Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Tiffany ,

Welcome to generation 'Y'! You have officially entered the 18-24-age bracket. I think what you're experiencing happens to a lot of women in their early- to mid- twenties. Whether going from high school to college, or college to the working world, it's definitely a time of fashion transition. It's time to master the fine art of mixing and matching from different departments. You will always find the latest, trendiest (therefore most fleeting) clothes in the junior's department. You can use it to your full advantage by taking bits and pieces here and there that appeal to you and mixing them with more sophisticated separates. If you go with a trendy, edgy skirt or pants, then choose a demure, simple top. The key word is balance. When it comes to color, stick with the basics. Wild, vibrant colors and patterns are characteristic of the junior's department. Solid colors will always look more elegant. Accessories can make or break your entire look, so go for unassuming, urbane items like scarves, gold or silver jewelry (keep it simple), and chic handbags.

Another option is to start shopping at specialty stores and boutiques that cater to your style. Check out these online shops for the kind of clothes you are looking for. Bluefly (www.bluefly.com) is an online outlet store that offers top designer clothing by Prada, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein for up to 75% off retail prices. Also go to www.chickclick.com and explore their "chick shops." At 19, you can still get away with some cute junior's items, which is not a bad thing! Enjoy your last year of teenage-hood, because unfortunately, there's no going back!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl