It was the “year of the dress” and I’d like to conclude 2007 with my best and worst frocks of the year:

Best:

1. Nicole Kidman in her red Balenciaga gown at the Oscars. She was a walking work of art that night.
2. Reese Witherspoon in her short canary yellow Nina Ricci number at the Golden Globes, because it was so unexpectedly fresh, young and sassy. The red shoes that accompanied her outfit stole the show.

Worst:

1. Mary-Kate Olsen in what looked like a Grecian table cloth gone terribly wrong at an Aids Fundraiser in NYC .
2. Jessica Simpson in her preppy check mini dress that left nothing to the imagination.

My award for worst celebrity look for 2007 goes to Kirsten Dunst at the premier of Spiderman 3. She wore an awfully unflattering combination of separates. The colour, choice of silhouette, shoes and stockings of this outfit left me speechless. I hope that Kirsten’s style quotient is back on track next year.

Best Dresses	Worst Dresses	Worst Celebrity Look

Click on the thumbnail pictures to see the outfits at E! Online.

Then cut it off, but be mindful how you go about the chop. You’ll need to leave about 2-3 millimeters of fringe behind so that there’s no unraveling. You don’t need to have the ends of the scarf hemmed after you’ve cut off the fringe, but this is an option if you prefer the look of a straight finished edge. I’ve never hemmed the edges of my scarves and pashminas after I’ve cut off their fringe because I prefer the look of a scarf that does not have an official front or back. In this way, a scarf is “right side up” no matter how you tie it.

Cutting off scarf fringe might sound a little dicey, but I can safely say that I’ve been doing this for years and my pashminas look great after loads of laundering and travel. No unraveling… promise!

Hints of the Spring line have come in early this year. Here are some of the headlines:

• Green, the next big “it” colour
• Orange, a close second
• Bright yellow, ink blue, tomato red and purple still strong
• One piece dressing continues to rule… dresses, dresses, dresses
• Bold ethnic patterns everywhere
• Transparent fabrications
• Voluminous and body conscious silhouettes
• ‘80’s street wear influences
• Floral footwear and handbags
• Peep-toe booties
• Soaring heel heights
• More patent
• Tribal jewelry
• Clutches, clutches, clutches

The first thing on my Spring 2008 shopping list is a pair of green converse sneakers.

End-of-season sales are here for those of us that live in the US or some parts of Asia. In Europe the sales start in the first week of January. If shopping the sales is on your calendar in the near future, remember to and to shop with a strategy and to be sale savvy. The most important things to remember:

• Get to the sales as soon as possible because sizes run out quickly.
• Don’t allow yourself to be seduced by anything that does not absolutely work for you!
• Head out early in the day to avoid the chaos.

You might even like to bring along a printout of “this season’s must haves” for easy reference.

As it turns out, Christmas colours are all the rage right now. Red continues to hold its own and green is Spring 2008’s hottest new colour. We at youlookfab wish you happy holidays, or as they say where we come from, “compliments of the season”. Travel safely and enjoy the festivities.

Yes, you can, if the sparkle is subtle and the items are dressed down appropriately. You’ll find subtle sparkle in knitwear, jackets, blouses, jeans, pants, skirts and scarves when they have a bit of lurex (gold or silver metallic thread) running through them. The overall shiny effect is delicate and restrained. Sequined, crystal beaded and lurex-rich items on the other hand, are obviously sparkly and should be kept for evening occasions. For daywear I’d definitely draw the line at any items that combine black and sparkle.

Subtle sparkle during the day is a fairly new fashion concept that is easy to put together if you follow a few guidelines:

• Restrict your ensemble to one sparkly item at a time. Metallic shoes and a handbag that work together count as one item.
• Tone down the shine with denim. Add a denim jacket to a sparkly skirt, or jeans to a shiny jacket.
• Create a contrast. If your jeans are sparkly, combine the look with a chunky knit, converse sneakers and messenger bag. Don’t pair sparkly jeans with a sparkly jacket or blouse unless you’re going out at night.

Remember, a spot of sparkle goes a long way.

A smart casual outfit with sparkly suede jacket, ultra casual jeans, spectator pumps and cobalt satchel.

I personally prefer fine knits because I find it hard to layer a chunky knit underneath a jacket or coat and still feel comfortable. I also feel more dressy and streamlined in a piece of fine knitwear that I can either dress up or down. But styles and preferences are different and I’ve dressed and seen plenty of people who look great in chunky knits.

The trick is to choose the right silhouette and pair it with the right items.

• Choosing a cropped style that shows your waistline is a good idea because you can pop a sleek, longer layer underneath that peeks out below the knit, allowing you to retain your shape.
• If you prefer longer length knits, keep them tailored and the length just above crotch point. If you go tunic length, stick to sweater coat guidelines.
• Keep your bottoms long and lean with straight cut or boot cut pants or jeans, or a knee-length straight skirt and knee-high heeled boots.

Chunky knits can be flattering in an uber casual way if you add the right amount of structure to your ensemble. Add a pair of casual boots and a slimming scarf and you’ll look fab.

A long scarf that’s “pulled through a loop” or tied in any other way so that the ends form a vertical line down the front of your body has a slimming effect. Worn this way, the scarf creates a long lean line that is surprisingly flattering. Remember to think of a scarf as an item that you can add to your ensemble on mild Autumn and Winter days without a coat. The scarf is often the first accessory to come out in Europe when it gets chilly (before a jacket or coat), so don’t feel that you have to save the item for freezing temperatures.

I love everything about scarves. They keep me warm and elongated, add colour to my outfit and complete the look. I keep my scarf pulled through a loop because that works best for my style (the blue scarf on the right), but here are more ways to tie a scarf in keeping with its vertical appeal.

Each season there’s a handful of items that everyone can integrate into their wardrobe to keep their look updated, hip and current. It’s just a question of finding the versions that are right for you. Here’s my top 10 list for this season:

1. Boots, boots, boots kick any outfit up a notch and I can’t stress this point enough. Booties, ankle boots, calf-high and knee-high boots either casual or dressy are statement pieces and absolute winners.
2. Clutches are “the bag of the season” and they don’t need to cost the earth. You’ll get away with a perfectly fine looking $30 clutch for an “of the moment” going out look.
3. Patent shoes or handbag (or both), because the trend has been around for 3 consecutive seasons and there’s no end in sight for Spring. It’s time to indulge in black, a colour or crinkle versions of high shine.
4. Party capsules are essential at this time of year because you don’t want to be caught unprepared for a fancy event. Invest in the right party pieces and you’ll wear them over and over again.
5. Comfy tunics allow us to move around freely and stylishly, so make this season’s voluminous trend work for you. Either over jeans, with leggings and flats, or with hose and knee-high boots.
6. Dark straight leg jeans (or skinnies) go hand in hand with voluminous tops and therefore can not be ignored.
7. Lantern sleeve top or jacket, because this type of volume is easy to wear and interesting to look at.
8. Trenches are timeless and they work in Spring, or as your only Winter coat if your Winters are mild. Think beyond the traditional Burberry style trench because there are countless options to suit all fashion personas.
9. Winter coats add a level of polish and sophistication to any ensemble. Casual or smart, long or short, trendy or classic, a Winter look is not complete if you don’t have the perfect coat (remember the 3 coat complement if you prefer a tight wardrobe).
10. Something bright in either a top, coat, shoe, handbag, scarf, hat or all of the above to celebrate the glorious resurgence of colour.

Spring fashions hit stores in February so there’s still time to work through this list.

A pair of casual knee- or calf-length weatherproof boots are a must if your Winters are cold and wet. They’re usually best worn over straight or skinny jeans, but under a casual dress or skirt with tights is also an option.

Causal tall boot selections are abundant this season.Take your pick of the following styles:

• Wellies are ideal for muddy playgrounds, farm settings and walks with the dogs. You might need to try on a few before you decide on a pair because rubber can be a little stiff around the ankle. I’ve found that wellies are most flattering when they are knee-length instead of calf-length, so be sure to try both looks.
• Lace-ups are rugged and sporty and a particularly good choice for those with narrow calves.
• Fleece-lined boots are cozy and toe toasting. Select a style with rubber heels and soles to keep the warmth in and the damp out.
• Faux fur styles are adorable and perfect for snowy après ski settings.
• Urban looks with rubber soles are versatile, utilitarian and the perfect Winter walking shoe.

Your look comes together quickly with a pair of great casual boots because they do all the talking. Add a flattering piece of knitwear, a casual parka or coat and a tote or sling bag and that’s it. Your outfit is functional, comfortable and stylish. Easy!

Lace-ups	Fleece-lined	Faux Fur

Faux Fur	Urban	Urban