If you’re updating your wardrobe, a must-have for every fashionista is a new trench coat . This classic from MICHAEL at Michael Kors fits that bill. This piece features a point collar, button front, button-off waist sash, and a detachable body liner for all-season wear. It will take you through sun or rain, and it’s machine washable for easy care.

This coat truly will go with everything. Put it over these Revival pants from A K A Woman, in joseph grey(or choose one of the other colors, like Devil’s Food or Desert). They have a hidden front hook and zipper closure, and a touch of stretch in the cotton fabric to keep them comfortable all day. They taper to the knees, then flare just the right amount. These trousers are business casual, so top with a bright colored sweater or a bright print blouse. Add a cute pair of skimmers, go for a pop of color with one of this season’s favorites, like purple or teal, and add some jewelry and a good leather shoulder bag, and you’re ready for the office and dinner afterward.

Not feeling like trousers for work? This great empire dress from Volcom comes in True Red, and will look magical with the trench coat. Made of a fine-gauge cotton knit, this dress features smocking at that empire waist for a perfect fit, and the Volcrom embroidery at front left hip and right rear shoulder. It goes to work, then out to play the evening away when five o’clock comes. Dress it up with a high-heeled sandal or open-toed shoe in croc-look leather, and don’t forget the bling at neck, ears, and wrists. For the dress, a clutch purse in another bright color will keep you looking in style. On chilly days, add one of the long scarves you’ll see in every collection.

Think trench coats are just for rainy days? Not so, stylistas! They go through autumn with every look, from casual to evening wear, and they’ll never leave you all wet.

If your navy suit with the pencil skirt is feeling oh-so-blah, and you also want something cute to wear with friends for lunch or shopping, it’s time to look for that special top that puts everything together. And stylistas, we have the top for you!

This navy and white bias cut flutter-sleeve top from MICHAEL by Michael Kors is just the thing to perk that old suit right up. Add some dangling white earrings like these from Tarina Tarantina, and a chunky white bracelet, and you’re ready to go. Oops, wait a minute, what about your shoes? Dress that new look up all the way down to your toes with these T-strap pumps by Donald J. Pliner. Between the 3 ½ inch heel and the hint of a platform, your legs will look terrific and your suit will look retro and brand new. Don’t forget to carry a bag with a pop of bright color, although with too much navy you’re right back to blah.

Keep the new look going on a Saturday, or any fun day, by pairing the top with jeans, or with navy capris or cropped pants. Lose the dangly earrings and go for pearl or faux diamond studs. Swap the bracelet for a fun white watch (think Dooney and Bourke or Betsey Johnson), and add a few cute rings to your fingers. Add a pop of color on your feet with shoes like these totally adorable red ballerina flats from Timberland, with their soft suede uppers and completely comfortable design. You can shop all day in these babies. Add a red clutch or a patterned tote, and you can go anywhere.

And you were ready to throw that suit out! Sometimes it takes a little out-of-the-box thinking to keep your clothes from getting in a rut. And that’s why you’re reading this!

Bags are one of the oldest fashion accessories in the world. They have been used since prehistoric times to carry items like tools, food and supplies. Today bags are still used to carry items, however, their designs have evolved slightly over the last 10,000 years. They have become both a fashion item and a functional item. This dual function has lead to the development of five main categories of bags: shoulder bags, totes, travel bags, clutches and sports bags.

Shoulder Bags
Shoulder bags are identified by a long shoulder strap that is attached to the bag. The bag itself is generally rectangular in shape and it generally has one large interior compartment and several smaller compartments that are used to organize items inside the bag. These bags come in many sizes, however, they tend to be on the large side.

Tote Bags
Tote bags have very simple designs. They are a basic rectangle shape with two short handles. These bags are used to carry everything from groceries to books. They are also used as a casual bag when people go to the park or to the beach.

Travel Bags
Travel bags come in several varieties. Their purpose is to keep your clothing and personal items organized and contained while you are traveling. Small travel bags include vanity bags, toiletry kits and fanny packs. Larger travel bags include suitcases, wardrobe bags and carry-on bags.

Clutches
One of the most fashionable categories of bags is the clutch category. Clutches are dainty little bags that are designed to hold and organize the items that women need when they go out on the town. They are generally only slightly larger than a woman’s hand and they tend to be very decorative. Clutches can be used to add a punch of color or whimsy to a formal outfit.

Sports Bags
The final type of bag that you can add to your wardrobe is sports bags. Sports bags are used to organize and carry sports supplies and gear. Backpacks fall under this category as do duffle bags. Sports bags generally have strong seams and are usually made from canvas, vinyl or leather. They also come in sporty colors and designs.

When you are building a wardrobe you need to look at the items you use to carry and organize your daily equipment and supplies. The most commonly used items to carry supplies are purses, wallets, totes, duffle bags and backpacks . While these items may seem like simple utility purchases, if you put some effort into the items you select then you can use them to enhance the look and style of your overall wardrobe.

When building a man’s wardrobe you will focus on selecting wallets, duffle bags and backpacks. Wallets are an everyday carryall that needs a more formal appearance. Generally you will want to avoid canvas and Velcro wallets once you are over 18 years of age. A high quality leather wallet in a neutral tone will compliment any outfit that you put on. For sports and more casual carryalls you can turn to backpacks and duffle bags. When selecting these items you will still want to look for quality materials. Spending a little more on your sports carryalls will not only ensure that they last longer, but it will also help you to find a bag that looks good. If you have a flexible budget then you can also buy several sports bags in various colors and designs so that you can coordinate your sports bag with your workout clothes.

When building a woman’s wardrobe you will want to look at a wide variety of bags. Clutches can be selected to complete your evening look. You will want a basic black clutch , as well as several more colorful clutches. Next you will look for purses that are suitable for day use. These can be made from leather, canvas, pleather or other materials. You will want to select purses that make sense for your needs and that also will coordinate with your basic wardrobe items. Also, you will want to select both neutral color purses and colorful purses. The colorful purses can be used to add a punch of color or pattern to a neutral outfit. Finally, you will want to look for sports and utility bags. These bags will be used for workout supplies, hiking gear and casual use. You can select sports bags that compliment your workout wear or that look attractive to you.

With the weather warming and the skies clearing it is the perfect time to refresh your spring/summer wardrobe. One option that will quickly freshen up your wardrobe is the Roxy So Hip Dress. This casual slip on dress will work great as a weekend lounging outfit or as an element of a casual work outfit.

Roxy So Hip Dress
The Roxy So Hip Dress , which retails for $46.00, comes in three very refreshing colors, banana cream yellow, regatta blue and shamrock green. The dress also comes in five sizes, extra small, small, medium, large and extra large. The measurements for the length of the dress start at 30 inches for the small size and increase slightly with each size up that you order.

This dress is made of 60 percent cotton and 40 percent polyester. It has a jersey mineral wash finish and a very cute V-neck design with a tie at the waist belt. This little dress also has a single chest pocket for an added detail and point of interest.

To keep this dress in good condition you will want to make sure you follow the washing instructions that come with it. First of all you will want to use a mild detergent like Woolite. This will prevent fading, fiber stretching and fiber damage. Next you will want to wash this item on a warm and delicate setting on your washing machine. Finally, you will need to tumble dry the dress on a low setting or hang it out to dry.

Wardrobe Tips
The Roxy So Hip Dress is a versatile piece. First of all it works great all by itself for a very casual look. Pair it with a pair of flip flops or sandals for an easy day on the boardwalk, at the park or at the beach. If you want to wear this dress to a business function or to work then simply pair it with a linen blazer in white, tan or a complimentary color. Finish the look with a beaded necklace and a matching pair of pumps. For a night on the town you can dress up this dress with a pair of heels, a great necklace and a matching clutch.

The skate item of the week is the Element Cairo Dress. This dress is adorable, summery and a great layering item for your spring/summer wardrobe. It comes in several sizes and in several colors. If you are looking for a signature piece to freshen up your wardrobe then this is a great item that retails for only $46.

Element Cairo Dress
The Element Cairo Dress is a great sun dress with spaghetti straps, a fitted bodice and a smocked backing for a custom fit. This is a short dress that hits right above the knee. It comes in three women’s sizes: small, medium and large. To help you gage what size to order, keep in mind that the length of the small dress is 36 inches. Also keep in mind that this dress is made from 100-percent cotton.

The Element Cairo Dress comes in three different styles. Your first option is the black striped dress. This style has a black and white striped dress body and a printed ruffle hem. Your second option is the green Element Cairo Dress. This dress has a green and white striped dress body and a printed ruffle hem. Your final option is a light blue and white striped dress with a striped ruffle hem.

Working the Element Cairo Dress in to Your Wardrobe
The Element Cairo Dress is a great piece that can be easily be used to create several casual or work outfits. Your first option is to wear it as a great little sun dress. You can dress it up with a sun hat, a great pair of sunglasses and kitten heels. To wear this dress to the beach, all you have to do is pair it with a cute pair of flip flops. On the other hand, if you are off for a romantic drive through the country, wrap a colorful scarf around your neck, put on a pair of sunglasses and several hoop bracelets.

For dressier occasions, like a luncheon, just pair it with a single colored shrug cardigan. If you want to wear this dress to work, pull on a jacket and accessorize with a beaded necklace and a pair of coordinating heels. For a night event, you can dress up this dress by sweeping your hair up, wearing coordinating earrings and necklace, as well as hose and heels.

Dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on the season’s hottest fashions is normal for many fashionistas, but in the current financial environment, it may not be the most fiscally responsible choice. However, there is a bright side to the bleak financial picture. Now is the perfect time to focus and streamline your wardrobe to create a unique look that is completely your own.

Let’s be honest; how many of you have bought clothing in the past simply because it was the hottest trend, not because it was really your style or looked great on you? Probably all of us have done that at one time or another – but now, when we need to watch our pennies, we can’t make such poor fashion decisions. Now is the time to carefully assess each item we buy and ask, “Do I need it? Will I wear it (more than once)? Do I LOVE it? Is it ME?”

As you ask yourself these questions, keep your current wardrobe in mind. What are your favorite colors, clothing styles and accessories in your closet? Do your wardrobe pieces add up to a coherent “look” or are they hopelessly eclectic? If you can figure out the way you want to look and the image you want to project, it will be much easier for you to figure out what your wardrobe basics should be and build from there.

Once you’ve discovered your own style, there will be no need for you to spend thousands on new trendy clothing for each season. As new styles come along, decide if they fit into your overall style and lifestyle, and if not, pass them by. For instance, an outdoorsy girl who prefers to dress casually probably doesn’t NEED red patent leather boots, fabulous though they may seem. A better choice for her would be a pair of hiking boots in a fun, flirty color – that way she can show her trendy side in a way that complements her lifestyle and existing wardrobe. Ladies who prefer pants to skirts can simply ignore the upward or downward trend of skirt and dress hemlines and stick to trousers entirely.

The same principle applies to color. If this season’s hottest color is yellow, but you hate yellow, look terrible in yellow or have nothing in your existing wardrobe that goes with yellow – skip it! If it’s not YOU, there’s no point in wasting money on it. If you’re dying to try the trendy color, choose an inexpensive, utilitarian item like a handbag or belt – that way you haven’t spent a ton of money, and you can always trade with a friend who really does love yellow!

In short, building a wardrobe of clothing that looks good on you, fits your lifestyle and reflects the image you want to project will always make you look a hundred times more fashionable than simply wearing the latest trends. Never buy anything you don’t love – your look AND your wallet will thank you for it!