Have you ever thought about what shapes your aesthetic preferences? I’m not talking about practical factors like the climate you live in, your dress code for work, or your Mum-on-the-Go lifestyle. I’m talking about a more abstract level, like why you might prefer bohemian clothing to modern classics. Why avant-garde silhouettes are more your cup of tea than East Coast Preppy. Why you gravitate towards complex outfits rather than simple ones. And why you prefer black over white, muted tones to brights, or moody florals over rugby stripes.

One big factor in my case is the work that I do as a fashion stylist. You might imagine that working with clients across a wide range of different style personas makes my own style preferences quite broad, but it actually does the opposite. I find that it makes my own preferences narrow and focused. I think that being exposed to so much fashion also explains my love of combining modern classics with more trendy pieces. The modern classics are timeless and the trendy items add newness, so I don’t get bored with my purchases very easily.

Another factor is my emotional reaction to bright colors: bright sour greens and yellows, tomato red, turquoise, shocking pink and coral. And white, which to me is a bright. My heart lifts when I see these colours and I am drawn to them over and over again. I don’t experience the same sense of euphoria when I look at an earth tone, a muted shade of pink or black. 

I’m sure that personality plays a role too. I’m drawn to clothing with straight lines and angular drape as opposed to flowing curved styles with arty drape. The big flared midi skirts that I wear are have box pleats — which are straight line constructions — and not curved, ruffled bustles. Perhaps the straight lines and angular drape are reflecting my strict and impatient personality. After all, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

Similarly, my preference for a polished as opposed to a deliberate RATE (rough around the edges) look must have a lot to do with my tendency to be a neat freak. 

And last, I’m drawn to a dressy style. Even my casual looks are dressier than most. I think this stems from being quite a formal person. I’m warm and friendly, but I’m not laid-back. I prefer a plan and don’t like things sprung on me. I’m “proper”, and this is reflected in my style. 

What shapes your style preferences? There are no right and wrong answers here. This type of analysis is not at all essential, and it’s all in good fun. Furthermore, your own style preferences might be narrow, but you can absolutely love a look that is outside your personal preferences on someone else. Knowing what you like for yourself, while at the same time appreciating a wide assortment of styles on others is not only fun, but truly reflects a love for fashion and style.

The Catrina sandal from Naturalizer is not a trendy sandal, but it isn’t dated or frumpy either. It’s extremely comfortable, and I’m not the only one who thinks so — read the rave reviews. The footbed is extra cushioning and the leather is buttery soft. The one and a half inch heel is supportive and manageable. The low vamp is flattering on the foot. Lightweight, spongy and casually versatile. 

The style is available in four colours, of which the white and black get my top vote because they look the most current. The pewter is classic, and the brown quite earthy. The style is available across four widths and up to a size 12. The narrow width fit my low volume feet really well, and I did not need to size down half a size. 

If you’re doing a lot of walking in hot weather this Summer, and the oh so trendy Birkenstock is not for you, try the Catrina. It looks a lot better on the foot and in outfits than you might expect, and the comfort level is astounding. Forgoing a little fashion for happy feet is NOT a bad thing.

First, a warning. Time and time again, my clients and our forum members ask which style of topper to wear over a sleeveless dress. The problem is that sleeveless dresses were meant to be worn without a topper, so more often than not look best that way. This is especially the case with dressy sleeveless dresses. As soon as you add a topper, you loose the cut, silhouette and wow-factor that makes the dress look sensational. Casual sleeveless dresses tend to be more conducive to a topper addition because the styles and fabrics lend themselves better to the relaxed, layered look. 

So it’s best not to purchase a sleeveless dress in the first place unless you’re comfortable exposing your arms. Prevention is better than cure.

All of that said, I frequently run into sleeveless dresses that need to be covered. Sometimes a client already owns the dress and doesn’t want to go to the expense of purchasing a sleeved option when an inexpensive topper is the alternative. Sometimes sleeved dresses are harder to find, making the sleeveless option a faster purchase. And sometimes the wearer is comfortable exposing her arms, but needs a topper when things cool down.

The Solutions 

Here are my favourite ways to top a sleeveless dress. They’re more interesting than the basic cardigan, pashmina or shrug. A straight, formfitting dress is usually easier to top than a fit-and-flare style. Generally, you’ll need a cropped topper for the latter, whereas just about any length works with a straight sheath.

• Kimono Jacket: This topper works best over a straight sheath. You’re after a soft kimono jacket style with shorter sleeves for structure. Leave it open and flowing. 
• Denim Jacket: A short denim jacket works over just about any style of sleeveless dress. Keep the fit tailored for a classic look, and a little oversized for a more fashionable rendition. Leave the jacket open and scrunch the sleeves for structure. Of course, this makes your outfit casual which won’t work for a dressy event. 
• Cropped Moto Jacket: A cropped moto jacket, fitted or fluid, works well over most dresses, much like a denim jacket. 
• Cropped Blazer or Chanel-esque Jacket: These toppers are trickier to get right because the jackets need to be short and “just so” in order to avoid looking frumpy. Also, the combination can look quite corporate, which is perfect for business formal but might not be what you’re after. Short fitted blazers work quite well, but short boxy jackets are more current. 
• Drapey Cardigan: Short, fluid cardigans with lots of arty “waterfall” drape work well over straight and flared dresses. Long drapey cardigans work best over straight dresses. Leave them open and flowing. Choose a lightweight fabric that’s gauzy and quite sheer.
• Trench Coat: A dressy trench coat made of a shiny dressy fabric is my personal best way to top a formal sleeveless straight dress. It works pretty well over a flared dress when the hem lengths are similar. 

Sometimes a dainty and short gold, silver or beaded cardigan can work over a formal sleeveless dress, but they are hard to find. Faux fur stoles are fun for dressier events and add a nice bit of retro drama. Shorter bomber jackets inject a bit of on trend Sporty Luxe to a sleeveless dress.

A new Instagram sensation, Spanx branching out into jeans, H&M’s first-ever artist collaboration and more fun style news from around the globe this week.

• Are you curious about the history of lingerie? Then the Museum at FIT has just the exhibition for you.
• Cara Delevingne turns designer, and has teamed up with DKNY for a 15-piece capsule collection that will be available in stores in November. 
• H&M is celebrating the opening of its midtown Manhattan flagship store with a limited edition Jeff Koons balloon dog bag.
• Spanx is branching out into jeans and is starting off with two styles — a high jean with a wide waistband and a five pocket jean with control panel — that will hit the stores in July.
• Did you know that several European fashion houses are contributing money to help save historic sites in Italy?
• Now here’s an interesting take on sartorial movie merchandising. The new Colin Firth film “Kingsman: The Secret Service” will come with its own high-end menswear line sold through Mr. Porter.
• 23-year old fashion publicist Christina Belchere is behind the new Instagram sensation: @FashionGrandpas, which focusses entirely on the dapper older gentlemen of New York.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that writer Dorothy Parker’s first job was writing article captions for Vogue? After two years she moved on to Vanity Fair where she was hired as a staff writer and also started to make a name for herself as a theatre critic.