Are you or aren't you?

Are you a die-hard hat fan, who can confidently pull on your cherished chapeau and enjoy the admiring looks?

Or... do you often announce "I'm not a hat person," all the while wishing you really were?

I've relapsed to black.

No matter how hard I try, my closet is awash in dark clothing, shades of gray and maybe a little blue for good measure. Practical, yes – but far from lively.

Years ago, when airplane flights were still more of a novelty, we "dressed" to travel.

Maybe we fancied ourselves jet-setters of sorts and took our cues from those stylish stewardesses who always looked so poised and perfect.

We all know now it’s a little risky to wear flip-flops to your photo op with the president at the White House. At least that’s the lesson learned after the Northwestern University lacrosse players’ visit with George Bush made headlines a couple years ago.

“Don’t even ask me about the flip-flops,” groaned one player’s mother to the media. “It mortified me.”

It was hard not to notice the stylish young women, menus in hand, greeting hungry tourists in Quebec City’s Old Town.

They were stylish but casual, not unlike someone you might see in Maine. But something was different – they looked more poised and confident, unafraid to add that elegant touch of a scarf wound around the neck.

It was a scene I saw again and again – not a Croc in sight, no sweatpants, no fanny packs. Except on Americans.

I keep reminding myself to keep the focus on fall... easy to say with 80-plus temps and the news wire awash in color from New York Fashion Week.

But let's abandon autumn fashion planning for now and take note of spring things to come - everything from brights to sherbet colors and earth-toned palettes.

Here's a quick look at more spring styles, courtesy of The Associated Press:

Not quite ready to think cool weather charcoal or black with a sprinkling of color? Then turn the clock ahead - way ahead - and think spring.

New York Fashion Week kicked off Wednesday, and with it came flowing frocks and ladylike styles.

Here's what The Associated Press is reporting from the runways, along with a sprinkling of photos... Look for more tomorrow!

Ask fashionistas about their earliest fashion inspiration, and you’re likely to find a common thread: Barbie. Who didn’t covet those little plastic high heels and matching outfits?

Sometimes we even pulled out needle, thread and scraps of cloth in awkward attempts to create our own designs – primitive, yes, but not too far removed from today's popular “lagenlook” layering trend.

Belfast clothing designer Meredith Alex was no exception. As a girl she’d venture into the attic of her family’s 200-year-old house, pull out vintage clothing and play dress-up for hours.