Spring’s fringe “it” shoe is now everywhere. I suspect that the peep-toe bootie was well received at retail six months ago, explaining why fashion buyers repeated the transitional look for Autumn. Interesting.

I liked the look of the ped when it first came out and I still do. It is edgy, modern and very new. They look super with a pair of skinny bottoms. I also like the peep-toe bootie with frocks and skirts on the right body type. This shoe is off limits for me personally, because I can’t wear peep-toes or soaring heel heights. But I whole heartedly appreciate the trend.

This style was not popular at YLF when it debuted. Has your eye adjusted? Are you sporting peep-toe booties? Or is this still a look you can live without.

This question was raised on the forum last week. Where do you allocate your budget for wardrobe items and style enhancers? Here are my priorities. First, the items that have to be top notch. Here I make no compromises:

• Specs: I wear specs all day. They are my number one accessory. The world would not look the same, and I would not look the same if my specs weren’t the best that I could afford.
• Bras: Wearing a great bra is where great style starts. I have been wearing Chantelle bras for 20 years because they look, fit and feel superb. They’ll last if you launder them with care.
• Premium jeans: Expensive jeans are worth the price (also see this thread on the forum).
• White shirts: I have learned that better-end white shirts and blouses last longer and look more pristine.
• Moisturizer: We only have one skin and looking after it should not be questioned.
• Sun block: Protecting fair skin from the sun is extremely important. I use Clarins UV Plus (SPF 40) which costs $40. It’s expensive but a little goes a long way.
• Fragrance: I love to wear a scent and it’s a big part of my signature style. I’ve been wearing the same fragrance for 10 years and still receive compliments daily. Angie would not be Angie if she didn’t wear Kenzo Flower.
• Haircut: A haircut can make or break your look.

Second, the items that are important to me, but for which I would consider a range of price and quality points. I believe that a fabulous avant-garde piece of exceptional quality has loads of mileage. You’ll find that the-cost-per-wear whittles down to nothing if you wear the item season after season. But low cost opportunities also have a place on this part of my list.

• Shoes and boots: My fussy feet are desperate for beautiful and comfortable peds, so paying a higher price is sometimes the only way I can satisfy this need. I have everything from designer Kate Spades to Me Too Swan flats. If the shoe fits my criteria, I’ll consider the price. But I’m just as happy wearing $39 Converse sneakers.
• Handbags: I can have more fun with bags than shoes, and I LOVE handbags. But a $20 yellow tote that I bought at the side of the road in Hong Kong makes me just as happy as a designer purchase.
• Jackets: A great jacket is always a statement, but I derive as much style joy from my H&M and Zara treasures as I do from my Rag & Bone and Nanette Lepore pieces.
• Trench coats and coats: I live in Seattle and frequently travel to Western Europe. Enough said.
• Swimsuits: I want to look and feel particularly good when I’m wearing a cozzie and this often means buying an expensive brand (especially when you’re a little older).

I will not spend money on knitted items and knitwear. I have done so in the past with great disappointment. Expensive knitwear still pills, and knits are generally unstable unless they are 100% polyester. These items tend to have a short life, which means I cannot justify the expense.

I expect our priorities to differ according to general preferences, lifestyles, geographical locations, body types and special needs. How do you allocate your style budget?

My skirts fit well when I’m standing still, but they shift around when I move. I end up with the front somewhere on my side after a minute of walking. It drives me batty. I’m constantly pulling skirts back into position. Once my ensemble is on, I don’t like to fuss with it.

The penny dropped when I realized my high-waisted skirts stay put. Their waistbands lie on my natural waist above my navel. I promptly took my skirts for alteration. I had their waistbands taken in, which moved the position of the waistband higher. The end result was fuller coverage and a snugger fit around the waist and tummy area. It worked like a charm.

The alteration costs about $15, which I found well worth the price. Your mileage may vary – the higher waist is a different style and not for everyone or every skirt. Also, beware of losing length. This alteration shortens a skirt by one or two inches, so make sure you have length to play with before you move up the waistband.

Do you battle with shifting skirts? Any other tips on how we can prevent this phenomenon?

Left: Skirts with lower waistbands like these tend to shift when I walk. I found that the silhouette of the skirt makes little difference (pencils and A-line styles both shift).

Right: Higher waistbands like these shift to a lesser extent. I tend to prefer skirts with higher waistbands because I find them more comfortable (whether I tuck in my top or leave it out).

I was surprised and delighted that the second flop-proof formula for Moms on the go went down as well as the first. I never expected casual skirts to be a hit. The third and final look in this series is about the casual dress. I expect this outfit to resonate less than the first two because dresses are often thought of as fussy and impractical.

Here are the new elements:

• Casual dress: You’re after a casual A-line day dress that finishes at the knee. Machine washable knits that hang dry are the easiest to maintain (polyester or poly blends). Woven cotton, cotton blends and linens are lovely but require ironing and are therefore more effort. By all means wear rayon and silk blends if you’re prepared to take laundry to the cleaners.
• Camisole: Add a cami for coverage if the neckline is too low. It can also act as an interesting colour vehicle.

The rest of the formula is identical, but I’ll reiterate it here for convenience:

• The best bra: Remember to refit annually or when your weight has changed significantly.
• Cropped cardigan: It’s often chilly in the morning, later at night, or in the air-conditioning. Adding a cropped cardi keeps the silhouette structured yet unfussy. It’s also easy to fold up and pop into a tote.
• Fab flats: Casual ballet flats, thong sandals, strappy comfort sandals, gladiators, slip-on sneakers, espadrilles or low wedges will do the trick. Stay away from anything too clumpy. There’s nothing stopping you from wearing a bit of a heel if you can run around in them. You know I draw the line at flip flops unless you’re in the appropriate setting.
• Handbag: Keep it healthy and make the size and shape work for you. A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both hands free to attend to little ones, a sling bag is the solution.
• Accessories: If you wear specs sort them out first because they are your most important accessory. If you wear a watch, that’s next. Go for something with personality. Choose between statement necklaces or earrings but don’t wear both at the same time.

Breezy dresses are great for hot weather. They are one item of clothing to think about in the morning  (separates are two or more). A-line dresses are particularly good on pear shaped body types and a must on curvier gals. Would you sport this casual look?

You don’t need to be a stay-at-home-Mum to apply these dressing formulas. They’ll work for any casual setting. I singled out “Moms on the go” because I receive a huge volume of requests for this niche of lifestyle dressing. Remember not to get too hung up on the specific items I’ve posted if they’re not to your taste. Apply the formula according to your fashion persona and Bob’s your uncle.