Archive for August, 2009

Trend Alert: Rebel Jackets

Be a rebel with a cause (for fashion) in one of this season’s snappy biker and bomber jackets.  You can pair them with a white tee and jeans for a modern James Dean look, but we also love them juxtaposed against flirty, feminine styles.  The contrast of the edgy with the romantic is completely alluring.  Want one?  Here’s Omiru’s five picks for versatile rebel jackets:

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Cropped Rebel Jacket | $32.80 at Forever 21

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Courtney Bomber | $59.50 at Delias

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Transatlantic Flight Jacket | $64.99 at ModCloth

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Kieran Bomber | $79.50 at Delias

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Leather Bomber Jacket | $260 at Topshop

3 comments August 25th, 2009

Card-igan Catalog Sweatervest

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Don’t you love how librarian-chic this chunky sweatervest is? Wear it over a pretty button-down blouse.

$34.99  at Modcloth.

August 25th, 2009

Floaty Silk Top

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Get ready for Fall layering with this floaty silk top. Wear it with a statement necklace for best effect.

$24.80  at For Love 21.

August 23rd, 2009

You Said: No to Jumpsuits

omiru-poll-result-jumpsuits_082309

drawstring-waist-jumpsuit_082309We asked: Would you wear a Jumpsuit?

You said:  A resounding NO to Jumpsuits, with a landslide 84% to 16% vote.

Style tip? While the Jumpsuit makes getting dressed easy (one piece, and you’re done), it still has its challenges, as the poll result indicates.  For summer, we think that a short romper, paired with pumps, is your best bet.  For autumn, you’ll want to go with a longer style, like this casual knit jumpsuit.  The key is to work with the laid-back feel of the jumpsuit and pair it with the appropriate accessories: a statement necklace, a waist-defining belt, and sandals.

Next question: Wedge Heels are the new shoe silhouette for Fall–for sandals, pumps, and even booties.  They give you height, but they also can be kind of clunky.  But what do you think?  Tell us, would you wear Wedge Heels?  Cast your vote on the sidebar!

Pictured: Drawstring Waist Jumpsuit | $22.80 at Forever 21

1 comment August 23rd, 2009

J Crew Fall 2009 Womenswear Favorites

Hurrah for Fall Fashion!  We’ve been nonstop shopping, studying the Fall lines of our favorite brands to bring you your best bets for Fall 2009.  As always, we’re enamored of J Crew’s classic-yet-cool take on preppy standards–especially the way they’re able to modernize these wardrobe staples without making them boring.  We also love that J Crew is pushing the boundaries this Fall, expanding into new style territory with their designs.  To celebrate this, we’re focusing on the silhouettes, textures, and colors you probably don’t already have from J Crew.  Here’s the six pieces we recommend adding to your Fall wardrobe:

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Stadium Cloth Winnie Jacket | $245 at J Crew
How to wear it? This cheery yellow jacket works beautifully to warm shades of grey.  Wear it anytime your style warrants a playful pick-me-up.

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Dream Campton Vest | $78 at J Crew
How to wear it? Wear this vest closed for a prim and proper look, but wear it open (and paired under a blazer) for a look that’s less prep and more punk.

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Geo Frances Cami | $88 at J Crew
How to wear it? This flirty blouse can be paired with cords for a weekend look - or with a cardigan and full skirt for a dashing work look.

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Shirred Wool Skirt | $78 at J Crew
How to wear it?  If your itching to ditch your pencil skirt, why not try a flirty, fuller skirt?  It’s a bit short, so pair this skirt with tights and low heels/flats when you head into the office.

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Dream Knox Sweater Jacket | $135 at J Crew
How to wear it? We’re loving that this sweater has a familiar feel (reminds us of one of our favorite jackets), yet the knit texture makes it new again.  Pair it with boyish separates for a gamine look.

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Pointelle Ribbed Tights | $22.50 at J Crew
How to wear it? Keep your legs warm as the temperatures cool with these textured tights.  Wear them under a knee-length dress and finish the look off with booties.

6 comments August 21st, 2009

Frenchie Lace Up Bootie

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Faux crocodile and the lace-up detailing make this ankle bootie a real winner. P.S. We also love the peep toe detail.

$26.80  at Forever 21.

1 comment August 21st, 2009

How Real People Can Get the Skinny Jeans Look

Q:  Skinny jeans are the rage for fall, but some of us aren’t tall and a size 2. How can regular sized folks with a bit of muffin top translate the look?

The Skinny Jeans Look for Real People
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


A:
Well said!  Though skinny jeans appear to be ubiquitous, they’re certainly not for everybody (though, I might add, they’re great for women with short legs, as they make their legs look longer and leaner - I promise!).  But if your personal architecture is steering you away from the severe, skinny cut of these pants, you can get a similar look with straight leg jeans.  Straight leg jeans are easier to wear, especially if your figure isn’t as clean as that of a model. 

In order to find the most figure flattering pair of jeans, I look for stretch styles, which help smooth out bumps and other figure imperfections, while maintaining a slim silhouette.  One other tip for finding jeans that flatter "a bit of a muffin top" is to look for jeans with a higher rise, as the muffin top will be less prominent.  Last thoughts?  In order to camouflage any remaining "puffing" out of the jeans, look for a top that blouses out at the point where it overlaps with the jeans.  Here’s how to get the look of skinny jeans for Real People:

1. Start with a pair of straight leg, stretchy jeans for a figure flattering yet slim silhouette.
2. Add a voluminous blouse on top for a big-over-small look.  Note how the blouse skims over your middle, creating the appearance of a slim figure regardless of your personal architecture.
3. Skinny jeans are traditionally paired with booties, pumps, or flats.  Here, we’ve paired these straight jean replacements with a fun pair of yellow flats to keep the outfit youthful in spirit. 
4. Finish off the outfit with your favorite handbag or clutch.  This straw bow clutch (and the entire outfit) will take you to a outdoors get-together with friends.

How would you translate the skinny jeans look for real people? Share your style with us in the comments!

8 comments August 19th, 2009

BB Dakota by Jack Sage Wool Coat

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The prim and proper military style of this coat makes it a real head-turner. It’s on backorder - so order yours today!

$56  at Lulu’s.

1 comment August 19th, 2009

Gap Fall 2009 Menswear Favorites

We turn to Gap for casual classics - and this season, Gap is really delivering.  We’re seeing the key pieces of the season at Gap - and in that sub $100 price range we love so much.  Here’s our five favorite picks from Gap’s Fall 2009 collection:  

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Authentic Fit Jeans in Resin Rinse | $34.50 at Gap
How to wear it? There’s a reason why we love dark denim - it’s so versatile.  You can pair these dark jeans with both casual shirts (like your polos and tees) and more formal fare (like your button-down shirts and blazers).  

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Lightweight Flannel Shirt | $44.50 at Gap
How to wear it?  The key to not looking like a lumberjack is to pair this flannel shirt with fitted, tailored pieces and accessories.

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Fitted Chambray Shirt | $44.50 at Gap
How to wear it?  We love the classic chambray button-down paired with sand colored khakis and a belt.  

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Field Jacket | $98 at Gap
How to wear it? Work with the outdoorsy feel of this jacket and pair it with a rugged, chunky sweater for Fall.

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Cord Jacket | $68 at Gap
How to wear it? Play with color - pair your cord jacket with a brightly colored sweater.  Let the color peek out by wearing the jacket open.

Thoughts on Gap’s Fall 2009 collection?  Have a favorite that we missed?  Share your style with us in the comments!

1 comment August 19th, 2009

Brushstroke Billowy Top

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Pair this abstract brushstroke top with a slim fitting bottom - in either skirt or pant form - for the most flattering look.

$32  at Twelve by Twelve.

August 19th, 2009

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