This week’s poll covers our handbag preferences. A satchel is a handbag with short handles that you clutch with your hands or hook through one arm. A shoulder bag is a style that you carry on one shoulder, like a tote. A crossbody is a style that you wear diagonally across the body. And a clutch is a bag without handles that you clutch with your hands or under the top part of your arm. 

I’ll go first. I bat for Team Satchel and Team Clutch, and cannot decide between the two because I find them both very comfortable. I keep the contents of my handbag to a minimum, so carrying a clutch is actually quite practical. I have one old L.A.M.B shoulder bag that I love the look of, but don’t carry often because I do not like carrying bags on my shoulder. I find the style uncomfortable and end up feeling lopsided. I cannot handle wearing crossbody bags. I find them extremely uncomfortable on my neck, shoulders and hip, although I love the way they look in outfits. If comfort were not an issue, I would wear crossbody styles more frequently. 

I’m sitting this one out on the bench with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberry sauce. Over to you? Can you bat for one style of bag or are you joining me on the bench?

Denim skirts, especially in pencil silhouettes, were completely mainstream for decades, and quite a popular silhouette. As recently as seven years ago, many of my clients were wearing denim pencil skirts. It was a particular favourite during Fall weather, combined with a pair of tall boots, pullover and jacket. Since then I saw the appeal of the denim skirt diminish as my clients moved towards regular jeans. They also became a scarce commodity at retail. 

Denim skirts are making a fashionable comeback for Fall 2014, though still as a fringe trend. It’s interesting how an item that was once mainstream, but fell out of fashion, can come back years later as a fringe trend.

The styles here provide a good sense of the “new” denim skirt look. Straight and tapered pencil silhouettes that are around kneelength are the norm. Some are patched and quilted, while others are waxed. Most are in a shade of blue denim, but black, grey and burgundy are other options. 

Denim skirt fits vary from body con and tailored, to fluid. To illustrate the different fits:

• These Tess Giberson and MiH styles are body con.
• These Karen Millen and J.Crew examples are tailored.
• This Mother Easy A skirt is pretty fluid because it fits a little looser all over.

Denim skirts look great with all sorts of footwear, like peep-toe booties, booties, laceless flat oxfords, pointy toe flats, loafers, pumps and taller boots. Sandals are fab if your weather is still warm. The denim skirt is a versatile piece. 

Very few of my clients wear denim skirts at the moment, but I think that might change if we can find lengths that are suitable for a casual office and for cooler weather. My hunch is that some of my clients will enjoy the change from more dressy pencil skirts and wear them with booties. Clients who wear jeans daily might enjoy changing things up with a denim skirt and moto boots. 

I haven’t worn a denim pencil skirt in years, but really like the longer A-line from Mother. The style looks fresh to my eye, and knee-covering is how I would prefer to wear this item. I had a stretchy body con denim pencil skirt years ago that worked well as long as I didn’t move. As soon as I walked, the skirt rode up and bunched, which drove me bananas. I was constantly straightening and pulling it down. The tailored fit was better, but still not conducive to a fast walking pace. So that’s why I’m going for an A-line fit this time round. I can wear a belt so that it stays put on the waist, and walk freely without the need to pull it back into position. 

Over to you. Did you wear a denim skirt in the past? Would you wear one now, or is the vibe too Western Cowgirl?

Helmut Lang designs a sweats collection for Uniqlo, Pantone picks its top colours for Spring, Whistles launches a menswear collection, and other news from the style trenches this week.

• This Fall, Selfridges celebrates Rick Owens with a 25-foot statue and “The World of Rick Owens” concept store. 
• Helmut Lang is collaborating with Uniqlo on a “sweats collection“. 
• On Wednesday, fitness models performed exercise routines to show the Athleta collection at New York Fashion Week. A refreshing concept.
• Neiman Marcus has plans to open a 250,000 square feet store in New York City in 2018.
• Aquamarine, scuba blue, lucite green, and classic blue. Pantone picks blues and greens as top colours for Spring.
• British brand Whistles has just launched its first menswear collection.
• Opening Ceremony has teamed up with Intel to design a luxury smart bracelet: meet MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory).

Fun Fashion Fact

Lesley Hornby assumed her iconic nickname Twiggy when she was 17 years old. But did you also know that British model Agyness Deyn’s real name is Laura Hollins, and that Eleanor Nancy Gow is better known under her famous moniker Elle Macpherson? 

The classic plaid shirt is a versatile piece that can be manipulated to look fashionable and modern based on its support act. There are many, many ways to wear a plaid shirt for Fall, and I’ve started the ball rolling here with two outfit formulas. The casual rendition on the left pairs a plaid shirt with denim. The rendition on the right dresses the shirt up with lace, leather and heels. 

Choose a fluid, long sleeved button-through plaid shirt in a colour combination that tickles your fancy. Scrunch or roll up the sleeves for extra structure (and to showcase your forearms for a little allure).

Here are the components of the two different vibes. 

Plaid Shirt with Jeans and Booties

The main components of the ensemble are simple, but it’s the finishing touches that take the look to the next level. Pair a plaid shirt with a pair of boyfriend jeans or straight leg jeans. Choose blue, black, grey or white denim. Tuck or partially tuck the shirt. Add casual booties and a matching belt. I’ve chosen cognac because the combination looks fresh, but any neutral pair of booties with a matching belt will pull the look together.

To dress up the combination, add metallic loafers or pumps in a neutral. Pick a belt that works with the footwear. For further bling, add a bib necklace or sequin camisole. Or layer the sequin camisole over an untucked plaid shirt to wear it as a vest. 

Plaid Shirt with Lace Skirt or Leather Leggings

Wear a dressy bottom, like a lace, sequin or jacquard skirt. Choose a dressier pair of trousers, like leather leggings or tuxedo pants, if skirts aren’t your thing. Tuck or partially tuck the plaid shirt into the skirts or tuxedo pants. Wear the shirt untucked over leather leggings. Wear booties, metallic loafers or pumps that work with the colour spectrum of the outfit. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

If you need a topper, choose a moto, blazer, trench coat, or short boxy jacket. A short wool coat works too. I bet you can shop your closet for this one.