Choices for this Spring/Summer season are plentiful. There are lots of options for everyone; many of them seemingly contradictory. Let’s have a closer look at what you can wear to be “in style” this season:

• Gold and silver
• Black and white
• Neutrals and primary colours
• Elegant lady-like suits and combat gear
• A-line skirts and pencils skirts
• Natural waists and low waists
• Ruffle blouses and t-shirts
• Stacked heels and ballet flats
• Pointy toed shoes and round toed shoes
• Skinny pants and wide pants
• Shift dresses and shirt dresses (a-line dresses that tie at the waist)
• Above the knee hemlines and knee lengths
• Oversized totes and delicate clutches
• Long bead necklaces and short choker styles  

All you need to do is make some savvy decisions as to what will suit your body type, skin tone, lifestyle and budget and there you go – you’ll look fab.

Embrace the variety – a season encompassing such versatility does not come around very often!

Tumble dryers are a marvelous invention, but unfortunately they tend to ruin our clothes. Our clothes shrink, loose shape and start to look worn long before they should. Clothing is relatively expensive and in order for us to look sharp and polished, it needs to remain looking pristine. Boxer shorts, undies, socks and pajamas are basically the only items that are going to survive a life of harsh tumble dry heat I’m afraid.

So what are the alternatives?

• Invest in a collapsible garment rack (Target and Storables offer super options) and hang shirts, blouses, tops, pants and jeans on it to dry
• Invest in wire shelving and lay your t-shirts and hand washed knitwear flat onto it to dry shaping them where necessary
• Men’s shirts, smart dresses, suits and jackets will need to be dry-cleaned 

Once dry, you’ll have the choice of either ironing your clothing; or popping them into the dryer for a quick 7 minutes to get rid of creases that remain. The trick with the latter is that you’ll need to fold the garments immediately after taking them out of the dryer in order to prevent them from creasing again.

It certainly is going to take more effort caring for your clothes in this way – but the end result will be worth it. Have a bash at forming this new habit of drying your clothes and enjoy the fact that your clothing is the same length and colour as it was the day you first bought it. Trust me – your clothing will stay looking fab!

Garment rack from Target

Ladies and gents – beware of what I call “the black rut”. Despite the fact that black items of clothing tend to make one feel slimmer, smarter and possibly even more powerful; black is not a colour- it is the absence of it. Black items of clothing, accessories and shoes certainly have an important place in anyone’s wardrobe, but such items need to be put together “with style”. Ending up with a cupboard full of black clothing is easy to do – especially with the strong rebirth of neutral tones that is happening right now.

So how can we successfully wear the colour black?

• Black looks it’s absolute best when worn with one, or a combination of neutral tones (e.g. white, grey, cream, tan, gold, silver, bronze and brown)
• When wearing black with a colour, be sure to add another neutral tone to the ensemble – it looks less dated that way
• It isn’t easy to look good in black when worn from head to toe, but it can be done. Make sure that each item of the outfit is of a different texture. The trick is “add dimension” and avoid “looking flat”. Consider adding subtle self color pinstripes, lace and feathers (if you are a lady), surface-interest fabrics and sheen. Prada and Donna Karan specialize in creating this 3 dimensional all black look and they do it very well.
• Black items need to be very black! As soon as they start to lose their colour – the overall flattering effect is lost
• Refrain from wearing black all the time. It has the power to “drain” one’s appearance. Remember to alternate with other colours that suit your skin tone

It’s therefore a fallacy that “black goes with everything”. It’s actually the one neutral tone that doesn’t!

Donna Karan does black with neutrals

Spring trends are all about neutral tones – white, black, brown, navy, beige, cream, silver, gold, bronze and denim. If you have previously been one to wear lots of colour like I have, and have suddenly found yourself at a bit of a loss as to what to do – don’t despair! Red, green, yellow and lilac will start to appear in stores soon if it hasn’t already. In the mean time:  

• Liven up your neutrals by mixing them up (not just sticking to one) and adding the newness of the season with metallic accessories eg. bag, belt , shoes
• Throw in last seasons beautiful grass green or turquoise bag while keeping those shoes metallic – you’ll still look updated. Remember that those days of matching your shoes, bag and belt are gone
• Add a colourful necklace to kick your neutral outfit up a notch. Consider gigantic plastic beads either around your neck or on your wrist – they are the accessory of the moment
• Throw in a stronger shade of lipstick like red, cherry or dark mauve – it will make you feel less monochromatic, but still trendy

If you have always been one to embrace a neutral palette, this is your season – enjoy it!