Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, and yet another condition is so prevalent that certain stores should be labeled “dangerous to your health.”

That plague is shopping fever.

Resistant to economic strain, relationship turbulence, and toxic workplace politics, it’s easy to catch in late August or early September.

A diagnosis becomes apparent via your credit card statement weeks after symptoms first appear. At this time you may seem to have developed selective amnesia.

“I didn’t buy this did I?”

There is no cure. As a beauty and fashion editor, I see collections months before they arrive in stores, so by the time they do, I’m nearly over it (having mentally worn and rejected nearly every trend). Shoes and bags are irresistible since they genuinely give last year’s wardrobe and jeans a new look with the least amount of effort, but a few trendy clothing items can also provide a fast update.

For now, the shopping list is short, sane, and in the safe black hue of 90 % of my closet (I can’t splurge until I’m truly in love with an item) but stay tuned:

A High Heel Black Bootie

I thought I’d never want these again, but ankle-cropped booties do look great with opaque tights and tailored skirts, dresses, or stretch pants like the ones below. Open-toe versions are the hotties in this category. Manolo Blahnik’s black patent booties are fabulous at $785 but I ended up with a KORS Michael Kors croc-embossed pair for $380. I visualize them as lasting one season — not a major commitment.

Black Stirrup Pants

Try this if you have great legs and love skinny jeans or the “idea” of leggings. It’s that same long, lean, lower body look without the compression bandage feeling. In thick, matte knit blends, this born-again style is more pant-like and has the familiar holding power of Spanx. Try Theory’s style ($225) or Vince’s version ($210) both in viscose knit blends. Wear these with a trenchcoat, trim black ribbed turtle, and black ballet flats for a quick run-around weekend look.

A Sculpted Black Sheath

Lanvin, Calvin Klein, and Narciso Rodriguez have structured couture versions that are way out of my price range but provide plenty of inspiration. More reasonable and every bit as chic is a wool sheath by Ricki Freeman for Teri John ( $375) with black patent belt and flower and a wool knit tie-neck tiered sheath by divorcée Tory Burch ($425 )