Thanks to companies like Shade Clothing, "modest" clothing is no longer necessarily synonymous with "frumpy." This boat-neck two-toned yoke top ($21.50) keeps shoulders covered, but the splash of color helps slim the lower body, and the back has a cute little grace note of gathering. Check out Shade’s web site to order or to find an area in-home "personal shopper."

My friend’s boyfriend was interested in the pair of Marc Jacobs frames at left, but it turns out they’re not available in the United States. Would you buy a pair you couldn’t try on first? Not me. I suggest as a worthy substitute the unisex Emporio Armani frames at right ($162.95), which have the same shape and crystal-colored frames, but also are available with black stems. They’re sold at Optical Expressions at the Esplanade, 2425 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.

Perfumers know that heavy scents hold no appeal during the hot summer months, so they often lighten up with limited-edition revamped versions of their signature fragrances. 212 Men Splash eau de toilette by Carolina Herrera ($54) tosses in light spices like cardamom and ginger and adds watery/minty notes to the original woody scent to create a delicious summery chip off the old block. It’s sold at Sephora stores.

One of my co-workers isn’t sure about these Marc Jacobs flats. "I really want to see someone’s foot in them to decide," she says.I don’t even need that: I think the big flaps on the side look ungainly and, as I wrote her back, "they look like they’d be lint-lickers."So: agree or disagree? Leave your comments below. And look for a new contender every Thursday!

Spice Girls checkup, at the announcement today of their impending (11-city) world tour. From left:Posh — I love how the Bloomberg press release refers to how she’s best known for her marriage to soccer player David Beckham and modeling work. If by "modeling work" they mean paparazzi photos, maybe…. Also, I was going to discuss her haircut and color but BREASTS (pushed up) BREASTS (fake looking) BREASTS (too far apart from each other) BREASTS (and did I mention) BREASTS. That push-up job is almost enough to distract me from her feral face. Sporty — New name: Gucci Ninja Walking Undead Kohl-Liner Spice. Her razor-sharp bangs are cute, thoughGinger — A caftan. Really? It makes me think someone’s going to have to lose some weight before December.Baby — For being due to have her own baby any moment now, she looks pretty good. And more or less exactly the same.Scary — Most improved Spice. Except for having sex with Eddie Murphy, I mean.And, last but not least: Ouch. Look, not only are her breasts squashed and hoisted (and not the same color as the rest of her skin), she’s even got some sort of weird underarm back-fat muffin top going on, and you know she’s got a body-fat index of .0001.

Just stop, people. Really.Today I got a press release that Jessica Simpson is launching a fragrance line with the help of the company that also inflicted us with scents by Maria Sharapova and Paris Hilton. This will be in addition to:– The Jessica Simpson Intimates line that launches this fall.– The Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves collaboration of HairDo extensions.– The Dessert by Jessica Simpson body line.– Jessica Simpson shoes.– Jessica Simpson swimsuits.– Jessica Simpson handbags.– Princy by Jessica Simpson clothing.– Jessica Simpson handbags.– Jessica Simpson jeans at Fashion Bug, and a plus-size version at Avenue stores.

I can’t reiterate this enough: Anything Jessica Simpson lays her hands on is a bad idea. You can find better. She is like a mythical hydra — you buy one thing, four more products spring up. If you keep it up, she’ll be hawking feminine deodorant spray by year’s end. Her omnipresence is your own damn fault. Stop it, I’m begging you.

One of our lifestyle writers says she’s "obsessed" with "Busting Out," a new book by Shirley Archer. The purse-sized tome (Chronicle Books, $9.95), subtitled "Putting Your Best Breasts Forward," includes stretches and exercises to strengthen chest muscles and improve posture; tips on finding a figure-flattering swimsuit and bra; and insider tricks from Hollywood stylists on making the most of what you’ve got (or don’t). How can you not love a book that says it will "put you on the fast track to looking your most boobalicious"?

Last week I profiled a men’s body and laundry deodorant spray — this week it’s time for a decidedly distaff version. Scent Surround Spray by Jo Malone ($55) can add fragrance to towels and sheets, or is safe to spray on skin, too. The Lino nel Vento fragrance is a soft pairing of lavender and spearmint notes designed to inspire relaxation; Acqua di Limone’s citrus notes should invigorate the senses. Find either at Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Can’t get enough vintage-inspired tees? Kentucky Fried Chicken has introduced four old-school shirts — two for men, two for women — and part of the $15 purchase price goes to KFC Colonel’s Scholars, which provides financial aid to incoming college freshmen. My favorites have either the classic bucket o’ chicken (men’s) or the old-style logo (women’s). They’re not sold in stores, but you can find them online at the KFC web site or ShopIntuition.com.

As a reminder to men that they should take care of some personal grooming issues before they decide to doff their shirts, the folks at Remington have created Shed My Coat, a site that introduces viewers to the company’s body trimmers.And you get to send messages to friends — by shaving them into the back of a hairy guy! Excuse me while I go make my appointment for laser hair removal, just in case ….

While I was trolling through the Aldo’s web site looking for this week’s Hot or Not? contender, I couldn’t help but notice the sheer number of shoes that reminded me of ones you’d find on the girls at a strip club. (Click on each boldface word in the previous sentence to see a different pair.) I don’t know if it’s the prevalence of Day-Glo colors on patent leather, or the platform heels, or the Lucite wedges, or what.The shoe above looks downright prim by comparison, despite the swirly cutout detail at the heel. (Would that leave weird imprints on your flesh?)So: Based on looks, is the Sinfra hot enough to buy? Or not? Personally, I give it about a 4.5 out of 10 — for some reason I’m getting a "Golden Girls Night Out" vibe off it.Agree or disagree? Leave your comments below.

Target has announced a limited-edition partnership with another fashion designer. But it’s not part of their Go International collections — it’s the first in a series of collaborations with accessories designers. CFDA-winning designer Devi Kroell has created a line of budget-priced textured metallic bags, from pochettes to hobo bags, that will be sold exclusively at the mass-market retailer July 15-Sept. 30. They’ll sell for $19.99-$49.99 (the clutch pictured is $29.99).

Back in May I wrote about Frederic Fekkai’s Hair Bandana, a heat-activated invisible UV shield and conditioner that’s color-safe, oil-free and water resistant — perfect for protecting hair from sun exposure while you’re poolside (or just outside).Want to try it for yourself? I’ve got five full-size bottles of the pump-dispenser lotion to give away to Sammit readers.To enter, click this link to send me an e-mail. Include your name and mailing address (so I can ship it to you if you win), and make sure to put the words HAIR BANDANA in the subject line.I’ll draw five winners from the entries received by noon Friday, June 29. Good luck!

If there were "stocking stuffers" for Father’s Day, these three grooming products would fit perfectly. Instead, think of them as possibilities for last-minute gift ideas (or supplements) today. It’s always good to be able to jazz up the quotidian routine …Guys are suckers for compliments: After an offhand suggestion from a friend ("I liked your haircut right around Halloween, when it was really short") I just chopped off eight months’ worth of hair. So it’s goodbye, lazy curls and cowlicks; hello, short, strict styling. I’m back to Philip B Shin-Aid Pomade ($26), which has a strong hold but is soft to the touch — no slickery texture or crispy-crunchy peaks. It’s available at Essentials + More at Hilton Village, Scottsdale (which is closed Sundays), and Ulta stores throughout the East Valley.

The shaving cream used most in Italian barbershops is made by Proraso, which teamed up with C.O. Bigelow to bring the eucalyptus-spiked formula to the United States. Premium Shave Cream ($10) also has glycerin for a smooth shave, menthol to numb the face to reduce irritation and redness, and coconut oil for moisture. (The eucalyptus, in addition to smelling good, also is an antiseptic for any cuts.) It’s sold at Bath & Body Works stores around the East Valley.

I’m not saying I’ve picked clothing up off the floor and worn it again the next day … but I *do* have a single pair of Gap hipster khakis that have shown up multiple times during the workweek. (One week I wore them five days in a row with different shirts, just to see if anyone would say anything.) Woody’s Body and Laundry deodorant spray ($12.95) from the men’s grooming line pulls double duty and keeps clothing smelling fresh, too — think of it as Axe meets Febreze. Find it at Men’s Ultimate Grooming at Superstition Springs Center, Mesa.