e 

I remember an episode of What Not To Wear from way back in 2006, when the hosts said that women over 35 should NOT under any circumstance wear denim mini skirts ... & that floored me, since I've seen non-celeb 50 year olds walking down the street in minis who looked a heck of a lot better than teens in similar skirts.

But according to retailers, women over 35 really do avoid denim mini-skirts.  Why?  They don't want to look "age innaproprite."  And the top example cited?  Heidi Klum at the Nickolodeon Awards (above, right).  My counter-argument would be Uma Thurman in a Chip & Pepper cut-off denim mini-skirt (above, left).  Uma's skirt is just as short & just as sexy ... but with the right top & shoes Uma takes the skirt from teen wannabe to laid-back cool.

So which look do YOU think is better ... or would you just pass & stick to knee length skirts, shorts or jeans?   

Last December Naomi Campbell made a splash with the Christian Louboutin boots she showed up wearing for court ordered community service in NYC & orders poured in for the boots ... the only teensy problem was that the boots were a prototype & NOT for mass-market. However the company quickly put the boots into production & the exquisite Avedere Boot was soon available in patent or seude for the staggering price of $1200:

Unfortunately these boots are sold out at every known retailer, & with Fall right around the corner & these boots spot-on trend, I've gone a bit loopey looking for a pair or something similar ... & finally hit the jackpot with the inspired "FRENZY" Patent Leather Lace Front Knee Boots for only $84.90 (that's a $1,115 savings!) from Fly Jane:

If you love the chic, laid back looks Keira Knightly, Nicole Richie & Kate Bosworth pulled together with mary-jane flats, but are put off by the triple-digit prices on the shoes next to them ... me too.  So I went out & found season-friendly looks for UNDER $20:

alice + olivia for Payless Noah Mary Jane Flat in patent/white/black or linen/beige/tan, on sale $19.99:

Twiggy Patent Flats for $18.80 at Forever 21:

American Eagle Ava Mary Jane on sale for $17.99 at Payless:

And for a complete STEAL ... try the Flexible Mary Jane, available in silver, pink, black & white for $10 at Wet Seal:

If you work in the corporate, legal or banking fields, trends are generally a no-go when it comes to dressing for work ... but thanks to these Loafer Pumps for only $24.80 from Forever 21, you can save money & stay on trend this Fall:

If you love the look of Nicole Richie's Alexander McQueen jumper & the Olsen's Calvin Klein jumper ... check out Forever 21's brilliant take on the look, with their Solid Silk Jumpsuit in black or navy for only $24.80 (& a cool savings of a few hundred):