I’m a fan of Kamalikulture dresses. I’ve worn the one I bought many times this year because it’s a great length, a good fit, has sleeves, and is an easy pull-on-and-go. Although I do wear it with a topper, I like the frock best worn on its own with a pair of low heels. Sometimes I throw in a pair of slipper flats instead of the heels. 

Here are two more styles that tickled my fancy: 

• Kamalikulture Crew Neck Flared Dress with Belt: If this dress were four inches longer, it would be mine because I loved the fit-and-flare style so much. But I don’t want to add in another flared skirt that is above my kneecap at the moment, so I let this one go. But with a swapped out belt and a pair of knee-high boots, it’s a pretty flop proof combination for work or play. I liked the way the flare did not pouf out at the hips, and was NOT gathered at the waist. The flare lies flat and is flattering. 
• Kamalikulture Turtleneck Dress: This style is for Team Turtleneck. You’ve got to grab those sleeved and neck covering dresses with extra length when you see them because they are in very short supply. So I ended up with this style because it was perfect the moment I tried it on. Formfitting, but not clingy. Covered and graphic. Fab with pointy toe ankle strap pumps in the Summer, and with knee-high boots for Fall. Available in blue, dark grey, and lace. 

These dresses are machine washable and do not require ironing, which makes them ideal for travel. I pop mine straight into the delicates cycle at home and hang dry. Voilà. This is what I call a no-fuss, polished, business casual dress. It’s great to have options other than the modern classic sleeveless sheath.

Black footwear is always in style, but it’s particularly on trend and fashionable for Fall and Winter 2013. Black booties, shooties, tall boots, mid-calf boots, pumps, sneakers, flat forms, oxfords, peep-toes and slipper flats are being worn with all sorts of outfit combinations.  

Black footwear was by far the most popular choice at the Fall 2013 runway shows and I pinned some directional combinations. 

• Jil Sander: Rich dark hues with midi length skirt, coat and baroque heeled loafers. 
• Akris: Severe black pumps with cropped pants and cocoon coat. 
• Costume National: Round shouldered peplum with cigarette pants and heeled black booties. 
• Celine: Feminine architectural flow with black mid-calf boots.
• Chalayan: Masculine slouch with simple suede booties. 
• Salvatore Ferragamo: Crisp tailoring with sleek cut-out knee-high boots.
• Michael Kors: A combination of severe and pretty with black Mary Jane pointy toe pumps. 
• Milly: Cream and textured black with sleek black heeled booties. 
• Clements Ribeiro: The multi-strap flat pointy toe bootie with knee covering bottoms. 
• Paul Smith: Baggy cobalt trousers with earthy oranges and black booties.
• Paul & Joe: Over-the-knee boots with short flared hemlines. 
• Joseph: Bright skirts worn over fluid pants with mid-calf boots. 

On trend black booties and tall boots are for the most part refined and without a platform. Styles with almond toes and pointy toes look particularly fresh.

Black peds have many advantages:

1. They naturally bookend dark hair, black tops and toppers, or black belts, scarves and bags.
2. They elongate the leg line when wearing dark trousers or jeans.
3. They are practical, hiding dirt and moisture, and can be spruced up with black shoe polish or a sharpie pen. 
4. They are a versatile modern classic.

For all these reasons most of my clients have black footwear in their wardrobes. And those who prefer navy, chocolate or dark grey to black for clothing items, still wear black footwear because it works just as well to bookend those neutrals. 

I prefer light coloured footwear because it complements my pale complexion and bookends my blonde hair. That’s why I wear white, cream, taupe, silver, gold and patterned footwear more regularly than black footwear. That said, I do wear black footwear, and have a few pairs of extremely comfortable tall black boots. I have resisted black booties for many seasons, favouring cream and animal print. But this is going to be the year I add black booties with a one and a half inch heel to my wardrobe. All of a sudden, I’m in the mood for the look. They have to be patent because that makes them a little prettier and more textured than flat black leather, and of course it’s the dressier option too. 

Do you wear black footwear, and do you wear it year round? If so, why does black footwear tickle your fancy? Or are your against black footwear because it’s too harsh and to some degree the expected choice.

You are on Team Pretty if you prefer outfits and wardrobe items that are feminine, ladylike, a little romantic, fluid, refined and soft. You might also quite like pastels and a bit of lace, but this is NOT a perequisite for batting for this team. Neither is liking pink, pouffy sleeves, and stiletto heels. For lack of a better way to describe it, you bat for Team Pretty if the “tough chic” trend and tomboy clothing is not really your thing. 

You are Team Tough if you prefer outfits and wardrobe items that have a hard edge. Torn denim, distressed leather, chunky footwear, hardware, dark colours, rigid fabrications and nothing too stereotypically feminine, precious or twee. You’re a little or a lot of rock ‘n roll. 

Ideally, you might like a mixture of the two types of styles in one outfit, thereby juxtaposing pretty with tough. Like toughening up a pretty frock with hard edged boots. Or matching tight black leather pants with pretty pumps and a soft pastel cashmere pullover. But you have to pick a side for this poll by choosing which style persona is more dominant than the other, even if it’s by just a hair. 

I like aspects of both. I love my moto jackets with some hardware, rigid blazers and button down shirts, tomboy style, 20-eyelet Doc Martens, graphic patterns, and wearing harsh black tops. I even have a masculine hairstyle, and I seldom wear jewelry. On the other hand, I also love pretty things. I adore pink, pastel blue, blush, lace, soft silks and wools, full skirts that move as I stride, florals, pointy toe pumps and cashmere. But I’m absolutely batting for Team Pretty. Apart from faded denim I am over distressed leather, items that look intentionally rough and rugged, lots over hardware, and lots of black. I seek a ladylike refinement and softness in my outfits even when I’m wearing a moto jacket and Docs. Despite my boyish ‘do, I’m not seeking a hard edged style.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Pretty or Team Tough? Again, there is no right or wrong answer here. You are merely stating an aesthetic preference. Remember that in this game you cannot bat for both teams. 

Here are five ways to inject a little newness into your pencil skirt look for work or play. All top options are untucked. Be sure to look through all colour options. 

• Ann Taylor Wrap Top: Many fashion tops are either overly clingy when you’re after waist definition, or too unstructured. It’s tops like this style of wrap that nip in at the waist without clinging to the midsection. A polished and professional non-jacket option. 
• Ann Taylor Moonlight Lace Top: Structured, pretty, romantic and a little retro. 
• Zara Silk and Cotton Sweater: Sometimes a simple welted pullover with a bit of sheen is all you need to wear with a pencil skirt. This type of top provides a great backdrop for bold necklaces, and is fab layered under most styles of jacket. I love the fluid fit, which looks especially fab under a bomber jacket. I found the blue to be more purple than navy — not a true ink blue. 
• Diane von Furstenberg Becky Print Top: Wear it over a black pencil skirt to create a two-piece dress. Works as well with jeans and trousers, forming an effective mix and match capsule. Runs small on the shoulder and sleeves. 
• Gibson Embellished Mixed Media Sweatshirt: Hands down the most cozy and comfortable option. Includes built-in bling. 

As much as I like to tuck a shirt or blouse into a pencil skirt, it’s these untucked tops that have truly rekindled my interest in pencil skirts.