My raves list is always long. I find good things to say about every fashion season because it’s a matter of knowing how to sift through trends and make them work for you. These are the items that did not make it through my filter:

• Maxi dresses: The word “nightie’ springs to mind when I see someone in this style. Maxi dresses weren’t as big in America as they were in Europe. Thank goodness I live in America.
• Wide leg pants: They look great on the right body type but are generally hard to wear. There was too much of this product in US stores. Complete overkill. It’s interesting that this look did not take off in Europe.
• Empire cut tops: Another overkill. You can’t wear these tops if you’re busty and many of my clients “feel pregnant” in them. There was little else to choose from in mainstream fashion stores which makes for a poor tops season.
• Denim rises still too low: Higher rise pants were a fringe fashion statement, but generally mid rises on jeans were still too low. The best way to beat belly and back bulge is with a higher rise and layering techniques. Flattering rise measurements are still hard to find on premium jeans.
• Pants with side entry pockets: It’s great when 50% of all dress pants have pocket detailing. But when 90% of them do, it’s a challenge. Pants with clean, flat fronts look best on most body types. I wish fashion buyers would get this.
• Soaring heel heights: It’s the old story. Most fabulous looking shoes are uncomfortable and hard to walk in.
• Skirts and dresses generally too short: When petites start shopping in regular departments to gain 3 inches of length on a dress and skirt, you know items are too short. I’m all for mini’s as part of the fashion mix, but when most of the frocks are far above the knee there’s a problem.
• Too much trapeze: This little jacket makes a great retro fashion statement but moderation is key. I’m relieved to see them side by side with fitted jacket silhouettes for Autumn.

Missed opportunities:

• Shortage of skinny and straight leg jeans: Voluminous tops look best with sleek bottoms. Most voluminous tops were matched with wide leg pants because that’s what trending in bottoms. An awful look.
• Denim skirts and denim jackets: These no-brainer versatile items are always hard to find.
• Casual pants that aren’t jeans: We need casual micro-check pants!
• Short length tops to wear with skirts: A store that specializes in shorter tops to wear with orphan skirts would make a killing. I’d take all my clients there.

Bring on Spring and Summer 2008 rants ladies, and don’t hold back. We are putting this topic to rest today.

Some people loved the Maxi dress trend, but I wasn’t one of them. Just too much fabric for daytime in Summer.

End of season sales are drawing to a close and it won’t be long before stores are full of Autumn and Winter merchandise. We’ve seen the last of Summer collections even though most of you have months of hot weather to endure (it’s that crazy retail cycle again). If Summer is your dominant season, remember to stock up now.

You know the drill. YLF closes every retail season with a “best and worst”. Raves today, rants tomorrow. I enjoy hearing your final thoughts on the last six months of fashion. Here are my raves:

• White jeans: The ultimate warm weather bridging piece. Everything looks good with a pair of white bottoms.
• Clamdiggers: A versatile cropped pant option and the perfect answer to the Summer skinny.
• Shirt dresses: Great over skinnies or on their own. A classic piece that can be interpreted in a multitude of ways.
• Bright coloured clothing and accessories: We saw every bright colour this season. Yellow, citron and tomato red are personal favourites with turquoise in the wings. I hope turquoise is a big colour next Spring.
• Cardigans: It’s been the best cardigan season yet. Every colour, style, print and fabric composition was represented. This versatile item is a must in every wardrobe. Three cheers for fab cardigans.
• Spring trenches: I was impressed with the style and colour choices this season. There was a great assortment and retailers thought further than the classic black and tan belted looks. Bravo.
• Back and white: I love black, white and cream outfit combinations. It was great to have these choices alongside vibrant seas of colour in stores.
• Cracked patent: Love it’s urban edge. Long may it last.
• Voluminous trend: These silhouettes are liberating for the midriff area. Woman can look polished in looser styles if there’s strategic tailoring to other parts of the garment. I like having the voluminous trend alongside the body conscious trend. Ample choice in one fashion season is how it should be.
• Longer length tops and tunics: An elegant and comfortable look that I continue to love.
• Flat shoes: There was a superior assortment of comfortable flat shoes this year. The fact that I found three pairs is a miracle.
• Waist belts: They make for a great polished hour glass look.
• White accessories: White shoes, bags, belts and watches make a fresh and strong impact. My white watch, cream flats and cream trench are the best items I purchased this season.
• Wedges: The quintessential modern heel. I can’t imagine my wardrobe without a stable sassy wedge.
• Gladiators: A great way to dress down an outfit.
• The re-birth of Banana Republic: Their new design team is stellar. After years of boring product, they have never looked better.

Hopefully you found loads to rave about this season. Let’s hear about it in the comments.

A recent thread on the YLF forum labeled the $1,795 designer boots on the left below the “ugliest perversion of fashion ever made”. They certainly aren’t my style, but I can appreciate their edgy, daring, dramatic, gothic and grungy appeal. They look impeccably made, which for the price is the least you should expect.

On the right is what I would call an ugly shoe. Their five and a half inch stiletto heel looks like a weapon. The brand is called “Promiscuous” and this particular style has been labeled “Flirtatious”. It is described as an “overpoweringly sexy platform”. Somehow, I wouldn’t feel particularly alluring if I wore these. Do they scare you too?

I could scarcely believe it, but it’s true. Nordstrom can add an inch or two to the length of your jeans by using a heat stretching process. The alterations department uses heavy duty heat presses to make the elastic component of the denim pliable. The process is continued until the desired vertical stretch is achieved.

The jeans must have an elastic component – the process won’t work on 100% cotton jeans. After lengthening, you can wash, air dry and press as normal. But you’ll undo the stretch if you machine dry.

This might be your answer to perfect pant lengths, especially if you wear heels with bootcuts. Sometimes an extra one or two inches does the trick on a petites, or regular length pair of jeans that’s a tad too short. Tall girls, this trick is fabulous for you.

My friend Stephanie has just had her Seven’s stretched two inches and she’s thrilled. Thanks for sharing this information with us, Stephanie. May this be the end of your “short jeans dilemma”. Brilliant! What would we do without Nordstrom?