Don’t be. This season marks the beginning of watershed changes in fashion, and the only way to see if they will work for you is to try them on. By all means be mindful of what’s best for your body type and lifestyle; but don’t be inhibited by preconceived ideas about what will look good and what won’t. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you see once you’ve plucked up the courage.

For example, if you think that…

• you can’t wear red – you can if you find the correct shade
• you aren’t slim enough to wear skinnies – you are if you match them up with a shapely A-line tunic top
• you can’t wear a belt on your natural waist – you can if you find the right width of belt for your size
• you can’t wear gold – you can if you mix and match it correctly
• you are too pale to wear cream or white – you’re not if you create a contrast with another item of clothing or with your makeup
• voluminous sleeves are too fussy – they’re not if you select three-quarter sleeve lengths
• you are too short to wear longer lengths on top – you’re not if you keep the longer lengths just above your crotch point

If the new look is still too daunting for you, take a fashion savvy friend along for moral support. Be bold and experiment with something that’s different to what you would normally pick out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Whether it’s elegant or edgy, knitted or woven, plain or printed – no wardrobe is complete without a few pretty girlie tops. If you’re not one for frills and flounces then simpler kimono cuts and tuxedo styles can be just as alluring. Their increasing popularity is due to their tremendous versatility. Girly tops are perfect paired with jeans for smart casual dressing; and slacks or a skirt for business casual attire. Add the drama with ultra-dressy separates and the right accessories, and your outfit is appropriate for any semi-formal occasion. Contrary to what you might think, girly tops are easy items to put together in outfits. Here’s how:

• Add the extra layer – pop a camisole or tank top underneath if it’s sheer; pop a cropped jacket over for a dressier look.
• Add the bottom – jeans (skinny, bootcut or flared), walk shorts, skirts and slacks can all be worn with girly tops. Choose jeans when you want to dress your top down, and slacks or a skirt for a more formal look.
• Add the accessory – keep your jewelry pieces to a minimum when you wear girly tops with lots of detail (like neckties, bows, multiple ruffles and bold prints). Dainty earrings and/or one longer length necklace is best. Cinching in your natural waist with a wide or skinny belt is another good option.

You won’t look back once you’ve got the hang of putting together outfits with girly tops. They’ve become a staple in my wardrobe because they make me feel feminine, well groomed and put together.

Girly tops come in all sorts of silhouettes, colours and fabrications. Anthropologie, Bebe and Nordstrom have a wonderful selection this season.

Vintage and peasant silhouettes from Anthropologie.

Frilly and flouncy options with woven prints from Bebe and Nordstrom add drama.

Simpler knitted options from Nordstrom.

Ballet flats are the new look of comfort and style. Round, pointy and square toed alike – they’re all fabulous and extremely feminine. They are here in full force for autumn and perfect for right now, just before we’re in boots fighting off the cold and rain for months on end. Wear them all season if temperatures remain mild where you live – you can’t go wrong.

Ballet flats (or “skimmers” as they’ve been referred to this season) are very versatile. They’ll work both in casual and smarter dress codes. Wear them with:

• Either bootcut or skinny jeans and pants
• Walk shorts 
• Leggings and a tunic length top
• A pencil skirt if you are at least regular height (5′4″ and above)

Give your precious feet a rest from heels and treat yourself to ballet flats. Patent, red, black, metallic and leopard would be my top choices this season. This fashionable and practical shoe option is just what the doctor ordered for those of us who need to zoot around at high speeds all day. Mums and urbanites – enjoy this fantastic trend!

An abundant assortment of ballet flats or skimmers are available at Zappos.com.

The answer is “no”. Women well into their 60’s and 70’s can wear jeans with style. It’s a question of…

1. Finding a pair with the right cut and wash. Older women need to opt for dark blue washes that are higher in the rise and boot cut at the hem.
2. Matching them with the right tops and shoes. The key is to keep the matched up items a tad smarter then the norm (even for casual purposes).  The older we get, the smarter we need to become in our everyday dressing. Casual collared shirts, styled knit tops with jackets and dressy flats are more age-appropriate than cru-neck t-shirts with sneakers.

60+ women who wear jeans with style not only look effortlessly young for their age, but feel young at heart!

Autumn’s end-of-season sales are upon us before we’ve wrapped our heads and our bodies around the season’s new looks. Stores will soon be receiving their winter and holiday collections.

Banana Republic for Men continues to be a shopping destination for gents. They are currently on their 40% mid season sale and gents should have a look at their jeans, knitwear and shirting. Ladies who shop for your loved ones at Banana Republic for Men should stock up at this sale.

Their ranges for women, however, have proved disappointing over the last few seasons. Inconsistent sizing, dowdy styles and expensive prices have prevented me from spending my retail dollars there for a while. At the sale Ladies might have a spot of luck with the odd trench coat, smart pants and basic knit at reduced prices.

The good news is that the clothing on offer for the next part of the season (which is not on sale yet) looks like a vast improvement in style and price and this is what I am most excited to share. Banana Republic for Women might be on its’ way back.

Banana Republic for Women sales items that are worth considering: A striped wool cardigan, military inspired cropped trench, grey micro spot wrap dress with voluminous sleeve detail and cropped herringbone walk shorts are super choices not only for the  modern classics among us, but also for the trendy fashionistas who will mix it up with funk and flair.

Most of us don’t need to wear suits to work nowadays, but there are situations where one is appropriate (interviews, board meetings and court appearances, for example). Most stylists recommend that you have a black suit waiting in your wardrobe for such an occasion, but this is not what I advocate. Buy a suit if and when you need it. It’s a rather large expense and you’ll want one that’s current and best for you at that point in time.

When you realize that you need a suit (and only one suit) – buy a black one with a lined jacket that’s matched with either pants or a skirt. Make sure that it’s in a lightweight triacetate or another non-crease fabric so that it travels and cleans well. Wools and wool blends tend to be seasonal.

The black suit is the most versatile, sophisticated, timeless and ageless choice. It can be dressed up or down, made funky or classic, and will see you through all sorts of weather depending on how you layer. Choose a suit with a subtle pinstripe for a younger look.

Here are a few ways you might like to wear your suit:

• On it’s own if the jacket is “high buttoning”
• With a collared shirt that can either be tucked and matched with a skinny animal belt, or left un-tucked so that it peaks out from under your jacket
• With a silky camisole that’s left un-tucked
• With a dressy knit or girly top
• Buttoned and belted at the natural waist
• Layered with a wool coat or trench for chilly days

When it comes to accessorizing – pearls, a big black tote and black heels become the most obvious choice. But there are more playful options as well. Matching your black suit up with red patent shoes, a leopard printed bag and bright yellow camisole is a funkier ensemble. All it takes is the right suit and a bit of imagination.

Department stores like Nordstrom and chain stores like Ann Taylor are super places to shop for suiting.

I’ve come across many people who do not actually wear the wonderful clothes and accessories that they have in their closet. For many reasons, they think it best to “leave them for later”. Clothes are there for you to wear and enjoy as soon and as frequently as possible. They are useless when left to decorate the inside of your closet waiting for the so called best occasion.

By all means, save that recently purchased cocktail dress for a party, or a new winter coat for when it’s cold. But everyday clothes for work and play should not be saved. Before you know it, the items you’ve bought will either be dated, or they won’t be right for you (or the weather). You might find yourself passing on your purchases before you’ve even worn them once.

So rip off those tags and start breaking in those new items. It makes sense to maximize your return on investment.

Spring welcomed the resurgence of longer length knitted tops and T’s, and Autumn and Winter welcomes them again. Knitwear and shirting have also followed suit, making almost a decades’ worth of hipbone length tops and collared shirts look dated. While it’s a super idea to buy longer length tops, it doesn’t mean that you have to disregard the hip bone length tops and shirts in your closet. You can update them by popping a longer length camisole or t-shirt underneath, thereby adding the length and the interest of an extra layer.

Longer length tops are most flattering scrunched up to just above your crotch point, or extra long to cover your thighs (but still above your knees). Pretty pear body types need to stay clear of longer lengths that fall in-between the 2 lengths described above.

Whether it’s casual or smart casual clothing that you wear everyday – be sure to update the length of your tops. It’s current, elegant and practical – an absolute must for those of you who work from home.

Nordstrom has an excellent selection of longer length tops in at the moment. You’ll find a good section of longer length camisoles at Express for $26.

Jailbird stripe: an equidistant two-tone stripe that’s anything from half an inch to 4 inches wide.

Horizontal and diagonal jailbird-striped knitted tops started coming through in Spring. The look has filtered down into Autumn and is bigger then ever. They are my number one “must have item” to update your look this season. There are lots of jailbird striped items to choose from – knit tops, pullovers, cardigans, T’s and girly tops are all super options.  It’s untrue that horizontal stripes make you look bigger then you are.  By selecting the correct width of stripe, garment shape and neckline - this very ’80’s look can be worn by all body types.  Have a look at the guidelines below:

• Well endowed ladies need to select narrower stripe widths with V or scooped shaped necklines.
• Less endowed ladies need to select broader stripe widths with either higher necklines, or wear camisoles underneath striped tops with scooped neck styles.
• Select tops with shape that are either cinched in at the waist or welted at the bottom. Horizontal striped tops that are boxy are unflattering.
• Select tops with length that cover at least half of your bottom (and going longer is also a good idea). If your striped tops are shorter then that, pop a longer length T underneath to lengthen your line.

It’s simple to add a jailbird-striped knitted top or “T” to your wardrobe. Pop over a cropped jacket for when it’s cooler and you’ve updated your look. It’s perfect for both casual and smart casual dressing.

Mango and Gap have particularly nice jailbird-striped knitted tops in at the moment – all with good length and shape.

Fallacy: wear wintery colours in Autumn; and summery colours in Spring.
 
It isn’t an item of clothing’s colour that makes it seasonally appropriate – it’s the fabric.  Have a look at these examples:

• Wear white all year around – winter-weight white shirts, woolen white coats or jackets and white denim are stylish for chilly autumn days. Its crisp white linen suiting that isn’t appropriate.
• Wear black and grey all year around – sheer black and grey romantic blouses are pretty on warm Spring days. Wearing them in heavy knits, corduroy and wool blends would be less appropriate.
• Wear brights when it’s cold – I often brighten up a grey winter’s day by wearing a bright piece of knitwear, jacket, coat or accessory in a wool blend, sueded cotton, or furry fabric.
• Wear autumn colours when it’s warm – burnt oranges, shades of brown and sage greens are lovely in Summer if the items are in cool cottons, silks and rayon blends. It’s when they are in tweeds and wool that they won’t work.

Banish the idea of keeping white locked up after Labor Day. Make sure that the fabrics of your clothes are right for the seasonal climate and wear the colours that suit you with style, whatever the time of year.

Red gloves (Mango) and a yellow bag (Anthropologie) are cheery in winter.

White jackets and knits are stylish in winter (Nordstrom).