Q: I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy for the fall semester. I don’t want to be another "teeshirt and jeans American." Any ideas on how to look stylish while immersing myself in this beautiful city? And what trends should I splurge on while I’m there (not to mention gifts for some of my fashion forward friends back home)?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: You mention that you don’t want to look like the typical American in jeans and tee shirts. Agreed that worn and faded jeans with a sloppy tee is not a good look. That said, a nice dark wash jean with a colorful, clean tee and a ballet flat is a good classic look that transcends borders and cultures. You can go beyond this casual classic by incorporating more polished pieces into your wardrobe–tailored pants and skirts, sophisticated sweaters and dresses, and of course, a stylish coat.
What to Pack
As a foundation wardrobe, I would pack a couple of dark wash jeans, trouser pants, some basic colored tees, fitted button down shirts, and a couple of sweaters in bright colors. Splurge on a stylish jacket and a perfectly fitted trench to keep you warm. A couple of dresses for going out are also a must. Don’t forget some tights and long underwear, as it will be chilly in the autumn in Florence.
Gifts in Florence
Florence is famous for its gold and leather, which will make great gifts for your close friends. Check out Ponte Vecchio for a wide variety of gold and silver shops, but be forewarned that bargains are long gone. As for leather goods, Il Bisonte is a shop with beautiful leather bags, agendas, and wallets.
Should you have nieces, you may want to visit Assunta Anichini, which is the oldest childrens’ clothing store and offers beautiful hand embroidered and smocked dresses.
If you don’t already have a great leather bag, I would wait and get one in Italy. Same goes for leather gloves. Last style tip? Check out the lingerie boutiques in Florence–they have some beautiful shops. Enjoy la dolce vita!
Have a great tip about what to wear in Florence? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on August 21st, 2008 in Q&A, Ready Made Outfits, Women, Women's |
How do you manage to look sophisticated in shorts? Pair them with a blazer for instant chic. Here’s how to do it:
Mix and match fabrics for the jacket and shorts. What makes this combination so chic is the seemingly effortless pairing of the blazer and shorts. It’s not a shorts suit–so pick a jacket and shorts in different fabrics and colors. A couple of easy color combinations? Navy and grey (as pictured), and khaki and white.
Wear a button down shirt. Maintain the somewhat formal feel of the outfit by wearing a button down shirt instead of a tee. The shirt need not be perfectly pressed to be sophisticated; in fact, the casual feel of the blazer and shorts combo calls for a shirt that’s ever so slightly wrinkled.
Slip on a pair of closed toe shoes. After all, you are wearing a blazer. Now’s not the time for flip flops.
Would you wear a blazer and shorts together? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on August 20th, 2008 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
In Fall 2004, Richard Chai took Fashion Week by storm with the launch of his eponymous line of gorgeously wearable garments. Chai was by no means new to the New York fashion scene, having designed for Donna Karan, Geoffrey Beene, and Marc Jacobs (where he helped to launch the Marc by Marc Jacobs line). And his critically acclaimed line, a favorite of both retailers and the press, earned him an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award a year later in 2005.
Now, three years later, Chai is taking another leap forward by making his sophisticated style available to all of us with a line for Target. Like the rest of Chai’s work, the Target collection is sophisticated, wearable, and decidedly feminine. Chai’s target line has been out for over a week now, but we finally got a chance to go try it on in-store. Here’s our five favorite pieces:
Richard Chai Rose Print Top | $22.99 at Target
Richard Chai Pieced Voile Shirt | $24.99 at Target
Richard Chai Windowpane Miniskirt | $26.99 at Target
Richard Chai Colorblock Tie Front Dress | $44.99 at Target
Richard Chai Printed Broken Stripe Trench Coat | $44.99 at Target
Posted by Trisha on August 19th, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
We asked: Would you wear Mustard Yellow?
You said: Maybe. It was a close vote, with 53% of you saying Yes to Mustard Yellow, and the remaining 47% voting No.
Style tip? We’re fans of all things yellow, and mustard is no exception. The muted hue looks great paired with navy blue (or even grey) for Autumn. Until then, you can wear it with orange for a warm, earthy color combo.
Next question: We’ve been glued to the TV for the Olympics, where everyone’s gunning for Gold in Beijing. Back at home, though, is Gold as appealing? Tell us, would you wear Gold colored clothing? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Stretch Vintage Cord Skirt| $68 at J Crew.
Posted by Trisha on August 18th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Now Banana Republic hasn’t always been a design force, but their team of designers followed up their lovely summer collection with an equally fetching fall collection. It is a bit expensive, but we’re loving the sophisticated prints, elegant colors, and, as always, the details. After all, the details are the design. Here’s our five favorite pieces from Banana Republic’s fall collection:
Sleeveless Printed Tie-Neck Top | $44 at Banana RepublicPair this with a pair of high waisted black wide leg trousers.
Blousy Top | $49 at Banana Republic
Isn’t this a great weekend top? Layer on the jewelry to make it more playful.
Printed Bow Tie Blouse | $69 at Banana Republic
We’re loving the ruffle details, the bow-tie, and the graphic print. Simply charming.
Crisscross Sweater Dress | $130 at Banana Republic
Texture makes this dress special. Love the crisscross pattern and the pleats on the skirt.
Silk Cap Sleeve Lady Dress | $150 at Banana Republic
Be the picture of elegance in this classic silk dress - and turn heads with this sumptuous purple color.
Posted by Trisha on August 15th, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
Hello, Beijing. We’re watching the Olympics, and we’re feeling inspired to start exercising. Whether you’re looking to start practicing yoga, playing tennis, or even jogging around the neighborhood, we’ve got you covered with chic exercise wardrobe essentials. Here’s what you need to fill your gym bag, minus shoes:
T-Back Sports Bras | $16.50 at Old Navy
Summer Games Graphic Tees | $14.50 at Old Navy
Puff Sleeved Fleece Jackets | $19.50 at Old Navy
Active Jersey Pants | $19.50 at Old Navy
C9 by Champion Mesh Shorts | $9.99 at Target
Double Strand Yoga Headband | $18 at J Crew
Posted by Trisha on August 14th, 2008 in Shopping Guide, Women |
This week, we have another deceptively simple men’s fashion formula to add to your arsenal. Start with a patterned gingham shirt, add a bright tee, toss on a pair of jeans, and finish off the outfit with a pair of driving moccasins. Here’s why this outfit works:
Repetition: The colors in the outfit are driven by the blue and white gingham shirt. The blue in the button down shirt is echoed in the more vibrantly colored blue ringer tee, which itself hints at the white in the gingham shirt–and the crisp white jeans.
Color Coordination: The vibrant blue of the tee requires an equally rich color to complement it. The deep chocolatey brown driving moccasins are exactly what the stylist ordered. Aren’t these colors great together?
Attitude: From the ever-so-wrinkled gingham shirt right down to the suede driving moccasins, the entire outfit exudes a kind of refined casualness.
What do you think about this fashion formula? Would you wear it? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on August 13th, 2008 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
Q: I have recently lost 40 lbs and my bust is considerably smaller than it was before. My stomach still has a ways to shrink, which leads to gapping and looseness across the top. Any suggestions for what to wear for a small bust and a somewhat bigger middle?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: Congratulations on losing 40 pounds! We encourage you to celebrate with some brand new clothes to fit your new body! You deserve a treat–and the encouragement to keep the weight off. Here’s what to look for to flatter your body:
Add visual volume at the bust. Pleating, shirring, or ruching will help to add visual volume to your bust. With your body shape, you’re going to look great in empire waist tops. A shirred empire waistline will add some extra volume in the bust, and the fabric will drape nicely over your middle. Try empire waist dresses as well–the empire waist creates a nice long leg line.
Draw attention up to your face or down towards your legs. Redirect attention towards your face with jewelry or special detailing at the neckline. Or direct attention towards your legs with a great looking skirt.
Define your waistline. You can flatter your middle by defining your waistline as best you can. The right undergarments are a great first step. Wear Spanx or other bodyshaping garments in order to create the longest, leanest line possible. Choose tops and jackets with distinct waists so as to suggest an hourglass shape.
While you wait for your stomach to shrink, you may want to consider tailoring to adjust your tops. The proportions of your body aren’t going to fit most "off the rack" clothing. Fit is absolutely essential to making you look your best. So if you cannot find clothes that fit you perfectly, do consider paying a visit to your tailor so that your clothes fit you not only at the bust, but also at the shoulder and the waistline. Believe me, it’s worth the expense to feel and look great!
Have a great tip about what to wear to flatter a small bust and a larger middle? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on August 12th, 2008 in Figure Flattery Guide, Q&A, Women, Women's |
We asked: Would you wear Brightly Colored Jeans?
You said: Not so much. 65% of you said No to Brightly Colored Jeans, with only 35% saying Yes.
Style tip? Brightly colored Jeans don’t have to look like you stepped out of the 1980s. They look amazingly fresh great paired with a brightly colored top in a complementary color. Or try a top with metallic shine for a bit of extra sparkle.
Next question: Bright, sunny yellow has been a favorite of ours all summer. For fall, though, yellow is becoming more muted, more mustardy in hue. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Mustard Yellow? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Overdyed Matchstick Jean| $88 at J Crew.
Posted by Trisha on August 11th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Got a fashion emergency? Never fear. Be like a boy scout and Be Prepared with these five tricks of the trade:
Lint Roller
Lint Rollers (6pc) | $19.99 at Target
Have a furry pet? A linty sweater? Don’t be afraid. Hug your pet, and wear your linty sweater. Just brush yourself off with a lint roller afterwards. There are both sticky sheet varieties and non-adhesive ones, but I find that the adhesives work more effectively.
Stain Remover Stick
Tide To Go Stain Remover Pen | $6.99 for 3 at Drugstore.com
I don’t know about you, but I’m a spiller. Sauces, drinks, errant food items. To keep my clothes clean, I have to be vigilant about stain removal. For tough stains, I use a stain stick (which fits conveniently in a small handbag).
Fabric Steamer
Conair Compact Fabric Steamer | $29.99 at Target
Especially useful if you want to revive a sweater that’s been sitting in your oversized handbag–or a blouse that’s gotten crumpled. A steamer is easier on your clothes than an iron is, and it’s even simpler to use. If you’re sans-steamer (e.g. on vacation), try hanging your clothes in the bathroom and run the shower on the highest heat. It’s not as effective as a real steamer, but it works in a pinch.
Safety Pins
Singer Safety Pins | $2.19 at Walgreens
Have a small rip? A button that falls off? You don’t need a mini sewing kit (though props to you if you have one). Simply use a safety pin or two to pin your clothes back together. I keep safety ins in different colors (black, matte silver, and white) so I can choose the pin that best blends with my clothes.
Double Stick Tape
Scotch Double Stick Tape | $1.64 at Amazon
Did your hem fall down? You don’t have to bother with pinning it. Double stick tape will do in a bind. Just remember to splurge on extra sticky tape–and to get your hem sewn back up afterwards.
What’s your best fashion emergency tip? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on August 8th, 2008 in Features, How To, Men's, Women's |
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