Cate Blanchett is one of my favourite actresses and in my book sports the best celebrity style. She pulls off her daring, edgy and dramatic haute couture taste with the greatest of ease and always manages to look elegant, statuesque and ultra-glam. But her outfit at the premiere of “Elizabeth – The Golden Age” gets my thumbs down. It’s such a shame that her dress looked like a neon road traffic beacon instead of a tasteful, voluminous designer piece. Cate is pregnant with her third child and perhaps she wasn’t feeling quite her best this time around, hence the fashion faux pas. But we’re all allowed our off days so we won’t hold it against you Cate. You still rank at the top of my celebrity style list because your record of impeccable style and your fabulous face go a long way.

I often see fabulous patterned or checked skirts in wardrobes that are left unworn because matching them up with the right top is difficult. There is no need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to picking out a top to match this type of skirt (either casual or smart). All you need is a simple hipbone length fitted knit top or piece of knitwear while your skirt does all the talking.

• Keep the neckline V or scooped if you like to elongate your look, or if you have a busty chest.
• Keep your neckline high or cowl if you’re long necked or small-chested.
• Look for side seam and center front ruching details if you have a little extra around the middle and remember that form fitting knitwear is less clingy than form fitting jersey knit.

It is possible to match these skirts with tops, collared shirts and blouses with extra style and colour detail, but this gets much more complicated. So stick to the flop-proof knit top and you won’t go wrong. Finish off the look with a waist-cinching belt (skinny or wide), one piece of statement jewelry and fab shoes or boots. It’s always a good idea to buy a top along with a patterned skirt if you don’t already have one. This way you’ll be sure to wear your skirt!

Ann Taylor and the Loft often have a good selection of plain knit tops and knitwear that are ideal for skirts, so be sure to look there if you’re looking for that ultra simple skirt top.

Holiday parties at home or at informal festive restaurants are usually smart casual in setting and this calls for a more toned down yet appropriate holiday look (unless a particular dress code is specified on the invitation). You have lots of options when it comes to what to wear.

Here are some ideas:

• A-line day dresses with knee high boots are one of my favourite ensembles and any age group can wear the look. I was having lunch at Seattle’s flagship Nordstrom Grill last week and saw two elderly ladies, both clad in dresses, coats, knee high boots and rather theatrical hats. They looked fabulous and were the perfect example of looking great at every age.
• Sparkly tops always go down well and your pick from shiny girly blouses, shimmery knitted tops and sequined cardigans are all great. Match these tops up with dark wash denims, trouser jeans, a denim skirt or a pair of fab slacks. Be sure to add a smart shoe or boot (heeled or flat), carry a small handbag and leave those gigantic totes to rest for the night.
• A festive skirt with a plain top is a super and versatile option. A button down shirt, simple knitted top or piece of knitwear usually works best with any skirt. Finish the look off with a tailored cropped denim jacket, a pair of heels or boots and a cute clutch bag.

Hose or bare legs are equally appropriate and knee high boots are an excellent way of giving your look more coverage if you’re a little leg shy, or instant drama if that’s what you’re after. Enjoy the festive occasion and relax into the evening with both style and comfort.

A roomy fancy skirt and simple top, or easy A-line jersey dress with fabulous knee-high boots gets my vote as the best casual holiday party looks this year (I’m going to rest my jeans on these occasions). These Stuart Weitzman boots were shown on Oprah’s style and beauty show last week and left quite the impression.

With the help of three fashion experts, Oprah explored how women from ages 30 to 70 can dress stylishly, fashionably and age-appropriately. The panel of stylists included Stacy London (host of America’s “What Not To Wear”), Lloyd Boston (author of “Before You Put That On”) and Charla Krupp (author of “How Not To Look Old”).

Between the three experts and a whole slew makeovers, many of the points made resonated strongly with my personal beliefs on style and fashion:

• One mistake that women make is to shop by size rather than fit. Going up a size for the most flattering fit should be the main focus, and not the number on the size tag.
• Body type, age and lifestyle dictate which trends will work for you and which won’t – not every trend works for every person.
• Many women in America are hung up on comfort and wear clothes as if they are going to the gym (I believe comfort and style are important, but that sweats are for working out and lounging at home).
• Dressing well causes people to sit up and take notice.
• Handbags do not need to match shoes.
• Patent is great at any age but in smaller doses as you get older. Less is more as you age.
• You can wear cream and white through Autumn and Winter as long as the fabric of the garment is season-appropriate.
• If you wear clothing that is waist-conscious, you will always have a flattering silhouette.
• Women at any age can wear classic and sophisticated looks.
• A pair of good jeans can make you look 10 years younger.

The experts also made some points that can be true in some situations, but really depend on your body type:

• The older you are, the slimmer you should go on a wide-leg pant. Wide-leg pants are best with chunky heels and boots as opposed to thin-heeled stilettos.
• Pencil skirts are a great look for women in their 50’s and over because it gives the body a great shape.
• You should wear high neck blouses if you are feeling bad about your neck because it draws the eye upward to the face.

One other point: While the style makeovers were impressive for that TV moment, the crux to having style is maintaining it from day to day. Perhaps this topic will get covered another time. Do you agree with the fashion experts? If you didn’t see the show, there is a lot of coverage and extra material on Oprah’s website.

Semi-opaque tights are easy to find and most brands will do the trick. A fab pair of plain black opaque tights, on the other hand, are a little harder to find. Few brands seem to have the thickness and the perfectly matte look that I’m after. After much trial and error, I’ve narrowed it down to two options:

• Nordstrom Opaque Control Tops ($10)
• Spanx Tight-end Tights ($24)

I used to enjoy DKNY opaque tights, but this season they seem thinner than before. If you’re leg shy about wearing an above the knee skirt or dress, you’ll want opaque’s that are as substantial as a pair of skinny pants. And you’ll get even better coverage if you go up a size and wear a second pair.

Thick dark black opaque tights happen to be the trendy choice to pair with the new party dresses this season. It’s a theatrical look that’s not for everyone, but I fancy the idea of covering up and staying warm in a short party dress when it’s freezing outside.

Thick, silky, matte opaque’s paired perfectly with party dresses.

The holidays are upon us and this calls for partywear. As much as I’d like to see a greater assortment of swanky skirts and tops in stores (because separates are often better for some body types), the party look this season is once again frock focused. Stores are full of party dress options that are a little more daring and interesting than the average little black dress.

If you’re looking for a new party look that’s “of this fashion moment”, you might be inspired by a few of the shorter dress styles that are in vogue:

• Belted bubbles are a nice mixture of volume and tailoring. It’s certainly a new spin on the shirt dress and a lot more flattering than you’d expect.
• Shift Dresses are loose tunics with just enough shape and drape. This style gets my vote for most fabulous party dress this year. Wear it in a pukka ‘60’s psychedelic pattern and the drama doubles.
• Sequined Sheaths are disco chic and fun. There’s nothing like a bit of sparkle to bring in the New Year.
• Trapeze dresses with or without sleeves are voluminous and shapeless around the tummy area and therefore extra comfy for eating and dancing. I like that the roomy style of this dress leaves a little to the imagination.

I’ve been getting a bit bored with the sleeveless and strapless dress trend recently, so it’s refreshing to see dresses with sleeve detail. It’s especially practical for Winter occasions. While I continue to be a fan of forever fashionable holiday party choices like LBD’s, vintage inspired ensembles and fancy tuxedos, it’s exciting to try a new look and take a risk once in a while.

Belted bubble dress

Shift dress

Shift dress

Sequined sheath

Sleeveless trapeze dress

Trapeze dress

These styles reigned supreme in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and their retro glory is worth celebrating.

Layering an item with a shorter sleeve (either bracelet, three-quarter or short) over an item with a long sleeve is a perfectly acceptable and hip 70’s-inspired look. While layering in this way won’t work with every sleeve type, there are rules one can follow to ensure a streamlined look:

• Stick to layering one voluminous sleeve at a time. Volume on the first layer (a sleek cardigan over a lantern sleeve); or volume on the second layer (a bell sleeve over a fitted long sleeved knitted T) are looks that work equally well. Layering with two sets of voluminous sleeves (a bell sleeve over a bell sleeve) at different lengths can also work, but gets tricky, so it’s best to stick with one.
• Create a colour contrast for the best effect. Contrasting subtle or bold colours with the sleeves that you layer creates an effective statement. It’s when the colour is the same (like black on black) that the effect is less interesting and eye-catching.

Longer sleeves that peek out underneath shorter sleeves can give an outfit a funky and artsy edge. It’s another good reason to buy three-quarter-sleeve outwear.

Good examples of shorter voluminous second layers worn over sleek long sleeves.

Three-quarter-length and bracelet-length sleeves are particularly popular on coats and jackets this season. These sleeve lengths are super for Autumn, but a little chilly for Winter. By adding long opera gloves to the look, you’ll create a dramatic ‘40’s fashion effect and keep your forearms warm. Opera gloves are expensive, and might set you back the same amount that you paid for your coat or jacket. But they can be thrifted for a fraction of the price if you fancy the look and are determined to wear it at a price.

The beauty of three-quarter-sleeve outerwear items is that they’ll take you all the way into Spring if they’re not made of heavy Winter fabrications. They’re also perfect for mild Winter temperatures, with or without opera gloves. So if you’re on the fence about purchasing a three-quarter-sleeved coat or jacket, remember that you can extend it’s life into Winter and Spring. Savvy choices about the additions to your wardrobe will help you to get the biggest bang for your fashion buck.

Lucky magazine presented their “first annual shopping awards” in the November edition. They compared views on the best shopping destinations between the so called fashion experts and a sample of the magazines readership. The best American department stores, chain stores and websites were judged side by side and the results were very interesting.

For department stores, the industry experts shared the awards between the major department stores. Nordstrom did best and was chosen three times. Readers were more decisive, clearly picking Nordstrom and Macy’s as their favourite departments stores. Nordstrom was also on top with the readers too, but where experts thought they deserved an award for beauty, readers thought they deserved it for their selection of emerging designers. Being a loyal Nordies shopper (and given that they are going through a rough patch at the moment), this made my heart happy.

When it came to chain stores, the Lucky readership agreed with the industry’s choice of H&M for hot off the runway looks, but preferred Forever 21 for party clothes and the Gap for jeans and weekend wear. I was surprised that Gap came up as a frequent favourite, that Forever 21 was mentioned, and that Zara failed to come up at all. But it came as no surprise that the experts and Lucky readers agreed that Sephora was best for beauty products, Nine West was best for shoes and Victoria Secret was best for lingerie.

With websites, Zappos.com came up as a favourite for both the industry and Lucky readers for best shoe site; while Bluefly.com came up as a favourite for both parties as best bargains site. Nordstrom.com was a favourite on both sides for best handbag site, as was Shopbop.com for best young designers. To my surprise Lucky readers chose Gap.com for best denim site, while the experts favoured Ronherman.com and Bluebee.com for their denim.

The detailed results are below. Any surprises?

Sweater coats are not at the top of my list because they can look sloppy, robe-like and generally unflattering. But I understand their cozy, comfy and ultra-casual appeal. If you don’t feel the cold as much as I do, then the right weight of sweater coat might make an ideal cover-up for milder outside temperatures. It’s also a nice item to wear when it’s a dash chilly indoors.

Finding a flattering sweater coat is all in the cut:

• Keep it A-line. Not all welts taper, but the ones that do are harder to wear.
• Keep it tailored on the torso and fitted at the shoulders.
• Keep the gauge of the knit fine or semi-chunky because few people look good in chunky knits.
• Don’t go too long in the length unless you’re tall (above the knee is best).
• Make sure that the belt loops are correctly positioned if the style is belted (adjust the position of the belt if necessary).
• Watch that patch pockets on the hip area don’t add unnecessary bulk.

The right sweater coat is an appropriate addition to your wardrobe if there’s a boho element to your style. I personally prefer real coats with a bit more structure, but horses for courses. It’s fab that there’s something for everyone.

Unbelted styles tend to look less like robes and are certainly my preference this season. Add a little volume to the sleeve (like the style on the left) and you’ve got yourself a funky little casual look.