Conceal Bookshelf
Your books will look like they’re floating in thin air with this minimalist Conceal bookshelf.
$9.99 at Container Store.
2 comments February 18th, 2008
Search Results for ‘’
Q&A: How to Wear a Short Sleeved Blazer
Q: I bought a short sleeved blazer. I figured I could wear it with a camisole and jeans or grey slacks in warm weather. But I swear I just saw someone on TV wearing one with a long sleeved turtleneck. Is this a good way to wear the jacket year-round, or am I trying to hard? 
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: A long sleeved turtleneck paired with a short sleeved blazer? I don’t think you would look like you are trying too hard.
A short sleeved blazer is, by nature, fun and flirty. It’s the cheery counterpart to the standard down-to-your-wrists blazer that gets most of the attention. Because the short sleeved blazer is about fun, play with it and experiment. Now’s a great time to play with this piece–the short sleeved blazer is on trend for Spring.
But you don’t have to wait until Spring to bust out your blazer. Wear it with a long sleeved turtleneck (perhaps with pencil stripes), dark jeans, and simple earrings. And when it warms up in the Spring, pair it with cute t-shirts or silky, blousy tops.
If you’re afraid of making mistakes, remember the wise words of Chanel- "There are no unattractive women, only lazy women." In other words, only through experimentation will you develop a strong sense of style.
Have a great tip about how to wear a short sleeved blazer?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Leila Plaid Short Sleeved Blazer | $27.80 at Forever 21.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
11 comments February 14th, 2008
Napkin Notebook
Legend has it that a number of successful tech startups were born on the back of a napkin. Continue the tradition with a napkin from your very own napkin notebook.
$6.50 at MOMA Store.
February 14th, 2008
Q&A: Professional Style 101
Q: I’m a medical student about to start my full time clinical rotations. For certain specialties, I can get away with scrubs, but for the ones requiring office appropriate attire, I’m at a complete loss. Anything a little fashionable or a little sexy ends up sending the wrong message under a white coat (Agyness Deyn might be a trend-setter, but would you want her diagnosing your cancer?) But I would really like to look younger and fresher than the boring button downs and slacks that have become my fall back! 
by Jessica Stockdale, Style and Beauty writer at Found4less.com
A: Balance is the keyword to working with this problem. You want to be respected, as you should be. But you don’t want to sacrifice style. And the good news is that you don’t have to. Other than balance, where you buy your clothes will aid you tremendously in picking suitable attire.
Where to Shop
A store like Express has sexy and fun clothes, but most of which are not going to be appropriate for the office. Same goes for the Victoria’s Secret clothing catalog. The good news is that there are plenty of stores to find professionally appropriate attire. We would recommend: Banana Republic, J Crew, Club Monaco, Anthropologie (for their trousers), White House | Black Market (for their jackets), Ann Taylor, and Bluefly.com (especially for their blazers).
What to Wear
The quality of your clothes will also sell your look as more professional. Build a solid foundation wardrobe by investing in some good basics, such as a white blouse, black trousers, a cashmere sweater, and a flattering overcoat. These items will be long-term investments, so if you’re going to splurge, do so here.
Where balance is concerned, it’s fairly easy. Any piece of “sexy†apparel (e.g. V-necklines, light beading, etc) should be worn in a neutral color and in a not-too-tight fit. That said, there are plenty of garments with modestly cut necklines and hemlines in fresh patterns. Feel free to wear bold colors here—in fact, we encourage it!
We especially recommend the fitted blouses that Banana Republic has right now, in four different colors. They’re feminine, but professional. And do check out their cashmere mock turtlenecks and cowlneck sweaters.
Have a great tip about how to dress fashionable yet professionally?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Cotton Ruffle Front Floral Shirt | $58 at Ann Taylor.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at questions at omiru dot com.
7 comments February 13th, 2008
Lovely Tie Front Sweater
Love the look of the tie-neck blouse? Try on this lovely tie-front sweater–perfect for work or play.
$22 at Forever 21.
February 13th, 2008
Fall 2008 Fashion: 5 Questions with Constance White, eBay Style Director
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
What was your favorite show at Fashion Week?
Constance White: Proenza Schouler. It was well thought out, has great use of color, and the shapes are creative yet wearable. And the fabrics drape beautifully. Proenza Schouler was a mix of intelligent, beautiful design and wearability.
What are your top trends for 2008?
CW: (1) The play of hard against soft. For example, a pretty, silky dress in a beautiful color with a menswear inspired reefer coat in tweed or plaid. Lighter fabrics are prevalent in part because of global warming but also because women travel so much today.
(2) A peep toe shoe or bootie with a high vamp–classic 1940s influence.
(3) Again, a 40s trend. Grown up clothes for a more mature look. Baby boomers want to be fashionable but also realistic.
How has fashion evolved since 2007?
CW: In 2007 the look was much more masculine and menswear inspired, with styles like the oxford heel. 2008 is much softer and feminine, though menswear is still trending in fabric such as tweeds and plaids. The masculine influence is just not as hard as it was in 2007. You’re going to see feminine influence in shoes, and in embellishments such as fur trimmed collars on coats or fur vests and feathers on hems and necklines. Statement bags (i.e. Marc Jacobs) are still on the runway, since women in business need them.
If Hilary becomes our first woman President, what would you recommend that she wear at her inauguration?
CW: A dress in a beautiful color such as peacock blue. Add a classic reefer coat, perhaps with a fur trim collar, incorporating the essential fall trend of the play of hard against soft–qualities Hillary will need herself. No hat is needed–her hair and make-up are beautiful as they are today.
What are your personal must-have purchases?
CW: A very pretty colorful dress and a peep-toe bootie.
1 comment February 12th, 2008
Bee House Teapot in Spearmint
Enjoy a piping hot cup of tea from this refreshingly cool Bee House teapot.
$19.95 at The Tea Table.
3 comments February 12th, 2008
Fall 2008 Fashion Week Trend Report
Fashion Week Fall 2008 featured an explosion of color (say hello to teal, cobalt blue, crimson red, bright pink, and orange) and an emphasis on the feminine form. Cinched waists, floor-length dresses, and asymmetrical, one-shoulder gowns played against headbands, oversized bows, and quirky hats.
Want the full scoop on fashion week? Read on for all of the biggest trends:
Accessories
Ankle Boots
Fishnets
Headbands
Quirky Hats
The Beanie Hat
T-Strap Shoes
Classifications
Cocoon Shaped Coats
Collarless Jacket
Double Breasted Jackets
Floor Length Dresses
Jumpsuit
Long Blazer
Skinny Pants
Tie-Neck Blouses
Color
Chocolate Brown
Cobalt Blue
Crimson Red
Day Glo Brights
Forest Green
Grey
Orange
Purple
Teal
White
Yellow Green
Details
Bishop Sleeves
Funnel Necklines
Half Sleeves
Oversized Bows
Oversized Collar
Pouf Sleeves
Tuxedo Detailing
Fabrics & Fabrications
Elegant Floral Prints
Feathers
Houndstooth
Ombre
Plaid
Sequins and Shine
Velvet
Silhouettes
1920s Fashion
Asymmetry
Attack of the 1980s
Cinched Waist
Photo Credit: NYMag.com.
6 comments February 11th, 2008
Romance Pintucked Tunic
Between the burnt orange color and the delicate pintucking, this tunic is a real winner.
$29 at Forever 21.
February 11th, 2008
You Said: The Color Teal is In!
We asked: Is The Color Teal In or Out?
You said: In, with an overwhelming 78% of the vote!
Style tip? Beat the winter blues with jewel tones, like this marvelously flattering teal blouse from BCBG. Add a bright yellow bag for an extra punch of style. Want more teal inspiration? Check out Teal at Fashion Week Fall 2008.
Next question: Out of all of our Fashion Week Fall 2008 trends, the one that caused the most controversy was The Jumpsuit. Would you wear it, or would you leave it on the rack? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: BCBG Tie Front Charmeuse Blouse in Teal | $158 at Nordstrom.
2 comments February 11th, 2008