Last week I asked about the jeans in your closet. So many people shared detailed information that we thought it would be fun to summarize the results.

First of all, how many pairs of jeans do you own? The largest group of people own between one and 5 pairs, with almost the same number of people between 5 and 10 pairs. This seems reasonable if you wear jeans regularly. Note that there were also people at the extremes (one person had zero pairs, and another had 48), but those are excluded from the chart below.

On the color front, most people stuck to a dark blue wash, which is definitely the most versatile and cost effective choice. I was delighted to see that of the non-blue jeans, white and cream was the most popular choice. Black and grey followed soon after. I have a hunch that black-black jeans are going to make a comeback sometime soon.

Breakdown of non-blue jeans	Split between blue and non-blue jeans	Breakdown of blue washes

The chart below shows the brands that were mentioned three times or more. First surprise: There were more than 50 brands represented in our sample. Second surprise: the popularity of Levis amongst our top brand contenders. I have spent an exhausting amount of time in Levis stores trying unsuccessfully to fit myself and my clients into their jeans. They do have good fits for men though.

No surprises with the styles…

• Bootcuts were the forever flattering and fashionable favorite. They cut across, age, body type and fashion persona and are always a good, safe choice. It’s a rule: when in doubt, opt for boot cuts.
• Skinnies and straight legs were next in line. For some, straight legs are “their version of skinnies” because they offer a similar sleek silhouette. I’m happy to see this look gain popularity. It’s contemporary, mainstream and practical. You know I’m a big fan.
• Wide-legs and flares were less popular, which does not surprise me. It’s a hard look to wear.

Overall, a great mix of brands, styles, washes and duplications. Well done you stylish lot.

Most retailers are on sale and there are bargains to be had. If you’re short on warm weather clothing and your Summers are long, now is the time to stock up. I’d start off at Banana Republic and head over to Macy’s if you can brave the crowds.

You can also do end-of season shopping from the comfort of your keyboard. Here are some online sales to check out:

• Boden: Summer Collection Sale: Save up to 50%
• Macy’s: Summer Choice Sale: Save 10-50%
• Liz Claiborne: Beyond Summer Sale: Up to 75% off
• Piperlime: Lime Tag Sale: Up to 40% off
• Old Navy: Summer Loving Sale: Up to 50% off

Remember that it’s all too easy to waste money sale shopping. If you have everything you need, or if you’re on a shopping ban, give it a rest and wait for Autumn lines to hit the shelves.

Frocks are fabulous. They are the quintessential girly garment and make a statement on their own. But the statement needn’t be a dressy one. A dress can look as casual as a walk shorts and knit top ensemble. It’s all in the style, fabric and cut of the dress, and the items you pair it with.

I generally have a hard time getting clients to wear day dresses. Most of them feel the look is fussy, too dressed up, inappropriate, impractical and uncomfortable. Granted, you’ll get better coverage in a pair of pants if you spend your day rock climbing or playing on the floor with your children. But other than that, day dresses are a great casual alternative. They are perfect for a laid back brunch, a walk in the park, a stroll on the beach, relaxed social gatherings, informal site seeing and vacation pursuits, or any other day-to-day casual activity.

Here’s how to achieve the casual day dress look:

1. Select a comfortable A-line, knee-length silhouette that allows movement. Pass on styles that are tight and restrictive.
2. Opt for cotton rich fabrics and poly blends in knits and wovens. Stay away from shiny, luxurious fabrics and styles that give you a “naked feeling” (insufficient coverage).
3. Pair the dress with casual flats, espadrilles, casual wedges, thong sandals or gladiators. Stay away from dressy flats and heels unless you’re after a smart casual or business casual look.
4. Add a denim jacket, a string of casual beads or casual earrings.
5. A straw tote does wonders dressing down a day dress. Add this to the equation and you’re ready to picnic at Hyde Park.

Day dresses keep you cool and are perfect for hot weather. They are an easy option because it’s only one item of clothing to think about.

If you wear day dresses, help me to encourage others! Share your reasons for wearing them. If you’re still against the day dress look, share those feelings too. I hope to change your mind by the end of this season.

Cheeky, cropped cardigans are everywhere and were extremely popular on the streets of Paris. They make my must-have list this season as an indispensable, versatile, feminine layering piece. I get cold easily and having a few different styles and colours that I can pop over virtually anything has been a good investment.

But I’m onto something new (new for me – the look has been fringe fashion for a year now): the ‘80’s-inspired tubular tunic cardigan. In the ‘80’s we used to call them “grandpas” and shoved in shoulder pads for an extra boxy look (sad, but true). They’re called “boyfriend cardigans” this time around, sans les shoulder pads, and a little more fitted for shape.

I originally noticed the look in Barcelona and Paris, but it was a question of finding the right piece. Once I had, I was sold. I love the casual appeal of this garment. I wear my black version over a citron camisole with a (narrow or wide) waist–cinching belt and white or blue jeans. Keep the length of the cardigan a little shorter if you’re petite. It’s best to find a style that’s fairly fitted on the torso area and straight, rather than tapered in silhouette.

If you like a sleek profile, this look is definitely worth a bash.

I recently had a similar tubular tunic cardigan on a beautiful, ultra-stylish client who is in her late 60’s. The cardigan was black, with three-quarter sleeves and patch pockets. We completed the look with a broad safari-inspired belt, white jeans, black shoes and black patent handbag. She looked and felt perfect.

Wear your colourful Summer pieces while you can because we’re heading for a very grey and black Autumn collection. A neutral palette rules.

We’re going to see:

• Sculptured silhouettes and sleek profiles
• Loads of black lace
• Fiery crimson, orange and eggplant amidst the fog of grey
• Rich hippie styles
• Biker jackets, ruffles and skinny pants
• Tailored peplum jackets
• Bowed blouses
• Checkered tweeds and Winter florals
• Animal accents and feathered accessories
• Over-the-knee boots, calf-high boots, booties and spiked, soaring heel heights
• Waist-cinching skinny belts and statement scarves
• Necklace upon necklace upon necklace

You can count on patent and hopefully the demise of wide-legged pants. If I’m not mistaken the “it” shoe for Autumn is the black platform pump. Your thoughts?

Spring and Summer collections are drawing to a close and it’s your last chance to inject a bit of “now” into your wardrobe. We’ve spent six months sharing Spring 2008 trends and here is my must-have list that cuts across body types, age groups and budgets:

• White bottoms: Choose jeans, pants, clamdiggers, walk shorts, a skirt or dress in white. The fresh addition of a white bottom packs plenty of punch to a Summer ensemble. It’s an instant contemporary edge.
• A white accessory: Think white handbags, belts, shoes, chunky beads and watches. If optical white is not your thing, opt for off-white or cream instead.
• Colourful shoes: Get yourself out of the neutral shoe rut and incorporate a cheerful ped in yellow, green, turquoise, purple, orange, pink or blue. If the thought of a bright shoe scares you, go for red, metallic or animal print instead. It’s not quite the same, but I’ll settle for these alternatives.
• A colouful handbag: Get yourself out of the neutral handbag rut. I’ll accept red, metallic or animal print too (faux zebra, giraffe or pony get my vote).
• Clamdiggers or walk shorts: They are the answer to cropped pants.
• A day dress: Nothing keeps you as cool as an A-line, knee-length dress. If you live in hot weather, make this a staple. If frocks aren’t your fancy, try to keep at least one on the back burner to haul out on an extra girly day.
• A cardigan: The layering staple that looks good over just about anything.
• A voluminous item: A superb current trend that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Whether it’s in the form of wide-legged pants, lantern sleeves, trapeze jackets, roomy tunics, sack sheaths, baby dolls or billowing blouses, choose one that suits your body type and go with the flow.
• A wedge: It’s the modern-day heel. Add it in a metal or shade of white and you’ve got a go-to Summer shoe.
• A global accent: Add a tribal twist to your look with an exotic bangle, animal print item or safari inspired piece. Interpret this trend your way and make a statement.

Floral prints, gladiators, shirt dresses, cropped jackets and waist-cinching belts are great trends but not for everyone. You’re fine investing in patent, skinnies and straight leg jeans. These items have become basics and we’ll see them every season.

End-of-season sales have begun. Start ticking off your Summer shopping list and look fab.

Mainstream dress designer Donna Ricco makes a great commercial product. You’ll find her dresses in stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom and White House/Black Market selling for $90-$150. Get them on sale and you’ve got quite a bargain.

A statuesque and superbly polished 5′ 11″ Michelle Obama wore a black and white, cotton sateen, tank-leaf print Donna Ricco dress when she appeared as guest host on talk show “the View” last week. She ordered the dress after seeing it advertised in a New York magazine. She added a black rose to the left shoulder strap and was impeccable. I loved it, and so did the rest of America. The magazine was flooded with orders for the same Donna Ricco dress shortly after the show. Two thousand orders that day alone.

So it’s not all about fancy designer wear for Michelle Obama. Mainstream is just as fab. Style is in the wearer and I can’t think of a better person to convey that message than a politician’s wife. Have a squizz at Donna Ricco dresses when you’re next in store. Chances are high you’ll come home with one. I’ve had mine for two years and it’s still going strong.

I’ve had a client in this exact Donna Ricco dress. It looked great, but we opted for a more colourful style instead.

A wardrobe can’t function without at least one pair of fab jeans. If you don’t have a pair, make it your next mission. A smart casual look is flop-proof and well worth the investment.

So there’s a minimum, but how about a maximum? I see wardrobes full of jeans where many are either ill-fitting or seldom worn. So answer these questions: how many pairs of jeans do you own and how many do you actually wear on a regular basis?

I’ll go first. I have 10 pairs of jeans:

• 2 pairs of duplicated Diesel straight-legs (very dark blue) that are almost skinny. They are my favourites. I can wear everything with these jeans. They work with every tunic, top, blouse, jacket, trench and heel height. I can wear them with flats and pumps in Summer and tucked into boots in Winter. Absolutely brilliant.
• 1 pair of 7 for all Mankind skinnies (mid blue wash) for any heel height.
• 1 pair of AG bootcuts (dark wash) for heels.
• 1 pair of Arden B bootcuts (dark wash) for heels.
• 1 pair Abercrombie & Fitch bootcuts (lighter wash) for flats. I travel in these jeans. They’re a little tatty at the hems and super soft. They come out during my less refined moments.
• 1 pair of skin tight, tapered denim jodhpurs that I wear tucked into boots for a pukka Equestrian look. That’s all. These jeans are like denim leggings.
• 1 pair of David Kahn bootcuts (white) for heels.
• 1 pair of Esprit skinnies (white) for any heel height.
• 1 pair of Club Monaco wide legs (cream) for heels.

This sounds like a lot, but I live in Seattle where we wear jeans all year round. It’s just too cold to wear pretty frocks with flats for more than a few months of the year. I’m also smart casual most days and evenings, so I need more jeans than someone who is business casual during the day.

How many do I wear regularly? Well, I only wear the two white pairs in summer. The one cream pair is very dramatic and therefore only worn from time to time. The jodpurs are reserved for winter when I am wearing boots. The remaining six pairs are in constant rotation. I did have a pair of wide-legged orphans, but they have been passed on.

Now it’s your turn to confess.

Shocking pink (or hot pink) was “the” fashion colour of the ‘80’s. After a sickening overdose, pink disappeared, but was revived in many shades from 2002 to 2004. It disappeared again until this season. It’s the last fashion colour to hit collections before end-of-season-sales (yup, Autumn collections are lurking).

The last fashion colour to emerge before a retail season ends often becomes the “it” colour of the following season. This is common international retail practice and the path yellow followed from last season into the current one.

I like pink, but I’m fussy about the shade. I prefer a saturated purple-pink that’s more like fuchsia. I like it best paired with orange, yellow, a sour green, smoky grey or white. If my predictions are correct, turquoise is going to be big next season. If shocking pink comes to play we’re in store for the biggest ‘80’s colour revival yet. Do you like pink, or have the ‘80’s killed it for you?

I’ll wear shocking pink clothing before I sport it as an accessory. I do fancy the idea of the bright pink pencil skirt though. I might need to have a squizz at J Crew.

Gladiator sandals have been trending for two seasons and this year they’re bigger than ever. They’re the “it” Summer sandal for sure, flooding the Parisian footwear market. The look is global, ethnic and edgy and at its best worn flat as it was in Roman times. I prefer gladiators in shades of brown, metal or white. I’m don’t mind black, but they are my least favourite.

Gaudy gladiators are out, but tasteful styles get my thumbs up. It’s about the ankle strap this time around and the strappier the better. The catch? More straps = less comfort. They wouldn’t last two secs on my fussy feet.

Gladiators aren’t supposed to look pretty. They are casual and have a bit of a hard edge, which I find appealing when contrasted with a girly dress, beautiful feet and a nice pedicure. I adore the look with skinny or straight leg jeans, frocks, walk shorts and clamdiggers. If they tickle your fancy, go for it. I’m envious.

An assortment of gladiator sandals. I’ve had one client all season who’s been able to appreciate and walk in this ped. Don’t feel alone if you are bypassing this trend.