‘Tis the season for scarves!  They add outfit texture, interest, and are effective colour vehicles. Create a vertical line, tie it with the Angie knot, or leave it messy style. Scarves are quick-fix style refreshers and often more affordable than other accessories. Easy, interesting and practical.

Here are some of my top picks right now:

1. Steve Madden M49702 Eternity Scarf: Cozy and casual like a soft plush toy.
2. Laundry by Shelli Segal Double Scarf with Lettuced Edge: An interesting layered effect.
3. Lucky Brand Water Paisley Wrap: Nice colours and patterns.
4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Dash Dot Jersey Scarf: Super soft jersey scarves are ideal for mild Winters. Guaranteed to not itch!
5. Yarnz SF120: Arty and fabulous in a neutral way.
6. Tarnish Peacock Wool Scarf: One of my favourites this season and I’m all over the yellow.
7. Nordstrom Pearl Print Scarf: Sophisticated and understated chic.
8. Echo Oversized Ruffle Scarf: Dramatic, textured and very warm.
9. Tarnish Sumi Flower Stripe Lamb’s Wool Scarf: The berry and purple are particularly lovely but the gold is for you if earth tones are your thing.
10. Nordstrom Vintage Scarf: This look is not my thing but it absolutely might be yours.
11. Ted Baker Cube Print Intarsia Scarf: Now that’s a fun bright scarf.
12. Pieces Mystic Spot Scarf: Who can resist a clean crisp polka dot.
13. Ikat Print Scarf: You’ll like this deal if Ikat prints tickle your fancy.

Happy shopping!

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It’s by no means a faux pas to wear wide leg trousers with flat footwear. There are women who pull off the look with sass and style. High-waisted wide leg trousers are especially elongating of the leg line, so wearing flats won’t necessarily make you look and feel dumpy.

That being said, I still vote nay because 99% of the time I prefer wide leg trousers matched with heels and with hems that almost skim the ground. The higher the heel, the more I like the look. It’s as if you’re walking on stilts and the effect is quite dramatic and elegant.

Heels worn with wide leg trousers needn’t be super high. One and a half to two inch heels work just fine, and in true 70’s style so do platformed clogs. You are in for a treat if you like wide leg trousers because as a nod to both 70’s and 90’s fashion they will be big in 2011.

Do you vote yay or nay for wearing wide leg trousers with flats?

When I started working as a fashion stylist in the US, I learned a few interesting things around Christmas time. First, that people in America refer to the period between Thanksgiving and New Year as “the Holidays”. This was so new to me! Second, that many men, women and children wear more red at this time of year than any other. In fact, some of my clients wear red during the Holidays, but not during the rest of the year.

I do think of red as a festive Christmas colour, but I’m on Team Red and wear just as much of the colour during the rest of the year as I do during the Holidays (and so do our doggies Rosie and Jasmine, who have had red collars, leads, harnesses and jumpers at one time or another).

Do you wear red during the Holidays? Is it the only time of year that you wear red?

I have a 70 year old client who rocks my style world. She’s about 5′ 8″ with short black hair and mesmerizing light green eyes and fair skin. Her pretty body is pear shaped, short-waisted and a size 8 or 10. She adores Ralph Lauren, jewel tones and sleek lines.

This is one of the relaxed outfits we put together last week. My client loves the look because it’s casual yet polished, comfy yet tailored, colourful yet clean. And above all flattering, versatile and appropriate. It can take her from running errands in the morning, to lunch with a friend in the afternoon, and right back to babysitting grandkids at night.

Apart from the scarf, which is similar in colour and shape to the one we chose, the rest of the items shown are the exact same items that we used in my client’s ensemble.

We layered a camisole under a shawl collared knit top and topped it off with an unbuttoned purple boyfriend cardigan. We tucked a dark pair of Gap Real Straight Jeans into a pair of  impeccable flat Via Spiga riding boots (weather proofed with spray). We accessorized with a soft voluminous printed scarf and kept the knot vertical to accentuate a long lean line. To finish, we added arty silver earrings and bracelet, a black patent satchel, and structured trench coat plus umbrella to combat the elements.

The tunic length of the boyfriend cardigan, worn open with a long elongating scarf, helps my client feel less exposed around the hip and thigh area once the trench comes off. Tucking jeans into boots helps ground the outfit. The low colour contrast between the top and bottom makes my client feel pulled together and chic. Of course, high contrasting colours are chic too, but this client prefers low contrasts. The green in the scarf brings out the green in her eyes.

The outfit is fabulously modern classic, simply stylish, and ever so practical for a wet and cold climate.

The most interesting thing of all is that it looks great on my 70 year old client, I would wear it at 40, and so would a classic 25 year old lass. Versatility at its best.

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