Or the Vest as some people refer to it. Talk about classic, this is certainly a welcomed back piece. It really gives a white shirt a smooth finish for work or a basic tee a urban finish. The Waistcoat is great when layering for Winter as it can be teamed with so much to create many different looks. It can conceal an unwanted mid-rift, give a larger bust the very much needed V-neckline and also give an old boring outfit for work a fresh new sharp look.

The waistcoat layered over a tee-shirt dress can also add the volume needed for a lean body shape. Use your imagination with accessories, possibly boots and some long beads, depending on the dress. If it is a printed dress, keep the accessories minimal otherwise it will look too busy.

Whilst others provided pieces that retail for a few hundred dollars I decided to find a piece that was affordable and great value for money that anyone can afford.

The piece in the feature had to be edited to fit the space available so I decided to post the full article to give you all the secrets for this particular piece.

This season is great and it is hard to pick one piece but I have chosen one piece that I think will be appealing in all areas that you require including price. I shop all over the place and both high end and lower end so I have picked a store that I go into a lot and this store is appealing to a real mix of body shapes and ages. The Feather Sequin Tee available in Just Jeans in Pitt Street Mall. (This tee only arrived in store this week so hopefully it will be around unless it sells out fast)

This top is so versatile in many ways and is a great trans-seasonal piece. It will take you from mid Winter through to Spring which really makes this piece both economical and a wise purchase to start with. As this top has a bit of a sleeve which is a very versatile sleeve in itself as you can layer underneath with a lightweight wool long-sleeved top to create warmth and a very chic look for a 18-30 something age group, team that with a pair of skinny or straight leg jeans, add a pair of long flat boots, lastly throw on a great leather jacket and you have a great effortless, yet stylish look for Winter.

The great thing about this particular top is that you can add as much or as little as you like for nearly any season. This piece is a wardrobe essential because it just goes with everything and will take you from day to night and season to season.

The style of this top is what I call very figure friendly in the sense that it suits most body shapes. The low scoop neckline is great for the bodyshape that requires the illusion of a longer and leaner body but is also great for the body shape that needs volume around the bust as the neckline is also gathered with lots of draped fabric which will bulk up a bust that requires it.

The sleeve is a mix of a longer cap sleeve but unlike a cap sleeve which is usually unsuitable for a larger arm, this sleeve is made up of soft draped jersey which does not hug the arm but sits softly on the arm and therefore is flattering to both a lean arm and a larger arm. As I mentioned above this style is great for layering underneath and on top, making it very versatile. This top is also adaptable to a body shape that requires a fitted shape and also a body shape that needs volume.

The draped viscose jersey hangs off the body so it won’t hug you through the middle, around your tummy but it will still give you shape unlike a pheasant top or smock top because it is a clingy fabric so it will cling to your bust, giving you shape where you need it but at the same time concealing the areas that you need. A good tip with this style is to go down a size so that it will give you more shape and less volume if you have a good size bust. It will conceal the tummy as it is styled and cut that way. You can’t lose with this style.

The fabric is perfect for this style and because it is viscose it will also keep you warm which is another reason why it is trans-seasonal. High summer is probably the only time you may want to avoid this fabric if you have issues with feeling the heat but face it that leaves most of the year to wear this top.

Here are some ideas on what to team this great top with.

• Feather Sequin Tee with a long sleeve lightweight wool top underneath, skinny or straight leg jeans and long flat boots. Finish this look off with a funky wool scarf and a short leather jacket.
• Feather Sequin Tee with a Bootleg Jean, a bootie shoe and a long chain necklace. Finish this off with a long line lightweight wool cardigan and a slouchy bag.
• Feather Sequin Tee with a cargo pant, a pair of sneakers and silver hoop earrings. Finish off with a denim jacket and a bunch of silver bangles. Feather Sequin Tee with a skinny or straight leg jean, ballet flats or gladiator sandals. Finish off with a waistcoat and some great dangly earrings, add a big chunky ring. A pair of heels will change this look to take you out at night.
• Feather Sequin Tee with a straight black skirt, a pair of platforms and a sparkly cuff. Finish off with a satin clutch and a satin trench coat. A great look to take you out at night.

These are just a few examples of how to wear this fabulous tee and as you can see it is a wardrobe essential that is very versatile, figure friendly and a great buy.

When you are looking for trans-seasonal pieces keep in mind that these are the pieces that you will wear a lot due to their versatility. So with that in mind fabric is important, you want it to last for awhile, not forever as we can become bored if we have something too long. We just want to have fun with it and feel great wearing it while it is in fashion. So unless it is a classic piece, don’t spend too much, make sure that it is flattering and you should be able to picture yourself wearing it at least 3 different ways. If it gets these 3 ticks then, and only then, should you buy it.

When choosing a tailored pant look at the following points. Where is the detail, what is style of the leg (wide leg, tapered or straight) and what is the fabric and colour. For example if the fabric is heavier in a tapered leg then it is going to be more flattering than a thin fabric like silk or satin but that is just one example and there are many more. In short do think about what you are about to try on. If it does not tick most of the boxes (the points above), then chances are you won’t be happy with the garment once you have it on in the change room.

Higher Necklines are very prominent this season and can look very sharp as they are usually teamed with structure. This means that you will have a tailored piece which generally looks smart to start with and then add a high neckline and you have a super sharp piece. This is great news for the body shape that requires a minimalist look but also gravitates towards a more classic look. This look is great for work and lunch when no cleavage is required or necessary.

The Higher Neckline is not for every body shape though and is not usually flattering on a larger bust-line but there are ways around that to enable a larger bust-line to wear a higher neckline and it comes back to balance. If you are going to make your bust look larger than it is then you need to also minimise it at the same time by adding volume somewhere else to balance you out. Depending on the style of piece you have chosen with a higher neckline will depend on where you have to add the volume. Again this is something that I teach all of my clients who require it, during our shopping trips.

There are a lot of tailored pieces around this season which is great when you have a body shape that does not require extra bulk with unstructured pieces. There are still unstructured pieces around this season but they are not as predominant as in they have been in the past few seasons. That is fashion, there will always be some styles on offer that are more of a distraction than an attraction. At least there is something for every body shape this season and if you find that you can’t find that perfect piece then you may be looking in the wrong store or at the wrong label.

Back to the Tailored Jacket, there are a few things to consider when choosing a tailored jacket. Look at the length of the jacket, look at the shape of the jacket regarding double breasted or single breasted, the type of collar on the jacket, the detail on the jacket (pockets, ruffles, pleats etc) and lastly the fabric and colour. All of these factors are important when choosing a tailored jacket before you take it into the change room. Consider these points versus your current body shape and you will save endless time and heartache in the change room. Once you know how to compare styles to your body shape, shopping becomes quicker, easier, cheaper and more enjoyable.

This a comeback that can suit all ages, depending on the style you choose of course. The cropped styles seem to be the look this season so if your body shape suits the cropped, shorter styles then you can certainly indulge in this chic look. Not all body shapes suit shorter styles and in some cases a longer style can be a lot more flattering. There are a lot of great long coats around this season for those of you who need the length to create a fabulous look.

Whether you choose a biker or a bomber style leather jacket, they can both look great layered over a textured piece, like a lace tunic and tights or for an age appropriate look, swap the tights for a ponti pant and a longer piece of knitwear underneath the jacket. Again remember, layering is an art but one that you can certainly learn and use this season. It will give you a lot more options regarding putting different looks together to look great.

Layering is essential for Autumn/Winter but knowing how to layer without looking bigger, shorter and bulky is an art and with the right techniques, it is an essential tool in looking stylish and fabulous this season. Layering can actually make you look smaller if done correctly, it can conceal rather than create unwanted bulk. Another important point to know is how to layer without looking like you are just repeating the same look everyday.

Long Knitwear, tights and boots can look boring and you certainly don’t feel great if you see 8 other women sporting the same look as you so you have to be inventive and add your own signature without creating an unflattering look. It is very easy once you know your body shape guidelines.( read my testimonials for more feedback from clients I have helped look and feel fabulous by teaching them their own body shape guidelines). I love long knitwear because you can hide underneath it but still look great and feel incredibly stylish. Teamed with the right pieces, you can create a jaw dropping look.

An important point to consider when choosing a longer piece is the length of the knitwear and your body shape. It is all about creating the right balance so make sure that it does not finish on the widest part of your hips(too short) and make sure that it is not too long so that you drown in the style.

The trick with these like tights is to team them with the right pieces, otherwise they too can look just like a pair of unflattering tights. Learning what suits your shape will help you to choose the correct accompaniments to these fabulous pants. Longer layers and long boots look great with these pants but don’t create too much bulk as this will be very unflattering.

The look for this Autumn/Winter is a repeat of what has been and gone and what has been good and bad in seasons before. What is bad though and what is good this season?

The good news is that most of what is on offer in the fashion world this coming season is wearable. The styles are flattering and can be played around with to create your own unique style. Each season is usually targeted at the older teenager and those body shapes which have well lets say not alot of shape yet.

As our bodies change throughout our lives, we find we become more and more challenged when out shopping for clothes and fashion accessories. What is too much? What is too boring? What makes me look thinner? What makes me look bigger? What is age appropriate? What makes me look older than I am? These are just some of the questions that go through each shoppers mind.

Then do you come home with nothing but a headache followed by a feeling of depression about your body shape or do you come home with an armful of things that you had wished you hadn’t wasted your precious money and time on. This can be a vicious circle each season for nearly everyone. This season can be different for most of you by getting the right start. Every shape suits different styles and every shape can look great. Learn what works for you this season and how you can finally feel great and look fabulous every time.

I’ll start next week with what is hot this season, especially for 30′s, 40′s and 50′s. The fashion world has finally targeted these particular age groups so we can all have fabulous but most importantly, flattering pieces this season.

Talk about confused. There are so many variations with the Kaftan and they come in all shapes and colours. Choose a Kaftan that minimizes where you need it and maximizes only if you need it. Unfortunately the Kaftan usually maximizes so to avoid the shapeless tent-like look, choose a Kaftan that nips in where it should and hangs only where it needs to. Like the maxi Dress, accessorise as necessary. Sometimes more is less and I am sure we have all heard that particular phrase.