Fashion magazines and designers have been quick to proclaim the death of bootcut style pants and jeans this season. In the light of rethinking the skinny, I thought it appropriate to point out that they still can be fabulous. The first rule to dressing well  is making sure that you dress for your body type. A garment that flatters your body should always have a place in your wardrobe. It’s hard to beat the fit of a good pair of bootcuts for elegance and sophistication. They look fantastic on both slender and curvy frames.

Because of their flattering fit, bootcuts have become a mainstream classic in the retail industry. Continue wearing your bootcuts with style if you feel that they are best for you. They’ll be hanging in your closet for many seasons after skinnies have lost their appeal!

Skinny jeans are everywhere, but they are tricky to wear. Slim-framed women with rectangular, boyish bodies still look best in this lean look. However, skinny jeans seem a lot more forgiving this time around because they come in an assortment of cuts and can be worn in a variety of feminine ways. We did not have these options in the ’80’s, and this new way of wearing them makes skinnies a lot more flattering than I expected.

Before you give skinnies a miss, consider the following options:

• Skinny jeans come in a variety of lengths and ankle widths: ankle, scrunched and extra long for length; and tapered or straight for width. You’ll be able to select the length and width that works best for your body type.
• Matching them up with the correct shoes and tops can give you that lean line that you are striving for. Whether you wear flats/ heels, or long slim knits/ belted tunics will depend on your body type.
• You can always pop them into your knee high boots.

Having been a teenager in the ’80’s, I vowed that I would never wear skinny jeans again – until I tried them recently and put together their updated look. I chose a darker wash with a medium rise and fairly straight cut leg as opposed to the ultra-tapered cut option. I am pleasantly surprised by how they have been working in my wardrobe. The fact that I have been able to dress my skinnies up elegantly has given me the confidence to wear them again.

Skinny jeans are still not for everyone, but you might be surprised at how slimming these pants can be if you give them a chance and match them up with the correct items. When pretty pear shaped bodies like Beyoncé and Alicia Keyes wear skinnies with style – it’s time for another look.

Skinny jeans from Macy’s.

Some fashions from recent seasons will still work this Autumn, but others won’t. Here’s my opinion on what stays in the wardrobe and what goes into storage. 

Keep in your wardrobe:

• Military jackets and coats 
• Victorian and vintage blouses
• Preppy looks
• Long flat boots
• Metallic accessories (belts, bags and shoes, especially if they have gold hardware)
• Animal prints (either in clothing or accessories)
• Boot leg pants and jeans (don’t think that you can’t wear them just because “skinny” is in)
• Black pieces (I do not encourage a wardrobe full of black clothing, but black is the “it” colour this season. If ever you looked stylish in black – it would be over the next 6 months. Be mindful of the fact that not everyone looks good in black – the colour has to suit you.)

Store to (perhaps) wear another day:

• Cowboy boots (unless you are a Texan)
• Folkloric dresses
• Ponchos (unless you are pregnant, and then without any form of fringe)
• Bohemian and gypsy tops (which includes tie dye)
• Front tie shrugs (unless they have kimono sleeves and are in a very loose home spun knit)
• Shorter length knitted tops, knitwear and shirts  (unless you are able to layer newer longer lengths underneath them, they’ll look dated)
• Embellished jeans

Stay tuned on how to create updated looks for autumn with what you already have in your wardrobe. All you’ll need to do is add the new seasons’ luster to those existing favourites! 

The new season speaks volumes, especially when it comes to sleeve detail. Voluminous sleeves on girly tops, romantic blouses and jackets are ideal for pear-shaped body types. Any form of sleeve embellishment draws attention upwards, thereby balancing out the wider part of your body.

There are many voluminous sleeve options to choose from – with some more flattering for pear shapes then others.

• Kimono, bell and poet sleeve styles are excellent choices. They are a throw back to 40’s movie star glamour and convey a sense of unprecedented elegance.
• Voluminous sleeved blouses and jackets that are nipped-in at the waist are slimming and more shape defining. Swing coat and capelet styles will add bulk where you won’t want it.
• When you wear volume on top, keep the bottom simple. Plain a-line skirts and tailored flared or boot cut pants with heels will work best.
• Wide lapels balance out jackets with sleeve volume beautifully and are another good option.

Add drama to your wardrobe with a voluminous sleeved top or jacket this season especially if you are pear shaped. It’s extremely ladylike and the perfect update to smart casual dressing.

A bell-sleeved cropped jacket with wide lapel, striped poets-sleeved blouse, and kimono-sleeved knitted top – all from Arden B. These styles are cinched in the waist which makes them more flattering to wear.

Good bras are expensive. Maintaining their shape is important if they are to keep fitting you as perfectly as the day that you bought them. Unfortunately, popping them into the washer and dryer with the rest of your laundry will ruin them over time.

Hand-washing is one solution, but there is an easier way: Before putting your bras in the wash, pop them into a small, nylon mesh bag. Add your bagged bras to the rest of your laundry and wash normally. If your machine allows you to wash delicately, then that’s an added bonus. Once your load is finished, take the bras out and hang them to dry on a hanger in your cupboard or laundry area.

With a bit of extra effort, you’ll save your fabulously fitting bra – which will save you time and money in the long run.

Nylon mesh bags from Bed, Bath and Beyond and Linens ‘n Things.

La Redoute is a mainstream French catalogue that sells everything from swimwear to shoes for ladies and gents. Their goods have only recently become available in the USA with their warehouse located in Massachusetts. Their clothing and accessories are chic, different and highly affordable. I was particularly impressed with their selection of jackets, coats and boots this season. Although I do not advocate shopping online unless you know exactly what you are getting – it might be worth it if you fancy a bit of convenient and inexpensive French flair in your wardrobe. Unlike traditional European stores, their return policy is good and comparable to standard online shopping sites here in America.

Wool pea coat ($49), faux fur coat ($49) and tweed raglan blazer ($64) from La Redoute.

I am frequently asked how to put together a smart casual look (which shouldn’t be confused with semi formal or business casual dress codes). The simplest route is by dressing up smart jeans. Denim is not the only bottom option, (stretch cotton twill pants or skirts are another alternative), but it is the more adaptable choice. It can be worn with most colours or fabrics, and manages to tone down anything dressy that you put with it.

Smart casual dressing is about following a formula. Here are the components: 

• Smart Jeans: get the darkest blue wash that you can find. Black and grey denim have made a comeback this season and are good substitutes – but blue is best. No holes, tears, faded areas or bleach marks. Trouser cut denim styles are another excellent option.
• Dressy top or collared shirt: select styled knitted tops in better end fabrications, woven girly tops or tailored collared shirts. Plain cru-neck T’s will not be smart enough.
• Knitwear or jacket: layer a fine-knit cardigan, pullover or fitted jacket over your first layer when it starts to get chilly.
• Trench coat or coat: top it off with a fitted trench or woolen winter coat.
• Heels: wearing smart shoes with some sort of heel is key. Fancy flats can be smart too, but are never as chic as heels.
• Bag: adding a dressy bag completes your smart casual look.

This dress code is extremely versatile. It can take you to work, shopping, date night, the theatre, PTA meetings, dinner parties, and evenings out. It’s my favourite way to dress.

Despite your height, weight and body type, the size of your calf is what it is. If you carry a little bit of extra weight around your calves, don’t feel obliged to cover them up all the time. It’s easy to slim down an exposed calf when you know what to do.

Avoid:

• Tapered pants, which cling to your calves in an unflattering way.
• Ankle length pants and capri pants, which will make your legs look shorter.
• Clingy three quarter length skirts and dresses, which emphasize the width of your leg above the foot.
• Calf length boots and ankle boots, which tend to make even the daintiest of calves look large.

Stick to:

• Knee-length walk shorts, which raise the hemline and expose the smallest part of your leg, automatically slimming down your calf.
• Knee length a-line skirts and dresses, which also expose the slimmest part of your leg and add volume away from the calf, which will make it appear smaller.
• Heeled knee length boots that are tight around the ankle, which add shape and a bit of height to the ankle, cover up the calf and expose the knee, creating a taller and leaner look.

Wide legged pants and pointy toed shoes are not your only option when you have a thicker calf. Be girly and raise that hemline with style. There will be plenty of opportunities to cover up when the weather gets colder.

Do: pull-on, knee-length boots.

Don’t: slouchy, calf-length boots.

This season marks the beginning of watershed fashion changes. The new play on proportions might take some getting use to, but because “fashion is an adaptation to the eye”, we’ll be wearing them with style in no time at all.

One of the changes to understand is “the new volume”. Stores are full of daringly roomy pieces such as:

• Swing and trapeze coats
• Kimono, bell and poet’s sleeves
• Empire waisted dresses and smock tops
• Bell and bubble skirts
• Cocoon pullovers
• Extra widely cut menswear pants and cropped pants  

While we might not all be able to wear each form of this season’s new volume – there will be ideal options to balance each body type. Height will be another factor to consider. Stay tuned on how to update existing items in your wardrobe with the correct voluminous pieces for you and your personal style.

 Voluminous pieces like these typify the new season. Above: a cropped peplum jacket from Arden B and taffeta bell shaped skirt from Banana Republic. Below: a kimono sleeved empire dress and bell sleeved cocoon sweater from Nordstrom.

If you still need summer clothing because you’ve left it too late this year– the Macy’s Labor Day Sale is a good place to go if you live in the United States. You’ll find quite a good assortment of strappy T’s, walk shorts, jeans, summer dresses and occasion dresses on their racks offered at less then half price. If you are thinking about autumn and winter purchases instead – refresh your memory on what to buy in the Autumn 2006 category.

Here are some “personal picks” that could see you through to the beginning of autumn when it starts to get cooler:

• Black or red handbag
• Short sleeved white shirt
• Denim walk shorts
• Jeans
• Ballet flats
• Knitted wrap dress

Have fun shopping, and have a super long weekend!