Clutch handbags continue to be extremely on trend, both for at night AND during the day. Remember that clutch handbags needn’t be impractical if you choose one with a shoulder strap, wristlet or top handle. Here’s a rundown of nine clutch handbags that pack a punch across a variety of price points. Be sure to look at all the colour options.  

• Pour la Victoire Nouveau Clutch: The strap folds away so you have the option of wearing it like a proper clutch handbag. Great colours, all of which work year round. That’s right! Pastel blue is trending for Fall 2013.
• Studded Envelope Clutch: This is a large clutch so consider yourself warned. It has both a wristlet and a shoulder strap so the best of three worlds.  
• Kate Spade New York Radio Samira Clutch: Quirky, arty and fun. Very structured and beautifully made. 
• Sondra Roberts Resin Clutch: Resin clutches have a retro flavour. Match them with sci-fi footwear for a fab juxtaposition. This one comes both in solids and a pattern. 
• Urban Expressions Perforated Clutch: Add a little sporty spice to your style with this little darling. 
• Alexander Wang Dumbo Leather Clutch: I’ve had my eye on this one for six months because the bottom handle appeals to me, as does the simplicity and colour. I’m deciding whether I want to add a citron or light blue clutch to my wardrobe at this point. 
• Danielle Nicole Parker Clutch: Classically sporty and colourful. Also available in black and white. 
• Diane von Furstenberg Lips Mini Metallic Leather Clutch: How about a kissing clutch just for fun. 
• Valentino Lacca Bow Clutch: I couldn’t resist ending off the list with an ultra expensive signature Valentino that is a timeless work of art. Check out the style in all its colours, but I vote neutral or red. 

I am a complete clutch convert because they provide a modern, minimal simplicity. I wear my satchels just as often though, because sometimes I need a little more room.

I’ve written many, many posts about how to fit tops over the years. Here’s a summary that pulls them all into one place for easy access. Undergarments are especially important when trying to achieve a flattering fit for tops, so that’s where we’ll start. 

That Which Lies Beneath

It is EXTREMELY important to be professionally fitted for a bra, especially if you’re full in the bust. Most women are in the incorrect bra size, going too large in the band and too small in the cup. The correct bra fit lifts the bust line, creates a waistline and curves in all the right places, smoothes out your silhouette, and offers comfortable support. As a result, tops will look and fit better straight off the bat. Re-address bra fit when you loose or gain weight. And if you’re worried about showcasing your bra, here’s a discussion about acceptable bra exposure. 

As the next layer, although not essential, the camisole can have an extremely important function. I wear a camisole daily and have been replenishing the same $12 camisole for eight years. It’s still my camisole of the moment and I see no reason to change at this point. I find the extra layer insulating, comforting, covering, and the best way to prevent garment grinning.

Smoothing Out Your Silhouette

If a camisole doesn’t do the smoothing trick, shapewear can be effective. That said, it can also be uncomfortable so I always suggest using the fit of the top itself to camouflage lumpage and bumpage before resorting to undergarments that feel like straightjackets. Here are 10 ways to conceal muffin top. Believe it or not, but belts can also smooth out your silhouette. And styling techniques like the semi-tuck, new semi-tuck and faux tuck work wonders at camouflaging those extra bits around the midriff. 

Proportions

Here’s how to best dress a full bust, and how to wear high necklines with a full bust. Remember that it’s important to do the sit-down-fit-test with all tops that button up in front. Here’s how to dress a short waist and a long waist. Shorter tops tend to look best with full skirts, and here’s a guide on how to wear a flattering length of top over pants and jeans. Fitted cap sleeves are tricky to fit, so when in doubt, opt for a longer sleeve or go sleeveless. 

Skinny On Top

Remember that there are three clothing fit categories these days: body con, tailored and oversized. Once you get the hang of which fit category suits the top, your assessment of fit will be more accurate. 

Wearing a voluminous top over a voluminous bottom is no longer a faux pas, which is why the big tee has gained popularity. Banded tops are a great solution for bashful bellies, and dolman sleeves can be fab. Peter pan collars aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, while turtlenecks stir up a myriad of emotions. Tops with overlapping diagonal lines are generally flattering, and so are tops with round hems. The asymmetrical hemline on a high-low top provides magical “unstructured structure”, and here’s how to keep those scrunched sleeves scrunched. 

And if you’re still not a blouse gal, these five reasons might facilitate the conversion. 

If there are further fit challenges on tops, feel free to post them in the comments section and let’s get you sorted. 

It’s part of my job to watch the runway collections at New York, London, Paris and Milan fashion weeks. Once for Spring and once for Fall, in February and September respectively. There are hundreds of shows and I can watch them all online from the comfort of our home, pinning inspirational looks along the way. I’ve been watching designer fashion shows for many years, but browsing them online is a more recent thing. I used to rely heavily on magazines for show coverage before the internet made it so easy. 

For me the runway collections have become a twice yearly snippet of a fashion movie that never ends. Or perhaps more of a living encyclopedia of fashion that I can consult for inspiration again and again. My thinking about a particular fashion season, and the way I interpret the current trends, starts with my analysis of these shows. The way I evolve my own style, add and subtract from my wardrobe, advise and style my clients, predict trends, and assess whether a look is dated or fashion forward, starts with what I see at these shows. 

Runway shows are full of expensive and over the top clothing displayed on one very rare body type, but I don’t view them as unattainable style. Quite the opposite. The way the designers showcase new silhouettes, pull together colour combinations, combine items to create all sorts of new proportions that look fresh, is information that inspires me to dress all ages and body types. It’s not that I want to recreate the outfit from head to toe. Not at all. It’s that I want to recreate a similar mood with proportions, colours and item pairings, my way and for my clients their way. When you break down the items of a runway outfit and swap out some of the pieces for more mainstream ones, it often becomes completely wearable.

Do you ever watch designer shows to gather inspiration? If so, how have the shows influenced your style? Or do you find the runway collections unrelatable, unattainable, uninspiring and overwhelming?

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post on footwear trends, sassy sneakers and especially hi-tops, are trending. They are very much mainstream and are now available at all price points as the assortment keeps on growing. I find that many women are reluctant to incorporate fashionable sneakers into their style because they think they are too casual or too juvenile. So I’m readressing sassy sneaker style on the off chance that this changes your mind. 

Here are four reasons to give them a chance:

1. You can think of them as a sportier version of booties and flat oxfords. 
2. They are available in flat, low and high heeled versions, so you can choose the height that works for you. 
3. You can select a more refined style if the chunky Isabel Marant and Ash versions are “too much sneaker”. 
4. They can change the landscape of your wardrobe, making your everyday looks feel fresh, more hip and youthful. 
5. They make a great commuting and traveling shoe, and are perfect for the Mum on the go. 

First, let me get the age appropriate question out of the way. I have clients of all ages in fashionable sneakers — ranging from 26 to 75. My younger clients wear them with short flared skirts or dresses, super skinny jeans, and short shorts, while the others are all about adding a sophisticated edge and a level of refinement to their sneaker style. 

Second, there’s no need to feel sloppy and overly casual in a pair of sassy sneakers. I believe that you can look chic and polished wearing sassy sneakers if the rest of the outfit is just so.

Here are the elements that can add sophistication to your sneaker ensemble. Note that you do not need to incorporate all them at once, although it can be done. 

• Tailored Pieces: Wear a jacket, blazer, coat or topper with some or a lot of structure. Button down shirts and blouses also provide the right amount of structure. 
• Luxurious Fabrications: Wear sassy sneakers with fabrics like leather, silk, faux fur, crisp cotton, cashmere, daytime sparkle and woven wool. Wear some of these fabrications as bottoms. 
• Straight Legs instead of Super Skinnies: A roomier fit than a body con jegging can help kick things up a sophisticated notch. 
• Structured Bag: Or at least a semi structured style to help dress up the look. Anything from a satchel and bucket bag to a crossbody, shoulder bag or clutch will work. 

The outfits below provide a great starting point on how to add a sophisticated edge to sassy sneakers. Better yet, my Sneaker Style” pinboard showcases street style outfits incorporating these elements on everyday people, which is even more inspiring. 

I mentioned that I would be adding hi-tops to my wardrobe in my last post on sassy sneakers. I’ve chosen the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi-Ness in white because it’s refined, crisp, iconic, and the wedge is low. I’m excited about the look. 

Have I convinced anybody to give these fashionable sneakers a go? Or is it still a no go.