Unkind cuts

CAN you explain shirts for women with the shoulders cut out?

CAN you explain shirts for women with the shoulders cut out?

Fashion designers tear through erogenous zones faster than Warren Beatty in his priapic dating prime. The shoulders are a fabulous fallback because everyone has shapely shoulders, no matter how many macarons you munch on. Rather than showcase shoulders with halter tops or spaghetti straps, some bright spark with pinking shears has been removing them from jumpers and shirts in recent seasons. On jumpers, rounded shoulders can break up the overwhelming volume of heavy pieces, but fail to keep you warm in a stiff breeze. On shirts, rounded shoulders work against the tailoring, often looking sloppy and cheap. If you need to air your shoulders work with square cut-outs on shirts, which add some stiff, geometric appeal. But don't take the scissors to all of your collared shirts just yet - this fad's expiry date will be here before Christmas.

Are cravats cool?
Cravats fit into the men's trend trailblazing category, along with print pants and leather shorts. They're far too hot to be cool and might lead to curious stares in cafes that don't offer soy skim lattes. But that's no reason not to wear one. If you have a strong personality a cravat is a bold choice to match your bravado, but more timid types should test-tie a knotted silk scarf. A small silk scarf can be knotted inside an open shirt collar in the same manner as a bandana for a welcome shot of colour. Your aim here is to come off like a stylishly smug Jude Law rather than Matt Preston from MasterChef.

Wear a knotted scarf with a casual chambray shirt to look relaxed rather than retro. Longer silk scarves are perfect for tapping into glam rock cool without purchasing platform shoes. Just knot one loosely around your neck with an open shirt and swagger like Jagger. Remember cool is only a state of mind, but a cravat borders on insanity.