Most of the women I know spend lots of time caring for everyone else in their lives and often don't take the time to care for themselves -- this is a mistake. I propose all you girls out there take an afternoon and really get your closet ready for the summer.

Wouldn't it be great if your closet only held items that worked perfectly on you? If that were the case, you might spend less time getting ready in the morning, and you might even end up having a better day because you would feel more confident in what you are wearing -- now that's sexy!

It is my hope to inspire women to embrace who they are and use fashion to accentuate their assets and hide their flaws. Your closet is your best ally, and when used effectively it can help you accomplish your best dressed self every day.

So let's start fresh this season. I'm sure there have been plenty of days when you have opened your closet and thought, "I have nothing to wear!" This is only because all the clutter and all those items you just "couldn't live without" are obstructing your view of the really fabulous stuff you should be wearing.

Here are some basics to get you started.

Most of you are prepared to store your winter boots in the back of the closet -- it's your feet that aren't ready. They're dry, your toenails are terrible, and alas, they have not been bound or strapped or wedged for some time, so they've gone a little soft.

But now is not the time for foot empathy -- you must whip those tootsies into shape for the upcoming sandal season. Spring's fickle weather is the perfect excuse to take baby steps: sandals one day, traditional pumps or ankle boots the next.

Here are a few basic tips for the season:

1) Less is more. The plainer the shoe the more outfits you can pair with it.

2) Try metallics as an alternative to black and white sandals. White can be too extreme, and black can really look heavy at the bottom of a spring or summer outfit.

3) Try a wedge if you are uncomfortable with heels, but at the very least, go for a stacked kitten heel. Unless you are really tall, flats can make your legs look stumpy

4.) Go for sandals that leave the top portion of your foot open to elongate your leg (i.e. avoid ankle straps unless you have great calves and slim ankles).

And now for the fun part: some inspiring looks to get you motivated.

There's no better way to transition from winter to spring than by adding bright colors into your now overly-muted ensembles. But there's no need to be garish about it -- just add a bit of peak-a-boo color under a jacket, with a pair of stylish new heels or even an unexpectedly bright handbag. Read on for some easy examples.

My personal covetous favorites of the moment are the electric jewel tones showing up in the shoe aisle. Check out these blue wedge heels from BCBG.

But it's not just blue that I'm coveting. How about these awesome sling back wedges from Nine West (they come in orange or pink satin)?

Picture these bright beauties with an otherwise neutral outfit: dark denim, charcoal trousers, even a monotone suit with a blouse from the same family of jewel tone. I love this pretty top (great with the blue shoes) and shell from Banana Republic.

I decided to take my youngest daughter shopping last week, and let me tell you it was an eye opening experience! She was looking for a dress, and after spending several hours walking through a major department store, we were still empty-handed.

Why couldn't we find anything that was figure flattering and still carried a trend?

Eventually we decided to grab anything that looked like it might have potential and head to the dressing room. Hours passed and still no keepers. I couldn't believe there wasn't anything in the store that worked on her petite figure.

While you may be rejoicing that spring weather is finally on the way, it brings with it a gloomy task – updating your closet. But rather than rushing through what can seem a laborious task, you're your spring cleaning seriously, and begin by breaking the job into parts. Here's a simple list to go by to start the process off right.

Organize your closet by type of clothing as follows:

• Pants (organize by color)
• Skirts (organize by color)
• Tops (by color, and separated into short and long sleeves)
• Jackets (organize by color)

When it comes to wardrobe malfunctions, skirts aren't the most obvious culprit. But like with any other item of clothing, if you don't know what style works for shape, you could end up looking heavier than you really are. Read on for my tips on finding the right skirt for your body type. As these before-and-after photos will prove, the skirt you thought would look worst on you just might be your best look. Click here to see the gallery.

I'm so glad my last blog post about my speech at Harvard a few weeks ago created a conversation among Shape Your Style readers.

I realize that this issue -- unhealthy depictions of women by the fashion industry -- has an effect on so many people from different walks of life because, at some time in their life, nearly everyone feels the pressure to be thin. And everywhere, we're reminded that being "thin" is the only way to be happy. Or is it?

I'm going to deviate from my normal blog format to share with you a speech I gave on March 11 at Harvard Medical School. It may pertain to you, or someone you know.

The topic was eating disorders and the fashion business, or as I like to call it, "Fashion Kills."

A SHOCKING CALL
Three years ago on a warm Saturday night, my cell phone rang. I was with friends so I didn't answer the first time, but it just kept ringing. When I finally checked my voicemail it was from my youngest daughter, and she was in a state of panic. My eldest daughter was having a breakdown and might seriously hurt herself.

I told my youngest to get her sister to a hospital and I met them there. The doctors told me that her physical condition was not serious, but that I should watch her closely for the next 24 hours. I took her home with me. She was in a terrible mental state, but I had no idea what was wrong.

She began an intense therapy regime the following morning, which she continued for many months. It was in therapy that I discovered my daughter had bulimia, but what was revealed next was even more startling -- I was a major cause of her illness.

The goal is always to look slimmer, with winter's chill still in the air it's hard not to want to bundle up in warm fuzzy (aka shapeless) sweaters every day. So how do you get the best of both worlds?

It's not too hard, turns out. There's a whole class of sweaters out there that can add a layer of warmth, without overwhelming your frame and making you look, well, frumpy.

A few basic tips to start with. Go for sweaters in finer gauged weaves, and don't skimp on design details like darts, peplums, and even wraps. Look for colors that add something to your overall look -- i.e. try to avoid boring cuts.

Ann Taylor is a good brand for finer weaves and good basic shapes. This lovely wine colored scoop neck has a lot of style.

It can be worn under a suit jacket at work, with jeans on the weekend, or with a plush cord or velvet pant for a more upscale casual look -- versatile and warm! Another hint: use Ann Taylor's great variety of camisoles as undershirts for an extra layer without extra bulk.

A long sweater is another great way to enhance your figure. Check out this one by Alice and Olivia (below). It's sure to carry you to the next level of stylish.



The short front accents your waist, but the long back provides coverage for a wide bottom.

Hey Ladies. Now that the writer's strike is over, the Oscar red carpet is officially on. In preparation, we're going to check in on some of our favorite celebrities to see if they're dressed appropriately for their body types on the red carpet.

Let's start with America Ferrera. America is an inverted triangle according to my book "Science of Sexy," which means her shoulders are broader than her hips. Her choice here is the right one. The gathered fabric adds weight to her hips and the one shoulder detail softens her width up top. The train also balances her and gives her a very glamorous look.

The greatest thing about a jacket (or a blazer) is its ability to perfect the proportion of your silhouette. Got small shoulders? A jacket can instantly broaden them. Heavy in the middle? A jacket can contour your waistline and cinch you in just the right place. But as always, there's a dark side. The wrong jacket can make you look way bigger than you are. Click here for a pictorial guide to jacket dos and don'ts.

Your coat is as much a part of your wardrobe as your tops and bottoms. Pretending that a coat is just something you put on for warmth as you walk out the door is nothing short of denial.

Now that it's February and every department store is desperate to clear their racks of winter coats to make room for spring jackets, it's time for you to stock up. Here are some pointers for building your coat wardrobe.

One of the most consistent tips I can give you with regards to coats and your shape is that simpler is always better. This means single button plackets, smaller collars, and fewer pockets. Choosing these styles is the easiest way to slim your overall silhouette.

Check out this basic example from Kenneth Cole in brown, a color vastly more versatile and softer than basic black. Not too long, not too short, you can dress it up or down.

This classic camel coat by Calvin Klein is a little higher end, but it's worth the investment. What's more, this coat showcases another classic design that works for many different figures -- a belt that allows you to control where it cuts your silhouette (for best results, try slightly higher than your natural waist).

There are occasions in every woman's life when she is on center stage – a wedding, a prom, an award show, or just a special dinner with someone they love. I help women look beautiful for these moments.

It's during these times that you are probably more critical of yourself then others are. But it is important that you feel your best and that you are comfortable, so you can be yourself and look great.

In this week's blog, I've chosen red carpet photos of celebrities who have put a lot of effort into feeling and looking their best. The question is, did they make the right choices?

I've chosen celebrities from each of the body types from my book "The Science of Sexy": inverted triangle, triangle, rectangle, and hourglass. Did they dress correctly for those body-types? Let's see:

INVERTED TRIANGLE: CAMERON DIAZ



An inverted triangle has pronounced shoulders and smaller hips. Cameron's dress is perfect for this body type. The strapless style shows her shoulders and defines her waist, but the key to this dress is that it releases into a full gown at the lower hip. This gives the illusion that her hips are proportionate to her broad shoulders, and the defined waist gives her an hourglass shape.

You've heard me grumbling about your reluctance to wear anything but pants in the winter. Why not take a little romp outside your comfort zone and consider a winter skirt?

First, let's dispel some myths. The only skirt fabrics that really can't be worn in the winter months are linen and thin cottons. Many of the skirts in your wardrobe indeed qualify to be worn right now! It's really all about your choice of shoe and how much leg to expose.

DENIM DOES IT
The easiest and most functional all-season skirt -- a real work horse -- is a denim skirt. In a darker wash with a little bit of Lycra, the sculpting properties of denim make it one of your best friends for smoothing out winter's figure imperfections. These days, dark denim can be worn in most workplaces with a nice jacket or sweater and boots or heels (and easily revamped for casual summer wear with a tank top and flip-flops!)

Here are a few nice options. From Banana Republic, this A-line works for the wider bottomed.

Also from Banana Republic, this low-waisted pencil version shows off curves and hides tummy issues.

SUPER SEAMS
This higher-waisted and slightly straighter pencil version from Garnet Hill will fill out ladies with narrower hips.

If you're a stickler for more coverage, try this seamed skirt from Garnet Hill (below). It comes in denim or espresso velveteen, both nice sculpting fabrics with some heft in them for warmth (it runs large, so be sure to order one size below what you normally wear).



Since this skirt is bulkier in shape and can accommodate large thighs, hips and/or a tummy, be sure to balance it out with daintier tops and calf-hugging boots or heels to avoid looking heavy.

Many of us use winter as an excuse to wear practical turtlenecks for two solid months. But when it comes to flattering your figure, bulky or too-tight turtlenecks are about a half step up from overalls. But it is possible to find styles that flatter your shape. Take a look at this before and after gallery for tips on turning this winter staple into one of your most stylish looks, plus options for better tops for your frame. All photos from Emily Neill's Closet Smarts (Fair Winds).