If you've read our piece on staying healthy with the seasons, maybe now you're ready to complement that advice with how to look great and feel sexy! This article is going to help you do just that.
 
The fashion and cosmetics industries know how attuned to the change of seasons we are: that's why they have new collections of clothing, shoes and make-up come out for each one. Certain colors and fabrics are associated with each season, and these tend to stay fairly constant with small shifts in emphasis. For example, pastels are popular in spring fashions, but from one season to the next, the dominant color palette in clothes and make-up may shift to more pinks and lavenders, or lime green and turquoise, to peach and sky blue. Why are these colors associated with different seasons? Mostly it's a reflection of the natural world we see around us in areas where the change in seasons is dramatic. Spring flowers are lighter colors, summer blooms are more dramatic, autumn brings the colors of changing leaves, and winter finds us in bright, dramatic colors for the holiday party season.   
 
Our bodies and emotions also respond to these seasonal changes, and what we choose to embody in our modes of dress and grooming can reflect this, too. In spring, we are reawakening ourselves from the cold, dark dormant days of winter, and like the buds and sap flowing around us we want to come back to life!

In summer we are active and social, and our clothes may be "hotter" colors or styles designed to show off a tan, or to take us easily through an active day of work to dinner out to a party–we tend to pack a lot of activity into summer days! Autumn is a time of real awareness of our surroundings, and of new beginnings like school starting, and the harvest of produce may make us more interested in all the sensual delights of our lives. We may take more care with our appearance as we start to need to wear more layers and to deal with our fading tan and damaged hair from too much beach going or swimming! Winter brings holiday parties but also a desire to burrow into our nests and read, watch movies, and engage in more indoor activities. So there we have a need to look our best coupled with a desire to be more casual and let ourselves go a bit.

Below is a guide to the colors, fabrics, styles and accessories you may want to try to really get into the season and look and feel your sexy best!
 
Spring
Colors: Think spring flowers! Pale pinks, lavenders, yellows, greens, blues. Patterns are okay now, too, if you'd like to try a floral, stripe or polka dot print in a skirt, bag or scarf. Black is a classic all year round, but it may look harsh next to pastels, or may make you feel washed out if your skin is still winter-drab, so make sure to try them out in different combinations. Black looks great with ivory, turquoise and most shades of pink. If you're unsure, one trick is to keep black below the waist and color near the face.

Fabrics: It's time to start wearing lighter fabrics and ditching the itchy woolens of winter! It is still too soon for very light silks (like georgette) or cotton lawn or thin linens, but heavier weight silks are fine, and cotton will be a welcome change from the heavier fabrics you needed to stay warm in. Lightweight knits in rayon and cotton are also perfect now.

Styles: It may be tempting to wear floaty dresses and sleeveless tops, but hold off until the weather really warrants it. Ease into your spring fever by starting to show some leg with more skirts, but save shorts and minis for summer. One exception: mini skirts with color-coordinated tights or knee-high boots are a great transitional look for spring.

Shoes: Don't go too nuts yet with dressy styles (save that for hot summer nights), but starting to wear open toes or slingbacks is good now, and maybe a new pair of tennis shoes or flats in a fun color as you get out and about more. Start ditching the dark tights and big black boots.

Make-up: You may be gradually getting a bit more sun, and will want to ease off the smoky eyes and dark lips of winter. It's too soon for pastel lips or frosty eye shadow during the day, but you can definitely start widening your color palette. Add a nice pastel eye shadow in a fun, flirty color like blue or green or violet, and if you usually wear black mascara, switch to dark brown for a softer look. Nails should be neutral in pinks and beiges, maybe a fun color for evening once in a while.

Skin care and grooming: If your winter moisturizer is too heavy now, switch to a lighter one or apply with a lighter hand, or mix with water. Some women who wear foundation in winter find they do not need as much in warmer months, so consider switching to one of the popular tinted moisturizers. You will want to start to pay more attention to exfoliation now, so if you only use a scrub once a week or less, step up to two or three times a week, and add a good cleansing clay mask to your skin routine. Remember the key to youthful-looking skin is to renew the dead skin cells as often as possible, so exfoliation is key!

Hair: You might want to change your color or style now,a fresh look is always in order for spring. Keep in mind many women experience shifts in color or oil production in summer, so a high-maintenance cut may not be good for spring if it will mean months of constant upkeep. Simple layers or a blunt cut are easiest to maintain.
 
Summer
Colors: Summer means fun and drama! Anything goes now: bright colors, daring color combinations and all sorts of prints. You can also mix it up a bit and try different moods. Small florals and pastels are romantic, brights and mixing patterns is a great bohemian look, and black with brights like red and cobalt blue or yellow is a show-stopper! And don't forget the allure of white in summer; it always looks fresh and feminine. Just be sure to wear a white good for your skin tone: most women look best in something softer than bright white, like ivory or cream.

Fabrics: To keep cool you'll want to stick to natural fibers as much as possible. Linen wrinkles easily, but so what? It looks classy even when it is wrinkled and you can't beat it for comfort. Cotton knits are versatile and stay smooth. Silk is fine for evening but it does tend to show sweat so be careful about wearing it on very hot days.

Styles: It's tempting to accessorize a lot in summer because you want your fashions to look as whimsical as you feel! But less is more: let your sun-kissed beauty show through. Don't pile on jewelry and remember certain natural jewelry styles are best worn in summer like coral, wooden beads, and chunks of stones like turquoise or shells.Gold tones look nice against a tan but don't forget silver's cool, sultry appeal, too.

Shoes: Show off those active leg muscles in heels! But make sure what you wear is reasonable; nothing is less attractive than a woman hobbling in shoes she can't walk comfortably in. Espadrilles are fine for day or night, but maybe not the office. Remember, plastic shoes may look fun but they don't breathe! Best not to wear them for more than an hour at a time. Casual flats in fun fabrics and colors are perfect for the beach or an afternoon of shopping and ice cream.

Make-up: If you like to get some color in your face now, then let that be your make-up. A bit of moisturizer or bronzer powder for evening, some mascara and a smudge of grey shadow and you should be ready to go! Overdone lips look chalky or tacky in summer: find a nice neutral shade or some of the juicy transparent stains available now. A frosted shade is okay too but make sure the color is a close match to your own..

Skin care and grooming: Do use sunscreen when you can, and take advantage of the many moisturizers and lip balms that contain it. Your skin produces more oils and sweat now, so you may want to cleanse more often, and keep a small bottle of toner or rosewater in your bag for quick clean-ups. You can also carry blotting papers to take away shine, because powder can get caked by sweat.The less make-up you wear, the less often you will have to worry about freshening up! Waterproof mascara is your friend, but be sure you remove it with a thorough gentle cleanser.

Hair: Sun, sea, chlorine: it all takes its toll! You should do a nice deep conditioning treatment at least once a week, and don't forget to cover up with a hat or scarf to give your hair a break from the sun. Slather on some pomade and wear your hair up on those sultry evenings when you don't want to deal with it. A deep-cleansing shampoo will help get the gunk out, so use that once a week, too.
 
Autumn
Colors: Color basically defines autumn: all around us, colors are fading and brightening. Greens give way to reds, browns and golds. Wearing these autumnal colors creates a rich, warm, earthy look. Do make sure you don't choose colors that wash out a rosy complexion, as some of these colors contain a lot of yellow which can make non-olive skins look sallow. If in doubt, just wear a flattering shade near your face (in a blouse, scarf or jacket), then you can wear any color you like. The old saw about not wearing white after Labor Day is hogwash: but if you do wear white, it should be in slightly more substantial fabrics, like heavier linens and cottons and maybe some wool blends.

Fabrics: Now is a very versatile time for fabrics. Because the temperature will vary widely during the days and evenings, it is not a bad idea to dress in layers, or bring a shawl or extra sweater to put on if the night gets chilly. You can mix and match textures now easily: what about a suede jacket with a rayon skirt? Velvet trousers with a denim jean jacket? A tweed miniskirt with a linen top? Or a lightweight wool cardigan with a silk blouse? Patterns are welcome now too, to mimic the changing textures of nature, so go for those brocades and jacquard prints now. Anything goes in the autumn, except maybe that mesh t-shirt...

Styles: Some women tend to return to "classic" styles in the fall, almost automatically; maybe we have a "back to school" image ingrained in us! But don't just wear suits and tailored pieces, now. Fall is also a time of softness and romance! Your weekend and evening wear can reflect the sensuality of this fluctuating, sensual season. You'll want to keep showing off your hard-won summer curves, so form-fitting skirts and dresses in clingy fabrics like knits and rayon jersey will help do that. It's time for tights again, so choose textures and colors that add some fun and intrigue to outfits.

Shoes: Sad to say, you will have to say goodbye to the open toe sandals of summer soon! But you can still get away with them on warm days. Now is the time for sturdy shows, and you can bring out your boots again! Nothing says autumn like a new pair of sexy knee high boots in a warm shade of chocolate brown or maroon leather.

Make-up: A fading tan means a need for a bit more color, but don't switch to dark colors overnight. Gradually ease into an autumn palette: lips can be a bit darker, but still neutral. Think rose, not pink; plum, not wine. Peachy colors may look odd as your tan fades, so explore the many variations of brown and beige now available for all skin tones. It's okay to still have some shimmer: the new rosy powders can go all over, from cheek to brow to chin, so find one in your perfect shade. Colored mascaras are still okay too, but go less bright than summer: trade the apple green for hunter, the turquoise for navy. Eyeliner should be softer and more subtle, and eye shadow less dramatic. Choose smoky shades of grey, violet and taupe and smudge them for soft edges.

Skin care and grooming: Feel that chill in the air? Your skin will start showing signs of sensitivity to colder weather. Gradually switch back to your usual moisturizer, but not too quickly or you may suffer breakouts from too much oil. Thorough cleansing will help with fading tan flakiness. A good lip balm is really your friend now, and don't forget to use products with a decent SPF for sunnier days.

Hair: The good news--your hair's oil production will slow down. The bad news–you will have to cope with the damage and dullness left from your summer! Some deep conditioning is in order, and probably a good trim. Ask your stylist about a coloring lift for fall, something that will make your hair look good while the split ends grow out a bit. If your hair is long, you will be able to wear it down more often in cooler weather, so getting a trim will help it look fuller and bouncier.
 

Winter
Colors: We all need ways to help lift our spirits in winter. Color can be very good for giving us a psychological boost. As our skin grows paler, we need to avoid pastels and muted colors, because they can make us look washed out. Also, try to avoid falling into the "holiday color" trap! You know, how everyone at holiday parties wears red, or black, or maybe green or white, or silver or gold? Startle everyone (maybe even yourself!) By wearing dramatic jewel tones for festive occasions. Colors like purple, fuschia, teal, emerald green, cobalt blue and vermilion orange will be striking (and sexy!) and put everyone in a more alive mood. For everyday, a splash of color can brighten up tweeds and wool. If your overcoat is a neutral color like grey or black, spice things up with a bright striped scarf or colorful Moroccan style brocade hat.

Fabrics: Indoor heating can make office buildings and homes uncomfortably warm in winter, so be prepared. If you want to wear that big wool turtleneck, wearing a cotton tee underneath can be a godsend if you find yourself in a stuffy room for hours. Wear fabrics that breathe, just as you would in summer, and this means natural fibers: wool, rayon, cotton, and heavier silks. Velvet is winter's sexiest, and the silk velvets (or rayon-silk blends) are the most luxurious and comfortable. Acrylic yarns are scratchy and tend to "droop" after a few washings, so stay with natural blends in your sweaters, like cotton and silk, wool and rayon, etc. Nothing beats cashmere for softness, but for a slightly less expensive option, merino wool is a close second.

Styles: Staying warm doesn't have to look frumpy! Make sure your coat fits like a glove, and your winter boots have at least a slight heel on them. Nothing is sexier than a clingy sweater in a sensual color like deep cranberry or smoky grey to match your eyes. A plunging neckline or shoulder-baring dress is fine now, and a bit of skin is a welcome change from all the covering up we do to go outside. Lots of buttons, snaps or zippers on your long-sleeved clothing can be sexy too, as your date wonders how to get through them all.

Shoes: Slipping on the ice and breaking your ankle isn't sexy, so practicality is necessary for those living in the northern regions. But a two-inch heel can help you look curvy in all the right places, and keep you steady on your feet, so do check out the many different options in boots now. For evening wear, strappy sandals are only a go if you change them once indoors. Pumps in dark colors are a better choice, and for a fancy occasion, add some decoration (a rhinestone buckle, a silk flower).

Make-up: Winter make-up should be whatever gives you enough color to accentuate your features without looking overly made-up. Moisturizer is very important now, because you need a good smooth base to work from. For drier winter skin caused by all that indoor heating, you may find switching to cream-based blusher or eye shadow has more staying powder than powders right now. Darker hues of lipstick work beautifully on winter pale skin, but get the colors just right: not all "plum wine" is the same, so remember, a bit of blue helps a rosy complexion, while sallower skins need a touch of yellow. Seeing the colors in bright daylight is the best way to see if it's right. Resist the urge to go glitterati at holiday soirees: stand out by doing your eyes in a subtler way. Deep charcoal eyes and pale pink lips, maybe? Or lavender lips and violet eyes to match your gown...experiment and find something unique, and you'll be a sexy stand out among everyone in silver shadow. Keep blush minimal, just a sweep with a brush on the cheekbone, not the apple (that's summer blush technique).

Skin care and grooming: Chapped one day, broken out the next, winter skin can be a real pain. The key is to keep skin hydrated, because nothing makes skin sensitive and temperamental like going from overheated dry rooms into cold, damp air. Spritz with rosewater or complexion mist throughout the day and keep a humidifier going at home (or bowls of water placed throughout the rooms of your home work, too). Use a creamy cleanser at night for added moisture, a mildly-exfoliating cleanser in the morning,  and a deep-cleansing mask once a week to keep breakouts at bay.

Hair: Sometimes color gets dull during winter, so make sure to have it touched up or do it at home. You may want to wash it less often, too since the scalp does not produce as much oil now as it does in summer. Getting it wet in the shower and putting some leave-in conditioner is fine on those in-between days. Indoor heat causes static cling in clothes and on hair. Not much to do about it, but using a rich conditioner will help. Wearing a hat can flatten your ‘do, so on bitter days when your looks count, wrap a scarf loosely around your chin and over your head, then back around your chin: it's called a "babooshka!"