I am passionate and pedantic about pant lengths because the smallest difference can make or break the flattering line of an outfit. I’m continually amazed at how shortening or lengthening by just a few inches can make the world of difference to proportions. 

When it comes to flared trouser and jeans styles, I like them very long. Long enough to almost sweep the ground as you stride, and no more than a quarter of an inch off the ground when measured from the back of a heeled shoe. By flared trousers I mean any style that is flared at the hem, be it bootcuts, bell bottoms or wide legs. The trousers and jeans in the photos below are the perfect length. Any shorter and they would be too short. 

When I work with clients who ask about the correct length for flared trousers, I reply that “it depends on who answers the question”. I preface my answer by saying that I prefer extra long lengths that cover most of the shoe, if not all of it when hems are extra flared. And that these styles of trousers look best with at least a two inch heel because it creates a flattering break line on the front of the trousers. Wear a lower heel and the break line tends to look sloppy, especially when the fabric is soft and drapey. The stiffness of denim creates a less sloppy break line which makes wearing flared leg jeans with 1.5 inch heels an option. 

But as with all things fashion and style related, my preference for extra long hems is merely one subjective opinion. Some find these pant lengths overly long because you can’t see enough of the shoe. They believe that proportions look better when hems are an inch or inch and a half off the ground. The break line is straight, which to some is more important than a longer hem length. The shorter length also makes wide hem pants easier to walk in and prevents them from becoming damaged as you stride. 

I’m non-negotiable about what looks most flattering to my eye, so I vote yay for floor sweepers. There is something elegant and luxurious about the extra long length that looks so, so good. If you wear the hems a quarter of an inch off the ground with the correct heel height, you will not damage the hems of the trousers because they won’t drag on the ground. My trouser hems are proof of that. Granted, you should not wear flared hems in wet or snowy weather unless you’re commuting by car and under cover from door to door because they’ll get soggy and dirty. 

Over to you. Are the floor sweeping lengths of these flared trousers and jeans too long? Or are the proportions elegant and flattering?

Sweaters are a Winter staple. Here’s a selection that won’t break the bank across a variety of colours, patterns and styles. 

• Hinge Pattern Sweater: The slight scoop neckline is excellent for a shorter neck, full bust or broad shoulder line. The high-low hemline adds structure to its sack-like shape. A little sparkle is fab for any time of year. Available in four neutral patterns. 
• Trouve Faux Leather Trim Reversible Trim Sweater: Wear the zipper either in the front or back. A gorgeous fashion forward piece that would be mine if it was not grey. It hangs like a shapeless sack so consider yourself warned. 
• Vince Camuto Zigzag Sweater: And here is the exact opposite silhouette. A tailored piece for those who like to showcase their shape. I was wowed when my petite hourglass client popped this on with jeans and boots. Simple and conventionally flattering. 
• Leith Metallic Front Pullover: Super on a full busted apple shaped body type with flowing bootcut trousers or straight legs. The tapered welt and slim scrunched sleeves provide just enough structure. 
• Halogen Zip Detail Long Sleeve High-Low Sweater: Fab for Team Tall. Leave the zippers on the welt a little un-zipped for extra structure and interest. 
• Kensie Dot Print Sweater: Elegantly casual. Wear a black tank top with a built-up shoulder under the sweater to camouflage bra straps that peek through the sheer yoke. 
• NYDJ Open Stitch Metallic Sweater: More casual elegance. The back V-neck is alluring and different. An excellent fluid fit with ample shoulder and sleeve structure. Available in two metals, and read the rave reviews. 
• Rubbish Marled Long Cardigan (Juniors): Mixed media interest that’s fab layered over a tee. A cozy option for working at home. 
• Leith Shawl Collar Cardigan: A little more fashionable, longer, and cocoon-shaped.
• Michael Kors Mixed Media Cardigan: The photo does not do this avant-garde piece justice. It’s brilliant layered over sheath dresses and straight sweater dresses, adding a little arty edge to the mix. 
• Halogen Ribbed Sleeve Ruffle Hem Moto Sweater: A fitted moto sweater with a ruffled back. Great with skirts and for petites. 
• Halogen Print Wool & Cashmere Sweater: An easy pull-on-and-go fluid sweater that works well over wool trousers for the office. Also fab layered over a pencil skirt. Soft and non-scratch. It’s a little short, so a good option for short waisted body types in regular sizes. 
• Topshop Texture Metallic Sweater: An ultra trendy subtle round-shouldered sweater in midnight metallic. Might be a little scratchy. 

I wear warm cozy pullovers daily in Fall, Winter and Spring across a variety of weights and silhouettes. And for that reason I’m always on the hunt for styles and colours that tickle my fancy. No matter how many I add to my wardrobe, I never seem to have enough.

Mum-on-the-go Sheree Morrison (35) lives in New York, and uses her blog It’s Not That Deep as an outlet for her passion for fashion. Her style is trendy, daring and fashionable. Rocker chic mixed with feminine elements, as proven by her love for bright pink, fun lipstick and refined footwear. 

“I feel as though my style has evolved as I have evolved as a person. My style is a total representation of who I am. Your individual style takes time and a lot of back and forth to achieve. Five years ago I would buy items, go home, try it on and say “what was I thinking”. I never do that anymore because I have really pinpointed what feels like me. I am pretty much urban and edgy but with a bit of femininity thrown in. I like a mix, a balance. If there is a feminine piece that I fall in love with I know immediately I want to dress it down or edge it up.”

Leave it to our blogger to think of layering a leather tank under a simple white tee. It helped her feel more like herself in this vintage floral jacket that has an almost abstract Jackson Pollock quality to it. Pairing feminine pieces with tougher looking items is signature Sheree, and it’s present in almost all of her outfits. Simple black and white is such a strong combination in itself, here the yellow floral pattern enhances that graphic strength even more. Tucking straight leg pants into trendy tall boots repeats the black and white layers on on top, where the longer tank keeps the proportions balanced. A black tote with chunky gold chain handles is the perfect finishing touch.

Sheree made this vintage dress with arty bright-coloured print her own by cutting off the sleeves to modernize it. For this particular look she also added a poofy skirt as an underlayer, giving the frock some fullness. To better fit her rocker chic style persona, she’s paired the Summer dress with a black leather jacket and fashion-forward open-toed ankle boots. Her favourite shade of hot pink lipstick adds a girly touch, a simple silver cuff some urban sleekness.

Sheree found this beautiful light blue textured coat in a consignment store. She really has an eye for spotting this type of one-of-a-kind piece. The at-the-knee length in combination with the flares give this outfit a slight ’70s feel, yet the coat itself is a timeless piece. The cropped top, a big trend for Spring/Summer 2014, and the on-trend big scarf bring it straight into “modern with a big dose of Sheree flair” territory. The high waistband on the roomy trousers, the long sleeves on the top, and the coat as a second layer together offset the subtle midriff exposure. The fuchsia scarf and yellow detail of the clutch add vibrancy and depth to the wonderful blue colour palette.

Casual plaid turned edgy by pairing it with an interesting mixed-media skirt and eye-catching ankle strap open-heeled flats. Sheree is cleverly using the semi-tuck to create an “echoed symmetry” effect. The plaid shirt is left open and layered over a thin white T-shirt. On the untucked side, these two items form a flap that echoes the sharp edge of the lower hanging part of the asymmetric skirt. Fashionably daring and very rock ‘n’ roll. The long drop earrings and bright pink blazer counteract the boyishness of the plaid. You’ll see it make another appearance below. Don’t you just love it that Sheree wears hot pink year round! The urban rocker vibe is continued with the addition of a black backpack that’s very practical for this Mum-on-the go. 

Simplicity at its best. This one is all about the silhouette and shapes, proving that an outfit consisting of only neutrals and few layers can still be interesting and impactful. The pants look like a hybrid of harem and track pants –the boutique owner thought they might actually be vintage ski pants. With a showpiece like this, you don’t need extra bells and whistles. Sheree kept it simple by tucking in a collarless white blouse with mesh detailing for some textural interest. She topped it off with a structured mixed-media coat that adds casual chic. Ladylike pointy-toed pumps echo the colour of the top. Simple silver jewellery and modern red clutch finish off the look.

Oh, how I covet these Emilio Pucci pumps! I love it that Sheree regularly wears low-heeled footwear, and these patterned pink babies are so deliciously modern mod. Our blogger is a master at playing up the juxtaposition between her rocker side and love for all things feminine. The torn jeans and RATE hair read grunge, while the tailored bright pink blazer, pink lippie and shoes bring in the girly. She is wearing the same top as above, but this time left it untucked to accentuate the high-low hemline. Together with the studded minaudière it adds another dose of rocker nonchalance, which is kept in check by the structured, happy-coloured blazer.  

Let us know in the comments what you think about Sheree’s fashionable rocker chic  style. Then hop on over to her blog to check out the rest of her outfits, or browse her pinboards for further inspiration.

From stylish stocking fillers and hostess gifts that won’t break the bank, gift ideas for fashion loving-friends and family members, to fashion-flavoured tech accessories and little treats for yourself, here’s our holiday 2013 gift suggestions roundup. 

Fashionable Reads

The Diary of a Nose: A Year in the Life of a Parfumeur, by Jean-Claude Ellena: Discover what inspires Jean-Claude Ellena, the exclusive perfumer of the House of Hermès, to create his evocative parfums in this collection of meditations on the world of scents.

Paris Street Style, by Isabelle Thomas: Deceptively easy and always polished, this style guide breaks down the je-ne-sais-quoi of Paris street style. With interviews and tips from designers, stylists, editors and street style fashionistas.

The Asylum: A Collage of Couture Reminiscences…and Hysteria, by Simon Doonan: In twenty-five autobiographical essays the creative ambassador for Barneys New York spills the beans about the kooky goings-on in the fashion world.

To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? by Lucy Siegle: The Observer’s ‘Ethical Living’ columnist examines the changes required from both the industry and the consumer, and makes the case for a new sustainable design era.

Luella’s Guide to English Style, by Luella Bartley: Former fashion designer’s musing on quintessential English style in all its many forms.

Mascara Saturday, by Carol Conn: A fast-paced, satirical novel in which Rachel Holter’s life is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with “Shopping Impairment Syndrome”.

Visual Treats

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel: Documentary chronicling the life and work of this influential fashion editor who discovered models Twiggy and Lauren Hutton.

In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye: For the 120th anniversary of Vogue in 2012, HBO created a documentary about the boundary-pushing fashion editors who, over the years, contributed to the magazine’s legacy. More on the subject in the accompanying book.

Mr. Selfridge: TV-drama series, based on historical events, telling the story of Harry Selfridge, who wants to launch a modern retail empire in early twentieth century London

Rear Window: The holidays are the perfect time to rewatch a classic Hitchcock thriller. Worth it just for Grace Kelly’s ubër stylish movie wardrobe alone!

Tech Accessories

Kate Spade iPhone Case in Hazy Check: A blurry argyle pattern in a somewhat unexpected colour palette. Modern and smile-inducing.

Lodis ‘Los Feliz Kylie’ Hard Shell Phone Case: Synthetic hard shell, snap-on phone case with black and white houndstooth pattern. Simple, yet impactful.

Kate Spade Literary Glasses Resin iPhone Case: From afar this looks like a tiny black and white abstract painting. Then you discover it’s actually reading glasses that are adorning this iPhone 5 case. Delightfully playful.

Due Soli Cell Phone Case: Phone case with wood panelling effect for the fans of quirky illustrations with an edge. Also available in black and white.

Elliott Lucca Smartphone Wristlet: Leather zip-around wallet with cute peacock feather illustration that holds your cash and cards, and provides easy access to your smartphone.

Kate Spade iPad Mini Sleeve in Color Splash: I love the strong, bright colours. They remind me of a hectic painter’s palette. Also available as a laptop sleeve and an iPhone case if you are in the mood for matchy-matchy.

No more freezing fingers while using your touchscreen devices with these cosy, 100% cashmere Nordstrom ‘Touch Tech’ Cashmere Gloves that come in an array of happy colours, or the elegant Ralph Lauren Tech Touch Button Gloves with fun button detailing at the wrist. 

Stylish Stocking Fillers

Pinch Provisions Skinny Minimergency Kit: Handy, compact kit in three fun colourways containing 21 must-haves for emergencies while out and about.

Well-Kept Screen Cleansing Towelettes: Pretty package with fifteen moistened screen wipes to keep your phone, tablet or computer screen spic and span.

Kate Spade Two-Pocket Business Card Holder: Strong graphic lines and fab colour blocked design on a leather card case that you’ll love to haul out every chance you get.

How is your holiday shopping coming along? Do tell if you’ve come across other fun stuff that will make the fashionistas in your life smile.