Posts filed under 'Women’s'
Q: New Years Eve is on its way. I’ll be spending it in Times Square with close friends and some friends of friends. It will be way too cold to dress in a skirt or dress. What to wear?! I’m only 18, so keep it funky!
A: Bundle up, it’s going to be cold outside! Whenever we see the Times Square New Year’s Eve countdown on TV, we see people dressed in overcoats, long pants…and most likely, long underwear. Because it’s so cold out, you’re going to want to dress warmly too. But bundling up doesn’t have to be boring.
Build your outfit around a statement coat. Your coat is going to be the first thing people will see–so be bold and pick a funky color (e.g. teal) or style (e.g. oversized lapels). Bright colors are perfect for your New Year’s Eve outing. Not only are they perfectly on trend, but they’re also a way to stand out in the crowd–especially if you get separated from your friends…or you want to spot yourself on TV.
Under the coat, dress warmly with a cozy oversized cowl neck sweater. Wool trousers layered over silk underwear will help to keep out the cold.
Add a bit of sparkle to your outfit with accessories. Go bold with a hat and gloves. Deck yourself with statement earrings–or a set of bold bracelets. Layer on a festive scarf. Finish off the look with a pair of dramatic boots. We recommend a low heel–enough to be festive, but not so high as to make your feet hurt.
P.S. Weather.com is calling for rain on New Year’s Eve. So don’t forget your umbrella!
Pictured: Soia & Kyo Double Breasted Belted Coat | $360 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about what to wear for New Year’s Eve?
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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.
December 28th, 2007
Q: If you are not born with a long swan like neck, can you wear boatneck and/or funnel necklines? Obviously these necklines don’t visually elongate the neck as V necklines do, right?
A: If your neck is on the short side (as mine is), V necklines and deep scoop necklines are the most figure flattering. Boatneck necklines also work pretty well, but funnel necklines and turtlenecks aren’t your friend. The one exception to the rule: you can wear turtlenecks with oversized, drapey necklines–the verticality of the oversized drape tricks the eye into thinking your neck is longer than it actually is.
Pictured: Long Sleeve Cowlneck Sweater | $88 at Banana Republic.
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December 20th, 2007
Q: I work in an office where the temperature is always cold, so I’m looking for a fleece or heavy cardigan. I am leaning towards a North Face fleece for comfort, but I think this will look ugly right? Can you recommend something?
A: Skip the North Face fleece. Sure, it’s comfortable and warm, but you sacrifice style. Fleece jackets are fine for outdoorsy activities, but they don’t belong in the office (unless the jacket bears a company logo–but still, tsk tsk).
Layering is a practical way to keep warm without pulling out the fleece jacket. You’d be amazed how warm you can keep by simply combining multiple thin layers. The canonical combo is the v-neck sweater over the blouse over the thin t-shirt. But you can mix things up–try, for example, doubling up on the tees and layering a wrap sweater over them.
Worse comes to worse, try bundling up with a sweater or cozy poncho. Chunky knits are big this season, and they’re the perfect solution for those of us who sit directly underneath a drafty air vent.
Pictured: Luxe Poncho | $78 at Gap.
Have a great tip about how to stay warm at work?
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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.
December 18th, 2007
Q: I recently bought a pair of trouser jeans. I have a pear-shaped body (slim upper body and heavier bottom), so where should the flare of the jeans start? What looks the best on a thick-thighed girl like me?
A:
The perfect pair of jeans fits you both at the waist and at the hips. Furthermore, this perfect pair of jeans:
(1) Doesn’t gap at the waist (so when you lean over, you don’t reveal your underwear),
(2) Contours your bottom so that the seat of your pants doesn’t sag, and
(3) Avoids unflattering whiskering around the crotch area.
If you have thick thighs, camouflage them with looser fitting jeans. These jeans should still fit snugly at the waist and through the hip (and contour your behind), but the flare should start at the top of the thigh for optimal figure flattery. What to wear with these trouser jeans? Pair them with a looser-fitting top for a big-over-small look.
Pictured: Baby Phat Original 5-Pocket Jean | $59 at Macys.
Have a great tip about jeans that fit thick thighs?
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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.
December 14th, 2007
Q: I’m planning to wear an all red plain wrap dress with belt. What shoes do I match it with?
A: When matching shoes to a dress, the rule is to match the feel of the shoe with the feel of the dress. Is your dress all about glamour? Find a glamourous shoe to match. Similarly, if you’re looking for shoes for a casual sundress, choose a pair of casual shoes. With your red wrap dress, you’re looking for a shoe that’s as classically sophisticated as your dress is.
What about color? You have a few different choices:
(1) Match your red dress with a pair of red shoes. But don’t match the shades exactly–it looks like you’re trying too hard.
(2) Add some sparkle with a pair of metallic shoes. The beauty of metallic shoes is their versatility, since they pair with outfits of any color. They’re also a smart answer to multicolored outfits without a dominant color.
(3) If you want to experiment, try pairing the wrap dress with a shoe with a shot of bright color, or a shoe with flashy details. Some of the best dress-shoe pairings have been those that are unexpected. Think: Carrie from Sex and the City.
Pictured: Ted Baker Baba Heels in Gunmetal | $150 at Zappos.
Have a great tip about how to match shoes to a dress?
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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.
December 13th, 2007
Q: I want to wear my off-white puffer vest with my dark gray Earnest Sewn Jeans but I have no clue what to wear beneath the vest. Any suggestions, aside from black?
A: You’re on the right track–the key to wearing a puffer vest is layering. Since the puffer vest is, in fact, puffy, you’re going to want a thin layer (or two) underneath. Layering tees work well here, as do thin cable knit sweaters (for texture).
As for the color of the undershirt, off-white and grey does naturally pair well with black, as you suggested. But to spice up the look, combine the neutral off-white and grey with a bright color. My first choice would be orange, which looks lovely with grey jeans and whose warm hue will pair well with the off-white vest. Don’t like orange? A warm shade of bright green will also bring out the best in both neutrals.
Pictured: Puffer Vest | $59.50 at Gap.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a puffer vest?
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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.
December 11th, 2007
Q: I am going to a wedding and would love to wear a black dress with gold detail. Would this be ok for daytime as well as evening?
A: Back in the day, it was never OK to wear black to a wedding. Nowadays, however, the wedding etiquette masters have declared black acceptable for evening. Even though black is OK for an evening wedding, it’s frowned upon for a daytime ceremony.
If the wedding is a daytime event, choose a dress in another color–anything but black, white/cream/off-white/etc (too bridal), and metallics (too evening). With bright colors in vogue this season, you’ll be sure to find a wedding-appropriate dress that you can repurpose (for a holiday party, perhaps).
Extra style tip? With minidresses exploding in popularity, take care to find a dress that is appropriate for the celebration. Knee-length or longer dresses are optimal, and just say no to hemlines that are higher than 2 or 3 inches above the knee.
Pictured: Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Sheath Dress | $158 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a wedding?
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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.
December 7th, 2007
Q: While I love hats, do you have any good tips on how to keep hair looking good after taking the hat off? I always end up with flat, lifeless hair.
A: Hats are the ultimate in chic accessories, but they have the unfortunate side effect of giving you Hat Hair. Hat Hair comes in two strains (that aren’t mutually exclusive): Matted Hair and Static-y Hair. You can try to minimize Hat Hair’s effects by wearing hats of lighter weight or those that don’t have an extremely tight fit, but sometimes you just can’t prevent it. Here’s what to do if you have a case of Hat Hair:
Matted Hair: Apply a bit of volumizing spray to your roots and use your fingers to give your hair some oomph.
Static-y Hair: Spray a bit of Static Guard onto your hairbrush and run it through your hair. Don’t have Static Guard and a brush? In a pinch, you can apply a touch of hand lotion to your hair with your fingers to get rid of static.
Pictured: Static Guard Spray | $4.99 at Walgreens.
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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.
December 6th, 2007
Q: I work for a relatively hip, young firm and the annual corporate holiday party is coming up. I recently purchased a Herve Leger bandage outfit (very pink top paired with a very black skirt.) Would this be too over the top for a work function?
A: With work functions, the generally accepted wisdom is to err on the conservative side. You’ll be hanging out with people that you work with–and that, with any luck, you’ll continue to work with for some time. Sexy outfits can work for your best friend’s holiday party, but the office holiday party is still governed by professionalism.
That said, professional outfits don’t have to be unattractive. And since you work at a hip, young firm, you can safely push the boundaries a bit more.
Our rule of thumb? Choose one standout, boundary-pushing detail–and build your outfit around that. You can wear a form fitting dress–but not one that features a up-to-there miniskirt and/or one that is excessively low cut. Or you can get away with that minidress, but one that’s less form fitting. Alternatively, you could try a metallic dress for sparkle–but in a conservative cut (as pictured).
With the Herve Leger bandage outfit, we’re counting two boundary-pushing details: the extreme body-hugging fit and the very pink top. Our advice is to choose one or the other: wear a body-hugging dress OR one in a standout bright color. Remember, you want to be the talk of the office for your stylish fashion choices (and your top-of-the-line work)–not for crossing the don’t-go-there fashion line.
Pictured: Alice + Olivia Sequined Pencil Dress | $495 at Shopbop.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a wedding?
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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.
November 29th, 2007
Q: What are some essential pieces for a laid back, preppy girl look?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: First a bit of fashion history for you: preppy
fashion is derived from White Anglo Saxon College Preparatory School uniforms. Big in the 70s and the 80s, preppy fashion is still very much in style today. But instead of wearing preppy fashion head-to-toe, we generally recommend layering in other pieces for a more laid-back, modern look. To get you started though, here’s eleven staples for a preppy look:
The Navy Blazer
Wool Gabardine Single Button Jacket | $225 at J Crew
The Cable Knit Sweater
Cambridge Cable Crewneck Sweater | $74 at J Crew
The Basic Button Down Shirt
Sparkle Plaid Margaret Shirt | $78 at J Crew
The Polo Shirt
Kendall Polo Shirt | $39.50 at Abercrombie
The Corduroy Pant / The Khaki Pant
Modern Boot Cut Corduroy Pant | $54.60 (sale) at Banana Republic
The Lilly Pulitzer Dress
Lilly Pulitzer Cosette Printed Shirtdress | $195.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Pearl (or Diamond) Earrings
Pearl Stud Earrings | $55 at J Crew
The Cartier Tank Watch
Cartier Tank Francaise Watch | $3,800 at Saks Fifth Avenue
The Ribbon Belt
Striped Grosgrain Belt | $48 at J Crew
The Kate Spade Handbag
Kate Spade Classic Noel Metallic Griffin Tote | $216.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Penny Loafer
BP Paperclip Penny Loafer | $59.95 at Nordstrom
Lastly, here’s two pointers to make your preppy look more laid back:
(1) Play with color. We like darker and richer colors than the generally preferred kelly green and bright pink.
(2) Don’t look too perfect. Your cotton pinstriped button-down could, for example, be left unpressed. Or you can wear it slightly unbuttoned to show some skin.
Have a great tip about what to wear for a preppy look?
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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.
November 27th, 2007
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