I was getting my eyelash extensions worked on yesterday. The eyelash tech, Kris and I always have lively conversations. After all, she has me captive for an hour with my eyes taped shut, so what are my options? Napping or talking. I chose talking.

Somehow yesterday we got on the topic of perfumes and the power of scent. I reminisced about an ex-boyfriend before who wore the most incredible cologne. It was such a turn-on that the smell alone drove me crazy. I couldn’t believe the power it held over me.

After I met my husband, Robert, I had him try on a tester of that same cologne, because I loved it so much. So one day while we were out shopping, I sprayed a tester all over him. What a mistake!  It was my husband’s body with my ex-boyfriend’s scent. The strangeness was maddening! Obviously, that was not a good idea!  That’s when I realized how powerful smells are, especially ones that we attach to sexual memories. Every guy has to have his own scent otherwise you could end up dating a guy who smells like your ex. The only thing that could be worse is a guy wearing your father’s cologne. My daughter’s husband wore my dad’s cologne when she first started dating him. That cologne went in the recycle bin fast.

Kris and I were rolling in laughter so hard that I thought my eyelashes wouldn’t stick, when Kris said, “OMG!! You too? I love when a man wears a fabulous cologne. It’s such a turn-on. I tell my husband that all the time. Why don’t men get how important it is to us?”

“Oh, Kris, I swear, the right scent is a major aphrodisiac!”

“It’s more than that. The right cologne on a guy is a real “panty dropper”!!!

“Panty dropper?? That is hilarious! You are so right! It does make us drop our panties.”

And that is the best damned explanation of why guys should smell great, short and simple.

“Amen”

1. Pastel candy “sweets” colors:  Soft mint, baby blue, soft coral, blush pink, and pale yellow add a fresh and luscious element to your existing wardrobe! Think colors good enough to eat!!
2. Eyelet, lace, and chiffon:   Fairy fabrics and ethereal style dresses, skirts, and blouses make a huge comeback this summer with puff sleeves and full skirts. Think heavenly and divine without the angel wings!
3. Peplum tops:  Structured fitted blouses and dresses that flair out at the hip celebrate your female curves! Think Dynasty and Glam Diva! Pair with doorknocker earrings and strike a pose!
4. Statement blouses:  Soft feminine blouses with delicate details and sheer fabrics to tuck into pants and skirts. Think 70’s glam!
5. Pajama style pants:  Striped soft pajama-style pants in silk fabrics worn with blazers and tuxedo style jackets, add a fluid element to menswear. Think tuxedo meets the boudoir!
6. One-piece retro 50’s-60’s style swimsuits:  One-piece or two-piece, long at the leg and structured with under wires, bones, thicker fabric are the new sexy this summer. Think Sofia Loren and Marilyn Monroe!
7. Print socks with pumps:  Print thin socks or cut-off cream colored sheer stockings pushed down above the ankle, worn with wedges, pumps or mary janes. Think 80’s revival with a modern feel!
8. Mules:  No-back shoes (slides with heels) super feminine are making a comeback. Think effortless feminine chic!
9. Strappy high heels with ankle straps or ankle ties:  Think Gucci in the 70’s and 90’s, no platform, femme fatale silhouette. Think femme fatale feet!!
10. Pearlized metallics:  Leather clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories put a soft ladylike finish on your summer glow. Think polished muted sheen!

Pick a trend and follow thru head to toe: Tribal, pleats, pearlized metallics, stripes, lace, color blocking, black and white, print mixing

*Retro swimsuit: one or two piece
*Hair in a hairband or a side braid: worn tousled in a messy updo or down and wavy
*Colorful hat with a large brim
*Mules or ballet flats or sandals in a soft metallic or color
*Flared shorts with a high waist or higher waisted wider leg pants or a long dress over swimsuit
*Print summer dress
*Print skirt and tank top
*Thin cotton ethereal top over a print cotton or voile skirt long tribal necklaces
*Tribal long dress, asymmetrical long dress, striped dress, long pleated dress, all in a washable fabric, large tote bag, hat and sunglasses, large earrings or necklace, beaded sandals
*Gym active sportif touches: light colored track jacket over a tank or t-shirt and slim colored cotton jeans or capris. Sport inspired sneakers or high tops.

*Crystal pleated soft thin fabric long dresses, wide leg pants or long top is on-point this season

In your 30’s:

Print retro dress, print pump or solid pump in a color, with a skinny belt, thin hairband with hair in an updo in a print or color.

Peplum dress with fitted slim bottom or a peplum top with a slim skirt. High platform shoe, strappy heel, or classic high-heeled pump, worn with a skinny belt, and a clutch bag or small structured handbag. Best in a solid color with pops of color accessories or in a print. Can do print mixing by wearing a coordinating fabric print shoe.

Fairy look: lace or eyelet dress with puff bottom or puff sleeves, all tones of soft pastels, high platform heels, strappy sandal in same tone or pearlized metallic leather or fabric. Avoid white.

Garden print dress or skirt with a matching short jacket or beaded bright cardigan, textured sleeveless blouse, statement necklace, print on print.

Long strapless dress in a chiffon, solid or print. Thin pleats are gorgeous in this type of dress. May have an asymmetrical hemline. Wear with long earrings and stacked bangle bracelets or long necklaces and no earrings. Looks best with a strappy feminine high-heeled sandal or feminine peep toe platform shoe. Bright clutch bag.

In Your 40’s:

Audrey Hepburn style fitted low cut dress that is full on the bottom in a strong color, soft pastel or print, worn with high strappy sandals or high heeled pumps or platforms and big statement necklace, a few colored rings. Try a mule (open back slide into pump) for a very fresh look. A wide brimmed hat or long gloves in an accent color look spectacular with this kind of dress.

Same idea as above, but a la Sophia Loren: a satin or polished cotton fitted dress worn around knee length, with a deep v neckline, thin 1-2 inch straps. Very early 60’s. Most striking in a solid color. Add a pop of color in your lipstick, clutch or shoes.

Dress or skirt set in soft shiny fabric with heavy jeweled trim or jewels sewn all over in soft colors. Think fresh and romantic.

Peplum dress in a solid color worn with tribal accents in the shoes and a necklace, skinny matching belt, patterned shoes or patent leather strappy sandals with heels.

Pleated skirt or dress: below the knee, worn with strappy heels or a dressy wedge, long necklace and lace accents in shoes and handbag, hairband. Usually worn without a belt, but a skinny belt can work well if the woman has a defined waistline and the hem is straight.

In Your 50’s:

Print dress with short sleeves or sleeveless dress with a light shawl, strappy heels, slight platform pumps or a dressy wedge.

Solid dress with lace sleeves, fitted waistline or column style. Silhouette has curves in either a full fifties bottom or a double layer slimmer bottom with hem interest. Looks best with a simple pump, dressy mule, or elegant platforms, or strappy heel. Handbag should be small. Wear long earrings or a short statement necklace to add panache.

Pearlized metallic fabric dress, round neck, sleeveless with sexy high heels or platform pumps, loads of pearl necklaces, updo or hair with volume.

Peplum top with a slim skirt or dress slacks, strappy shoes, lots of bracelets, doorknocker earrings. Black and white or color with color. Can opt for nude tonal look as well.

With so many new trends being offered this spring, it’s more important than ever to invest in the right ones that give the most panache to your image and your career. My top picks will instantly update your appearance and make you look fresh and modern.

Adding the right trendy pieces to your wardrobe keep it current. These are the essential pieces to buy this spring at any price point! All you need is a touch of these new exciting trends to look “in the know”:

1. Color!  Add a Pop of Color to your look: in a red or coral lipstick, colorful eyemakeup, bright shoes, bright pants, bright anything! Think in Technicolor.

2. Retro Feminine Dress worn with a skinny belt:  Fitted waistline dresses that are full on the bottom worn below the knee to mid-calf. Think demure 50’s style, Mad Men dresses that show your feminine shape.

3. Prints!  Print dresses, pants, handbags, shoes. Print mixing (prints with prints).
Think garden blooms and power prints.

4. A Structured Handbag:  In solid colors, multi blocks of color or in a print. Ladylike with clean lines. Think Grace Kelly.

4. Pleats:   Small thin pleated fabric skirts or dresses, worn below the knee or longer.
Avoid wide pleats and opt for this fresh new look. Think skinny accordion pleats.

5. Pointy Toe Pumps:  Simple sexy pumps are the best overall long-term investment on the shoe horizon. Think classy 60’s high heel.

6. Sportif:  Gym and sport inspired accents in shoes, track jackets, tops and pants. Think 80’s.

7. Tribal Influence:  Woven fabrics, serape stripes, snakeskin, and ethnic trim. Add a touch of this to your basics and get instant chic. Think global safari.

8. High Waisted Pants:  Waistlines are going higher and pleats are coming back. So are wider pant legs. Start incorporating this new trend now. Think of Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally.