I had a hard time choosing a Team because I wear both cropped and tunic cardigans with the same frequency. As much as I adore all of the new look tunic cardigans, like boyfriend, cascading and fly away styles, I prefer layering at least half of my dresses with classic cropped cardigans.

That said, I’ve decided to side with Team Tunic Cardigan because they’ve been a revelation for my clients, and because they are kind of cozier to wear. Also, they look great with leans tucked into boots and its almost time to wear that look again.

Over to you. Are you Team Cropped or Team Tunic Cardigan. A friend of mine can’t get her head around cardigans because they make her feel like old Aunt Mildred no matter which style she sports. That’s okay!  I’d prefer you to pick a side but you’re allowed to sit on the bench if you don’t wear cardigans at all. Remember, no batting for both Teams.

Personally, I have always enjoyed the look of flat oxford shoes. To quote hubby Greg: “They are VERY cute”.  But there is no doubt about it: flat oxfords shorten the leg line and look masculine because they are flat shoes with high vamps. Unless you have a proportionally long leg line they aren’t the easiest shoe to wear.

With some experimentation you can balance out the masculine vibe and shortening effect. Here are some things you can try:

• Pair them with tapered pants, jeans or ankle length leggings: Showing off the entire shoe when wearing pants, jeans or leggings somehow makes them look more feminine. When sporting perfect pant lengths with wide legs or bootcuts, the tips of the shoe peek out while the rest of the shoe is covered. This looks more masculine to my eye. Of course, the masculine look might tickle your fancy so by all means wear flat oxfords with wide hemmed pants if you prefer that visual effect.
• Reveal skin on the foot: Sometimes, allowing a bit of skin to peek through between the vamp of the oxford and the hem of the pants keeps things feminine. That’s why I like to go sock-less when I wear my oxfords with tapered jeans. Although it shows more skin, I do not cuff my jeans when wearing flat oxfords because the horizontal cuffs and finished length of the jeans are too leg shortening for my tastes. Instead I leave my skinnies scrunched.
• Raise the hemlines of skirts, dresses and shorts: This visually lengthens the leg line. I’m not one to wear short hemlines, but a couple of inches above the knee works well. Baggy short shorts work particularly well with flat oxfords because they showcase most of the leg.
• Voluminous pieces: Unstructured items complement the look of flat oxfords. It’s not a slam dunk, but short sack dresses, breezy blouses, boyfriend cardigans and baggy boyfriend blazers like to be paired with flat oxfords. Somehow, surrendering the waistline is key.
• Cropped jackets: Boyfriend blazers work beautifully with flat oxfords when worn with tapered jeans, but cropped jackets work well too. Wear a cropped jacket over a flared skirt or dress, tapered pants or with walk shorts. The short hem on the jacket visually draws the eye to the waistline which raises the line of the leg.
• Add hosiery: Keeping a low contrast between the colour of your legs and the shoes creates a longer leg line. For example, wearing black opaque tights with flat black oxfords is visually lengthening because there is no contrast between the oxfords and the leg. Wearing black micro fishnets with my oxfords keeps the contrast low too.
• Choose a low contrast shoe colour: Sometimes, opting for nude, metallic, light grey or light brown flat oxfords works better with dresses and skirts because there is low contrast between your leg colour and the shoe. It can also soften the integrity of the shoe, making it more feminine.

A combination of these tips will also work in an outfit. It’s really up to you and your figure flattering priorities. If you like to keep a long leg line as I do, these tips will help. If sporting a shorter leg line works for you, wear flat oxfords with just about anything.

Although flat oxfords are an acquired taste, adding them into your current wardrobe mix can change up the look quite dramatically. They bring both an arty and an androgynous element to your style, which can be appealing. And the comfort factor is pretty compelling too – after all, my flat oxfords saved my feet at Fashion Week!

You might remember these outfits from my recent Fashion Week posts. And that’s forum member Tara peaking over my shoulder in the first picture. Adorable!

My make-up drawer is typically quite lean because my make-up routine is fast and simple. However, a few free samples here and one or two gifts there, and before you know it there is extra stuff all over the show. It drives me bananas.

I seem to allow the contents of my make-up drawer to accumulate until it’s time to pack the toiletry bag for a trip. Then I get stuck in, throwing stuff out and passing things on. We travel fairly often, so editing my make-up drawer happens frequently. It has become a pre-travel routine for me. How often do you edit your make-up drawer?

My favourite season is here! Crisp air, exquisite foliage, homemade soup, and lots of scarf and boot wearing opportunities. I can’t get enough of everything Autumn.

There are many ways to look more seasonal, and you don’t need cool weather in order to pull together an Autumn outfit. So depending on the outside temperature, select what works from the list below and leave the warmer outfits for chillier days. They are good across a range of dress codes – from casual to business formal – so take your pick:

1. Add a scarf: The possibilities are endless. Sport the messy scarf look over a sleeveless top or dress if it’s still hot in your neck of the woods. Try the authoritarian look under a button down. The Angie knot is effective, as is a classic Euro knot. Audi’s scarf tying tutorial is fab and don’t forget the muffler look.
2. Add a waistcoat: Refresh  your memory on how to layer this arty and androgynous piece. Shaggy versions and moto vests are fab too.
3. Add close toed footwear: Pack away sandals and start wearing ballet flats, pumps, flat or heeled oxfords, fashion sneakers and loafers.
4. Add boots to skirt and dress outfits: Think booties, mid calf lengths and knee high styles. Wear them sans hose if it’s mild outside.
5. Add boots to walking shorts and clamdigger outfits: Love this look! Hip, fun and ever so slightly cheeky. With youth on your side, match short shorts with boots too.
6. Add cardigans: Think cascading and boyfriend styles. If you prefer classic cropped silhouettes that’s fine too. Layer them over tops, shirts, blouses and dresses and add a belt if you’re after extra waist definition.
7. Add a jacket or blazer: Think boyfriend cuts (both tailored and baggy), classic blazers, sharp shouldered looks for the fashion forward, tuxedo jackets, military silhouettes, moto vibes, trench coats and  anything retro. Denim jackets are a Summer item for me, but they might be the perfect Autumn option for you.
8. Wear three quarter sleeve tops: Now is the time to do it.
9. Layer interesting pieces: Layer a T or knit top over a button down shirt, mix patterns, and layer together different lengths of tops.
10. Add leggings: Check out our forum members and click through all the links for a refresher course on how to wear leggings.
11. Change your hair colour: It’s fun to go a little darker in Autumn. I do.
12. Change your lipstick colour: Try earth toned lipstick, or a richer shade of what you’re wearing. I go from a coral to a spicy red in Autumn. But my evening time fire red lipstick stays the same all year round.
13. Change your finger and toe nail polish colour: Try plums, burgundies and bronze tones.
14. Layer a button down or blouse under a dress: And it doesn’t need to be a sheath dress either. Try layering all sorts of shirts and blouses under dresses and see what happens. The results could be arty and fab, as well as cost effective and versatile.
15. Add hose: It’s probably not cold enough for tights, but sheer hose in fun self-colour patterns add an effective textural edge to your outfit.
16. Wear darker colours: If your Autumns are hot, swap out bright coloured Summer clothing for neutral tones.
17. Wear jeans: Any cut, style or wash. From leans to trouser styles.
18. Wear skinny cargos or fashionable pants: There is style life after jeans.  Think skinny cargos, or more fashion forward dress pants.
19. Wear short sleeved knitwear: Milk it  before your arms feel cold.
20. Add a fun hat: So many sweet newsboys, cloches, fedoras, beanies and berets all over the show. If you look great wearing a hat, go for it. Could be the solution to a bad hair day – as long as the hat stays on.

In some instances you’ll use only one of these tips, and at other times you’ll combine a few of them to create an Autumn outfit. For example, in Seattle its cool enough to match a sheath dress with a denim jacket, scarf and boots. If you live in Texas or Florida, you might like to match an earth-toned ensemble of walk shorts, sleeveless blouse, waistcoat and pumps.

With this list in hand, shop your closet first. You’ll be surprised at how much you can put together with what you already own. Next, use the exercise to identify the gaps. By adding in a few scarves, a pair of booties, some layering pieces and a fab jacket, you might be set for the season.

If I’ve left anything out, lets add it to the list. Are you ready for Autumn?