Posts filed under 'Women'
Simple and chic go hand in hand with this purposefully plain outfit. Here’s how to get the look:
1. Start with a pair of dark rinse jeans (the Switzerland of clothes - always neutral, and goes with everything).
2. Add a white button-down shirt. Choose one with a twist–this tuxedo shirt features pintucked ruffles down the front.
3. Layer on a well-tailored plaid jacket. Extra style points for a bright color, such as red or yellow.
4. Finish off the outfit with a pair of tall boots and a striking handbag in a bright color.
Do you have a simple chic go-to outfit? Share your style with us in the comments
October 10th, 2008
Q: I’m really not that stylish at all, but I want to learn to be. I want to expand my wardrobe, but I don’t want to fill it with fashion trends that are short lived. How do I go about building a wardrobe that’s young (I’m 23), eclectic, but not typical looking? I do have some basic necessities such as a good white shirt, good black trousers, skinny jeans, and a little black dress.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Smart move. You’re never too young to start building a wardrobe that has style and staying power. Sounds like you’re off to a good start with your wardrobe foundations, but that it’s time to add some personality.
Adding personality to an outfit can be done in two main ways: (1) what you wear, and (2) how you choose to wear it.
With regards to what you wear, you can easily add personality with color and pattern. Maybe it’s adding a bright green tunic, maybe it’s adding a skirt in a dramatic oversized print. Or adding classics-with-a-twist: the clothes that you reach for over and over again in your closet, but with an extra special touch. Items like a perfectly cut polka dotted pencil skirt, a great peacoat with 3/4 sleeves, or a bright yellow pair of heels.
But even a pop of color from a set of bracelets, a cascading set of necklaces, or a statement handbag adds interest to the basics without overwhelming you.
How you choose to wear your clothes is where it gets more interesting. You mention that you want to build a wardrobe that’s not typical looking. You can do this, even building on the basics that you already have. Your good white shirt, for example, can be transformed from a wardrobe basic to something special simply by how you wear it. Try artfully rolling up the sleeves for a relaxed-yet-polished look. Or leaving an extra button unbuttoned and layering it over a lacy undershirt for a playful after-work look. Or go glamorous and add a statement brooch (think Carrie Bradshaw from SATC) – or a gorgeous set of layered necklaces.
Pictured is an example of an outfit that is composed of basics with a twist. The sleek black pencil skirt is a pure basic, but the boatneck top features sailor stripes, the peacoat in bright green has 3/4 sleeves, the cardigan sweater sports two small front pockets, the herringbone scarf is a bright yellow, the heels are not only yellow but also feature a ladylike rosette, and the black handbag is purposely strappy. If you push up the sleeves on the cardigan, you’ll allow the sailor stripes to peek out from under the shorter jacket sleeves. And the bright scarf picks up the yellow in the shoes, adding a touch of lightness to a very city chic outfit.
By building outfits like this, you’ll save your closet from being filled with short lived fashion trends – and you’ll be building a wardrobe that you can count on for years to come.
In the end, dressing is the art of expressing yourself. I encourage you to be playful with your clothes. Go out to the mall and try on a bunch of clothes, even ones that you think that you’d never wear. The results may very well surprise you.
Have a great tip about how to add personality to your wardrobe? Share it with us in the comments!
October 9th, 2008
Jonathan Saunders is the latest designer to join Target for its Go International program. The Scottish designer, recently named the Creative Director at Pollini, is coming stateside with a collection full of his signature prints, clean lines, and slim, body-hugging cuts. Saunders’ collection is fashion-forward, yet somewhat difficult to wear. We’ve pared Jonathan Saunders’ collection down to our five favorite (and wearable) pieces:
Jonathan Saunders Ponte Mini Dress | $32.99 at Target
Jonathan Saunders Colorblock Top | $24.99 at Target
JNSDS Sleeveless Sweater Dress Cilantro | $34.99 at Target
Jonathan Saunders Knit Ponte Skirt | $26.99 at Target
JNSDS Woven Top in Grey | $22.99 at Target
October 7th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Oxford Flats?
You said: Yes to Oxford Flats, with a full 64% of the vote.
Style tip? Oxford Flats are a classic that’s right on trend with tailored menswear-as-womenswear styles. And they’re getting a bit of a makeover with Oxford Heels (perfect for those of us who could use a few extra inches of height). You can wear your Oxfords with tailored classics, but we’d recommend having them serve as a foundation for an outfit that’s a bit more edgy. Say, wide-leg pants, an artsy blouse, and a statement belt.
Next question: Prep-school style has been dominating Fall Fashion - crested blazers, plaid, and sweater vests. But what do you think about sweater vests? Tell us, would you wear a Sweater Vest? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Isaac Mizrahi Polly Oxford Skimmers | $20.99 (sale) at Target.
October 6th, 2008
Q: I love wearing scoopneck shirts in the summer–they show my collarbones (my favorite parts of my body), and the rounded neckline really complements my curvier body. Is there any way to get a similar effect with warm, winter clothes? I feel like everything I try on for fall/winter makes me look gigantic.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: When you find what works for you, our best advice is to stick with it. Since you find that scoopneck tops flatter your figure, we encourage you to wear them all year round. Here’s how to wear this summer weather top during fall and winter.
Instead of summer’s plain cotton scoopnecks, look for winter varieties in thin, warm insulating fabrics. We’d recommend against chunky, bulky fabrics, as the volume on these tops will erase the figure flattery gains you’re getting with the scoopneck shirts. Instead opt for fabrics that are natural insulators, such as silk.
But of course, thin fabrics aren’t naturally as warm as thicker fabrics. To get the warming effect of a thick fabric with the look off thinner fabrics, dress in layers. You can layer two (or more) thin shirts together to get the warming power of a thicker shirt or sweater. When you wear two thin shirts, you get the warmth of each of the individual shirts, plus the heating power of the warm air trapped in between the shirts. Two are really better than one, especially if your undershirt is made of silk.
If layered shirts are still not warm enough for you, add a cozy sweater or cardigan. You don’t need bulk for warmth if you’re layering - merino wool and cashmere are warm without necessarily being bulky.
And if you feel a chill, throw on a pretty scarf. There’s no excuse for not wearing your favorite neckline!
Have a great tip about how to wear summer clothes during fall and winter? Share it with us in the comments!
October 3rd, 2008
Gap’s Patrick Robinson brings us bright colors, sophisticated fabrics, and feminine details for Fall. Presenting our five favorite picks from Gap’s Fall 2008 collection:
Ruffle Bib Plaid Shirt | $48 at Gap
We’re loving the feminine ruffles on this pretty plaid shirt. Pair it with something structured for a chic Fall look.
Tweed Blazer | $98 at Gap
Tweed fabric makes your basic blazer a touch more sophisticated. Pair it with a feminine blouse for best effect.
Puffer Vest | $64 at Gap
It’s getting cold outside, but you don’t have to match the dreary weather. Brighten up your outfit - and your day - with this bright yellow puffer vest.
Jewel Toned Dress | $78 at Gap
The exaggerated dropped waistline on this jewel toned dress does wonders for shortwaisted women.
Striped Denim Sailor Skirt | $49.50 at Gap
This casually sleek pencil skirt gets a little something extra with nautical inspired buttons.
October 2nd, 2008
Q: I’m 19 years old, 6′2", and have a skinny body. I love fashion, but for religious reasons I’m supposed to wear modest clothes, like long skirts or dresses, but they always make me look even taller and not very attractive. I hope you have some advice for me on how I can look chic, shorten my height, and still dress modestly.
A: To make yourself look shorter, the key is to manage the visual length of your legs. Basically, the shorter your legs look, the shorter you look. So skip the high waisted pants, and instead opt for low rise styles. Any garments that visually lower your waistline will help to create the illusion of a shorter you - drop waist coats and dresses, skirts with a lower waistline, and low rise pants.
The other key way to manage your height is to choose garments with horizontal details. The horizontal details draw the eye from side to side, which will help to visually shorten you. Look for horizontal stripes, horizontal seamlines, and any other details that visually cut your body widthwise.
Layering is going to be your friend as you put your outfits together. With your height (and your age), you have the opportunity to experiment more with layering. Pictured is a simple fashion formula that you can play with: a drop waist coat, a long sweater that hits at the hip, a top with horizontal details, wide-leg jeans, and flats. When the weather gets chillier, add a colorful scarf to the outfit for extra color and texture.
Last words - I know it may be hard now, but I hope that you’ll come to embrace your height in time. I’m at the opposite end of the height scale, and I always wanted to be tall, if only for the fashion! With your tall, slim physique, you can wear the styles that I can only dream of!.
What advice do you have for fashion-forward women who dress modestly? Share your style with us in the comments!
September 30th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear Electric Pink?
You said: No to Electric Pink, says 57% of you. Only 43% are for Electric Pink.
Style tip? Bold colors and bright hues are playing a central role this Fall. Royal purple, Grass green, Cobalt blue, Blood Orange, and Electric Pink are all fair game. Should you choose to wear Electric Pink, you can be bold and wear it proudly - or you can tone it down with shades of brown or grey. An easy way to add a touch of Electric Pink to your wardrobe is through accessories, like the pictured Patent Skinny Belt.
Next question: Now that Fall is here, it’ s time to put away the Espadrilles and the Gladiator Sandals (sigh). We’re shopping around for Fall shoes - and we’re considering Oxford Flats. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Oxford Flats? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Patent Skinny Belt | $7.80 at Forever 21.
September 29th, 2008
Temperatures are falling, the days are getting shorter, and soon the leaves will turn beautiful shades of orange, yellow, and brown. While we’re going to miss the lazy days of summer, we’re excited for the beautiful colors and luxurious layers of Fall Fashion. Here’s some inspiration for a layered Fall look that’s completely on trend:
Why does this outfit work?
(1) The outfit is anchored by a single statement piece. The eye is immediately drawn to the yellow patterned tank.
(2) Color coordination ties the outfit together. The yellow patterned tank is surrounded by an adjacent hue, orange, both in the form of a hoodie sweater and a pair of standout shoes. A brown handbag picks up the brown in the tank as well.
(3) Count the trends that this outfit manages to combine. We count Statement Prints, Orange, Brightly Colored Shoes, and thanks to the crisp piped blazer, Prep School Chic.
What will you wear to transition to Fall? Share your style with us in the comments!
September 26th, 2008
Q: My wardrobe is mainly solids. Any suggestions as to how to work patterns into your wardrobe both for work and for play?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: It’s common to be uncomfortable with pattern and color–it’s just so easy to fall back on the safety net of black or other monochromatic neutrals. Though these neutrals are easy, they’re not always the most flattering. Even neutrals can visually drain color from your face–and they leave you as a bit of a fashion wallflower.
How to Choose a Pattern
Be sure the pattern is scale to your own proportions. Petites should look for small patterns so as not to overwhelm the body. Those with larger frames, however, would look frumpy in small, delicate prints.
How to Choose Colors for your Patterns
Choose colors that enhance your own coloring. How do you know what colors work for you? Here’s a simple test: Hold two pieces of construction paper under your face: one orange the other pink. Whichever color softens your features and lessens shadows on your face is the tone you should look for. If orange works better for you, look for warm colors like reds and oranges. If pink makes you look better, look for cool colors like greens and blues.
How to Wear Pattern
An easy way to ease pattern into your wardrobe is through accessories. A scarf added to a solid dress or dark suit adds a pop of life. Look also for patterned belts, tights, and handbags. Once comfortable with pattern on accessories, you can move on to blouses, skirts, and even dresses.
The easiest way to wear a pattern is to wear one single pattern against a backdrop of solid colors. Pick a color from the pattern to wear as your primary solid color. For example, if your sweater is red, yellow, and pink, you can pair it with a skirt that’s red. Note that the shade of red in the solid colored skirt doesn’t need to match the shade of red in the pattern.
If you’re really daring, you can try mixing and matching patterns. If you’re matching the same type of pattern (e.g. stripes and stripes), mix up the size of the pattern - one big and one small. If you’re matching different types of patterns (e.g. plaids and stripes), keep the scale of the pattern the same.
Have a great tip about how to work patterns into your wardrobe? Share it with us in the comments!
September 25th, 2008
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