W

omen - take note. The glamorous, feminine trend is waning, and women who "wear the pants" are in.

Spring/Summer 2010 fashion is welcoming "retrometric" (retro and geometric) fashion - a Wall Street look with a hint of edginess. You may want to pair items you never thought you'd take out of your wardrobe again with the hottest garment of the times: the jersey.

This season it's all about making sensible investments, ensuring you don't break the bank. So get yourself ready to transform: wear your old clothes and make them brand new.

For all the high-flying businesswomen out there who are planning their next shopping spree, listen: the rules are changing. But the question begging to be answered is what will work for work? Pairing casual wear such as sweatshirts, with business wear including pants, shirts, dresses, blazers, heels and even accessories, creates the perfect casual yet refined appearance.

On my recent trip to Singapore, I browsed through shops and found most clothes in boutiques looked shapeless. Clothes were designed with unstructured shapes usually made from knit fabric, which gave them an eccentric edge and made me curious about how the garments would look being worn.

Some clothes even resembled attire beggars would wear, but the genius engineering of the designers ensured they looked stylish.

Cutting-edge internationally acclaimed designers such as Paris-based Rick Owens, Britain's Hussein Chalayan and Junya Watanabe from Japan, have appropriated the classic suit and given it a whole new meaning, as they recently showed the world on the runway.

With the new "fashion meets function" twist, there is a great selection of accessories - a zipper here and a buckle there - that can give your suits more flavor. Without doing much, your corporate look is given an edge, providing you with a new level of confidence.

This season's fashion has a geometric angle with jackets, most notably, assuming asymmetric lines. You'll also see off-the-shoulder jumpsuits, jerseys and wide-legged Bermuda pants, which are sure to be chic additions for your wardrobe. Even with so much experimenting, these pieces have been designed for day wear -they are pragmatic yet stylish for strutting about town.

However, because fashion in Asia gains much of its inspiration from traditional dress such as sarongs, kaftans, kimonos, origami detailing, Nehru jackets and pashminas, local fashion designers have been inspired to incorporate these dress modes into this season's fashion. The traditional-costume undertone has provided people who live in Asia with a "spicy" look.

If you're considering investing in a new suit, you don't have to buy a regular one. Instead, you can get a suit with pashmina edging. Or, before you purchase a basic skirt, why not choose one that has been printed with origami-shaped patterns. Also on the market are vests that resemble Nehru jackets.

Of course having casual attire is the key to achieving the latest trend. Some pieces you may consider having in your wardrobe include knit pieces such as sweatpants, jodhpurs, cap-sleeved tees, kaftan-inspired blouses and shawls. The new trend encourages you to combine these garments with something more dressy such as a jacket, pencil skirt or even Bermuda pants.

While traditional gray seems to be the favorite color of the season, don't be afraid to branch out and wear pieces with bold color or patterns. The key to achieving the look is balance. Women - eat your heart out.

The vivacious trend encourages you to emphasize your strong character, but remember to balance your look with less makeup and a natural hairstyle. Opt for a "nude" face with a tan or glow. Apply natural-colored blush to your cheeks and define your eyes. Wear your hair straight. You may like to have a couple of highlights and accessorize your hair with a wide headband. Big sunglasses will also serve you well.

Now, get yourself ready for your next business lunch, ladies.