Q: While I love hats, do you have any good tips on how to keep hair looking good after taking the hat off? I always end up with flat, lifeless hair.
A: Hats are the ultimate in chic accessories, but they have the unfortunate side effect of giving you Hat Hair. Hat Hair comes in two strains (that aren’t mutually exclusive): Matted Hair and Static-y Hair. You can try to minimize Hat Hair’s effects by wearing hats of lighter weight or those that don’t have an extremely tight fit, but sometimes you just can’t prevent it. Here’s what to do if you have a case of Hat Hair:
Matted Hair: Apply a bit of volumizing spray to your roots and use your fingers to give your hair some oomph.
Static-y Hair: Spray a bit of Static Guard onto your hairbrush and run it through your hair. Don’t have Static Guard and a brush? In a pinch, you can apply a touch of hand lotion to your hair with your fingers to get rid of static.
Pictured: Static Guard Spray | $4.99 at Walgreens.
Have a great tip about how to combat hat hair?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on December 6th, 2007 in Men, Men's, Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: I’m 18 years old and need a blazer. I’m about 120 lbs and 5′9â€, so I’m having trouble finding one that fits properly. Do you know of any good places I would be able to find something like that? And would it be easier if I just bought one that fit across the shoulders and had it taken in?
A: First of all, I applaud your desire to find a) a blazer and b) a blazer that fits properly, especially at age 18. You will really appreciate having this blazer when you go out for a nice dinner or a night on the town (read: lounges and clubs that have unspoken dress code policies) in college.
There really are two answers to you questions, both of which you touched on. The current trend is to sport slim fitting suits, not those boxy cuts you may be used to seeing older gentlemen wearing. Fortunately for people like us who favor slimmer silhouettes, designers across the board are making plenty of slim fitting jackets. As a result, most respectable department and retail stores will have the slimmer jackets you are looking for. Forbes.com even ran a feature on how the new Gorden Gekko business “power suit†is actually a slim fitting two or three-piece suit, not the boxy cuts that most execs seem to wear.
I myself wear a Paul Smith London suit and a Marc by Marc Jacobs blazer often; both jackets needed limited tailoring, so I would suggest checking them out first, if you are looking for specific designers.
The second part of the answer is yes, it is easier to buy one that fits across the shoulders and have it taken in. In fact, this is really the only way to buy any suit, tux, or blazer. Why? The shoulder is the one place that even great tailors will not touch. You should still go for designers that are slimmer fitting, however, since excessively slimming the sides can lead to all kinds of problems that may require more tailoring.
If this is your first blazer, I would strongly advise buying a wool navy blazer. It’s a staple in a man’s wardrobe and is quite versatile. Check out our article on the navy blazer. Read that article even if you aren’t getting a blue one; it will let you know the “right†way the blazer should fit and give you a few suggestions of what to wear with it. If this is your second blazer, opt for a gray blazer (go darker than lighter). If this is your 3rd or later, you have a few options here, not only with color, but with fabric – maybe you want a velvet blazer for the winter (especially if you live in the East) or a more casual canvas or cord blazer.
Pictured: Obey Corduroy Blazer | $199 at Ben Sherman.
Have a great tip about how to buy a blazer?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on December 5th, 2007 in Men, Men's, Q&A |
The Plaid Flannel Shirt is back–and it doesn’t have to be (nay–it shouldn’t be) reminiscent of 90s grunge. John showed the guys how to stand out from the crowd in a plaid flannel shirt, which prompted the ladies to ask how to translate this look for women. The plaid shirt, while reminiscent of a woodsy man, doesn’t have to be masculine.
How to give the plaid shirt a feminine touch? Three ideas:
(1) Fit is key. A man’s shirt will fall straight at the sides, but a woman’s shirt should follow her curves. Too-straight side seams will make you look mannish.
(2) Leave the top button (or two) unbuttoned. Subtly show off your figure.
(3) Choose a shirt with special details, such as a ruffle at the back or tuxedo pleats down the front. The tuxedo pleats down center front on the American Eagle shirt, for example, give the shirt a feminine edge.
Here’s our top picks for plaid shirts with a feminine touch:
AE Plaid Tuxedo Pleat Shirt | $34.95 (sale) at American Eagle
Bib Front Flannel Shirt | $44.50 at Gap
Sparkle Plaid Margaret Shirt | $78 at J. Crew
Charlotte Ronson Plaid Button Down Tunic | $202 at Shopbop
Posted by Trisha on December 4th, 2007 in How To, Shopping Guide, Trend, Trendscape, Women, Women's |
We asked: Are Swing Coats In or Out?
You said: Overwhelmingly in, with 61% of the popular vote.
Omiru’s take: We love the look of swing coats, with their simple lines, oversized buttons, and fun, swingy shape.
Style tip? Our favorite look pairs the swing coat over a slim bottom (skinny jeans, tailored trousers, or even a pencil skirt). An essential look in Figure Flattery 101.
Next question: The Color Black is figure flattering, but its opposite, The Color White, is so fresh and clean. Tell us, is The Color White In,
or is it Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Swing Coat with Pleated Hem| $69 at Forever 21.
Posted by Trisha on December 3rd, 2007 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Welcome to a Special Sampler Edition of the Friday
Fashion Hotlist: a compilation of the cutest and coolest stuff Omiru’s
Style Intelligence Report saw out there on the web.
This week, we present to you Our Favorite Goodies from the Sampler to show you the best of the best from independent crafters and artists.
You Rock My Socks Notecard | $2 each at Etsy
Microwave Girl (aka Kate, in Super Hero form) makes greeting cards, purses, magnets, and more in her Atlanta studio.
Andy Eats Only Candy Pouches
Find graphic tote bags (at reasonable prices) at Andy Eats Only Candy’s Etsy store.
Letterpress Cards by Lizard Press
Buy a greeting card sampler (20+ limited edition letterpress cards for only $65) from Lizard Press creative studio.
Are you a designer or crafter? Spread the word about yourself by sending your goods to The Sampler today!
Posted by Trisha on November 30th, 2007 in Friday Fashion Hotlist, Trend |
Q: I work for a relatively hip, young firm and the annual corporate holiday party is coming up. I recently purchased a Herve Leger bandage outfit (very pink top paired with a very black skirt.) Would this be too over the top for a work function?
A: With work functions, the generally accepted wisdom is to err on the conservative side. You’ll be hanging out with people that you work with–and that, with any luck, you’ll continue to work with for some time. Sexy outfits can work for your best friend’s holiday party, but the office holiday party is still governed by professionalism.
That said, professional outfits don’t have to be unattractive. And since you work at a hip, young firm, you can safely push the boundaries a bit more.
Our rule of thumb? Choose one standout, boundary-pushing detail–and build your outfit around that. You can wear a form fitting dress–but not one that features a up-to-there miniskirt and/or one that is excessively low cut. Or you can get away with that minidress, but one that’s less form fitting. Alternatively, you could try a metallic dress for sparkle–but in a conservative cut (as pictured).
With the Herve Leger bandage outfit, we’re counting two boundary-pushing details: the extreme body-hugging fit and the very pink top. Our advice is to choose one or the other: wear a body-hugging dress OR one in a standout bright color. Remember, you want to be the talk of the office for your stylish fashion choices (and your top-of-the-line work)–not for crossing the don’t-go-there fashion line.
Pictured: Alice + Olivia Sequined Pencil Dress | $495 at Shopbop.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a wedding?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on November 29th, 2007 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: What would be a good shirt and tie combination to wear with black pinstriped pants? I am fair skinned with blonde hair & blue eyes.
A: Some guys try to go stripe-happy (striped suit, striped shirt, striped tie) and end up looking like the result of a Queer Eye for the Straight Guy makeover. Now, it’s not impossible to do, but it’s very difficult. I myself avoid it, but if you want to try it, make sure your stripes are of different sizes. Most suits have relatively thin pinstripes, so this means finding a shirt and tie with thicker stripes. Honestly, I haven’t seen very many pull off the triple threat very well, with one exception being Isaac Ferry (rocker Bryan Ferry’s son) in the July 2007 GQ. But then again, he only looks good because he knows he looks good.
For a more subdued look, try a simple solid shirt and solid tie. You can try matching your tie and the pinstripes (unless they’re white). Silver tie with silver pinstripes and a blue shirt always looks good. Some check-patterned shirts look great here too. You can’t go wrong with a crisp white oxford here either. If your suit has a navy base, a purplish/blue tie will do well here. You can also try a houndstooth-patterned tie or a dark colored dotted tie. Or for something a little different, try a textured wool knit tie. You can also try wearing a suit without a tie, à la Tom Ford (although I’d suggest buttoning your shirt a bit higher than he does, unless you know you look good).
Long story short, you have a wealth of choices to wear with pinstripes, which is why the pinstriped suit is a classic and a staple of the well-dressed man’s wardrobe. Want more ideas? Go pick up any issue of GQ or Esquire. You’re guaranteed to find some great examples of pinstriped suits.
Pictured: Straight Black Pinstripe Dress Chino | $78 at Banana Republic.
Have a great tip about what to wear with black pinstriped pants?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on November 28th, 2007 in Men, Men's, Q&A |
Q: What are some essential pieces for a laid back, preppy girl look?
By Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: First a bit of fashion history for you: preppy
fashion is derived from White Anglo Saxon College Preparatory School uniforms. Big in the 70s and the 80s, preppy fashion is still very much in style today. But instead of wearing preppy fashion head-to-toe, we generally recommend layering in other pieces for a more laid-back, modern look. To get you started though, here’s eleven staples for a preppy look:
The Navy Blazer
Wool Gabardine Single Button Jacket | $225 at J Crew
The Cable Knit Sweater
Cambridge Cable Crewneck Sweater | $74 at J Crew
The Basic Button Down Shirt
Sparkle Plaid Margaret Shirt | $78 at J Crew
The Polo Shirt
Kendall Polo Shirt | $39.50 at Abercrombie
The Corduroy Pant / The Khaki Pant
Modern Boot Cut Corduroy Pant | $54.60 (sale) at Banana Republic
The Lilly Pulitzer Dress
Lilly Pulitzer Cosette Printed Shirtdress | $195.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Pearl (or Diamond) Earrings
Pearl Stud Earrings | $55 at J Crew
The Cartier Tank Watch
Cartier Tank Francaise Watch | $3,800 at Saks Fifth Avenue
The Ribbon Belt
Striped Grosgrain Belt | $48 at J Crew
The Kate Spade Handbag
Kate Spade Classic Noel Metallic Griffin Tote | $216.90 (sale) at Nordstrom
The Penny Loafer
BP Paperclip Penny Loafer | $59.95 at Nordstrom
Lastly, here’s two pointers to make your preppy look more laid back:
(1) Play with color. We like darker and richer colors than the generally preferred kelly green and bright pink.
(2) Don’t look too perfect. Your cotton pinstriped button-down could, for example, be left unpressed. Or you can wear it slightly unbuttoned to show some skin.
Have a great tip about what to wear for a preppy look?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on November 27th, 2007 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
We asked: Are Skinny Cigarette Pants In or Out?
You said: In, with the majority (52%) of the popular vote.
Omiru’s take: Though Wide Legged Trousers are making waves this Fall, Skinny Cigarette Pants are also making a splash. While they’re tough to wear if you don’t have long, lean legs, they do look smashing paired with a more voluminous top for a big-over-small look.
Style tip?
For the longest, leanest look, pair cigarette pants with a tall heel in a similar color. We love grey cigarette pants paired with a checkered grey heel.
Next question: You’re into Skinny Cigarette Pants–but are you also into pairing them with voluminous Swing Coats? Tell us, are Swing Coats In,
or are they Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: J Brand Cigarette Stretch Leg Jean | $159 at Shopbop.
Posted by Trisha on November 26th, 2007 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Peacoats come in many styles, cuts and colors, but for me, the perfect one is dark (but not black), tailored, and waist length. I prefer a shorter coat (i.e. not thigh or knee length, but waist length) - some say “trend,†I say “sporty.†Style tip? As with all black wool clothes, a black wool peacoat easily picks up lint.
I’m quite picky, so don’t feel bad if you are too. Peacoats can be expensive and if you don’t find the perfect one, don’t spend money on it. But if you’re looking for the perfect peacoat, you’re in luck—I’ve already done the legwork for you. Here are the best peacoats out there:
This is the peacoat I ended up buying, so naturally, I think it’s the best one. I loved the length and the sleek, tailored look. The extra wide collars might be a turnoff for some, but I actually like the detail. If you zoom in on the picture, you can see what spurred me to pull the trigger on this purchase: the texture. It gives the coat personality. Although I don’t normally like boxy cuts, I liked the boxiness of this coat, which gives the coat a dressier feel and a strong shoulder.
“Wuffy†Jacket | $450 at DieselI really like this peacoat in black/gray from the brand new online Diesel store–his check pattern reminded me of the pattern on the Oak flannel shirt. Like the Michael Kors coat, this coat scores points for (tweed) texture. As with all things Diesel, it’s very form fitting and tailored. You’ll definitely be noticed in this bold coat.
Yeah, I know what the guys are thinking: “Wait a minute, doesn’t my girlfriend have a towel-like pair of pants with the word ‘juicy’ on the butt?†She probably does, but don’t be ashamed if you, too, wear Juicy Couture. Juicy has evolved into much more than a terry cloth pants company for teens. They make some great graphic T’s for guys and they make a good-looking peacoat. And, with Juicy, you know you’ll be getting something trendy and with a twist. In this case, that twist is a screen-printed satin lining.
With glowing white buttons, this navy coat is hit or miss. To me, it’s a hit. The navy/white gives the peacoat a very nautical, traditional feel. With Burberry, you know you’ll be getting a boxier cut.
Corpus Detachable Sleeve Peacoat | $418 (sale) at Oak NYCI love the texture on this coat from one of my favorite stores, Oak NYC. Again, this is hit or miss, as it is quite unusual – it has detachable sleeves. This uncommon feature also makes it practical: do as the store’s description says and layer it with a sweater.
Of all the coats I have suggested, this peacoat is the most timeless. It features a more traditional length (i.e. thigh level), and it is dark and simple. This is a great coat to get if you want something classy and tasteful. I myself was *this* close to buying this coat.
My last pick? The “dream on†coat: Michael Bastian Shearling Coat | $4,495 at Bergdorf GoodmanGot $4500 to drop on a coat? This coat by the one and only Michael Bastian is for you.
I’ll leave you with one last Style Tip, or rather a Style Rule. Button you coat! Double-breasted coats look very bad when you don’t button them. You don’t need to fasten all the buttons, although traditionalists will rebuke me for saying this. My best advice? Leave the top button undone.
Have a great tip about where to find a great men’s peacoat?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on November 23rd, 2007 in Men, Shopping Guide, Trendscape |
Next Posts
Previous Posts
