Q&A: What to Wear With Polka Dots

Q: I have a navy polka dotted skirt with a semi-high waist and would like to know what types of shirts or blouses I can match with it. I would prefer something easy and simple.

J Crew Cashmere Beach Sweater in Bright PoppyA:  With a geometric print like the polka dotted skirt, you’re going to want to pair it with a solid color. A white, flirty blouse will give you a French-inspired look. Look for blouses with ruffles or other special detailing. But you also might want to try a brightly colored sweater. Yellow, in particular, goes well with navy blue. Even though it’s pricey, I love the look of this cashmere sweater in Bright Poppy at J Crew (pictured).

Have a great tip about what to wear with polka dots? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Cashmere Beach Sweater | $168 at J Crew.

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 July 26th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's | 5 comments

Q&A: Create Your Own Personal Style

Q: I am a 24 year old guy who is going bald at a fairly rapid rate.  Can you give any suggestions as the styles of dress that look well on a bald guy?  I’ve tried to copy Bruce Willis, Sam Jackson and Vin Diesel, but those guys are all badasses and alas, I am not.

Mike & Chris Mercer Zip Up Hoodie for MenA:  Our best advice is to be yourself.  It’s difficult to copy a celebrity fashion style–it’s their look, not yours.  Do yourself a favor and focus on yourself. 

Ask yourself–what’s the best feature?  Then focus on that.  The key is to redefine yourself from the inside out.  Think of yourself as a guy with that great feature, not as a guy who’s going bald.  Then dress accordingly.

Do you have a lean physique?  Flaunt it with fitted clothes.  Great face?  Frame it with a great jacket collar.  Or draw attention upward with special detailing at the shoulderline. 

And take some (calculated) fashion risks.  Try a bunch of stuff on in the fitting room–items that you know you’ll love, and garments that you’re not so sure about.  Try new styles–and new colors.  Who knows?  You might find that, for you, turquoise is the new black.  Or that patterned shirts make you look better than the standard striped ones.

Have a great tip about how to find your personal style? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Mike & Chris Mercer Zip Up Hoodie | $215 at Revolve Clothing.

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 July 25th, 2007 in Men's, Q&A |

Q&A: How to Accessorize a White Outfit

Q: What accessories are good to wear with a white halter dress, for a night out at the club?

Stuart Weitzman Delovely SandalA:  With a white dress, the obvious solution is to add white accessories. But metallic accessories are great for adding a bit of flash to a white outfit.

Add a pair of silver heels and a simple clutch. With the clutch, you could choose another metallic style, but you could also go with a brightly colored clutch. Add some spark to your outfit with a splash of spring green–or electric blue. Either way, choose a clutch with a shoulder strap–that way, you don’t have to hold onto your purse while you’re dancing.

Have a great tip about how to accessorize a white outfit? Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Stuart Weitzman Delovely Sandal | $255 at Nordstrom.

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 July 24th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's |

Omiru Poll Result: Jumpsuits are Out!

Omiru Poll Result: Jumpsuits are Out


Linen Jumpsuit at Forever 21We asked:Are Jumpsuits In or Out?

You said:  Out! 74% of you voted this questionable trend Out.

Omiru’s take: We’re 100% with you on this one. Jumpsuits aren’t the most flattering look, even on a model’s body.  Style tip?  In a word, don’t. This trend will pass, but the pictures of you in a jumpsuit will live on.

Next Question: We had a reader question from Mimi–are Long, Hip-Length Blazers In or Out? What do you think? Tell us, are Hip-Length Blazers In, or are they Out? Cast your vote on the sidebar!

Pictured: Linen Jumpsuit | $24.80 at Forever 21.

Posted by Trisha on July 23rd, 2007 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women | 3 comments

Q&A: How to Wear a Sleeveless Trapeze Top

Q:  How do I wear a sleeveless trapeze top?

LaROK Sequin Swing MinidressA:  My favorite silhouette with trapeze tops is a Big-over-Small silhouette, which pairs the voluminous trapeze top with a fitted bottom.  This fitted bottom can be a skirt, a pair of pants, or shorts.

What’s great about this Big-over-Small silhouette is that it’s both dramatic and figure flattering–the look is not only stunning, but it also hides a tummy.

Have a great tip about how to wear a sleeveless trapeze top?  Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
LaROK Sequin Swing Minidress | $168 at Nordstrom.

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 July 20th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's | 5 comments

Q&A: Where to Find Long, Hip-Length Blazers

Q:  What would be a good place/store to buy a long blazer?

Theory Rory Tailored JacketA:  Now that cropped styles and shrunken blazers are in style, it’s surprisingly difficult to find an old-school blazer that hits at the hip.  I’d recommend trying vintage stores and thrift shops to get the right style–at a good price.

However, if you’re looking for a brand-new blazer, your best bet is to look at designers who specialize in suits, such as Ralph Lauren or Theory.  Check out department stores, which carry a larger selection of suits and blazers.

Have a great tip about where to find hip-length blazers?  Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Theory "Rory" Jacket | $360 at Nordstrom.

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 July 19th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's | 2 comments

Q&A: Constructing the Casual Chic Wardrobe

Q:  I work in film, as in a film crew.  I work with mostly men, so I always stick to the ’safe’: jeans, t-shirts, jackets, and sneakers.  But there are times where I want to look more chic, without having them teasing me.  Any ideas?

Mike & Chris Bailey Bubble HoodieA:  To look more chic without having the guys tease you, you can keep the same fashion formula but update the pieces. 

Instead of wearing plain jeans, opt for a fitted style with an interesting, flattering rinse.  Style Tip?  You can’t go wrong with a dark blue rinse–or a grey rinse for extra style points.

Update your t-shirt wardrobe with fitted styles with a variety of necklines.  You don’t have to stick with your basic crew or v-neck styles.  Instead, try a scoop neckline - or even a boatneck style.  Experiment with color as well–bright colors are back in style, so you can scoop up tees in a rainbow of shades this summer.  If you’re hesitant about color, three easy shades to start with are: (1) turquoise, (2) burnt orange, and (3) purple.

Jackets are all about the details, so choose a style that’s a bit unconventional.  Maybe it has a cool pocket detail or a D-ring at the neckline, maybe it’s epaulets at the shoulder–or even a row of oversized buttons.  The right jacket will up your style factor disproportionally–so don’t hesitate to invest in a good jacket that you can keep season after season.

Sneakers can be chic!  Try sport sneaker styles from brands like Puma or Adidas for a bit of flair for your feet.  The best part is that they’re as chic as they are comfortable–a must for long days on the set.

Pictured:
Mike & Chris Bailey Bubble Hoodie | $308 (preorder) at Revolve Clothing.

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 July 18th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's |

Q&A: The Most Slimming Swimdresses for Summer

Q:  I’m a curvy size 12, and swimsuit shopping makes me more than a little nervous. I’ve seen a few retro-style sheath "swimdresses" out there à la Esther Williams. Are these in style, and if so, what are some of the best ones out there?

DKNY Draped SwimdressA: 
More important than what’s currently in style is what makes you feel and look good.  If you like the look and feel of these retro-style sheath swimdresses–and they make you feel great (or at least, less self conscious), go for it!

Here’s our three favorite swimdresses:

MICHAEL Michael Kors Adjustable Swimdress | $76.80 (sale) at Macy’s
Side ruching makes this swimsuit adjustable AND it flatters your figure.

DKNY Draped Swimdress | $112 at Macy’s
Again, the ruching at the sides of this swimsuit will help camouflage a tummy. (Pictured)

Miraclesuit Swimdress | $128-$138 at Nordstrom
Cross-body draping is slimming, and the patented Miratex fabric will help smooth and contour your body.

But yes, sheath swimdresses are in style this season.

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 July 17th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's |

Omiru Poll Result: Mustard Yellow is IN!

Omiru Poll Result: Mustard Yellow is IN


See by Chloe Mustard Yellow Jersey DressWe asked: Is Mustard Yellow In or Out?

You said:  With 60% of the vote for it, Mustard Yellow is IN.

Omiru’s take: While bright yellow is great for summer days, mustard yellow will shine this Fall.  Style tip?  Mustard yellow is a great way to punch up a black outfit–but we also recommend pairing the yellow hue with navy blue.  We love the drama of a full-on mustard yellow dress (sleeves give you extra style points), but if you’re feeling color-shy, feel free to try out the color on a handbag or a pair of shoes.

Next Question: Celebrities from Jennifer Lopez to Jamie Lynn Spears are sporting jumpsuits, according to our friends at Couture in the City.  But what do you think? Tell us, are Jumpsuits In, or are they Out? Cast your
vote on
the sidebar!

Pictured: See by Chloe Jersey Dress | $395 (preorder) at Nordstrom.

Posted by Trisha on July 16th, 2007 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women | 2 comments

Q&A: What to Wear to a PR Interview

Q:  I need to find an outfit that I can wear on interviews to fashion public relations firms in New York City. Do you have any suggestions?

Halogen Mandarin Collar ShirtdressA:  The perfect interview outfit for a fashion public relations firm is one part fashion-forward and one part professional.  So while you want to show that you’re in the know with up-to-the-moment trends, reign in the tendency to go all out.

The chicest outfits, in our humble opinion, mix classics and trends.  Pair a classic high-waisted skirt with a three-quarter sleeved jacket with an oversized collar.  Or spice up a neutral colored dress with a bright overcoat.

Some work-appropriate trends to consider: menswear as womenswear (think: tuxedo detailing, high-waisted trouser pants), geometric patterns, dresses, bright colors, ruffles, tie-front blouses, and trapeze shapes.

Don’t forget about accessories–if chosen well, they can add extra polish to an outfit.  Even though PR is a creative field, we recommend playing it safe with closed-toe shoes.  Two on-trend styles to look at: ballet flats and round-toe pumps.

Lastly, take care in choosing a classic work bag.  It bags come and go, but classics will stay with you season after season.

What’s an outfit you can’t go wrong in?  A shirtdress with interesting detailing, a light overcoat or sweater, a luxurious bag, and a pair of low (closed-toe) heels.

Have a great tip about what to wear to a Fashion PR interview?  Share it with us in the comments!

Pictured:
Halogen Mandarin Collar Shirtdress | $64.90 (sale) at Nordstrom.

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 July 13th, 2007 in Q&A, Women's | 3 comments

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