Archive for June, 2008
We asked: Would you wear The Color White?
You said: Yes! 87%, an overwhelming majority is all for White.
Style tip? How do you keep your whites fresh–and stain free? One word: Scotchgard. Use Scotchgard Fabric Protector to prevent stains on both natural and synthetic fabrics. Just test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Next question: Vests are a key piece in the tailored, menswear-as-womenswear movement. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear a vest? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Sash Waist Tunic Dress | $58 at Gap.
June 30th, 2008
We love the clean look of this three button blazer. Pair it with a striped tank and a white skirt for a crisp, nautical look.
$59.50 at American Eagle.
June 30th, 2008
How do you best dress to flatter your tummy? Direct attention away from your middle, and create the illusion of a long vertical line. To create that long vertical line, look for drapey fabrics, open (especially v-neck) necklines, vertical detailing, and monochromatic and tonal outfits, and stay away from clingy fabrics and fabrics that are excessively stiff. To direct attention away from your middle, avoid highly defined waistlines, cinched waists, and belts. Here’s what to look for to flatter your tummy:
Jackets & Coats
Single breasted styles
Semi-fitted styles
Straight-cut styles
Jackets that reach below the derriere
Deep V-necklines
Tailored styles
Subtle A-line styles
High armholes and natural shoulders for a leaner look
Biker jackets
Look at the tailored shape, the single breasted style with a deep v-neckline, and the the high armholes.
Pictured: Pinstripe Two Button Jacket | $198 at Ann Taylor.
Tops
Long tops
Empire-waist styles
V-necklines
Tunics
Cardigans
Untucked shirts
The empire waist style, the v-neckline, and the flowy nature of this long top are going to flatter your tummy.
Pictured: Solid Jessie Blouse | $78 at J Crew.
Pants & Jeans
Pants without waistbands are preferable
If you wear a waistband, wear one 1" wide or smaller
Pants that sit slightly lower than your natural waist
Flat-front or side zip bottoms
Pants without pockets
These pants are soft, drapey, and their flat-front silhouette is especially flattering for those of us with a tummy.
Pictured: City Fit Buttery Twill Trouser | $69.50 at J Crew.
Skirts & Dresses
Styles without waistbands (or narrow waistbands)
Flat front skirts
Dresses that obscure the waistline
Coat dresses
Subtle A-line shapes
Empire-waist styles
Semifitted shift dresses
This patterned dress not only obscures your tummy, but the fitted bodice and the a-line shape is incredibly flattering.
Pictured: Brushstroke Print Sydney Dress | $165 at J Crew.
June 27th, 2008
Here’s an example of a cheap chic pattern that could pose as a designer print. Pair this graphic swing skirt with a crisp white blouse, add finish the outfit off with a pair of heels and a brightly colored handbag.
$15.80 at Forever 21.
June 27th, 2008
Q: I was wondering how do I wear sneakers in a more feminine way? I’m 16 and I have been flats and sandals for the last year or so, but I do miss the sneakers. But I’ve found out that they clash with my more girly blouses.
A: Sneakers are inherently casual, and they’re also kind of tomboyish. To help combat the tomboyish feel of sneakers, choose sneakers that are inherently more feminine, either in color or detailing. Here’s three ways to wear your sneakers for a more feminine look:
Tip 1: Go Daytime Glamorous with a Dress
Proudly wear a casual dress with your sneakers, and accessorize your outfit with bold jewelry and an elegant handbag. Be bold! Don’t you love the gorgeous black and white zebra print?
Tip 2: Balance Masculine and Feminine
You can embrace the tomboyish feel of the sneakers by balancing a feminine piece of clothing with a masculine one. Here, the feminine airy yellow tank top is counterbalanced by a masculine military-inspired blazer. Added bonus? Grey (instead of blue) jeans.
Tip 3: Embrace the Casual
Sneakers are casual, so go with the flow and create a casual outfit around them. Wear shorts instead of pants, and slip on a breezy chic feminine top.
Have a great tip about how to wear sneakers? Share it with us in the comments!
June 26th, 2008
We’re loving the delicate floral embroidery and cutouts on this carefree, slip-on dress. Which do you like better: the green or the black?
$48 at Nordstrom.
June 26th, 2008
Q: Because of environmental issues, I try to consume less and re-use as much as I can; however, I find that I buy too much clothing, over half of which I barely wear. I know that it’s not entirely possible to have a 10-item-only wardrobe, but what 10 items do you think could make a complete wardrobe that would last forever (i.e. wear well and not go out of style)?
Item 1: Navy Suit
A staple of every gentleman’s wardrobe, the navy suit is versatile not only because of its color, but also because you can also wear the jacket as a navy blazer, which is another must-have for men. Get a wool blazer in a dark, inky-blue color and you’ll be set for life.
Item 2: Grey Suit
Charcoal Wool Modern Three Button Suit at Banana Republic
A trim gray suit in heather grey or charcoal grey never goes out of style. You could also argue that there is nothing more in style right now, either.
Item 3: Jeans
Loomstate Jeans | $96 (sale) at Saks
You can’t go wrong with a pair of straight leg denim jeans in dark navy and a simple pocket design. This pair by Loomstate is all these things and more: the company uses certified organic cotton and socially and environmentally responsible methods of production.
Style tip: Keep your denim dark by infrequently washing them inside out with detergent specially formulated for dark items, like this one from The Laundress.
Item 4: T-Shirt
Make sure your shirts are trim and well-fitting, like these from Splendid Always. The pima cotton used in these shirts are pesticide-free, making it as eco-friendly as it was stylish.
Item 5: White Oxford Buttondown Shirt
Solid Vintage Oxford Shirt | $59.50 at J Crew
I can’t think of a single thing with which a crisp white buttondown doesn’t look good. Enough said.
Item 6: Black or Brown Lace Ups
You’ll need a good pair of dress shoes, either in brown or black. Brown suggets luxury, black suggests sleekness. Whichever you choose, spend a little more and get a pair in cordovan leather. Also, if you really are practical, go with black; black shoes can go with colors that brown don’t (such as black pants).
Style tip? Getting a toe tap for a dress shoe with a leather sole will greatly extend the life of the shoe.
Style tip 2? Even the best dress shoes will get worn down with use, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw them away. Instead, get them refurbished. According to Esquire, Allen Edmonds will add new soles, heels, welting, foot beds and laces to the shoe, then condition and polish the leather, all for about $100. Just be warned: if the leather is cracked, you will have to get a new sole.
Item 7: Tie
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Tie | $90 (sale) at Ralph Lauren
Solid or stripes are always a safe bet, but if it’s practicality you want, go with a solid tie. Solid ties can go with any kind of shirt (i.e. check, stripes, solid, etc.).
Item 8: Khakis
Favorite Khaki Pants | $105 at Neiman Marcus
You want to wear khakis that don’t make you look like you just came from a country club. Get a pair that’s trim but not too-skinny–a pair of flat front khakis with no cuffs. I love the fit and color of this pair by Save Khaki. This pair isn’t meant to be worn with a navy blazer, but you know what? I’m tired of the navy blazer/khaki look, even though it is considered timeless.
Item 9: Wool Overcoat
You don’t ever ever ever want to skimp on your overcoat (trust me, east coasters). Your overcoat should be as slim and tailored as your suit. My style is a bit more modern, so I prefer overcoats that are bit shorter in length than traditional ones; look for one that falls no longer than the top of your kneecap. Get your overcoat in a dark color like navy or charcoal. Treat it well and you will never have to buy another one again.
Why an overcoat and not a peacoat, you ask? Pure practicality. Most peacoats hit at the waist or just below, and as such, you wouldn’t want to wear a suit or blazer underneath because the jacket would peek out from under the peacoat.
Item 10: Sneakers
Common Projects Leather Low Top Shoes | $278 at South Willard
If you have to get only one pair of casual shoes, make them plain white sneakers in leather or canvas. The only color shoes I buy (except for dress shoes and loafers) are white. Look for Jack Purcells or Chuck Taylors–or shoes by Common Projects.
June 25th, 2008
This tunic is less than $20–but we could see designer versions of it retailing for well over $200.
$17.80 at Forever 21.
June 25th, 2008
Q: Help! My mom is very uncomfortable with her upper arms and tummy and avoids shopping because of that. She’s 5′4, about 135 pounds, has long legs but also has a skin condition that makes it hard for her to expose much of her chest. What kind of outfits would look good on her?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Time’s winged chariot does catch up with all of us. Our bodies and upper arms droop a little and the tummy may slacken in middle age, but that should never prevent one from making the most of their looks. In fact, now is the time for your mom to invest a little more effort and time in shopping to keep herself updated and fresh–or the fun of dressing will fade too quickly.
As she is 5′4" and not heavy, she would do well in the petites department of a classic store like Ann Taylor. If she has not shopped in some time, she should be sure to buy some fresh basics (such as a dress, casual pants, tops, and some skirts) to keep her look updated and pretty. I realize that she has no patience for shopping–but all she needs to do is set aside one day each season - only 4 times a year–to keep her wardrobe up to date.
Because she’s uncomfortable with her upper arms, she’d be best served looking for sleeved tops and dresses. 3/4 sleeves are especially feminine and flattering. If she has a large chest, however, she may not want to buy any blouses with sleeves that end at her breast line, as this would emphasize the size of her chest.
To minimize her tummy, supportive bras and shapewear (like Spanx) will help her clothes drape more gracefully. Structured tops are going to look better than drapey tops (which can cling to all the wrong places), and details like shirring will help minimize the appearance of her tummy.
So as to not expose too much of her chest, she should look for higher necklines. Boatneck styles are elegant without being revealing–and they look especially fetching with 3/4 sleeves.
As for bottoms, skirts that hit at or right above the knee are attractive–and make the most of a feature that she is happy with. Long pants are also going to be flattering, though she should steer clear of capri pants. They hit at an awkward length and have a shortening effect, unflattering on all but the very tall.
Pictured: Petite Twist Front Dress | $98 at Banana Republic, Petite Cotton Optic Leaf Shirt | $58 at Ann Taylor, and Petite Abstract Balloons Printed Knit Dress | $138 at Ann Taylor.
Have a great tip about what to wear to flatter heavy upper arms and a tummy? Share it with us in the comments!
June 24th, 2008
We’re loving the texture on this gorgeous black clutch. Be aware, however, that it’s quite long–a full foot long, in fact.
$14.99 at Target.
June 24th, 2008
Previous Posts
