Fashion magazines and designers have been quick to proclaim the death of bootcut style pants and jeans this season. In the light of rethinking the skinny, I thought it appropriate to point out that they still can be fabulous. The first rule to dressing well  is making sure that you dress for your body type. A garment that flatters your body should always have a place in your wardrobe. It’s hard to beat the fit of a good pair of bootcuts for elegance and sophistication. They look fantastic on both slender and curvy frames.

Because of their flattering fit, bootcuts have become a mainstream classic in the retail industry. Continue wearing your bootcuts with style if you feel that they are best for you. They’ll be hanging in your closet for many seasons after skinnies have lost their appeal!

Skinny jeans are everywhere, but they are tricky to wear. Slim-framed women with rectangular, boyish bodies still look best in this lean look. However, skinny jeans seem a lot more forgiving this time around because they come in an assortment of cuts and can be worn in a variety of feminine ways. We did not have these options in the ’80’s, and this new way of wearing them makes skinnies a lot more flattering than I expected.

Before you give skinnies a miss, consider the following options:

• Skinny jeans come in a variety of lengths and ankle widths: ankle, scrunched and extra long for length; and tapered or straight for width. You’ll be able to select the length and width that works best for your body type.
• Matching them up with the correct shoes and tops can give you that lean line that you are striving for. Whether you wear flats/ heels, or long slim knits/ belted tunics will depend on your body type.
• You can always pop them into your knee high boots.

Having been a teenager in the ’80’s, I vowed that I would never wear skinny jeans again – until I tried them recently and put together their updated look. I chose a darker wash with a medium rise and fairly straight cut leg as opposed to the ultra-tapered cut option. I am pleasantly surprised by how they have been working in my wardrobe. The fact that I have been able to dress my skinnies up elegantly has given me the confidence to wear them again.

Skinny jeans are still not for everyone, but you might be surprised at how slimming these pants can be if you give them a chance and match them up with the correct items. When pretty pear shaped bodies like Beyoncé and Alicia Keyes wear skinnies with style – it’s time for another look.

Skinny jeans from Macy’s.

Some fashions from recent seasons will still work this Autumn, but others won’t. Here’s my opinion on what stays in the wardrobe and what goes into storage. 

Keep in your wardrobe:

• Military jackets and coats 
• Victorian and vintage blouses
• Preppy looks
• Long flat boots
• Metallic accessories (belts, bags and shoes, especially if they have gold hardware)
• Animal prints (either in clothing or accessories)
• Boot leg pants and jeans (don’t think that you can’t wear them just because “skinny” is in)
• Black pieces (I do not encourage a wardrobe full of black clothing, but black is the “it” colour this season. If ever you looked stylish in black – it would be over the next 6 months. Be mindful of the fact that not everyone looks good in black – the colour has to suit you.)

Store to (perhaps) wear another day:

• Cowboy boots (unless you are a Texan)
• Folkloric dresses
• Ponchos (unless you are pregnant, and then without any form of fringe)
• Bohemian and gypsy tops (which includes tie dye)
• Front tie shrugs (unless they have kimono sleeves and are in a very loose home spun knit)
• Shorter length knitted tops, knitwear and shirts  (unless you are able to layer newer longer lengths underneath them, they’ll look dated)
• Embellished jeans

Stay tuned on how to create updated looks for autumn with what you already have in your wardrobe. All you’ll need to do is add the new seasons’ luster to those existing favourites! 

The new season speaks volumes, especially when it comes to sleeve detail. Voluminous sleeves on girly tops, romantic blouses and jackets are ideal for pear-shaped body types. Any form of sleeve embellishment draws attention upwards, thereby balancing out the wider part of your body.

There are many voluminous sleeve options to choose from – with some more flattering for pear shapes then others.

• Kimono, bell and poet sleeve styles are excellent choices. They are a throw back to 40’s movie star glamour and convey a sense of unprecedented elegance.
• Voluminous sleeved blouses and jackets that are nipped-in at the waist are slimming and more shape defining. Swing coat and capelet styles will add bulk where you won’t want it.
• When you wear volume on top, keep the bottom simple. Plain a-line skirts and tailored flared or boot cut pants with heels will work best.
• Wide lapels balance out jackets with sleeve volume beautifully and are another good option.

Add drama to your wardrobe with a voluminous sleeved top or jacket this season especially if you are pear shaped. It’s extremely ladylike and the perfect update to smart casual dressing.

A bell-sleeved cropped jacket with wide lapel, striped poets-sleeved blouse, and kimono-sleeved knitted top – all from Arden B. These styles are cinched in the waist which makes them more flattering to wear.