I am frequently asked how many times you can wear a pair of jeans before popping them in the wash. I have found that unless you’ve spilled, traveled, traipsed in the mud, or perspired heavily in them, three times works well. Any longer tends to alter the original fit of the jeans (they stretch and grow); and any shorter is wasteful. Denim will fade every time you wash it, so you should only do so when necessary. This was also the advice I received from a denim manufacturer when I worked in the fashion industry as a buyer.

Sometimes we need to attend a fancy do straight from work, with no time to go home and change before the event. Going from “desk to dinner” can be done stylishly with a few instant nighttime touches to your business casual or smart casual daytime outfit. Just add the following items: 

• Dressy heels – strappy sandals, jeweled sling backs or colouful platforms are shoes that you wouldn’t necessarily wear to work, but that you could change into just before the function.
• Fancy clutch – it’s imperative to carry a dainty bag to an evening event. Clutches are still my favourite option, but any fancy little handbag that matches your outfit will work.
• Some bling – a beautiful bracelet, necklace or earrings are just the thing to take your outfit into nighttime standards.

The above items are particularly easy to add to a worksuit or separates. By changing your shoes and your bag, and adding a piece of show stopping jewelry, you’ll have successfully modified your work outfit.

Sparkly drop earrings, a cuff bracelet and shiny heels (Nordstrom) are an instant dressy touch.

The shape of your shoulders can affect the overall look of an outfit and they rarely get the attention that they deserve. Clothing that fits poorly on your shoulders can ruin a chic silhouette. Do you have narrow shoulders? I do, but over the years I’ve developed strategies to flatter this part of my body.

• Wear clothes that fit your shoulders perfectly – shoulder seams need to be snug and in the correct position. Shoulder seams that drop when they are not an intended style feature are unflattering. 
• Select puffy sleeves – this will increase the width of your shoulders in a pretty and feminine way. But make sure that the shoulder seam of the puffed sleeve is on your shoulder. You won’t get that long lean line if it drops off your shoulder and looks too big.
• Select big collars – large collars with oversized lapels work wonders on narrow shoulders. Polo-necks and turtle-necks are also good options.
• Select raglan sleeves – people with broad angular shoulders should generally stick to tops with raglan sleeves. But somehow this style works perfectly for narrow shoulders as well. You never need to worry about an incorrect shoulder seam position with a raglan sleeve. 
• Keep the stance of your jacket high – the stance (where the highest point on a jacket hits the chest) is most flattering when it buttons above your bust line. This is especially true when you are small chested.
• Avoid boat necks, scoop necks, thin spaghetti straps, collarless shirts and jackets – these styles will make your shoulders look even narrower. Opt for wider straps on tops that are sleeveless and stick to tops that have some sort of collar.

It’s extremely important for clothing to fit you properly on your shoulders. Narrow shoulders are generally difficult to fit and especially so if you also happen to be well-endowed. Going up a size to fit your bust often leaves your shoulders swimming in extra fabric. This is when finding a good tailor is the only answer.

The grey blouse on the left was made for narrow-shouldered women. Its snug shoulder seam, puffed sleeves, gathered yoke and detailed collar flatter the models small frame perfectly. The pink shirt does exactly the opposite for the small framed model on the right. The shoulder seams drop and therefore fit her poorly. This style of shirt is better suited to curvy rounded shoulders.

Winter clothing often makes us feel bulky and unfeminine. Chunky knits, turtlenecks, tweeds and thick soled shoes aren’t half as alluring as your favourite sexy summer pieces. Winter dressing calls for a chic and tailored approach.

Here’s how:

• Choose your fabrics carefully – winter clothing does not need to be thick to keep you warm. Select knitwear and coats made of finer fabrics such as mohair, wool blends and cashmere yarns instead. They are light, airy and just as warm. Chunky knitwear and polar fleece might make you look and feel bigger than you are.
• Keep your clothing streamlined – choose tailored clothing. There is nothing as sophisticated as a perfectly tailored coat. Match it up with a shaped collared shirt, cashmere pullover and ultra-long slacks or jeans with heels for an instantly chic look.
• Wear heeled boots – long heeled boots worn with knee length skirts, jeans, slacks, culottes or walk shorts are always a feminine alternative. 
• Make the most of winter accessories – funky hats, pretty scarves and dainty gloves are wonderful ways to keep warm and look fabulous in winter. Consider wearing accessories instead of bulking up with extra layers.

Keep it lady-like and tailored to feel just as girlie in winter as you do in summer.

Even lanky models look bigger than they are in the bulky knitwear above, but…

…streamlined cashmere and wool-blend pullovers can be more feminine and flattering.