Style101.

Style101

Tricks of the Trade

Basics don't have to be boring -- or informal, or repetitive. Here, a few upgrades to the tried-and-true. * Move beyond the pencil. "I'm tired of pencil skirts," says boutique owner Linda Dresner. "I like something fuller with a lot of movement that hits just below the knee." Polly Mellen adds, "Skirts are more A-line this season. They're flouncier, swishy, and very feminine." * Widen your options. "Wide -- or straight-leg -- trousers are more flattering than slim, tapered pants, and also easier to wear," Dresner says. As for the waistline, too low is (thankfully) out and too high can make you

look like Humpty Dumpty. "Look for a pair that sits at the natural waist. If you're very slim, you can probably handle something higher," Candy Pratts-Price says. * Tuck in or buckle up. Blouses should be tucked in

and pants belted, but sweaters should be left untucked. For the latter, remember to "keep the look sleek by wearing a thin, body-hugging fabric, or belting it at the waist if you can," Dresner says. * Achieve balance. "It's important to balance the

A-line skirts and wide pants with slim-fitting tops," Mellen says. This rule applies to shoes, too. "If you wear very wide pants, a stiletto heel is going to

look silly -- the heel should be thicker, like a platform, and have some substance," she says.