How To: Wear black without looking gothic or uncreative

Unless you’re purposefully trying to look depressed and angry, there’s no need to drown yourself out in black gear that has no personality. Although the LBD trend is back in full force, you don’t want your outfit to scream “blah.” That said, your black side of the closet doesn’t have to sit and sulk while the rest of the colors get all the attention. Paired with the correct accessories (shoes, jewels, handbags), a black outfit can rock the world like no other color.

To add zest to your ensemble, wear one (key word: one) of the following:

Pointy red mules: Imagine the surprise of onlookers the minute they look down at your fabulous red shoes.
Chain-link bracelet: With a black dress, black shoes, and bare neck, sport a chunky chain link bracelet (preferably one with two tones like dark red and gold) that stands out on your wrist.
Long, layered necklace: Whether they’re pearls or beads, long necklaces are in. Sport this look only if the neckline of your dress is conducive. Try the look with a turtleneck, crewneck or plunging neckline.
Colorful handbag: The contrast of the black with the rich color will automatically put you on the fashion map.

Bottom line: Always add a spice of color when going black.

February 15th, 2006

Top 5: Unflattering Pieces for Women with Curves

Curves. All women have ones they want to emphasize and others they’d prefer to downplay. But how do you know you’re not downplaying the good curves and highlighting the bad ones?

While most people won’t tell you if you’ve made an unflattering choice, we here at Omiru know that a good friend never lies. Unless you’re a six-foot tall model with a washboard stomach and legs for days, we suggest you stay away from the following:

#1. Expectant mother tops. We know a tall, slender woman who got asked if she was expecting…when she wasn’t. The culprit? You guessed it–the awful Expectant Mother Top. Stay away from pieces that tent out under the bust, especially those with extraneous, bulky fabric.

(Photo Credit: Active Endeavors)

#2. Shants, gauchos and culottes. They hit at the widest part of the calf, making your legs look shorter and fatter.

 (Photo Credit: Blush)

#3. Overly tight microfiber or spandex. We don’t think this looks flattering, ever–even on a slender bod. We do, however, think it looks slutty.

(Photo Credit: Arden B.)

#4. Crop tops. They spotlight the "pooch" above the groin, especially when sitting down (like the model below).

(Photo Credit: Victoria’s Secret)

#5. Tea-length skirts. Refer to #2. Instead, try to aim for a longer skirt, or try our favorite length: just below the knee.

(Photo Credit: J. Crew)

2 comments February 15th, 2006

Club Style | Mr. Smith’s Nightclub

Trend Alert: Sporting Hats Indoors

Trend Alert: Oversized Shoulder Bags

Trend Alert: Trenchcoat as Club Gear

Trend Alert: Woven Belts

February 15th, 2006

Animal Glass Pins

Again, my love of animals gets the better of me.  They have rabbits!  And squirrels!  And a mountain goat! 

I want a penguin.

$9  at Cut+Paste.

February 15th, 2006

Ready Made Outfit: Maritime Fun at Forever 21

Our colleague Agathe over at StyleBytes wrote about how the everpresent Nautical trend is starting to grow on her.  We’ve been fond of it since the beginning, and we found some particularly sailor chic items while browsing at Forever 21 over the weekend.  Our two cents?  Keep it casual–lest you look like you belong at sea.

Sleeveless Sweater Top | $17.80 at Forever 21

Glitter Polo Top | $13.80 at Forever 21

F21 Premium Straight Leg Denim | $29.80 at Forever 21

J Crew Classic Wedge Flip Flop | $16.50 at J Crew

1 comment February 15th, 2006

An Alternative to Fashion Mags: Fashion Films on DVD

Stroll down the magazine aisle of any bookstore ,and you’ll fast realize that there are more fashion publications than one can physically keep up with. And if you pick one up, you’ll find more advertisements than editorial.  If you’re tired of the fluff, try FLY DVD, the first fashion and art “moving-magazine” instead.

Featured in the next issue are contributions from John Malkovich, Alex Antitch, KT Auleta, Mike Figgis, Vanina Sorrenti, and Alex Cayley. Look for designs from Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Burberry Prorsum, Riccardo Tisci, and more.   If you still have no clue how fashion plays on film, visit www.insidefly.com for a sneak-peak trailer of Zero Issue.

$45  (one issue) at InsideFly

7 comments February 14th, 2006

Fashion’s Cinematic Muse

Designers have always found inspiration in the most unique things: nature, history, obscure inanimate objects, music – but one of the most prolific muses in the fashion is the silver screen.  In an odd, coincidental relationship, many of the movies that we see today serve as a launch pad for what we will see on the runway at fashion week or what the “next big thing” will be for the trendy urban hipsters all across the state (and maybe even the world).  

Remember those days of legwarmers and fashionable aerobic attire (circa 1983)?  This phenomenon, which can now be seen as a faux pas, can largely be accredited to the sexy stripper-turned-ballerina 80s classic, Flashdance.  As soon as Jennifer Beals strutted her stuff in off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and red heels, thousands of teenage girls made sure they had a considerable back stock of all the clothing needed to do a sweltering workout routine to “Maniac.”

 
More recently, we have been seeing styles on screen woven into the chic matrix of modern fashion.  When Shrek came out, green was the new black.  And not too long after that spotty rendition of the Trojan War came out (a.k.a. Troy), Greek-styled sandals were flip-floppin’ on the hip streets of metropolitan cities.

This trend theory is even evident in the most recent runway shows at Olympus Fashion Week.  Designers like James Coviello, Tuleh, J Mendel, Nanette Lepore and BCBG – all utilized some sort of Japanese influence a la Memoirs of a Geisha.  Even before fashion week, top designers Diane von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney stayed one step ahead of the game by creating some suitable kimono tops – take a look at them in this post.

February 14th, 2006

Omiru’s Top 10 Fall 2006 Trends

Without further ado, Omiru presents "The Top 10 Trends of the Fall 2006 season!"

• Voluminous sleeves: Good for visual interest, but it can get theatrical.  Aim for small puffs rather than Jerry Seinfeld’s puffy shirt.
  
  
• Oversized Collars: Oversized jacket detailing in its most visible form.

• Capes and Capelets:  Like we said, it’s The Poncho, Part II.
  
  
• Bubble Skirts: As long as they don’t invite Bubble Boy comparisons, we’re OK with them.  Short girls beware though, as they’ll throw off your proportions…

• Vests: Time to raid the Wall of Vests at H&M!

• Sweaterdresses: The ultimate in comfort + style.

• Small and Square Sunglasses: Out with the bug eyes, in with sleek, technochic style.

• The Long Glove: This is the Huge Accessories Trend.

• Chain Handles on Bags: The Hottest New Bag Trend.

• Leggings and Tights: Great for layering.

For more details, see Omiru’s Fall 2006 Fashion Week Trend Roundup!

3 comments February 14th, 2006

Street Style | White at Night (and every other time)

Grammy goers like Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Love Hewitt, India Arie, Kanye West, and LL Cool J aren’t the only ones donning white these days. Whether in a club, in the mall, or on the streets, San Franciscans are sporting the white trend like it’s summer all over again.

1 comment February 14th, 2006

Omiru’s Fall 2006 Fashion Week Trend Roundup

For your reading convenience, we’ve split the trends up into categories: Silhouette, Detailing, Garment Classifications, and Accessories.  Enjoy!

SILHOUETTE

1 comment February 14th, 2006