The US Apparel sector is having a hard time at the moment. Data from MasterCard spending and reports from the retailers themselves show that sales were weak this September. Consumer spending is down a little because of the rising gas prices and a difficult housing market; and unseasonally warm weather “quelled demand for fall fashions” in particular. Analysts also point out that the year on year comparison is tough (September 2006 was a particularly good month).

My own favourite American department store, Nordstrom (which normally beats Wall Street estimates), announced late last week that sales figures would rise less than expected. It is resorting to additional markdowns to reduce inventory levels. Smaller margins for Nordstrom means better prices for us, so there definitely is a silver lining for shoppers. Be on the lookout for good deals!

As an ex fashion buyer, I look to the merchandise when sales drop. While the other factors do have an undeniable impact on retail sales, the strength of the product is key. If the merchandise at Nordstrom was up to scratch in both in style and value this season, sales might not be so soft. I am a loyal Nordies girl and choose to spend many fashion dollars there, but I have not been as enticed lately. And the same holds true for my clients.

Let’s hope the sales are good and the floors are cleared to make space for the much anticipated holiday lines. It looks like the weather may start to lend a helping hand.

Bridging pieces allow you to refresh your wardrobe and increase the ROI of items you already own (because they “bridge” a gap in your closet). One effective bridging piece is a knitted top in a neutral or fashion colour. Renew your look fashionably and cost effectively by mixing a new knitted top with an existing jacket and pair of business casual slacks (or jeans).

Banana Republic took me by surprise last week. They have the best selection of bridging knitted tops at the moment. The choice of neckline (high or low), fabric composition (wool or cotton-rich), colour (basic or bright), style (classic or funky), length (short and long) and price point (affordable or cashmere) is impressive. There is something for everyone. Their fine knit gauges make these knitted tops doubly versatile because they suit both casual and business casual environments.

Get to Banana Republic soon if bridging pieces are on your shopping list. The stock is new and seems to be moving quickly.

A selection of assorted knitted tops from Banana Republic. Perfect for work and for weekends, dressed up or down.

We normally focus on their red carpet appearances, but I also admire certain celebrities for their everyday style. I may not personally aspire to their specific look (because fashion personas and body types differ), but I truly appreciate the way the following women dress and I enjoy looking at their everyday ensembles. They seem to adore fashion and always look fabulous.

Australian Style

• Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett have bodies like supermodels and can dress like they’re just off the catwalk. They mix classic, eclectic, retro and funky fashion with all the grace and elegance in the world.
• Naomi Watts likes to take fashion risks and pulls off the look well. She’s usually one of the first celebrities to try a new trend and I admire her courage.

European Style

• Penelope Cruz epitomizes smart and sophisticated Euro style. She manages to adapt cutting edge fashion trends in an effortless and unfussy way. She’s always sporting the hottest silhouette and colour, but never looks as though she’s trying too hard.

American Style

• Jennifer Aniston seldom takes a fashion risk and sticks to simple, uncomplicated, clean-cut lines in neutral shades. Her discipline to remain a staunch modern-classic is commendable and she has earned herself a distinctive signature look that suits her to a tee.
• Jessica Alba is young and wears fashion trends to their fullest. She has fun with what she wears and likes to mix pretty items with retro urban pieces.
• Beyonce and Gwen Stefani are pop stars who rock their glitzy yet tasteful styles. Their artistic fashion personas enable them to sport their over-the-top clothing choices with ease.

British Style

• Kate Moss doesn’t wear trends – she sets them. She continues to inspire top designers with her edgy, daring, and dramatic sense of style. There is no one who gets way with wearing what Kate Moss does and I enjoy her evolving and creative wardrobe concoctions.
• Sienna Miller isn’t quite Kate Moss, but she is a style icon in her own right. She’s the bo-ho urbanite and bold fashion risk-taker whose unusual clothing combinations always seem to work.

Sarah Jessica Parker has fallen off the radar. She looked fabulous in Sex and the City, but her dress sense seems to have gone astray since then. Whose celebrity style do you admire and why?

We look for soft comfy knits that keep us warm and cozy as the weather cools. Say goodbye to button-down shirts and thin cotton T’s, and hello to easy, A-line knitted tunics this season. Wear them over jeans (skinny, straight or bootcut), or with a thick pair of leggings and knee-high boots. Knitted tunics also fall into the “sweater dress” category, so remember to look in the dress department if you can’t find them amongst the separates. They are best matched with trenches and coats that are knee length or longer if you’re after an additional extra layer for extra warmth.

Try on a cozy knitted tunic instead of a regular pullover if you’re looking for a stretchy knit that’s flattering and forgiving. Their tailored yet relaxed appeal ensures head to toe comfort with style… the perfect casual update for Mum on the go.

A selection of easy knitwear tunics from Nordstrom.

I’ve spent a fortune on socks in the past, hoping that the more I paid for a pair, the more they’d satisfy my simple sock needs. I’ve also gone to the other extreme of paying 99 cents at a local drugstore in hope that they might be the ones. All I want is a pair of cotton rich spandex socks that aren’t baggy at the heel and stay up the whole day. Unlike most people, I prefer to wear thin socks that are wool-free (unless I’m working out and wearing sports socks). If my feet are cold, I pop on 2 pairs. Socks with a wool content make my feet itchy and I find thick socks bulky and uncomfortable.

After a long search and much experimentation, I found my perfect socks at the Gap. I now buy all my socks there because they are the wool-free pairs that stay snug on my feet. They have also lasted the longest. I’m still wearing perfectly great Gap socks that I’ve had for 5 years – no holes and extra-robust elastic makes for a fab pair of socks. But horses for courses, so if you like the same types of socks that I do, I can recommend the Gap. I can’t find the specific socks that I have in mind online, but they are the patterned pairs (e.g. stripes and argyles) that are available in an assortment of colours. You’ll find them near the checkout counter for $4.

For a long time I wasn’t inspired by anything at J. Crew. I hadn’t been shopping there with clients for ages. That changed a few months ago when I discovered how super their women’s range was looking. Their colourful, preppy, modern-classic look is not for everyone, but certainly worth a look this season if that’s your style. Their cashmere special ($99 for a plain cru), wool coat assortment, dressy knitted tunics, trapeze cardigans, fine wale corduroy, checked wide-legged pants and cozy lounge knits really caught my eye. It’s a pity that their on-line shopping site does not do their clothing justice. You don’t seem to get the same impact when you browse on-line as you do when you browse in store. So reserve your judgment until you get to a store! J. Crew remains a price point above Banana Republic and they seldom go on sale, but their clothing is beautifully made and I’m happy to have them back on my shopping list.

Images from the J. Crew Autumn 2007 look book.

Patent is everywhere and it’s the third season in a row. From handbags to shoes, wallets to belts and jackets to jewelry, there’s no getting away from major gloss and shine this season. I like patent best when it’s cracked, distressed and textured. It’s the newer and edgier version of high shine at the moment and I love it’s urban appeal.

The trend is taken to new heights this Autumn with entire garments made of patent. Less extreme, but equally eye catching, are skirts, pants and coats that glisten graphically with patent trim. It seems that high shine has gone from fashion statement to fashion basic in less than 18 months. It’s quite the look in men’s and children’s shoes as well.

Patent remains one of the biggest trends around and I’d be surprised to see it diminish next year. How do you feel about the shine?

Fashion forward patent and cracked patent men’s shoes.

It’s half-time for the 2007 Autumn and Winter collections. Most retail stores are on sale and there are bargains to be had. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, October is one of the best times to shop for cold weather clothing because:

• Transitional Autumn merchandise is marked down
• Dressy holiday ensembles begin to hit stores
• The best woolen items make their debut (outerwear, coats, cashmere and merino wool knitwear)

Lightweight knits, trenches and cotton-rich items get pushed off store floors to make room for fancy occasion wear, resort wear (in case you’re off to a sunny spot to thaw), and heavy weight winter garments. You’ll see additional inputs of fresh winter merchandise hit stores in November.

Retailers generally resist further delivery of sales stock from the first week of December till Christmas because they don’t like to bulk up stocks just before Christmas. Business tends to fall flat straight after Christmas and unsold goods leads to reduced profit. January is markdown month and Spring lines start making their cheerful entry in February. So what you see in stores between now and the end of November is everything that this season still has to offer.

If you are a lucky sale shopper, then now is your time. If you haven’t updated adequately for the upcoming season – get cracking! The good stuff, whether it’s in terms of design or value, flies out of stores. Continue to make savvy decisions when you shop . Do not buy something if you do not know how to wear it, or how to build it into an ensemble from the other items in your wardrobe. The item will remain unworn and that’s a waste of money.

I make a beeline for Banana Republic Menswear at this time of year. Half the store is on sale and the best of their Autumn and Winter collections makes its debut. It remains one of my favourite places to buy hip, affordable and good quality basics for gentlemen clients.

Knee-high boots tucked into skinnies or slipped on underneath a skirt is a fab look for Autumn. It’s a versatile dressing formula that can be adapted to any fashion persona or lifestyle. While classic long boot styles are always in vogue, you might get the urge to splurge on an alternative funky pair if your budget allows it.

• Cuffed boots are striking, but they can look bulky if they aren’t shaped correctly for your legs. A streamlined cuff and a style that tapers at the ankle is a safe option.
• Biker boots add an edge to any ensemble by providing glorious contrast when matched with ultra feminine pieces.
• Casual flat boots are all the rage on the streets of London. Riding boots and slouchy styles make for a superbly unfussy urban look.
• Sliver wedge boots are a modern and retro combination. Their low wedge heels oozes comfort, but beware of their overall silhouette. They could make you feel dumpy since the style doesn’t always taper at the ankle.

One of the reasons I love Autumn is because boot season really gets my fashion juices going. Long boots in particular are a powerful statement piece that always adds drama to your ensemble. And thanks to heavenly cushioning insoles, their comfort factor is easily increased.

Boots are magical. As long as they’re comfortable, I adore them in any size or form. Add the right pair of boots to an outfit and your style quotient doubles. Your wardrobe should therefore include at least a few pairs of versatile boots (unless you live in a year round tropical climate).

This season boasts a whole slew of interesting ankle boot styles that can be adapted to both classic and daring looks:

• Slouchy flat ankle boots are the latest look and in keeping with the retro 80’s revival fad. They work best tucked into skinny or straight leg jeans and were all the rage on the streets of London.
• Cuffed styles are another 80’s inspired trend and great tucked into jeans (without the legwarmers this time around).
• Tapered ankle boots are versatile, smart and sleek with pants or jeans – either skinny, boot cut or wide-legged.
• Wedged versions are streamlined and modern.
• Booties were fringe statements last season but completely mainstream now. It’s the boot with the least coverage and therefore ideal for warmer weather. They are particularly comfortable with elastic inserts at the ankle.

Ankle boots with skirts and dresses is an ultra fashion forward look, but not one that everyone can pull off. It’s not easy getting the shape of an ankle boot to work with the shape of your legs and the silhouette of the skirt. You’ll also need to think about the right type of hose to wear with this look. It is still much easier to pop a pair of fabulous knee-high boots underneath a skirt. Stay tuned for long boots tomorrow.