Cap sleeves on tops and dresses are one of the hardest styles of sleeve to wear. They either cut straight across the least flattering part of your arm, or look like little wings. Unless you have lusciously toned arms, avoid cap sleeves altogether. It’s a popular misconception to think that you’ll look better with some coverage over the top part of your arm, rather than none at all. This is simply not true.

The right type of sleeveless top is often more flattering than a cap sleeved option. The secret lies in showing your shoulder bone. Everyone has alluring shoulders, but fewer people have toned upper arms. The best type of sleeveless top is one that is cut more closely to the neck than it is to the shoulder.

Less flattering cap sleeve (left) and more flattering sleeveless (right) tops from Banana Republic.

Have you ever considered donating your hair to women who have lost theirs during chemotherapy? Well, you can. Pantene’s new beautiful lengths program has a downloadable kit with instructions. Cutting off your locks for a cause is the easy part; meeting the requirements to donate hair is a little more tricky. Here are the requirements:

• Donated hair must be a minimum of 8 inches long (measure hair from just above the elastic band of the ponytail to the ends).
• Wavy/curly hair texture is fine (you may straighten hair to measure).
• The hair should be freshly washed and completely dry, without any styling products.
• The hair may be colored with vegetable dyes, rinses and semi-permanent dyes. It cannot be bleached, permanently colored or chemically treated.
• The hair must not be more than five percent gray.

Consider being socially responsible if you are contemplating a shorter style. You have the power to help a woman during the greatest fight of her life.

If you’re looking for sexy coverage that’s simple chic, Undertease is the brand for you. The online company makes superb longer length camisoles and undergarment T’s that prevent you from tugging and adjusting at your clothing unnecessarily. Layer with these dream T’s  and eliminate the fashion faux pas forever.

They’re a dash pricey ($24 for a strappy camisole), but well worth the expense. They launder easily and retain their length, shape and drape, something few T’s can do. This smooth, slimming, cotton-rich and comfortable staple will complement any wardrobe. Tease a little and cover up your assets.

Undertease lace T and classic camisoles. Be prepared to wait – it’s a small company with huge demand. But if you’re patient, they’ll have you covered.

For those of you off to shop the sales today, don’t be tempted by anything that’s just “okay”. You have to love what you buy and it has to work with what you already have in your wardrobe. If you’re pressed for time, head straight to the following places:

• Macy’s dress department for bargain dress prices for occasions like graduations, reunions, weddings and summer holidays.
• Macy’s shoe and handbag department, because designer brands like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and Coach get reduced for Memorial Day weekend.
• Express, where camisoles are $12.50 until Tuesday.

If you don’t get to the shops today, there are many other bargain opportunities just around the corner. You’ll find end of season sales everywhere over the next five weeks and there’s always Nordstrom’s Half Yearly sale on 14 June. Happy shopping!

Thong sandals, wedge heels and white duffle bag, all on sale at Macy’s.

There are four seasons in a calendar year, but only two seasons in the clothing retail year. The fashion industry focuses on Spring and Autumn collections. Here’s what this means for the Northern Hemisphere (this is basically inverted South of the Equator):

• Spring is about the warmer seasons. The collections run from February to June. July, at the end of the season, is the biggest sale month. You’ll find real Summer merchandise in stores from April onwards.
• Autumn (or Fall) is about the cooler months. The collections run from August to December and January is the big Sale month. Winter merchandise is in stores from October onwards.

You won’t hear designers and buyers referring to Summer and Winter collections because in the fashion world, they don’t exist! Summer merchandise is included in the Spring Collection, while Winter merchandise is packaged with the Autumn collection. When the fashion industry refers to the Spring trends, this includes Summer (and the same holds true for Autumn and Winter).

From a retail perspective in the Northern Hemisphere, we’ll soon be putting Spring 2007 to bed as Autumn collections start to hit shelves in mid-July. Stay tuned for what’s in store for us for Fall!

Your shapely bust, small waist and full bottom fill out the right dress perfectly. By defining your waist and keeping your necklines low, you’ll find lots of frocks that flatter your curves.

Some guidelines to follow when shopping for that perfect dress:

• Look for styles in draped fabrics that skim over and accentuate your curves.
• Keep your waist a focal point. You’ll look “blocky” if you don’t define your mid section, so avoid “of the moment” sack dresses and straight sheath styles. 
• Choose dresses with scooped, oval, sweetheart or V-necklines that elongate your frame and flatter your bust line.
• Look for styles with vertical seam details such as princess lines and vertical insets.
• Keep the bodice simple if you’re busty (avoid ruffles and fussy details around the bust area that end up making you look top heavy).
• Knee length dresses are best and wearing heels will enhance your leg line.
• Choose bias cuts, shaped sheaths, shirtwaisters, V-neck halters, wraps and strapless styles.

Hour glass body types should always have dresses in their wardrobe because they look fabulous in frocks. Make the most of Spring’s  dress season!

Halter, fitted strappy sheath and A-line knee length dresses appropriate for hourglass body types (Dillards).

Buying a swimsuit doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. Skimpy bikinis that look fabulous on hangers and mannequins but make you feel fat and self conscious are not the answer.

My opinion has not changed since I set out the bare facts in last year’s blog postings on swimwear (part 1 and part 2). Everybody looks great in the right one-piece. Add a dainty wrap to the ensemble and you’ll feel confident and comfortable, and look stylish and alluring.

“Miraclesuit” is a brand of swimwear that’s designed to flatter. Their suits are lined and made of thick, drapey fabric that gives your body the control and support that you need. Their V-shaped necklines elongate your frame; while their ruching details camouflage the midsection. Their backs are scooped for an extra bit of sass.

If you’re self conscious about body realities like stretch marks, “back fat” , dormant tummy muscles, or a large bust, then this is the cozzie for you. A beautiful one-piece with a wrap is flop-proof for the beach.

Flattering one-piece Miraclesuits are available at department stores for about $140. That’s expensive, but feeling confident in your cozzie is worth the investment. 

Chunky cuffs and bangles in resin, wood, Lucite, plastic or glistening metallics have made a comeback. It’s another ‘70’s and ‘80’s trend with a modern twist. I adore this accessory because it makes a simple statement: a single or superb set of bangles on a bare arm is all you need to finish your outfit off appropriately.

I personally find bulky bangles cumbersome and impractical to wear. I suppose I’m just more of watch and ring type of gal. But if cuffs and bangles are your choice, remember to keep them in proportion to your size. The fuller and taller you are, the larger you can sport your jewelry. Cuffs and bangles are fun and flirty with sleeveless dresses and a nice alternative to necklaces in Summer. Quite the eye-catching ornament.

An assortment of cuffs and bangles from Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

I had given up on all ultra-trendy shoes this season because soaring heels and wobbly wedges don’t make my feet happy. And then I found a shoe that stepped up to the plate. It’s a Franco Sarto patent, sling-back, peek-toed, cork wedge sandal. I’d bypassed this pretty shoe several times, assuming that it would be uncomfortable and impossible to walk in.

Then a client of mine (with equally finicky feet) insisted that they were worth a try. And they were. I’m delighted to have found a pair of fun, fashion-forward sandals that are stable and comfortable for about 4 hours. They don’t meet my “8-hour-shoe” grade, but they certainly beat dressy strappy heels that barely make it to the 2 hour mark. These wedges have satisfied the fashionista component of my fashion persona. There is hope for those of us with fussy feet!

The Franco Sarto patent wedge is available at most department stores in an assortment of colours for around $90.00.

From baby pink and antique rose, to bubblegum and fuchsia, pink is the colour many of our mothers dressed us in when we were little. This season it’s a fashion colour that’s back on the map. Purple is a shade that we don’t see as often, but it’s making a subtle statement too (and I have a hunch that purple is going to feature for Autumn).

There are pink-purples (hot shades) and blue-purples (cold shades) and preferences are personal. I prefer “pinker” purples like magenta and jewel tones because I love to pair those shades with green and yellow. I also tend to like cerise pink with red and orange. These vivid color combinations remind me of magnificent Indian saris and Japanese kimonos. Ironically, colours that clash can often work in harmony.

If you prefer to sport one bright at a time, hot pinks and purples are fabulous with denim blue, white, black and tan for Spring. Remember to sport an eye-catching pink or purple accessory instead of an item of clothing if thinking pink is not quite your style.