J Crew Fall 2009 Menswear Favorites

It’s no secret that we’re fans of J Crew’s classic American style.  We’ve reviewed their Fall 2009 collection and edited it down to the staples that you’ll be reaching for over and over again.  Here’s our six favorite picks from J Crew’s Fall 2009 menswear collection:

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Fatigue Jacket | $168 at J Crew
How to wear it? Wear your fatigue jacket with a bright color inside to get a look that’s thoroughly inappropriate for boot camp.

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Cotton Cashmere Cardigan | $69.50 at J Crew
How to wear it? We’re loving a fitted navy cardigan worn just as it’s shown - with a pair of white jeans.  So fresh and so clean.

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Thermal Henley | $42.50 at J Crew
How to wear it? Pair this supersoft henley with your rugged fatigue jacket for a look that mixes soft and hard.

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Solid Tweed Sportcoat | $265 at J Crew
How to wear it? Mustard yellow (as shown) or blood orange, with a splash of pure white, will make this grey tweed sportcoat shine.

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Secret Wash Button Down Shirt in Scholar Tartan | $59.50 at J Crew
How to wear it? The pattern of the season, tartan plaid, works great under a fitted cardigan and dark rinse jeans.

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Straight Fit Jean in Black Resin Crinkle Wash | $98 at J Crew
How to wear it? Take a break from your standard blue jean, and try these inky black jeans.  Best paired with vibrant colors, like this bluish purple.

Thoughts on J Crew’s Fall 2009 collection?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on August 12th, 2009 in Men, Shopping Guide | 6 comments

How to Wear a Tulip Skirt

How to Wear a Tulip Skirt
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


Tulip Skirts, which feature gathers at the waistline and a more fitted hem, are great for women who are looking to create the illusion of hips.  Boyish shaped women, and women who have a curvier top half - rejoice!  In order to create the most figure flattering look, we love a small-over-big silhouette for the Tulip Skirt.  Here’s how to wear a Tulip Skirt:

1. Start with a small over big silhouette - a fitted tank over the bigger tulip skirt.  We love how the two blues work together, as well as how the ruffles on the tank echo the soft gathers on the skirt.
2.  Layer on a cropped sweater.  We love the structured feel of this sweater, which contrasts with the floaty skirt.  The mustard color also contrasts nicely with the shades of blue in the top and the skirt.
3. Finish off the outfit with a nice clutch handbag and a pair of low heels.

How would you wear a Tulip Skirt?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on August 10th, 2009 in Ready Made Outfits, Women | 4 comments

You Said: Yes to Tulip Skirts

omiru-poll-result-tulip-skirts_080909

silk-blend-printed-skirt_080909We asked: Would you wear a Tulip Skirt?

You said:  Yes to Tulip Skirts, with a 61% to 39% vote.

Style tip? While we love the Tulip Skirt, it is certainly not for everyone.  The gathers at the waistline don’t do women with prominent hips any favors.  But for those women who are curvier on top, the Tulip Skirt can help balance out your figure.  We love pairing the Tulip Skirt with a closer-fitting top, like a tank and sweater combo.  For boyish figures, the addition of a belt at the waistline also helps to create the illusion of a curvier figure. 

Next question: Ankle boots - we can’t pass a store window without seeing these ubiquitous shoes.  But what do you think?  Tell us, would you wear Ankle Boots?  Cast your vote on the sidebar!

Pictured: Silk Blend Printed Skirt | $39.99 (sale) at Banana Republic

Posted by Trisha on August 9th, 2009 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 2 comments

Sophisticated in Shorts. Collegiate Style in the Summertime.

Sophisticated Collegiate Style
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


One part prim and proper, one part youthful and fun, this outfit has Blair Waldorf written all over it.  And it’s proof that prep school style doesn’t have to be stuffy or boring.  We’ve given prep school clothes a fun twist with a pair of short shorts and a brightly colored handbag.  Here’s how to get the look of a collegiate who’s not afraid to let her hair down:

1.  Start with a prim and proper shirt: a button down featuring a tuxedo-like ruffle at center front. 
2.  Add a pair of short shorts, tucking the button down shirt into the shorts.  We love the self-belt, which is sweetly tied with a bow.
3.  Toss on a cardigan, tied over your shoulders until it gets cooler in the evening.  Bonus prep points for the two little pockets and the crest detailing.
4.  Finish the look off with a pair of mid-heel pumps (high heels would be a bit much for shorts this short) and a brightly colored handbag. Bright orange pairs well with the greys in the outfit.

How would you make collegiate style fun for summer?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on August 7th, 2009 in Ready Made Outfits, Women | 6 comments

What to Wear with a Minidress? Leather.

Q:  I like the idea of a minidress, but my style isn’t too girly.  What should I wear it with?

What to Wear with a Minidress
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


A:
Yup, it seems that it’s officially minidress week here at Omiru.  We love minidresses, but we agree that they can be a bit precious.  How do you balance out a delicate minidress so that the overall look isn’t too twee?  Pair it with harder elements to give the look an edge.  Here’s how to get the minidress and leather look:

1.  Start with a delicate minidress.  Notice how the ruffly tiers add a sense of femininity to the already girly dress.
2.  Slip on a leather jacket.  We love how the buttery brown pairs with the red and blue in the dress.
3.  Finish off the look with a pair of killer heels (look at the heel height!  and the cuffed ankle!) and a clutch.

What would you wear with a minidress? Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on August 6th, 2009 in Q&A, Ready Made Outfits, Women, Women's | 8 comments

Be a Clothing Swap Party Goddess with these 5 Practical Party Tips

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Ever thought about hosting a clothing swap party?  It’s a fun, free way to build up a whole new wardrobe.  Plus, you get the added bonus of spending some quality time with your friends.  

Our favorite clothing swap parties are those that make you feel like you’re shopping in your favorite boutique.  You have your clothes well organized, music on the stereo, and drinks flowing (though, skip the red wine, lest it stain the clothes).  How do you throw a great swap party?  We have five tips - in video form - from our guest appearance on Blogher’s latest episode of The Juice.  

Click this link to check out our Five Tips for Making Swap Parties Work for You.

Enjoy!
Trisha

Posted by Trisha on August 5th, 2009 in News, Off Topic | 2 comments

How to Wear Brightly Colored Socks

How to Wear Brightly Colored Socks
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


Bright socks?  Yes, you read that right, and yes, you can wear them without looking like you stepped off the runway.  You can incorporate brightly colored socks into your regular wardrobe.  The key is to keep the rest of your outfit simple so as to make your socks stand out.  Here’s how to get the look of bright socks:

1.  Start with your foundation: a plain white button down shirt and a pair of jeans.  As usual, fit is key here so that the look is sophisticated, not sloppy.  (Alternatively, sub in grey trousers for the dark straight leg jeans, if you’re going for a dressier look.)
2.  Add the key element: a pair of bright orange socks.  We chose orange to complement the dark blue jeans.
3.  Finish off the look with a brown belt and wing tip shoes, for a dressier touch.

How would you wear brightly colored socks?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on August 5th, 2009 in Men, Ready Made Outfits | 4 comments

Six Stunning Minidresses Under $100

What goes with sun and summer?  The minidress.  It’s effortlessly chic–and perfect for warm weather.  We’re finding great minidresses featuring detailing from ruffles to embroidery, bows to painted prints.  Even better, they’re inexpensive (especially as compared to Fall clothes).  Here’s six stunning minidresses under $100:

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Printed Hammered Lawn Ruffle Dress | $73 at Tulle
What we love: The gorgeous print and the pretty ruffle detailing at the neckline.

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Tulip Layered Woven Dress | $22.80 at Forever 21
What we love: The confetti-like pattern and the tiered ruffles.

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Kimchi Blue Silk Embroidered Neck Dress | $68 at Urban Outfitters
What we love: The vampy feel of this embroidered dress.  Though, it is Really Short, so you may want to wear something under it.  We’d wear it belted over dark colored skinny jeans.

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Patterned Voile Neck Tie Dress | $58 at Tulle
What we love: The bright, sunny color and the adorable bow.

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Belted Painted Flower Dress | $22.80 at Forever 21
What we love: The boldness of the painted flower print.  Again, you may want to wear something under this one so as to not show off too much leg.

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Sport Tank Dress | $17.80 at Forever 21
What we love: The mix of casual and sophisticated with the tee-like tank and the pencil thin skirt.

Posted by Trisha on August 3rd, 2009 in Shopping Guide, Women | 7 comments

You Said: Yes to Minidresses

omiru-poll-result-minidresses_080209

nautical-stripe-dress_080209We asked: Would you wear a Minidress?

You said:  Yes to Minidresses, with a 54% to 46% vote.

Style tip? We love the minidress–it’s the epitome of breezy chic.  While it’s great for women with gorgeous legs, it can still work for those of us who don’t have a perfect bottom half.  If you’re looking to make your legs longer and leaner, try wearing tights underneath your minidress.  You’ll see an extra slimming effect with dark colored tights.  Another option for those of us who are less inclined to show off our legs is to wear the minidress over leggings or skinny pants.

Next question: The Tulip Skirt features gathers at the waistline and a slimmer silhouette at the hem.  And we’re seeing it all over.  But what do you think?  Tell us, would you wear a Tulip Skirt?  Cast your vote on the sidebar!

Pictured: Nautical Stripe Dress | $14.50 at Forever 21

Posted by Trisha on August 3rd, 2009 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 6 comments

Dress for Less. Get a Whole New Look with a Well Placed Belt.

Unconventional Use of a Belt
Feeling the love for this set?  Here’s more information about it.


Traditionally, belts are worn at or near your waistline.  But what would happen if you broke that unspoken sartorial rule?  You could change up your entire look!  With that one simple change, you can take a look from pretty to punky.  Here’s how to get a whole new look with a well-placed belt:   

1.  Start with a drapey top–either knit or woven.  The key is to choose a top that has a degree of volume. 
2.  Cinch in that volume with a belt.  Skinny belts are going to work best, as they rein in the volume without visually cutting you in two.  We love placing the belt under the bust to create your own version of an empire waist top.
3.  Building on the edgy vibe of the self-belted top, slip on a pair of distressed jeans.  Nothing too tailored, nothing too elegant.
3.  Class up the outfit with a tailored blazer.  We love how the stark white blazer contrasts with the distressed denim–and allows the self-belted top to peek out.
4.  Finish off the look with a pair of heels (t-strap heels are fun and flirty) and a punky looking bag.

How would you get a whole new look with a belt?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on July 31st, 2009 in Ready Made Outfits, Women | 3 comments

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