American fashion designer Michael Kors has a budding $260 million empire and is probably best known for his impeccably modern and elegant handbags. He’s been in the fashion game for 25 years and has learnt a thing or two about dressing women well. Glamour magazine recently revealed his laws of style and upon reading them; I was instantly captured by their familiar truth. I’d like to share them with you: 

• Try on your entire outfit before any major event – this way you won’t be caught unaware with underwear, shoes and accessories that don’t work.
• Edit your wardrobe regularly – the only items that you should have hanging in your wardrobe are those that you love and know look good. That way you won’t be fussed with what to wear each day and you’ll have the time to dress in a way that expresses who you are.
• Quality doesn’t have to be expensive - well designed items come at every price.
• Shop in stores that have liberal return policies – take items home and try them on with what you have to make sure that they work for you and your lifestyle.
• Have a signature piece – it’s the most classic way to look chic. Zone in on one item every season (boots, sunglasses, coat or bag) and spend the most that you can afford. Wear it with everything!
• Mix glam with throw away chic – Spend on timeless basics that you wear constantly, and go cheap on ultra trendy items. A fabulous coat in a neutral colour is always in style, but a bubble skirt isn’t.
• Get your clothes tailored – not even a $2000 coat will look special if it doesn’t fit you perfectly. Clothing bought straight off the rack is bound to fit poorly some of the time, no matter how well proportioned you are.

Add to that we must dress for our body types and be comfortable in the clothes that we wear, and you’ll have a great foundation on which to build your own personal style. It’s music to my ears ladies – listen and learn.

If your budget is tight, or you happen to be more of a classic type of girl – forget about clothes for the moment and focus on accessories. They are the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to accomplish a stylish appearance.

My must-have accessories for Autumn & Winter are:

• Red shoes – red is a basic colour and matches just about anything that you wear. It’s going to make any outfit that you put together pop.
• Patent bag – add a high gloss dimension to your ensemble for extra impact.
• Chunky chains – choose a set of links that you love in either gold or silver and make a bold statement.

There are versions of these accessories for all body types, budgets and age groups. Capture the fashion moment and complete this season’s look with the ones that work for you. 

Basic red pumps, a black patent satchel bag and a chunky chain from Zappos.com, JC penny and Neiman Marcus respectively.

As you may have already noticed, black is the “in” colour this season. It’s a somewhat somber colour for us all despite its smart, slimming and sophisticated qualities. Now that it’s back in all its gangster glory, it’s important to understand that it’s not easy to wear black from head to toe successfully. The key is to add interest and dimension to your all-black-ensemble. This will prevent you from looking flat, dull and sickly. By adding the design details of this season’s gothic glamour and ‘80’s urban punk chic moods – you’ll be able to create your head to toe black outfit correctly.

For interest and dimension:

• Add black patent accessories
• Add an item in an iridescent black fabric
• Add sheer patterned black hose
• Add accessories (shoes, bags, belts and jewelry) with plenty of metallic hardware
• Add a subtle pinstripe
• Select jackets/coats with shiny metallic buttons
• Select items with texture – like fake fur trims, jacquards, brocade, lacey ruffles, feathers, and stain ribbon

If you don’t look good in black, refrain from wearing it from head to toe. Wear your black items with red and grey instead.  And even if you look good in it, beware of the black rut – it’s always refreshing to see some colour.

Can you wear skinny jeans if you have curvy hips and thighs? Yes you can. It’s a question of selecting the correct silhouette of skinny and matching it up with the right top and shoes. Skinny jeans are not created equally. Apart from the difference in wash and lycra content – rise measurements, inseam lengths and leg openings can also differ. If you follow the guidelines below – you’ll get that longer-and-leaner line that you are hoping for:

The correct skinny:

• Choose a skinny with a straighter leg and bypass those that have 5 inch leg openings.
• Choose one in a darker wash and with a medium rise.
• Make sure that there is enough length to your skinnies so that they “scrunch” at the bottom. This helps balance out your curvy hip and thigh area.

The correct top:

• Tunic lengths will work best (anywhere between mid thigh and just above the knee).
• Choose tunic lengths with sleeve volume – they offer a visual balance to narrow jeans.
• If you wear a shorter top – make sure that your top is ruched at the sides and ends just above your crotch point. Add a shorter layer over this longer length top to add interest.
• Make sure that your tops are tailored at your shoulders and torso – belted styles will also work well.

The correct shoe:

• A shoe or boot with a chunky high heel or wedge will look best. Tucking skinnies into boots will also help create a balance. 
• Ballet flats are also an option – but adding a bit of height will always create a leaner look.

Curvier ladies who are sick of their boot cuts and flares will certainly be able to pull off wearing skinny jeans with style if they follow the rules. Watch out boyish racy rectangles!

Skinnies and tunics from Nordstrom that will work for curvy ladies.

Le Château is a Canadian-based chain store that has begun to branch out to the US. It offers global and runway-inspired clothing, shoes and accessories for ladies and men at the best possible prices. They proudly manufacture and produce the majority of their merchandise in Canada! Their ladies sizes run from a size 00 to 16, and their quality is impressive.

With stores having opened in east coast states NY and NJ – this trendy and affordable chain store is certainly giving ultra–hip, Swedish chain store giant H&M a run for it’s money. While H&M has the edge with its second-to-none advertising campaign full of high profile celebrities – Le Château is streets ahead when it comes to customer service and merchandise accessibility. Shopping at H&M can be overwhelming and there is seldom someone to help you out with sizes or exchanges. The shopping experience at Le Chateau, on the other hand, is much more organized. The staff is helpful and shelves remain neat and tidy.

If service is important when you’re after those inexpensive playful pieces for your wardrobe – you might just bypass H&M and head straight to Le Château instead!

Nothing frames your face quite like your eyebrows. Whether they are thin or bushy, looking after them is an extremely important part of “perfect polish“.

The perfectly shaped eyebrow is always about accentuating your natural arch.

• For thin brows – use eye shadow to add fullness and a pencil to add shape. A pencil will extend the length of your eyebrow and draw a stronger arch. Powdered eye shadow will fill in the areas where hair is sparse.
• For bushy eyebrows – if your brows are very thick or the hair points outwards; brushing them upwards first and then trimming the hair with eyebrow scissors is a good idea. Once you’ve done this – you can shape and shade as necessary.
• For blonde brows – dye your eyebrows a few shades darker then the colour of your hair. You won’t believe what a difference this can make. Shape and groom your brows after you’ve dyed them.
• Use gel – eyebrow gel or wax will keep your eyebrows in place for most of the day. The product lasts forever and is available at most cosmetic counters.  

If you can’t manage shaping, dying and tweezing your brows on your own – have them done professionally until you feel confident enough yourself. Eyebrow kits complete with powder, pencil and gel are also available and a good investment. Steal the time for your brows - your entire face looks alive when your eyebrows are properly groomed.    

Chunky chains are the hottest look in necklaces and bracelets this season. In keeping with the true revival of ‘80’s fashion, Gucci links are back in both metal and plastic. It’s not about quantity this time around (like it was with last season’s boho look) – it’s about quality. Instead of layering loads of necklaces or bracelets - choose a set of unique links and make a statement one piece at a time. They are sure to evoke a reaction.

Great examples from Nordstrom, Bebe and Arden B.

Most of us are pressed for time when it comes to getting ready in the morning. Realistically, we have up to half an hour and that includes fussing with our hair. One of the most reliable style shortcuts is an excellent hair stylist. I am the first to admit that fabulous hair stylists are not easy to find. It took me 3 bad haircuts at 3 different salons here in America before I stumbled across somebody who gave me a haircut that satisfied me completely.

Loyalty is often a problem when it comes to switching hair stylists. Even if we have never been happy with their work, we invariably feel awful leaving the people who have been cutting our hair for years. It’s hard. However, you deserve a decent haircut!

You need a hair stylist who will give you a cut that works best for your hair type. Opting for a time-intensive, sleek flat ironed layered hair style is a bad idea when you have wavy and wispy fine hair. It may look wonderful at the salon, but won’t after the 10 minutes that you have to spend on your hair each morning. Tying it back into a ponytail everyday is also not the solution. The answer is simply an excellent haircut that will last you at least 6 weeks.

If you don’t have one now, begin your search for a good hair stylist today. If you see someone walking down the street with a good haircut – ask them for the name of their hair stylist. Remember that there is no such thing as bad hair – only a bad haircut.

The androgynous look is a fun way to dress for work if your dress code forbids denim. You won’t need to go all out to pull the look off as single elements of the trend will be just as effective. Follow the steps below and put together a look that suits you:

• Pants and walk shorts – wide legs or slim legs are the fashion forward cut for trousers and shorts. Choose a plain, pinstripe or micro check in black, grey or navy. Wide legs are best for pear shapes while slim legs are best apple shapes.
• Shirts – white-collared shirts are an easy option and pinstriped versions a little more edgy. They need to be form fitting and can be left either hanging out, or tucked in and finished off with a skinny belt.
• Waistcoat (vest) – wear them buttoned up over your collared shirt for shape.
• Necktie – add a necktie if you dare!
• Jacket – tailored and worn either as part of your pantsuit or as a separate item. They can be worn over your shirt and waistcoat combination, or just over a shirt and necktie combination. 
• Knitwear – either a fitted V-neck pullover or cardigan can be worn over a shirt and tie combination instead of a waistcoat or jacket. A black turtleneck worn underneath a collared shirt makes for a very sleek, ‘70’s look.
• Coat – a fitted trench or wool coat in any plain colour will work because the rest of your ensemble is neutral.
• Shoes – ultra feminine shoes are the best option. Think high heels, patent leather and spectator styles.
• Accessories – keep jewelry to a minimum as simplicity is essential. A patent clutch is a good feminine choice of handbag.

Get suited and booted after a summer season of flirtatious dresses – it is just as alluring.

Be inspired by these dressy androgynous looks from La Redoute, Ralph Lauren, Nordstrom and Macys.

Undergarment T: a neat, form-fitting short or long sleeved t-shirt that’s found in the underwear area of a department or chain store.

It is not an outerwear garment and should not be confused with one. The T usually consists of combed cotton (richer and softer then normal cotton) and sometimes a percentage of lycra for added comfort. Its neckline is high, narrow and immaculate. It can have either a cru or V-neck and is available in a range of colours. White is the most popular and versatile colour; but black, grey and blue are close seconds.

It’s an essential item for men all year round because it is:

• Practical – it soaks up perspiration and prevents unsightly underarm patches. It’s also an extra layer for warmth.
• Comfortable – it’s nice to have a soft and stretchy knitted item close to your body before you add a shirt, pullover, sweater or outergarment T.
• Pristine – it makes you look neat, well groomed and put together – it’s like a “finishing touch”.
• Interesting – it adds an extra bit of interest to an ensemble as a layering garment.

Plain outerwear T’s bought in the clothing sections of stores do not do the same job. They aren’t as soft, fitted or pristine-looking which is precisely the point. Undergarment T’s should always be worn underneath collared shirts, styled knitted T’s, sweaters and other knitwear items. If you live in North America – Banana Republic has the best assortment.

Here are undergarment Ts from Banana Republic layered underneath shirts and knitwear. The neat, high neckline is an important part of the look.