Dresslover wants to draw your attention to the Pantone Fashion Colour Report for Spring 2012. Click on the colour swatches for inspiration and ideas on wearing each color. Guess which colour is tops for Spring. 

Petite Lisa is really enjoying the style of Cori from la vie petite, an almost 4ft 11 lass who is a Mum of three. I love how she works those ballet flats. 

Carole enjoyed these tips on how to wear colour prints. 

MaryK, who bats for Team Maximal, likes the way Sal tied two scarves in this outfit. 

Maria’s insider information on Colour Trend Forecasting caught the eye of Laurinda, who also likes the way Maria spells “Colour”. Obviously, I do too! 

Celia finds this outfit from Street Style Aesthetic super sweet because of the lovely colour and unexpected mix of sandals. 

Nicoleb recommends watching this video by Chriselle Lim because of the beautiful wardrobe pieces that she wears in the shots.  

Inge learned about a blog called Sentimental Value through an interview with Emily Spivack. The blog searches eBay for clothing and accessories with an interesting story. 

RoseandJoan, who is a very visually orientated person, was surprised how much she enjoyed Natalie Joos’s writing style at Tales of Endearment.

Goldenpig found Redbook’s article on wardrobe remixing very helpful when thinking about how to revamp a new wardrobe on a budget.

Joy learned how fashion buyers are inspired by runway looks, only to revamp them to create an “exclusive” item for their retailer and target market. This really takes me back to my buying days. 

Anna had heard of luxury brands doing the majority of construction in China and doing finishing work in Europe, then stamping the items “Made in Europe”. But she didn’t know about Prada “Made in India”. 

Charmian, who is in the beginning stages of her style journey, was reminded that she doesn’t have to own beautiful pieces to be inspired by them.

Tall Kyle recommends Tall Swag, a blog for tall girls. 

Puffenstuff loves Chasing Cait’s post on gradually introducing colour blocking into your wardrobe.

Refugee believes that this coffee stained designer T-shirt created for Starbucks is a giant failure.

The faux fur vest is one of my favourite transitional pieces this season because it changes up the vibe of existing wardrobe items. So much of my old stuff suddenly feels new when I add my faux fur vest to my ensemble. It has proven to be versatile and warm enough to wear right now, before we move onto heavier jackets, trenches and wool coat ensembles for winter. 

Here are five easy ways to incorporate a faux fur vest into an outfit: 

1. Over a tee or knitted top: Wear jeans, casual trousers, or a casual skirt on the bottom, add in appropriate footwear, and you’re done. It’s that simple. Remember how well client and friend Phoebe wore this look a few months ago (picture #1).
2. Over a blouse or shirt: This is how to dress up the look, and the way I wear my faux vest the most frequently. Simple soft silky blouses, both solid and patterned are no brainers, like the combination I wore on my last day of Fashion Week. I prefer solid button down shirts or denim shirts under faux vests, but there are no rules. Here, either keep the look smart casual with jeans, or substitute dressier skirts and trousers (picture #2).
3. Over a sweater: A slim-fitting turtle neck, crew, or scoop neck pullover is an easy and warmer under layer option. For the bottom, think casual jeans and skirts, or dressier trousers and skirts (picture #3). 
4. Over a dress: This is my favourite way to my sport a faux fur vest, which you saw at Fashion Week. I like to wear it over slim fitting dresses more than fit-and-flare frock styles because the modern yet retro integrity is more my style. But I love faux fur vests over flared ’70s inspired dresses and hope that you give the look a bash (picture #4). 
5. Over a jacket: It sounds weird but the combination works well with a cropped fur vest and denim jacket, and layering the vest over the jacket. A cropped fur vest also looks quite sweet over on longer blazer, but you’ve got to bat for Team Maximal for that one.

Some of my clients like to belt longer fur vests, which effectively streamlines the silhouette. Instead, I chose to keep mine cropped and tailored so that it won’t overwhelm my frame or outfit.

I am impressed with this no-nonsense, low heeled, comfortable pump. It has a stable 2 inch heel (although the description states 2.5). Its cushioning footbed is fabulous, and the snip-toe is quite elegant. And for $75, the leather is not bad at all. It’s the kind of classic shoe that transforms along with your outfit. I can see it worn in a fashion forward way with slouchy trousers and faux fur vest, with jeans and just about any dress or skirt, or with a dressy slacks suit for a more conservative work setting.

It runs true to size and is available from sizes 4 to 13 in nine different leather finishes. From red and animal print, to black patent and brown croc, make sure you check out all the different options. It scored a 4 star rating on Zappos.com after 116 reviews, which means I’m not the only one who recommends this shoe.

Midi length dresses and skirts, both flared and form fitting, are trending now and for the next couple of seasons. It’s important to get the footwear right in order to wear them with panache and avoid looking and feeling dowdy. Petites, don’t despair because you can wear midis. Refer back to my shopping trip with gorgeous Laura, where we successfully fitted midis on her petite self by looking for the right shape and length. 

Pictures speak louder than words so below are visuals of midi dresses and skirts to accompany each footwear option.

1. Heeled Platform Loafers: The lower the colour contrast between your legs or hosiery and the loafers, the longer the leg line. This is a trendy pairing.
2. Knee-High Boots: The model is wearing low heeled boots with this frock and it’s worth watching the video to see the dress and boots in action. Tall high heeled, wedged, and platform boots will also work. By all means wear flat riding boots with a midi that defines your waist if you already have a relatively long leg line.
3. T-Strap Mary Jane Pumps: Super retro and of course, the socks are optional. They don’t need to be four inches high (2.5 to 3 inch heels are just as fab).

4. Flat Hiking Boots: This more grungy take on the midi ensemble is hard to pull off, but fun with a little youth or spunk on your side. Tucking into a waisted midi will lengthen your silhouette. You might find the proportions more flattering with a form fitting midi and/or with “haute hiking boots” that have a substantial high heel.
5. Heeled Sandals: The photo shows platform sandals, but most heeled sandals, cage heeled sandals, or heeled sandal wedges will work. Heeled peep-toe sandal booties are a more fashion forward choice.
6. Pumps: This is the easiest footwear option to pair with midis. Pumps can be low heeled (kitten), high heeled, stiletto, stacked, wedged or platform. I wore three inch stacked heel pumps with my form fitting midi dress and flared midi skirt.

7. Ankle boots or booties: These work particularly well in low heeled styles when the colour is low contrast against your skin or hosiery. The snug fit around the ankle creates a more streamlined effect. Form fitting booties, like I recently wore with my harem pants, are another great choice.
8. Platform Booties and Monster Wedges: Note how streamlined the booties fit around the ankle, which I think is key. Also, the bookended black bootie and outfit work particularly well.
9. Calf Length Boots: I’d be weary of this combination unless you have a naturally long leg line. Here, it’s important to define the natural waist, thereby lengthening your legs and minimizing that “stumpy” feeling.

Most of the photos show high heeled footwear, but that’s not your only option. I cannot walk in three inch heels all day so I wear low heeled pumps, booties, ankle boots, and knee-high boots with my midis. I also fully intend to wear casual flat riding boots with midis, but haven’t done so yet. Ballet flats will also work if you keep the midi on the shorter side with a very defined waist. Again, look at how our petite and curvy Captain Dress sports the look.

Feel free to ask further questions in the comments section and I’ll answer them as best I can.