I’ve written several blog entries suggesting the minimum number of items you need in different categories in order to have an efficient wardrobe that covers all the bases. Of course, these suggestions are just a starting point. You may find that your wardrobe functions better with more items in one of these categories. Look at the details in the individual blog entries and adapt the suggestions to your specific situation.

• 1-4 pairs of jeans. The number will differ depending on your lifestyle and your preferences. If you love jeans and wear them daily, you’ll need four pairs. If you seldom wear jeans, limit yourself to one fabulous pair.
• 2 dresses. One for day and one for night.
• 3 coats. This won’t hold true for warm weather locations, but it’s a must if you live in a country that has four seasons.
• 3 handbags. This requirement cuts across all lifestyles and age groups.
• 4 “everyday” bras and 10 “everyday” undies. This excludes sports bras and special occasion underwear.
• 6 pairs of shoes. This excludes slippers, workout sneakers, wellington boots and gardening clogs.

You will also need tops, camisoles, jackets, knitwear, more bottoms and accessories to put together stylish ensembles on a daily basis. It is difficult to specify quantities for these additional items because they depend on lifestyle, dress codes, body types, personal preferences, your local climate and travel requirements. If you are building a wardrobe of the bare essentials, however, the list above is a good place to start.

First it was the ankle bootie, then the Oxford bootie, and now a peep-toe version of these styles is Spring 2008’s trendiest new shoe. This trend sends the same mixed message as sleeveless woolly turtlenecks and short-sleeved coats (Winter items with impractical Summer styling). But peep-toes are super for Spring and this shoe is essentially a peep-toed pump with a little more foot coverage.

The ped is being paired with ankle length skinnies, walk shorts, skirts and dresses. It’s an eccentric look that’s definitely not mainstream. I can appreciate the fresh idea, but I can’t see myself wearing them. Can you?

Hot off the press: peep-toe Oxfords and peep-toe booties from Nordstrom. Heel heights are once again absurd. I quite like the streamlined look of the style without laces.

My “raves” list was long because there was little this season that we couldn’t adapt to suit our fashion persona, body type and lifestyle. As always, it’s a matter of knowing how to sift through the trends and add the right amount of “right now” to our existing wardrobe.

Here are the items that didn’t make it through my filter:

• Ridiculous heel heights were frustrating. Shoe and boot styles were sweet, but often made unwearable with 3 to four inch heels. I draw the line at one pair of pretty “sitting shoes” in my wardrobe.
• Ankle boot season was disappointing. Other than fun ‘80’s inspired slouchy styles, ankle boots were drab. There were plenty of styles with interesting features on the ankle part of the boot, but this is a wasteful feature when the detail is covered by pants or jeans. Interesting design details on the toes of boots are better for this look and there weren’t many of those around. I guess that this season’s ankle boots were meant to be worn with dresses and tights.
• An abundance of unflattering voluminous pieces gave the trend a bad reputation. Billowing sack dresses and overly roomy pieces are unflattering, and there were a lot of them.
• Trapeze jacket overload. The style has flooded the market and there wasn’t enough variety in the jacket category.
• Light grey and acid wash denim for women. I’m not a fan. I do like light grey jeans on blokes though.
• Too much black for the party season. I’d have welcomed more non-black holiday party pieces.

There were also a few missed retail opportunities:

• A deeper assortment of fab looking shoes and boots with one to two inch heels always go down well. It’s interesting that these lower heel heights were not overlooked in Europe this season.
• Winter skirts were few and far between. Knee length skirts go hand in hand with knee length boots and are a great alternative to wearing dresses.
• Denim skirts are a missed opportunity every season. I’m looking forward to the time that they become a fashion statement again.
• Pants without side entry pockets are universally more flattering and they are still hard to find.
• A greater assortment of jackets that weren’t trapeze or baby doll in style would have satisfied all body types.

Bring on your rants for Autumn & Winter 2007 before we close the door and concentrate on Spring 2008.

Adorable winter booties with hectic heel heights. I rest my case.

Most of us still have a good few months of cold weather to endure, but we’ve seen the last of Autumn & Winter in store (it’s that crazy retail cycle again). Spring collections are in full swing and, as ever, I am champing at the bit to talk about them. But first, some final thoughts on the last six months of fashion.

Here are my raves (hold off on the rants… we’ll tackle them tomorrow).

• Knee high boots were a favourite again this season. I love a pair of casual or dressy knee high boots that make a statement, and flat, funky, urban styles were in abundance.
• Statement coats are another perennial favourite and this season we had variety of styles and colours.
• Winter dresses were a no-brainer, easy to wear uniform with knee high boots and fun hose. Pop on a coat and you were ready to go anywhere.
• Bright colours were a welcome change after being promised a sea of colour last Spring and being stuck with neutrals instead. Yellow, cobalt and red were personal favourites.
• Tunics were easy and comfortable to wear.
• Voluminous detailing in trapeze jackets, lantern sleeves, wide-legged pants, dresses and swing tops made for an interesting change if the right amount of volume was in the right place.
• Cracked patent for handbags, shoes and belts gave an urban edge to a glossy trend.
• Waist-cinching belts brought back the hour-glass silhouette which I love. Adding a wide belt to an existing top or sweater often kicked it up a few notches.
• Higher rises for pants and skirts did wonders for the old muffin top.
• Straight leg jeans were one of the mainstream silhouettes and they proved to be really versatile. Easy to tuck and streamlined enough to wear with tunics, dresses and voluminous tops.
• Clutches remained a favourite for evenings out.
• Fringes or Bangs were a refreshing change to the cascading 70’s locks we’ve seen for six seasons. They added a modern streamlined touch.
• 80’s influences continued to be fun to see and wear.

Another super season. I guess I say that about every fashion season because there’s always something to like if you’re open to trying something new and you know where to look. What were your favourite trends this season?