Summer is upon us and the capris are shown everywhere as an alternative to shorts and skirts. My opinion is that capris can be very unflattering. They cut your legs off and can make you appear short and stumpy. I think the slim ankle length pant is much more flattering and smarter looking than capris.

If you must wear the capris, then pick a length that ends at the smallest part of your leg width and one that is closer to your body as opposed to the looser fitting, wide leg ones.

Remember we always want to be comfortable while at the same time enhancing our body shape. We want to avoid making ourselves appear larger and/or wider.

One of my favorite designers is John Varvatos. These are his tips for what to pack in a carry on:

• Choose pieces that you can wear to go from an international flight right to a meeting

• A great dark suit, that can be dressed up and/or appear a bit relaxed

• A few great shirts that can be worn with or without a tie

• One tie

• A John Varvatos super lux linen t-shirt

• A great pair of shoes (shoe boots are Anna’s favorites)

• A luxurious leather jacket

Last, but not least, a leather or combination microfiber bag that is definitely one notch above a gym bag. Tumi has some very smart ones.

Some of us like a very streamlined appearance when choosing clothes. We want the impact of tailored elegance.

To add interest and to keep from looking too stark, remember key accessories and a perfect fit. Stylish heels for women and high gloss leather shoes for men will finish the complete look.

Lyn Paolo, the costume designer for Scandal, creates a commanding presence for Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope) by using these guidelines:

Choosing a palette: Men are always in navy and black. Her thoughts are that lighter colors stand out. (I favor lighter shades of blue or gray with white shirts to stand out for my clients.)

Ignoring trends: For Kerry, she looks stronger and more consistent in trousers, pumps and jackets. However, wear what looks best on you. If you look and feel best in skirts then wear skirts with jackets. Have the look be consistent.

Forgoing suits: Mix and match jackets and slacks or skirts to create a custom look. Colors can be mixed but fabrics must match to look smart.

Being understated: Have a signature piece. It can be a jacket, coat or jewelry. It will set you apart while not appearing too flashy.

In a recent article Midge Wilson, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and women’s studies at DePaul University, talks about the Power Bob hair style. Wilson says the bob is “somewhat of a masculine style” that strikes a balance that’s neither too butch nor too silly.

In a paper on hair and first impressions based on a study funded by Procter and Gamble, study director and Yale University psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, Ph.D., wrote, “Within seconds of meeting you, people begin forming a first impression about the type of person you are, and it’s not your face that gives you away; it’s your hairstyle.”

According to the study, women with shorter hair are perceived as more intelligent and confident than those with longer styles. (You can see Power Bobs on Marissa Mayer, Meg Whitman and Hillary Clinton.)

However, I feel the longer hair is making a move forward. For example, look at the new executive of General Motors, Mary Barra, along with Michelle Obama. Both have a hair style that’s a bit more feminine.

Whatever hairstyle you choose, though, it must make your face the center of attention and not your hair.

You may have heard the saying: It’s not what you know, it is who knows you. I believe the new mantra is just who knows you.

Often, when a job opening is posted the hiring powers may already have someone in mind. This person is the one they know about including what they stand for, their personal brand and work history of success.

So, I ask— Who knows you and how do you network to increase the number of people that do?

There are at least five vehicles of networking:

• Formal events once or twice a month

• Informal, meaning casual by chance, in the hallway, parking lot, the elevator, etc.

• Social Media such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Spoke to name a few

• Being published

• Having a leadership role in an industry or work-based organization

You must have your personal introduction and interesting areas of conversation to share at a formal networking event and be involved in three of the above five networking vehicles. Otherwise, no will know who you are.

The trend continues to be big and bright. However, there are many occasions in the business world where that might be too attention grabbing. At the same time you want to be current.

A way to update what you have in your jewelry box is to layer several necklaces together. To make it interesting, use different lengths and shapes. Make sure the necklaces are a few inches apart. An exception would be to use one strand that has an ornament (like a cross) on it. You can layer a thin chain on top of it.

If you decide to wear a new, chunky ornament necklace, wear it under an open collared blouse. (See my picture as an example.) Necklaces should add interest to what you wear and can be your signature to brighten up a suit.

Women this year at the Oscars decided elegance trumped shock and too much skin. The colors went from vibrant jewel tones to pale sparkles. Full length ball gowns appeared to be in the majority.

It is interesting to note that no matter who they are, women all over have the same challenges on what to wear and how to be comfortable for the evening. Of course, if one actually gets to a red carpet, a statement must be made. Diamonds in earrings and bracelets were the statement this year. Also, there were not too many necklaces on those wearing strapless dresses.

Men’s evening wear, especially the tuxedo jacket color, has been pushed to be more fashion forward over the past few years. The celebrities on the Red Carpet at the Award shows (Oscars and Golden Globe) have led the way.

This year we have seen the white jacket popping up as evening wear. (It used to be worn only in the summer and during the day.) Now we see Navy (Armani) on the rise, replacing the conservative, traditional black. We will occasionally see purple or plum. (It takes a bold man to wear a purple or plum jacket!).

I still favor the man in the black tux with a hand-tied (no clip-on!)bow tie. Men cannot go wrong with this. Add a touch of elegance with gold studs and it creates a stunning look.

In the movie Blue Jasmine, Cate Blanchette’s character, Jasmine, has fallen on hard times. She carries a Hermes bag which turns out to be her symbol.

What does the bag you carry, whether is a purse, brief case or backpack, say about you?

Recently, while waiting for my flight to see a client, I surveyed the bags folks carried. With the elegantly appearing men and women, their bags were never seemed overloaded. They were in good condition and in some cases bore an immediatly recognizable designer label.

However, there were too many folks who had over-stuffed bags and in some cases multiple bags. The old perception was that people with bags like that were hard workers. Today the thought is that they appear unorganized and a bit overwhelmed.

Then, there are the backpack folks. They are saying “I am current and I am cool”. My thought was: When do you give up your college days?