For women:

A critical detail that determines if a look will be smart is how an individual wears their clothing. Short jackets will always look smarter with longer skirts. Longer jackets will look smarter with shorter skirts. Tops should always be at the narrowest width just before the hips.

For men:

Shirts and Ties: Small size prints can be worn with larger prints. You use colors to tie them together. For example, a shirt with a smaller print worn with a larger pattern tie will look smart. Never wear the same size print for both and ties. The preference is for the smaller print on the larger item and larger print on the smaller item.

I apologize if I sound like a broken record but from head to toe, the really coordinated folks have all the details of their appearance in order. The hair needs to be well groomed (long hair only works if it is well managed) and complemented by top quality, well maintained accessories; sleeves, jackets and bottom lengths all should lay nicely at the proper spot.

Often, the excuse for a disheveled appearance is a lack of time. However, if you make the time in the beginning when you purchase the items good habits will be there, too. You will then always look your stylish best.

1. Do you find that you have things in your closet that you have not worn because you don’t have anything to wear with them? Never purchase anything unless you have three clothing items in the closet to go with it or buy at least two items to wear that work with the garment.

2. Purchase items in three colors only. Most folks have black pants or skirts so the key to purchase shirts, jackets, sweaters in three colors in addition to black.

3. Last, but not least, only purchase items that fit in the shoulders, chest and jacket/sweater length. It is easy to shorten sleeves but tailoring in these other areas can be very expensive and tough to pull off properly.

Full rimmed black and colored glasses have replaced the rimless glasses. The key is finding the right frame size and shape. Your eyes should pop in the frames.

The thickness of the frames looks best when they balance the shape of your face and hair. If your face and hair have a lot of texture, then narrow frames would be best. The opposite is true if your face and hair are very sleek. Then a heavier frame would add character to your face.

Rimless glasses look okay on wide faces because the side pieces will narrow the face.

Be sure to take your time in picking out your frames. They must feel comfortable and you want to feel confident in them. You also should consider having more than one pair.

A sign of a well-organized professional is what they carry when going into a meeting or on the road. It should be one brief case or a backpack and not be over-stuffed.

For women, if you carry a handbag plus a brief or laptop case, the handbag should be no larger than the case you carry.

Remember that a handbag will add weight especially if it is oversized. Less is always more elegant.

Give it to the fashion industry for always wanting to revolutionize how men and women wear jeans. Here are some guidelines:

Straight leg jeans are the modified skinny jean and easier to wear. To pull off the skinny leg jeans you must have very slender legs and the pant leg should not bunch up. The traditional style where the leg is wider but still straight will work well for women with larger legs. Also, the boot cut is coming back. If you were to purchase a new pair today stay with the straight leg one and you will be contemporary.

The fall trend for coats is color—no more black, gray or brown coats. Orange and yellow are in. Bright is fashionable. The challenge for bright colors especially when you are used to more subdued tones is that we may buy a bright coat and end up not wearing it. We fold under questioning and go back to the colors that we are used to.

This is where interchangeable scarves can help by adding color. Today’s scarves come in many different fabrics, colors and patterns. Start with solid color oblong ones that you can wrap around your neck. Next, branch out to patterns and bold shapes. The beauty of this is that if you don’t like the color you can quickly choose another one.

In the June 17th New York Times Sunday Style section, Tom Browne, a renowned men’s designer (he also made our first lady’s inaugural ensemble), has shortened the length of his pants for men. This has had the effect of making it acceptable for men to wear dress or casual shoes without socks.

From a fashion standpoint it is the right approach because wearing socks with short pants is definitely not fashionable. However, I would recommend men only going sockless when wearing a full leather sandal and only on a very casual day. That being said, check with the company’s dress policy before you go sockless. And never go sockless on a client visit.

Cheryl Burton, ABC Chicago evening news anchor, wore an aqua blue multi-shaped bib necklace with a sleeveless scooped neckline coral dress. She looked stunning. The scooped neckline gave the necklace space to be featured. Cheryl also chose a complementary color so the necklace was balanced with the coral dress. If she had chosen to wear a black dress the necklace might not have looked as stylish.

If you choose the appropriate neckline and color to balance a bib necklace, you will wear the necklace; the necklace will not wear you.

Enough of the stiletto heels. Even Jessica Sarah Parker of Sex in the City has a foot problem due to wearing them. In fact, that’s the reason for the recent popularity of the two inch stacked heel—because women are realizing the three to four- inch pumps can cause major foot and ankle problems.

Over time, wearing high heels can shorten calf as well as back muscles, leading to pain and spasms.

“Any time you wear shoes that restrict the natural shape of your foot, you’re at risk for experiencing pain,” noted physician, Dr. Nevins, points out. According to him, many women who wear high heels often also suffer a shortening of the Achilles tendon because once the heel is pointed upwards, it tightens up. Stretching it again or switching to flats can be very painful and even lead to plantar fasciitis.

Wearing the two-inch stacked heel will save your back and feet. Now, with Tory Busch and other notable shoe designers re-introducing them, you have a chance to be stylish too.