If your budget is tight, or you happen to be more of a classic type of girl – forget about clothes for the moment and focus on accessories. They are the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to accomplish a stylish appearance.

My must-have accessories for Autumn & Winter are:

• Red shoes – red is a basic colour and matches just about anything that you wear. It’s going to make any outfit that you put together pop.
• Patent bag – add a high gloss dimension to your ensemble for extra impact.
• Chunky chains – choose a set of links that you love in either gold or silver and make a bold statement.

There are versions of these accessories for all body types, budgets and age groups. Capture the fashion moment and complete this season’s look with the ones that work for you. 

Basic red pumps, a black patent satchel bag and a chunky chain from Zappos.com, JC penny and Neiman Marcus respectively.

As you may have already noticed, black is the “in” colour this season. It’s a somewhat somber colour for us all despite its smart, slimming and sophisticated qualities. Now that it’s back in all its gangster glory, it’s important to understand that it’s not easy to wear black from head to toe successfully. The key is to add interest and dimension to your all-black-ensemble. This will prevent you from looking flat, dull and sickly. By adding the design details of this season’s gothic glamour and ‘80’s urban punk chic moods – you’ll be able to create your head to toe black outfit correctly.

For interest and dimension:

• Add black patent accessories
• Add an item in an iridescent black fabric
• Add sheer patterned black hose
• Add accessories (shoes, bags, belts and jewelry) with plenty of metallic hardware
• Add a subtle pinstripe
• Select jackets/coats with shiny metallic buttons
• Select items with texture – like fake fur trims, jacquards, brocade, lacey ruffles, feathers, and stain ribbon

If you don’t look good in black, refrain from wearing it from head to toe. Wear your black items with red and grey instead.  And even if you look good in it, beware of the black rut – it’s always refreshing to see some colour.

Can you wear skinny jeans if you have curvy hips and thighs? Yes you can. It’s a question of selecting the correct silhouette of skinny and matching it up with the right top and shoes. Skinny jeans are not created equally. Apart from the difference in wash and lycra content – rise measurements, inseam lengths and leg openings can also differ. If you follow the guidelines below – you’ll get that longer-and-leaner line that you are hoping for:

The correct skinny:

• Choose a skinny with a straighter leg and bypass those that have 5 inch leg openings.
• Choose one in a darker wash and with a medium rise.
• Make sure that there is enough length to your skinnies so that they “scrunch” at the bottom. This helps balance out your curvy hip and thigh area.

The correct top:

• Tunic lengths will work best (anywhere between mid thigh and just above the knee).
• Choose tunic lengths with sleeve volume – they offer a visual balance to narrow jeans.
• If you wear a shorter top – make sure that your top is ruched at the sides and ends just above your crotch point. Add a shorter layer over this longer length top to add interest.
• Make sure that your tops are tailored at your shoulders and torso – belted styles will also work well.

The correct shoe:

• A shoe or boot with a chunky high heel or wedge will look best. Tucking skinnies into boots will also help create a balance. 
• Ballet flats are also an option – but adding a bit of height will always create a leaner look.

Curvier ladies who are sick of their boot cuts and flares will certainly be able to pull off wearing skinny jeans with style if they follow the rules. Watch out boyish racy rectangles!

Skinnies and tunics from Nordstrom that will work for curvy ladies.

Le Château is a Canadian-based chain store that has begun to branch out to the US. It offers global and runway-inspired clothing, shoes and accessories for ladies and men at the best possible prices. They proudly manufacture and produce the majority of their merchandise in Canada! Their ladies sizes run from a size 00 to 16, and their quality is impressive.

With stores having opened in east coast states NY and NJ – this trendy and affordable chain store is certainly giving ultra–hip, Swedish chain store giant H&M a run for it’s money. While H&M has the edge with its second-to-none advertising campaign full of high profile celebrities – Le Château is streets ahead when it comes to customer service and merchandise accessibility. Shopping at H&M can be overwhelming and there is seldom someone to help you out with sizes or exchanges. The shopping experience at Le Chateau, on the other hand, is much more organized. The staff is helpful and shelves remain neat and tidy.

If service is important when you’re after those inexpensive playful pieces for your wardrobe – you might just bypass H&M and head straight to Le Château instead!