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!
Posted by Trisha on June 12th, 2008 in Q&A, Ready Made Outfits, Shopping Guide, Women, Women's |
Q: I recently discovered just how difficult it is to buy suits for shorter guys! I am about 5′6" and have a slim physique. I need a dinner suit for weddings/ formal dinners and another suit for work.
A: GQ hit on the 5 most important things a short man should look for in a suit:
(1) Buy Short Length Suits
(2) Wear your pant legs with very little break.
(3) Visually lengthen your arms by showing a little bit of your shirt cuff.
(4) Peak lapels help to visually elongate your body, making you look taller.
(5) Look for suits with a low stance (the place where the two front pieces of the jacket meet).
Beyond this, be sure to check out the different “How to Buy a Suit†guides by magazines such as GQ and Esquire, and men.style.com. GQ recently had a feature of “best suits under $500.†Esquire has an article on the best suits under $500, $1000 and $2000. GQ also has a general how to buy a suit guide that I highly recommend.
Now there are plenty of guys that wear $500 suits that look $2000 and plenty of guys that wear $2000 suits that look $500. The trick to making any suit look good (even one that is $500) is tailoring and fit. As for where to go to find this perfect fit, here’s where I would recommend starting your search.
$250 and below: H&M (really)
$250-$500: J. Crew, Banana Republic,
$500 - $1000: Hugo Boss (I personally love the fit, but we have different body types)
$1000 - $3000: Neiman Marcus, Saks, or Bergdorf (if you are in New York). Personally, I have found Paul Smith London to be the best fitting designer time and time again, but again my body type is different than yours (6 feet, 185lbs).
$3000+: Go bespoke…but I don’t recommend your first suit being bespoke.
Have a great tip about how to buy a suit for a shorter man? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Suit for a Short Man, courtesy of GQ/men.style.com.
Posted by Trisha on June 11th, 2008 in Men, Men's, Q&A |
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!
Posted by Trisha on June 10th, 2008 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
We asked: Would you wear Purple?
You said: Yes! Purple won the hearts of 95% of Omiru readers, while a mere 5% voted against the regal color.
Style tip? Men, we encourage you to give Purple a shot. While purple looks lovely on women’s dresses and blouses, it also looks wonderful on men’s shirts and sweaters. So go on, give Purple a try. The least you can do is try on a purple shirt the next time you’re shopping. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the result.
Next question: Remember making tie-dye shirts as a kid? There’s something sweetly retro about tie-dye. But would you wear it now? Tell us, would you wear Tie-Dye? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Feathers State Line Shirt | $29.99 (sale) at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on June 9th, 2008 in Men, Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
African prints aren’t the only textile trend hitting stores. Ikat prints, which are woven from relief-dyed threads, are extending the ethnic print style into new dimensions. Presenting Omiru’s seven favorite picks for Ikat prints:
Our $ Picks:
Fire Ikat Print Tank Top | $24 (sale) at MacysTwo of our favorite trends–purple and ethnic prints–collide in this summery shirt.
Color Block Tank Dress | $34.50 at Old Navy
Hundreds of dollars worth of style for only $34.50. And isn’t the pattern gorgeous?
Embroidered Ikat Cami | $36 (approx) at Topshop
Pair this ikat camisole with a white pencil skirt for a look that bridges ethnic and elegant.
Boho Ikat Longline Camisole | $49 (approx) at Topshop
Exude breezy chic with this boldly printed camisole.
Our $$ Pick:
Michael Kors Ikat Jacket | $169.50 at Nordstrom
A beautiful color and style. Bonus? It’s available in plus sizes!
Our $$$ Picks:
Milly Ikat Floral Ruffle Halter Dress| $335 at Nordstrom
Go bold with this halter dress with a full-length ikat print.
Vince Women’s Ikat Maxi Printed Dress | $375 at Bloomingdales
We love the elegant U-shape of the neckline and the gorgeous floor length print.
Posted by Trisha on June 6th, 2008 in Trend, Trendscape, Trendscape, Women |
Q: I’m planning a trip to London in the Fall, and I refuse to look like the cliche of an American tourist. My wardrobe will be built around a pair of dark wash trouser jeans. Do you have suggestions for what to take for two weeks? I want to look trendy, but also fit in.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: You’re off to a good start with the dark wash denim trouser jeans. They’ll make you look long and lean, and they’re versatile enough to be paired with almost everything.
So as not to look like the "ugly American," I would evoke the look of Clemence Poesy, a French starlet whom you may have seen in recent movies like Harry Potter and In Bruges. If that’s not enough, she’s also the new face of Chloe perfume. So as to affect Clemence’s impeccably French style, keep you clothes simple and clean–but with a twist.
Military Jacket | $108 (approx) at TopshopHave a wonderful military jacket on hand for a sophisticated city look.
Square Neck Puff Sleeve Top | $14.50 at Old Navy
The square neck and puff sleeve make this French-inspired top even more special.
Rib Knit Snap Henley | $15 (sale) at Old Navy
Add some colorful tees for punches of color.
Tie Front Cardigan | $26.50 at Old Navy
Simple cardigans which are slouchy and in neutral colors would go great with jeans, black pants or a black skirt.
Matty M Gidget Top | $78 at Nordstrom
Pack a great white blouse but one with interesting detail, like this gorgeous Gidget top.
Calvin Klein Belted Crepe Dress | $118 at Nordstrom
A simple but stylish black dress would see you through tea at the Dorset or an evening at the Theatre.
Cashmere Wrap | $68 at Banana Republic
Add a pretty colored scarf to add flair to all of the black and white.
Last style tips? Keep your jewelry simple so you won’t have to worry about it. As for shoes, pack some ballet flats for walking and black boot for a dressier look. Love Clemence’s look? Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Clemence’s style your own.
Have a great tip about what to wear in London? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Clemence Poesy, courtesy of Getty Images.
Posted by Trisha on June 5th, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: I want to purchase a bespoke suit. I’ve never purchased one before. What should I look out for? I’m willing to pay a huge premium, but only if I will definitely get my money’s worth.
A: One time I was at a fancy restaurant in San Francisco. It was the kind of place where you have to wear a jacket to get in, and if you show up without one, they give you one from their closet. I sat down and looked at the menu, which was pretty much completely inaccessible to anyone who’s not a Michelin-rated chef. Rather than try to decipher it, I asked the waiter as casually as I could, “So how is the steak?â€
“Oh, it’s terrible,†he replied.
Now, he was being sarcastic, but I got the point: whatever I ordered, it was going to be great.
If you pick the right restaurant, you don’t have to know anything about food and can rest assured that you’ll get a good meal. Likewise, if you pick the right tailor, you don’t need to know anything about clothes, and you can rest assured that you’ll get a great suit.
Sure, I could give you a long laundry list of things to look out for. But if you’re going to the right place, I’m certain that the tailor will be doing these things anyways. My one piece of advice would be to know exactly what you want in terms of color, fabric, and style going in. The best tailors don’t give their input; rather, they simply do what you want them to do. Besides, the whole point of bespoke is to make a suit for exactly for you.
If you haven’t gone down the bespoke path before, you likely don’t have a good bespoke tailor you can trust. So do your homework. Search online for user reviews of tailors in your city. The bigger the city you live in, the pickier you can be, of course. When you find a tailor that gets consistently favorable reviews, go visit the tailor and ask to see his/her work. See if the tailor will let you talk to some of his/her customers and ask them about their experience.
Also, a “huge premium†can actually be really huge when talking about bespoke. The Kiton “K50,†aptly named because it takes approximately 50 hours to create, costs $30,000 to $50,000, and is made exclusively by Kiton’s chief tailor who personally measures and fits the client. If you already knew this and still are willing to pay this kind of premium, try Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco, which measures bespoke Kiton, or Kiton in New York. If you’re in London, check out Kilgour or any other fine tailor on Saville Row.
Finally, keep in mind that a true bespoke suit isn’t created overnight. A bespoke suit will take you a few visits to create. And a good bespoke tailor will allow you to wear the suit, get it cleaned a few times, and then go back for more tailoring for a perfect fit.
Style Tip 1: For more information on the bespoke process, and what you should expect to do (roughly) with each visit, be sure to read this discussion from Ask Andy About Clothes.
Style tip 2: If that answer didn’t satisfy you, here are five things to look out for:
- If it is “bespoke,†it should mean that the tailor is the actual cutter of the fabric. Ask him to make sure he is.
- The very best tailors also make their own garments. There aren’t too many of these tailors left, but if you find one, consider yourself lucky.
- The use of a sewing machine should be very limited. Bespoke suits should be hand-made, for the most part. That means, literally, the tailor sews the vast majority of the suit by hand.
- Make sure the canvas is hand-sewn or “floating.†If the answer is “no,†or the word “glue†is mentioned, run.
- Labels don’t mean much in bespoke.
Have a great tip about how to buy a bespoke suit? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Kiton Bespoke Suit, courtesy of The Sartorialist on men.style.com.
Posted by Trisha on June 4th, 2008 in How To, Men, Men's, Men's, Q&A, Shopping Guide |
You don’t have to spend a fortune to look effortlessly chic this summer. Here’s 8 tops to help you look like a million dollars–each for under $30:
Glamorous
Chiffon Self Detail Tunic | $22.80 at Forever 21This gorgeous tunic will best flatter women with narrow shoulders.
Bohemian
Sleeveless Peasant Top | $22.80 at Forever 21
Breezy bohemian chic, and an empire waistline that works wonders on long-waisted figures.
Casual
Applique Tank | $24.50 at Gap
This summery tank pairs equally well with a pair of casual jeans or a full, white skirt.
Artsy
Striped Floral Tunic | $19.80 at Forever 21
Perfect with a pair of grey jeans, cardigan sweater, and drapey necklaces.
All American
Colorblock Bubble Tunic | $22.80 at Forever 21
Go All American casual with a red, white, and navy blue knit tunic.
Classic with a Twist
Isaac Mizrahi Voile Empire Shirt | $22.99 at Target
A plain cotton shirt is taken to the next level with a rich color and gentle gathers at the bustline.
Feminine
Isaac Mizrahi Spotted Shirred Tunic | $24.99 at Target
Sweet and summery, this tunic is perfect for the upcoming warm days and balmy nights.
Professional
Sleeveless Tie Neck Shirt | $24.50 at Old Navy
Beat the heat with a fitted sleeveless top, complete with tie-neck sash and a keyhole neckline.
Posted by Trisha on June 3rd, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
We asked: Would you wear Safari Style?
You said: Maybe. Safari Style got a slim majority (54%), but the remaining 46% are anti-Safari.
Style tip? We’re skipping the ordinary Safari prints–zebra prints, leopard spots, and the like–in favor of prints that are a little offbeat. Our personal favorite? Giraffe prints at Banana Republic.
Next question: You’ve said yes to Bright Yellow and Orange–but what do you think about Purple? Tell us, would you wear Purple? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Giraffe Print Scarf in Vermillion | $39 at Banana Republic.
Posted by Trisha on June 2nd, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Inspired by Nikki, we shopped Nordstrom (who shows plus size fashions on plus size models) for gorgeous plus-size styles. So, go on, and celebrate your figure with the two biggest trends of the season: bright colors and bold patterns. Here’s Omiru’s picks for the best on-trend plus size styles:
Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati Ruched Mesh Top | $76 at NordstromA soft ruffled cap sleeve is the perfect addition to this flowy empire waist top.
Caslon Safari Jacket | $88 at Nordstrom
Boxy shapes (especially those with a high neckline) can be tough to wear, but this safari jacket makes an effort with its bold color and elegant 3/4 length sleeves.
Rachel Pally White Label Empire Waist Tank Top | $114 at Nordstrom
A ruched empire waistline ensures a perfect fit.
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Leaf Print Dress | $128 at Nordstrom
There’s absolutely nothing that we don’t love about this dress.
Semantiks ‘Perfect Piqué’ Swing Jacket | $138 at Nordstrom
Swing style jackets are great for skimming over your curves.
Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Sheath Dress | $168 at Nordstrom
Isn’t this purple color abolutely regal?
Posted by Trisha on May 30th, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
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