Wear a Dress at Work June 7, 2009

I love summer too much, and one of the reasons is that the warm good weather can simplify (in a good way) life including dressing for work. There is no need to try hard to figure out what to wear at work each morning, when there are all those fab dresses around. Just put on one a little number like the one featured here from Neiman Marcus, throw on a pair of nice heels (and yes they can be sensible – it is work after all), add some jewelry (essential and will make you feel like a million bucks), grab your bag and off you go.

If you are a pants and button down type of girl, but you want to wear a dress, try getting some darker hues, or the black and white combo which is a safer choice. Materials look more expensive when the clothes are darker and it is slimming. Nothing wrong with looking fabulous and slim right?

Happy Shopping!

What to Wear Spring/Summer 09/Women January 13, 2009

Ladies, I have good news for you. Spring/summer 09 is all about individuality. Designers are offering new ideas to help us all update our wardrobes with a few key pieces, but then it is up to us to use our imagination and create outfits that are our own. Here’s a small list for inspiration. You can find similar stuff on the high street. Remember that neutral colors, fine materials, basic pieces that you can use forever are what you should be shopping now.

Little black dress: Buy one that can take you from the office to cocktails, that can be dressed up with heels & a tux jacket or dressed down with funky boots and a jean jacket. I lust over this number from Alexander McQueen, but places like All Saints and Top Shop have cute similar styles.

APC Blazer

APC BlazerA simple black blazer. This works with everything, your dressy pants, your jeans, frilly tops, turtlenecks, Ts. If you don’t own one, you must get one asap. It will transform the way you dress. Uber cool.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Chain bags. If you are buying a new bag make it a chain bag. Like this Salvatore Ferragamo one. Ah!

All Saints

A nice white top: shirt, blouse, frilly, embellished, simple, you choose. It will work with everything.

Vivienne Westwood

Color that pops: Choose a dress in your favorite color and wear it everywhere. I love this Vivienne Westwood in fuchsia.

Beatrix-ong

Hot heels: They might not always be the most comfortable, but they are the most stylish and uplift any dress, skirt, pant in your wardrobe. Check out these beauties by Beatrix Ong exclusively at Cocosa.com

NEW TRENDS I WOULDN’T BOTHER WITH:

YSL Cagge Boots

- The YSL Cage Boot. Just looking at it makes me ache. Ouch!
- The Body Suit. Just let that one go. Body suits should be worn by people 2 years old and under. Not grown women.
- Too futuristic shapes. Unless you are an alien or an extra at Star Trek.

Let it shine. It’s the holidays! November 21, 2008

…your personality that is. Let it shine through. A little bling and sparkle will definitely help, so check out these ideas:

Facetted Chrysocolla and Gold Wire Wrapped Ring

WEAR A STATEMENT RING: it doesn’t have to be a big diamond or a massively expensive item, just chic, and pretty. The trick is to wear just one ring. The fewer the jewels the more impact they have. Less is more. (I know that our reader Nicole Ritchie disagrees. Sorry Nicole, but we can’t be doing the boho thing all the time). This chryssocola gold wrapped ring only costs 20 pounds! REALLY!

SPORT A PRETTY HEADBAND: like this one from Accessorize. You can wear something like that at a party or with jeans and a simple top for Sunday brunch. It will jazz up your outfit.

Headband from Accessorize

Vintage mesh purse

INVEST IN A VINTAGE PURSE: A! how I love vintage purses. They have this amazing air, beautiful details and look terribly expensive. There are so many steals on line, you can’t miss out. This antique Victorian meshed beauty dates 1890, and it is perfect condition, fully usable for under 40 pounds! If that isn’t a steal then what is?

How to Belt it October 28, 2008

Belts from Accessorize

Everywhere I look I am reading the word ‘belting’. Belts were always a vital item in one’s wardrobe, but never as big as they have been the past couple of years, so I guess that is reason that this word will be soon added in the Oxford Dictionary – if it hasn’t already. But lets leave the grammar lesson and move on to the fashion aspect of belting: It is true that belting stuff that you already own will instantly update them. But what type of belts should one choose? Now that can be overwhelming especially if you are new to the belting frenzy. But we are here to help on how to belt:

Rule 1: How to wear your belt.
The new way of wearing a belt is snug to your wait and over a coat, jacket, sweater, or blouse. The other way -but only if the belt is wide- is to wear it loose on your hips. If you have a little extra in your mid section, opt for a larger snug belt and if you are slimmer you can also go for a narrower/thin version. You should use a belt to make your figure more of an hourglass shape. Sausage shapes and variations are out and will always be. Think of how your mom and grandma wore their belts in the 50s…that’s the look you should be after.

Rule 2: Daytime Vs evening belts
The good news here is that the line between daytime Vs evening clothes and accessories is not as clear as it was a few years back. Now we can wear sparkly things for morning and jeans for evening, and the same goes for accessories. HOWEVER: if you want to wear a sparkly belt or accessories, everything else must be mute and plain. Too much sparkle and you’ll look like those Barbie Dolls my daughter plays with and that look is not sophisticated, nor chic.

Rule 3: Belts for jeans
Jeans have become the staple in everyone’s wardrobe, so choosing the right belts for your jeans is critical. A medium sized belt is perfect for jeans and it doesn’t have to be just brown or black. Any color and shape under the sun will look fab. Pair it with a nice buttoned down crisp white shirt, or a black turtleneck and a jacket and viola: Girl, you are dressed!

Rule 4: Avoid the Logos
There are tons of designer belts out there, with huge logos on them, but this is a trend that will not do you any justice. You are not a walking advertisement and you should avoid looking like one, unless you are the spokesperson for that company and get big bucks for walking around and flashing huge logos. Capiche?

Happy belting!

Carlos Falhci python belt at Neimann Marcus

Michael Kors chain belt at Neimann Marcus

The Little Black Dress Redefined October 15, 2008

RM at net-a-porter.com

One item that is in every fashionable girl’s closet is the LBD. It is a staple and a classic garment, always slimming and chic. The Fall/Winter 2008 essentials list is redefining the LBD, making it even more irresistible. Tons of new ideas, which flatter every shape under the sun: clean-cut and geometric like this Roland Mouret one from net-a-porter.com, girlie and flirty like this satin and lace doll number from Oli.co.uk, or ready to party and shake like this tier design from TopShop.

Top Shop

No matter what fashion dictates, the LBD will always make the list, so it is time to start looking for the one that will steal your heart as the party season is around the corner. Endless options out there, so keep focused on the cut, the material and how it flatters your body. Your body baby, not Gizelle’s.

Happy Shopping!

Oli.co.uk

The Wright Gems May 31, 2008

Two piece necklace by artist Cara Tilker

Ever thought that you could take a piece of the Guggenheim at home with you? Or wear it to a party and have everyone fall head over heels with… your jewelry? (Not you, sorry…) Check out the Restoration Rocks limited collection, which features unique pieces in silver or gold, acrylic, and gunnite as it was collected during the 2007 restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind. Unique and breathtaking as Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique building. I am currently eyeing this two-piece necklace.

Check it out at the Guggenheim Museum store at 88th street and 5th avenue or go on line: www.guggenheimstore.org

Bold Brights for Eyes May 4, 2008

 Dior sunglasses Neimanmarcus.com

One of the new trends for the season is bright sunglasses. Keep the color solid if this is your first time, or try a couple of combinations if you are more riske. A couple of tricks to get the trend right, so you don’t end on the fashion faux-pas list:

- If the hue is bold, the frame should be simple.

- Find a hue that complements your skin tone. If you are unsure, or your personal shopper is not at arm’s reach, ask the store associate for help – they are usually pretty good.

- If you are unsure about the pair you are trying on, leave them and come back another day. If you still like them, then get them.

Remember: brights and colorful sunglasses can become the outfit, so keep everything else simple. HAPPY SHOPPING!

 

D&G sunglasses from Neimanmarcus.com

Ladies & Gentlemen: what’s hot – spring 2008 March 17, 2008

Hello readers! Many of you have been asking me what are the Trends for spring 2008, because you want to have a list handy when you hit the stores. Keep notes please.

Ladies

The new shift dress from Liz Clairborne

- Neutrals, black and white, hues of jewel colors
- High Waists are back, the real waist is defined by belts
- Thin belts wrapped around the waist a couple of times is very 2008.
- 30s, 50s and 60s inspiration
- Bohemian chic is always a spring/summer favorite
- Safari pants paired with stripy tops & a tailored jacket
- Fedoras will keep you looking cool and keep the sun off your face
- Kaftans & gold sandals are one of the hottest looks when the temperature rises
- Bold colors in ladylike classics will spice up your office look, I.e. a red trench coat, or yellow pumps
- Floral dresses. They are back and totally hot

Gents
The white shirt & vest combo by Paul Smith

- Crisp white shirts with tailored vest & pants in a sand shade
- Woven accessories, i.e. a bag or shoes
- Sleek tops & jackets paired with tennis shorts for the weekend chilled look
- Charcoal or black jacket + white shirt + colored denim + sneakers = urban dandy
- The pinstriped suit. Always a classic
- Don’t bother with ties. The designer Yamamoto never wears one, even when he meets kings, queens and emperors

Last but the most important point on both lists: Be true to yourself: if you are not sure about a look, don’t bother.

Happy Shopping!

Spring-Summer 2008 / Women / Milan Fashion Week October 1, 2007

Thank God for Italian designers! Here are my favorite shows from Milan’s fashion week for spring / summer 2008. Start saving now!

GUCCI – For images click here
A very different collection, very inspiring and definitely Frida Giannini will have us talk about her collections in the years to come. Loved the biker jackets and the flowery mini dresses, while the compination of black and white with hues of sunflower yellow is very Italian chic.

Anna Molinari For images click here
Sweet meets Grecian meets T-shirt dress, one of the best collections for spring 08 so far. Lovely chiffon dresses, which can be worn by all of us everywhere, a wonderful collection which makes me look forward to many lovely breezy mediterannean days and starry nights.

Emilio Pucci – For images click here
When you want to change from the goddess-like airy dresses of Anna Molinari and wear something more structured and geometric, but fun and versatile, then Matthew Williamson of Pucci should be your designer of choice. Boho of Capri, now that’s what I call an It collection.

MaxMara – – For images click here/em
This is the collection for your office wardrobe, gone funkier, asian inspired and definitely stylishly deconstructive. Loved the jackets and the dresses; always appropriate, never boring.

Versace- For images click here
There is one word to describe Donnatela’s spring 08 collection: WOW!!! There wasn’t anything in the collection from the belted silk shift dresses, to the gowns, to the jumpsuits that did not look fabulous…Elegantly sexy and fantastic colors of the fruits’ spectrum. I wish I could buy everything.

Silk for Chic August 4, 2007

Silk Charmeuse Pintuck Blouse at Liz Clairborne
Summer is at full blast…Dressing for work should be easy and breezy, but that doesn’t mean that you can go to the office in a tank and flip flops, a look that I find should be left for a lazy weekend on the beach and out of the board room.

The top trend in the top department is a silk blouse. Get yourself a couple a silk tops / blouses which you can pair with knee length skirts, trousers but also jeans. They are dressy enough for work, easy to wear, let your body breath and so pretty against your sun-kissed cheeks.

It is a perfect time to look for a silk blouse, knock-offs are everywhere and you can wear them in the fall/winter too under a cashmier jacket or a blaser. Tres chic!