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

Pre-holiday sales are everywhere, which is unusual at this time of year. Getting the biggest bang for our fashion buck is always a goal so I’m not complaining. Here are my top sale picks prior to mega, post-holiday markdowns:

• J. Crew men’s merino and lamb’s wool pullovers are marked down to $29 - $69. Cashmere is 20-40% off for both gents and ladies. Dresses , T’s, jackets, sweats and pajamas are on sale too, so be sure to look further than knitwear.
• BCBG has 30-70% off most of their party wear, separates, shoes and accessories.
• Banana Republic traditionally goes on sale the day after Christmas, but quite a few of their knits, dresses, shirts and slacks are already 40% off. None of the good menswear is on sale yet so gents will have to wait untill Boxing Day.
• Macy’s Petites are marked down 25-40%. Party attire is not on sale, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets marked down before Christmas. Coats continue to be 40% off and there are great bargains throughout the store so be sure to take a look if you can brave the crowds.
• White House Black Market is offering 30-50% off selected party attire. Tasteful sparkly tops are going for as little at $29.
• Benetton has marked all their goods down 20%.
• Ann Taylor has half of their cashmere collection on sale for $99 and coats are 25% off. Selected dresses are 60% off.
• Old Navy and the Gap continue to mark down their merchandise 40% after 6 weeks and are worth a look, especially for kids and canines.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen markdowns quite this aggressive just before Christmas. Retailers in America normally mark everything down the day after Christmas, and in Europe it’s usually the 2nd of January. It’s no doubt a consequence of the poor performance we’ve been seeing recently in apparel retail. Although November was a good month, September was very weak and October was only marginally better.

Shop as the doors open or after 8pm to avoid holiday hustle and bustle… it’s busy out there people!

A few J. Crew bargains that might find themselves under your Christmas tree.

The dropped waist coat is not a mainstream item, but it’s certainly making a fashion statement. It was particularly popular in London stores a few months ago and I’m seeing more of this silhouette here in the US. The style is sweet but hard to wear. You’ll need to be slender, tall and small hipped to pull this one off. It’s instantly widening and leg-shortening on most body types, especially if there is gathering on the hip seam. I say no to this style if you’re not a gazelle-like rectangle or an inverted triangle.

Just over four years ago I moved to America and this is when I first saw holiday knitwear in the ladies area of a department store. And when I say “holiday knitwear”, I mean that quite literally: Bright red, green, blue and gold pullovers and cardigans with snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees and candy canes appliquéd all over.

I started my buying career in the infants and toddlers department of a chain store, where playful holiday knitwear is adorable. But the thought of adults wearing these items is quite foreign to me. Is this a holiday tradition here in the United States? I’d love to know the story behind this unique fashion statement.

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.

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.

Macy’s started their huge coat sale yesterday. All coats are 30% to 40% off, and if you happen to have a 20% Macy’s coupon in your hot little hands, you’ll enjoy that discount on top of the original reduction. The coats that you’ll find online do not do the actual store range justice. There is a vast assortment in a variety of styles and sizes. Colours are typically neutral, red or checked (hound’s-tooth and tweed), so don’t bother if you have an eye-catching orange or purple winter woolen coat on your shopping list. And remember: beware the black coat if you are challenged by lint and pet hair. Nothing is more hard-wearing and camouflaging of stains and dirt than salt-and-pepper tweeds and patterned fabric.

All the coats are in one section at Macy’s during the sale, so ask a sales assistant for directions and head straight there.

Red made a huge comeback last season but red coats were few and far between. Despite the fact that jewel tones are all the rage right now, gorgeous red coats started gushing into stores a few weeks ago. And it’s about time. I haven’t been enthused by colourful coats all season. A superb coat is always a statement, and a perfect red one even more so.

Not all red coats are created equally. The wrong red coat can look cheap (just like bad patent). Apart from watching cut and fit, you’ll need to be extra discerning about fabrication, button choice and the actual shade of red. Red coats tend to look best in rich luxurious shades and better-end wools. I personally prefer the look of contrasting buttons on red coats, but buttons that are dyed to match will also work.

I am constantly surprised at how many people actually love the colour red (I’m one of them). And you have to love red if you’re going to commit to an entire coat in the colour. Remember that although red is bright, it is a basic colour and will therefore date less than many fashion colours. Red coats are classy when mixed with items in the conventional black, grey and winter white palette. But I’m liking my red coat best mixed with warm winter yellow, ink blue and cobalt this season. The combinations are fresh, new and exciting.

If it fits your shopping plan and budget, now is a good time to add a red coat to your wardrobe. There’s nothing like a bright coat to brighten up a cold Winters day.

A few red coat favourites in stores at the moment (Guess and Mango). There are also some fab styles at Banana Republic, Tulle, Benetton and J Crew.