Black can look severe, lifeless and dull when worn close to the face, especially as you get older. But there are ways of bringing a bit of life back into a black top so that the colour doesn’t look as strict and harsh. This is achieved by creating eye catching contrasts with colour and texture. By breaking up the expanse of flat back against the face, you add depth to the hue thereby making it look alive and interesting.

When I wear black tops and frocks I always use one the following six tricks to soften the look:

1. Use black as a layering vehicle only: you can cover up most of a black top by layering over it in another colour. That way the black top becomes the textural interest of the ensemble. I like black best paired with white and cream. I also like it with grey, ink blue, cobalt and saturated bright colours as long as there is white or cream in the mix as well.
2. Combine a lower neckline and a contrasting necklace: the lower neckline distances the black from your face, while the necklace adds contrasting interest. A pearl necklace of sorts in my preference because I’m obsessed with pearls, and because there is something magical about a white pearl against a black background. But you could use any necklace that tickles your fancy as long as there is the effect of a contrast.
3. Choose tops in sheer black fabric: black looks less severe when the fabric is transparent. The see-through parts of the top act like another colour which once again breaks up the black. Opt for a bit of textural and layering interest too. The camisole adds layering interest and the nobby fabric, ruffles and satin bow on this particular blouse adds textural interest. This frilly blouse might not be to your taste, but you get the idea.
4. Add a contrasting necklace between the top and your face: the same rule of contrast applies, but this neckline is higher. This top has the added advantage of textured ruffles giving an otherwise dull flat black chiffon a lot more movement. This adds depth to the colour by creating shadows.
5. Choose tops with textural interest: the Chanel-esque cardigan has stitch interest, contrast piping and gold buttons all of which break up the black.
6. Add a scarf: this trick works with most types of black tops, but I’ve shown it with a button down shirt and turtle neck. I’ve tied the scarf inside the collar of the button down shirt so that the colours are directly against my face. I’ve tied the scarf close to my neck with the turtle neck to achieve the same effect. I could have also taken the necklace I used in #2 and worn it over the turtle neck to create another form of contrast.

You can use these guidelines for any type of dark top or dress that needs a boost. Also, never underestimate the power of lipstick and rosy cheeks. A bit of extra facial polish goes a long way in making a black top pop.

There’s a lot of black around this season and hopefully these tips will help you to use it in your wardrobe. But if black is still not your thing, opt for softer dark colours like charcoal grey, bitter dark brown or ink blue instead.

This sounds counter intuitive, but there is method to the madness. Obviously, after a certain fall in temperature you’ll want to wear sleeved garments under sleeved layers. But before it gets really cold, sleeveless garments can work beautifully, even if you tend to feel the cold quickly like I do.

Sleeveless dresses and tops layer exceptionally well. No fabric bunching. No cutting off the circulation to your arms. Pure comfort. With it being a tunic cardigan season, sleeveless tops and blouses are practical items to wear under long sleeved knitwear and indoor jackets. And the same sleeveless items will double duty for warm weather worn on their own.

We haven’t reached freezing temperatures in Seattle yet, so I’m still wearing sleeveless dresses, knit tops and blouses layered with cascading or boyfriend cardigans, pullovers and cropped jackets. In the chillier mornings and evenings I’ll add a trench or wool coat on top of those layers. My feet are deliciously warm in boots with socks or hose and I’ll also throw in a scarf from time to time. Inside I peel off my coat but leave on the layer that’s over the sleeveless item. Easy.

It won’t be long before I’m in long sleeves most of the time, but for now layered sleeveless dressing makes sense. Do you wear sleeveless items in colder weather like I do?

Of course, wearing long sleeved tops, blouses, shirts and dresses under long sleeved knitwear and jackets is fabulous. But hopefully this might inspire you to extend the life of your sleeveless items. We’re always trying to get the most from our wardrobes!

Grey in all its hues featured in abundance last Autumn and Winter. Dove and silver grey were carried through for Spring and Summer. Now we’re back to Autumn collections and there is even more grey. That’s a whole year of grey!

Grey has been a relatively new neutral in my wardrobe. It’s flattering as long as I wear it with white, cream, or a bright colour. But I have enough grey and black in my wardrobe at the moment and won’t be purchasing more items in these colours. So it’s frustrating when I see clothing items that I love, but are only offered in grey or black. I guess that’s one way of keeping my budget in good shape.

I don’t personally wear brown or any of the earth tones that go with that palette, but I’m missing it in stores for clients who do. If you don’t like grey, black and white, there is little for you to purchase in the neutrals department at the moment. Perhaps offering only one colour spectrum of neutrals is a conscious retail decision in our tough economic climate. Buying budgets are tight and stores need to keep their stocks lean.

I adore the versatility and softness of grey and will continue to wear the grey goodies in my wardrobe. But my tolerance for the colour in stores is wearing very thin. Too much of a good thing. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Plaid shirts and blouses are everywhere at the moment. For the most part they’re super casual in cotton or flannel fabrications, but they can look dressier when worn in drapey silks, chiffons and polyester blends.

The trick to wearing flannel plaid tops is to add feminine touches. In other words, if you don’t want to look boyish wearing a flannel shirt like we did in the 90’s, add the following girly design elements and accessories to this season’s look:

• Choose a tunic length: This really makes the style feel “new”.
• Add a belt: My suggestion is to swap out the self- fabric belt that came with the tunic to prevent it from looking like a robe. Opt for a webbing or distressed leather belt instead, either low-slung or waist-cinching.
• Keep the ruffles: You might be sick of ruffles, but having them on an otherwise masculine garment makes sense.
• Mix in lace: Layer a lacy camisole under the shirt and if you’re daring, throw in the pearls too.

This item might not be your cup of tea if you can’t get your head around wearing flannel plaid. But it can be cute once you get the details right, which is why the plaid tunic forms part of MOTG formula #9. I have happy stylish clients wearing that formula combination right now. Promise!

Tunic looks with ruffles, belts and lace. Fabulous over jeans or stretch knit pants with killer boots. But I’m one of the lasses who won’t we wearing casual plaid this season. I’ll wear a plaid top if it’s in a dressy silk fabrication and opt for a the denim shirt look instead.