The photo at left needs no explanation. The handbag is the piece that brings the outfit to life. It’s bold, but classic…just right for the female who wants to fit in, yet stand out. It’s an eyecatching choice for a neutral palate.

Scott’s aptly titled new book, The Sartorialist, provides endless visual pleasure and lots of great  ideas. Let me know how you like it.

Two weeks ago, I had lunch with a friend I haven’t seen for 30 years. We met in camp when we were 13 and kept in touch for a decade, but the disconnect happened when our lives took different directions.

When I finally saw her after all this time, she looked exactly the same. We had always had a strong resemblance and we still did. (I’m on the left.) And interestingly enough, she had more or less the same classic style. In fact, we both sort of grew into our individual fashion approaches. Funny how that happens.

When I look back on what I’ve worn since my 20s, I see my style as a work in progress. But what hasn’t changed is my love of whimsy, with a touch of daring. My look is somewhat simpler now and instead of jackets, I’m addicted to all manner of cardigans. A big believer in signatures, I still wear a man’s watch (in this case, my father’s), chunky rings and usually a necklace or three or four (rather than important earrings, which used to be a daily habit).

I think signatures are important for all of us. They show our personality and make us memorable. My other signatures include leopard print, anything Pucci, teeny handbags after dark and tunics over skinny pants. What are yours?

She thinks it looks particularly modern paired with nude, barely-there cheeks and lips, using a creamy, muted berry-stained shade. “Or you can gild your look—and not just for evening—with touches of gold,” she adds.

“Depending on your mood and the occasion you can also team smoke with fire and finish with a ruby red lip to make heads turn!” she smiles, but cautions that this may be too much during daylight hours. Save it for after 5 PM.

There are great choices for your fall color palette.  Here are some of her recommendations:

For the smoky eye:
Stila “ The Red Carpet Look” (A three-pan gray and pewter eyeshadow palette with a Kajal Eye Liner, $40, at Sephora.com)
MAC eyeshadows in Carbon, Mystery, Sumptuous Olive, and Greensmoke, $14.50 each at www.maccosmetics.com
Lorac Eye & Cheek Multi-Platinum Palette ($37 at Sephora.com)
For the nude lip and cheek:
Oxymoron Lipstick Queen ($20 at SpaceNK.com)
Susan Posnick Blush Mineral Face Color in Lily ($32 at SpaceNK.com)
For the red lip:
Dior Rouge Lipstick in Red Premiere ($27 at neimanmarcus.com)
Estee Lauder Stay-in-Place Lip Duo in Rare Wine ($24 at bergdorfgoodman.com)
For a touch of gold -
Chanel Facettes D’or loose powder ($26 at chanel.com)
Chanel Light Glossimer lip gloss ($27 at chanel.com)

Don’t use the same sunblock on your face as your body. Select one that’s formulated solely for your face because it feels lighter and isn’t  greasy. I use Neutrogena Age Shield Face, with an SPF 70, and like the finish.

Forgo foundation. Even the sheerest foundation makes me sweat, resulting in runny makeup and an unsightly sheen, so now I use a combo of concealer and loose powder. I stipple concealer over imperfections and under my eyes with a small brush, blending with my finger. I finish with a light coat of translucent power over my entire face to set the concealer and whisk away shine.

Switch to a sheer, very bright powder blush. I’m talking bright here, not the shade you wear in winter. But it has to be sheer so that it doesn’t deposit heavy color. If not, you’ll look like Bette Davis in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte. Brush your blush over the apples of your cheeks only. Don’t know where the apple is? Smile. See that raised mound each of your cheeks forms? That’s your apple and it is close to your nose.

Frost your lids. Gild your upper lids with a thin layer of soft iridescence in a neutral like gold, silver or bronze.

Brush on colored mascara. Purple, bright blue, turquoise and grape are several of the colors I’ve been having fun with.

Keep your lips light and bright. My favorite shade is a really sheer orange. Yes, orange, which I top with clear gloss. Bright pink or coral are also summery and yummy.

The finished look will be light, fresh and colorful, but not overwhelming because the product formulations are so weightless.

• Switch to lighter weight fabrics. Tissue linen, voile, batiste, featherweight denim and cottons are all substitutions for heavier fabrics this time of the year. Just remember to wear the proper undergarments so that your look is not too transparent.

• Keep jewelry to a minimum. Heavy necklaces and bracelets can make you feel hotter. Avoid them completely and concentrate on earrings or opt for weightless chains or pendants on silk or leather cording.

• Forgo hosiery. It’s no longer a given in business that hosiery is a must because of a younger workforce, which has grown up with bare legs. If your dress code and legs allow it, go bare. If not, switch to lightweight, barely-there hosiery, like Donna Karan’s The Nakeds.

• Wear peep toe shoes or sandals. Again, check your company’s dress code policy. If you can wear sandals, select a pair that’s more sandal than flip-flop and make sure your feet are groomed.

• Keep layering to a minimum. The more layers you have on, the warmer you’ll feel. Yet, you don’t want your look to be too revealing. Bare arms, low cut tops and very short bottoms don’t belong in an office, so be sure not to disregard propriety for comfort.

That said, white pants are wonderful in warm weather. They look so fresh and cool that I live in them during the summer. However, I know that they strike fear and trepidation in the heart of many of you. And yes, if they are not worn in the right way, they can make you look heavier… and/or indecent, when too thin and/or worn with the wrong undergarments.

You can wear white pants with confidence by following these easy tips:

•    Make sure your pants fit perfectly. Have them tailored, if they don’t.
•    Wear nude underwear and avoid visible panty lines with a thong or Spanx (if you need the holding power).
•    Avoid sleeveless, V-neck or halter tops if your body shape is triangular. They’ll only make your top half appear narrower. Instead, select tops with sleeves and a crew, bateau or scoop neck, which visually balance your body.
•    Layer your tops—throw a sheer tunic over a tank top or tee shirt—if you want more coverage.
•    Accessorize white with gold or silver shoes and jewelry.
•    Look taller and leaner by keeping your entire outfit pale—mixing different tones of ivory and white.
•    Try a dark or bright top only if your hips are narrower than your shoulders.

“Fashion coach Susan Sommers, whose business, Dresszing, helps women shop in their closets, advises her clients to ask themselves, ‘What one or two pieces will make my wardrobe pop right now?’ The pieces don’t have to be superexpensive, but they should be of the moment and the color and style should mix well with at least two items you already own. If the of-the-moment item is pricey, before you splurge ask yourself,’Is this something I can wear after this season is over?’…”(page 190)

“Hire a personal stylist to help edit your closet every season… My friend, Susan Sommers, the fashion coach, takes digital photos of the new outfits we’ve created and sends them to me. I print them out and staple them in a small book that I keep in my closet. Whenever I’m stumped for what to wear, I find the answer in my book.” (page 193)

–Charla Krupp, author of How Not To Look Old

Every year it’s the same thing: Fall at the end of June. How do you feel about it?