Posts filed under 'Ready Made Outfits'
Q: I am attending an engagement pool party. Since I live in a sub-tropic climate, it already feels like summer. How do I combine an outfit for an engagement party with one for a pool party?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Dressing for an engagement party and dressing for a pool party sound like wildly different things, but you can combine pieces from each one in order to create an outfit that works for both. When creating your outfit, your first order of business is to dress for a special occasion. Even though it’s a pool party, you want to dress in a way that respects the special celebration. Then, taking into account the climate (sub-tropic) and venue (a pool), you’ll tailor your outfit for fun–and swimming.
The base of your outfit will be your swimsuit. Choose a suit worthy of a special occasion–one with special detailing, such as arched cutouts or metal fastenings. On top of your swimsuit, add a sarong that’s pretty enough to serve as a cocktail dress–and large enough to cover your swimsuit in a sophisticated fashion. When you’re not swimming, wear a pair of strappy sandals (but carry an extra pair of flip flops in your tote bag).
Should the party be a more formal affair, we recommend a brightly colored, breezy dress over your swimsuit, paired with a sparkly necklace for an extra dash of formality.
Last tip? Don’t forget a pair of oversized sunglasses (oh so dramatic) and a bottle of sunscreen!
Have a great tip about how to dress up for a special occasion pool party? Share it with us in the comments!
April 8th, 2008
Our recent article about How to Dress Up Jeans for Work seemed to strike a nerve, so we wanted to give you some more Wear to Work inspiration. In this Nautical Business Casual outfit, we see the seafaring theme in the chain-link print on the shirt, the stripes on the scarf, and the navy and white on the tote. Note also how the gold in the shirt is echoed in the gold ballet slippers–and the gold piping and buttons on the military-style blazer.
April 1st, 2008
Q: I am to be the featured artist at a gallery art walk in a city by the water north of Seattle. What do I wear? I want to look classy, yet artsy. I am 51.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: At fifty-one, you fashion priority is to select a dress or suit that is not only sophisticated but also suits both your coloring and body type. For a classic yet artsy look, build your outfit with classic foundation elements. A little black dress is always appropriate—but if you dare, you may want to wear a splash of color.
- If you have an hourglass figure, try a sleeved wrap dress to accentuate your curves.
- To elongate a fuller figure, you can try a suit with a high stance (where the two lapels meet in front) and strong vertical lines.
- If you’re blessed with a long, lean figure, a colorful maxi dress may also fit the bill. A maxi dress gives you full coverage, and it also has a bohemian air to it.
Finish off your outfit with a pair of comfortable flats or low heels. You’ll be standing for hours, so choose a pair of shoes that will allow you to focus on the event—not your aching feet.
Style tip? After thirty-five, the color black tends to drain color out of a woman’s face. Should you choose a black dress, make sure to accessorize with colorful jewelry (or a scarf) and give yourself some extra color with your make-up.
Have a great tip about style in your 50s? Share it with us in the comments!
March 25th, 2008
Q: I just got a black fitted vest/waistcoat and I’m not sure how to integrate it with the rest of my wardrobe. I’m still a college student and I don’t want to necessarily look like I’m heading towards the office or anything. Is there a way I can wear this more formal piece while still looking young and casual?
by Tamiko Kelly, Fashion Expert and Style Maven at Margarite Elaine
A: Traditionally a men’s wardrobe staple, the fitted vest (aka the waistcoat) has migrated over to women’s wardrobes. This trend has been popularized over the last few seasons, and it still has a cult-like following. With this set, we wanted to show you how to give a young, hip/funky edge to a wardrobe staple.
The vest look on the left is based on a neutral palette. The result is at once sophisticated and youthful, right down to the silver-grey ankle boots. The vest look on the right, on the other hand, is all about personality. Note the use of color in this outfit: the reddish-purple color on the shirt is echoed in the shoes, clutch, and earrings.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a vest? Share it with us in the comments!
March 20th, 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
Q: Girls Night Out is approaching! AGENDA: Find some beautiful boys while consuming beautiful cocktails. WHERE: A lounge or two, possibly a bar…and then a nightclub for some all night dancing. I want to look extremely classy, stand out from the crowd, but not look like a prude. What should I wear?
A:
For Girls Night Out, your object is to look gorgeous–but not overly sexy. Like you said, you want to stand out from the crowd, but you also want to look classy. Here’s three style tips to keep in mind as you get dressed:
(1) Show a little skin–but not too much. Pick an area of the body to highlight and stick with it. If you wear a low-cut blouse, show a little less leg, and vice versa.
(2) Stand out with color. To look classy but still stand out, attract attention with bright colors instead of bare skin. Bright green, orange, yellow, and even purple will also help your friends find you in a crowded nightclub.
(3) Wear comfortable shoes. If you’re going to be out all night dancing, we can’t stress this enough. Wear the wrong shoe, and your feet will be screaming by the time you hit the nightclub. Low heels are recommended, but you know how much of a heel you can handle.
Pictured above are three outfit ideas to get you started:
Left: The revealing minidress is balanced out by the knee-high boots. A headband adds a dash of cute to the otherwise sexy outfit.
Middle: Works if you have to go straight from work to dinner with the girls. Keep the top buttoned up during the day, but come nighttime, you can undo the top two or three buttons.
Right: We paired a form fitting pencil skirt with a gorgeous purple halter top for a sophisticated nightclub look.
Have a great tip about what to wear for girls night out at the club?
Share it with us in the comments!
February 27th, 2008
Editor’s Note: We were inspired by the equal 50-50 split on last week’s fishnet stockings poll, so we’re taking this opportunity to show the 50% of you who were pro-fishnets how to best wear this trend. And perhaps these tips will turn around some of the fishnet naysayers.
Fishnet stockings used to be reserved for a hot night out at the club or a late night rendezvous (or other equally racy events). But now they’re making their way into more mainstream wardrobes. How do you wear fishnets without looking trashy? Three simple tips:
(1) Choose a fishnet stocking with a fine mesh. The finer the mesh, the less racy the stockings appear.
(2) Pair the stockings with clothing that’s more sophisticated than sexy. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, a hem that’s around knee-length or longer is ideal. Pants pair well with fishnet stockings–it’s especially fetching when you can see just a hint of stocking showing.
(3) Slip on a pair of closed-toe shoes. Boots are great, but most closed-toe shoes will do the trick. An open-toe shoe looks silly with fishnet stockings–or really any stockings (if it’s warm enough to wear an open-toe shoe, why are you wearing stockings?).
Have a great tip about how to wear fishnet stockings? Share it with us in the comments!
February 26th, 2008
Fashion Tip? Spring your warm weather dresses from the closet a few weeks early by layering them over long-sleeved t-shirts.
Fashion Formula = Long-Sleeved T-Shirt + Sundress + Brightly Colored Purse + Pumps.
Corsica Blue Striped Tee | $12.99 (sale) at Gap
Susina Ruched Back Dress | $48 at Nordstrom
Issac Mizrahi Flap Bag with Buckle | $16.99 at Target
Juicy Couture ‘Anguilla’ Pump | $250 at Nordstrom
March 20th, 2007
Say hello to Spring in a flirty Diane von Furstenberg mini dress and pastel accessories.
"Spring Fling" Fashion Formula = Mini Dress + Doctor Bag + Espadrille Sandals.
Diane von Furstenberg Abel Wrap Mini Dress | $345 at Intermix
Burlap Doctor Bag | $58 at Urban Outfitters
Sbicca ‘Beau’ Sandal | $54.95 at Nordstrom
February 27th, 2007
Need to drop by the hair salon, the dry cleaners, the gas station, and pick up food for dinner on the way home? Head out in a henley and some comfy flats to keep you going strong all day long.
"Sunday Afternoon Errands" Fashion Formula = Cozy Henley Sweater + Wide Legged Pants + Sporty Flats + Oversized Bag.
Wool Cashmere Henley Sweater | $68 at Banana Republic
Alice + Olivia Wide Waistband Pant | $253 at Shopbop
Sperry Top Sider "Portside" Mary Jane | $59.95 at Nordstrom
Casidi Leather Tote | $32.80 at Forever 21
January 9th, 2007
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