Going knots!

If you haven’t seen the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Fall 2002 magazine ads, just imagine this: Black-clad models with nude lips and smoky eyes are dressed in knee-length pencil-cut skirts, their romantic blouses adorned with ribbons and laces. They are also wearing perfectly matching killer laced-up stilettos. The look is this season’s barometer for "wearable" sexy chic.

For women who feel they want to conceal their hips and thighs but want to add oomph to their upper body, a black knee-length pencil-cut skirt and a soft laced-front blouse together make a sexy choice. For those who want to add shape to their boyish figure, a wrap-around blouse or a laced-up-the-back top is a fitting choice.

Worried about big arms? Try a poet’s blouse with slit or puffed sleeves–it’s sexy and super comfy! For the ultimate fashionista, if you find a pair of cut-off pants or gauchos (wide-leg cut-off pants, try Rustan’s U) with ribbon details at the hem–don’t think twice–get ’em! They’re perfect for your funky babe tee, shrunken jacket and knee-length boots.

Remember: When wearing clothes with ribbon details, stick to black and white pieces, and if you must wear color this season, make it aubergine, burgundy or emerald green to avoid looking too frilly. Keep your pastels for a few months–you’ll be able to recycle them soon next year.

OK, ladies, it’s a wrap!

(Thanks for all your e-mails, for more of your suggestions, e-mail me at jenniepperson@hotmail.com)