Here’s the thing we all know but no one wants to admit, trying to fit in with what is fashionable and trendy can be just too much, for our confidence and our purses.

We are not all built to fashion designer’s Amazonian ideal so, no, no matter how hard I try, the amazing floral dress by Etro (you know the one I mean, black with a floral panel), will never make me look anything other than frumpy and short.

That’s why we need to look away from mindlessly following the ‘fashionistas’ of the world and start a fashion revolution!

Firstly, you need to start by looking at shapes that flatter your figure and colours that compliment your colouring. Everyone knows the obvious ones, no reds for people with ginger hair; larger woman don’t suit skinny jeans and so on.

However, there are a few less well known ones. For example: pale blonde shades go badly with beiges and pale dark brunettes (however much some ‘Goths’ try) look washed out in blacks.

So start out by identifying your complexions colouring. Most people will fit into one of the following categories:

Winter: pink undertones.

Winter hair is black or ash black brown without highlights, while eyes are blue, brown, hazel, or green. Winter colours are vibrant and intense. Not pastel or subdued tones.

Summer: pink undertones.

Summer hair is ash blonde or light ash brown without highlights, while eyes are blue gray or blue green. Pastels or muted colours look best. Very bright or earthy colours will leave you looking washed out.

Spring: golden undertones.

Spring hair is golden blonde, golden brown, or red, while eyes are blue, blue gray, blue green, or light turquoise green. Warm or bright colours look great but avoid dark or muted colours.

Autumn: golden undertones.

Autumn hair is golden brown, red, auburn, or chestnut, while eyes are dark brown, hazel, or green. Earthy and rich colours will suit you but pastels leave you looking drawn.

It’s important to note, especially with women of colour, that having dark hair and dark eyes doesn’t necessarily mean you are winter. You may be spring if your skin has a more golden base.

Now you’ve found your colours it’s time to look into flattering clothing types for your shape. No two people are alike but generally you will fit into either a traditional apple, pear, slender, petite and hourglass.

Apple shapes are top heavy, often with very slender legs. Keep things tailored on top to create a waist and in darker shades. Show off great legs in skirts. In dresses, an empire waist dress will show off slimmer arms and allow you to disguise any areas you don’t want to show.

Pear shapes have wide hips compared to waist. Keep colours darker on the bottom half but experiment with styles and colours on the top, especially v necks or sleeveless. Trousers with lower waists or skirts to just below the knees look very complimentary. Skinny jeans are rarely flattering (I lied there, they’re never flattering).

Slender are straight up and down. Tailored clothes look great as they create shape. Detailing and well placed patterns can create curves. Be daring, as long as you aren’t going for all over loose and drab clothing.
Petite shapes are broad shouldered with short legs.

Creating length is the key, to do this avoid low cut jeans and over the knee skirts. In dresses go for all over colour with pinched in waists to create curves. Skinny jeans look great, especially when teamed with heels.

Hourglass figures have large busts and thighs coupled with a slender waist. Flared jeans and trousers add balance to your figure while v necks, particularly wraps, accentuate curves. Always wear tailored clothing on the top to emphasize your small waist. Avoid thick materials, they swamp curves and add bulk.

None of these rules are set in stone what works for one may not work for another. To make sure you are getting it right take a friend shopping with you or even consider an image consultant for a colour and shape consultation.

The key to following fashion is to stick to your ‘key pieces’ and incorporate current fashion items into your wardrobe. This keeps you looking good without breaking the bank every time something new comes in.

An example would be someone with a pear shape buying a great floral top for the season and teaming it with some classic boot cut jeans, it will look great without deviating from what suits them.

So join in with the fads knowing that by sticking to a few basic rules you can keep up and still look amazing.

High heel boots are a fashion staple; this is one trend that has yet to go out of style. With the sheer volume of design options available, shopping for the perfect high heel boot can be a daunting experience. Fret not, this is an exercise in fashion self-exploration, so get ready to express yourself!

Knee-High Fashion

Timeless wardrobe essentials make good fashion sense and anything worth its salt is a good investment. Black pants and a white button down, the little black dress, boot cut jeans, and knee-high heel boots ‘ these are staples worn year after year and updated with what they are paired. While shopping for your ’sole mate,’ try Enzo Angiolini’s ‘Knit’ updated knee-high boot in buffed leather with a crossover cuff and 3 1/2 inch wrapped heel. This high heel boot offers classic styling and contemporary updates ‘ a superior style investment that will work for seasons to come.

This High Heel is No Slouch

Shopping for classic yet casual high heel boots? Consider a high heel slouch boot in leather or suede. Many slouch designs can be worn upright as well as slouched, and varying degrees of slouch offering flexibility in style and shank height. ‘Women’s Yannick’ by Bronx offers a hip take on the classic high heel slouch design with a Cuban heel executed in dirty suede. Slouch high heel boots pair well with jeans, pants, skirts and dresses of any hemline, style or height.

Boot Classics

Heel shapes and heights come and go, but the basics have their heels firmly planted. The classic riding boot has morphed with embellishments around the ankle, combinations of fabrics on the shank, colorful inlays, and heels stacked to the rafters. Whether you’re riding a Harley, a Thoroughbred or a tractor, there’s an updated classic high heel riding boot waiting for an outing.

Shopping for a high heel boot with some history and versatility? The Campus boot, established by Frye in 1860 has seen one or two updates in the last 149 years. The Frye ‘Caroline Campus’ is a high heel boot with a modern Leawood wrapped wedge heel and contrasting topstitching. This high heel boot has flair, suitable for the fairground, playground and even downtown!

Kiss the Sky

Heel heights are soaring and if you’re shopping for a little extra lift, high heel boots are where it’s at.’ From pencil thin heels to molded platforms, shopping for the highest of high heel boots has gone to a new level. Luichiny’s ‘Collin,’ dressed and wrapped up in satin over stretch, runs up the leg and up the ladder at 4 inches. Ladies looking to scrape the sky in high style get a leg up from platform powered high heel boots. Designers across the spectrum are turning heads with seriously stacked high heel boots. L.A.M.B, BCBGirls, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton are serving up edgy high heel boot styles at new heights. For a walk on the wilder side, Pleaser and Demonia are serving up some seriously sexy high heel boots for the fully expressed vixen waiting to step out on the town. From thigh high patent leather lace ups to well buckled knee-highs, these designers mean business in the most playful sense of the word.

Less Teeter

Shopping for fashion forward style with comfort and walkability? High heel wedge boots are an investment in better balance, more comfort and serious high heel boot style. Robert Clergerie’s ankle boot offers a smooth leather upper with asymmetrical seaming atop a 3 inch split wedge high heel. This high heel boot offers a unique profile suitable for any hemline. When shopping for chic comfort, keep an eye out for boot makers pairing up with sneaker companies and infusing sports technology into high heel boot fashion.

Reinforce your fashion foundation by sinking your fashion dollars into the perfect investment, a classic killer pair of high heel boots.

But what high street fashions will you be attracted to, and where will you find them? This year there seems to be an absolute plethora of styles and looks available although there may be some ‘must-haves’. Over winter the layered look has prevailed and is still very much in vogue going into spring, although it is expected to give way to a simpler and much lighter look as soon as the temperatures soar.

As in recent years expect to show off your legs – either the bare look with short skirts, leggings combined with longer tops, or for the extremely daring the skimpiest of hot pants. You’ll need the shoes to go with all these looks too, and wedges are expected to be essential footwear this summer. Canvas, slingback, round-toe, open toe; they’re all highly accessible in the high street.

But, like all trends this year’s high street fashions offer only the tools, it is up to you to achieve your own unique look. The secret to looking good is to mix and match, buying a wide range of garments and accessories of varying prices, colours and styles from a range of stores. You can then mix it all up and volia! The real you!

Choice, as always, is massive in this year’s selections. Take jeans for example; flared, straight, boot cut, capri, cut-offs and hot pants are all featuring in the high street – and those are just the tight-fitting variety! Undoubtedly the trendiest items on the high street this season will be high-waisted flares, paying yet more homage to the Starsky and Hutch era. But don’t be tempted unless you can carry it off, and few can, as these jeans tend to make curvy girls look huge and thin girls akin to sticks; so be warned – it takes the right shape to make it in these jeans.

Of course, when it comes to high street fashions you need to stick to the rules when it comes to choosing clothes appropriate to your body type. And always trust your inner-self when it comes to deciding whether you look too old to wear a particular item; if you think you are then you probably are!

But, on the other hand DO dress out of your age group if you think it works! If you’ve still got fantastic legs at 55 then show them off in a suitable mini and don’t feel you have to stash them away in conservative trousers! Alternatively, if you are 25 and fancy a change then feel free to pull on the trouser suit! The most important thing when it comes to fashion is to wear what looks best on you!