I knew from an early age there was no excuse for bad fashion.

Go-go boots? Had to have them. (Bless my parents, penny-pinching grad students that they were, who realized there are some things a girl's just gotta have.)

Clogs? I proudly stomped down the high school halls before anyone knew what they were. And let's not forget the Betsey Johnson elephant-bell coral cords or the neon tights that brought a stern warning from the principal. (They were too distracting.)

Thirty-five years later I'm still devouring fashion magazines, searching for a style that screams "me."

Will it be flats or platforms? Metallic fabric or Mondrian-inspired prints? A little white dress or ladylike florals? ...Or basic black; that's always safe.

Whether you're buying an investment purchase or an affordable look of the moment, fashionistas in Portland's Old Port advise you look beyond what's trendy to find clothing that fits your body and your personal style. That's good fashion.

What are their favorites? This season it's easy: dresses top the list.

At Simply Chic, bright '70s-inspired colors and prints predominate. Most are knee-length or shorter with styles that will give you time to walk off your winter padding.

If you're worried about your waist or are bigger busted, owners Missy Tasker and Denise Novotny recommend a wrap dress - many have flattering v-necks and tie slightly above the waist. Empire-style and swingy trapeze dresses, so cool and comfortable for warmer weather, hide that extra trip for ice cream.

A short dress is the pick of the season for Marlene Allen, owner of Stiletto shoe stores in Portland and Portsmouth (where, in the interest of full disclosure, I work on weekends). Fine for long-legged twenty-somethings, but how about the mother of a twenty-something? Not a problem, says Marlene. She adds capris-length leggings and flats or platform sandals for a look that's chic but not too youthful.

“I don’t want to look younger,” says Marlene. “I just want to look fashionable.”

Chantal Young and Selena Joannides of Chantal echo Allen’s advice: “Buy a dress!”

“Stick with beautiful fabrics – linen, cotton and silks – and stay away from pieces that are so loud or bold that the people around you don’t see you,” says Chantal. One of her favorite purchases this year is a cocoa halter dress in a mini stripe that she’ll wear to the beach all summer long.

Finally, don’t forget your sundress - add a cardigan now and it's perfect for work. Jenna Lookner and Jennifer Miller at Betsy’s says they’re loving a bright balloon cardigan in poppy red by Margaret O’Leary and an azure blue swing cardigan in linen from Betsy’s private label.

This just in:

Tired of tugging up your jeans? The high-waisted style is a welcome alternative that’s won the hearts of die-hard low-rise fans. Thankfully those high waists aren’t above the waist as some fashion-watchers predicted.

Our favorites? The “Ginger” pant by Seven for All Mankind, which is fitted at the hip and has a fairly narrow leg that flares toward the bottom. It has a 9- to 10-inch rise and comes in light and dark washes ($145 and $160 at Betsy’s). For a sassy summer look, try the Earnest Sewn “Harlan” black wash crop cigarette jean ($209 at Chantal) that looks fabulous with espadrilles. It has an 8.5-inch rise and higher backside – so popular that it’s been reordered.

Worth reading...

If you do remember those go-go boots, you’ll probably appreciate a great article in last week's New York Times Thursday Styles section by Cathy Horyn. The headline says it all: “Older, Better, But Harder To Dress.” You’re not alone, Boomer friends.

“Juvenility has mobbed us,” she writes. “Even if a woman has a clear idea about what looks right on her body and for her age and personality, it’s hard to avoid the window displays of baby-doll and trapeze dresses.” Read on...

www.nytimes.com

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