Clothing

Now that you're feeling braver about making suits from separate pieces, let's all admit that finding pants that fit is one of the hardest parts of filling out a wardrobe. Why? Because most of us suffer from crazy proportions whether our thighs are thicker than our waists, our hips are low (or super wide, or too slim), or we're constantly battling a muffin top pants are ... a problem.

Since I spend a lot of time trying pants on with women of all different shapes and sizes, here are my recommendations for finding a reliable fit -- no matter what struggles you're having with your bottom half.

For basic go-to-work pants, Express has a nice-fitting style called The Editor. They're lower rise which can work well with a tummy that's not too large (the pants won't cut you at the widest part of your stomach, and worn with the right top or jacket, that little extra you're carrying will be effectively masked). The wide-leg a-line shape of the pants also works for heavier legs and lower hips. Trust me on this, I've seen these look good on a size 2 and a size 14.

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Express

For those of you who insist that a lower rise just accents your muffin top, this mid-rise velvet pant by Old Navy fits great. It's a straight leg, so not great for anyone who's overly hippy, but they will accommodate a fuller leg (because they're not contoured through the thigh) and they come in both small and large sizes. Plus, the velvet makes a great bottom for a winter suit.

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Old Navy

Old Navy also carries a fine wail flared leg trouser cord for those with more hip in their silhouette. The rise is classic, a bit higher than you may be used to these days -- but paired with a tucked shirt and jacket, these pants can work great as a suit-like option, or even on the weekend with a longer top and boots. Both dark night and bitter chocolate are rich versatile colors to have for the bottom half of your wardrobe.

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Old Navy

Ann Taylor's Loft does a nice job making pants that fit more bottoms than your average designer. These stretch flare faux denim pants are perfect for those who are very curvy on the bottom and need a little smoothing over as hips and bum are incorporated into your silhouette. The lower rise and wide waistband accentuate hips in the right way, while the flared bottom balances out your overall proportion.

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Loft

For those with fairly proportioned hips and bum, or for those in need of a little more shape, these flat front stretch flare leg pants from AT Loft are contoured through the hip and thigh and fit great. A very flattering and versatile look overall.

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Loft

I can't say enough good things about Michael Kors' line. He understands that real people need to wear clothes too! My mother (nearly 70), my sister (40), and my assistant (24), all wear this line. It's cut really well, no frills to mess with your figure imperfections, and the size range for most items is 2-16. Here's a great petite option by him, the perfect trouser pant.

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Michael Krors

And for the more standard sized among you, the Gramercy pant by Michael Kors. They fit great in the whole range of sizes-- really!

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Michael Kors

Lastly, for anyone with a post-baby body or who's filling out a little after 30, Kenneth Cole is a spot on designer for simple pants (flat front, non-pleated, low and mid-rise, flared leg, fuller cut thigh, and a little stretch) that come sizes up to 16 -- and look great even at the larger end of the size range. These dark denim trouser options are a perfect example, but you'll find the whole bottoms line is very accommodating.

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So, just remember, if you're spending a lot time trying to find pants that fit, you are not alone! It's worth holding out for the right pair. I hope this narrows your search!

Kenneth Cole

I've never been a big fan of the cookie cutter suit -- the one that you see on mannequins as you walk in. As if that's all the thinking you need do and presto -- you're finished! I'm more for putting your own pieces together in an interesting way where style is not something you buy, but instead requires some creativity on your part.

And the best part of this approach is that you can choose pieces that fit the different parts of your body -- as everyone knows that there are very few of us who are inherently proportional in all regions. With that mind, here are some building blocks for the season.

J Crew has got it hands down for color this season (though I'll admit it angers me that all of their clothing is pictured on hipless, teen-like bodies). And of all the gorgeous pencil skirts offered at J Crew, this one has a lower waist and can therefore accommodate a few more figure flaws

So if you've got a tummy and hips, you can probably still look good in this up to size 10 or 12. I love the bronzed ochre (but black would be a great investment too).

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The higher waisted pencil skirts are great for those with not so much tummy and hips that are more proportionate to the rest of their width (i.e. not the pears among us). Check out this gorgeous version.

Pricier yes, but this is so classic (and yet unique), you'll have it for years. Pair this type of skirt with shorter (miniaturized) jackets and any form fitting (and sculpting/containing) layering piece to make your own suit.

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This one, also from J Crew, is good for an open front look if you feel buttoning up over emphasizes mid section girth shown here with a nice tummy obscuring tunic topic, this would also work great with a favorite blouse or nice fitted v-neck.

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This one, from Target, has a slight a-line, which is great if you have a little tummy to hide.

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This option from the Gap has just enough shaping through the body to outline a waist while grazing over any real trouble zones. It could be worn closed or open over a skirt or pants, depending on what you want to hide.

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Speaking of the Gap, though seemingly preoccupied with the poufy skirt this season, they do carry a nice a-line option in this adorable herringbone number. Really great for those of you with hips and thighs and willing to don a tall pair of boots and some good tights. The Herringbone wool keeps it just serious enough so it doesn't go to 'girlish' in the work zone.

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The Box pleat is also great for providing a little extra room through the hips/thigh area for those of us who are a little heavier on the bottom, this one also from the Gap.

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Since Ann Taylor is the place most people associate with 'suit' shopping, here is a great investment piece for your top half.

This jacket style will flatter most figure types in that it cinches at the empire, has a deep v-neck, and a nice peplum waist that skirts out over (and thus incorporates or creates the look of) hips. Though some are annoyed by a 3/4 sleeve, think of it as an opportunity to wear some of that jewelry that never sees the light of day! You can easily roll a blouse sleeve, push the sleeve of a sweater blend, or wear a sleeveless shell or short sleeve top (you are wearing a jacket after all).

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These are a just a few tips about the shapes and styles of suiting separates that let you be in charge, and also gets you more workable pieces for your wardrobe that can be used outside of the office.

Why did I skip pants? Because my next entry will be all about finding good work pants, and that need an entry unto itselfstay tuned!

This ladies and gentlemen, is what a superstar looks like: Beyonce wearing the heck out of a deceptively simple looking black turtleneck dress at the Gotham Magazine gala. She's gorgeous!

This is what people are talking about when they praise Beyonce's curves. She looks like a fantasy creation, and even though she is as covered up as possible -- what kind of shoes is she even wearing? No one knows! -- nothing is left to the imagination.

And this is how you put together an outfit for an event. Her hair: striking -- pulled back, out of the way, not fighting with the dress. The only jewelry: bold but simple earrings. She's not even wearing her 18 carat engagement ring, just some shiny red nail polish.

She is, however, wearing 10 pounds of "You're damn right I'm fabulous" attitude, which is what really puts this in the StyleFab history books for us. Sasha Fierce rulz!

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Of course, Beyonce isn't the only celeb who goes revealing on the red carpet. The question is: Who pulls it off, and who's revealing too much?

Rose McGowan's barely-there "dress" is a little (OK a lot) too much.

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Keira Knightley's tattered rags look like a stiff breeze could make the actress considerably less decent.

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Someone should've told Gwyneth Paltrow that you can see right through that dress -- and we'd prefer not to.

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That's an interesting place for see-through fabric -- fortunately Teri Hatcher can make anything look amazing.

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Backs are sexy, butt cracks are not -- even when it's Heidi Klum's.

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Tess Smith leaves very little to the imagination with this super-skimpy wrap-dress-thing.

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Anne Hathaway appears to have forgotten something -- it's called a bra.

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Kate Bosworth uses some strategically-placed stripes to conceal her private parts.

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Uma Thurman also seems to have forgotten her undergarments.

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