Posts from September 2010

September 28, 2010
- 6 Style Myths Revealed

Matching Purse & Shoes Rules are meant to be broken, and fashion rules are no different. Everyone wants definite rules of what are fashion “do’s” and “don’ts”. Fashion rules are not black and white. Think of them more as general guidelines that will get you in the right direction, but which require a little interpretation. Not all rules apply to everyone, so it is important that you are able to figure out what works or doesn’t work for your body, budget and lifestyle.

Here are 6 myths that may be holding you back from your true style potential:

1. Purse and Shoes Must Match. This is too matchy-matchy! Not to mention how limiting it is. As long as your shoes and purse “go” together, it works. Try and match either the purse or the shoes to your outfit and let the other piece compliment. The only exception to this is formal black tie type events. Having a matching shoe and bag can be quite elegant and polished looking.

2. Horizontal Stripes Make You Look Fat. Stripes were all the rage this summer and if you fell for this style myth, you missed out on a fun and classic summer piece. Everything from nautical tanks to slim, sexy dresses were bearing stripes. Stripes will draw attention to whatever area you are wearing them, so use them to show off your most flattering areas.

3. Sequins Are for After Hours Only. Sequins definitely say glam and glitz, but when you pair a sequin top with jeans and a great heel, you look perfectly styled and sophisticated day or night. The trick to wearing sequins during the day is keeping it minimal. A top with sequin trim or a sequin skirt paired with a simple top works for the day. Keep the sequin mini dress for evening.

4. It’s Either Gold Or Silver. Most people chose one or the other, but why not have both? Wearing gold and silver can make your accessories pop even more. When wearing the metals together, make sure that it looks intentional. Wear a couple pieces of each. Try a cluster of chunky bracelets or long chain necklaces in combinations of gold and silver.

5. Neutrals Don’t Mix. On the contrary. Mixing grey and brown, black and brown, navy and black…any of these combos is chic! Pull the look together by making it look intentional not accidental. Repeating colors and having balance in the opposing colors is important.

6. Never Combine Prints. Men have been doing this for years with their fun tie and shirt combinations. Why shouldn’t we? Prints add dimension and excitement to your clothes. Chose patterns that are different scales (large vs. small prints). Keep the rest of your accessories minimal to keep the look from getting too busy.

September 22, 2010
- Business Casual Suit at Delish Demure - Milena's Must-Have

Delish Demure is a professional fashionista's dream! This boutique has everything from Commando underwear to designer jeans and cute party dresses. We discovered a great mix and match suit outfit. It's not your traditional black classic suit so it makes it more fun, creative and most importantly, exciting to wear.

September 22, 2010
- The Blazer is Back

Actually, they never went anywhere. If you don’t own a blazer it’s time to man-up with this essential wear anywhere and everywhere jacket. From traditional, country club to edgy fashion forward styles, there is a look out there for everyone. Knowing what to look for and how to wear a blazer will help you create your distinct style.

Your blazer should be a perfect fit. This will make or break the overall look of your blazer. Start with your shoulders and make sure you have the proper fit. It is easy to alter other parts of the blazer, but the shoulders are hard to alter and are also the most expensive alteration. Sleeve length should hit a quarter to a half inch before your hand to allow the sleeve of your shirt fall out. The most modern jackets fit slim through the waist and have a center vent.

Wear your blazer with jeans for anything from a first date to a meeting with the President, like Russian Prime Minister Dimitri Medved did. Pants work too, but make sure they compliment rather than match the blazer. Your blazer should not be mistaken for a poorly matched suit.

There are endless options of what to wear under your blazer including a simple button-up (with or without a tie), sweaters, pull-overs, t-shirts, turtlenecks and cardigans. Here are a few examples from Neiman Marcus:

September 8, 2010
- Party Dress at Shine Boutique - Milena's Must-Have

We went to Shine Boutique and found Milena's Must-Have - A silk silver Kenzie dress - perfect for fall through the holidays!

September 7, 2010
- Boxer or Briefs? Neither!

Boxers haven't been in since 1994 and unless you have the body of an Abercrombie model, briefs remind women of their fathers. This answer to "boxer or briefs" has always been very split down the middle...until now. You no longer need to choose thanks to boxer briefs which have been around since 1990 but have finally become the standard in men's underwear.

Boxer briefs are not only pleasant to the eye, they are functional too! Boxer briefs won't bunch up or create extra volume under your nice suit pants. A boxer brief allows your pants to lay smooth without extra lumps and bumps. Boxer briefs, like briefs hold your assets in which prevents any unnecessary appearances.

Visually, boxer briefs are more flattering and enhance your back and front side. The excess material in the rear of boxers looks sloppy and hides your nice buns. On the other hand, the sleek cut of the boxer brief creates a more defined look in the front.

There are a lot of brands and styles to chose from. We like styles from Calvin Klein and Under Armour. Boxer briefs come in varying lengths, so choose what you feel comfortable in. Athletic bodies ten to look better in shorter lengths. Fabrics with elastane or some some sort of stretch in them will keep their color better. Many of these also have some wicking properties for active men. Cotton is also a good option because it is more affordable and is usually the fabric many men feel most comfort in. Stick to solid neutral colors like black, charcoal grey and white because they are classic and tend to look the most flattering on. Cotton boxer briefs in colors like maroon and navy will fade faster.

September 3, 2010
- Put Your Best Chest Forward

Is your chest doing all the talking? If you are one of those unfortunate, yet fortunate women who have been blessed with an ample chest, here’s what you need to know to put your best chest forward. These tips will help you show off what your mama gave you, while still looking classy.

Invest in a great bra every year. A big chest means more weight on your straps and therefore your straps will loosen and stretch faster. If you haven't been fitted for a bra in the last year, go to a lingerie store and get properly fitted. The fitting is free and will make a huge difference on how you look in your clothes. Your chest should never be boiling over your bra cups and it should fall midway between your elbow and your shoulder. If it’s below this, then you need a new bra. If it’s above this, you are doubly blessed. Rotate your bras to make them last longer.

Keep open necklines. Crew neck and turtle necks are a huge no-no. These increase the visual surface area of your chest. On the flip-side, you don't want huge plunging necklines that show major cleavage. This is not appropriate for work and can be a major distraction for anyone trying to have a conversation with you. Stick to v-neck or scoop neck lines that hit just above your cleavage.

Choose tops in solids or subdued patterns. Loud colors and patterns will draw more attention to this area. Larger patterns will also visually increase the surface area. The same rings true for embellishments like ruffles.

Wear structure vs. flowing tops. Structured tops give you a smooth, clean silhouette whereas as draping tops and sweaters can add volume and give you a sloppy appearance. When choosing structured pieces make sure they enhance your curves. Boxy shapes will be unflattering.