Fashion trends matter, but it’s still got to fit

So when should you stock up on those essential items and what should they be?

The Spring ’07 collections will start populating the racks toward the end of February, and that’s when you should look to buy, even if it's not quite tank-top season.

“The idea is that you’re looking ahead, so even though the weather may not be saying that it’s time to wear spring in February, you’re looking to what you want to add to your existing spring wardrobe to update it,” Andrews says. “You’re looking to what are your wardrobe needs. Do you have special occasions coming up, are you in a new job, are you traveling? So you’re looking ahead and purchasing ahead of time.”

Sometimes even the best game plan can go awry, though. If you find that you’re having a Paris Hilton moment and need to drop a load of cash on a single item, the experts say go for something practical and pretty like an oh-so-now oversized handbag.

Another smart buy would be something classic, like a shirtdress that you can wear to work or  shake it in on a Friday night.

Also, make a rule of taking something you normally wouldn't wear back to the dressing room with you. It’s good to know what works for you, but don’t get stuck in a rut.

“Fashion should be fun. It’s a way to express yourself,” Andrews says.  “It’s a way to make a personal statement, and so I think it’s wonderful when women experiment with a new piece or a new item. In order to make these things work, you need to look in the mirror, you always need to address the fit, and you need to address what’s really flattering to your body.”

So no matter what your shopping bags are loaded down with when you leave the stores, remember Wilt’s words of caution: “I think sometimes people try to wear too many trends at once instead of updating their wardrobe with one trend here, one trend there,” she says. “Don’t wear every new trend head to toe.”

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