Unless your name is Stacy London or Clinton Kelly, telling people what not to wear is no easy task. Like the time I had to tell my father to retire the once-white MTV tee he’d had since the early ‘80s, or my brother that he couldn’t wear a kilt -- even if Axl Rose looked cool in one. Not one likes to hear it.

Recently, I was asked by an employer to train his sales staff on dressing properly in the workplace; apparently, he didn’t want to be “the bad guy”, so decided to bring an outsider in to speak on the topic. Moi. I was briefed on his team’s ever-present cleavage, inappropriate flip-flops and -- his biggest pet-peeve -- unprofessional tent dresses. According to the boss man, all had to go.

So, yesterday -- as planned -- I coached all 14 employees on what they should own, how they should sport the staples and rules for professional dress -- and they all seemed to take it in. That is, until -- as everyone was filing out -- a woman wearing patent, peep-toe, mule stilettos stopped to inform me that, despite my “rules”, she planned on wearing the same shoes the following day. Had I been brave, I would’ve reminded her that she’s a saleswoman, not an extra in a Guns N’ Roses video. I’ll never have my own show…

Photo: flickr.com.

I was interviewed yesterday for a fashion segment on a local news station about an interesting article that was released by the Associated Press on Monday; apparently, men are spending significantly more than women on clothing these days. The article attributed the state of sales to the fact that, if men do not sport the current slender-cut, two-button suits, fits-to-a-tee dress shirts and slim, flat-front pants, they’ll immediately look outdated.

And men are loving the leaner look; they have not hopped on a trend so enthusiastically for more than a decade -- when the relaxation in business dress codes had them stocking up on all things khaki. Women, on the other hand, have so many options lately that nothing is a must. Some were even quoted as saying they are bored with the selection they’re seeing in stores.

First of all, it’s about time men took an interest in fashion. Bravo, gents, for taking hints from stylish celebs (including David Beckham, George Clooney and Brad Pitt) and characters in "Mad Men", who consistently wear clean-cut, tailored clothing. Second of all, who are these “bored” women? I have a list a mile long of things I’d like to buy...

Michael Kors Photo: style.com.