Although we in the Northern hemisphere still have a good few months of hot weather in store for us, it won’t be long before the first Autumn collections hit stores. We’ll start getting glimpses of the new season mid July.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect to see:

• Rocker influenced designs: Biker and bomber jackets, zipper detailing, studs, fingerless gloves, lots and lots of leather and leatherette accessories and clothing. I love this trend, especially since the look and quality of faux leather improves each season. Faux leather is vegan, less expensive, easier to maintain, fairly weather resistant and lightweight. It’s a win.
• Shoulder-padded silhouettes: The 80’s inspirations continue with exaggerated shoulder lines. I am going to give this trend another go if the right piece tickles my fancy.
• Daytime shine: This look has been trending for years but I just don’t see it becoming mainstream. Other than patent shoes and bags, I perceive an overall resistance to wearing daytime sparkle. Subtle lurex threads that run through natural fibers are popular, but that’s about it.
• Bright Pink: The colour of the season.
• Golden hues: From sour citron to green chartreuse. Brilliant. These are amongst my favourite colours of all time and I’ll be stocking up.
• Voluminous banded tops: One of the few silhouettes that excited me this year and I’m happy to see that more is on the way. I’d love to see knitwear in banded top styling.
• Leg-o-mutton sleeves: As the name implies, this type of sleeve is very full and puffy at the crown, but gathers in and tapers at the forearm with a cuff. Could be fun.
• Peplum jackets: Nice.
• Ankle-length super skinny pants: They work when you’re very slim, long in the leg AND wear four inch heels.
• Leggings: A great look for us all.
• Monotone ensembles: This trend lends itself to colder weather because warm handle fabrics are rich in texture, which is key to making a monochromatic outfit look fab.
• Mini and knee-length skirts: Glad to see that flop-proof knee-length silhouettes will be a trendy option.
• Opaque legs: I’m not a fan of the look as I prefer to have fun with self-colour textured sheer hose with pumps and boots. I’d rather wear a pair of leggings, or black-black skinny jeans to get a similar effect.
• Blanket coats: Doesn’t sound so fab, but I’ll reserve judgment until I see a prototype.
• Cocoon coats: An 80’s inspired look that is voluminous and sack-like over the body, but with the volume reined back in with a welt at the hem. The look can be cute and I look forward to seeing the new season’s examples.
• Velvet: In the right item and quality, velvet and velveteen is lovely.
• Booties, booties and more booties: Fabulous.
• Bondage boots: Thigh-high boots worn over skinnies, leggings and tights.
• Massive necklaces: This competes with my cold weather scarf wearing obsession, so no massive necklaces for me.
• Fur stoles: I might like this trend if the look is retro and the fur is faux.

I’m always excited to see how the new season unfolds, but I particularly enjoy thinking about how I’m going to refresh, evolve and update my style for Autumn and Winter. Here in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, these are my dominant seasons. Autumn and Winter clothing form the bulk of my wardrobe.

It’s a big sale weekend. Here are some great bargains from our affiliates:

• Macy’s: Memorial Day Sale, Free Shipping with $99 Purchase (until May 25)
• Nordstrom: 33% Off during the Half-Yearly Sale
• Boden: 15% Off Plus Free Shipping and Returns (until July 2)
• Saks Fifth Avenue: Free Shipping with code SHIPSPR9 (until May 27)
• Lucky Brand: Swimsuits 30% Off
• Piperlime: 30% Off Select Items, Free Shipping and Returns (until May 31)
• Esprit: 10% Off
• Armani Exchange: Additional 20% off Women’s Sale Items
• Bebe: Up to 30% Off Sale Merchandise

Note that many retailers now maintain a permanent range of clearance sale items in their online stores. Boden, for example, has items for up to 70% off in their clearance area.

I really like the look of short shorts on young gals with gorgeous gams. I’ve seen inseam lengths of three to seven inches work beautifully on teens and lasses in their twenties and thirties. The vibe is cool, alluring and totally adorable for both beach and urban settings.

I’ve also seen plenty of women in their forties, fifties and sixties sport short shorts when they’re at the poolside, BBQ’s, children’s parties and picnics, or in city centers, restaurants, parks and shopping malls. It’s possible for women over the age of 40 to have a killer pair of flawlessly toned legs and look hot in short shorts, but is it appropriate in non-recreational situations?

Short shorts make practical sporting sense on the beach, or when you’re hiking, boating, power walking, cycling, camping or playing tennis. But in any other context, I say stick to something longer. There is a difference between looking “young” and looking “youthful”. Make no mistake, these are society’s norms at play here, but I think you’re more likely to get the respect you deserve if you dress in a more ageless way.

Kendall Farr puts it well in her new book: “Style Evolution: How to Create Ageless Personal Style in Your 40s and Beyond” (emphasis mine):

“And while youthful infuses a look with an ageless and timeless charm, verve and a dose of nerve, young is where most middle-aged women run off the rails. And let’s be frank ladies, our culture assesses women – especially mid-life women – by a brutal set of standards every day. While “mutton-dressed-as- lamb” is commonly lobbed at the women faking it in a blouse dress from Forever 21, when was the last time you heard of a 50-ish man dressed in cargo shorts and a wallet chain from Abercrombie described as “beef-jerky –dressed-as- a calf”? Exactly”.

Do you think we’re too harsh or prudish in suggesting a little more leg coverage as one gets older?

Short shorts (like the two pictures on the left), are best left to those who have youth on their side. Opt for an inseam length that finishes around the knee if you’ve still got a great set of legs (like the two examples on the right). Up to three inches above the knee can also work. Shorts at this length look ageless, sophisticated and always appropriate.

I love vibrant, saturated colours, but neutrals hold an equally special place in my heart. They often freshen up or tone down an outfit, adding the crucial element that makes it all work together. Their versatility makes them a very hard working component of a wardrobe. Clothing can also look its best in a neutral colour, especially if you’re after an ageless and timeless sense of sophistication.

Over the years my preferences for specific neutrals has changed. In my teens, white was my favourite neutral. That changed to black in my twenties with white and cream coming in second. In my thirties my preferences changed again and this is how I rank my neutrals today:

1. White and cream
2. Black
3. Blue denim
4. Red
5. Silver grey

Red is a bright, but acts as a neutral in my book. Blue denim is a fabric, and a colour at that, but its ubiquity has made it a neutral in the modern wardrobe. Silver grey is a new neutral in my wardrobe and I’m enjoying its soft and pretty possibilities for Spring and Summer.

My wardrobe would not function without neutrally toned clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. They provide a strong foundation that works with every fashion trend and retail season. Simply brilliant. Your turn. How would you rank your favourite neutrals and have your preferences changed over the years?