White bottoms make my “must have” list every warm weather season because they’re one of easiest and most cost effective ways to inject a bit of Spring or Summer into your wardrobe. They are the perfect Summer bridging piece, because they instantly make all tops look more Summery. White items in general get you out of Winter mode and spell the start of Summer fun, adding a fresh and contemporary edge to your outfits. If optical white feels a little too stark, off-white and cream are good substitutes.

Yet every season I receive the same feedback from ladies who feel that they can’t wear white pants, jeans, clamdiggers, walk shorts, skirts or dresses because they’re unflattering, thinking they need to be stick thin in order to wear the look. I wish I could take you all shopping because it’s simply not so. A flattering pair of bottoms is about the fit and the fabric and not the colour.

I am nothing if not tenacious! So here’s a list of tips to get you on your way if you’re still battling with the concept of white bottoms but want to wear the look:

1. Choose denim fabrications first: White is more transparent than any other colour. Denim is thick, offers great structure and ample coverage. So if you’re a newbie to white bottoms, think white jeans, or denim walk shorts, clamdiggers and skirts.
2. Choose matte and thick fabrications second: Weighty and substantial fabrications are less revealing and great options for tailored bottoms. Lining can help too.
3. Pay special attention to pocket detailing: It’s a real shame that the pocket linings of white pants with pockets show through in unattractive ways – even when the pants are lined. Sometimes, pocket linings can be cut out or sewn closed so keep that option in mind. First choice is to opt for pants sans front pockets. This is yet another reason to choose denim because regular five-pocket denim pocket positioning does a better job of camouflaging pocket lining.
4. Size up: White and light coloured bottoms can be more revealing so wearing them a little looser helps.
5. Wear longer tops with white pants, clamdiggers and jeans: If you’re shy about exposing your bottom, hip and thigh area, match white bottoms up with longer tops. Clever coverage works wonders.
6. Wear flesh toned undies with good coverage:  It’s the best way to prevent your knickers from showing through.
7. If pants fail, stick to skirts and dresses: If you just can’t get white jeans, pants, clamdiggers or walk shorts to work, choose a denim pencil skirt or short, breezy A-line skirt instead. No thigh and bottom cling. Roomy white cotton Summer sundresses are sweet too, especially when worn with a denim jacket.

There you have it. Another attempt to encourage those who are dying to wear white bottoms to take the plunge. How say you now, ladies? Have I managed to keep the door to wearing white bottoms ajar? Any further tips to share? Do you wear white bottoms, or are you still dead set against the look?

You’ll find polka dot printed items in stores every season. But because polka dots are trending strongly this Spring, you’ll probably see more spotted items than usual. I’m not complaining! Polka dots are my all time favourite pattern. I love the simple, geometric simplicity of this shape that spells playful fun.

That being said, I choose my polka dot items carefully. The design of the polka dot has to be just right and so does the item that bears it. I might be in the minority, but I don’t think everything looks good in a polka dot.

Design of the dot

Three things are important: color, size and spacing.

1. Color: I usually prefer a white or cream dot against a solid background colour. I also like light backgrounds with dark dots, but I normally don’t go for multi-coloured polka dot designs (more than two colours) unless the palette is extremely monochromatic.
2. Size: Small dots are subtle while large dots are bold (especially if there is a high contrast between the colour of the dot and the colour of the background). Both options tickle my toes. Then there is the uniformity of the size. I quite like designs with differently sized polka dots but much prefer the cleaner look of uniformly sized dots.
3. Spacing: I prefer evenly spaced dots, especially on designs where they are uniformly sized.

If you prefer a subtle look, opt for a single coloured pin dot sized polka dot on a solid colour, like a small white dot on a black background.

Style of the item

I’ve seen a polka dot on just about every wardrobe item, including accessories, but some items are more surprising than others, and are therefore more of a statement. Of course, the risk goes up proportionately with the surprise factor.

1. Mainstream: Tops, shirts, blouses and scarves are easy items to add to the wardrobe in polka dot designs.
2. Occasional: Dresses, skirts, socks, headbands, umbrellas, underwear, sleepwear, bathing costumes, hose, ties and floral pins are next. The sheer surface area of dresses and skirts makes them less mainstream in a bold pattern than the items above. The others aren’t common in polka dots, but they are small or hidden, and therefore less of a dotty statement than the items below.
3. Unusual: Pants, walk shorts, coats, jackets and knitwear are harder to get right. Somehow these items are more likely to appear clownish. Bags, belts and shoes are also less popular in polka dot patterns.

I have several polka dot dresses, blouses, scarves and umbrellas, and one spotty floral pin. These are the items I like best in clean graphic polka dot designs. I’d love to find a polka dot skirt, belt and pair of pumps one day, but that’s it. I probably won’t sport a polka dot on any other wardrobe item.

Over to you. Do you like polka dots? If so, what’s your favourite design? Which wardrobe items will you sport in that design?

Every time I visit Amsterdam, I fall more in love with the city. The gabled houses along the canals are full of beautiful character. And the cobbled streets and brick buildings are gorgeously atmospheric. It’s simply divine. But as much as I appreciate old, picturesque places, it’s hands down the hip and modern elements of the city and its inhabitants that does it for me. The historical architecture and rich culture contrasts beautifully with super modern interiors and very fashionably dressed people of all ages.

The country’s capital was packed with locals and tourists. We spent our time doing what we like to do best – soaking up the ambiance of the city. So we walked along the canals, browsed through streets and stores, snacked at cafes and ate some of our favourite Dutch food.

Amsterdam is much bigger than Arnhem which makes the shopping more diverse. Mainstream brands are concentrated in popular shopping streets like Kalverstraat (pictured below). Most European and international brands are present, alongside local Dutch stores that are quite affordable. You’ll find all the high end brands on P. C. Hooftstraat. And quirky boutiques in areas like De Negen Straatjes.

The stores in Amsterdam had everything I saw in Arnhem and then some. They’re overflowing with military inspired clothing, safari colours, harem pants, tunics, boyfriend blazers, white jeans and denim shirts. Dresses and pastels are scarce. The denim on denim trend is fierce. Bershka, Zara’s sister brand, devoted their entire display window to denim.

Other big trends: strong shouldered jackets, stripes, low heeled shoes, low-waisted drawstring blouses and printed leggings. I made one purchase, finally finding the right strong shouldered jacket and can’t wait to wear it. It’s going to come out to play on this trip so stay tuned.

With respect to footwear, it is all about flat white, dove grey and tan boots. High heeled clogs, heeled sneaker pumps, pink boots and cage heels are in abundance too.

The streets are full of the same practical yet stylish Dutch uniform: skinnies or leggings tucked into flat or low heeled boots with tunic, cropped jacket, statement scarf and cross-body bag. Some are in short wool coats or trenches, while others sport biker jackets. This look was worn across all age groups, from pre schoolers to ladies well into their sixties and seventies.

More ladies in gorgeous white skinnies with tall chestnut boots. KILLER. Arty skirts worn with rugged boots and cropped jackets are pretty popular too. Much to my delight, I saw lots of people wear colour. Barely a high heel or bootie in sight though. If I saw five gals wear high heels and booties it was a lot. I guess stiletto heels don’t work that well when walking on cobbled streets and commuting by bicycle. But I don’t have an explanation for the lack of booties.

I was struck by how fabulous the kids looked running around in their great little casual trench coats, bright scarves and tough-looking mid-calf boots. Surprisingly, I haven’t seen a little girl in sneakers yet.

On the first day here I wore bootcut jeans with apple green cowboy boots, red animal print tunic and black trench coat. I definitely stood out wearing wider cut jeans, ankle boots and no scarf. On the second day, I was back to wearing wearing the Dutch uniform of skinnies with boots, tunic, scarf and trench.

Amsterdam’s gastronomic delights were “pannekoeken” (pancakes) and “haring” (herring). Dutch pannekoeken are huge, doughy and thick, so unlike a French crepe or American stack of pancakes. I like my pannekoek with apple and Greg likes his with bacon. Drench the lot in syrup, wash it down with “chocomel” (chocolate milk) and you’re in heaven.

Dutch herring is an acquired taste because it’s served raw with chopped onion. It’s not Greg’s favourite but I adore the delicacy. Chewing minty gum after eating raw haring is a good idea.

We’re on an early morning flight to Brussels tomorrow and on to Antwerp the next day. Goodbye pancakes, hello waffles.

Fabulous Chicago based forum member and writer Laura recently interviewed Veteran Beauty Editor Charla Krupp about her new book. I asked Laura if she’d like to share some of her interview insights with us, so over to her for the scoop.

Okay, I’ll admit it: I bought Charla Krupp’s 2008 bestseller, How Not to Look Old. Having crossed the line into my 40s, suddenly the topic seemed not only relevant but urgent. Now, Charla is back, and better than ever, with a book that will appeal to any woman who’s ever asked: Does this make me look fat?

Since I write for a magazine, Make it Better, that’s based in Charla’s hometown, I had the good fortune to interview Charla about her new book, How to Never Look Fat Again. Charla, who’s been on the Today show over 100 times as a fashion and beauty expert, was just as fabulous and full of helpful ideas as I’d hoped. When we spoke by phone from the Manhattan apartment she shares with her husband, Time Magazine editor Richard Zoglin, it felt like I was talking to a girlfriend – we had a blast!

Charla  thinks that women care more about not looking fat than they do about anything else — looking trendy, or looking good, for example — and that women get messed up by trying to follow the trends and wind up buying things they think are cute but are actually “fattening.” Throughout the book, Charla talks about “no-fat” and “high-fat” clothing, a concept based on what she found in her kitchen pantry. While Charla’s husband is blessed with the ability to eat a sleeve of cookies every night and not gain an ounce, Charla is not. She realized they had the full-fat and no-fat versions of all sorts of foods in their house – milk, peanut butter, ice cream. And the idea occurred that this could be a metaphor for clothing. For example: clingy orange lycra minidress, high fat. Sleek black sheath dress with skinny belt, no fat.

The photos are key to the success of her book and they work marvelously to illustrate the concept. (Charla hired plus-size models to represent real women in sizes 8 and 10!). From swimming suits to workout gear to denim and dresses, Charla shows what clothing makes us look thinner. Some of Charla’s recommendations will be familiar to YLFers – start with a bra fitting. Charla told me that women will go through seven bra sizes in their life! I had no idea! Other recommendations, like an emphasis on the daily wearing of shapewear – well, Angie doesn’t promote that, I don’t find it comfortable either, so we can agree to disagree with Charla while happily adopting some of her other ideas.

Charla is launching a nationwide book tour, and in Chicago, where I live, she’ll be at Bloomingdale’s on Michigan Avenue on April 1, and at Bloomingdale’s at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie on April 3. She’s also going to be in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York. Check out her website for more dates nationwide.