You don’t have to stop wearing your favorite dresses when it’s cold out. Simply protect your legs from the cold by pairing your warm weather dress with a set of pants. Here’s how to get the dress-over-pants look:
1. Start with your basic dress. Knee length styles work well, as do minidresses that are asking for a bit of extra leg coverage.
2. Slip on a pair of pants. Straight leg pants are the way to go here; a wider leg would take away from the tailored look.
3. Add a hip length blazer to give the outfit a touch of sophistication. If you live in a colder climate, substitute the blazer for a more appropriate cold weather coat (and/or layer a sweater in between).
4. Finish off the outfit with a pair of pumps and a patterned bag. Notice how the brown brings out the warmth in the navy blue dress, and how the smart black and white pattern on the bag really pops against the tailored outfit.
How would you wear a dress over pants? Share your style with us in the comments!
March 10th, 2009
The ruffle trim on this floaty romantic tank really takes the simple blouse to the next level.
$29.00 (sale) at J Crew.
March 10th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Animal Prints?
You said: No to Animal Prints, with a 54% to 46% vote.
Style tip? If you’re not quite ready to try leopard prints (or giraffe spots), you can still try a sophisticated zebra pattern. The black and white zebra stripe pattern makes a statement without shouting as loud as leopard prints.
Next question: You’ve already said that Pastel Colors are perfectly Spring. But what do you think of nude colors? Tell us, would you wear Nude Colors? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Ruffle Scoop Neck Top | $39.50 at Express.
March 9th, 2009
Transition your shoe wardrobe from Winter to Spring with this adorable peep toe boot.
$24.80 at Forever 21.
March 9th, 2009
Basic color theory states that complementary colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, when paired together, visually Pop. Red and green appear brighter together than they do apart. So does purple and yellow, blue and orange. But these color pairings can feel a bit too basic (not to mention holiday-themed). How do you get the benefit of the color Pop without framing your outfit around these basic color combinations? Simple. Just pair colors that are almost opposite of each other on the color wheel. Here’s the almost-complementary-color rule in action:
1. Start with neutrals: a grey drapey blouse and a black and white textured pencil skirt.
2. Adding to the neutral base, slip on a pair of grey tights and a pair of black boots. If you’re feeling it, you can also try wearing a neutral colored headband.
3. Layer on the color: a gorgeous green overcoat and a bright orange textured clutch. Remember, red and green are opposites on the color wheel - but move one shade over from red and you get orange. You get most of the visual Pop, but none of the Christmas associations of the red-green pairing.
What’s your favorite color pairing? Share your style with us in the comments!
March 6th, 2009
An oversized bow gives a feminine touch to this architectural, almost origami inspired, dress.
$46 at Twelve by Twelve.
March 6th, 2009
Q: I am traveling around Japan for 3 weeks beginning in late March. What do you suggest packing? I plan on dressing casually and packing as lightly as possible. We will be doing a lot of sightseeing and walking around. What shoes would be comfortable and would go with everything (I only want to pack one pair)?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: How lovely—March is the most popular time of year to travel to Japan. It’s the beginning of their Spring season, which means that their famous cherry blossoms will begin to bloom.
Fashion wise, Japan is a fascinating country. Fashion forward young people are so creative in dress—influences range from Harajuku (which encompasses a variety of styles, from gothic Lolita to cosplay) to Hime (a new princess craze). But these edgy styles aside, Japan is a very conservative country when it comes to fashion. You can get away with casual dress when you’re out seeing the sights, but remember that Japan is a place where attention to appearance is paramount (especially in business situations). Japanese women have a penchant for meticulously tailored garments—and often wear heels even with casualwear.
For sightseeing in Japan in late March, here’s what you need to bring:
Tops: Bring an assortment of nice, relatively conservative shirts and blouses, both knits and wovens. Sleeveless styles are OK, but nothing that shows cleavage, nothing tight or clingy. For late March, long sleeved blouses and knits are going to be your best bet; it may be Spring, but the weather is still going to be a bit chilly.
Sweaters: Pack a couple of versatile sweaters to layer over your tops; this will allow you to dress in layers to adjust to the heat and cold.
Bottoms: Your bottoms wardrobe is going to center around long pants. Pack a couple of pairs of casual pants, and one pair of dressier pants. You can also bring jeans—tourists do wear jeans; however, they’re somewhat less common amongst the more formal Japanese women. Skip the shorts, but cropped pants are do-able if they work with your figure.
Dresses: If you’re going to be attending any more formal events, you can also pack a dress (knee-length or longer) for the occasion.
Outerwear: For late March, a light jacket should suffice to keep you warm (especially if you’re layering with sweaters).
Shoes: If you’re planning on bringing only one pair of shoes, you will want a comfortable yet stylish flat that will work for sightseeing and dressier occasions. I recommend a pair of Cole Haan flats with Nike Air technology or a pair of Softspots with a tempurpedic footbed.
Last thoughts? Get a pedicure before your trip, and make sure to bring lots of pairs of socks. As you sightsee, you’ll often be asked to remove your shoes when you visit temples and other buildings.
Have a great tip about what to wear in Japan? Share it with us in the comments!
March 5th, 2009
Crochet detailing adds a rich touch to this plain tee. And don’t you love that deep teal color?
$24.50 at American Eagle.
March 5th, 2009
If you’re a fan of scarves, but not of vests, here’s a sweater vest to get you started. Added bonus? The surprising closure on the vest: an oversized safety pin.
$17.80 at Forever 21.
March 4th, 2009
It may still be Winter, but Spring is just around the corner. (At least, that’s what retailers would have us believe.) Welcome the warm weather with clean basics and a bright splash of color. Here’s how to get the crisp Spring look:
1. Start with a crisp buttondown shirt. If you’re bold, try a bright color (like this slim striped red shirt).
2. So as to make the bright shirt the focus of the outfit, pair the shirt with a pair of dark pants. Dark rinse, straight leg jeans will always do the trick.
3. Toss on a lightweight trench to complete the outfit. Note how the bright shirt really pops against the sand colored trench.
4. Accessorize with a pair of comfy loafers and a quality work bag. With the sand colored trench and the bright shirt, brown shoes create the perfect pairing. Black accessories would be too imposing on such a light outfit.
How will you transition your wardrobe for Spring? Share your style with us in the comments!
March 4th, 2009
