Since man discovered tools with which to hunt, build and meticulously remove facial hair, going relatively brow-less has been a globe-spanning phenomenon. The ancient Egyptians were all forehead, using green or black pigment to redraw brows. The double brow-a thin, straight plucked line of natural hair with a second line drawn underneath it-was the rage in Byzantine times. And during the Heian era in Japan, brows were often plucked out completely and replaced by black thumbprints.

Neck ruffs and curly orange wigs weren’t the only eccentricities Queen Elizabeth popularized. In an effort to mimic Her Majesty, women of the court plucked their hairlines to accentuate their foreheads and removed, dyed, or concealed their brows with white powder. When fuller styles came back into vogue during Baroque times, mouse skins were used to replace brows that could no longer grow due to the culture of over-plucking.

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Answering the demand of lifestyle products with an elevated level of craftsmanship, design and sophistication, TAG Heuer announced it will offer its line of men’s and women’s accessories in the United States and Canada.

Originally offered only at TAG Heuer boutiques across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, this premium line of outerwear, men’s jewellery and small leather goods will be available for purchase in North America via an exclusive online store. The launch of the site, operated by TAG Heuer, is perfectly timed for the holiday gift-giving season. The capsule collection – from a fitted women’s leather jacket that hugs the body like a GT car on the race course to a pair of stainless steel cufflinks embellished with racing stripes that and instant polish to any suit – enables TAG Heuer to fully outfit its customers in ultimate style.

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Footwear has outperformed almost every other category in fashion because designers have been able to constantly inject dramatic change, NPD’s Cohen said. “To take a pair of shoes and change the heel height, that’s not dramatic change. But add the element of studs and stones and embellishment, and the shoe becomes that much more of showpiece.”

The recent wave of show fetishism may have started in 1993, with the 10-inch lace-up platform fetish shoes that send model Noami Campbell tumbling on the Vivienne Westwood runaway. Since then, subversive has become the standard on the runway, where in the last year designers have outdone themselves. Who can forget Christian Dior’s fertility-statue-shaped heels, Miuccia Prada’s chandelier-crystal-strung Lucite sandals or Alexander McQueen’s armadillo-like, snakeskin boots? (Because of the huge interest in the McQueen runway shoes, the designer is considering auctioning the samples — which took 30 people, three suppliers and three factories to create — to benefit a charity.)

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Cast your cardis and coats; try chic alternatives for a fresh look. The question most often asked of a fashion writer is “What should I be wearing?” Women are fascinated by the seasonal ebb and flow of trends and are always keen to know what’s “in”. It is ironic, the, that most women tend to stick to the same style. But rather than clinging on to the familiar, trading a few old friends for something more challenging can refresh your look. This winter, there are plenty of chic alternatives to the staples most of us usually choose – and they rarely require a radical shift in the way you dress.

The knit poncho is…the new cardigan: When Chloe showed its spring/summer 2010 collection, the audience were left trying to figure out what season they had just seen (the collection had both wool ponchos and khaki waterproofs). But the trans-seasonal feel reflects how most of us dress now. Breezy cover-ups like the poncho simple make more sense for our temperate climate. Like the gilet, the poncho has suffered derision for its part in the boho revival, but has come back in sleeker variations. Jaeger London has a cashmere-mix version that is similar to next spring’s Chloe poncho. To give ponchos definition, try wearing them with a wide belt.

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As you guys know, we are big fans of the striped tee. We wear them every chance we get! Yeah, yeah, we know what people say about wearing horizontal stripes (but we don’t believe them!). since so many of you’d like to see more personal style posts, I thought I would try out a little styling piece highlighting some of my favorite ways to wear the striped tee.

Stripes with jeans make the perfect jaunty casual combination. Straight dark jeans are best worn with a platform heel to elongate your legs and anchor the look. Add a cozy cashmere sweater to keep it feminine. Breton stripes keep the jumper from seeming too cozy, bringing the knit family into the new season.

The Parisians rarely get it wrong and you can get inspired by chic French style, with a striped top layered over a skirt in autumnal beige shade. Team this with tights and boots for cooler days, or bare legs and courts to complete the chic look.

This relaxed style looks best accented with taupe and gold-toned accessories. An understated chic knit is a wardrobe staple and looks great teamed with tailored trousers and flat pumps for day. At the week end, team the top with a mini skirt and boots.

Don’t be afraid to use t-shirts as a layering tool. Worn underneath a bold solid-colored shift dress, stripes make this look a little more playful and not quite so serious. A floral-print belt by Cacharel adds that last bit of interest.

Paired with a boxy boyfriend blazer and super-skinny cropped jeans, this is one of the easiest ways to wear these nautical-inspired tops.