there were more to choose from.
• Knits: casual pants in knits are gear. We either exercise or lounge in these.

So we’re down to denim, or cotton twill/ pique pants (full length or cropped in any colour). Micro-checks and linen bottoms are next on the list of versatile casual pant options. Bottom line: your options are limited if you lead a casual lifestyle and your preference is for pants, but you don’t like denim. Day dresses and skirts solve the problem, but they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Left: White cotton “weekend pants” from Banana Republic are available in other colours, but I think they look best in white. Middle: Yellow cotton sateen pants from J Crew are an interesting casual bottom alternative. I fancy the idea of matching them with black, white, cream and cobalt blue. Right: If anyone wears pants like this elasticized brown linen style, I’ll have an apoplexy.

Most retailers are on sale and there are bargains to be had. If you’re short on warm weather clothing and your Summers are long, now is the time to stock up. I’d start off at Banana Republic and head over to Macy’s if you can brave the crowds.

You can also do end-of season shopping from the comfort of your keyboard. Here are some online sales to check out:

• Boden: Summer Collection Sale: Save up to 50%
• Macy’s: Summer Choice Sale: Save 10-50%
• Liz Claiborne: Beyond Summer Sale: Up to 75% off
• Piperlime: Lime Tag Sale: Up to 40% off
• Old Navy: Summer Loving Sale: Up to 50% off

Remember that it’s all too easy to waste money sale shopping. If you have everything you need, or if you’re on a shopping ban, give it a rest and wait for Autumn lines to hit the shelves.

Frocks are fabulous. They are the quintessential girly garment and make a statement on their own. But the statement needn’t be a dressy one. A dress can look as casual as a walk shorts and knit top ensemble. It’s all in the style, fabric and cut of the dress, and the items you pair it with.

I generally have a hard time getting clients to wear day dresses. Most of them feel the look is fussy, too dressed up, inappropriate, impractical and uncomfortable. Granted, you’ll get better coverage in a pair of pants if you spend your day rock climbing or playing on the floor with your children. But other than that, day dresses are a great casual alternative. They are perfect for a laid back brunch, a walk in the park, a stroll on the beach, relaxed social gatherings, informal site seeing and vacation pursuits, or any other day-to-day casual activity.

Here’s how to achieve the casual day dress look:

1. Select a comfortable A-line, knee-length silhouette that allows movement. Pass on styles that are tight and restrictive.
2. Opt for cotton rich fabrics and poly blends in knits and wovens. Stay away from shiny, luxurious fabrics and styles that give you a “naked feeling” (insufficient coverage).
3. Pair the dress with casual flats, espadrilles, casual wedges, thong sandals or gladiators. Stay away from dressy flats and heels unless you’re after a smart casual or business casual look.
4. Add a denim jacket, a string of casual beads or casual earrings.
5. A straw tote does wonders dressing down a day dress. Add this to the equation and you’re ready to picnic at Hyde Park.

Day dresses keep you cool and are perfect for hot weather. They are an easy option because it’s only one item of clothing to think about.

If you wear day dresses, help me to encourage others! Share your reasons for wearing them. If you’re still against the day dress look, share those feelings too. I hope to change your mind by the end of this season.

Spring and Summer collections are drawing to a close and it’s your last chance to inject a bit of “now” into your wardrobe. We’ve spent six months sharing Spring 2008 trends and here is my must-have list that cuts across body types, age groups and budgets:

• White bottoms: Choose jeans, pants, clamdiggers, walk shorts, a skirt or dress in white. The fresh addition of a white bottom packs plenty of punch to a Summer ensemble. It’s an instant contemporary edge.
• A white accessory: Think white handbags, belts, shoes, chunky beads and watches. If optical white is not your thing, opt for off-white or cream instead.
• Colourful shoes: Get yourself out of the neutral shoe rut and incorporate a cheerful ped in yellow, green, turquoise, purple, orange, pink or blue. If the thought of a bright shoe scares you, go for red, metallic or animal print instead. It’s not quite the same, but I’ll settle for these alternatives.
• A colouful handbag: Get yourself out of the neutral handbag rut. I’ll accept red, metallic or animal print too (faux zebra, giraffe or pony get my vote).
• Clamdiggers or walk shorts: They are the answer to cropped pants.
• A day dress: Nothing keeps you as cool as an A-line, knee-length dress. If you live in hot weather, make this a staple. If frocks aren’t your fancy, try to keep at least one on the back burner to haul out on an extra girly day.
• A cardigan: The layering staple that looks good over just about anything.
• A voluminous item: A superb current trend that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Whether it’s in the form of wide-legged pants, lantern sleeves, trapeze jackets, roomy tunics, sack sheaths, baby dolls or billowing blouses, choose one that suits your body type and go with the flow.
• A wedge: It’s the modern-day heel. Add it in a metal or shade of white and you’ve got a go-to Summer shoe.
• A global accent: Add a tribal twist to your look with an exotic bangle, animal print item or safari inspired piece. Interpret this trend your way and make a statement.

Floral prints, gladiators, shirt dresses, cropped jackets and waist-cinching belts are great trends but not for everyone. You’re fine investing in patent, skinnies and straight leg jeans. These items have become basics and we’ll see them every season.

End-of-season sales have begun. Start ticking off your Summer shopping list and look fab.