Posts filed under 'Women’s'
Q: I work in a super chilly office, and I have to dress somewhere between business casual and business. Everyone has instructed me to wear jeans (since I wear skirts all the time). What is the proper way to dress up jeans?
A: The key to surviving the cold in a chilly office environment is layering, layering, layering. Because while your cube may be freezing, the conference room with southern exposure (and floor to ceiling windows) may be an oven. Layering your clothes allows you to add and remove layers as the temperature around you shifts.
It sounds like your personal style falls on the dressier side, since you’re big on skirts. Like skirts, dark jeans are the way to go for a dressier look. The darker the jean, the dressier the look it creates.
Here’s three basic fashion formulas to get you started:
(1) Blazer + Sweater + Tee + Jeans.
(2) Cardigan + Button-down Shirt + Tee + Jeans.
(3) Jacket + Sweater + Blouse + Jeans.
Finish the look off with a pair of low heels (or boots) and a killer bag.
P.S. If it’s unbearably chilly, you may also want to go hunting for the thermostat or call facilities to adjust the temperature. In a pinch, you can also cover up an air vent that’s blowing directly at you with a plastic trash bag and duct tape.
Have a great tip about how to wear jeans to work? Share it with us in the comments!
March 10th, 2008
Q: I have been hearing rumors about how pearls are coming back. Do you have any recommendations for how to make them look modern?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Pearls are a true classic—while their popularity has waxed and waned over the seasons, they have never gone out of style. It’s no surprise that they’re gaining in popularity now, given the movement towards more ladylike fashion (though they work with almost any outfit, from a casual sweater and jeans to a formal business suit). Plus, pearls are universally flattering—you can find pearls to complement any complexion.
That said, the single strand necklace that your Grandmother wore can look dated. For a fresh, modern look with pearls, here are three tips:
(1) Invest in jewelry that combines pearls with other stones, such as a cluster earring combining pearls with aquamarine or amethyst. Should you have a strand of family pearls, you could restring them, adding crystals or other jewels to the necklace, to make them more modern.
(2) Try Nontraditional Pearls: Baroque pearls are less pristine in appearance, yet they are beautiful in their imperfection. Added bonus? Baroque pearls often come in beautiful colors from pinks to golds to purples. We also love the look of coin pearls, which are characterized by their flat, coin-like shape.
(3) Do as Coco Chanel did: Wear your classic pearl necklace with an assortment of other necklaces to add dimension to their appearance.
Looking for some basic information on pearls? For a primer on pearls, Omiru recommends Blue Nile’s Guide to Pearls.
Have a great tip about how to create a modern look with pearls? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured, from left: Snowdrops and Leaves Asymmetrical Necklace | $56 at t8designs (Etsy), Birds Nest Earrings | $32 at starrydesigns (Etsy), Anita Earrings | $16 at Golden Stiletto (Etsy).
March 6th, 2008
Q: Girls Night Out is approaching! AGENDA: Find some beautiful boys while consuming beautiful cocktails. WHERE: A lounge or two, possibly a bar…and then a nightclub for some all night dancing. I want to look extremely classy, stand out from the crowd, but not look like a prude. What should I wear?
A:
For Girls Night Out, your object is to look gorgeous–but not overly sexy. Like you said, you want to stand out from the crowd, but you also want to look classy. Here’s three style tips to keep in mind as you get dressed:
(1) Show a little skin–but not too much. Pick an area of the body to highlight and stick with it. If you wear a low-cut blouse, show a little less leg, and vice versa.
(2) Stand out with color. To look classy but still stand out, attract attention with bright colors instead of bare skin. Bright green, orange, yellow, and even purple will also help your friends find you in a crowded nightclub.
(3) Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re going to be out all night dancing, we can’t stress this enough. Wear the wrong shoe, and your feet will be screaming by the time you hit the nightclub. Low heels are recommended, but you know how much of a heel you can handle.
Pictured above are three outfit ideas to get you started:
Left: The revealing minidress is balanced out by the knee-high boots. A headband adds a dash of cute to the otherwise sexy outfit.
Middle: Works if you have to go straight from work to dinner with the girls. Keep the top buttoned up during the day, but come nighttime, you can undo the top two or three buttons.
Right: We paired a form fitting pencil skirt with a gorgeous purple halter top for a sophisticated nightclub look.
Have a great tip about what to wear for girls night out at the club?
Share it with us in the comments!
February 27th, 2008
Q: I always have trouble fitting my jeans into my black knee-high boots. How do I snugly fit them in?
A: What’s the trick to fitting jeans into knee-high boots? It’s all about finding the right jeans and the right boots.
To be able to fit your jeans into your boots, the boots have to have enough room in the calf. Structured styles of boots work best–form fitting, stretchy material doesn’t have enough room to accept the extra jeans material.
As for jeans that work well with boots, the less fabric you have to fit into the boots, the easier the fit. Skinny jeans styles are the best, since they have the least amount of fabric in the leg. I’ve found that stretchy jeans (which tend to be more form fitting) work nicely with boots, as do jeans in relatively thin fabrics.
Have a great tip about how to fit jeans into knee-high boots? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Sooft Tyla Tall Wide Shaft Boot | $174.95 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 20th, 2008
Q: I’m going to be flying to London to visit my boyfriend. I’m hoping to wear something comfortable (and warm) yet pulled together since I’ll be going to his flat straight from the airport, and it’ll be the first time we see each other in weeks. Any suggestions for a travel-enduring outfit?
A: Wrinkle free fabrics are going to be your best bet for your straight airport-to-flat rendezvous. And given the chilly temperatures in London, knits are going to be your friend. For a style that’s equally comfortable and warm, try a chunky knit sweaterdress over tights and knee-high boots. Top off the outfit with a 3/4 length or full length wool or cashmere coat (bonus points for bright colors or standout detailing).
But looking great after a long trip isn’t all about what you’re wearing. Remember to bring a beauty mask for the plane–it’ll make it infinitely easier to get your beauty rest on the plane. Lotion can also help to relieve any skin dryness from the exposure to the dry airplane air.
Last to-do? Before you hop in the cab to his flat, freshen up your hair and makeup in the airport bathroom. Bon voyage!
Have a great tip about how to fly in style?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 19th, 2008
Q: What does one wear with (more formal) pants that hit mid-calf? During the summer, flats are a logical choice, but during fall and winter, what does one wear to keep out the cold?
A: Trousers that hit at mid-calf are perfect for warm weather, but they’re not as good for colder temperatures and climates. But if you choose to wear cropped trousers during the winter, we recommend trying tall boots to keep out the cold. Knee-length boots work well, and they’ll fully cover pants that hit at mid-calf.
You may also want to wear another layer underneath the cropped pants–tights or leggings. Double layering your pants will do wonders to keep you warm.
Have a great tip about cold weather shoes for cropped pants?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 18th, 2008
Q: I bought a short sleeved blazer. I figured I could wear it with a camisole and jeans or grey slacks in warm weather. But I swear I just saw someone on TV wearing one with a long sleeved turtleneck. Is this a good way to wear the jacket year-round, or am I trying to hard?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: A long sleeved turtleneck paired with a short sleeved blazer? I don’t think you would look like you are trying too hard.
A short sleeved blazer is, by nature, fun and flirty. It’s the cheery counterpart to the standard down-to-your-wrists blazer that gets most of the attention. Because the short sleeved blazer is about fun, play with it and experiment. Now’s a great time to play with this piece–the short sleeved blazer is on trend for Spring.
But you don’t have to wait until Spring to bust out your blazer. Wear it with a long sleeved turtleneck (perhaps with pencil stripes), dark jeans, and simple earrings. And when it warms up in the Spring, pair it with cute t-shirts or silky, blousy tops.
If you’re afraid of making mistakes, remember the wise words of Chanel- "There are no unattractive women, only lazy women." In other words, only through experimentation will you develop a strong sense of style.
Have a great tip about how to wear a short sleeved blazer?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Leila Plaid Short Sleeved Blazer | $27.80 at Forever 21.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 14th, 2008
Q: I’m a medical student about to start my full time clinical rotations. For certain specialties, I can get away with scrubs, but for the ones requiring office appropriate attire, I’m at a complete loss. Anything a little fashionable or a little sexy ends up sending the wrong message under a white coat (Agyness Deyn might be a trend-setter, but would you want her diagnosing your cancer?) But I would really like to look younger and fresher than the boring button downs and slacks that have become my fall back!
by Jessica Stockdale, Style and Beauty writer at Found4less.com
A: Balance is the keyword to working with this problem. You want to be respected, as you should be. But you don’t want to sacrifice style. And the good news is that you don’t have to. Other than balance, where you buy your clothes will aid you tremendously in picking suitable attire.
Where to Shop
A store like Express has sexy and fun clothes, but most of which are not going to be appropriate for the office. Same goes for the Victoria’s Secret clothing catalog. The good news is that there are plenty of stores to find professionally appropriate attire. We would recommend: Banana Republic, J Crew, Club Monaco, Anthropologie (for their trousers), White House | Black Market (for their jackets), Ann Taylor, and Bluefly.com (especially for their blazers).
What to Wear
The quality of your clothes will also sell your look as more professional. Build a solid foundation wardrobe by investing in some good basics, such as a white blouse, black trousers, a cashmere sweater, and a flattering overcoat. These items will be long-term investments, so if you’re going to splurge, do so here.
Where balance is concerned, it’s fairly easy. Any piece of “sexy†apparel (e.g. V-necklines, light beading, etc) should be worn in a neutral color and in a not-too-tight fit. That said, there are plenty of garments with modestly cut necklines and hemlines in fresh patterns. Feel free to wear bold colors here—in fact, we encourage it!
We especially recommend the fitted blouses that Banana Republic has right now, in four different colors. They’re feminine, but professional. And do check out their cashmere mock turtlenecks and cowlneck sweaters.
Have a great tip about how to dress fashionable yet professionally?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Cotton Ruffle Front Floral Shirt | $58 at Ann Taylor.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 13th, 2008
Q: I am petite (5′) and I always dress demurely, which is really important to me. Is the tunic over jeans look an acceptable outfit for a person with a small frame? Is it too overwhelming, and if it is, are there any other alternatives?
A: Your fashion challenge is to dress demurely while not overwhelming your small frame. The tunic over jeans look can work, but take care in choosing the tunic. Because you’re petite, extra volume has the tendency to add unflattering bulk. So the ideal tunic for you would be slightly more form fitting than the average tunic.
Other demurely fashionable tops include a chunky knit cardigan, a form fitting turtleneck sweater (extra style points for detailing like oversized buttons), or a sleeved, graphic patterned button-down blouse.
At the end of the day, style is about adapting fashion to your own tastes and desires. If you wear whatever makes you feel the best, you can’t go wrong.
Have a great tip about how to dress modestly and stylishly?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Me & Ko Printed V-Neck Tunic | $48 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
February 1st, 2008
Q: I recently bought a beautiful, white leather, wide obi belt that wraps around and is supposed to be tied in a knot in the front. But I don’t know what to wear with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
by Jessica Stockdale, Style and Beauty writer at Found4less.com
A:
Obi belts do wonders to define your waist, so you can pair them with larger, more shapeless garments. Obis are a wonderful accessory for calf-length dresses, long tops, tunics and loose blouses.
Most necklines will look good with an obi belt. Just be careful with turtlenecks/mock-turtlenecks if your top doesn’t have sleeves. Depending on how wide the obi belt is, the overall affect may or may not be slimming.
Obi belts are worn higher up than a normal belt, and they should cinch you a little above the waist. The belt should be cinched around you, but it shouldn’t be too tight. If you can’t move freely and sit comfortably in your outfit, it’ll be obvious, and the outfit won’t look right.
Because the obi belt makes a bold statement, pair it with solid colors to heighten its appeal. Bonus points for choosing a bright solid color to pair the obi belt with—the resulting look is very modern.
Your wide white leather obi belt is perfect for warmer months and climates, so bright colors are going to be your best bet. Try pairing it with this billowy kimono sleeve tunic at ($39.99 at Spiegel)—or this vibrant Diane von Furstenberg sleeveless floral tank dress ($325 at Neiman Marcus).
Have a great tip about wearing an obi belt? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Elegantly Waisted Patent Cummerbund Belt | $82.50 (sale) at Shopbop.com.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
January 29th, 2008
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