A Stylish Necessity
For those of us not fortunate enough to live in a climate that’s 75 degrees year-round, versatile outerwear is more than necessary – it’s a means of survival. Even in the dead of summer, one can be caught in a flash downpour at any time of day, and as a conscious dresser, I could never bring myself to rock a plastic poncho from the nearest Duane Reade. What other choice do I have but to indulge in a variety of lightweight trench coats in shades from stone to camel to midnight navy? I actually don’t even look at it as an indulgence since the trench coat is truly seasonless and has proven to be one of the most timeless options for outerwear.

Iconic Inspiration
When shopping for a new style, I tend to think of how I’ll wear the particular trench. There’s the cinched waist, fitted double-breasted style worn bare-legged (á la Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s), the stiff silhouette with popped-collar capabilities to wear like Jackie O., or the long, lean, and loose style to wear open with jeans and biker boots in the effortless style of Kate Moss.

Chic Renewal
I also like to give an old trench new life season after season. Thinking of the outerwear as a blank canvas, I would add a strip of lace to the back or sleeves of an olive trench to get the look of Jason Wu’s pre-fall collection, or punch some hardcore spikes on the lapel of a classic trench to channel Burberry’s modern styles. My advice to trench-lovers: Stock up on as many styles as you can! This is one piece of your wardrobe not to skimp on.

nOir jewelry is a favorite among our editors to use in high-impact editorial photo shoots – not to mention glamming up their daily uniforms. We checked in with ELLE.com Fashion and Shopping Editor Sydney Wasserman for the inside scoop on the must-have jewelry line that has her whole office (and ours!) buzzing.

Rue La La: A lot of the nOir pieces are very bold (we’re talking animal shapes and serious spikes) – can people incorporate such statement jewelry into their everyday style?
Sydney: With particularly large statement jewelry, it’s all about fit. A heavy necklace shouldn’t look heavy when you’re wearing it, and it shouldn’t protrude from your dress in an awkward or uncomfortable way. Pay attention to the cut of your clothes and the particular jewelry that you’re pairing it with. For example, if it’s a collar necklace, your shirt’s neckline should be cut high or much lower. And if it’s a stack of thick bracelets, you don’t want your sleeve hanging over them.

Rue La La: When wearing a really loud item, do you usually style the rest of your outfit really simply or do you go all out in an equally daring ensemble?
Sydney: I don’t think women need to wear plain clothes in order to pull off statement jewelry. But the jewelry should flow with the silhouette of the outfit, not create two separate statements.

Rue La La: When going big, do you reach for a ring, a necklace, or a stack of bangles?
Sydney: I prefer wearing a bold necklace because I’m usually at my computer all day and a big ring or bracelet can get in the way of typing. In the warmer months, I go for a bold bracelet with a sleeveless dress – it just feels right for the season.

Rue La La: If you had to pick one celebrity who embodies the no-holds-barred style of this jewelry line, who would be?
Sydney: Beyoncé.

Rue La La: Fashion has definitely taken a turn for the ladylike – would you say that jewelry styles have followed suit?
Sydney: Not necessarily. I think the way to make the ladylike trend feel modern and refreshing is to set it off against bold accessories. A bright statement necklace looks great with a buttoned-up cardigan and pencil skirt.

Rue La La: What jewelry trend are you most excited about for spring?
Sydney: Color. I love this spring’s palette, all very shockingly bright.

Rue La La: What are a few amazing pieces being offered in tomorrow’s Boutique that caught your eye?
Sydney: [waiting on name from features: NK204] – I love this necklace because it’s so wearable. It has the right amount of personality with the colored stone and bold size, but it’s not too overbearing on an outfit. I would wear it with a mini shift dress or just a T-shirt and cropped jacket. And [waiting on name from features: EP6042] – these make great everyday earrings. The shape is flattering to the neckline, especially when wearing your hair up.

Rue La La: We love the edgy, attention-stealing details of this line – what’s one signature detail you can’t live without?
Sydney: I have to say, wearing pavé stones always puts more bounce in my step!

Our ELLE: nOir Boutique opens April 28, 2011 at 11AM ET.

We put a lot of emphasis on the perfect pair of jeans, but it’s what goes on top that makes them an expression of personal style. The range of fashion-forward top options seems to be limitless – change your shirt and you’ve changed your entire look. We sat down with ELLE.com Fashion & Shopping Editor Sydney Wasserman for her expert advice on all things tops.

Rue La La: Okay, we need the inside scoop on flattering tricks! Are there different styles that work best on different body types?
Sydney: I believe women with curves should choose more form-fitting tops instead of trying to hide their shape in baggy styles. A shapeless shirt can make you look larger than you may be. A few more rules of thumb: a button-down top should never be too tight so that the buttons look like they’re about to pop off, and a T-shirt should hit right below the waistband.

Rue La La: We tend to lean towards dresses when going somewhere formal – but what types of tops work best for dressy occasions?
Sydney: The key is wearing fabrics that appear rich – if it’s a print, try well-draped chiffon. And a silk blouse is always right for a dressy occasion.

Rue La La: What trends are you loving right now?
Sydney: Unexpected color combinations and color blocking, which will be big for spring. Color is an easy way to update your wardrobe – right now, I’m into bright sunshine yellow, poppy orange, true red, and bold emerald green. I also love the 70’s refined bohemian look, like rich jewel tones and peasant skirts.

Rue La La: What’s your weekend uniform – fitted, cropped, or long and drapey?
Sydney: I live in striped tees and long-sleeve tops. They go with everything. I tend to wear more fitted tops because I find them more flattering than drapey ones which can drown a smaller figure.

Rue La La: We think of New Yorkers as being great at layering. Share your secrets!
Sydney: The trick to layering is to use shades in the same range, like shades of grey or shades of drab green. Combine varying textures – start with a cotton tee, add a chunky knit, a fur vest, a soft cashmere scarf, and top it all off with a wool coat. The rest is about comfort and warmth.

Rue La La: A plain white tee – take us through a day-to-night transformation.
Sydney: For day, I’d pair it with comfortable slacks, like grey wool cropped pants or navy pleated trousers – really stylish if they’re the right fit and more Lauren Hutton than office attire. For evening, I’d go with a more extreme skirt – something with shine, embellishments, or really strong pleats. The beauty of a white tee is that it allows you to experiment with the bottom half of your outfit.

Rue La La: What kind of embellishments do you look for on your favorite tees?
Sydney: I think tees with pockets are great because they’re classic, but not too boring. Tees with embellished necklines can be nice – something with a light lace design or rhinestone accents – but nothing too heavy or over-designed. To dress up a simple tee, top it with an embellished jacket or slim-cut tuxedo blazer. It’s an easy, everyday look that’s stylish enough to draw eyes, and you’ll never feel too over- or under-dressed when you combine high and low styles.

Rue La La: What’s the most universally flattering top or neckline?
Sydney: A crewneck. Whether it’s a sweater or a leather shirt, it just works. For formalwear, I think something that has straps that fall right over the collarbone is most flattering because it gives more shine to a woman’s shoulders.

We must admit, even though winter’s chill just officially set in, we’ve been daydreaming of jetting off to the tropics for a while now. We sat down with ELLE.com Editor Sydney Wasserman to fulfill our island craving with her take on all things Resort.

Rue La La: What trends from this season’s Resort collections are you most excited about?
Sydney: I love the idea of mixing different prints in one bold outfit. It takes a keen eye to be able to clash prints without looking like a clown, but when done right, it’s so chic. I also like the look of a high-waisted short suit - it gives off the air of a high-powered jetsetter. And I can’t forget this season’s color craze: neons.

Rue La La: How have Resort collections evolved over the past several years?
Sydney: Resort has certainly become a predominant season with its own story and look. I think Michael Kors summed it up best when he observed that while Spring and Fall set the trends, Resort is the wardrobe that will be in a woman’s closet.

Rue La La: What are the must-packs when you travel somewhere tropical?
Sydney: An oversized towel for beach lounging, a canvas utility bag to withstand sand, and a great pair of sunglasses.

Rue La La: Describe your perfect, over-the-top Resort ensemble.
Sydney: A floor-brushing, sheer blush draped dress (the maxi is here in a big way this season), a chic tote bag, graphic polka dotted heels (think playful, color-popping platforms), and, of course, a turban.

Rue La La: Walk us through what’s always in your beach bag.
Sydney: A good book, an iPod with plenty of battery life, delicious-smelling sunscreen, Havaianas flip-flops in case the ocean floor is rocky, a hand-painted parasol, a silk scarf for a creative head wrap or in case it gets chilly, and moist towelettes to freshen up after a day of sand and surf.

Rue La La: Resort wear is all about wanderlust – if you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Sydney: I’m dying to go to Argentina and Turkey. I’m not the most adventurous traveler, but those are the top two on my list at the moment.

Rue La La: You made your film styling debut on the set of Sex and the City 2. Give us the juicy details.
Sydney: I was brought on to get in touch with the VIP departments of different brands, so we could pull sample clothes for the actors. I also researched global accessories markets to introduce the extraordinary Pat Field to new designers around the world.

Rue La La: How did you get inspired?
Sydney: Pat and the co-costume designer Molly Rogers scored amazing finds from vintage shops in Miami – spectacular pieces from mid-century and the late 60s and early 70s. These made me really excited to get working. Plus, a movie with that many scenes and backdrops calls for a the-more-the-merrier attitude, so our warehouse was stuffed with racks and racks of different types of outfits.

Rue La La: The cast of Sex and the City 2 travels to Morocco in the movie – what did you have in mind while helping dress the foursome for this adventure?
Sydney: Color. Molly Rogers found these exquisitely decorated umbrellas – complete with pom poms and dangling coins – that set the tone. Morocco is such a richly colorful country, so we really got to indulge in all things vibrant. Also, kaftans, turbans, and vintage robes – who could ask for more?

Our ELLE Editor’s Selections: Resort Boutique opens Wednesday, December 22 at 11AM ET.