The answer to this question depends entirely on your lifestyle and your preferences. Can you wear jeans to work? Do you like to wear jeans? Do you wear jeans every day?

• If you wear jeans every day you’ll need at least four pairs. Five if you don’t do laundry often. You can vary the lengths and washes as you wish, but ensure that you have options for flats, heels and smart casual dressing.
• If you can’t wear jeans to work but like to wear them outside of work, you’ll need to have at least two pairs. Both pairs preferably dark blue (for maximum versatility, the slimming effect and the fact that they will fade anyway), and at different lengths – one for flats and one for heels.
• If you seldom wear jeans you should invest in a single pair in a dark wash. Commit to either flats or heels and then buy them at the appropriate length.

If you have more than five pairs of jeans hanging in your closet – make sure that you actually wear all of them. If you don’t, ask yourself why not, and either have them altered or pass them along to somebody who will wear them.

While the right coat can increase your style quotient; the wrong one can do precisely the opposite. We need to be mindful of what works best for our body types.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Belted styles with soft self fabric ties are the best option for curvier figures. They enhance your shape and give you plenty of definition – both tied and untied. Single breasted styles are best for ladies with ample bosom, while double breasted styles are super for the less endowed.
• Trapeze styles are best on tall women. Petites tend to disappear in all that volume. Above the knee, more subtle A-line versions of this style are a better choice for shorter ladies.
• Classic single breasted princess seam coats are the ideal choice for well-endowed ladies. Avoid high buttoning double breasted styles and visible waist seams at all costs. A V-neck revere collar style with princess seams (seams that run from bust point to hem) will give you extra definition. Keeping your coat unbuttoned will accentuate that long lean line that you are looking for. This style is also another excellent option for curvier ladies.
• A-line Empire styles are perfect for pretty pear shapes. Large collars, puffed sleeves, double breasted styles, asymmetrical buttoning and oversized buttons are fun details to have on the top half of this type of coat.
• High buttoning, double breasted military styles are perfect for slight, less well-endowed women. Short pea coat styles or longer versions with cinched in belts will give you the shape that you are looking for.

While coat styles and body types may differ – there is one rule that always applies: keep your coat fitted snugly on the shoulders. This will automatically give you the tailoring and structure that you need for your most flattering look.

A belted style from Nordstrom. Classic single breasted and a-line asymmetrical styles from Macy’s. These styles happen to be maxi in length, which are not suited to petite heights of 5”3’ and below. Petites look best in coats that are no longer then knee length.

Coats are my favourite item of clothing. Whether it’s smart or casual, the correct coat never fails to make you look poised, elegant and sophisticated. A well-chosen coat can pull together almost any ensemble. A fabulous coat will kick your outfit up a few notches. As with boots, the assortment of coat styles available is growing each season. Many of the styles are timeless and with some savvy decisions you’ll be able to wear your coats season after season.

Coats can be divided into various categories:

• Trapeze – this unstructured A-line retro ‘50’s style coat is the look-of-the-season. Its voluminous character is spot on with the hottest trends. Its three quarter sleeve lengths might be off putting if you tend to get cold easily, but wearing the style with long gloves is a good solution.
• Trench – a classic single or double breasted belted style that Burberry made famous almost a century ago. It‘s usually best in some sort of water resistant fabric and always looks chic no matter what you wear it with.
• Double breasted – this military-inspired, structured style is sharp, crisp and immaculately tailored. Good at both above and below the knee, it’s another great option to capture this season’s fashion moment.
• Belted – coats that cinch in, tie differently at the waist. Self fabric ties are most popular, but actual structured belts are a more updated version. This versatile style is notorious for hiding a multitude of sins.
• Asymmetrical – these are coats at any length and style that have asymmetrical button stands. They are eye catching, interesting and especially effective when extremely tailored.   
• Toggle – these styles might remind you of your childhood but are just as stylish for you today if you are after something more playful. Toggle coats have toggle buttons and some sort of hood (usually detachable). They are most fun in a bright colour.
• Classic – the single breasted revere collar knee-length coat is the ultimate timeless option. This style suits all body types and is most flattering with princess seams (seams that run down from bust point to hem). A detachable fake fur collar and maxi length will add an unexpected level of old movie star glamour to this style.
• Evening – these coats are made of evening wear fabrics like brocade, velvet or silk blends. Embroidery is also common. Evening coats resemble dresses when buttoned up which is particularly useful for the party season.
• Empire line – coats with empire lines also give us that retro feeling. They are immensely feminine and neat as a pin.
• Cape – this dramatic high fashion statement is not for everyone - Dracula and Sherlock Holmes spring to mind.  Their unstructured quality can be unflattering.  If you have your heart set on one – consider a cropped version so that the rest of your shape shines through. 
• Parka – these coats are fabulous! A form fitting parka is the perfect answer to ultra casual dressing. Your wardrobe is not complete without one.
• Shearling and Fur – make sure that the fur is faux. These toasty Nordic inspired styles are super for casual weekend attire and the après ski setting.

There is an abundant array of coat styles to choose from this season – take your pick. With black and grey as the fashion colours, you might battle to get your colour of choice. Be mindful of the type of coat that is best suited to your height and body type (a topic that I will cover tomorrow). In the meantime – wrap up with style!

Belted (princess seams)                 Toggle                 Classic (princess seams)

  Empire Style                    Cropped Cape                 Structured Parka

Coats from Bebe, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, French Connection, Bloomingdales and Old Navy.

I recently attended another bra seminar hosted by Chantelle (the words’ largest manufacturer of French lingerie). The information that their company provides is excellent and I’d like to share some of the highlights:

• Each bra can have up to 40 different parts to assemble. 
• Eight out of ten women worldwide are wearing the wrong bra size.
• Women generally make the mistake of going too wide on the band width; and too small on the cup size.
• The back of your bra offers 60-70% of the support, which is why it needs to fit snuggly.
• Cup sizes are not created equally. For example, the cup size on a 32C is much smaller then the cup size on a 38C.
• Bra sizes are not standardized across various brands. You might need to try on 10 styles before you hit one that’s perfect for you.
• Bras should not be worn more then 2 days in a row or twice between washings. The elastic needs to recover in order to continue providing good support and this can only happen after it’s been washed and left to rest.

It’s imperative to wear a well fitting bra. It will improve the look of your clothes and will allow you to feel comfortable and confident all day. Chantelle services women from sizes A to H, but tends to run smaller than American brands like Wacoal and Maidenform. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly recommend that you try a Chantelle bra – you might become as loyal to the brand as I have.

Find Chantelle bras in department stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

In the spirit of today being Thanksgiving day in the United States, I am thankful that…

• we can be stylish without dressing up
• its more about what we buy than where we shop
• bootcut pants/jeans are still a good option
• we can be stylish without adopting cutting edge fashion trends
• we don’t need to match our bags with our shoes
• flat shoes can be elegant
• tunic tops are back
• black is a fashion colour again
• gold is just as popular as silver
• we can tailor our clothes
• style is beyond size

Happy Thanksgiving!

The preppy look is another flashback to ’80’s fashion. Tommy Hilfiger and J. Crew immediately spring to mind as pioneers of this collegiate trend. Oversized crisp collared pastel shirts, bright argyle knitwear, skinny satin ties, baggy jeans, loafers and sailing shoes are what we remember best of this look that was quite the statement twenty years ago. Now it’s back with tailored style.

Casual or smart, anyone can wear this trend with a few basic items:

• Geometric knitwear is key. Think form-fitting sleeveless knitted pullovers or cardigans (vests) with argyle and striped designs in either bright or neutral colours.
• For a casual look, wear them over crisp collared button down shirts (white is a good choice) un-tucked over jeans with either fashion sneakers or flats and a tailored pinstriped blazer.
• For a smarter look, wear them over an un-tucked soft blouse, tailored pants, heeled shoes or boots and a trench coat or pinstriped blazer.
• Pearls are the best accessory to finish this look off with. A short strand and/or studs will do the trick.

Re-invent this updated preppy trend if you happen to have argyle knitwear in your wardrobe already. Keep it simple, neat and tailored and you won’t go wrong.

Preppy knitwear (cardigan, pullover and sleeveless pullover, or vest) from J. Crew and Bluefly.

In most cases, the answer to this question is “yes”. Your silhouette will automatically look leaner and slimmer when you do this. That long lean line is broken when you contrast the colour of either your shoes or hose. This is not to say that it can’t be done stylishly – it’s just a bit trickier to do so correctly for some body types. Matching your shoes with flesh coloured hose is another easy solution, but tends to look more conservative.

When in doubt, match the colour of your hose to your shoes – you can’t go wrong.

While ankle booties were a trendy option for Autumn; taller boots are an excellent choice for work suits, skirts, dresses and jeans as temperatures start to drop. The assortment of calf-high and knee-high boots seems to grow each season. 

Five new styles of boot have emerged – each with its own distinct look and mood:

• Platform boots glam up any outfit. Choose this long, lean and sultry option if you have the ability to walk in very high heels.
• Cuffed boots with stacked heels convey a streamlined and ’70’s style chic.
• Equestrian boots are the boots for you if incredible comfort is a high priority. These tall flat boots (with or without horsey buckles) are perfect for effortlessly chic yet casual weekend looks.
• Biker boots are another comfortable flat boot option. They are a little more edgy with their chain and buckle details, studs and high shine finishes. Wearing biker boots with pearls makes for an appealing contrasting look.
• Nordic boots are Eskimo-inspired and easy to spot with their cozy shearling linings, foxy faux fur trims and dangling pom-poms. They are usually calf length and best tucked into skinny jeans. Their rubber soles make them ideal for the commuting urbanite or the après-ski setting.

Never fear - last season’s tall round-toed and stacked-heel boot styles are still in fashion. The forever-elegant pointy-toed and skinny-heeled knee high boot remains a mainstream stylish option too. If you feel like adding a new pair of boots to your winter wardrobe – take your pick. There will be plenty of options out there to suit you.

Platform                           Cuffed                                 Riding

Riding                                Biker                                 Nordic

Boots from Zappos.com, the online footware and accessory store that ships and returns for free.

Military inspired clothing and accessories continue to be a huge trend this season. Whether it’s through hardcore decorative styles, or subtle timeless ones – all ages and body types can make this look work. You probably have military-inspired items in your wardrobe already without even realizing it.

This look can be embraced in many different ways. Much like the androgynous look, it will depend on how far you want to take it.

• For the fashionista – if you want to truly capture this Napoleon moment in fashion, buy items like studded stacked boots, bullion embroidered jackets/coats/vests, ornamental belts and medallion chains. It is beaming brass buttons and immaculate tailoring that will make this look authentic.
• For a more timeless look – stick to tailored double breasted coats, belted trenches and subtle pinstriped suiting with self-colour buttons. In other words, steer clear of the brass hardware. While combat pants and camouflage prints are not for everybody, they have become a mainstream military fashion statement for teenagers.

The fashion interpretation of anything “soldiery” usually amounts to multiple rows of some type of button on a garment or accessory. Salute this trend with the items that work best for you.

Decorative military coats. the two on the left (Macy’s) are for the fashionistas, and the two on the right (Nordstrom and Gap) are more timeless choices.

Voluminous cropped A-line jackets were popular for Spring and are even more so for Autumn. These boxy styles generally do little for your body shape, but there are ways of wearing them that will flatter your figure:

• Keep it tailored on top – choose a style that’s snug on the shoulders and upper chest. It’s fine if the jacket drapes from the chest down – as long as it’s tailored on top.
• Keep it three quarter sleeves – the jacket has better proportions this way and it will emphasize the length of your arms.
• Keep it layered – it’s very important to wear a longer length fitted top underneath. This will draw attention to your waistline, give you shape and re-establish that long lean line that we look for.

When worn this way, these boxy cropped jackets look particularly good on curvier body types. Don’t lose your figure underneath it all – tailor and layer for shape instead.

These boxy jackets (Urban Outfitters and Gap) have tailored shoulders that are layered with longer length tops for a flattering look.