Posts filed under 'Women’s'
Q: I have three pairs of boots: knee-high, calf-high, and ankle-high. What kind of pants/jeans/skirts go well with each pair?
A: Here’s what to wear with each type of boot:
Knee-high boots: Knee-high boots provide enough coverage that you can show some skin. Miniskirts are a chic option, though knee-length skirts also work. If you do pair a knee-length skirt with the knee-high boots, however, remember to let a bit of leg peek out between the two.
Calf-high boots: Our favorite look for calf-high boots calls for a skirt that hits above your knee. Pants and jeans also work for calf-high boots.
Ankle-high boots: While it’s technically fashion forward to pair them with leggings/tights and skirts, we’d recommend pairing ankle boots with long pants only.
Pictured: MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Studio’ Ankle Boot | $188.95 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.
May 29th, 2007
Q: I’m attending a business conference in Miami with my boyfriend in July. I want to look fashion-forward but not out of place. What should I wear to the day gallery sessions and the after parties?
A: Miami style is fashion-forward and very body conscious. But since you’ll be there on business, balance that image consciousness with business-appropriate attire that will help you beat the humidity and the heat.
For your day sessions, we have four outfit suggestions:
(1) Button-down shirt + Wide Belt + Pencil Skirt
(2) Cropped Jacket + Patterned Sheath Dress
(3) Floaty Blouse + Pencil Skirt
(4) Shirtdress
As for the evening after parties, remember that you’re still at a business conference. Avoid overtly sexy styles, like deep plunging necklines and strapless dresses. We’d recommend either wearing a dress–wrap dresses are simple and chic–or a blouse-skirt combination. Stand out from the crowd not for the silhouette–but for the colors and the patterns you choose to wear. Don’t be afraid to sport bright colors–they’re both on-trend and appropriate for Miami’s tropical weather.
One last thing–afternoon thunderstorms are quite common during the summer. Don’t forget your umbrella and rain jacket!
Pictured: Crochet Button Shirtdress | $148 at Banana Republic.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 24th, 2007
Q: Do you think high waisted wide belts will be the new fashion? How do you wear them?
A: Wide belts are an ongoing trend, and coupled with this season’s emphasis on a higher waistline, high waisted wide belts are on-trend.
Our favorite high waisted wide belt look pairs the belt with a high waisted pencil skirt. When the wide belt and the pencil skirt are the same color, the look is not only slimming, but your legs appear to be super long, making you look taller.
Pictured: Soft Gloss Snake Wide Belt | $8.80 at Forever 21.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 22nd, 2007
Q: I’m 5 feet tall, curvy, and love skinny jeans. Just think of me as a five foot Beyonce. What brand is best for me?
A: Off the cuff, we recommend Babyphat jeans, as they are designed to fit women with curves. But for personalized recommendations, we’d also suggest taking a look at Zafu.com. They’ve tried on and tested hundreds of jeans, and after filling out a short questionnaire (it took me less than 5 minutes), they give you your best jean recommendations.
Pictured: Babyphat Monarch Wash Skinny Jeans| $69 at Babyphat.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 18th, 2007
Q: Is it ok to wear sheer black pantyhose with an above-the-knee black cocktail dress?
A: Depending on the occasion, it may or may not be necessary to pair your cocktail dress with pantyhose.
Rule of thumb? The dressier the occasion, the more necessary it is to wear pantyhose.
But to answer your question, it is OK to wear sheer black pantyhose with an above-the-knee black cocktail dress. In fact, the head-to-toe black ensemble will visually elongate your body, making you look taller and thinner. And dark colored pantyhose does wonders in making your legs look slimmer.
With regards to shoes, just make sure that the shoes are closed-toe if you’re wearing pantyhose.
Pictured: Diana Striped Organza Halter Dress | $298 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.
May 17th, 2007
Q: All the empire-waist dresses and tops advertised this season look lovely - however putting them on in the shop makes me look like the one thing I’m not: pregnant. Being tall and rather slim still won’t help. Any suggestions as to how to avoid the "she might just be" stares at work?
A: We know exactly what you mean about the might-be-pregnant empire waist styles. The pregnant look comes from stiff and/or blousy empire waist tops and dresses. Because of the elevated placement of the waistline, if the fabric beneath that waistline doesn’t skim the body, you end up looking like you might be expecting. After the jump, two tips to avoid the pregnant empire waistline look:
(1) Look for styles made of drapey fabric, such as a buttery cotton jersey or silk charmeuse.
(2) If you’ve fallen in love with a blousy empire waist top or dress, wear a belt to reign in the extra fabric.
Pictured: Belted Silk Macrame Woven Top | $78 at Banana Republic.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 15th, 2007
Q: Any suggestions for a cool handbag for women with a toddler? It has to have space for a diaper or two and can’t be carried in hand in case I need both hands to grab the little one. I carry a backpack, but my friends keep teasing me that its 70’s or 80’s style and that I am not moving on…
A: The ideal handbag for women with a toddler combines the style of a traditional handbag with the functionality (and pockets) of a diaper bag. Our favorite bag that bridges the two is Hayden Harnett’s Ibiza Tote.
Why is it perfect? A detachable strap allows this bag to be worn either crossbody (leaving both your hands free) or under your arm. Plus, we love the two large exterior pockets–perfect for stashing extra diapers.
Pictured: Ibiza Tote | $198 at Hayden Harnett.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 11th, 2007
A couple of weeks ago, the Omiru community provided some great style advice to another Omiru reader, Christina, who was looking for fashion ideas for her summer design internship in New York.
You did such a great job, in fact, that another reader, Teresa, is asking for your sage advice.
Says Teresa, "I’ve lucked into every college student’s dream - the office where I did my internship last summer has offered me a full time position after I graduate next month! In my new position I’ll be working with design firms, community-member boards, and local construction contractors, so it’s important that I look accessible but also respectable. My question about my new wardrobe is this. My identity and my style is quite butch; I’m not comfortable in feminine tops, curvy pants, or skirts. I’d like to retain the flavor of my personal style as I assemble a wardrobe for the working world. How do I do this without looking like I’m in drag?"
So, tell us, what do you think Teresa should wear to work? Please leave your advice in the comments of this post.
May 10th, 2007
Q: I love the look of knee length narrow coats, but I’m only 5′1". Is it against the fashion rules for me to wear such a long coat?
A: Don’t be afraid to sport a knee-length coat if it’s a narrow cut.
While long, floor-length coats will overwhelm your small frame, knee-length coats, if proportioned correctly, can be figure flattering. Here’s six things to look for in a knee-length coat for maximum figure flattery:
(1) Styles with simple lines,
(2) One or two button closures,
(3) Narrow lapels that end above the natural waistline,
(4) Empire-waist styles,
(5) High necklines, which create the illusion of height, and
(6) Belts, which (if any) should be placed above the natural waistline.
Pictured: Via Spiga Smoke Grey Wool Blend Graphico Coat | $183.99 (sale) at Bluefly.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 9th, 2007
Q: I am attending a wedding in South Carolina in May. The wedding is supposed to take place outside and it was requested that the dress be casual. Help!
A: Even though the requested dress is "casual," we’d still recommend wearing a dress or a skirt-blouse combination. We have three casual wedding style tips for you:
1. Because the wedding is both casual and outdoors, we’d recommend wearing a short dress–but no overtly sexy styles, since it is a wedding. Try strappy or halter styles instead.
2. Since the wedding is in May, bright colors are not only on-trend but also seasonally appropriate.
3. Lastly, since the South tends to be a bit more formal, we’d recommend bringing a cardigan for some extra coverage.
Here’s three dresses to get you started:
(Pictured) Playa Tank Dress | $250 at J Crew
A figure flattering empire-waist dress is dressed up with a seasonally appropriate bright yellow color.
BCBG Max Azria ‘Penny Dot’ Dress | $158 at Nordstrom
A bright graphic dotted print spices up a matte jersey babydoll dress.
Generra Tie Back Dress | $161 at Shopbop
This halter dress features figure flattering ruching at the (empire) waistline and a comfortable above-the-knee hemline.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 4th, 2007
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