Velvet Torch Sleeveless Ponte Shift Dress
Absolutely perfect when paired with an ever-so-slightly blousy tie-neck top.
$58 at Nordstrom.
January 8th, 2008
Archive for January, 2008
You Said: Leopard Print is Out
We asked: Is Leopard Print In or Out?
You said: Out. 29% voted Leopard Print In, while the vast majority (71%) voted it Out or On the Way Out.
Style tip? Should you choose to wear leopard print, do it differently. How about trying Leopard Print in an unusual color, like this blue Tibi dress?
Next question: 1920s Fashion–bowler hats, flapper-esque drop waist dresses, chic ballet flats. Would you wear it? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Tibi Leopard Shift Dress | $174 (sale) at Shopbop.
2 comments January 7th, 2008
Mod Belted Sweater Dress
A sweater dress that can go to work…and then to cocktails afterwards.
$59 at Forever 21.
2 comments January 7th, 2008
Omiru on Yahoo! Health’s Capessa
Announcing the launch of Capessa on Yahoo! Health, a community of real women telling real stories.
You’ll find stories on anything and everything from health and fitness to relationships to beauty and style. And you’ll find me talking about Style for All Shapes and Sizes.
2 comments January 6th, 2008
Q&A: What to Wear with Faded Black
Q: I have a fabulous pair of black wide leg trousers and although they have faded they still look good. The problem is I can no longer wear them with black. What dark colours can I substitute?
A: Your instincts are spot on: you don’t want to pair these trousers with black, since that will only draw attention to the fading. Plus it’s near impossible to match different shades of black, and you only want to wear two black items together if they’re a perfect match.
Though you’re down a pair of black trousers, you’re up a pair of (super) dark grey trousers. So treat the faded black wide-leg trousers like you would a pair of dark grey pants.
Dark grey pairs well with all kinds of bright colors. Crack open any fashion magazine from this season, and you’ll see grey paired with bright blue, grassy green, sunny yellow, or even shades of purple.
Be bold with your fashion choices, and have fun!
Have a great tip about what to wear with (or what to do with) faded black pants?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Cashmere Henley | $188 at J Crew.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
5 comments January 4th, 2008
Subway Token Cufflinks
For a real New Yorker…or the guy who’s a New Yorker at heart: cufflinks made of authentic 15 cent subway tokens from the 1950s.
$85 at MOMA Design Store.
January 4th, 2008
Q&A: Where to Find the Perfect Coat
Q: I’m a schoolteacher, and I would like to find a nice coat that I can wear over my long skirts and dresses to work–but could also possibly be paired with pants during the cold, snowy days. Any suggestions on where to find the perfect coat?
A: When coat shopping, fit is key, so we recommend going to department stores where you can try on coats from a variety of brands. As for fit, you should be looking for a snug fit in the shoulders (and for the most flattering look, high armholes).
Given that the coat will be paired with long skirts and dresses, look for a long coat. You can let your skirts and dresses show from under the coat, so long as the overall look is loose. If you have a highly structured coat, over, say, a pencil skirt, you’re going to want to fully cover the skirt. But if the shapes of the skirt/dress and coat are less severe, a bit of skirt peeking out never hurt anyone.
Here’s a few affordable coats you may want to start with:
Nick & Mo Audrey Tweed Coat | $98 at Nordstrom
Oversized buttons and a cinched waist give this coat some flair.
London Fog Double Breasted Wool Trench Coat | $188 at Nordstrom
You can’t go wrong with a classic trenchcoat.
Jessica Simpson Platter Collar Coat | $188 at Nordstrom
Love the belt and the oversized collar.
Pictured: MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Wool Coat | $228 at Nordstrom
The standup collar and the metal dome buttons make this coat quietly dramatic.
Have a great tip about where to find the perfect coat?
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.
2 comments January 3rd, 2008
Flower Wall Sticker by Dvided
How do you spruce up a tired room in 5 minutes flat? With this cheery wall sticker from Dvided.
$45 at Dvided.
January 3rd, 2008
Game on, 2008!
We asked you to share with us your New Year’s Resolutions for 2008, and the responses were truly inspiring:
Jessica deemed 2008 "the year that things will get done," and vowed to set realistic resolutions, including brushing up on cooking and baking skills (yum).
Mimi’s going to be looking fabulous for everyday outings, not just for special occasions. Step one? Getting rid of that ratty old hoodie!
Glennie’s all about Quality over Quantity and is going to build a foundation wardrobe full of good quality clothes (instead of trendy pieces that fall apart after two washes).
Anne, after finishing her thesis, will beautify her house by painting her living room…and is vowing to not flake on going to the gym three times a week.
Taylor’s taking a leap, living life to the fullest and not caring what other people think.
Lise will be spending more quality time with the girls, mixing up her fitness routine, and wearing clothes better tailored for her body.
Deann will be transforming her wardrobe for more grown-up looks. She’s also going to read before bed instead of watching TV!
After reading your resolutions,
it seems to me that though our specific goals may be
different, we all kind of want the same thing: to dress better, to feel
healthier, to spend more time with loved ones, to be creative,
to do more (and to do it better). And these things are aligned pretty
well with the founding mission of Omiru: to make your life better
through the power of style. So as we approach our 3rd birthday, we’ll continue to be there for you with style advice, fashion tips, and more articles that will help you on your life (and style) journey.
Gifts for all of you, a thank you for sharing your hopes and goals with us…and an encouragement to keep these goals in mind past January. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and productive 2008. Game on!
January 3rd, 2008
Q&A: The Best Colors for Pale Skinned Men
Q: My husband is changing jobs and is in need of a more professional wardrobe, i.e. he’ll be wearing suits every day. He has pale skin and dark brown hair with blue eyes. We’re looking for more variety in his wardrobe color palette…do you have any rules about what colors go best with certain skin tones?
A: In general, pale skinned guys should stick to white, charcoal (I include gray and black in this category), navy and maybe some red; tell him to stay away from khaki and other similar earth tones.
I’m going to be forthright with you, though, because I don’t want your husband looking like a fool. Forget about the wardrobe color palette. It really shouldn’t be a big factor in determining your husband’s work clothes. Be the best-dressed man in the office, but do it by wearing suits that are clean, tailored and sophisticated. Trust me: don’t get caught up in what color looks the best with your husband’s skin. If he wears a well fitted dark suit (think charcoal, gray and navy), a crisp white shirt, and a complementary tie, he will look fantastic, no matter how pale skinned he is.
The best advice I can give to you is to go to a trusted department store and take the time to figure out what looks good on him. Find an employee that you think has good style and have him help you mix and match suits/shirts/ties. Also, go to a really upscale store - they won’t let you leave the store looking bad. This isn’t some shameless and cliché sales pitch for your nearby Wilkes Bashford; I say this because those kinds of stores don’t want to be associated with poorly dressed guys. I realize that going to an expensive store is, well, expensive, and not everyone may be able to/willing to pay those prices. Just remember: you’re not obligated to buy anything, and you will have a great sense of what looks good on your husband after you leave.
On a side note, if your spouse wants to copy a celebrity’s style, make it Gianni Agnelli. Mr. Agnelli is a sartorial legend and is considered one of the best dressed men in history, which is all the more impressive given the fact that he worked in the conservative world of business (meaning that loud, outlandish suits and such aren’t tolerated). The picture above is proof.
Style Tip: You can always learn from Mr. Agnelli. In this picture, check out the impeccable tailoring of his suit (it’s a bespoke, I’m sure), the Italian shoulder, and the crisp white shirt. The tie is perfect. It’s the perfect width for the collar width (an often overlooked detail of proportion), and it’s a perfect color – the gray base matches the suit, the white stripes pick up the shirt). The pocket square is a perfect finishing touch and a perfectly complementary color.
Have a great tip about great colors for pale skin?
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.
1 comment January 2nd, 2008