When the winter blahs blast at our doors, it's time to take some action and cheer up those dreary wardrobes that have piled up around us during the holidays. After you've hung up the satin pants and the sequined tops, sent the tuxedo to the dry cleaners and stowed the diamonds in the vault, it's time to get personal and take a fresh look at yourself. CUTE CAP - A knit cap with an upbeat ... [full story]

When a new year creeps up on us, it's a time when most of us resolve to get serious about losing weight, working out and improving our looks. So now would be a perfect time to take a new approach and pick up the new book by fashion designer Bradley Bayou: "The Science of Sexy: Dress to Fit Your Unique Figure With the Style System that Works for Every Shape and Size" (Gotham Books, $35). ... [full story]

There's nothing sweeter this holiday season than standing under the mistletoe and getting a big, sticky kiss, finding a few sparkly body jewels in your stocking or detecting the scent of candy canes wafting from the shower. All these little beauty treats are a favorite way to treat yourself or someone else to a holiday filled with beautiful products designed to make us feel and look better.   CANDY FOR ALL - Philosophy's Candy Cane collection ... [full story]

When you have to decide if you're going to wear skinny jeans or if you're going to support the fight against AIDS in Africa, why not do both? It's a great way for fashion companies to put their money where there customers are - in their clothes, shoes and Ipods. So, for one of the best trends of the year, I'm voting for the "Red" campaign; visit www.joinred.com for more information.   GIVING SOMETHING BACK - ... [full story]

When those gray days of fall and winter approach, it's hard not to wrap ourselves up in that neutral color and blend into the background of stormy clouds and darkening horizons. But gray doesn't have to be dull and dreary, according to Leatrice Eiseman, color expert and director of the Pantone Color Institute. It can be very dependable. "It's like a very solid color in this age of anxiety," says the color consultant, "and if you ... [full story]

It's October and time to think pink. Start shopping for holiday gifts now and support breast cancer research by buying fashion merchandise that's in the pink. You can take a shower for the cure, tell time for the cure, get curls for the cure or hide from the rain for a cure. Just look for the pink ribbon at a store near you.   SPECIAL EFFORT - You can support breast cancer research in October by buying ... [full story]

It's a tradition for many men at this time of year - buying lingerie for their valentines - and it's such a pleasure, isn't it guys? Well, some well-intentioned men out there may need a little help when it comes to shopping for all that intimate apparel. "I get such a kick out of watching men steal furtive glances through the windows of my store as they walk back and forth, finally working up the ... [full story]

Can't wait to get out of the house and party with your friends to celebrate the new year? Then it's time to dress up and toast a shining new you. Party pick: Metallics "New Year's Eve is a great time to dress up," says Laura McDowell, spokeswoman for TJMaxx. "Dresses are back in a big way this season, so if you're heading to a fancy party to ring in the new year, wear something metallic ... [full story]

Every chic woman (and lots of men, too) have a little black list of fashionable must-haves in their wardrobes that they always depend on to brighten up their days and, especially, their nights. Holiday nights are when black really shines. So it's no wonder that every year fashion designers reinvent our favorite classics. Here are some new items to put on your holiday fashion black list:   THE LIST - Every chic woman haa a little black list of ... [full story]

Red seems to be the colorful star of the current fashion season - with Bono's Red campaign to raise funds for fighting the war on AIDS, and now the American Heart Association's nationwide movement to increase awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. It's a good thing to think red, not only around Valentine's Day during "heart" month, but every day of the year. The fashion crowd is passionate about red, too, ... [full story]

What's the best thing we can do to give our wardrobes a shot of style, even as we get older and older? Think about the A word, says Christine Schwab, fashion expert and author of the new "Grown-up Girl's Guide To Style" (October 2006, Harper Collins, $34.95). "As we pare down our clothing trends," says Schwab, a regular contributor to "Live with Regis and Kelly," "accessories take over as our single most important fashion element. ... [full story]

Who better to give guys tips on dressing for this holiday season, but the editor of a popular men's style magazine, Matthew Edelstein. As a contributor to the new "Details Men's Style Manual" (Gotham; $30), Edelstein keeps hundreds of thousands of men up-to-date on the most current trends and tips for looking sharp, including dressing for the holiday season, when every special occasion seems to be all about wearing black tie.   THE RIGHT FIT - ... [full story]

We're all looking for fast ideas, fast gifts and fast fashion this time of year. So when stylists like Finola Hughes, host of the Style Network's "How Do I Look" show, and Carson Kressley, star of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," talk about their favorite fashion picks for holiday giving, it's time to listen up and take some notes.   SHOPPING TIPS - Finola Hughes, host of the Style Network's 'How Do I Look' ... [full story]