This week’s roundup is about socks and hosiery, which deserve as much attention as more expensive and more visible wardrobe items. Most of these specific items have been available for years, so you can replenish your favourites each season. 

Hosiery

• Oroblue Tricot Fishnet Tights: These are still my favourite micro-fishnets on the planet because the net is refined. I love the way the netted effect creates a subtle texture on the leg. 
• Commando Ultimate Opaque Control Top Tights: As with all Commando hosiery, the dig-free waistband is extra comfortable. Read the rave reviews. Pricey, but worth it if you love to wear black opaques. Here’s the same style without the control top. 
• Nordstrom Scroll Floral Tights: The black is fun but the cream is even better. Lots of coverage and non-scratchy. Banish the thought that white tights are frumpy. 
• Nordstrom Studded Tights: A very subtle stud that does not look gaudy or feel weird against the skin. 
• Pretty Polly Glitzy Embellished Tights: A little less subtle, and ever so slightly ‘80s. Fun with a flared black skirt.
• Nordstrom Perfect Plaid Tights: These have been my favourite patterned black tights for a while. I love the three tones of check and their diagonal positioning, which to my eye is more flattering than lines on tights that run vertically or horizontally. 
• Donna Karan Evolution Satin Jersey Tights: Extra smooth and comfy, like wearing satin instead of nylon/spandex. 
• Nordstrom Sheer Control Top Pantyhose: These are by far my favourite sheer black and nude hose because they aren’t that fragile. They create a slight shine on the leg line that looks soft, chic and pretty.

Socks

• Nordstrom Sheer Dotted Trouser Socks: These are my favourite trouser socks because the Swiss dot is dainty, and they seem to last a long time. I wear the black and nude with trousers and pumps or shooties, but not with boots. I prefer to wear thicker socks with boots. 
• Nordstrom Diamond Compression Trouser Socks: These are amazing because they don’t fall down. A very snug fit that might feel too snug if you prefer a relaxed sock. I wear these with boots and booties because they’re sufficiently thick. I do not wear them with pumps and trousers because the visual effect is not as pretty when you sit down. I prefer the look of sheer hosiery when exposing a little trouser sock with bootcut trousers as you stride and cross your legs. Available in four colours. 
• Nordstrom Knee High Socks: I wear these all Winter long because they are super soft, not too thick, warm, and for the most part stay up during the day. 
• Nordstrom Solid Crew Socks: These are the shorter version of the knee-high length. 
• Smart Wool Cable Socks: Many clients rave about these socks, and so do the reviewers. They are thick, very warm, and last. Alas, they slide off my feet. And you want to scream when socks bunch in your shoes it’s that annoying. I also found the cabled texture uncomfortable. Clearly, I am in the minority. 
• Kate Spade New York Large Bow Knee Socks: I don’t wear patterned socks, but these have changed my mind. Cotton-rich and graphic. 

I’ve tried Hue socks, but they don’t stay on my feet. The roll tops fall down my ankles and stretch out even further after multiple washing cycles. That said, some of my clients swear by them so by all means take a peek.

Winter is here and for many of us that means cold grey days with rain, ice, and very little sunshine. Black and grey from head to toe makes my mood even drearier, so I create my own sunshine by adding four ingredients to my Winter wardrobe. I can wear these items all the way into our cold and dreary Spring. 

1. Bright Coats and Accessories

Wearing bright wool coats makes me happy. There’s something about seeing them against a sea of black clothing and a grey landscape that makes them extra punchy and positive. Wear them with a neutral outfit if wearing one bright at a time is more your thing

If you prefer neutral outerwear, add bright accessories like scarves, hats, gloves and bags into the Winter mix. It’s a more subtle approach and less of a commitment than the bright coat strategy. 

Also, brights don’t need to mean acidic citron, shocking pink, apple green, turquoise, or tomato red. Choose your brights, which might mean a rich cranberry or ruby red, deep purple, earthy mustard, burnt orange, teal or cobalt blue. 

2. Shades of White 

Never underestimate the power of white wardrobe items throughout the year, and I’m talking about all shades of white. From bright optical white, to off-white, bone, cream and stone. White adds brightness, crispness, lightness, and a sense of modern chic to a wardrobe. Wear white jeans, wool trousers, chunky knitwear, leather jackets, puffers and wool coats in Winter. Sport a Winter white bag, scarf, hat, gloves or footwear. Adding shades of white to a Winter wardrobe is a great way of keeping it neutral, yet bright. 

If shades of white are too light for you, remix light neutrals like taupe and tan into your Winter wardrobe. They lighten and liven an outfit in a more subtle way. 

3. Pastels

Wear pastels in Winter. Wear them in Winter weight fabrications with brights, shades of white, and other neutrals. This is a relatively new Winter wardrobe injection for my own style, and I’m not looking back. I added blush pink last year, and light blue and mint this year instead of saving those shades for Spring and Summer. 

4. Ink Blue

Ink blue and navy (lighter than ink blue) is softer than black. It can be worn as a replacement for black, or with black. Ink blue looks particularly good with white and grey. It’s also fab matched with cognac footwear, bags and belts. One of my favorite casual Autumn and Winter combinations this year has been an ink blue and grey chunky high-low turtleneck worn with white boyfriend jeans, ink blue booties, and topped off with an ink blue blazer and military coat. A pastel turquoise clutch is the final touch. 

Working with clients in Winter, I realized that not everyone feels the way I do about livening up their cold weather wardrobes by adding brights, whites, pastels, and ink blue into the mix. Some clients want to wear grey and black all Winter long. They might add the odd dark eggplant, olive, or teal but that’s it. They wouldn’t dream of wearing a bright coat, a pastel bag, or white jeans until Summer time, if at all. 

Over to you. Do any of the ways I like to liven up my Winter wardrobe resonate with you? Or are you a dark neutrals gal through and through?

Banana Republic has a good assortment of simple, modern clutches this season. They are well made, and colour and texture rich. These five styles are winners with my clients, both with party and casual wear.

Be sure to browse all the colour options.

• Penny Lucite Clutch: Strikingly graphic and retro. The vertical stripe is unique and punchy. It almost earned a place in my wardrobe but Kate Spade’s radio clutch won out. 
• Flavia Foldover Clutch: A Clare Vivier copy in a super assortment of colours. 
• Python Embossed Oversized Clutch (above): The ink blue is particularly rich. 
• Cynthia Tablet Clutch: Distressed and textured sci-fi fabness. Sparkles like sequins. 
• Theresa Envelope Clutch: Colour blocked and a little roomier than the rest. Also available in cobalt and neutrals. 

Clutches are still the fashionable choice for night or day. Simple satchels, chain handle handbags, refined backpacks, and oversized totes come in a close second.

Last week I had a free skin consultation at the medical spa attached to my dermatologist’s office. The aesthetician knew about my tendency for extra dry facial skin and knew about the skincare products I was using (these were suggested by my dermatologist). It was an excellent experience and I wish I had done it much earlier. 

The aesthetician recommended two new products to add to my simple skin regimen of cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. One was an addition and the other a replacement for the vitamin C serum I’ve been using for a couple of years. But the aesthetician’s best tip was to NOT cleanse my face in the morning. Splashing it with water and applying the right products thereafter retains its natural oils and results in a more dewy complexion. Cleansing my face to remove dirt and makeup in the evening was more than enough for my skin type. 

The thought of not cleansing my face in the morning sounded awfully grimy to me. But I did what was recommended, and I’m amazed at the positive results. My facial skin looks and feels much more hydrated, soft and moist. And since I love the look of shiny skin, I welcome the extra shine that has accompanied the new one-cleanse-a-day routine. 

You too might like to leave out the morning cleanse if your facial skin tends to feel dry. It’s an especially good idea in Winter when the heat is on 24/7 for months at a time, drying out your skin even further.