Even the red carpet has seen its fair share of leather leggings and shorter lengths in place of floor-grazing glamour gowns.

A dress is easy, and so are the ladylike accoutrements that follow. Gutsy girls opt for a more lo-fi assemblage of clothing and let their cool confidence do the talking. For summer, ubiquitous prettiness has ironically put me in the doldrums, but tougher, more casual looks are breathing new life into my frock-filled wardrobe. A flawless T-shirt, jeans and wedge combo inspires the spirit and poise that my favourite Vanessa Bruno dress used to. Call me a fickle "fashionista" (for lack of a better term), but if fashion has any respectable quality it would be its forward-thinking nature. Previously resolute in my girly ways, an exciting shift is occurring.

Perhaps it has something to do with the anticipation of the forthcoming A/W 08 trends. Austerity was a subject that was quite popular in the Fall Collections last February and I personally cannot wait to be rid of all this daintiness and get back to basics.