You will normally find one or two pairs of ankle length pants in the classic ladies wear area, but this season they’re a trendy fashion statement. I’m having an apoplexy.

There is nothing more leg-shortening than a pair of pants cropped to around the ankle (especially if you have short legs to begin with). Unless you are extremely tall and slim, wear super high heels and have legs that go on for miles, STAY AWAY from this silhouette. Trying to portray the ever so popular “Audrey Hepburn in cropped black pants” look from the movie Funny Face is a bad idea unless you have a bod like Audrey (5′ 8″ and built like a string bean). In my opinion, even our Audrey would have looked better if she’d worn heels with these particular pants, or if her hems were shortened to midway up the calf.

There are only two instances in which ankle length pants can look remotely OK on us regular-shaped gals: extra-tapered skinny jeans with high heels and leggings worn with tunics. Skinny jeans with a bit of ankle scrunch and leggings that end around the calf are still more flattering, but if you’re determined to wear something ankle length, these options can work.

I don’t often vehemently oppose a style of clothing, but wearing pants cropped to the ankle is style suicide for most women. It’s so, so unflattering. Don’t look dumpy when you have the option of looking slender and fabulous.

The only ankle length pants in this assortment that I can live with are the denim skinnies with high heeled pumps on the right. Everyone else looks like they have very short legs. Awful.

At the start of each new retail season I update my wardrobe with accessories before I purchase clothing. Accessories make a simple, bold statement that can make boring old clothes from seasons past feel fresh and updated. With the right accessory you can capture a new trend at the fraction of of the cost of the full ensemble.

So I kicked off the Spring season by purchasing two items that have been on my shopping list for years: a yellow and white, smart casual, Spring scarf, and an off-white, non-patent handbag. I managed to find them both this year and I’m thrilled with how they’ve vividly integrated and updated my wardrobe.

The scarf is made of a soft, viscose-linen blend and is just the right shape. I like to wear this type of scarf inside the collar of a button-down shirt, or over a knitted top. I tie a Spring scarf once, loosely around my neck, so that the ends look long and streamlined down the front of my body.

You’re after a lightweight scarf in a crisp fabric and cheerful colour to signal that Spring is in the air. Woolly scarves seem too Wintery. Don’t be put off if my particular scarf is not to your taste, because they come in all shapes, sizes, colours and price points. Old Navy and Target are selling Spring scarves for $12 at the moment.

The second item, a perfect off-white tote complete with Chanel-esque bow, was a lucky find at the right price point. I bought it a few weeks ago when we were in New York City and carried it to my NBC Today Show interview. Like my white watch, the new bag magically transforms my transitional look to clean, crisp and modern. It’s wildly versatile and I have to stop myself from wearing it with everything.

During this recession I’m on more of a mission than ever to take advantage of the power of accessories. I plan to hold out as long as possible with my existing Spring wardrobe, only indulging myself occasionally with a new accessory that livens up my wardrobe and lifts my spirits. It’s going to be an interesting challenge and I’ll keep you posted. Let’s save some money!

I love the versatility of dark wash jeans because you can dress them up or down. They form an integral part of the smart casual dress code, but look just as good with Converse sneakers, casual boots or casual sandals when you’re after a more laid-back and informal look.

But I’m intrigued by the abundance of faded vintage washes that are in stores this season. These washes aren’t nearly as bleached as the faded blues we saw last year, but they’re definitely more distressed than normal blue-black and double stonewash rinses.

I can’t help but wonder if the comeback of faded jeans is a deliberate effort by the fashion industry to reflect our tough economic times. For one thing, they are cheaper to produce and can therefore be discounted while still maintaining the same margin. Perhaps they also resonate with the mood of recession-weary consumers. These jeans convey a sense of humility. They are a metaphor for losing the frills, getting back to basics and working hard to turn things around.

I like the new distressed washes for one overriding practical reason – I’m sick of blue dye rubbing off onto my hands, legs, camisole, handbag and shoes. No amount of vinegar and dye setting solution seems to rectify the problem completely with some of my dark pairs of jeans. For that reason alone, I’ll be purchasing a pair of faded vintage wash jeans the next time I need to replenish my denim collection.

An assortment of faded vintage wash premium jeans. I’m hoping to make this look work for the smart casual dress code if I step up the dressy factor with other elements of the ensemble (at the moment dark, un-faded jeans are a smart casual dressing prerequisite). I have some experimenting to do. I’ll get back to you on whether my efforts were successful.

I believe that our “outer style” conveys a powerful, non-verbal message about our “inner style”. The way in which we present ourselves has the power to convey a great deal about our personality, outlook and self-image.

As a stylist with a background in psychology, I’ve thought a lot about what I would like my personal style to say about me. After all, anyone can buy fashion, but style you have to own. So I aspire to communicate the following qualities through the way that I dress:

• Modern: I am urban. I like to try new things, have a contemporary outlook on life and strive to have an open mind. I express these attributes by being an early fashion adopter, wearing daring colour combinations and sporting a contemporary haircut and current pair of specs.
• Trendy: I love fashion and enjoy putting my ensembles together in new and creative ways.
• Professional: It’s very important to me that I am credible and authoritative in the field of style and fashion. Looking polished, sophisticated, fresh and tidy conveys that I am an organized, disciplined and efficient professional. I’m also a bit of a neat freak, so it makes perfect sense that this comes through in my style.
• Fun: I’m a cheerful and enthusiastic person who is passionate about life. This is why I like to wear happy colours and make bold fashion statements.
• Modest: I deliberately never wear revealing clothing (I scored zero for bombshell in my style profile). I am exuberant, but I have a private, earnest and serious side to me. Keeping my attire modest feels right.
• Practical: Adding a practical and unflashy dimension to my style not only suits me because I’m a practical person by nature, but also conveys that I am approachable and down to earth.

An important aspect of your individual style is the way you balance these different elements. For example, if I go overboard on the fun dimension I probably won’t convey that I am a professional. Of course, the balance also depends on the occasion. Professional, modest and practical will be more evident if I’m dressing for a sober meeting with business partners. Modern and trendy will come out more when I am meeting with other fashion industry professionals. But the elements are always there to some degree, contributing to a recognizable, signature style.

The beauty of an individual style is that it can evolve as we evolve. I often have clients seeking my services when they want to express something new about themselves through the way they put themselves together. This is one of the most fun parts of my job because I love helping people find a style that matches their personality and aesthetic preferences.

Now over to you. What would you like to express about yourself through your style and how successful have you been at conveying that unwritten message?