Posts filed under 'Ready Made Outfits'
Q: I was wondering how do I wear sneakers in a more feminine way? I’m 16 and I have been flats and sandals for the last year or so, but I do miss the sneakers. But I’ve found out that they clash with my more girly blouses.
A: Sneakers are inherently casual, and they’re also kind of tomboyish. To help combat the tomboyish feel of sneakers, choose sneakers that are inherently more feminine, either in color or detailing. Here’s three ways to wear your sneakers for a more feminine look:
Tip 1: Go Daytime Glamorous with a Dress
Proudly wear a casual dress with your sneakers, and accessorize your outfit with bold jewelry and an elegant handbag. Be bold! Don’t you love the gorgeous black and white zebra print?
Tip 2: Balance Masculine and Feminine
You can embrace the tomboyish feel of the sneakers by balancing a feminine piece of clothing with a masculine one. Here, the feminine airy yellow tank top is counterbalanced by a masculine military-inspired blazer. Added bonus? Grey (instead of blue) jeans.
Tip 3: Embrace the Casual
Sneakers are casual, so go with the flow and create a casual outfit around them. Wear shorts instead of pants, and slip on a breezy chic feminine top.
Have a great tip about how to wear sneakers? Share it with us in the comments!
June 26th, 2008
Summer Neutrals don’t have to be boring. You can embrace the breezy summer weather with whites and beiges without losing pizazz. Here’s how:
Start with a simple base. What could be simpler than a button-down camp shirt and a pair of bermuda shorts?
Vary patterns and textures. The bermuda shorts are plaid, the hobo bag sports a subtle woven texture, and the espadrilles feature eyelet detailing.
Add a dollop of shine. Layer in shine sparingly with simple accessories, like this classic ring or the aviator sunglasses.
How do you wear neutrals with pizazz? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 13th, 2008
Q: My children are 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 and when we are headed out I often wear a uniform of a polo-style shirt and shorts. I have lots of variations on this theme from Lilly Pulitzer to more subdued colors. My problem is in the shoe department. I need an updated, basic pair that would go with almost any shorts & shirt combo and isn’t too hot or, well, ‘mommy-ish.’
A: Makes sense–if you’re following toddlers and small children, you’re going to be on the go all day. A simple shirt and shorts, both in easy care fabrics, are going to be your best bets for warm weather. As for shoes, classic-with-a-twist styles will satisfy your need for style while keeping the shoes accessible for all outfits. But no matter how stylish a shoe is, it needs to be comfortable, especially if you’re going to keep up with your kids! Here’s four slip-on shoe styles that marry comfort and classic-with-a-twist style–and will keep you on the go:
Naturalizer Mirrors Flat | $59.95 at NordstromThe kicky pink color makes these flats fun, but the gel inserts and orthotic footbed make them comfortable. If you’re not into pink (or find the color too limiting), the shoes are also available in black or beige.
Söfft ‘Reva’ Thong Sandal | $84.95 at Nordstrom
We’re loving the bright yellow color–sure to spice up the most neutral of outfits.
Geox ‘Priscilla’ Thong Sandal | $114.95 at Nordstrom
Classic and comfortable, these patent leather thong sandals look great with your casual shirts and pants–but they also work when you want to dress up a notch.
Asgi Footwear ‘Leda’ Wedge | $124.95 at Nordstrom
Also available in black, which makes more sense for running around at the playground.
Moms, what are your favorite go-to sandals? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 12th, 2008
Wear to Work: Tank Top + Jeans, Stripey Style
If you’re like me, you have a whole closet full of casual clothes–and not enough great work clothes. You can make your wardrobe work for you–even at work–if you blend your casual clothes into your work wardrobe. Lesson 1? You can wear a tank top and jeans to work. Here’s how:
Wear Dark Jeans: Dark denim feels more formal than medium or light colored denim, which lends an air of casualness to any outfit.
Slip on Nice Shoes: If you’re going to wear jeans and a casual tank, up the formality of the outfit with a good pair of shoes. Heels are preferable, but a good quality pair of flats will also work.
Add a Structured Jacket: Layer your tank top under a structured jacket or blazer. The tank top can peek out from under the jacket to add a bit of visual interest, but use the structure of the jacket to up the formality of the outfit.
Work with a Theme: You’ll look instantly pulled together if you unify the outfit with a theme. The first outfit pulls together the separate elements using color and stripes. Notice how the stripes in the tank top echo the stripes in the lurex scarf–and the single vertical stripe on the satchel bag. The remaining two elements, the bow jacket and the ballet flats are unified through the bright yellow color. Similarly, the second outfit works with a structured military/nautical theme through the blazer and the handbag. And the blue color of the tank top is echoed in the flower patterned scarf and the nautical handbag.
Have a great tip about how to wear casual clothes to work? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 10th, 2008
Q: I love white jackets/blazers, especially in the summer, but I always feel like I look like a doctor or a vet! Any advice? I’, 5′4" I usually wear a size 2-4P on top, but I am pretty curvy (32D), so I usually avoid cropped styles and jackets with more than 2 front buttons.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Sounds like you’re already on the right track. Since you’re curvy and have a full bust, you want to keep your neckline very open by wearing single breasted jackets in semi-fitted shapes. Like you already know, jackets with a single or double button closure are going to be your best bets. (Bonus points for jackets that button right under your bustline.)
And cheers for you for embracing the White Jacket. White jackets and blazers look fresh for summer, especially given this season’s focus on white. But how do you wear these white jackets without looking like an extra on Grey’s Anatomy? Here’s three ways to avoid the doctor look with a white jacket:
Go Feminine and Flirty with a Brightly Colored Top and a Pretty Skirt
To best flatter your figure, look for moderately low cut blouses and camisoles. The light fabric and open neckline will help to visually lengthen your torso and balance out your bustline. They’ll show enough skin to keep your chest from looking too top heavy, but they’ll also provide enough cover to avoid revealing too much. A splash of bright color peeking out from underneath your jacket will elevate your outfit while keeping the look flirty and playful (and non-doctor-like).
As for skirts, navy looks especially fetching with a crisp white jacket (for the same reason why dark blue jeans and a white shirt are an American classic).
Go Classic (with a Twist) with Black and White
Pair your white jacket with a black and white striped tank top. Narrow stripes are going to be best here; stripes that are too wide will overly accentuate your bustline. Add a skirt in medium grey, dark enough to provide contrast to the white jacket, but light enough to complement the white.
Go Casual-Yet-Tailored Look with a Sexy Top and Dark Jeans
Create a look that’s one part tailored and one part relaxed by mixing casual and formal elements. You can try toeing the line between casual and formal with a crisp white blazer, a sexy top, and a dark wash jean with a lean leg line. Be sure to add a very sexy, strappy black heel for added interest.
Have a great tip about how to wear a white jacket? Share it with us in the comments!
May 22nd, 2008
Temperatures may be rising, but that doesn’t mean your style quotient needs to drop. You can beat the heat and still dress professionally with Omiru’s Beat the Heat at Work style tips:
Why does this outfit work?
Layering: The key to any hot-weather outfit is to wear layers. Sure, it may be 100 degrees outside, but when you head into the office, it can get pretty chilly. (Especially if you sit under the AC vent. If you do, sweaters are your friend.) The cropped box jacket gives you an extra layer, and it helps for your personal temperature regulation as you go from the chilly office to the sunny outdoors and back again.
Color Coordination: This outfit is built around the striped tank top, which features shades of yellow and brown on neutrals. The bright yellow skirt picks up on the yellow from the tank top, while the shoes and handbag echo the brown tones of the shirt. The white box jacket grounds the outfit with a neutral color. This kind of color coordination helps to make you look put together, even when you’re wearing a tank top and short sleeves to the office.
Coordinated Accessories: Look at how the chocolate brown of the bag is echoed in the brown heels. The turquoise necklace pairs beautifully with the browns, and it provides a nice contrast to the dominant color in the outfit, yellow. Note that while the accessories are definitely coordinated, they don’t match perfectly. Coordinated is good, matchy-matchy is not.
Breathable Fabrics: Last but not least, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about fabric choices. Natural fabrics (with a loose weave) are going to be your best bets for temperature control. I like looking for garments that are 100% cotton–or even linen for a more casual look. The beauty of these natural fabrics is that they allow air to pass through them. That way, you won’t trap hot air in between you and your clothes.
What do you wear to work to beat the heat? Share your style with us in the comments!
May 16th, 2008
Whether you’re getting your diploma or attending graduation as a guest, the ideal graduation outfit is dressy enough to respect the occasion–but casual enough to be comfortable. You’ll be facing high temperatures (hello, summer!), intense sunlight (there’s never enough shade to go around), and a long walk (Murphy’s law dictates that the higher the heels you wear, the further you’ll have to walk to and from the car). Let’s dissect the five pieces of this dressy-casual graduation outfit:
Breathable Hat
Keep your cool with a breathable hat–it’ll shield your eyes and keep your head (and hair) from overheating.
Sunglasses
Oversized sunglasses are an au courant–and dramatic–look for a graduation ceremony.
Brightly Colored Dress
Bright colors feel right for May and June graduations. The weather is warm, and the inspirational nature of graduation should be celebrated with a brightly colored dress. White can work, but it’s so easy to get dirty, especially if you’re sitting on stadium seats. And black just doesn’t seem right for the joyous event, particularly because graduations are typically held during the day or early evening.
Heels
You can tell how dressy or how casual an outfit is by the shoes. This bright yellow pair of sandals is one part casual (with the loosely woven strappy style) and one part formal (with the heel height). Perfect for a dressy-casual event like graduation.
Small Purse
If you’re a guest at graduation, you can carry a small clutch or handbag. Note how this clutch coordinates with the shoes, not only in color but also in formality. Both the clutch and the shoes are one part dressy and one part casual.
What are you wearing to graduation? Share your style with us in the comments!
May 15th, 2008
Every woman has a Little Black Dress…or two, or ten. And they’re great as a go-to outfit for cocktails, dinner parties, and other evening events. But how many times do you really get to wear your LBD? If you’re anything like us, it’s not very often. So let’s get some extra mileage out of our LBDs during the daytime with some clever accessorizing. Here’s how to accessorize a LBD:
Why does this outfit work?
Visual Interest through Pattern: Both the gingham scarf and the newsprint belt add visual texture to the LBD. And since the two patterns are in the same color scheme, they complement one another rather than compete with one another.
A Splash of Bright Color: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy–and all black and white and no color can make for a dull outfit. So we added a splash of bright color for a jolt of energy. We love bright green as a fresh foil for black and white–but any bright color will do. Try royal purple for a distinctly elegant look.
A Touch of Mystery: Finish off the outfit with a pair of oversized shades. The air of mystery the sunglasses creates is a secret ingredient for standout style.
How do you accessorize your Little Black Dress (LBD)? Share your style tips with us in the comments!
May 6th, 2008
Q: I have a black, medium-chunky-knit cocoon sweater. The only way I know how to wear it is with jeans and a solid-colored stretch v-neck long sleeved shirt underneath. How else can I wear it?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Cocoon sweaters and coats, though potentially unflattering, are surprisingly versatile to wear. The key to wearing them is to balance out the volume of the sweater with a slimmer silhouette on the bottom. This can be the jeans you described, narrow pants, or a slim-cut dress or skirt. The beauty of the cocoon sweater is that it’s such a distinctive style that you don’t need to enhance it with much flair.
One of our favorite ways to wear your cocoon sweater is to pair it with a jewel toned short sleeved dress, black tights, and ballet flats (pictured). This outfit also has the benefit of being figure flattering–because these clothes are body hugging, you won’t lose your shape in the sweater. Plus, the black tights keep the line of your look cohesive and clean.
Or for a fun evening look, add colorful elbow length gloves (bonus points for a striking color like french blue) and keep the rest of your outfit very simple.
Lastly, for a simple yet chic look, you could also wear leggings or a black short skirt with a simple t-shirt and throw on the sweater for some extra visual interest.
Have a great tip about how to wear a cocoon sweater or coat? Share it with us in the comments!
April 18th, 2008
Classic Chic Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Trenchcoat + Brightly Colored Sweater + Top + Knee-Length Skirt + Oversized Sunglasses + Handbag + Boots.
Where to wear it? Wear this modern classic to work. Bonus points for brightening the office with a brightly colored trench.
Elegantly Formal Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Trenchcoat + Dress + Clutch + Jewelry + Heels.
Where to wear it? Date night, whether you’re going to dinner and a movie or a swanky lounge.
Casually Playful Trenchcoat
Feeling the love for this outfit? Here’s more information about it.
Fashion Formula = Brightly Colored Trenchcoat + Colored Top + Jeans + Tote Bag + Flats.
Where to wear it? Out to lunch with the ladies–or even for running errands on a Sunday afternoon.
April 10th, 2008
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