Bold and bright colors aside, nothing shouts Spring and Summer quite like the colour white. It’s clean crisp quality makes us feel cool, refreshed and ready for warm weather. A few well chosen white items and accessories can update your Autumn outfits for the new season. Here’s how to use white to reinvent your wardrobe for Spring:

• White jacket – make this a Spring staple and create a contrast by matching it up with the black, red and grey tops that you wore in Autumn.
• White pants – replace your black slacks with a white pair and refresh the look of dark jackets or tops.
• White tops – substitute white tops for dark colours underneath jackets and knitwear.
• White shoes, bags and belts – transform a cold weather outfit into a warm weather one by adding modern white accessories like patent white peep-toe shoes (which contrast beautifully against dark blue jeans), a skinny white belt or white tote.

Everyone can wear white when it’s matched up in the correct way, so don’t let your fair skin prevent you from doing so. Investing in basic white items will increase the ROI of your wardrobe and have you looking spic and span for Spring.

White jacket (Bebe), white shoes (BCBG at Nordstrom) and white tote (Michael Kors at Nordstrom).

Spring 2007 promised us an explosion of bright colours. While we’ve seen smatterings of yellow, cobalt, coral and green clothing, there’s still a fortune of black, white, brown and beige around. A substantial part of the colour for Spring in American retail stores is represented by accessories rather than clothing.

As a lover of bright colours, I’ve felt a dash disappointed. After two back-to-back strong Black & White seasons (Spring and Winter 2006), my clients and I have been champing at the bit for anything that’s not a neutral. US retailers J. Crew and Macy’s have been colour leaders this season along with Spanish stores Zara and Mango; but I still feel that Spring could have been more colourful.

I spoke to a few major chain stores about my disappointment. Their feedback was unanimous: American retailers have often “overdone” bright clothing in the past and reams of rainbow coloured items have found themselves on markdown rails as the result of poor sales. So fashion buyers are cautious this time around. Still, the likes of Ann Taylor, The Loft,  Nordstrom, The Gap, Banana Republic, The Limited and Express reassured me that brights like red, turquoise, yellow, blue, green and pink would surface in May.

Part of my shopping faith was restored at Express yesterday as rails of brightly coloured walk shorts, blousy tops and camisoles were being unpacked.  Hold on to your fashion dollars for a week or two if it’s colours that you’re after. Brights are on the way in May.

Wide-legged pants and jeans are trendy this season, but you need to coordinate them with the right tops and shoes for the most flattering effect.

• Voluminous tops need to be soft and cinched in at the waist because “volume on top of volume” makes for a shapeless silhouette.
• Form-fitting tops automatically balance out roomier bottom proportions and are the best choice.

When it comes to shoes, heels look best with wide-legged pants even if it’s just an inch of lift. Flattering, leg-lengthening height balances out the width of the pants. Remember to sport the right pant length with whatever shoe you choose.

The shapeless bubble top (left) is trendy, but not as flattering over wide-legged pants as the form-fitting option of a tailored shirt and jacket (right).

Dermatologists will tell you that there is no such thing as a safe tan: any hint of colour is a sign of sun damage. This in turn causes freckles, moles, wrinkles and, potentially, skin cancer. Foundations and facial powders generally contain low doses of SPF (between 4 and 15), but whether this is sufficient protection for your skin type is something only your dermatologiest will know for sure.

But being fair-skinned, I know that I’m particularly prone to harmful UV rays which is why I top up with a strong sunscreen every day. It took a while to find a couple of options that aren’t sticky. They are expensive, but I’ve been thrilled with them for years. Both products are smooth, odourless, long lasting and oil free (you won’t notice that you have them on).

• Clarins: UV Plus protective sun screen with SPF 40
• Shiseido: Ultimate sun protection lotion with SPF 55

I can’t think of a better cosmetic invesment than effective sunscreen. Remember to also apply liberally to your neck and the back of your hands, because other than your face, this is where aging is most visible.

Shiseido Sun Protection Lotion ($37) and Clarins UV Plus ($38) are available at Sephora and most department stores.

Alongside yellow, cobalt and coral this season, we’ve got green. Rich shades of emerald, avocado, lime, bottle, apple, chartreuse, neon and shamrock bring a fresh flavour to any outfit. When the weather is warm, I like green best with other greens, white, blue or yellow. It’s also a nice nautical statement with a hint of red. Most shades of green are fabulous with denim and you don’t need to be Irish or a redhead to wear them. If green clothing isn’t for you, sport a green accessory instead. I’m extra happy when I wear something bright green (that’s probably why it’s my favourite colour).

This seasons “it” shoe is the wedge. The ‘70’s shoe trend has been modernized, but ethnic versions remain a good choice if there is a hippy chic aspect to your style. With heels soaring to new highs, the slick aesthetic of the wedge is virtually sculptural. The choice of looks and materials is endless. You’ll see anything from cork, raffia and wood, to Lucite, patent, metallic and woven fabrications. Heel heights are either high or low, and platforms are particularly “of the moment”.

Stability is the catch. A high, narrow wedge can feel as wobbly as a spiky stiletto and the platform detail prevents my toes from bending naturally when I walk. The trick is to find a pair with a lower and wider heel base. I’ve found that a two and a half inch heel (or lower) without the platform is the most stable option. 

Give your Spring and Summer wardrobe a trendy update if you can stroll comfortably in hip and flattering wedges. If, like me, you prefer to stay grounded, be a little less trendy, but just as stylish with a lower, wider and less dramatic looking pair.

Dramatic, sculptured, fashion forward wedges.

Less dramatic, stable wedges.

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is holding an exclusive fundraising fashion show on Sunday 29 April in Burlingame, CA. Furry and feisty four-legged friends will be strutting their stuff down the catwalk in clothing and accessories from Bow Wow Meow, San Francisco’s sassy pet boutique.

I won’t be there in person, but will be there in spirit because our Yorkshire Terriers, Rosie and Jasmine, are featured on the cover of the event programme and invitation. Lisa Henderling, the artist who created the fashion illustration for the event, did the original illustration for the youlookfab header and chose to re-use the picture of our Yorkies because she thought that ”that they might like to help”. Thank you Lisa. The illustration is magical and we are honoured.

All funds raised from the event will benefit the animals in the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Hope Program. In their words:

All funds raised from this event will benefit the animals in the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Hope Program. Many animals come to us ready for adoption; many more need extra medical care, behavior training or special love and attention. Our Hope Program allows us to provide this extra care, making well and ready for adoption approximately 150 more animals per month, giving them the second chance they deserve.

I hope that you’ll be able to attend what promises to be an eventful and stylish affair (all donations will be appreciated). For additional information, please contact Dawn Kelsey Fanara at 650.340.7022 (ext. 375) or dkelsey@peninsulahumanesociety.org.

As a racy rectangle, your strong shoulders, narrow hips and slim limbs give you lots of choice when it comes to dresses. While you know that you look superb in jeans, it’s time to break out of that comfort zone and embrace the right dresses for Spring and Summer. You’ll look good in dresses with any skirt styling detail. Be it pencil, A-line, tapered, broomstick-pleated, sarong, bias, asymmetrical, low-waisted or paneled, wear them in plain, printed, flowing or stiff fabrications without a second thought. It’s the top half of the dress that you’ll need to think about.

Rectangular body types can either be well endowed or not. If you are:

• Busty – you’ll want to create a longer looking middle by defining your waist and keeping your necklines low (which lengthens the neck). Look for dresses with V-necks, scooped necks, sweetheart necks or strapless styles.
• Boyish – you’ll want to create curves by accentuating your waist and keeping your necklines high. Look for slash necks, cru-necks, keyhole necklines and high halter tops with neck ruching. Dresses with shirt collars will also work because they won’t reveal too much of your décolleté.

Like the hour-glass, racy rectangles were made for the perfect 60’s sheath dress. You’ll just need to adapt the neckline according to your bust size. The boyish framed rectangle is about the only body type that can sport this seasons’ straight shapeless trapeze mini dress with style. Though my preference would still be to dress this body type in structured waistlines and knee length skirts.

Dresses for busty rectangles from Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Dresses for boyish rectangles from Macy’s and Nordstrom.

Circular pendants on necklaces are becoming quite the look. Last year delicate circular diamond pendants and chunky linked chains were contrasting trends. But there’s a lot more to choose from this season. Take your pick from large statement pieces or dainty charms in any metal, material or stone. Pop it on a long chain, short chain or piece of leather chord. Whether it’s modern, vintage, exotic or playful, you’ll look hip sporting this accessory on anything with a low neckline. Be sure to first check your own jewelry box for a forgotten treasure. You might find that you can bring new life to a pendant you already have.

Circular pendants from jewelry designers Me&Ro, Lois Hill, Laura Goulas, Jamie Joseph (top row) and Rachel Leigh (bottom row).

You’ll keep your boots looking brand new for years if you look after them. It’ll only take a little effort and a small investment of time. Here’s what to do:

• Use boot shapers and keep them upright. There are countless types to choose from (the cheapest for as little as $9). If that’s still too much effort, rolled up magazines tied with rubber bands (to get a cylindrical form) will also do the trick.
• Clean them regularly. Boot polish or cream that you apply with a cloth and then brush are best. There are a multitude of fancy formulas out there that boast better results (like sprays and special sponges), but none are as effective as old fashioned boot polish.
• Spray on a water repellent formula. The Teflon coating keeps out rain and prevents stains.
• Remove odours. Stay fresh using a shoe deodorant.

Boots are expensive and usually a statement piece. Give them a little extra attention and they’ll take care of you for a lot longer.

Find boot shapers and shoe cream at your local grocery store, drugstore, online stores or specialist shoe stores.