Our work-out clothes are an aspect of our wardrobe that we often neglect, but you should look and feel fabulous while exercising. While few people feel their best wearing lycra from head to toe, substituting worn, stained and stretched t-shirts is not the answer. Cotton is a bad idea – it holds water while you sweat in temperatures that are cooler than your body temperature. You need clothing that keeps you dry when you perspire. The answer is to invest in the proper gear from authentic sports brands, and to wear it when you work out.

Here are a few ideas to help you feel better in your workout clothes:

• Longer length tops – wear a longer top when you wear lycra from head-to-toe. Cycling shops specialize in these and you won’t have that dreaded draft up your back while you’re touching your toes.
• Layer – pop a shorter sleeveless lycra or spandex blend top over your longer length one. The interest of the extra layer is slimming.
• Half lycra and half not – if you still feel that you can’t sport the all-lycra-look, go half way. Wear a tank top and sports bra with baggy running shorts or athletic bottoms; or a sporty form-fitting t-shirt (layer if you need to) with lycra or yoga pants.

Try and get your mind around feeling self conscious in your exercise clothes. Good for you that you’re getting your bottom into gear! Being healthy definitely increases your style quotient.

A mix-and-match story from Lucy: longer length tank, layering T’s, track top, athletic bottoms, running shorts, and lycra shorts.

This year Spring travels back in time. Bringing together the best of what the ’60’s, ’70’s and ’80’s had to offer, the new season is like a compilation of fashion’s greatest hits. With a strong emphasis on opposites, there will be something for everyone.

Trends…

• Space Age – metallic clothing and transparent accessories
• Retro Romantic – ruffles, frills and lace
• Geometric –  black and white statements and op-art inspired designs
• Floral Fiesta –  flimsy flowery prints, vibrant colours and rosettes
• Grecian Safari –  sheer shimmery nudes, neutrals and khakis
• Sporty Chic – racy stripes, racer-backs, primary shades, mesh and techno fabric

Silhouettes…

• Dresses reign supreme. Slouchy, sheath, empire, baby-doll, tank, a-line and puffy styles are all hot.
• Minis are the preferred length of skirts and dresses.
• Volume continues to make a dramatic statement through lantern sleeves, paper-bag and tulip skirts, swing tops, sack dresses and menswear-inspired pants.
• Flouncy coats in a-line, trapeze or belted trench styles make a flirty update.  
• Cropped jackets are boxy, puffy or baby doll.
• Anoraks in nylon are the new unstructured cover-up.
• Romantic tops with frills and ruffles rule
• Hooded tops make a racy return.
• Wide legged pants and jeans are back!
• Skinnies are still strong.
• Pant suits are feminine and flowing, or lean and mean.
• Pantaloon shorts make their dandy debut.

Prints…

• Florals and sculptured rosettes  
• Graphic black and white geometrics, bold polka dots, face designs
• Ethnic African patterns and zebra prints

Colour palettes…

• Metallic shades
• Cobalt blue, purple and yellow
• Neon pink, lime and lemon
• Mango, orange, watermelon and pomegranate
• Black and white
• Nudes and neutrals

Accessories…

• Patent anything and in colours this time
• Silver shoes
• High-waisted wide and skinny belts
• Wedge heels and platform sandals for high; ballet flats for low
• Lucite anything (a transparent material heavier than plastic) – in hardware, necklaces, earrings, heels, sunglasses and bangles
• White accessories
• See-through bags and mesh detailing
• Oversized totes and large day clutches
• Structured or slouchy satchels
• Turbans and head bands
• Rose brooches

Spring trends are a welcome change from the somber, strict and skinny styles we’re still sporting for winter. The new look has started to blossom in stores and I am excited about it. It will soon be time to make some savvy decisions as to which trends will work for your age, fashion persona and body type.

Some final thoughts on Autumn/Winter 2006 that I could not leave unshared: 

Rant:

• Real fur – the explosion of rabbit, fox and raccoon fur on clothing prevented me from buying items that I loved. The abundance of it in mainstream retailers like Arden B and Bebe surprised me. There will hopefully be a wider assortment of faux fur next season.

Rave:

• Neutral palette – I did personally miss the colours, but on the other hand it is easier to put looks together in black, white and grey. It’s a good idea to have the neutral palette represented in your closet, and this fashion statement encouraged me to buy a few items that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered. 
• Animal prints – this wild, timeless and forever-chic trend is especially stylish as you get older. Animal shoes and accessories always kick your outfit up a notch and I enjoyed having a wide selection to choose from.

Feel free to share any last rants and raves before we put this season to bed and start concentrating on the glorious Spring collections that lie ahead.

Timeless Donald J Piner giraffe-inspired (not real giraffe) leather accessories from Endless.com (which offers free shipping and superb prices on designer brands).

Bored with what’s in your closet? Mix it up! The best thing about this season’s Winter looks: there isn’t just one way to wear them. Mixing trends will keep you going before you start to update for Spring.

Creating a contrast is one of my favourite ways to mix trends. Here’s how:

• Add lace to the androgynous look
• Add ruffles to the military look
• Add a touch of mod to vintage
• Mix preppy with glam 
• Wear pearls with fashion sneakers
• Wear colours that clash, but work
• Experiment with layers

Stand in front of your closet tomorrow and come up with a new combination of clothing and accessories. Invent your own way of interpreting a trend. Designers look to street fashion for inspiration all the time and you might end up being somebody who starts a hot new trend.