I love accessories with floral motifs and there are plenty to choose from this season. Fabulous. Enter my next Spring update: a floral pin. Unlike my other Spring updates, I’ll sport it all year round. Even more economical.

Floral pins come in many different fabrications, sizes and styles: realistic or abstract, solid or patterned, large or small – take your pick. I like abstract floral pins made of silk or feathers the best. I guess it’s the modern-retro aspect of my style that finds those ones appealing. The versions that look more like actual flowers are sweet too, especially when creating a nice contrast with an androgynous outfit.

About five years ago I was wearing floral pins all the time, but stopped when the look was everywhere. Spotting the perfect black and white polka dot floral pin at Club Monaco rekindled my interest. So much so that it has given new life to the older floral pins in my accessory box.

I like the way floral pins add an arty and whimsical feeling to any outfit. And if you thought that there was only one way to sport them, think again. You have several options as you can see from my outfits above (by no means an exhaustive list). The obvious idea is to pin the trinket to a jacket or cardigan, but don’t forget about dresses, blouses, knitted tops, tunics, knitwear, button-downs and waistcoats. Also think about attaching the floral pin to another accessory, like a necklace, scarf, handbag or belt. Plenty of possibilities!

It can be nice to give a floral pin a permanent home, like keeping it on one particular jacket or coat all season. I have a black feathered floral pin that stays put on a black dress. After spending a pretty penny on this timeless sequined flapper frock, it’s the $9 feathered floral pin that gives it the perfect edge. Never underestimate the power of an inexpensive accessory.

We’re half way through this year’s warm weather collections, so let’s analyze what’s been in stores so far.

My rants:

• Merchandise seems a little more dull than usual: There’s nothing really new and exciting. Aside from accessories and footwear, I haven’t felt compelled to purchase anything (I don’t know whether that’s good or bad). The Spring forecast had me particularly excited about cropped military jackets and the perfect cream biker, but zilch so far. I suspect that retailers are keeping stocks low as a reaction to the recession. I’ll gladly support the economy, but I need a good reason to purchase something.
• Shortage of one to two inch heeled shoes: It’s the same story, either sky scrapers or flats and nothing in-between. Don’t get me started on the comfort issue.
• Shortage of washable cotton dresses: Most of the flattering and fabulous dresses are either dry clean only, or in a polyester that does not repel heat. The washable cotton dresses are either too skimpy, short, dowdy or childlike. We need an assortment of hip, wearable, knee–length, age-appropriate casual cotton frocks with coverage in the right places.
• Shortage of lightweight casual jackets: Loads of trenches, plenty of formal blazers and countless cardigans, but very little else as a cover-up option. I guess it’s not a jacket season. This is fine if you live in warm weather, but not so fab when Spring is chilly.
• Maxi dress epidemic: They are everywhere and you know how I feel about them.

My raves:

• Everything is going for a song: I have never seen a fashion season as heavily discounted as this one. So many bargains! I scored another wonderful accessory purchase at the Macy’s one day sale yesterday, marked down 70%.
• Strong 80’s flair: I can’t help but love that this era is making a stylish comeback. It makes me smile.
• Deeper assortment of high-rise jeans: This has been a comfortable and girdling saving grace.
• Sea of green, yellow and turquoise: It’s nice to see how this fresh Summer palette has been embraced by retailers and consumers.
• Banded tops: This is the only product that has really piqued my interest this season. The banded style is not for everyone because it does not show off the waistline. But it’s definitely worth a try if you like the voluminous look and are self conscious about your mid-section. The right banded style can be comfy, forgiving, interesting and very 80’s.

Over to you. What are your thoughts on the trends and fashions that have been on offer so far? I’m especially interested in your views If you don’t live in America.

Macy’s is having a one day sale tomorrow. Apparently they will be offering the lowest prices of the season, both in-store and online. Today is the preview day.

Total savings for sale items are between 40% and 70%, which represents an additional 25% on clearance sale prices, so there are real deals to be had. This is just another indicator of the hard times that retail is experiencing right now.

As tempting as these deals may be, remember that you shouldn’t be swayed by low prices. Don’t compromise your standards. And if your budget doesn’t permit sale shopping right now, rest assured that there will be many more opportunities like this one in future.

Scarves can look dowdy and uniform-like. The trick is to add a bit of edge to your look when sporting a scarf, and the knot is one way to do this. I often tie my scarf using a knot that I arrived at after ages of fiddling in front of the mirror one day. I call it the “Angie Knot”, but if it has a real name please let me know – I’m sure I’m not the first to use it.

I generally stay away from skinny oblong scarves and neckerchiefs because the shapes don’t offer enough volume and texture. My favourite scarf dimensions are 40 by 66 inches for a pashmina sized scarf, 23 by 60 inches for a large oblong scarf, and 34 by 34 inches for a large square scarf. Anything longer than 60 inches is usually too long unless you’re very tall. On the other hand, if you’re petite, you’re after a shorter scarf between 40 and 50 inches long. These are a little harder to find and you might need to hem the length.

Follow these steps to tie the Angie Knot:

1. Roll a large square scarf into a long worm, or scrunch up a rectangular scarf so that it resembles a worm. Place the scarf around the neck so that the side that does all the work hangs longer than the other side. You can also skew the scarf so that the hems are uneven. This will give you this waterfall effect. Fold right over left and pull that same right end back under the end that’s hanging in front of your body.
2. Take that same right end and loop it through the part of the scarf that’s around your neck and ABOVE the knot.
3. Pull down that right end and use the knot as a pulley to pull the knot vertically so that the knot looks tight, neat and appealing. This is the most important part, so fiddle till you get it right.
4. Lay both ends flat across the body, making sure that the ends are more or less even. Voila!

This style of knot works well with all sorts of fabrications, from wool, satin and rayon, to silk, viscose and cotton. The scarf stays put once it’s tied and is interesting to look at. Wear the scarf “cravat style” for a strict, professional and authoritative look, or wear it loosely on the décolletage for an arty and playful vibe. I sport both looks depending on my mood and the weather. With the warm Spring weather, I’ll be tying my cotton and silk scarf with a loose knot.

For a strict, authoritative look, roll a smaller scarf neatly before tying the knot, tie the knot close to the neck, and tuck the ends under your blouse or button down afterwards.