J. Crew often shows tops that are not completely tucked into bottoms. The tops are partly tucked in front and un-tucked everywhere else. For lack of a better term I’m calling this the “semi-tucked” look.

I like the vibe and it’s particularly compelling on a photograph because it adds textural interest to the front part of the outfit, and you don’t see the back of the outfit. I also like how it makes the outfit look relaxed, something I achieve by scrunching up my shirt and blazer sleeves. But whenever I try a semi-tucked look at home it doesn’t feel right. I feel desperately unpolished, like I haven’t finished dressing. Plus the un-tucked back part of the outfit doesn’t look so fab.

I remember trying the semi-tucked look when my Dad was visiting and I almost made it out the door when my Dad said: “Angelique, your shirt is coming out at the back and needs to be tucked in”. And so I tucked it all back in.

Maybe I’m too much of a neat freak to sport the semi-tucked look (you saw how I keep my desk) and it doesn’t match my fashion persona. But I’m determined to make this look feel right so I’ll keep on experimenting. Do you like the semi-tucked look? What’s the secret to making it work?

I’m more comfortable in flat shoes or low heels because my feet don’t like to arch all that much. But I have learnt that this isn’t true for everyone. Some of my clients and friends are more comfortable wearing some sort of stable heel (up to two inches) because the heel supports their foot. In fact, flat shoes give them foot pain.

For casual settings I suggest footwear like low heeled combat or cowboy boots, low wedge sandals, espadrilles and cork heeled slip-ons if you can’t wear casual flats or fashion sneakers. And there’s also the wedge sneaker, which provides a lift in a particularly casual way.

I remember wearing black and white wedge sneakers in the late 90’s and they were comfy. I also remember wearing chunky white platform sneakers in the early 90’s which were not comfortable at all (but I bandaged up my blisters and wore them anyway).

Are wedge sneakers a suitable and stylish heeled casual footwear option? Or are they just an odd fashion hybrid best left alone. I think that they can be a great option, perhaps not for you and also not for me, but some people will make it work. No one will notice the height of the heel when worn under bootcut jeans or flared legs sported at the right length. And if you’re more daring, wedge sneakers look quite sweet under straight leg jeans, which expose more of the shoe.

Ladies who don’t like to wear flats, but do wear sneakers will be in business with the wedge sneaker. Does it appeal to you?

Casual maxi dresses seem to come and go, but with the resurgence of 70’s fashion for Spring and Summer 2011, they are really going to be on trend this season.

Over the years I have written about casual maxi dresses several times and my perception is unchanged. I vote nay. I just can’t get my head around an ankle length dress for a casual ensemble. Similar to my thoughts on casual maxi skirts, long dresses scream formal wear to me and that’s the only way I can see it. Casual maxi dresses also remind me too much of nighties. Of course this is a completely subjective opinion, but to me all women look better showing off a bit of leg when they sport an outfit with a relaxed vibe.

I won’t be adding a casual maxi dress to my wardrobe this season. How about you?

I’m curious to see how the “new” flared jeans and trouser silhouettes will be represented in stores and received by customers this year.

From what I’ve seen so far, tapered leg silhouettes are still abundantly popular in retail stores. And I don’t mean sale goods either. I’m talking about new Spring merchandise that is showcasing as many tapered legs as flared legs. But it’s only January and we still have five months to go. A lot can happen in five months of fashion!

In my neck of the woods, street style is still all about tucking tapered jeans and leggings into boots because it makes practical sense for our weather. I see a fair amount of bootcuts too, but few flares wider than bootcuts.

What’s your impression of tapered versus flared legs in retail right now? Do you think that they are equally represented? Which silhouette are you seeing more on the street?