We see this trend waft in and out of fashion and this season it’s back for tops and frocks. Grecian, breezy, cool, asymmetrical and alluring are words that come to mind when I see one shoulder dressing. I’m not particularly drawn to the style, but don’t mind it either. It can make for an interesting look.

If you fancy the vibe, you’ll need a strapless bra and minimal accessories. A cuff or chunky bracelet with a clutch gets my vote over anything else (wearing the wrist accessory on the arm that bares it’s shoulder). I’d also leave one shoulder dressing for evening settings like date nights, parties, clubs, dinner events and fancy functions. You’d probably get away with sporting a casual version of the look at a beach resort during the day, but that’s about it.

Any takers?

It took a while for me to figure out that a “purse” in American English refers to what I call a handbag. In British English, a purse is more of a wallet and that’s the meaning I’ve been accustomed to my whole life. So I carry a purse in my handbag, like you might say that you carry a wallet in your purse. You can imagine how funny it was when I first heard people saying that they like to fit a bottle of water in their purse. That’s one giant purse.

Wikipedia explains it well:

“In American English, a purse is a small bag, also called a handbag or a pocketbook.”

“In British English, a purse is a small money container similar to a wallet, but typically used by women and including a compartment for coins, with a handbag being considerably larger; indeed, a purse is often kept in a handbag.”

I have American friends that use the word handbag instead of purse, just like I do. Is it a regional thing, or is the word “purse” on the way out? Which word do you use?

Wearing structured clothing that defines the waistline is often flattering, but not when you’re self conscious about your midsection. On the other hand, your “extra bits” are effectively concealed when you’re all layered up with camisoles, tops and jackets, but that’s not as comfortable and airy as wearing a single layer.

The solution is the banded top. Although it has a roomy torso that hides the waist, the band reins in the volume and adds a tailored look. It’s forgiving and structured at the same time. A fab idea.

If I could provide a magic formula for selecting the perfect banded top, I’d shout it from the rooftops. But, like the elusive sweater dress, you’ll probably need to try several before you hit the jackpot. Hopefully these guidelines will help:

• Find your sweet spot: The hem of the band can end anywhere between hip bone and the top of the thigh, depending on the length of the top and how far it’s pulled down. Wearing the length a few inches above crotch point is a safe bet for shorter banded tops, but tunic styles need to be worn longer. Experiment with different banded top lengths, pulling each style both up and down until you find what works for you.
• Get the volume right: The beauty of the banded top lies in its voluminous mid riff that floats away from the waist line. That’s the part that makes it forgiving and comfortable. Look for tops with the right amount of volume: too much pouf and you’ll feel like a balloon; not enough and we’re back to tops that cling. Also, knits in this style tend to drape better than wovens, so look for those first.

I’ve seen the right banded top work on many body types, heights and sizes: from rectangles, adorable apples, inverted triangles, hourglasses and pretty pears, to petites, plus sizes and everything in between. It really depends on the style of the top and the rest of the outfit. So don’t brush past these styles in stores with the preconceived notion that they are unflattering. Keep your style evolving and give the banded top a bash. You might be pleasantly surprised.

The four on the left with dark backgrounds are shorter banded tops worn at hip bone length. The two on the right with light backgrounds are longer banded tops worn past the hip bone and as far down as the thigh. Remember to wear something sleek at the bottom when you sport volume on top (stick to boot cuts, skinnies, clamdiggers, straight legs or pencil skirts).

Cross body bags (or sling and messenger bags as I know them) used to be my favourite type of bag five to eight years ago. I loved this look because it was hip and hands free. But out of the blue, carrying a bag across my body started causing neck, chest and shoulder pain. I stopped cold turkey, passed on most of my sling bags and have hardly sported the look since. But I got all soft at the Macy’s sale last week when I saw something that had my name written all over it. I was prepared to give the look another chance. Enter my next Spring update: a cream cross body bag. Along with my other new off-white bag, this is my favorite of all the Spring updates thus far. I’m a bag lady at heart.

My previous cross body bags were quite large, and even though I keep the contents of my bag to a minimum, a big cross body bag does not work for me anymore. To my surprise, the smaller style works really well. I’ve worn the new micro version several times and no pain. I can hardly feel it’s on my body. I’m thoroughly enjoying the return of this handbag style to my ensembles. Along with wristlets, it’s made a nice change to the large flat totes that I sport daily.

Click here or on the pictures for a larger view of the outfits.

There are many variations on the cross body bag: large and small, plain and printed, casual and dressy or boho and classic – take your pick. This one errs on the dressy side, but even so, the integrity of the look is relaxed and modern. I can match up this particular style with both pants, leggings and frocks because it’s small, whereas large cross body bags seem to lend themselves better to pants, slacks and jeans.

A cross body bag of any size is an especially good idea for commuters on foot, and mums-on-the-go with kids in tow. It’s also a handy option for city travel, day trips and long shopping days. Zappos, Fossil, Nordstrom and Macy’s have great selections of cross body bags at the moment, which you’ll probably nab for a song. Mine was marked down from $129 to $42. Brilliant.

Other Spring 2009 accessory updates:

• Scarf and handbag
• Casual necklace
• Fun floral belt
• Floral pin
• Turquoise scarf