The dramatic elements of your style are the striking or eye-catching aspects that often stand out the most. Outfit drama runs on a continuum, which means that you can amp it up or dial it down. This controllable aspect is what I find so appealing, because you can add drama to your outfit as the situation or your mood dictates. 

Most of my clients enjoy adding some degree of drama to their style. It makes the outfit feel distinctive, powerful somehow, and more special, which in turn makes them feel more fabulous. After working with clients for years, I’ve found that there are ten main strategies you can use individually or combine to add varying degrees of drama to your outfits.

1. Hairstyle: An eye-catching hairstyle is a very effective way to create outfit drama. It can be the length, curl, cut or colour that creates a unique and striking look. Rainbow hair is particularly dramatic. 
2. Eyewear: Choosing a unique shape or bolder colour of eyewear is another effective way to create a more dramatic look, especially if you wear eyewear daily. 
3. Interesting Footwear and Handbags: There is something about what you wear on your feet and carry in your hands (or drape on your shoulder) that adds the magic touch to an outfit. Interesting shoes and a fun bag go a long way to securing outfit drama. 
4. Architectural and Avant-Garde Clothing and Accessories: Architectural and avant-garde clothing, clothing with lots of drape, volume and ruffle, or asymmetrical pieces successfully reflect a sense of drama. An oversized scarf or belt can add ample outfit drama, as can wearing a hat. 
5. Bold Colours and High Contrast: Bold colours are striking, and will stand out in a sea of neutrals. Neutrals that create a high contrast are equally eye-catching. I also think of white as a bright that adds a good dose of drama to an outfit. 
6. Bold Patterns: Bold patterns are as eye-catching as bold colours, especially in high contrasting colours or neutrals. 
7. Irregular Juxtapositions: Styling items in unconventional ways is an excellent source of outfit drama. The irregular pairing of wardrobe items, so that the outfit looks just flattering enough and intentionally fashionable, is at the forefront of the look for 2014. 
8. Hard Edge: Wearing head-to-toe black in avant-garde silhouettes and interesting fabrications with hardware has always been a dramatic look. Designers like Rick Owens spring to mind. 
9. Eccentric Jewellery: Chunky earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets with an eclectic and arty flavour are very dramatic. 
10. Make-up and Nail Polish: A bold lip, a smoky eye, colourful eyeliner and mascara, and clearly defined eyebrows can successfully add drama to your style. And these days fingernail polish is an art form that can add a striking aspect to your outfit. 

The way you choose to add drama to your outfit is a personal decision. Also, drama is a relative concept because what is dramatic to some is completely safe to others. 

For the most part, the dramatic part of my style is visible from the neck up with a fairly dramatic hairstyle and eyewear. I also wear bold colours, bold patterns, lots of white, and love a killer handbag. I have fun creating irregular outfit juxtapositions, but the effect is more subtle. I hardly ever wear avant-garde pieces or hard-edged looks. I also don’t wear jewellery, lots of make-up or fingernail polish. But I do create a strong eyebrow line because it frames my face. 

Which strategies appeal to you the most? Do you add drama on a daily basis?

Many of these toppers have been winners on my clients. They are lightweight and therefore an outside option for warmer climates and great indoors with air conditioning. 

• BCBG Edward Peplum Jacket: If you’re after a well-made jacket that’s suited to a very curvy hourglass or pear shaped body type, give this style a go. It’s tailored in the extreme when zipped up, and still quite waist defining when worn unzipped. It has a fun asymmetrical neckline and the sleeves can be shortened for petites. Particularly fab worn with flared and pencil skirts. 
• Dru Double-Front Moto Jacket: This style is cut straighter than the peplum jacket. Fab zipper detailing. 
• Vince Camuto Colorblock Jacket: An exceptionally lightweight and soft jacket that feels like a cardigan. It’s sufficiently tailored and very comfortable. Check out the colour blocked effect on the back. 
• Kenneth Cole New York Ella Jacket (Petite): If you’re after a topper that’s purely decorative and provides zero warmth, an ombré lace moto is one way to go. Fabulous on petites over sheath dresses. 
• Halogen Drape Front Knit Vest (Plus): I like the dramatic drape of this sleeveless moto. Soft, fluid and fashionable. 
• Zara Short Blazer: I haven’t seen this one in person yet, but I’m eyeing it for myself. I like the colour, angular lines, high neckline, high-low effect from the side, cropped sleeves and 100% cotton composition.
• Textile Elizabeth & James Kelsey Jacket: A boxy utility jacket in a swing silhouette with tails and tab sleeves. An interesting piece to add to casual outfits. 
• Lovers & Friends Babe Moto Jacket/Vest: A moto with removable sleeves that doubles up as a vest. Pretty tailored when worn open, and quite versatile. 
• Merino Wool Blend Moto Jacket: A popular piece with casual clients who prefer to wear cardigans but are bored with classic and drapey silhouettes. A knitted moto provides the comfort of a cardigan in a more fashionable way. Read the rave reviews.
• Eileen Fisher Asymmetrical Zip Crop Jacket: A cropped boxy topper in a unique shade of pewter. The sparkle is subtle. Works best on those who can fill out the torso, or have broad shoulders. Runs large. 

Remember that fashionable jackets are for the most part supposed to be worn unfastened. So check whether you like the effect of the style open before you purchase it. 

Ankle pants, which can be worn on the ankle bone or up to four inches above it, are the biggest trend in bottoms. From straight leg silhouettes and slouchy track pants, to cuffed and pleated looks and tight skinnies. Some hem widths are a little wider than a tapered tailored fit. 

Black ankle pants are popular with my clients, especially in business casual settings, because they’re warmer, less formal and more practical than skirts. They also feel more warm weather appropriate than full-length black pants, and are quite versatile. Some of my clients have gone further to add ankle pants in colours and patterns. 

Which style of shoe to pair with black ankle pants is a common question. Personally, I like black ankle pants best when they are paired with shoes that have black ankle straps, because the self-colour strap extends the length of the trousers and elongates the leg line. To my eye that makes the leg shortening ankle pant more flattering. It also makes the length look more fashionably intentional. The photos illustrate how black d’Orsay ankle strap pumps and sandals visually lengthen the leg line on an assortment of black ankle pants.

Wearing heeled black ankle strap pumps and sandals is not your only option. Create a similar visual effect with flats, almost black shoes, and more covered black shoes with black ankle straps. For example, choose an ankle strap flat in a dark grey pattern, a non-black shoe with a black ankle strap, black pumps with ankle straps, cage heels or cut-out booties.

This trick can make it much easier to create flattering proportions with ankle pants. Forum member Diane recently put this concept into action. I put it into action last year by pairing my pants with animal print pumps with black ankle straps. If you’re new to ankle pants, give it a bash.

Stacy London lands a new gig, more store openings for Uniqlo, the relaunch of the Charles James label, and other news from the fashion trenches this week.

• With a new CEO at the helm, Lela Rose is reportedly branching out into jewellery, shoes and handbags.
• On Monday morning First Lady Michelle Obama cut the ribbon for the opening of The Met’s Anna Wintour Costume Center.
• What do you think of this peek inside this year’s Met Ball, filmed by designer Cynthia Rowley with a hidden camera?
• Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein confirms the relaunch of the Charles James label. His wife Georgina Chapman, designer and co-founder of Marchesa, has been appointed as creative consultant.
• Kinfolk Magazine is branching out into fashion with Ouur, a clothing and homewares collection made from textiles such as linen, cotton and wool.
• Stacy London becomes the face of beauty solution company Hollywood Fashion Secrets, where she’ll share tips and tricks “to help solve pesky styling challenges”.
• Over the next year Uniqlo plans to open six stores in Boston and three in Philadelphia. 

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that French designer Pierre Cardin owns the famous Maxim’s chain of restaurants? He bought the Paris restaurant in 1981, and soon after opened branches in New York (closed in 2000), London and Beijing. Three floors of the Paris building are now occupied by an art nouveau museum with more than 550 pieces from all over the world.