It’s another blast from the past. Remember the calf-length zippered jeans that we wore 20 years ago? I’ll admit I wore the leg-shortening style back then until my Mum said one day : “Those jeans make your legs look short. It’s not very elegant. Your Levis look much better”. I never wore those zippered jeans again.

But my fondness for zipper detailing continues, so I was thrilled to see zippered skinnies back on the fashion scene. They are more sleek and streamlined this time round, and thankfully at a much better length, WITH stretch. I adore the way the open zipper looks like a vent cascading over the top part of the foot, especially when worn with a heel. Subtle and alluring, yet interesting and edgy. Very fab.

Zippered skinnies look nice zipped up at the hems too (picture on the far right). They’ll scrunch voluminously around the ankle when the length is longer (I prefer skinny jeans to scrunch). I’m all over this trend and hope to add a pair of zippered skinnies to my denim collection this year. I wonder if Mum would have liked this version better.

I thoroughly enjoy all four seasons, but there are some I prefer to others because of the wardrobe choices the weather dictates at different times of the year. Here’s my ranking:

1. Autumn wins hands down because I get to haul out my extensive boot, jacket and scarf collection. Boots in all styles and colours are my favourite form of footwear and I adore wearing them with jeans, dresses and skirts. Scarves are fun and there’s nothing like an assortment of fabulous jackets to make you look and feel urban and sophisticated.
2. Summer is in second place because I love wearing a short, sleeveless sheath or sack dress with a pair of flats or low heeled wedge sandals. Not having to fuss with layers makes a welcome change.
3. Winter is next because I enjoy wearing coats and hose.
4. Spring comes in stone last because our Spring is cold and you usually end up wearing Winter clothes, which you’re SICK of wearing by the time Springtime rolls around.

Although I have favourite seasons, what I enjoy most is dressing for four different seasons. The change in weather keeps my wardrobe choices interesting. I wouldn’t like to wear sleeveless dresses or boots and jackets all year long because that would get boring.

Over to you. Do you have a favourite dressing season?

I never thought this would happen, but stylish knitted pants are back and I’m loving the look. The tables have turned after years of having it drummed into us that woven pants were the only way to go unless we were working out or lounging at home. But once again it is fashionable to wear a fab pair of Ponte de Roma knit pants as a chic alternative.

I can’t remember exactly when stretch Ponte de Roma fabrication was the height of its fashion, but it was huge in the 60’s, 70’s and 90’s. Now it’s back in the 00’s and has never looked better. The fabric is thicker, softer, more drapy, and extra luxurious. Once they’re on, you won’t want to take them off.

They are jodhpur-like and remind me of a very substantial pair of leggings. Only this time you can wear them as pants and not just as an accessory. They’re perfect for tucking into sleek or slouchy boots, and will work equally well with pumps, booties or ballet flats.

I’m excited about Ponte pants as a denim alternative on days when I’m sick of my jeans, but still want to wear pants. So the hunt for the perfect pair has began. Bet they’ll be fab as travel-wear too. Super svelte and so, so, comfortable.

Do you share my enthusiasm for the new knit pant?

These examples are skinnies, but Ponte knit pants are also available in boot cuts and wide legs. Somehow, a wider silhouette in this fabrication spells frumpy, so I’ve stuck to suggesting the look in a tapered leg.

Inspired by the punk trend of the late 70’s and early 80’s, the leather (or faux leather) studded cuff bracelet is fab. It can add an interesting and unexpected element to either a funky casual outfit, or a sophisticated dressy one.

I adore the simple statement of a chunky cuff on a bare arm. Wear a fab watch on the other arm and you’re good to go. It’s clean, easy and visually effective. A great way to mix up your look when you want to give statement necklaces a break, which at the moment, I’m eager to do. I need a change of menu.

As with other strong statements (animal print, for example), stick to incorporating one biker inspired piece to your outfit at a time. Do not wear a moto jacket, studded belt, biker boots and studded cuff all at once. Too much and not so fab. I like the idea of creating a contrast, like combining an uber feminine black belted dressy frock with a red biker cuff. Quite yummy.

This trend is not for everyone. You do need a bit of edge in the rest of your ensemble for it all to work together. If your look is very understated, then a studded cuff will probably be out of place.

I’ve found that cuffs like these fit more easily than bangles because you can usually adjust the size. As much as I adore the wide chunky version, my dainty wrist looks best in the narrower double-wrap style like the red example you see above.