Posts filed under 'Women'
There’s no better way to perk up a dreary day outfit (and stay warm) than a brightly colored sweater. It’ll brighten your outfit–and it’ll lift your mood. Here’s to cheery cloudy days–and the best of the Bright Sweaters out there:
Our $$ Picks:
Cotton Cashmere Primrose Cardigan | $98 at J Crew
The cotton lawn flowers adorning the front placket take this sweater from average to amazing.
Egyptian Cotton Short Sleeve Cardigan | $65 at J Crew
Isn’t this royal blue color to die for? Goes great with neutrals…and a splash of orange.
Ruched Sleeve Shawl Wrap Sweater | $57 (approx) at Topshop
We just can’t get enough of this gorgeous teal color.
Our $ Picks:
Elbow Sleeved Waffle Cardigan | $39.50 at Gap
The elbow sleeves on this cardigan let your button-down shirts shine for a perfect business casual ensemble.
Sweater Knit Drawstring Hoodie | $24.50 at Old Navy
Layer this hoodie over a striped shirt for a playful look.
March 19th, 2008
We’ve been shopping more and more at Banana Republic lately. Maybe it’s their new signature line, maybe it’s their bold colors for spring, or maybe it’s their classic-with-a-twist details. Maybe it’s all three. Presenting our five favorite picks from Banana Republic’s current collection:
3/4 Sleeve Beaded Cardigan | $89 at Banana RepublicCheerfully yummy.
Silk Lace Top | $79 at Banana Republic
The beauty is in the details–scalloped lace and pin-tuck pleats.
Silk Ruffle Sleeve Top | $64 at Banana Republic
The layered ruffles lining the sleeves are an inspired touch to an already gorgeous silk blouse.
Flatiron Embossed Triangle Satchel | $248 at Banana Republic
Expensive, yes, but consider it an investment piece that’ll earn you dividends each time you tote it.
Three Stone Cabochon Bracelet | $34 at Banana Republic
The perfect accessory to finish off your statement outfit.
March 17th, 2008
We asked: Would you wear a Minidress?
You said: Maybe. For the second week in a row, both "Yes" and "No" each got 50% of the vote.
Style tip? If you have less-than-perfect legs, you can still pull off the minidress trend. Try wearing a minidress over (opaque) tights. Black tights are the most slimming, but you can also experiment with color here.
Next question: We’re seeing plaid everywhere–on the runway, in stores, and on the streets. But would you wear plaid yourself? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Kate Dress | $98 at J Crew.
March 17th, 2008
Welcome to a Special Sampler Edition of the Friday Fashion Hotlist. This week, we present to you Our Favorite Goodies from the Sampler to show you the best of the best from independent crafters and artists.
Bees Knees Gocco Print | $3.50 each at Andy Pratt Design
Andy Pratt’s Location Collection features handmade letterpress visions of Brooklyn, Nice, and London.
Check out Mixtape’s Etsy Store.
Mixtape’s designer is a lover of all things quirky, kitsch and retro cool. Like these vintage shilling charms.
Poppy Bobbypins | $6 each at Foundling
Foundling’s Bobbypins are made of repurposed vintage fabrics. Absolutely lovely.
Are you a designer or crafter? Spread the word about yourself by sending your goods to The Sampler today!
March 14th, 2008
Q: I will be turning 30 in April and have decided to celebrate by finding a signature scent to wear for the next decade. I do think perfume can add something special, but… a lot of places are becoming scent free, and I don’t want something that’s either overpowering or girly. How do I choose a scent, and is it considered rude to wear perfume these days?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: At thirty, you should be looking for a complex and sophisticated perfume that reflects your personality and life experience. Select a perfume that speaks to your own unique personality—and one that doesn’t overwhelm you.
When selecting a perfume, consider your climate. Some scents are too heavy for the summer, and others are too light for the winter. Beyond that, we can’t tell you which perfume to choose—choosing a scent is very personal as each perfume has a different chemical reaction (and thus, a different scent) on each individual. Like we said in our article on cologne last week, we recommend experimenting by (1) finding scents that appeal to your senses, and then (2) seeing how the scent smells on your skin. One trick for clearing your nose from all the different scents (cleansing the palate, so to speak) is to carry coffee beans with you. Sniffing coffee beans will clear your nose from the scent of the previous perfume.
Great classics are usually a good place to begin, so try Robert Piquet’s Fracas, Chanel No. 5 or Coco by Chanel. For a non-overpowering, non-girly scent, you may also want to try the lush tuberose scent of Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle. A couple of my personal favorites are Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie (which has pear and peach notes) and Jil Sander #4 (which is a little spicy).
As for your last question, it’s not rude to wear perfume–it’s rude to wear too much of it. Rule of thumb? If you’re riding in an elevator, your fellow passengers should only smell a trace of the perfume. Try a dab here and a dab there–or spray the scent into the air and walk through it.
Have a great tip about how to pick a perfume Or would you like to share your favorite scents? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Petite Cherie by Annick Goutal (left) and Coco by Chanel (right).
March 13th, 2008
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
We asked: Would you wear Yellow Green?
You said: Maybe. Both "Yes" and "No" got 50% of the vote.
Style tip? If your skin has warm undertones, yellow green (and yellow) will likely flatter you. But if your skin has cool undertones, try jewel tones–such as emerald green–instead.
Next question: It’s no question that minidresses are a hot commodity for Spring. But would you actually wear them? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Embroidered Linen Popover Blouse | $98 at J Crew.
March 9th, 2008
Since 2003, Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk have been collaborating on a flirty, feel-good fashion line called, quite appropriately, Jovovich-Hawk. The LA-based line is known for its independent, romantic look–with wisps of vintage details. But as a designer line, Jovovich-Hawk was out of reach, price-wise, for many of us. No longer. Jovovich-Hawk is the latest designer line to join Target’s GO International roster, and we’ve picked out our favorite pieces from the collection just for you:
Jovovich-Hawk Chevron Swimsuit | $29.99 at Target
Channel vintage elegance when you’re lounging by the pool. We love the slimming effect of the chevron stripes.
Jovovich-Hawk Short Sleeve Hoodie in Heather Grey | $17.99 at Target
Classic with a twist–and soon to be one of your weekend favorites.
Jovovich-Hawk Arabesque Halter Dress | $29.99 at Target
The halter silhouette and the deep v-neckline flatters women with a small bust.
Jovovich-Hawk Floppy Hat in Ebony | $14.99 at Target
Bring on the drama with this vintage-inspired floppy hat. And don’t forget your oversized sunglasses.
Jovovich-Hawk High Waist Denim Jeans | $34.99 at Target
What’s not to love about these high waisted jeans? They make you look taller by visually elongating your leg, and the dark wash gives you a bonus slimming effect.
March 7th, 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
Bold, eye-catching, and completely chic, black and white graphic prints are a classic. While they’re particularly on trend for Spring, they have enough staying power to stay in your closet for seasons to come. Here’s Omiru’s picks for black and white graphic print dresses:
Our $ Pick:
Velvet Torch Double V-Neck Dress | $68 at Nordstrom
The empire waist silhouette makes you look taller–and is especially flattering for long-waisted women.
Our $$ Pick:
Silk Printed Dress | $148 at Banana Republic
So we cheated, this dress is actually navy instead of black…but we love it so much that we had to include it. Isn’t the print gorgeous?
Our $$$ Pick:
Black Halo Sunburst Dress | $328 at Tobi
As sexy as it is sophisticated, this dress is completely eye-catching in front and in the back.
March 4th, 2008
Next Posts
Previous Posts
