Posts filed under 'Women'
We asked: Would you wear Shawl Collar Sweaters?
You said: Yes to Shawl Collar Sweaters, with a 69% to 31% vote.
Style tip? Shawl collars provide an elegant twist to the everyday cardigan or pullover sweater. The style is very American Classic, so it naturally works with other All American pieces: tailored button-down shirts, tweed skirts, and blazers. But you can also mix things up and pair it with edgier pieces: skinny pants, asymmetrical skirts, and biker jackets.
Next question: Military pants are an interesting casual pant alternative to jeans. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Military Pants? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Chelsea Shawl Cardigan | $24.80 at Forever 21.
January 5th, 2009
Whether or not you’re traveling this December, you can look the part of a euro chic jet setter. We’re partial to the polished yet insouciant look of Parisian women. Here’s how to look perfectly Parisian this winter:
1. Start with a pair of military style cargo pants. A brooding brownish olive green is ideal to capture the look.
2. Toss on a warm horizontal striped sweater. If you’re in a super cold climate, don’t forget your layering shirt underneath.
3. Layer on an elegant cape–as essential for warmth as it is for drama.
4. Accessorize with a brightly colored scarf, a pair of boots, and a perfectly polished handbag.
How would you wear this perfectly Parisian look? Share your style with us in the comments!
December 23rd, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Lace?
You said: Yes to Lace, with an overwhelming 77% to 23% vote.
Style tip? No matter what your personal style, there’s a lace for you. If your style is flirty and feminine, try a light colored lace blouse or skirt paired with other light, bright colors. If your style has a harder edge, try a dark colored lace paired with tougher fabrics.
Next question: Shawl Collar Sweaters are all over the place–for both men and women. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear a Shawl Collar Sweater? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Lace Skirt | $65.99 (sale) at Banana Republic.
December 22nd, 2008
As much as we love bright colors, sometimes the chicest outfits are constructed from black and white. Here’s how to combine black and white for a look that’s anything but boring:
1. Start with a plain white button down shirt. Extra style points for special details, such as tuxedo pleating or french cuffs.
2. Pair the plain white button down with a pair of dark rinse jeans. Dark blue jeans are classic, but grey jeans are also a chic choice.
3. Slip on the visual centerpiece of the outfit: a swing jacket in oversized black and white buffalo plaid.
4. Accessorize! For warmth, a pair of cashmere gloves. For style, a bow-tie necklace, a top-handle black and white handbag, and a pair of shiny black booties.
How would you wear black and white? Share your style with us in the comments!
December 19th, 2008
Plaid may be a classic, but it’s also particularly relevant this season. From buffalo to tartan, black & white to red (even yellow), there’s a plaid for everyone. It works for all body types, and you see great pieces at all price points. Here’s seven of our favorite plaid pieces, each (well) under $100.
Buffalo Plaid Short Skirt | $17.80 at Forever 21
Dark Plaid Strapless Dress | $24.80 at Forever 21
Utah Plaid Scarf | $28 at Urban Outfitters
Kimchi Blue Plaid Ruffle Neck Blouse | $34.99 at Urban Outfitters
Bow Back Tartan Skirt | $45 (approx) at Topshop
byCORPUS Pocket Work Shirt | $49.99 at Urban Outfitters
Plaid Belted Coat | $89.99 at Gap
December 18th, 2008
Q: Can Omiru provide some basic guidelines about pairing work shoes and pants/skirts?
Shoes with Work Clothes, courtesy of The Sartorialist
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: To understand how to pair shoes with clothes, you first have to look at silhouette. Shoes should complement the lines and proportions of an outfit, particularly the bottom that you’re wearing. We’ll start with the basics—regular trouser pants and a knee length skirt—and then we’ll expand out into other options:
Regular Trouser Pants
For regular width trouser pants, the classic choice is a medium height (approximately 2†tall) shoe. You can wear pumps, loafers, two-tone shoes…and you can also experiment with different toebox styles. For a sophisticated look, try pointier toed shoes. But for a more chic, casual look, you can try a round toe. If you’re not a fan of heels, you can also try a more subdued kitten heel (usually around 1.5†tall).
Knee Length Skirts
The perfect shoe for a knee-length skirt is a heeled shoe. Most women prefer to wear a medium height heel to visually elongate the leg, but a shorter kitten heel is also a common choice. Women who are blessed with extra long legs can also get away with flats, but the rest of us should steer clear of them.
Wide Trouser Pants
To balance out the width of a wide trouser pant, you’ll need to wear a high heel (3†or taller). The high heel visually (and physically) elongates your leg line, and it gives your bottom half balance. If you’re blessed with long legs, you can also try a medium height heel. But for optimal figure flattery, no low heels or flats allowed!
Skinny Pants
Channel Audrey Hepburn when pairing shoes with skinny pants. What did Audrey wear? Ballet flats, of course! When you’re wearing tight pants, you want a shoe that’s not overly sexy. So steer clear of high heels and shoes with “toe cleavage.†The ballet flat (or even really short kitten heels) will do the trick.
Short Skirts
Short skirts are best paired with a kitten heel or ballet flat at work. If you’re wearing a revealing skirt, you don’t want to go overboard with an overly sexy shoe. That said, the woman in the miniskirt pictured above made the sexy shoe and miniskirt look work. How did she do it? She wore tights to cover up her legs (and tone down the miniskirt), and she wore a heeled bootie. Because they provide more coverage, booties are a less risqué shoe option than an equivalently high heel.
Long Skirts
Because long skirts and wide trouser pants share similar characteristics (length and width), long skirts require the same shoe options as do wide trouser pants. So the same rules apply: high heels are best, and no flats are allowed.
I’ll leave you with two parting thoughts on shoes:
(1) Shoes can be the sole point of interest in an outfit by providing a point of visual interest with design or color. This is particularly true for work clothes, which are often restrictive style-wise.
(2) Shoes do not need to match the colors of your clothes or your handbag but they should enhance your overall look.
Have a great tip about how to match shoes with work clothes? Share it with us in the comments!
December 16th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Patent Leather?
You said: Yes to Patent Leather, with an overwhelming 67% to 33% vote.
Style tip? Patent leather is absolutely classic on shoes, but you can also try patent leather on other accessories–such as belts or handbags. And if you’re even more adventurous, try patent leather in a bright color…yellow, green, or even red. But if you’re just looking to dip your toes into the trend, try a pair of patent leather booties in basic black.
Next question: Lace can be romantic, but it can also be edgy–depending on how it’s worn. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Lace? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Mossimo Vergie Peep-Toe Patent Leather Booties | $29.99 at Target.
December 15th, 2008
A sequined top is great for going out at night - for cocktail parties, or for a festive dinner out. But why not get some extra mileage out of it? Worn with the right pieces, you can pull off the sequins-during-the-day look. Simply juxtapose it against more tailored pieces, and play down the glam factor with more casual clothes. Here’s how to wear sequins during the day:
1. Start with your basic sequined top. The simpler the shape of the top, the more versatile it is.
2. Add casual pieces: a pair of jeans and a brightly colored hoodie. The orange hoodie brings out the warmth in the gold sequined top.
3. Bring on the tailoring with a structured jacket and oxford shoes. The boxy tweed top and the lace-up booties elevate the casual jeans and hoodie.
How would you wear sequins during the day? Share your style with us in the comments!
December 12th, 2008
You may see plaid paired with preppy sweatervests and tailored blazers, but plaid doesn’t have to be stuffy. Here’s how to pull off casual plaid with a polished twist:
1. Start with a fitted plaid shirt. Fit is key; if the shirt doesn’t fit correctly at the shoulder, bust, and waist, the outfit loses its polish.
2. Slip on a pair of dark rinse jeans. They really do go with everything!
3. Layer on a fitted puffer vest. If you’re long and lean, you can afford to wear a vest with a lot of puff. But for the rest of us, try a vest that’s not filled quite so completely. The good news is that these less-filled puffer vests tend to be cheaper than the luxuriously puffed ones. Note how this brown vest brings out the best in the blue plaid shirt. The plaid lining of the hood also adds a nice coordinated touch.
4. Finish off the outfit with a pair of brown boots (echoing the brown in the vest) and a brightly colored handbag to add a splash of color.
How would you wear plaid? Share your style with us in the comments!
December 11th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Velvet?
You said: Yes to Velvet, with a close 55%-45% vote.
Style tip? Sure, Velvet may be one of the most classic cold weather fabrics, but it’s not for everyone. Velvet is what’s known as a "pile" fabric, with fibers that extend upward. While this "pile" makes velvet somewhat warmer to wear, its thickness, combined with its natural sheen, makes it somewhat difficult to wear. Our favorite way to wear velvet is on a blazer. But mix things up and try a blazer in a different silhouette. Try a long, hip-length style over a cocktail dress (as pictured) or a blouse and high waisted pants. Or try a cropped style, which works great with a high-waisted skirt…during the summer, a long, flowy sundress.
Next question: Patent leather is a classic fabric for shoes and other accessories. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Patent Leather? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Urban Renewal Velvet Blazer | $58 at Urban Outfitters.
December 8th, 2008
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