Posts filed under 'Women's'
Every woman has a Little Black Dress…or two, or ten. And they’re great as a go-to outfit for cocktails, dinner parties, and other evening events. But how many times do you really get to wear your LBD? If you’re anything like us, it’s not very often. So let’s get some extra mileage out of our LBDs during the daytime with some clever accessorizing. Here’s how to accessorize a LBD:
Why does this outfit work?
Visual Interest through Pattern: Both the gingham scarf and the newsprint belt add visual texture to the LBD. And since the two patterns are in the same color scheme, they complement one another rather than compete with one another.
A Splash of Bright Color: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy–and all black and white and no color can make for a dull outfit. So we added a splash of bright color for a jolt of energy. We love bright green as a fresh foil for black and white–but any bright color will do. Try royal purple for a distinctly elegant look.
A Touch of Mystery: Finish off the outfit with a pair of oversized shades. The air of mystery the sunglasses creates is a secret ingredient for standout style.
How do you accessorize your Little Black Dress (LBD)? Share your style tips with us in the comments!
May 6th, 2008
Think Modern Classics
Aging doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice style–and it doesn’t force you into matronly looks. The same rules of figure flattery still apply, so don’t fill your closet with shapeless tops and dresses. Even though you’re more mature, you’re encouraged to keep current with (some) trends–but you’ll wear them differently. While you may have gotten away with that nautical inspired minidress in your 20s–and those high-waisted sailor pants in your 30s, a better way to interpret the seafaring trend in your 50s would be through a well-cut navy blue structured jacket and white wide-leg pants.
Invest in Quality
Buy fewer pieces, but purchase better quality ones. These quality items will not only hold up better over time, but they’ll also drape more beautifully on your figure. You don’t have to spend a million to feel like a million dollars, but you have to know what brands fit you.
Camouflage Strategically
You know what parts of your body you want to reveal and which parts you want to keep covered up. Dress accordingly. Rule of thumb? Pick one area of your body to highlight, and construct your outfit around it. So if you have a great pair of legs, highlight them with a knee-length skirt and a killer pair of shoes. Or if you’re blessed with a gorgeous face, frame it with an oversized collar.
Play with Color
Since the styles you’re wearing will tend to be simpler (modern classics), you have more room to play with color. Basic black is safe, but blood orange or cobalt blue are so much more fun! Monochromatic looks are often figure flattering, so why not choose a more interesting color? We dare you.
Add Statement Accessories
When it comes to a great bag or a wonderful scarf, it doesn’t matter whether you’re twenty five or fifty five. A single statement accessory, such as a pair of dramatic oversized sunglasses, can turn a plain outfit into something special–and is so much more stylish than a quieter accessory (e.g. a string of pearls).
Have a great tip about fashion over fifty? Share it with us in the comments!
April 17th, 2008
by John Liu
How do you know if the suit you want is worth its hefty price tag? While there are a lot of things that go into a great suit, there are two quick tests you can do on the showroom floor to help you determine the quality of the suit.
Wrinkle Test: A quick way to test the quality of the wool from the suit is to grab the cuff of a pant leg and firmly squeeze. That’s right: I’m telling you to purposely try to wrinkle the wool. If, after a minute or so, the wool remains wrinkled after you release the pant leg, we recommend you move on to a better quality wool suit.
This wrinkle test becomes important after a day at the office, during which you sit at your desk, elbows – and jacket – bent. To all of the investment bankers out there: You may have stayed at the office overnight, but you don’t have to look like it. Get a suit that passes the wrinkle test. Disclaimer: If you just throw your suit on your bedroom floor, even the best ones will become wrinkled.
Canvas Test: Between the exterior cloth and the lining of the jacket, every proper suit has a layer of cloth called a canvas. High quality suits will have this canvas hand-sewn into the jacket. Lesser quality jackets use a process called fusing, in which the lining is, essentially, glued to the jacket. The canvas is entirely hidden, and you cannot see it unless you literally rip the jacket open. Some designers will tell you that there are new innovations in fusing that make the fused jacket just as good as hand-stitched ones, but I’m not entirely sure if I believe them. A jacket with a canvas will fit better, especially across the chest. Plus, the canvas also gives the lapel its roll.
How to tell if your jacket has a canvas? Find the part of the jacket in between two button holes. Gently pinch the two sides (exterior and interior sides) apart. If you can feel a third layer in between, there’s a canvas. If you can’t, the jacket is fused. Style tip: Price doesn’t equal quality, so don’t assume that every expensive blazer has a canvas. I recently saw a $1,300 blazer in Barney’s that failed the canvas test.
Pictured: Anthony Peak Wool Suit | $1795 at Ralph Lauren.
April 2nd, 2008
Q: I just got a black fitted vest/waistcoat and I’m not sure how to integrate it with the rest of my wardrobe. I’m still a college student and I don’t want to necessarily look like I’m heading towards the office or anything. Is there a way I can wear this more formal piece while still looking young and casual?
by Tamiko Kelly, Fashion Expert and Style Maven at Margarite Elaine
A: Traditionally a men’s wardrobe staple, the fitted vest (aka the waistcoat) has migrated over to women’s wardrobes. This trend has been popularized over the last few seasons, and it still has a cult-like following. With this set, we wanted to show you how to give a young, hip/funky edge to a wardrobe staple.
The vest look on the left is based on a neutral palette. The result is at once sophisticated and youthful, right down to the silver-grey ankle boots. The vest look on the right, on the other hand, is all about personality. Note the use of color in this outfit: the reddish-purple color on the shirt is echoed in the shoes, clutch, and earrings.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a vest? Share it with us in the comments!
March 20th, 2008
Q: I will be turning 30 in April and have decided to celebrate by finding a signature scent to wear for the next decade. I do think perfume can add something special, but… a lot of places are becoming scent free, and I don’t want something that’s either overpowering or girly. How do I choose a scent, and is it considered rude to wear perfume these days?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: At thirty, you should be looking for a complex and sophisticated perfume that reflects your personality and life experience. Select a perfume that speaks to your own unique personality—and one that doesn’t overwhelm you.
When selecting a perfume, consider your climate. Some scents are too heavy for the summer, and others are too light for the winter. Beyond that, we can’t tell you which perfume to choose—choosing a scent is very personal as each perfume has a different chemical reaction (and thus, a different scent) on each individual. Like we said in our article on cologne last week, we recommend experimenting by (1) finding scents that appeal to your senses, and then (2) seeing how the scent smells on your skin. One trick for clearing your nose from all the different scents (cleansing the palate, so to speak) is to carry coffee beans with you. Sniffing coffee beans will clear your nose from the scent of the previous perfume.
Great classics are usually a good place to begin, so try Robert Piquet’s Fracas, Chanel No. 5 or Coco by Chanel. For a non-overpowering, non-girly scent, you may also want to try the lush tuberose scent of Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle. A couple of my personal favorites are Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie (which has pear and peach notes) and Jil Sander #4 (which is a little spicy).
As for your last question, it’s not rude to wear perfume–it’s rude to wear too much of it. Rule of thumb? If you’re riding in an elevator, your fellow passengers should only smell a trace of the perfume. Try a dab here and a dab there–or spray the scent into the air and walk through it.
Have a great tip about how to pick a perfume Or would you like to share your favorite scents? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Petite Cherie by Annick Goutal (left) and Coco by Chanel (right).
March 13th, 2008
Q: I have been hearing rumors about how pearls are coming back. Do you have any recommendations for how to make them look modern?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Pearls are a true classic—while their popularity has waxed and waned over the seasons, they have never gone out of style. It’s no surprise that they’re gaining in popularity now, given the movement towards more ladylike fashion (though they work with almost any outfit, from a casual sweater and jeans to a formal business suit). Plus, pearls are universally flattering—you can find pearls to complement any complexion.
That said, the single strand necklace that your Grandmother wore can look dated. For a fresh, modern look with pearls, here are three tips:
(1) Invest in jewelry that combines pearls with other stones, such as a cluster earring combining pearls with aquamarine or amethyst. Should you have a strand of family pearls, you could restring them, adding crystals or other jewels to the necklace, to make them more modern.
(2) Try Nontraditional Pearls: Baroque pearls are less pristine in appearance, yet they are beautiful in their imperfection. Added bonus? Baroque pearls often come in beautiful colors from pinks to golds to purples. We also love the look of coin pearls, which are characterized by their flat, coin-like shape.
(3) Do as Coco Chanel did: Wear your classic pearl necklace with an assortment of other necklaces to add dimension to their appearance.
Looking for some basic information on pearls? For a primer on pearls, Omiru recommends Blue Nile’s Guide to Pearls.
Have a great tip about how to create a modern look with pearls? Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured, from left: Snowdrops and Leaves Asymmetrical Necklace | $56 at t8designs (Etsy), Birds Nest Earrings | $32 at starrydesigns (Etsy), Anita Earrings | $16 at Golden Stiletto (Etsy).
March 6th, 2008
Editor’s Note: We were inspired by the equal 50-50 split on last week’s fishnet stockings poll, so we’re taking this opportunity to show the 50% of you who were pro-fishnets how to best wear this trend. And perhaps these tips will turn around some of the fishnet naysayers.
Fishnet stockings used to be reserved for a hot night out at the club or a late night rendezvous (or other equally racy events). But now they’re making their way into more mainstream wardrobes. How do you wear fishnets without looking trashy? Three simple tips:
(1) Choose a fishnet stocking with a fine mesh. The finer the mesh, the less racy the stockings appear.
(2) Pair the stockings with clothing that’s more sophisticated than sexy. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, a hem that’s around knee-length or longer is ideal. Pants pair well with fishnet stockings–it’s especially fetching when you can see just a hint of stocking showing.
(3) Slip on a pair of closed-toe shoes. Boots are great, but most closed-toe shoes will do the trick. An open-toe shoe looks silly with fishnet stockings–or really any stockings (if it’s warm enough to wear an open-toe shoe, why are you wearing stockings?).
Have a great tip about how to wear fishnet stockings? Share it with us in the comments!
February 26th, 2008
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
December 4th, 2007
The key to dressing ten pounds thinner has much to do with a good magic trick. Like a magician that uses misdirection to compel his audience to look where he wants them to, you can visually create a slimming, elongated vertical line for the eye to follow. However, you don’t need to be a magician to look like you’ve shed pounds. To look like you’re ten pounds thinner without so much as a trip to the gym, try:
Wearing What Fits: Fit is the #1 determinant of whether you look poor or polished. For good fit that flatters, look for clothes that skim your body. Body-hugging clothes, or those that pull at the buttons, only draw attention to problem spots. Before you wear something out of the house, make sure that nothing is puckering or pulling. And when in doubt, go one size up. The looser fitting clothing will encourage others to ask the golden question: “Have you lost weight?”
Monochromatic Outfits: The simplest way to create an elongated vertical line is to craft an outfit in one color. However, you needn’t be so strict—dressing in light and dark variations of one color creates much of the same effect.
Vertical Lines: Instead of wearing garments with strong horizontal detailing, try ones with vertical details. What kinds of details are we talking about? Zippers, buttons, stripes, piping, pockets, and other embellishments.
Dark Colors: It’s no secret that dark colors tend to recede, and light colors tend to come forward. Though wearing dark colors visually minimizes problem spots, wearing head-to-toe dark colors can be dreary. Play up your best features by strategically adding lighter colors in those places.
Wearing Something You Love: To truly look amazing, you also have to feel amazing about yourself. And there’s no better way to feel good about yourself than to be wearing something that you love. Draw attention to your best features with a favorite sweater that shows off your amazing collarbone or an eye-catching necklace that frames your gorgeous face.
Pictured: Theory Domina Above Dress | $275 at Shopbop.
August 31st, 2006
David Lim knows a thing or two about denim. As the designer and CEO of Kasil Jeans, David sculpts the form fitting denim designs that adorn the likes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and a host of other A-list celebs.
Want to be a denim guru yourself–or at least dress like one? Read on (or listen to the Jack and Jen Morning Show on Richmond’s Mix 103.7) for David’s five tips on how to choose the right pair of jeans for your body.
1. Look for a GREAT WASH. Dark washes typically are more flattering and make you look leaner and taller. Also be sure to pick a jean that has a natural looking fade to it, nothing too contrived.
2. Of course the FIT! Balance is key when it comes to fit, and back pocket size and placement are important to make the jeans look balanced and proportionate. Look for a good front rise and a back rise that doesn’t ride too low. The gapping in the back isn’t flattering. The waistband should sit comfortably around your waist, not tight enough to cut off blood circulation. For men: It’s important that the jeans fit flush on the hips.
3. TOP QUALITY FABRIC. Fabric is the foundation for a great jean, and just as good grapes make great wine, good fabric brings out great washes. Good denim will also be able to hold its shape throughout the day. Cheap denim will eventually stretch out within the first two hours of wearing.
4. THE DESIGN. Design is what distinguishes between brands, and subtle details and innovative construction are what defines premium denim. Stay away from anything too loud that screams for attention; simple and clean is timeless. Also, buy brands made in USA. Los Angeles is the capital of premium jeans, and you can’t go wrong if you stick to the right labels.
5. And the last tip for looking for the best premium jean: Just look for the KASIL label. Everything I’ve mentioned is in our label :).
Check out Kasil Jeans online at http://www.kasiljean.com/, and read Omiru’s Designer Profile on David Lim.
August 17th, 2006
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