Archive for November, 2007
Welcome to a Special Sampler Edition of the Friday
Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of the cutest and coolest stuff Omiru’s
Style Intelligence Report saw out there on the web.
This week, we present to you Our Favorite Goodies from the Sampler to show you the best of the best from independent crafters and artists.
You Rock My Socks Notecard | $2 each at Etsy
Microwave Girl (aka Kate, in Super Hero form) makes greeting cards, purses, magnets, and more in her Atlanta studio.
Andy Eats Only Candy Pouches
Find graphic tote bags (at reasonable prices) at Andy Eats Only Candy’s Etsy store.
Letterpress Cards by Lizard Press
Buy a greeting card sampler (20+ limited edition letterpress cards for only $65) from Lizard Press creative studio.
Are you a designer or crafter? Spread the word about yourself by sending your goods to The Sampler today!
November 30th, 2007
Even though I’m not a fan of fruit, I love the hand sculpted and hand glazed look and feel of this porcelain pomegranate.
Lovingly designed by Sofia Masri.
$58 at Etsy.
November 30th, 2007
Q: I work for a relatively hip, young firm and the annual corporate holiday party is coming up. I recently purchased a Herve Leger bandage outfit (very pink top paired with a very black skirt.) Would this be too over the top for a work function?
A: With work functions, the generally accepted wisdom is to err on the conservative side. You’ll be hanging out with people that you work with–and that, with any luck, you’ll continue to work with for some time. Sexy outfits can work for your best friend’s holiday party, but the office holiday party is still governed by professionalism.
That said, professional outfits don’t have to be unattractive. And since you work at a hip, young firm, you can safely push the boundaries a bit more.
Our rule of thumb? Choose one standout, boundary-pushing detail–and build your outfit around that. You can wear a form fitting dress–but not one that features a up-to-there miniskirt and/or one that is excessively low cut. Or you can get away with that minidress, but one that’s less form fitting. Alternatively, you could try a metallic dress for sparkle–but in a conservative cut (as pictured).
With the Herve Leger bandage outfit, we’re counting two boundary-pushing details: the extreme body-hugging fit and the very pink top. Our advice is to choose one or the other: wear a body-hugging dress OR one in a standout bright color. Remember, you want to be the talk of the office for your stylish fashion choices (and your top-of-the-line work)–not for crossing the don’t-go-there fashion line.
Pictured: Alice + Olivia Sequined Pencil Dress | $495 at Shopbop.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a wedding?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
November 29th, 2007
We were browsing over at Dearly Devoted, and we found the perfect print to keep next to your work computer. Or in your home office. Or down the hall from the kids’ rooms.
$37 (approx) at Keep Calm Ltd.
November 29th, 2007
Q: What would be a good shirt and tie combination to wear with black pinstriped pants? I am fair skinned with blonde hair & blue eyes.
A: Some guys try to go stripe-happy (striped suit, striped shirt, striped tie) and end up looking like the result of a Queer Eye for the Straight Guy makeover. Now, it’s not impossible to do, but it’s very difficult. I myself avoid it, but if you want to try it, make sure your stripes are of different sizes. Most suits have relatively thin pinstripes, so this means finding a shirt and tie with thicker stripes. Honestly, I haven’t seen very many pull off the triple threat very well, with one exception being Isaac Ferry (rocker Bryan Ferry’s son) in the July 2007 GQ. But then again, he only looks good because he knows he looks good.
For a more subdued look, try a simple solid shirt and solid tie. You can try matching your tie and the pinstripes (unless they’re white). Silver tie with silver pinstripes and a blue shirt always looks good. Some check-patterned shirts look great here too. You can’t go wrong with a crisp white oxford here either. If your suit has a navy base, a purplish/blue tie will do well here. You can also try a houndstooth-patterned tie or a dark colored dotted tie. Or for something a little different, try a textured wool knit tie. You can also try wearing a suit without a tie, à la Tom Ford (although I’d suggest buttoning your shirt a bit higher than he does, unless you know you look good).
Long story short, you have a wealth of choices to wear with pinstripes, which is why the pinstriped suit is a classic and a staple of the well-dressed man’s wardrobe. Want more ideas? Go pick up any issue of GQ or Esquire. You’re guaranteed to find some great examples of pinstriped suits.
Pictured: Straight Black Pinstripe Dress Chino | $78 at Banana Republic.
Have a great tip about what to wear with black pinstriped pants?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
November 28th, 2007
Somehow feels Christmas-y.
$30 at 80s Purple.
November 28th, 2007
Q: What are some essential pieces for a laid back, preppy girl look?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: First a bit of fashion history for you: preppy
fashion is derived from White Anglo Saxon College Preparatory School uniforms. Big in the 70s and the 80s, preppy fashion is still very much in style today. But instead of wearing preppy fashion head-to-toe, we generally recommend layering in other pieces for a more laid-back, modern look. To get you started though, here’s eleven staples for a preppy look:
The Navy Blazer
Wool Gabardine Single Button Jacket | $225 at J Crew
The Cable Knit Sweater
Cambridge Cable Crewneck Sweater | $74 at J Crew
The Basic Button Down Shirt
Sparkle Plaid Margaret Shirt | $78 at J Crew
The Polo Shirt
Kendall Polo Shirt | $39.50 at Abercrombie
The Corduroy Pant / The Khaki Pant
Modern Boot Cut Corduroy Pant | $54.60 (sale) at Banana Republic
The Lilly Pulitzer Dress
Lilly Pulitzer Cosette Printed Shirtdress | $195.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Pearl (or Diamond) Earrings
Pearl Stud Earrings | $55 at J Crew
The Cartier Tank Watch
Cartier Tank Francaise Watch | $3,800 at Saks Fifth Avenue
The Ribbon Belt
Striped Grosgrain Belt | $48 at J Crew
The Kate Spade Handbag
Kate Spade Classic Noel Metallic Griffin Tote | $216.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Penny Loafer
BP Paperclip Penny Loafer | $59.95 at Nordstrom
Lastly, here’s two pointers to make your preppy look more laid back:
(1) Play with color. We like darker and richer colors than the generally preferred kelly green and bright pink.
(2) Don’t look too perfect. Your cotton pinstriped button-down could, for example, be left unpressed. Or you can wear it slightly unbuttoned to show some skin.
Have a great tip about what to wear for a preppy look?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
November 27th, 2007
For those who spend their leisure time in the kitchen, a fire engine red trivet in the shape of a Thai blossom.
$18 at Anthropologie.
November 27th, 2007
We asked: Are Skinny Cigarette Pants In or Out?
You said: In, with the majority (52%) of the popular vote.
Omiru’s take: Though Wide Legged Trousers are making waves this Fall, Skinny Cigarette Pants are also making a splash. While they’re tough to wear if you don’t have long, lean legs, they do look smashing paired with a more voluminous top for a big-over-small look.
Style tip?
For the longest, leanest look, pair cigarette pants with a tall heel in a similar color. We love grey cigarette pants paired with a checkered grey heel.
Next question: You’re into Skinny Cigarette Pants–but are you also into pairing them with voluminous Swing Coats? Tell us, are Swing Coats In,
or are they Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: J Brand Cigarette Stretch Leg Jean | $159 at Shopbop.
November 26th, 2007
Abstract designs and playful colors combine in SusyJack’s limited edition 2008 calendar.
5" wide by 17" tall.
$32 at SusyJack.
November 26th, 2007
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