Calvin Klein, Fall 2010

Minimalism is back for Fall 2010 and I for one couldn’t be happier. The last time we saw clean, minimalist lines on the runway — or in the stores — was in the 90s, as a reaction to the over-the-top 80s. These days, minimalism has more to do with the recession and a sense that less is — well, less, and thus morally superior to more.

But minimalism isn’t just about having — or wearing — less; it’s about choosing carefully, or engaging in what the New York Times recently referred to as “calculated consumption.” In a provocative piece titled “But Will it Make You Happy?” writer Stephanie Rosenbloom dissected the connection between money and happiness, with particular attention to consumer culture.

In other words, she asked if shopping made people happy. The answer? No, not really.

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My children started school yesterday — can I get a hallelujah? — and now it feels like fall at my house. It’s still hot here, and we’re nowhere near ready to actually bust out the warm clothes, but I’m ready to start thinking about the move from summer to winter.

Back-to-school always gets me thinking about three things: new shoes, new bags, and new sweaters. I wore a uniform to school so that was pretty much my school shopping list for years; now that my sons wear uniforms, their lists are pretty much the same. But while they opt for tennis shoes, backpacks, and school logo sweatshirts, I want something prettier.

Here’s what I’m eying for Fall 2010.

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I have a dream: Clinton Kelly shows up at my door and goes through my closet, telling me what to wear with what and how to mix and match what I have to make my wardrobe even more efficient and fabulous than it is now.

(In real life he would probably throw half my closet in the trash, but this is a dream, so let’s go with it, ok?)

Having someone else help you make wardrobe choices can be both exhilarating and terrifying. We all get in a rut with our look, because it’s easy and we don’t have time to be constantly reinventing ourselves. But wouldn’t it be great to work with a personal stylist, just for a day?

Well, you can. Even better: you can do it for free.

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It’s still a million degrees where I live (that would be on the face of the sun, by the way) but I’m dreaming of cooler temperatures, and waiting impatiently for the morning when I need to put a little cardi on over my dress. Soon. I hope.

I love a dress for fall; it’s the perfect transition piece. Wear it on the warm days with sandals or peep toe pumps; when the weather cools down, add leggings or tights and a cardi or jacket.

Curtain Call Dress, $128 at Anthropologie

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Yoga? Yes, but Gwyneth is also a fan of Spanx.

I have a deep and abiding love of shapewear. Like a perfectly fitted bra, a great pair of what Laura Bennett calls “power panties” can completely change the fit of an outfit. There are a variety of options out there for shapers, but I prefer the ones that look like bike shorts, because they do the most work — they hold in your stomach and lift up your backside, all at once. Miraculous.

My “problem area” (I hate that phrase, but you know what I mean) is my derriere; no matter how many miles I run or how many donuts I say no to, my tush just isn’t as firm as it was 20 years ago (go figure). Certain pieces in my closet — a jersey dress, a fitted pair of trousers — look that much better when I’ve got a little extra help underneath. I’m also not a fan of VPL, but I’m not a thong girl, so for pieces that require a smooth back view, a shaper is my go-to undergarment.

Which shaper is the best? It depends on what you need it to do, how long you’re planning to wear it, and how much you want to spend. Here are my three favorites.

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Tracey has a question: “We are heading down to Phoenix for two weeks and since I intend on doing some serious damage at the Outlet mall, I am hoping to pack PRACTICALLY NOTHING, so I have more room in my suitcase to bring all my new finds (and for the boys back to school clothes!) home…I am SO excited to shop at J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, etc, places that do not exist here in Canada!!! So ANY tips on packing extremely light (US Air charges by the bag, boo!), would be very appreciated.”

Before I answer Tracey’s question, I have a confession. Remember when I wrote about what to pack for vacation? And then I actually packed and went on vacation? Well, I took all the wrong things.

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I’ve mentioned before that I’m photographing what I’m wearing (almost) every day in 2010. Six months in, it’s hard to escape the fact that I have a pretty specific look, and while I would like to say that this is entirely by design, it often has more to do with what’s clean when I get dressed.

Sad, but true.

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I’m on vacation this week, which means that I’m pretty much just wearing a swimsuit all day long. Not bad, really.

My kids are finally old enough that the idea of a “family vacation” isn’t as much of an eye-roller any more. You know what I mean — when they’re wee and tiny, any journey with them isn’t a vacation in the purest sense but a road trip, one that necessitates hauling the entire nursery to the beach or the mountains or wherever it is that you will be “vacationing.” And then, once you’re there, doing all the parent things you do at home, but on the fly in a strange place.

I do not miss those days.

Regatta-stripe knit dress, Talbot’s, $79.50 currently $62.99

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This week on Twitter, I’ve been hearing about stores that already have their Christmas decorations in stock. But of course — the summer solstice was a whole week ago, after all.

(Insert eye roll here.)

I cannot get behind the retail rush to the next season; I’m savoring summer right now, and I’m not ready to start Christmas shopping. I’m also not ready to start thinking about my fall wardrobe. I don’t care how low they turn the AC in the mall, I’m not trying on anything with wool in it.

However, I am excited about the summer sales. That’s the one upside of the retailers refusal to stock according to the actual seasons. All sorts of cute stuff is on sale now, at it’s wearable best. So let’s talk about strategies for shopping the summer sales.

Stella & Dot Sayulita Statement Necklace, $178 currently $98

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This week, I want your help answering a Very Pressing Question: is it really possible to dress up your shorts?

I have all sorts of issues with shorts. Most women (and men!) are wearing the wrong shorts — wrong size, wrong style, wrong fabric (no more denim shorts, I’m begging you all). But even a really great pair of shorts is still … a pair of shorts. They’re meant for casual wear, and the insistence on dressing them up drives me batty. It’s ok to have clothes that are just for the weekend! Really! You don’t need to wear your shorts to work!

In fact, I say steer clear of shorts for the office. Always.

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