I adore timeless denim skirts and always have a few in my wardrobe. They are a nice alternative to jeans for casual and smart casual dressing. I’ve found them extremely versatile and cost effective because they are inexpensive and I can wear them throughout the year. They’re ideal in warm weather with a top and sandals, and just as fab in cool weather with knee-high boots and a cropped jacket.

One of my complaints every season is the lack of denim skirt variety. I’d welcome a range of silhouettes, colours, lengths and washes. At the moment, there’s a nice selection of knee-length straight-ish denim skirts. It’s a look most body types can wear if you get the right fit on the hip and thigh area:

• To create a curve:  choose a style that tapers in towards the knee.
• To straighten a curve: choose a style that hangs straight from the hip down, or flares out slightly.

I personally prefer a dark wash, but have successfully popped clients into lighter washes, black-black, cream and grey denim skirts as well. If you don’t have one already, consider adding a denim skirt to your wardrobe. It’s a great way to get out of a pants rut.

An assortment of knee length straight denim skirts. Some of the side seams taper in, while others hang straight or  flare out slightly. Dress them up or down and make skirts a “go-to item” when you’re sick of jeans.

If you haven’t heard of the Sweet Pea brand, it’s time you did. Their tops are versatile, comfortable, flattering and fun to wear. A flop-proof option to have in your wardrobe if you don’t mind man-made fibers and bold printed designs.

Sweet Pea tops are made of a 100% polyester knitted mesh and come in a range of styles and printed patterns. They are great dressed up under a jacket for smarter occasions, and just as fab dressed down with clamdiggers and casual sandals. The fabric is wrinkle resistant, which makes them easy to launder and the perfect traveling pieces. There’s no chance of shrinkage and the fabric wears well. Shiny, our YLF cleaning queen, mentioned in the forum that the dye runs when you hand wash these tops. So make sure your laundry batches are colour coordinated!

Usually priced between $60 and $95, Tanya recently pointed out that Bluefly is having a sale and styles are 50-70% off at the moment. Sweet Pea tops are perfect on their own, or layered with cardigans for Autumn. They’re a win if it’s your style. I haven’t had a disappointed sweet pea client yet.

An assortment of sweet pea tops. They don’t seem to cling nearly as much as other knitted tops do. Their all-over-print designs, the nature of the mesh fabric, and clever styling details often make them forgiving around the mid section.

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?