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This image is such an interesting illustration. (Wish you could see it better, but look below, too.) On the left is a J Crew cashmere sweater I've had for 8 years and paid $118 for. On the right is a very expensive cashmere sweater I've had for 3 years, and it's pilled almost to the point of no return. At full price, it cost twice what I gave for the J Crew one (I got it half off), so this is why we are adamant about not overpaying for cashmere. You get fine quality at the $100 mark, so why pay a multiple of that to get the same, if not worse, quality? With cashmere, you have to get up into the godforsaken price range of hundreds and hundreds of dollars to really see a difference in quality. So stick with us to show you who has the best cashmere each season, because it does change each season. I'll relegate the pilled sweater to leisure wear.

Here you can see the pilling on my cashmere sweater. I've used a sweater combon it for 3 years, and I think it's finally gotten to the point of being threadbare and a comb would put holes in it. So it's ready to toss in the leisure-wear drawer.

I've never been a fan of these sloppy-boob pocket blouses. Bet you can figure out why.

These pockets are a no-go. The kind of chest pockets that are ok are the ones on camp shirts that are typically buttoned down, or have a nice flat appearance so you don't end up with lopsided, droopy boob syndrome. You can't go wrong with a good white button down.

This is an ancient white blouse with a subtle "ruffle" (it's not even really a ruffle) that frames my face and creates a nice vertical line. It is neither too frilly, too little-girl or overly enhanced with a lot of fabric. And I've managed to keep it white. So it stays.

You want to avoid too many ruffles at the face, and the simpler the blouse is, the better, too. So not too much pattern or color.

I happen to love Liberty of London fabrics. But the best way to wear them now is going to be in a kind of laid back casual way, like with faded jeans and cowboy boots. No extra ruffles or overly feminine counterparts.

Saggy bottom syndrome. Just like saggy boob syndrome - not sure which is worse.

Sometimes you can alter in the seat and legs, but not always. You want your pants to skim your curves, not grip, but skim. A little stretch helps with that. You don't want over 5% spandex though. That's when your pants really stretch out too much and end up falling off your hips. I like to stay in the 3% spandex zone.

A nice fitting pair of black pants can take you anywhere.

That creasing in front is fine. It's not supposed to be smooth here, because then they would be leggings and we don't wear leggings I mean tights as dress pants. The way a dress pant is made causes the creasing and it is totally and completely acceptable. Just not too much creasing, mkay cupcakes?

In our book, evil khakis are that stone color that every schoolboy in America wears from about 1st grade to 12th grade. That's why you don't need to. That camel color on the right is elegant and perfectly lady-like.

This wardrobe crime is a big one. Your jackets and blazers that are older than about 8 years or so are going to be too big for you. All over. And not worth altering.

A sleeve hem is no biggie to fix. But when the entire sleeve is baggy on your arm, you have tree trunks for arms and that loose armhole is hard to fix.

What makes a jacket stylish and modern is fit. A high arm hole and a nicely fitted sleeve. And nipped in somewhat at the waist. I am seeing looser fits for spring, but we'll get to this a bit later in the season.

Gosh I love a good black blazer. So much so that I am pretty sure you need one even if you never wear blazers. 

Look at all those seams! That's what gives a jacket great shape. Also allows for letting out or taking in if you need to adjust the size. Easy alteration.

This jacket is really t0o young to be vintage - I bought it in 2007 - but it has a vintage feel for sure. I've only worn it maybe 5 or 6 times in 8 years, but that's because it's such a bold color for me and I have to have a wild hair to wear it, which doesn't happen too often. But I still love it! So I keep it and know I'll wear it once or twice a year forever. And never get tired of it that way. If you have a piece you adore and cherish, but don't wear all too often, hold onto it so you don't regret it later.