(l: Elizabeth Taylor poses in the more modest style of her day; right: Britney Spears strolls on the beach in a thong bikini)

While you may be able to get away with more (or less, for that matter), the most important thing is to feel comfortable. You should never convince yourself to buy the latest teeny bikini if it's not something you would actually feel good in outside the safety of the fitting room. Who wants to arrive at the beach only to find they're too timid to undress?

Here's my approach to bathing suit shopping:

1. Invest in Quality

(MiracleSuit Utopia is $126)

It may seem frivolous to splurge on something you might only wear a handful of times a year, but that's just the point. A bathing suit isn't a daily accessory, but a special item. By spending extra money on a quality brand, you can ensure that the suit will last you for many seasons to come. I have a black suit that I absolutely love. It was more expensive, but I've been wearing it for five years and it still looks brand new. The key is in the cut and the classic color.

2. Beware of Trends

Cut-outs and patterns might look exciting, but beware of the tanlines. If you're staying in the shade, the problem can be avoided, but it's incredibly frustrating to think you've left the beach sun-kissed for a night on the town only to find a less-than-lovely zig-zag pattern across your back. Even bold patterns can cause this. I once wore a red and white striped bathing suit and left the beach looking like a zebra because the red stripes blocked more sun than the white. Be mindful of this when choosing a suit.

3. Bring a Cover Up

(H&M Loves Kylie Sarong, $19.90)

Don't underestimate the value of a chic cover-up! Mesh and gauze wraps don't do much for covering up or for fashion, so skip those. Look for something you will feel comfortable moving from the beach to indoors in. Breezy caftans work great, too, and you can get by without pairing them with pants. With a neutral bathing suit and your favorite sarong, you can even create an outfit to go out in, just add a piece of fun jewelry, and you're set!

>You'll need these accessories at the beach too

>Love your body in a bathing suit

Years of experience have shown me that I can rely on these few staple items for weekends at the beach.

1. An ivory or camel-colored shawl

(Patrick Robinson for Target Linen Scarf in Ivory

and Open Shoulder Dress in Blue Medallion Print)

Sounds boring, but it's the perfect item for evenings, when the heat of the day has faded. I throw it loosely around the shoulders or wrap and tie it tightly, depending on the temperature. Pashmina-silk blend shawls have become easy to find, not to mention, very cheap and a neutral color like ivory or a muted sand or beige goes with everything.

2. One pair of faded -- not stretch -- jeans

(GAP trouser jean)

To me, stretch jeans don't look classic, especially on an older woman.

3. A loose, cotton sleeveless shirt

Personally, I'm not comfortable in skin-tight tanks and T-shirts. I love the feel of much-washed cotton blowing around my body. Find a great shirt like this and I promise you'll wear it for years. All that aside, a long-sleeved T-shirt is also great to have in the bag -- soft, not too tight, and free of logos. Navy will stay looking clean for a couple of days.

4. A pair of khaki shorts

(Walter khaki cotton leather-piped walking shorts)

I prefer the knee-length kind that I call "city shorts" over sporty shorts. They're crisp and nicely cut.

5. A jersey dress that can be squeezed into a ball is ideal, so that I'm covered for any kind of after-dark event (I usually take a black one).

6. A swimsuit and sarong

These go in last. A great sarong, by the way, can be wrapped in many ways around the body to look like a day dress or a nice skirt that's good enough to walk around town in, if you experiment with it. It can even become an evening piece if you wear it over a one-piece swimsuit and have some interesting jewelry at the wrist, neck or ears.

7. Two pairs of flat thong sandals

(H&M Loves Kylie strappy flip-flops)

Make sure one pair is metallic to transition easily to evening. I pack these down the side of the bag.

8. A hat

(H&M Loves Kylie wide-brimmed sun hat)

9. Sun block

10. A small purse, and I'm done.

The weekend bag doubles as my beach tote -- and surely, someone's got a beach towel I can borrow?

>Check out these beach bag essentials for ideas on where to start.

(Martin + Osa ensemble; flip-flops by Havaianas)

Summer parties start in the afternoon and continue on past nightfall, they are very casual in feel -- yet often require a lot of work on the part of the host. They also have such "open door" policies, you never know who's going to show up. Will it be swimsuit wearers brushing sand off their suits, or perfectly groomed partygoers wearing their sexiest silk dresses?

I think a key to dressing for summer parties is to not overdress, unless you're dressing for a wedding or other special occasion. Try to dress to complement the style of your hosts. Tune in for a moment to how they entertain and what the feel of their home is. If they're super casual types, and they're throwing a barbeque, then crisp shorts, a classic tank top, and a sweater or shawl to protect against evening cool or mosquito bites is fine.

(Isaac Mizrahi Day-for-Night Taffeta Dress, $325)

If the event is just a little more organized than that, you can wear a tank top if that works for you, but pair it with a slightly nicer bottom, such as a flirty skirt, perhaps even with sequins or embellishment. Or, flip the formula around with a casual bottom -- denim mini or jeans -- and a sweet chiffon top. This has you covered in case others in the group are more done up: your single breezy, feminine piece will help you fit in.

(Isaac Mizrahi Sunset Stripe Cotton Faille Dress, $285)

The key to looking easy and relaxed while still dressing for a party is mixing. If you pick a dressy top and a dressy bottom, the overall effect is just too 'done' for an outdoor evening with friends. Even if beers, hot dogs and paddle ball are on the menu, pick a cotton sundress, slick your hair back, and stick a flower behind your ear -- it's still the kind of five-minute dressing that works for summer nights, but it signals, "I've made an effort and now I'm ready for some fun!"

(Lifestock/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, sometimes we just know the time has come for a brand new look. We're in a rut, tired of the same-old routine and feel an overwhelming urge to shake things up. So how does someone who's not on prime time pull off a makeover without a prime-time budget?

In my opinion, it's more efficient to put the shopping spree on hold and spend the time and money at the hair salon. A dramatic new haircut can really change your whole image -- and in your hairdresser, you have the benefit of an expert eye helping to shape the new "you." By carving a new look that really frames your face in a different way, your hair stylist can take your look in a totally different direction, in less time than it takes to pick out a couple of pairs of shoes.

Hand yourself over to a cutter you trust, and speak with him or her for some time before they get started. When you make a big change, you'll be amazed how this one style detail can change the way you feel, stand, walk and talk. Before you know it, you'll be pulling together new clothing and accessories to complement the new you.

Makeup is also something that can radically change your look -- and you don't need a private makeup artist to do it. Cosmetic companies put out new products every season; you'll be surprised how updating one or two makeup items can greatly update your look so you look very "now." If sheer, glossy lips are in but you're still using dark, matt lipstick, the simple shift to gloss will freshen you up considerably. Likewise, the way blush is worn this season can really affect the "now"-ness of your face. Go to a department store and spend some time at one makeup counter. Tell the salesperson exactly what your budget parameters are and invest in two new items -- skip the mascara though, you may as well get that at the drugstore.

Some makeup brands offer lessons or "big night out" face painting for a moderate fee. Consider doing this once in a while so you can learn lots of new tricks without feeling that awkward pressure to buy at the end.

These two things may seem like after thoughts -- but they're not. I think that in fact, they're the best place to start when you want a bold new look.

Check out these makeovers

>A newly single girl gets a flirty new cut

>A curly girl shares the secrets to perfect curls

>A teen book author gets a youthful new look

Today there's more media attention on stylish moms than ever before. Celebrities are photographed looking phenomenal at every stage of pregnancy and motherhood and new companies that cater to the fashion, beauty and wellness of moms-to-be and moms-who-just-became are popping up left, right and center. Admittedly, all this focus on fashionable mommies can be a little demoralizing. Not only are women expected to be super-capable mothers, able to bounce back from birth and get straight back to work, but now the pressure is on to be super stylish as well. (Anyone who's had a baby can tell you, it's hard enough to remember to brush your hair.)

But it's also inspiring. Seeing Angelina Jolie in mom mode with a stylish, but comfortable, outfit that seems very "her" -- a fitted shirt, great sunglasses and a good watch -- is a reminder that there is an alternative to the sweats-and-T-shirt routine that's so tempting to follow when small children are your first priority.

When raising my daughter, I didn't really change the way I dressed. In my opinion, once you have kids, it's more important than ever to keep expressing your personal style because you don't want to lose your identity. It's important to dress in ways that make you feel good about yourself, because now you're a role model for a child, and by your actions, you're teaching her (or him) how to feel comfortable about themselves, how to like her body and how to develop a strong sense of who she is.

(Franco Origlia, Getty Images)

Furthermore, even though you're now a mom, you're also most probably (although not necessarily) someone's wife or partner. It's not a good idea to surrender everything of your pre-motherhood style when a new member of the family arrives. Your mate knows you as having a certain style and it's very possibly part of what made him (or her) fall in love with you. Maintaining that authentic expression of yourself, rather than disappearing into leisure wear every day, is important to maintaining the relationship.

You don't change when you have a baby; what changes are the circumstances. Suddenly, there is simply not enough time to think about clothes, hair, and makeup with even a fraction of the attention you used to. What that means is that you need to figure out a way to dress that works for your schedule whilst still making you feel as good as you did before you had kids. Know the key pieces that you can turn to every day and love to wear. Then, simplify, and simplify some more. If you used to put effort into playing colors or prints against each other, stick to neutrals now with occasional color accents. If layering shapes and lengths used to be one of your hallmarks, switch to consistent silhouettes so you can swap in clean pieces without having to invent new looks.

But make sure to maintain some of the signatures that make you who you are. If you love stilettos, and can actually still fit into them after giving birth, then for goodness sake, wear stilettos (when you don't have to carry the baby ten blocks). If you have always been sensual or even risqué in your dress, then be a sensual or risqué mom. If you like formality and structure, then weave that into your wardrobe, albeit with a lot more slack. Sometimes in the effort to be the best mothers ever, we do ourselves a disservice by losing our independent identities. Even if your personal statement is simply to wear a bolt of unexpected color, do it. Your child will be fine -- will even thrive -- with you stealing the spotlight for just a minute. And you'll both have a lot more fun as the journey of motherhood goes on.

>See how star moms are passing the style torch to their daughters

>Get style inspiration from these new celebrity moms

And to a large extent, the root of all this lies in the fashion world. I've watched the shift to ever more extreme standards happen during my career. In the 1980s and early '90s, models' body sizes were slim, yet often curvy and somewhat in the range of "normal." By the late '90s, however, ultra-thin was "in" and the fashion world created a new version of normal: very tall, very skinny and totally out of reach for most of us.

Though as a woman and mom I disapprove of this ideal, it does pose a dilemma for me as a designer because I must hire models for my ad campaigns and runway shows and compete with other designers for business. I won't hire women who are super-thin or verging on looking ill, but I have to admit it isn't easy to break the "tall and thin" status quo.

The great thing about the Simply Chic way of dressing is that it lets you create polished, pulled-together looks that fit your style and your unique body type, no matter what your size. It gets you out the door feeling comfortable and happy with yourself. Having this confidence and poise is the best defense against the thin-is-in social pressures. If you feel great, you look great.

Here are a few techniques that may be helpful, given that fashion advice and runway photographs aren't often targeted toward women with bigger body types:

1. Open up your neckline.

Showing more skin around the face and neck has a lightening effect. I don't mean showing cleavage, but rather picking V-necks and scoop necks instead of high necks and collars.

2. Zero in on a part of your body that you love and pick a piece of clothing or accessory that highlights it.

Perhaps, if it's something as subtle as your shoulder or wrist, try a bold piece of jewelry. Be deliberate: Look in the mirror, find your favorite part of yourself and show it off. You can downplay other parts as much as you like, but make sure something gets the spotlight.

3. Don't go for the brightest shade of a color.

Tone things down a few notches so you look just slightly understated -- plum instead of hot pink, for example.

4. Don't shroud yourself in fabric.

Go the other way and show a little more leg, like with a dress that hits the knee instead of midcalf. Again, showing skin lightens your whole head-to-toe effect.

Most importantly, don't underestimate the power of beauty and accessories. Sometimes there's so much attention (and stress) put on finding clothes that work, we forget how a great haircut, good sunglasses and good makeup can make a look. When in doubt about how to dress for your size, stop shopping and spend the money on a brilliant cut.

>Get inspired by these hairstyle ideas.

>See how our culture's ideal for a woman's size and shape has evolved from the 1920s to now.

>Join the skinny model debate.

>Listen to what women's wear designer Luca Orlandi has to say on the subject of skinny models.

Let's be honest! The first day of high temperatures will hit and most of us will be rifling through our closets with 10 minutes to spare, wondering how to find something that's not only comfortable, but that also suits the summer spirit that spreads in an instant. In New York, the phenomenon is amazing to see: On the first hot day of the year, it seems as if every female in the city is stepping out in a vibrant, sassy and totally effortless summer outfit, complete with the perfect sandal.

As I've said several times on this site, however, you don't have to do a top-to-toe reinvention to have a fresh new look. My biggest spring-to-summer secrets?

1. I wear more white.

It's not entirely practical in the big city -- white shows grime like nobody's business -- so I pick white things that are easy to launder at home: white shirts, white linen pants, and white linen jackets. I don't do all-white outfits for the workday, however. For a weekend, that's a great look. And for the evening, it can be fabulous (think: a little white dress or a sexy suit). But for a busy workday, it doesn't feel right -- and it can be more trouble than it's worth. I simply use more white or off-white shades to energize my navy, khaki, and neutral earth tones.

2. I add a single shot of color.

Since much of my wardrobe consists of neutral shades, I can quite easily add in a few accents of one of the season's trendiest shades, and suddenly my core wardrobe looks current. Salmon pink is my favorite shade this season -- it's not a cutesy, overly girly shade of pink because it's got a hint of orange in it and it works beautifully with a neutral background, especially against sand or buff colors. There are other great colors if you're not a fan of salmon -- take a look in the stores and you'll see other punchy shades emerging as trends.

The key is moderation. I wouldn't buy a whole outfit in my trendy shade. Instead, I'll look for a salmon-pink silk shirt, pretty tank top, or summer weight sweater.

3. I accessorize.

To mix things up, I'll wear a scarf in a trendy hue or some bold jewelry in this shade: I'd like to try a chunky, pink necklace against a neutral shirt, if I can find it.

These may sound like very undramatic ways to rev up your wardrobe for summer, but it works for me. Sure, the fashion students and hipsters in downtown New York will emerge any minute now with their radical and ultra-trendy hot-weather looks. It's inspiring to see them, but I don't have their life. For me, switching up a few details so I look polished and subtly "now" is enough. I've got a collection of wedding dresses to design and a stack of unopened mail to get to!