La Redoute is a mainstream French catalogue that sells everything from swimwear to shoes for ladies and gents. Their goods have only recently become available in the USA with their warehouse located in Massachusetts. Their clothing and accessories are chic, different and highly affordable. I was particularly impressed with their selection of jackets, coats and boots this season. Although I do not advocate shopping online unless you know exactly what you are getting – it might be worth it if you fancy a bit of convenient and inexpensive French flair in your wardrobe. Unlike traditional European stores, their return policy is good and comparable to standard online shopping sites here in America.

Wool pea coat ($49), faux fur coat ($49) and tweed raglan blazer ($64) from La Redoute.

I am frequently asked how to put together a smart casual look (which shouldn’t be confused with semi formal or business casual dress codes). The simplest route is by dressing up smart jeans. Denim is not the only bottom option, (stretch cotton twill pants or skirts are another alternative), but it is the more adaptable choice. It can be worn with most colours or fabrics, and manages to tone down anything dressy that you put with it.

Smart casual dressing is about following a formula. Here are the components:

• Smart Jeans: get the darkest blue wash that you can find. Black and grey denim have made a comeback this season and are good substitutes – but blue is best. No holes, tears, faded areas or bleach marks. Trouser cut denim styles are another excellent option.
• Dressy top or collared shirt: select styled knitted tops in better end fabrications, woven girly tops or tailored collared shirts. Plain cru-neck T’s will not be smart enough.
• Knitwear or jacket: layer a fine-knit cardigan, pullover or fitted jacket over your first layer when it starts to get chilly.
• Trench coat or coat: top it off with a fitted trench or woolen winter coat.
• Heels: wearing smart shoes with some sort of heel is key. Fancy flats can be smart too, but are never as chic as heels.
• Bag: adding a dressy bag completes your smart casual look.

This dress code is extremely versatile. It can take you to work, shopping, date night, the theatre, PTA meetings, dinner parties, and evenings out. It’s my favourite way to dress.

Despite your height, weight and body type, the size of your calf is what it is. If you carry a little bit of extra weight around your calves, don’t feel obliged to cover them up all the time. It’s easy to slim down an exposed calf when you know what to do.

Avoid:

• Tapered pants, which cling to your calves in an unflattering way.
• Ankle length pants and capri pants, which will make your legs look shorter.
• Clingy three quarter length skirts and dresses, which emphasize the width of your leg above the foot.
• Calf length boots and ankle boots, which tend to make even the daintiest of calves look large.

Stick to:

• Knee-length walk shorts, which raise the hemline and expose the smallest part of your leg, automatically slimming down your calf.
• Knee length a-line skirts and dresses, which also expose the slimmest part of your leg and add volume away from the calf, which will make it appear smaller.
• Heeled knee length boots that are tight around the ankle, which add shape and a bit of height to the ankle, cover up the calf and expose the knee, creating a taller and leaner look.

Wide legged pants and pointy toed shoes are not your only option when you have a thicker calf. Be girly and raise that hemline with style. There will be plenty of opportunities to cover up when the weather gets colder.

Do: pull-on, knee-length boots.

Don’t: slouchy, calf-length boots.

This season marks the beginning of watershed fashion changes. The new play on proportions might take some getting use to, but because “fashion is an adaptation to the eye”, we’ll be wearing them with style in no time at all.

One of the changes to understand is “the new volume”. Stores are full of daringly roomy pieces such as:

• Swing and trapeze coats
• Kimono, bell and poet’s sleeves
• Empire waisted dresses and smock tops
• Bell and bubble skirts
• Cocoon pullovers
• Extra widely cut menswear pants and cropped pants  

While we might not all be able to wear each form of this season’s new volume – there will be ideal options to balance each body type. Height will be another factor to consider. Stay tuned on how to update existing items in your wardrobe with the correct voluminous pieces for you and your personal style.

 Voluminous pieces like these typify the new season. Above: a cropped peplum jacket from Arden B and taffeta bell shaped skirt from Banana Republic. Below: a kimono sleeved empire dress and bell sleeved cocoon sweater from Nordstrom.