Q: Because of environmental issues, I try to consume less and re-use as much as I can; however, I find that I buy too much clothing, over half of which I barely wear. I know that it’s not entirely possible to have a 10-item-only wardrobe, but what 10 items do you think could make a complete wardrobe that would last forever (i.e. wear well and not go out of style)?
Item 1: Navy Suit
A staple of every gentleman’s wardrobe, the navy suit is versatile not only because of its color, but also because you can also wear the jacket as a navy blazer, which is another must-have for men. Get a wool blazer in a dark, inky-blue color and you’ll be set for life.
Item 2: Grey Suit
Charcoal Wool Modern Three Button Suit at Banana Republic
A trim gray suit in heather grey or charcoal grey never goes out of style. You could also argue that there is nothing more in style right now, either.
Item 3: Jeans
Loomstate Jeans | $96 (sale) at Saks
You can’t go wrong with a pair of straight leg denim jeans in dark navy and a simple pocket design. This pair by Loomstate is all these things and more: the company uses certified organic cotton and socially and environmentally responsible methods of production.
Style tip: Keep your denim dark by infrequently washing them inside out with detergent specially formulated for dark items, like this one from The Laundress.
Item 4: T-Shirt
Make sure your shirts are trim and well-fitting, like these from Splendid Always. The pima cotton used in these shirts are pesticide-free, making it as eco-friendly as it was stylish.
Item 5: White Oxford Buttondown Shirt
Solid Vintage Oxford Shirt | $59.50 at J Crew
I can’t think of a single thing with which a crisp white buttondown doesn’t look good. Enough said.
Item 6: Black or Brown Lace Ups
You’ll need a good pair of dress shoes, either in brown or black. Brown suggets luxury, black suggests sleekness. Whichever you choose, spend a little more and get a pair in cordovan leather. Also, if you really are practical, go with black; black shoes can go with colors that brown don’t (such as black pants).
Style tip? Getting a toe tap for a dress shoe with a leather sole will greatly extend the life of the shoe.
Style tip 2? Even the best dress shoes will get worn down with use, but that doesn’t mean you need to throw them away. Instead, get them refurbished. According to Esquire, Allen Edmonds will add new soles, heels, welting, foot beds and laces to the shoe, then condition and polish the leather, all for about $100. Just be warned: if the leather is cracked, you will have to get a new sole.
Item 7: Tie
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Tie | $90 (sale) at Ralph Lauren
Solid or stripes are always a safe bet, but if it’s practicality you want, go with a solid tie. Solid ties can go with any kind of shirt (i.e. check, stripes, solid, etc.).
Item 8: Khakis
Favorite Khaki Pants | $105 at Neiman Marcus
You want to wear khakis that don’t make you look like you just came from a country club. Get a pair that’s trim but not too-skinny–a pair of flat front khakis with no cuffs. I love the fit and color of this pair by Save Khaki. This pair isn’t meant to be worn with a navy blazer, but you know what? I’m tired of the navy blazer/khaki look, even though it is considered timeless.
Item 9: Wool Overcoat
You don’t ever ever ever want to skimp on your overcoat (trust me, east coasters). Your overcoat should be as slim and tailored as your suit. My style is a bit more modern, so I prefer overcoats that are bit shorter in length than traditional ones; look for one that falls no longer than the top of your kneecap. Get your overcoat in a dark color like navy or charcoal. Treat it well and you will never have to buy another one again.
Why an overcoat and not a peacoat, you ask? Pure practicality. Most peacoats hit at the waist or just below, and as such, you wouldn’t want to wear a suit or blazer underneath because the jacket would peek out from under the peacoat.
Item 10: Sneakers
Common Projects Leather Low Top Shoes | $278 at South Willard
If you have to get only one pair of casual shoes, make them plain white sneakers in leather or canvas. The only color shoes I buy (except for dress shoes and loafers) are white. Look for Jack Purcells or Chuck Taylors–or shoes by Common Projects.
Posted by Trisha on June 25th, 2008 in Men, Men's, Q&A |
Q: Help! My mom is very uncomfortable with her upper arms and tummy and avoids shopping because of that. She’s 5′4, about 135 pounds, has long legs but also has a skin condition that makes it hard for her to expose much of her chest. What kind of outfits would look good on her?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Time’s winged chariot does catch up with all of us. Our bodies and upper arms droop a little and the tummy may slacken in middle age, but that should never prevent one from making the most of their looks. In fact, now is the time for your mom to invest a little more effort and time in shopping to keep herself updated and fresh–or the fun of dressing will fade too quickly.
As she is 5′4" and not heavy, she would do well in the petites department of a classic store like Ann Taylor. If she has not shopped in some time, she should be sure to buy some fresh basics (such as a dress, casual pants, tops, and some skirts) to keep her look updated and pretty. I realize that she has no patience for shopping–but all she needs to do is set aside one day each season - only 4 times a year–to keep her wardrobe up to date.
Because she’s uncomfortable with her upper arms, she’d be best served looking for sleeved tops and dresses. 3/4 sleeves are especially feminine and flattering. If she has a large chest, however, she may not want to buy any blouses with sleeves that end at her breast line, as this would emphasize the size of her chest.
To minimize her tummy, supportive bras and shapewear (like Spanx) will help her clothes drape more gracefully. Structured tops are going to look better than drapey tops (which can cling to all the wrong places), and details like shirring will help minimize the appearance of her tummy.
So as to not expose too much of her chest, she should look for higher necklines. Boatneck styles are elegant without being revealing–and they look especially fetching with 3/4 sleeves.
As for bottoms, skirts that hit at or right above the knee are attractive–and make the most of a feature that she is happy with. Long pants are also going to be flattering, though she should steer clear of capri pants. They hit at an awkward length and have a shortening effect, unflattering on all but the very tall.
Pictured: Petite Twist Front Dress | $98 at Banana Republic, Petite Cotton Optic Leaf Shirt | $58 at Ann Taylor, and Petite Abstract Balloons Printed Knit Dress | $138 at Ann Taylor.
Have a great tip about what to wear to flatter heavy upper arms and a tummy? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on June 24th, 2008 in Figure Flattery Guide, Q&A, Women, Women's |
We asked: Would you carry Giant Clutch Handbags?
You said: The majority, 65%, said No to Giant Clutch Handbags.
Style tip? You’re right–it does look ridiculous to carry a clutch handbag that rivals the size of your daytime satchel. So–leave the extra stuff in your handbag at home, and carry a normal sized clutch instead. We’re loving wristlet handbags for their practicality–and their inherent delicacy.
Next question: White is a fresh, summery color–and it’s all over the runways (and the racks at the store). But it’s also hard to wear. Not only does it visually enlarge you, but it also stains all to easily. Tell us, would you wear The Color White? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Hobo International ‘Kate’ Bangle Wristlet | $78 at Nordstrom.
Posted by Trisha on June 23rd, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Here at Omiru, we ask why you would spend $500 when you can spend $50 (or less) on great looking clothes. But how do you build a wardrobe of budget pieces that actually look expensive? Here’s what to look for in cheap chic clothes that can (almost) double for designer pieces:
Fit
The most important thing for an item of clothing to appear expensive is correct fit. In fact, without correct fit, even the most expensive item of clothing (even that perfectly made designer shirt) will look cheap. So don’t compromise when trying on clothes in the dressing room. If that dress shirt fits just okay–but it doesn’t fit perfectly–leave it in the dressing room. Trust us–you’ll thank us later when you have a closetful of clothes that fit you to a T. Fit truly makes the difference.
Pictured: Issac Mizrahi Taffeta Couture Dress | $49.99 at Target
Color
The trick with color is realizing that some colors are available at all price points, and some colors are mainly seen at higher price points. Basic black, white, beige, and even navy can be found at all levels, from budget to couture. But some colors–such as that gorgeous shade between peach and rose pink or that deep jewel toned blue aquamarine–tend to be more common at higher price points. Sure, colors like them are seen at lower price points, but the hue is often a bit off. But occasionally, you’ll find these gorgeous colors at budget price points. Snap em up–they’re instant chic.
Pictured: Subversive Silk Crystal Beaded Necklace | $59.99 at Target
Pattern
Have you ever noticed that some patterns look expensive, while other patterns look cheap? I look for clean shapes, and patterns that are classic-yet-quirky. Stripes, for example, can be a cheap looking, boring, vanilla pattern. But get the right stripes–perhaps in an interesting color palette, or maybe in varying widths–and suddenly they look like they belong on the runway.
Pictured: Jessica Stripe Skirt Dress | $24.80 at Forever 21
Details
The beauty of clothes is largely in the details, as they give garments that extra special touch. A plain vanilla shirt, for instance, can be taken to a whole new level with special details like tiny pleating, shirring, or even something like topstitching. So when you’re shopping budget lines, look for special detailing. You’d be surprised how often you can find designer-type detailing on low priced lines.
Pictured: Boy Meets Girl Dress | $39 at Twelve by Twelve
Have a great tip about how to buy affordable clothes that look expensive? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on June 20th, 2008 in How To, Men, Men's, Women, Women's |
What’s not to love about dresses? They’re gorgeous–and they’re super simple to wear. Add a pair of shoes and a handbag, and you’re instantly fabulous. We’ve been getting a lot of requests for more plus size (or regular size, if you will) fashion on Omiru. So here goes–presenting Omiru’s favorite plus size summer dresses:
Flutter-Sleeve Wrap Dress | $39.50 at Old NavyThis wrap dress will show off your curves–and the short sleeves and shirring at the waistline will help flatter your figure.
Charter Club Printed Shirtdress | $75 at Macys
This chic all-over print is a perfect match for this structured shirtdress.
Multicolor Zig Zag Stripe Dress | $88 at Avenue
Isn’t this purple zig zag pattern simply mesmerizing?
INC International Concepts® Woman Floral-Print Belted Dress | $89.25 (sale) at Macys
Go bold with this black and white graphic print dress.
Silk Poppy Dress | $147 (approx) at Evans
These pink and orange poppies are truly florals done right.
Rachel Pally White Label Print Caftan Dress | $248 at Nordstrom
An oversized print and a deep v neckline make this dress worth a look.
Posted by Trisha on June 19th, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
Khakis and a button down shirt don’t have to make you look like an extra in Office Space. You can make the classic khakis and a button down combo chic–here’s how:
Fit: By far, the most important piece of the puzzle is Fit. You can make a plain white button down shirt from the Gap look like a million dollars–if it fits you to a T. But if your shirt doesn’t fit you quite right, it’s going to look cheap, even if you paid a small fortune for a designer brand.
For button down shirts, look at how the shirt fits at the shoulder. Most everything about your shirt (sleeve, waist, etc) can be tailored to fit you, but the shoulder is the one place where you can’t alter the shirt. We recommend that the shoulder seam (the line of the shirt that connects the body of the shirt to the sleeve) should rest in the little gap between that little bump at the end of your collarbone and your arm. For more information on fit, read John’s tips on how to fit a button down shirt.
Color: Sure, you could go with a standard blue or white shirt, but why not find a shirt whose color suits you? Be bold and try a different shade. Try navy instead of traditional medium blue. Reach for a royal purple shirt. Or be really bold and try a salmon colored shirt. Remember, getting dressed should be fun–make it that way with a shirt that’s completely you.
Shoes: Finish off the outfit with a great pair of shoes. Skip the sneakers, and opt for a slip-on style in leather or suede. Slip-on styles are inherently more casual than lace-up styles, and they fit the relaxed feel of the khakis and button down combo.
Have a great tip about how to wear khakis and a button down? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on June 18th, 2008 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
Sure, you didn’t care too much for Tie Dye. But that doesn’t mean that you’re not into ombre, a dyeing technique that’s about the graduation of color from light into dark. Here’s Omiru’s top picks for ombre items to spice up your wardrobe–and your home:
Our $ Picks:
Sophie Ombre Scarf | $7.80 at Forever 21Add a dash of purple to your wardrobe with this cool ombre scarf.
Ombre Racerback Tank | $7.80 at Forever 21
This purple grey ombre tank will pair well with dark rinse jeans.
Cool Ombre Tumblers - Set of 12 |$24.99 at Target
Break these ombre tumblers out at your next garden party–or summer BBQ.
Our $$ Pick:
Ombre 16 Piece Dinnerware Set | $59.99 at Target
Make every meal an occasion with this ombre dinnerware set.
Our $$$ Picks:
ADAM Ombre Deep V Ruffle Dress | $445 at Shopbop
We love how the deep v-neckline and the ruffles on this ombre dress flatter women with a small bust.
LAMB Ombre Patent Manchester Bag | $495 at Shopbop
Yum! Isn’t this ombre patent leather bag simply delicious? We’re loving the deep red and purple colors.
Posted by Trisha on June 17th, 2008 in Trend, Trendscape, Trendscape, Women |
I’m honored to announce that Omiru was named one of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Websites for 2008! Here’s what Anita Hamilton of Time Magazine says about us:
"Focused on "real style for real people," Omiru doesn’t just tell you what the fashion trends are — it helps you figure out what actually looks good on you…The site recommends dresses for curvy petites and accessories for your little black dress. Sure, tips like these are sprinkled throughout more mainstream fashion sites like Glam and Style, but Omiru’s laser focus on practical fashion advice makes it a don’t-miss."
Are you new to Omiru? Welcome! Here’s a sampling of our favorite posts to get you started:
Womenswear:
How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress
Shopping Guide: The Best Plus Size Styles
How to Add Some Spice to a Closet full of Classics
Fashion over Fifty: Five Style Tips
Heat Wave! What to Wear to Work to Beat the Heat
How to Dress up Jeans for Work
Menswear:
Men’s Fashion: 5 Investment Pieces for Spring (and Summer)
Where to Find Affordable Skinny Suits
What’s the Ideal Shirt Length for a Man?
How to Determine the Quality of a Suit
How to Build a Casual Preppy Wardrobe
Want more? See everything we have to offer in our archives. And please rate us on Time’s website!
Cheers,
Trisha and the Omiru Team
Posted by Trisha on June 16th, 2008 in News |
We asked: Would you wear Tie Dye?
You said: No, not so much. Only 23% of you would give Tie Dye a try.
Style tip? Tie dye doesn’t have to look like the radial-print hand-dyed shirts you made as a kid. In fact, it can look elegant–or even casually playful. Try out some other dyeing techniques, such as dip dyeing (as seen on the dress at left). Equal parts bohemian and modern.
Next question: You have your cell phone, your money, your makeup, and a host of other assorted items in your evening bag–hence the popularity of the Giant Envelope Clutch. But would you rather dump out your stuff–or carry a giant bag? Tell us, would you carry a Giant Envelope Clutch? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Dip Dye Sun Dress | $62 (approx) at Topshop.
Posted by Trisha on June 16th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
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!
Posted by Trisha on June 13th, 2008 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
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