Posts filed under 'Q&A'
Q: I am attending a black tie optional charity event, to which I’d normally wear a full length black gown. I recently found a great "brown" full length gown that I really like but am not sure if brown is an appropriate color. Your thoughts?
A: Black Tie Optional dress for women calls for long evening gowns, evening separates, and, in more casual geographies, cocktail dresses. For men, tuxedos or dark suits are customary at black tie optional events.
Dark colors are customary, but especially with this season’s focus on bright color, colors are not excluded. So–your brown full length gown will certainly be appropriate for the event. The most important thing is to wear a dress that you really love–so you win both ways.
Pictured: Adrianna Papell Charmeuse Halter Gown with Scarf | $168 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a black tie optional event?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
October 5th, 2007
Q: I just bought a great pair of grey boots that go up to my knees. They are about 3 inches high with a pointed toe and three military inspired studs on each boot. With what do I wear them?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A:
You’re very on-trend with the grey military boots–both military-inspired styles and the color grey are key trends for Fall. We’re especially happy about this season’s celebration of the color grey, since grey is a great color to play with tonally. Pair your military boots with a grey coat and a grey scarf and let the variations of hue (and texture) pull your outfit together.
But don’t forget to add a splash of color to your look–adding a fire engine red handbag or a bright yellow blouse will add a dash of drama to your outfit.
Pictured: GUESS? Donegal Tweed Walking Coat | $168 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about what to wear with grey military boots?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
October 4th, 2007
Q: I’m 5′5", a fairly athletic size 2, and a 34D with a short torso. I’m fine in suits, layers and button up shirts, but I fear tunics because with my boobs, someone may either think I’m pregnant, or with my height, that I’m wearing a MuMu! Given my height and general size, what would be the best style of top for me?
A: No, you’re not being paranoid about tunics. Loose-fitting tunics have the tendency to make you look like you have no shape to your body. Plus, given your generous bust, they’ll make you look much larger than you actually are.
The best style of top for you this season would be a long, structured top that extends well past your waistline. Structured tops help to define your figure (and can help de-emphasize your bustline), and since you’re short-waisted, longer tops will help visually balance out your top and bottom halves. In particular, I like woven wrap tops for you, as they’ll show off your figure to your best advantage.
Have a great tip about what tops to wear to flatter a large bust? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Jones New York Signature Stretch Wrap Shirt | $64 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
October 3rd, 2007
Q: I was impressed with the way Eva Greens character in "The Dreamers" dressed–that kind of "Paris in the 60s" style. What would you recommend as basics so I can wear that style while not looking like I sprung out of an Austin Powers film?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Eva Green’s character in The Dreamers, Isabelle, is the siren, and her wardrobe embraces her femininity and sexuality. Her clothes never overwhelmed her–she did not choose graphic prints or the angular, mod cuts of the sixties.
As an aside, the French designers of the sixties, such as Courreges and Saint Laurent, came from the formal tradition of Balenciaga, with rich heavy fabric, superb tailoring and sculptural shapes. London, on the other hand, had the wilder and more youthful Mary Quant, Twiggy, and "Austin Powers" looks.
Bringing it back to Isabelle, jewel tones dominated her wardrobe, which encompassed a dark green velvet dress, a rich red minidress, sheer floral blouses, and subtle printed dresses. Isabelle had the classic Frenchwoman’s wardrobe, which, in our humble opinion, would be wise to emulate as it stands the test of time. Here’s our top ten picks to jumpstart the creation of the classic Frenchwoman’s wardrobe:
1. Classic trench
2. Floral blouse,
3. Silk blouse,
4. Loose minidress,
5. Sultry silk dress,
6. Elegant red velvet bag,
7. Beret,
8. Dark tights,
9. Leather boots, and
10. Black opera length gloves.
Pictured: NAVE Pin Tuck Collar Blouse in Bordeaux | $244 at Revolve Clothing.
Have a great tip about other foundation pieces for the chic, classic Frenchwoman?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
October 2nd, 2007
Q: I am headed on a tour of Italy in October for a few weeks. How can I pull off looking chic without killing my feet? I haven’t found any comfort footwear I’d be caught dead in.
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: For your tour of Italy, you’re going to want a solid pair of shoes that will not only protect your feet but also comfort them from all of the walking you’ll be doing. But as you know, shoes that are not only comfortable but also attractive are notoriously difficult to find. Here’s three brands that we recommend checking out:
Sacco Shoes: Known for a combination of comfort and style, Sacco Shoes can be found at their own online store. Sacco Shoes are especially popular amongst New Yorkers–a huge walking town.
Tsubo Shoes: Tsubo combines athletic details and high-tech comfort features with street style for a fresh take on comfort footwear.
Pr!vo Shoes: Though they’re a division of Clarks, Pr!vo doesn’t sell your typical clunky comfort shoe. You’ll see athletic detailing and bright colors–or more classic leather styles. Our personal favorite? The Pr!vo "Oso" Skimmer (pictured).
Pictured: Pr!vo "Oso" Skimmer | $79.95 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about where to find chic comfort footwear?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 27th, 2007
Q: My sister got me a great brown sports jacket, but when I wear it with a white collared shirt and blue jeans, it makes me look like a professor instead of a college student. What can I wear it with the jacket to better suit my age?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: How sweet of your sister to buy you such a useful wardrobe staple!
To make the sports jacket more age appropriate, pair it with a casual top. The graphic tee plus sports jacket is one of the oldest looks in the book, but there’s a reason why it’s a classic. For a look that’s a little more "street," you can wear a hoodie with the sports jacket and tee. To kick the style quotient up a notch, pair it with a deep-buttoned henley or a light weight v-neck sweater.
What colors to wear with brown? Cream, robin’s egg blue, shades of green, and even orange all pair well with brown.
Enjoy your blazer, and do wear it as you take your sister out to dinner when you’re back at home.
Pictured: Herringbone Blazer | $88 at Gap.
Have a great tip about how to wear a sports jacket without looking old?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 26th, 2007
Q: I bought a lambskin bomber front zip form-fitting leather jacket. It has been vegetable tanned and is various shades of brown. I am clueless as to how to pair clothes to create an outfit with this jacket.
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Bomber jackets are versatile and can work with almost any look, from casual to chic. Our best advice is to make the jacket the focal point of whatever outfit you create. To get you started, here’s three looks you can easily recreate with your bomber jacket:
Everyday Casual: The jacket would look fabulous with a dark wash boot cut jean and a little chocolate brown boot.
Cozy Chic: Wearing the brown bomber jacket with a camel colored sweater dress is perfect for the autumn weather.
Fashion Forward: Pair the jacket with a crisp white blouse and a pair of black cigarette pants.
Pictured: GoldSign Astor Leather Bomber Jacket | $850 at Shopbop.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a bomber jacket?
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Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 25th, 2007
Q: What are the must haves in clothing for Fall that one can buy on a budget?
A: You’re in luck–the top trends each season are readily available at all price points. You don’t have to go designer to find great trendy pieces. Our favorite cheap chic stores are H&M, Forever 21, and Target.
The "must haves" for Fall are the clothes that are not only on-trend but also figure flattering. Here’s our Top 5 Most Flattering Trends for Fall:
Sleeved Dresses
Style Tip: These dresses, which are great for covering heavy arms, work best in solid colors or small prints.
High Waisted Trousers
Style Tip: Balance your slouchy high-waisted trousers with a fitted top for a small-over-big silhouette.
Geometric Prints
Style Tip: Wear a single geometric print at a time–and spice up the outfit with something brightly colored that picks up on one of the colors in the print. Note that you don’t have to go designer to find great looking geometric prints. We love H&M for designer-inspired prints at cheap chic prices.
Metallics
Style Tip: We love metallic shoes, which are versatile enough to pair with this season’s brightly colored dresses. Which metal to choose? Try pairing warm colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, with gold. Pair cool colors, such as greens, blues, and purples, with silver.
Oversized Collars
Style Tip: To focus attention on your face, make this dramatic detail the focal point of your outfit—and keep the rest of your look simple.
Have a great tip about where to find must have clothing for Fall? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Velvet Torch ‘Menswear’ Shift Dress | $52 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 21st, 2007
Q: I bought a pair of wonderful brown leather lace up Frye boots that hit 3-4 inches above the ankle. What skirt length should I wear?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Frye boots have an earthy, tough look to them, so you’re going to need a skirt with a similarly tough feel. We like the look of corduroy with tough-looking boots, since the heaviness of the corduroy balances the visual weight of the boots.
Citizens of Humanity has a corduroy pencil skirt that hits an inch above the knee that would work well with your lace-up boots. The corduroy skirt and Frye boots complement each other–very casually sexy.
To complete the look and to create more visual interest, I would add a pair of textured tights. By keeping the color palette of the skirt and tights neutral, the textures would serve as the focal point of your look. Enjoy your boots!
Have a great tip about what to wear with Frye boots? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Citizens of Humanity ‘Novak’ Corduroy Pencil Skirt | $52 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 20th, 2007
Q: What style would be best for a holiday in Lisbon? What about a holiday in Berlin?
A: Fashion is global nowadays, and while each country has its own culture (and weather patterns), fashion across countries is more similar than it is different. In both Lisbon and Berlin, people are wearing bright colors, 80s inspired clothing, and a mix of structured and unstructured pieces. People in Lisbon and Berlin are wearing the same overarching trends you’re seeing in the US–but they’re adapting it for each city.
Lisbon is a coastal town that oscillates between old and new, formal and informal, work and play. Fashion is guided by the climate, which is hot and humid during the summer and remains relatively temperate even during the fall and winter. Think creative layering, unstructured dresses, chunky jewelry, and bright colors.
Berlin is a cosmopolitan, distinctly multicultural city whose style reflects its unique demographic mix. Berlin style is more experimental and has a somewhat "underground" feel. You’re going to see more one-of-a-kind pieces, dark colors, and severe silhouettes. Short shorts, tulip skirts, drapey silhouttes, and dramatically oversized shirts are all fair game.
Have a great tip about what to wear in Lisbon or Berlin? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Clu Ruched V Neck Dress | $173 at Shopbop.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
September 19th, 2007
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