First it was Target. Now Tiffany’s is opening stores, while Nordstrom will be here in 2014. Canadian retailers are changing, too, not only in preparation for the American invasion, but also to to capture an increasingly diverse consumer base.

In Canada, national department stores have all but disappeared – with only Hudson’s Bay remaining. We have US imports, such as WalMart, Target and Sears, but long gone are Canadian department stores Woolco, Woodwards and Eaton’s.

We are seeing a curious mix of retail segments develop. Mark’s Work Wearhouse, owned by Canadian Tire, has moved into the women’s segment in a big way, surpassing (I would say) their traditional work wear offerings. And Canadian Tire sells a whole lot more than tires these days, serving as one of Canada’s largest sporting goods retailers coast to coast.

Drug store chains, such as Shopper’s Drug Mart, have moved into groceries. There must be big margins in the grocery segment, because WalMart, Target and others also carry lettuce right next to the big screen TVs. Huh??

Similarly, SuperStore (Loblaws in eastern Canada) has expanded its grocery empire to include Joe Fresh clothing.

Automotive stores selling housewares and sporting goods. Drug stores selling groceries. Grocery stores selling clothes. Are these new configurations considered department stores? What market forces are determining the strange mixes we are now seeing?

It’s a jumble out there.

• Don’t get hung up on size – fit is more important.
• Not too tight, not baggy.
• Make friends with a tailor and have clothing altered.
• Wear a properly-fitted bra. Gravity is not our friend.

Pair classics with trendy items

• Invest in basics – suits, dresses, jackets, skirts, trousers. Pick classic styles that stay in fashion.
• Express trends through accessories – an easy way to freshen any look.
• Get rid of outdated clothes and mom jeans.
• Athletic wear is for athletic activities. Period.

Be bold with colour and patterns

• Don’t wear black near the face – it’s too harsh.
• Don’t wear monochromatic pastels. Choose an anchor piece in pastel and pair with solids, prints or neutrals.
• When mixing patterns, scale is critical. Pair small patterns with large-scale ones.

• Understated is better, so avoid too many sequins and sparkles.

Avoid these fashion no-nos for mature women

• Holiday and theme sweaters and souvenir tops.
• Short shorts and rompers.
• Cargo pants or shorts.
• Miniskirts.

Tips for hair and make up

• Change your hairstyle. It’s ok. Hair grows.
• Avoid pearl or frosted eyeshadow, which can emphasize wrinkles. Use matte instead.
• Pick one feature to highlight at a time – a bold lip or dramatic eyes, not both.

So, what’s changed over the last year?

Well, I have continued my studies at FIT and have learned a lot more about style, quality, fabric, finish, colour and so much more.

I had the amazing opportunity to work backstage at NY Fashion Week in February where I met so many of my classmates who also volunteered as dressers. I got up close and personal with gorgeous couture fashion from Oscar de la Renta, Marchessa, Reem Acra, 3.1 Philip Lim, Carolina Herrara, Badgely Mischka and more. It was surreal and exhilarating.

I had the opportunity to travel – Las Vegas for Black Friday (all night shopping – cool), Washington DC, Chicago, Phoenix and Toronto. I learned a lot.

I count myself very lucky. My incredible, wonderful husband encourages my fashion passion. He listens with interest as I gush over this designer or that. And, I hope we’ll be able to go to my convocation in New York when I graduate with my certificate in Image Consulting (only one course to go).

Seems I’ve learned a lot in the past year. What about you?

One of the things I’ve discovered is that fashion is an international interest. In my current class, there are students from Switzerland, Mexico, Lebanon, Russia, Japan and more. I’m struck my how universal the interest is in fashion. It’s the thing that binds us worldwide.

I think that’s because fashion is an extension of our personalities. Fashion helps us express ourselves in a range of settings or occasions. Fashion helps us be comfortable – in the truest sense – no matter where we are or what we’re doing.

It’s more than just the clothes we wear. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Needs, clothing technically  falls in the basic/physiological needs category.

In actuality, fashion also satisfies many other needs. It can keep us safe from the elements or harm, such as winter snowsuits or fire retardant coveralls. It can help us achieve a sense of belonging, through team uniforms or designer labels. It can improve our self-esteem by making us feel better about our selves, our bodies, our looks. And, it can help us achieve self-actualization through creative outlets such as fashion or jewelry design, or makeup artistry.

That’s what makes fashion so universal…fascinating…personal. It’s also why fashion is about more than just the clothes we wear.

Store the winter clothes:

• First, edit. Look at your winter clothes and identify those that are past their prime and destined for the garbage. Also look for items in good condition that you want to donate. Keep the staples and timeless styles for next year. Get clothes drycleaned before storing.
• Second, shift. Move items to another location (either back of closet or another closet). Their time is past. Keep any items that may still work in cooler spring days if paired with tops or jackets.
• Don’t forget your shoes and boots in this process. Clean and put away your fall/winter shoes and boots.
• Finally, discard or donate any items that don’t fit, are in disrepair or stained.

Bring on the sun!

• Bring back your spring/summer clothes. Give them a good once over and dryclean/repair anything that wasn’t attended to last year. Donate or discard those fashions that no longer work for you: out of style, beyond repair, don’t fit.
• Organize your closet. This is a personal choice but there are a couple of ways to approach this. You can colour coordinate and group like-coloured items together. Or you can arrange by outfit, grouping pieces that work together.
• Find your sassy, strappy sandals and summer shoes. Clean them and organize to make it easy to pair them with your outfits.
• Gather your rain gear for those stormy days. Umbrellas, raincoats or trenches, rain boots. Consider getting a micro-umbrella to carry in your purse.

Fact is, you literally can’t see the outfits for the tees. An overstuffed closet is worse than actually having nothing to wear, because you’ve clearly invested a small fortune into its bulging racks.

The kindest cut

The best thing you can do is cull your wardrobe. Pull out everything and lay it on the bed. One by one, TRY ON each piece. Do you love it? Is it in good repair? Is it the right colour for you? Is the style still current? Does it fit you today (not some day when you’ve lost 10 lbs)? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘no,’ then set the item aside to donate or discard.

(A word about donations: just because people in need may receive your items for free doesn’t mean they have to accept crap. Please do NOT use your local charity as a garbage bin. If the items are ripped, worn out or stained, throw them out!)

You’ll feel better once your wardrobe is reduced to a manageable size, containing just the items you love and wear. You will be able to see components of outfits at a glance and will likely end up making new combinations right before your eyes.

Amazing!

In the past two weeks alone, I will have been to a couple of cocktail parties, a black-tie gala, a book launch, donor recognition event and an auto show (for a client).

Having a flexible wardrobe means having the ability to shift gears (no pun intended) quickly and still be suitably attired for each event. What works for me:

• A couple of go-to cocktail dresses that work in all seasons. That means sleeves or a bolero jacket to cover up, plus a couple of stylish wraps.
• A formal gown for the one or two times a year we attend black-tie functions. See my earlier post on the challenges of finding a suitable evening gown that isn’t either Princess Barbie or Queen Mother in style.
• Lots of separates that can be combined – jackets and trousers or skirts provide a great range of possibilities.
• Dresses – because they are a complete outfit. Just add shoes and accessories and you’re good to go.
• A few great suits, for business meetings or more conservative events.
• A large range of shoes – gentlemen, in case you’re wondering why we have so many, it’s because we have to not only be appropriately attired, but also seek some comfort and the ability to change them up after a long week.

What works for you?

Dresses hide a multitude of issues. Tuck a tummy, hide your hips, lengthen your legs. Dresses are appropriate for work, play, special occasion, picnics, dances… Dresses are flexible – worn with a jacket for day, a wrap for evening.

A dress with pearls is sophisticated. A dress with a wooden bead necklace is bohemian. Blingy costume jewelry adds sparkle.

Ballet flats or stilettos, boots or booties. Ah, a dress. Is there anything it can’t do? Tomorrow, slip into a dress and see how it instantly makes you feel better.

What I love about this is the rounded view the show gives viewers of the fashion industry. Designers are given a challenge each week and have to create ‘saleable’ fashions that the store buyers want in stock. It’s not just about fashion as art. It’s not about out-of-range couture creations. It’s about the fashion industry as a business.

The show offers a glimpse at not only what it takes to create great fashion, but also what buyers look for when considering merchandise. When a designer’s piece is selected, the successful buyer explains what made the item so marketable. And, when a designer fails to sell his or her piece, the buyers identify why the item was not picked up. This is a fascinating look at the business of fashion, from concept to sale. It is further validated when the successful designs are sold out at the retailers.

No other unscripted show gives viewers such a complete look inside an industry. If you’re interested in fashion, you should check it out. Fridays on NBC.

Having recently done a little research into the stylish French, here are some things I’ve learned:

• Quality matters. Always buy the best clothes you can afford. It’s better to have fewer clothes of higher quality, than an overload of cheap or poorly made clothes.
• Wear clothes appropriate to the event, and when in doubt, it’s generally better to be overdressed than underdressed. (Although black tie is only appropriate for black tie events.)
• Pull together your entire look thoughtfully: top, skirt/pants, shoes, hose, handbag, jewelry, belt. Always check a full length mirror before you leave the house.
• Dress ‘up.’ Never leave the house in yoga pants or sweats unless you’re on your way to work out. Throw out all your old, misshapen, oversized t-shirts. Even if you’re just going to the mailbox or corner store, wear jeans or trousers and a nice top. You never know who you’ll see.
• Be neat and clean. Throw out anything ripped, stained or damaged. Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed. Use a lint brush. Shine your shoes.
• Accessorize judiciously. A scarf or statement necklace can complete an outfit. Wear one or the other; not both. Balance is important. Resist the urge to wear too many pieces at once.
• Put your best foot forward: shoes complete your look. Pumps, booties, wedges, platforms or penny loafers… choose the right shoe for the right occasion. Never wear flip flops (even bejeweled ones) to work. Match your socks to your shoes, not your trousers. Wear hose with pumps, and bare legs and a cute pedi with strappy sandals. Match your shoes and your belt – but it’s not necessary to match your shoes and your handbag.

Find your personal fashion style – and own it!