We asked: Would you wear Chanel Jackets?
You said: Yes to Chanel Jackets, with a 78% to 22% vote.
Style tip? We love the Chanel Jacket - so fabulously elegant, and wonderfully versatile. Coco Chanel herself would have worn her boxy, collarless jacket with a knee-length skirt. But you don’t have to do exactly as Coco would have done. (In fact, she would have appreciated some out-of-the-box fashion thinking!) For a more modern look, try your elegant Chanel Jacket with a silky blouse and a pair of straight leg jeans (distressed, if you dare).
Next question: Chanel Jackets are classic and elegant - but Motorcycle Jackets are fun and edgy. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear a Motorcycle Jacket? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: AE Vintage Blazer | $69.50 at American Eagle.
Posted by Trisha on September 28th, 2009 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
We’re often asked about undergarments, as they provide the foundation for the clothes that we love featuring on Omiru. Even though your undergarments don’t show, we recommend investing in a few good basics. Great undergarments make your figure look its best - you won’t look (and feel) droopy, and your clothes will hang better. There are four essential undergarments every woman should have in her closet: a sexy bra and panty set, a t-shirt bra and seamless panty set, a convertible bra, and a tummy shaper. Invest in these four lingerie wardrobe essentials, and you’ll have the foundations to supplement your fabulous wardrobe:
Sexy Bra and Panty Set
Rosy Moulded Bra | $63 at Figleaves
Rosy Sentimentale Brief | $37.50 at Figleaves
Wear your sexy bra and panty set whenever you want an extra boost. Great lingerie, like a pair of killer heels, can give you an extra boost of confidence. The sexy bra and panty set is perfect for dates, interviews (so long as it’s not showing), presentations, and other stress-inducing events.
T-Shirt Bra and Seamless Panty Set
T-Shirt Demi Bra | 2 for $32 at Victoria’s Secret
Microsmooth Low Rise Bikini | $12 at Victoria’s Secret
A casual day staple, the t-shirt bra is perfect for those days when you’re lounging around or just running errands. The beauty of this bra is that it doesn’t show through your tees. It’s especially necessary if you love drapey, form fitting tees. Similarly, the seamless panty keeps you from showing VPL (visible panty lines) when you wear tight pants or skirts.
Convertible Bra
Wacoal Halo Lace Seamless Convertible Bra | $42 at Bare Necessities
When you need to break out an evening gown, a cocktail dress, or even a low tank, the convertible bra is going to be your best bet. It can go strapless, criss-cross, halter, or traditional. Given the flexibility, it’s well worth the investment.
Tummy Shaper
Hide & Sleek Full Panty Bodysuit | $54-$58 at Spanx
Slip on a tummy shaper when you reach for your slinky dress or very fitted pencil skirt. The tummy shaper will visually take off a few pounds - and it’ll smooth out your tummy, erasing any unsightly lumps.
Where to shop for lingerie?
Lingerie prices truly run the gamut. Victoria’s Secret is a great starting place for lingerie shopping, as they carry all of these items. More importantly, the sales staff can help to measure you for a proper bra fit - a MUST. If Victoria’s Secret is too pricey, check Target and H&M, which also carry these items at lower price points. For designer lingerie, you can indulge at upscale lingerie shops like Agent Provocateur or La Perla.
Last thoughts on lingerie?
(1) Remember to hand wash lingerie to keep it lasting longer.
(2) Depending on how much you wear them, bras should be replaced regularly, as they lose their support. For a bra that you wear on a consistent basis, think about replacing it every six months. Keep this in mind when budgeting for these items.
(3) Two good online shopping sites for lingerie are Fig Leaves and Bare Necessities.
Tell us, what lingerie essentials can you not live without? And where do you shop for lingerie? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 25th, 2009 in Shopping Guide, Women |
Even if you don’t want to overhaul your wardrobe for Fall, you can get a whole new look by updating your accessories. Fall 2009’s accessories are polished, sophisticated, and full of drama - and will serve your wardrobe well for seasons to come. What accessories do you need to add to your wardrobe? Here’s our picks for the five key accessories you need for Fall 2009:
The Cowl Neck Scarf
Echo Double Infinity Scarf | $48 at Bloomingdales
Perfect for adding a bit of texture to an otherwise plain outfit, the double infinity scarf is a large circle scarf that you can wrap around your neck twice. We love how it adds a pop of color - and how Echo’s design (and non-chunky knit) makes the look wearable in real life, not just the runway.
Long Gloves
ASOS Basic Long Angora Mix Gloves | $18.24 at ASOS
How do you continue to wear your summer short sleeves this fall? Slip on a pair of long gloves. The ruching on these angora gloves adds an extra touch of sophistication.
The Statement Necklace
Hearts on Chains Necklace | $7.80 at Forever 21
Draw attention towards your face with a statement necklace. Wear a single one - or drape multiple necklaces on yourself for an extra dramatic look.
The Buckle Belt
Double Buckle Elastic Belt | $7.80 at Forever 21
Cinch your waist with an extra wide belt - perfect for giving your figure structure when wearing blousy tunics and oversized sweaters. The buckle detailing adds just the right amount of polish.
The Headband
Elastic Bead Trim Headwrap | $5.80 at Forever 21
We’ve been in love with headbands ever since we saw Leighton Meester’s Blair Waldorf sporting them in the first season of Gossip Girl. Instead of going all-out with an oversized floral headband, why not try a sleek, embellished headwrap? Very 20s-esque flapper.
Tell us, what accessories are you pining over for Fall 2009? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 24th, 2009 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Q: I noticed [cargo pants] are making somewhat of a comeback, especially simpler and better fitted (read, slimmer) versions. J. Crew has a couple out this fall that I bought and am in love with. Rugged, military, and go with a lot of stuff.
A: Cargo pants are indeed making a comeback, what with the military-inspired trends we’re seeing for men this Fall. The good news? The more fitted versions of cargo pants that you’re seeing today are a far cry from the oversized, stuff-your-pockets versions that were popularized in the 1990s. What we love about cargo pants is that they’re a great substitute for khaki pants and the dark-rinse jeans you have in heavy rotation. And they do work with a wide variety of looks. Here’s three looks that show you how to wear cargo pants:
Look 1: Shawl Collar Cardigan + Collared Shirt + Skinny Tie + Cargo Pants + Boots
Why does this outfit work? We love the mix of casual and formal, tailored and relaxed. The shawl collar cardigan acts as a casual version of the blazer - and takes the edge off of the collared shirt and tie combo. The rugged boots, which feel at home with the cargo pants, finish off the look with a casual flourish.
Look 2: Bright Polo + Cargo Pants + Casual Belt + Sneakers
Why does this outfit work? The masculine cargo pant gets a shot of fresh air with a bright yellow polo. The unexpected shot of color breathes new life into the look - and we love the mustardy yellow paired with a neutral khaki. The casual look is belted with a canvas belt and finished off with a pair of stylish sneakers.
Look 3: Henley + Cargo Pants + Casual Belt + Boots
Why does this outfit work? The fitted henley exemplifies casual elegance, and it adds an air of relaxed sophistication to the otherwise rugged look. Tuck the henley into the cargo pants and complete the look with a casual canvas belt. Rugged military-inspired boots help keep the look grounded as well.
Last thoughts about how to wear cargo pants?
(1) Cargo pants are weekend-only pants. They’re a substitute for khakis and jeans, but unless your office is pretty casual, save them for the weekend.
(2) Because cargo pants have a rugged, military vibe to them, pair them with the appropriate style of shoe: boots or sneakers. No fancy oxfords or loafers.
(3) Please, please, please don’t stuff your pockets with extraneous items. A slim-fit wallet, yes. But if your pockets are bulging, that’s too much. Just because cargo pants feature extra pockets doesn’t mean that they’re meant to be functional.
Have a great tip about how to wear cargo pants? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 23rd, 2009 in Men, Men's, Q&A, Ready Made Outfits |
Now that Fall is nearly upon us, it’s time to bring out all of the jackets and coats you adore. Our favorite jackets are those that really make a statement - whether it’s through color, silhouette, detailing, or a combination of the three. But the fact that they make such a statement can make it difficult to wear these jackets at work. The key to making statement jackets ready for work is to pair them with work-appropriate separates featuring minimal detailing. That way, you let the statement jacket shine (as it should). Here’s how to wear the statement jacket to work:
1. Start with a neutral base: a textured white top paired with a pair of straight leg trousers. The delicate pinstripes on these trouser pants give the base a little extra oomph.
2. Layer on a cropped-sleeve sweater. We adore the delicate pintucking on this aqua cardigan - so pretty!
3. Slip on your statement jacket, leaving it open so that the sweater and textured top layers can shine through. Don’t you love the fabric detailing at the neckline? The volume perfectly contrasts with the fitted, tailored jacket base.
4. Finish off the look with a pair of ankle boots and a sturdy work bag.
How would you wear the statement jacket? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 22nd, 2009 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
We asked: Would you wear Pleated Pants?
You said: A resounding NO to Pleated Pants, with a landslide 82% to 18% vote.
Style tip? We hear you - no crazy roomy harem-style pleated pants. But let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to pleats. Sure, flat front pants have been the trousers-du-jour for as long as we can remember, but we could all use a little variety. The keys to wearing pleated pants are twofold:
(1) Keep the silhouette of the pant slim. Pleats up at the waistline don’t have to mean an oversized leg as well.
(2) Wear a fitted shirt or blouse on top so as to keep the volume of the outfit in check.
Next question: One of our favorite Spring 2010 trends from Fashion Week was the boxy Chanel Jacket. Part of our love affair with French style. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear a Chanel Jacket? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Stretch Wool Elan Trouser | $118 at J Crew.
Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2009 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Spring/Summer 2010 is all about drama. It’s over the top, with extreme silhouettes (harem pants, sharp shoulders), attention-grabbing details (sequins, knotted details), and bright colors (hello, red and yellow). Here’s Omiru’s picks for the top trends from Fashion Week Spring 2010:
Silhouettes
The Sharp Shoulder
Skinny Legs
Classifications
Chanel Jackets
Roomy Cuffed Shorts
Modern Garden Party Dresses
Harem Pants
Extra Long Blazers
Sequined Disco Dresses
Vests 2.0
Long Cardigans
Motorcycle Jackets
Minidresses
Colors
Vibrant Yellow
Red
Not so Boring Beige
Details
Knotted Details
Microstripes
Elegant Bows
Animal Prints
Contrasting Textures
Polka Dots
Accessories
Statement Necklaces
Brightly Colored Shoes
Posted by Trisha on September 19th, 2009 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Photo Credit: NYMag.comLong Cardigans at Lela Rose, Alexander Wang, and Michael Kors.
Style tip? Stock up on long cardigans. They’re great for layering under jackets for Fall and Winter, and they’re just as versatile for Spring. Wear a long cardigan over your minidress or blouse/skirt combo (as at Lela Rose), skinny belt optional. Or use your cardigan to play with textures, as Alexander Wang does. Just don’t wear the cardigan sans-bottom, as seen at Michael Kors! Clearly a runway-only look.
What do you think? How would you wear the long cardigan? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 18th, 2009 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Photo Credit: NYMag.comPolka Dots at Tory Burch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Reem Acra.
Style tip? The trend for Spring 2010 is polka dots with a twist. The new polka dot is seen oversized, textured (instead of printed), and organically shaped. Wear a single type of dot (like the crocheted dots at Tory Burch), or mix things up with different patterns (as at Marc by Marc Jacobs). But don’t stop there - you can also mix different textures of dot patterns, as Reem Acra did with a standard-issue polka dotted top paired with a skirt with a more organic dot pattern.
What do you think? How would you wear polka dots? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 18th, 2009 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Photo Credit: NYMag.comBright Shoes at Philip Lim, Nanette Lepore, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Style tip? If you want to make a statement with your shoes, go bright and step into a pair of red (or red-orange) shoes. They provide a colorful foundation for a neutral colored outfit (as at Philip Lim), but they also anchor patterns. Case in point? The dresses at Nanette Lepore and Marc by Marc Jacobs. When you go bold with bright shoes, there’s no need for your handbag to match. Try a neutral colored handbag (perhaps in a oversized silhouette) to finish off the look.
What do you think? How would you wear bright shoes? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on September 18th, 2009 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
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