The dos and don'ts of fashion

FIVE FASHION DOS: The turtleneck can give you a mod look. (J.B. Forbes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Each season the designer runways generate a list of fashion dos. But the real fun begins at "E! Fashion Police," when women start taking the trends into their own hands.

In an interview, "Fashion Police" co-host George Kotsiopoulos ticked off his top trends for this season, and his favorite interpretations ? along with a few unfortunate twists he has witnessed.

CHUNKY HEELS. Whether a stacked heel, wedge or high-heeled loafer, Kotsiopoulos says, options abound from Louis Vuitton and Prada as well as Nine West, Aldo and Steve Madden. He likes stacked heel loafers with wide-leg trousers or cropped skinny pants. "Just cuff them up and do a super preppy look."

Caveat: "Watch out if

Chunky heels, whether a stacked heel, wedge or high-heeled loafer. (Juli Leonard, Raleigh News & Observer)

you're very petite," he warns. "A lot of times we see little girls with really big platform heels and it looks a bit clownish." Also, take a long look in the mirror before wearing chunky heels with a flowing, ethereal dress. "Sometimes it works to give you a bit of an edge," Kotsiopoulos said, "but if your shoe is too heavy it weighs your whole look down."

EXOTIC SKINS. "Anything from snake to croc to ostrich and _ I'm including fur with skins ? fox and leopard print," he said. "There are so many faux alternatives that look real. You can get a bright yellow croc tote, and it looks maybe not real but good. Even if you have a really dreary outfit, a bright orange bag makes it fun."

Caveat: There are snake-print silk blouses and snake-print coats. That doesn't mean you should wear them together. "Don't do a snake shoe and a snake blouse. Don't do head to toe. Avoid that."

POLKA DOTS. "Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Lanvin did great ones, some head to toe." Or you can touch on the trend with a tone-on-tone dot print on stockings, or a subtle dot on a blouse.

Caveat: Polka dots can look a bit girlish, Kotsiopoulos said.

THE

Polka dots, found head to toe, including stockings such as these Commando Big Dot tights, available at Bloomingdales. (MCT)

CHOKER. "It's an instant update for a little black dress."

Caveat: "With any type of accessory, you want to keep your other trends minimal. Don't do the polka-dot trend with a choker."

THE TURTLENECK. "It's a great way to get the mod look and to keep you warm in any climate, worn with a sheath dress or under a blazer. Layering is really important even in places where it's cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon and cold again at night."

Caveat: A chunky, oversize turtleneck can turn a summer dress into a fall piece, but belt the sweater if you're petite. "It's a bit old-school Olsen twins, but it's cute."

Don'ts in any season

?Showing

The choker, which is an instant update to the little black dress. (Ross Hailey, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

all assets at any age. "If you have amazing legs at 45, just show your legs," Kotsiopoulos said. "You don't have to show your legs and arms and (cleavage). It's just too 'Real Housewives.' My rule is just two major body parts when you're showing skin. Any more, at any age, is just gauche."

?Inadequate undergarments. "One of my co-hosts can't stand it when you can see someone's belly button through their clothing, and I agree," Kotsiopoulos said. It has been a common sight this fall with snug pencil skirts. If you have an outie, a bandage might hold it down but would leave a different outline. Susan Nethero from Intimacy lingerie boutiques recommends a reusable adhesive-free silicone cover like Dimrs ($33 at

Exotic skins, such as snake, croc or ostrich. (Ross Hailey, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

?Dressing age-inappropriately. The problem used to be older women dressing too young. "Now I'm seeing a lot of 14-year-olds trying to look 30. That's a little weird," Kotsiopoulos said. "I can see a 21-year-old girl wanting to dress maybe five or six years older, or a 45-year-old dressing 37. But keep it to five to seven years either way. When you're trying to go 15 years, it's just ridiculous."

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/rss/ci_19648853?source=rss

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