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My favorite way to wear leggings, and the way they look best on  most body types, is by sticking to the basics. A black opaque legging with a black boot or shoe keeps the look elongating and slimming. And when I say opaque, I don’t mean hosiery weight leggings found in hosiery departments. These allow the skin to show through and look more like tights.  Leggings should be like a skinny pant and not be sheer anywhere on the leg, even when you bend your leg.

Of course my favorites are the ones I designed. These offer bottom boosting and tummy control as an added bonus and can be worn 50 to 100 times because they are nylon and spandex, but they aren’t like the ones in the 80’s. They are matte rather than shiny. And personally, I would burn all shiny leggings or leave them in the Madonna Museum. (Find these at www.Sassybax.com)

Ralph Lauren makes a great cable knit pair if you like texture and Wolford offers several different versions quite lovely although a bit pricey. (Find them at  www.barenecessities.com.)

So while there are hundreds of leggings on the market right now in all colors prints and prices, for most of us the KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetie) rule is key. What’s on the runway and in the magazines should, most of the time, should not be on our bodies. There are of course exceptions to every rule and in this case, it’s those women, lucky enough to sport the diminutive sizes, and maybe not even then.

Let us know about your favorite leggings, and how you wear them in the comments.

Many women tell me the trend is not for them but I beg to differ. Leggings are great when you know how to pair them with your body. Various tops like fingertip length tunics, a chunky sweater—a huge trend for fall, or a dress that might otherwise be a bit too short are perfects mates for leggings. For those of us who are as we say, of certain age, they are the way to go to interpret a trend is very carefully.

Let us know about your favorite leggings, and how you wear them in the comments.

I met her while playing a guest star role on Hart to Hart, staring Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers. Natalie carried herself with grace and ease. She was so lovely and feminine. But there was something else that made her even more glamorous in my eyes. She was kind.

Natalie introduced herself and we chatted for a while. My attention was called back to the shoot. Right after we finished, Robert Wagner came over to me and said, “My wife and I would like to take you out to lunch.” I was delighted. We ate a delicious lunch and spoke as peers. I was treated with the utmost respect.

Let’s face it. I was a 24 year-old nobody. I had a small part on one episode of her husband’s show. Natalie Wood was a star! She had no reason to notice me, but she did. She didn’t have to be considerate, but she was.

In contrast, Stephanie Powers never said a word to me. She exuded a hardness and a self-centeredness that overpowered any glamour she might have possessed. These two women were quite a contrast. When I get too caught up in myself, I stop and ask, “Am I being glamorous right now? Am I being kind or demanding?” I take a deep breath and allow myself to soften into my own version of Natalie; a woman who was such a lady, and the vision of sophisticated glamour that started from within her and cast a spell on everyone in her presence.

My favorite things to create are ways to live more beautifully and confidently. Women are not usually the most naturally confident beings. We are bombarded by advertising and the media by images of “glamorous” women who look flawless and amazing. And believe me they ARE beautiful. But I can say from experience having been in Hollywood and the modeling world,  even THEY, don’t look like that. No one does. Photoshop is an incredible tool.

I want to help women value what their unique gifts and talents and through that find their most glamorous confident selves. Everyone has this power within them. We are not always supported to discover our talents and confident selves, but we all have the ability. I have found mine through my years of searching and accomplishing things. And through many hours of working on what I am good at and sometimes not so good at. I used to think anyone could do whatever they set their mind to but I don’t think that anymore. I could say I want to be a brain surgeon but no matter what I did, I could never get past the math to get into medical school. Or I could want to be a basketball player on a woman’s team. But there’s one problem. I am afraid of the ball and have no particular athletic talent. So I’ve  had to look at what I naturally gravitate towards. Art, design, acting,helping others, teaching, and business. There is no one who cannot find their talents within. I would like to help you find yours.

Finding personal style and your unique brand of glamour is what my blog is about. I want to show you how your confidence and self esteem can lead to a more glamorous existence which is not about hair clothes and makeup alone. It is about who you are and what makes you stand out.