August 18, 2010

- Top 3 Fall Fashion Trends

Fall fashions have been in the stores as early as July.  August is the time to replace worn out items from last year and update with a few trends from this year.  Even if it is still 90 degrees where you are, now is the ideal time to get the best selections.  The good news about the fall trends this year is that you will find many trends have carried over from last year!  We love this because the more you can wear something the more value you can get out of it!

 

Jackets:  You can't have too many jackets this season.  Jackets are being seen in all sorts of materials including leather, suede, faux fur and colored denim.  Military style jackets are particularly popular.  They are the perfect way to layer and stay warm this winter.  Tailored jackets also naturally have a slimming affect.  This is one item that everyone can wear.  Look for a perfect fit or get it altered to look just right!

 

Over-the-knee Boots:  Boots in general are very in this fall.  If you tried getting a pair late last winter, I hope you learned your lesson and will start shopping for your perfect boots now.  They will likely sell out again this year as more and more people are pairing them with skinny jeans.  Riding boots and boots with cuffs on the bottom are also popular.

 

Skinny Jeans/Jeggings:  I remember years ago trying to convince people to buy a pair of skinny jeans.  Many didn't want to invest in these stylish jeans because they thought they would be out of style.  I've had mine for 5 or so years now...I don't think they are going anywhere.  In fact, the jegging, which is a combination of a legging and a jean, is very hot too.  You can't go wrong with a simple legging either.  Pants that elongate and narrow your leg are in!

May 11, 2009

- Sexy Swim Suits by Your Body Type!

Find the Perfect Swimsuit this Summer!

Swim suit season is here! I recently had the dreaded task of shopping for one. Even as an image consultant, I don't like the idea of seeing myself half naked in a dressing room with poor lighting and mirrors all around!! Like anything that is hard to fit, you have to try on 100 to find that one perfect one. So to save you a little time, here's a few tips on finding that perfect swim suit for your body type this summer!

1. Straight or Rectangular (minimal boobs or butt): Look for embellished tops with ruffles, prints and padding. Ruching will add angles to your body. Busy prints on the top and bottom can add volume and accentuate your boobs and butt!

2. Pear Shaped (narrow shoulders, wider hips): Accentuate your top half with prints, push up padding and halters. Minimize your bottom half with either boy shorts or bottoms with a higher waist, high cut leg holes and a full back!

3. Hour Glass (shoulders and hips equal with defined waist): Underwire or a well lined top that will keep the girls perky is essential. Bottoms should be modest. Keep bikini pieces the same color to maintain balance in both the hip and shoulders!

4. Upside Down Triangle (wide shoulders or bust, narrow hips): Keep your top minimal with a deep v-neck or plunge. Add volume to your lower half with a skirt suit bottom or fuller bottoms with low-cut leg holes and details on the hips! Add a pattern on just the bottom to balance out the top!

Bonus Tip! Save on your swimsuit by buying it in June! As I'm sure you've seen, many swimsuits show up in the stores in February, so by June they are ready to ship back out again. Save 40% or much more by waiting to buy your suit in June!

Also hit the discount stores! I recently had a friend buy a great swim suit at TJ Max for only $15!! I also picked up a really cute suit at Target for only $30! The suits at these discount stores may not be designed with all the bells and whistles, but they do the job, look cute and are a fraction of the department store costs!

December 27, 2008

- New Years Eve Fashion

I hope everyone has had a great holiday week. With New Years just around the corner and holiday shopping in the buzz, planning your New Years Eve outfit is on the top of many minds. Here are some of my top tips to help you find the perfect outfit:

1. Find out the dress code! You can't decide what to wear until you know the dress code. If there's no one to call, consider the location...if you are heading downtown, go cocktail glam and if you are heading to the mountains or country you can probably go more casual with dark dressy denim and a fun top. Always error on the side of dressy vs. casual.

2. Go for the silk, metallics and sequins! New Years is the one time that these items are considered a wardrobe essential. They are also available in a wide variety of price ranges. Adding a little glitz will make you look and feel like the life of the party!

3. Fit is still important! Just because it's New Years, it doesn't mean that you can forgo all common sense. That slinky dress will look a whole lot hotter if it fits like a glove, but not like sausage casing. Keep your dress length appropriate for your age and height. And lastly, don't show us your panty lines, but do keep your panties on if you are wearing the dress above.

4. Beef up your accessories! Think quality over quantity with this one. If you already have the statement outfit, opt for a chunky cocktail ring, a wide metal cuff, or bold earring as opposed to the bangle bracelets and lots of dangly accessories. And don't forget the clutch which is the staple purse for a New Years Eve night out.

5. Think party shoes! Your shoes are the foundation for which you stand on and can be the foundation for how you feel that night too. Pick something that is comfortable but also makes you feel special. A stiletto might be super sexy, but probably won't be comfortable on icy sidewalks. Chose something with a feminine, but solid heel and either a closed toe, peep toe, or opt for some dressy leather boots.

6. Don't forget the jacket and gloves! Your jacket is more than the item that prevents you from freezing from car to bar. Even a puffy jacket, if done right, can be stylish. Your jacket, just like your purse, should coordinate with your outfit. That doesn't mean you need to be matchy-matchy. Just make the style types go together: dressy wool jacket with dressy dress, stylish puffy jacket with jeans, etc. Your glove should be leather no matter what. Leather is a material that can easily transfer from dressy to casual, so they look great with a pair of jeans or a fancy dress. Knit gloves are just too casual for the occasion.

November 10, 2008

- Quiz: Are you a Savvy Shopper?

Find out  Are you a savvy shopper? 
Take this 2 minute quiz to see if you are on the road to being a Savvy Shopper!

October 28, 2008

- First Lady of Style: Michelle Vs. Cindy

With all the hype surrounding Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe, and the election right around the corner, I thought it might be a good time to talk about the potential first ladies and their styles. Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain both have great fashion sense, but completely different styles.

Michelle's signature style is really a reflection of who she is. She is a strong, smart, independent woman from a working-class family. Her style is classic, feminine and sometimes even more casual than we are used to seeing. She wears dresses rather than suits most of the time. Her color choices are usually bold, but not flashy. She has been at the top of Vanity Fair and People's best dressed lists and is often compared to first lady fashion predecessor Jackie O.

What I love about Michelle's style is that she always looks put together effortlessly. As we saw on The View, she wore an off-the-rack $148 Donna Ricco Dress from White House Black Market. She looked put together, understated and most importantly relatable. The dress she wore sold out across the country because women wanted to and could afford to look like Michelle Obama. The dress she wore for her DNC speech was a simple sleeve, turquoise knit jersey dress. She popped a statement necklace on and Voila! She had an outfit that any American woman would want and could afford to put together.

While most of middle-America can relate to Michelle's style, many of us only fantasize about a wardrobe like Cindy's. Cindy McCain's style is very polished and elegant. Her personally style is evidence of a beauty queen raised in an affluent family. She wears couture designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera.

Her color choices are bright and bold, which can be quite refreshing. Her well tailored style is often compared to Nancy Regan who was known for her red power suits of the 80's. There is a lot to admire about Cindy McCain. There never seems to be a hair out of place. What I like about Cindy's style is that it is very true to who she is. She is a person that strives for perfection which is evident in the impeccable design and structure of her clothing. While her suits are conservative in nature, she modernizes them by chooses beautiful fabrics and playing with unexpected bright colors which add youth to her complexion. There is a regal air to her that speaks first lady fashion.

These women have great style and have raised the bar for their predecessors. Each of these potential first ladies brings a unique personal style to the table. But while each indulges in trends, like Michelle's wide belts or Cindy's showy colors, they both still embrace the pearl necklace which is forever classy.

Whichever has the honor of being the next first lady, you can be sure they will do it with style and class.

October 15, 2008

- 9 Ways to Save On Your Wardrobe Now!

Sign up for email blasts from your favorite stores
As annoying as these mass emails can be, they can actually save you tons! Most major department stories and now many boutiques have an opt-in button on their website where you can sign-up to receive notifications about special sales and discount opportunities.

Google Discount Codes:
If you like to buy your clothes online, you can save money by Googling 'Discount Codes (the stores you like)'. There are hundreds of websites offering current discount codes that you input at the end of your check-out to save on your purchases.

Know the sales cycle:
Buying clothes at the end of the season can really save you money as long as you are OK with having last year's clothes next year. If you focus on buying classic pieces you can really find value in doing this. For example, J.Crew is notorious for putting their cashmere sweaters on sale after the holidays. They'll bring the same cashmere sweater out next year (perhaps in different colors) and sell it again at full price. If your smart and buy at the end of the season, you'll essentially have the same sweater at savings of 40% or more!

Mix & match pricey pieces with cheaper pieces:
Wearing Burberry from head to toe is neither chic nor necessary. It lacks creativity and can be presumed flashy. It's much more stylish to pair your faux fur vest from H&M with a great pair of leather Cole Hahn Boots. The luxury boots will make your H&M vest look more high-end.

Decide on a color story:
A color story is basically a series of colors that can relate to each other. If you buy clothing colors that can mix and match you can create more outfits with less pieces.

Buy Basics in neutral colors:
'Basics' are the foundation for all outfits. They are essential, classic pieces that never go out of style so they will last much longer in your wardrobe. Buying basics in a neutral color adds to the classic element. For instance, starting with a basic black pencil skirt you can create several outfits by pairing more statement pieces on the top such as a printed blouse, cropped leather blazer, or a suit jacket. All three are completely different looks for different occasions.

Purchase trendy memorable pieces at discount stores:
You'll save yourself hundreds of dollars in the long run by buying those pieces that will be out of style next year at a discount store such as Forever XXI, Ross, H&M, Nordstrom Rack, etc. Pieces that are 'memorable' you will tend to wear less often compared to basics, which can be worn several times within the same week.

Buy quality over quantity:
The biggest downfall for bargain shoppers is buying things just to have more. If you have a closet full of nothing to wear, you have probably fallen victim to this often. You clothing will last longer if it is made of excellent materials and sewn with perfection.

Love everything you buy:
No matter how cheap something is, if you don't love it, it's not worth a penny! Keep yourself from buying things just because they are on sale. If you love it AND it's on sale - those are true bargains!

October 3, 2008

- Fashionable Football Fan

Hey ladies, football season is here and chances are you'll be spending at least a few Sundays or Monday nights watching the game with your man or if your like me, with a great group of girlfriends (while looking for men).  Whether you'll be hosting a party at your home or you'll be front row at the stadium, here are some great tips to keep you looking like the fashionable football fan you are!

You don't need to bulk-up for the game, but wearing a lot of layers whether you are inside or out can be hip. Think of long sleeve t-shirts with short-sleeve sweaters, graphic t-shirts, or shrunken blazers. There are a lot of fun sweater jackets in stores right now. Layer these with graphic t-shirts, cotton camisoles, or a fitted long sleeve t-shirt.  If your lucky to go to one of the sunny games, wear a traditional 1" strapped ribbed tank with a cool graphic.  Bring a coordinating hoodie/sweater jacket just in case the afternoon clouds/rain role in.  A cotton, day casual sundress is very chic.  Be sure to pair it with flip flops or casual sandals to keep from looking over dressed.

Jeans & Shoes:
Jeans are all-American just like football. Chose a flattering style and color to keep your look put together and not sloppy. In general, most people look good in a boot-cut dark denim. Pair jeans with a cute flat or driving loafer rather than an athletic shoe. Another option is to find a fun casual sneaker. Don't know the difference between an athletic shoe and a sneaker? If you would run a mile or more in it, it is the wrong shoe.

Team Jersey
If you are going to wear a jersey, please don't borrow your boyfriend/husband's. You still need to pay attention to fit, even in a jersey. Several stores carry "women's fit" jerseys and if those are still too big, take a stroll in the kids section. Wear the jersey with a long sleeve fitted t-shirt, not a turtle neck which will have you looking like your mother, no matter what age you are. And whatever you do, don't tuck it in! This is sportswear not a dress shirt. If you feel like you need to tuck it in, then it is too big.

Team Colors:It's always chic to sport the team colors. But what if you're a Broncos Superfan and orange makes you look sick? Just wear the color away from your face. This is why layering is key.

Here are a few fashion fumbles for any football fan
Heels - You'll just look out of place or like you are one the "fans" waiting for the players after the game.
Spaghetti strap tanks, low-cut shirts, tube tops
I don't think this needs an explanation, but see above.

Silk, rayon, linen or any fabrics used for dresses
with all the cheering, clapping and fist pumping you are sure to do, these materials will not only look out of place, but will just look disastrous at the end of the game.

Chandelier earrings
or any jewelry that could potentially injure you or someone nearby. (again, the fist pumping)

Athletic shoes
these are functional shoes, so unless you are running or training at the game, there is really no need to wear them.

Big T-shirts
We are talking the "I've been to Florida" and "Bud-Light" t-shirts here, not the cute shrunken graphic t-shirts. These are just frumpy and unflattering.

Anything wrapped around your waist
Whether it is your sweatshirt or your fanny pack, there is nothing attractive about adding extra bulk at your waist. Bring a cute tote or satchel type purse with you. It can hold all the stuff you would keep in your fanny pack and you can fold your sweatshirt over the top when you get hot.

Face Painting -If you've ever seen the Seinfeld episode where Elaine dates the face-painter, you'll know how ridiculous this is. Face painting ends at age 12. Period.

July 7, 2008

- Age just a number?