Nick & Mo The Alice Dress
Fashion dessert: frothily feminine with pintucking and ruffles. Wear with a pair of peep toe pumps.
$78 at Nordstrom.
January 15th, 2008
Archive for January, 2008
You Said: Roaring 20s Fashion is In!
We asked: Is Roaring 20s Fashion In or Out?
You said: In, with an overwhelming 81% of the vote!
Style tip? Dropped waist dresses, like the gorgeously cheap chic ruby dress to the left, are a godsend for shortwaisted women (those with short torsos and long legs).
Next question: Light blue denim–so 80s, yet somehow relevant today. Would you wear it? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Dolly Pleat Tunic | $20 at Forever 21.
2 comments January 14th, 2008
Cocoon Wool Coat
Cocoon yourself in this double breasted wool coat, complete with an ever-so-slight bubble hem.
$59 at Forever 21.
January 14th, 2008
Q&A: What to Wear on Safari
Q: My husband and I will be touring southern Africa. We are from the most southern area of Arizona and see that the temps in S.A. are quite cool in May…in fact, they look cold! I heard from a lady who was headed to Africa the next week that every color other than the khakis and brown tones were not allowed. Has anyone heard of this clothing color rule? 
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: How ironic, as I read your question, I was having tea with a good friend from Knysna, South Africa. She had never heard of color restrictions on safari–unless you are on a walking safari (in which case your game lodge should inform you of restrictions).
To be practical, you may want to wear khaki clothes so as not to show dirt and dust and (should the weather be warmer than expected) to deflect some heat. If you get cold, as you suggest, you may want to look for darker colors, which will hold in the heat.
In the cities, my friend said to expect colors similar to those worn in Miami - bright and tropical. Dress in layers, as the temperatures will vary dramatically throughout the day and evening. It cools down a lot in the evenings, and FYI a lot of buildings aren’t heated.
As for where to find clothes, Orvis online has great travel clothes. One last tip? Remember to bring practical shoes and a hat.
Have a great tip about what to wear on safari?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Corners of the Globe Safari Shirt | $69 at Orvis.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
2 comments January 11th, 2008
Braille Blank Notebook
Forget visual patterns–go for tactile interest in your next notebook. You’ll want to carry this one around.
$12 at Branch Home.
January 11th, 2008
Q&A: Youthful Looks with a Black Blazer
Q: I just bought a black blazer, but I don’t know what to wear with it to keep the young look (I’m only 15). What colors would go best with it?
A: Since you’re only 15, you’re right in wanting to keep the look young. A black blazer is a classy, sophisticated addition to your wardrobe, but it can also age your look if paired with the wrong garments.
Create a fresh, young look around the black blazer by pairing it with dark rinse (or grey) jeans. Add a statement top–such as a striped sweater, a graphic tee, or a brightly colored cami. Finish off the look by adding a pair of boots and draping a thin scarf around your neck.
As for colors, any and every color goes well with black. You can try a formal look with a polished white, or you can go bold with metallics or bright colors. Or keep the look refined with a light grey.
Have a great tip about youthful looks with a black blazer?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Career Black Blazer | $29.80 at Forever 21.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
2 comments January 10th, 2008
Egg Pants Egg Cup
A whimsical way to start the day: give your eggs a pair of pants.
Set of two.
$20 at MOMA Design Store.
January 10th, 2008
Q&A: What’s the Ideal Shirt Length for a Man?
Q: What is the ideal shirt length on a guy wearing a button down shirt untucked? Is it really ugly if it is too long? It seems that if the shirt shows underneath a closed blazer, it would be bad. 
A:
The ideal shirt length for a guy, whether it’s a button down, a polo, or a t-shirt, is halfway down the zipper (assuming your pants actually fit you).
If you wear something over the shirt - a sweater, a vest, a jacket, a blazer – tuck your shirt in, unless it’s a properly fitted t-shirt.
While we’re on the subject of fit, make sure the rest of the shirt fits. As with jackets, you should fit your shirt based on how it fits on your shoulders. This is because you can shorten a shirt’s sleeves or length, and you can take it in at the waist, but you can’t change the shoulder (it’s also a comfort thing). The shoulder seam (the line of the shirt that connects the body of the shirt to the sleeve) should rest in the little gap between that little bump at the end of your collarbone and your arm.
- If you’re wearing a short-sleeve shirt, the sleeve should rest in the middle of your bicep, halfway between your elbow and shoulder.
- If you’re wearing a long sleeve shirt, the sleeve should end in the little gap on the side of your wrist (or, alternatively, about ¼ inch below the wrist bone).
- If you’re wearing a button down, the buttons should not stretch the shirt when buttoned. The collar should fit snugly – but not tightly – whether buttoned or not.
For basically everything I’ve just written but with pictures, check out Details’ guide on how to fit a shirt.
Style tip: This may all sound a lot, but trust me, if you find a shirt that fits properly in the shoulders, as described above, chances are, the rest will fit accordingly. The bottom line: focus on the shoulder fit, and you’ll probably be all right.
Have a great tip about shirt length–or how to fit a shirt?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Slim Fit Multi Stripe Dress Shirt| $98 at Banana Republic.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
2 comments January 9th, 2008
Coffee Shop Belted Wool Coat
The oversized collar frames your pretty face, while the dropped waistline flatters the shortwaisted (those with long legs).
$98 at Nordstrom.
January 9th, 2008
Q&A: The Best Knee High Boots for Skinny Calves
Q: I have tiny calves and have been looking for a cool pair of knee high boots. Can you suggest a brand that tailors to smaller calf sizes? It seems anymore that everyone makes bigger boots, but not small ones. I’m a runner who is 5’8†and all skinny leg.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: The good news is that you’re blessed with slender calves. The bad news is that designers find that more women have oversized (rather than skinny) calves–and your boot selections are limited.
With your slender calves, you’re going to want to look for two things: soft materials and stretchiness (since boots cut in stretchy materials have a narrower cut). Combined, soft material and stretch should hug even the skinniest of calves. Start your search with this Donald J Pilner boot, which features soft suede and stretch material. While it was designed to stretch for oversized calves, it may just fit your legs without stretching.
Worse comes to worse, if you find that the soft, stretchy boots are still oversized for your calves, you can have a shoemaker take them in (or splurge for custom boots).
Have a great tip about where to find knee high boots for skinny calves?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Donald J Pilner Doris Boot | $338.95 at Zappos.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
1 comment January 8th, 2008