Denim by Melissa Hoyer . . .

If there is one piece in all of our wardrobes that we are always trying to find the 'best' of, it has to be denim. Jeans are an absolute wardrobe staple for all of us, no matter whether you're a working mum, a stay-at-home mum, a student, grandma or cool-skool funster. Denim is it. Wearable. Comfortable. And so affordable.

But how do you find the perfect fit? Choices are endless but here are a few tips that should make choosing your next pair a little bit easier.

*Higher 'rise' jeans are good for those who may have a tummy or a bit of muffin-top that they may want to hide. But don't go too high-waisted as you may end up looking really rounded around the bum and tum areas. Just a cm or two below the belly button is perfect.

*Low-rise jeans give you body a longer, leaner look but nothing looks worse than a jelly belly hanging over your waistband. It's not a good look on anyone, young or old!

*Boot-leg jeans or slightly flared legs will balance wide shoulder, larger hips or bigger breasts.

*Go for a darker denim as it is much more flattering and slimming. Leave the really light denim to taller, slimmer and younger wearers. Leave 'trend' denim finishes like laminated, dirty and acid washed denims to, well, those who can get away with it!

*The most flattering jeans are those that follow the natural curve of your body while flattering the good spots and taking any away any focus on the bad spots. You can make your legs look longer by making sure your hem reaches the top of your shoe in a straight leg; or totally covers your heel if you are wearing a boot-cut.

*Make sure you indulge in jeans with a bit of stretch as this will give your body great shape and also makes it a bit easier to move around in.

*Please, please avoid Brokecrack Mountain and Camel Toe - they are two places you don't want to go and will happen if your jeans either rise too high up the front, or too low down the back.

Velour separates . . . . Melissa Hoyer

With the first hints of winter come the days of dragging out your flannelette pj's . . . and your favourite everyday velour pieces too!

The velour tops and pants that make up everyone's favourite - a tracksuit - have really came into their own when the cool and funky Juicy Couture label made it fashionable to wear your tracksuit, nearly anywhere. And when celebs were spotted wearing them (spookily, sometimes with high heels and lots of hair) the allure of velour was complete.

But, there are a few cardinal rules when it comes to wearing your velour pieces and the first and major one is pretty simple. Keep The Colour Simple. It's when you start mixing say, a pink pair of velour pants with another colored hoodie that 'style' goes a bit haywire.
The second piece of advice is to buy the right size and not to go too undersized. Nothing worse than a bit of pre-winter padding over-flowing from your velour pants.

At $29.95 a piece, the new season velour hoodies and pants that have just landed in store come in perfect tones of midnight, black and charcoal. They are pretty much perfect weekend and leisure wear and you can wear velour hoodies with some favourite jeans and velour pants with a t-shirt.

So, whether you're working in front of the computer at home, getting the kids sorted or taking a whirl down to the shops, you can also wear your velour back with denim proving they are the perfect pieces for running or lazing around . . . . . Enjoy!