Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Ok so you may have heard me talk about color blocking a time or two, but it is seriously still hot and heavy on the runways. So at this point you may be wondering how in the "h" "e" double hockey sticks can I pull this one off. For this answer I to go an expert...

The Cure: According to Rachel...

According to Rachel Zoe,

"I am a big fan of color blocking, and the only rule for the trend is that there really are no rules! Color blocking throws the idea of “mismatching” out the window, giving you the freedom to pair a shocking pink top with eye-catching teal shorts, hot purple pants or a bright chartreuse skirt. Way fun! Taking inspiration from the Gucci and Jill Sander runways, I pulled a variety of bold pieces for today for you to consider when tackling your own color blocked ensemble. You’ll notice they are mostly clean, unfussy silhouettes which will come together smoothly to create a pristine, fresh look. Mix and match my picks to your liking, and whatever you do, don’t be afraid to color block outside of the lines! xoRZ"

--The Zoe Report

Modern Boho

I absolutely love the laid back yet still put together look of Modern Boho style. Nicole Richie pulls it off effortlessly by incorporating dressy fabrics with distinctive prints and cuts that are both loose and fitted. She tops it off with unique accessories that make the look all her own.

You too can steal this style by following a few simple rules. Balance fuller tops with formfitting pants or leggings. Embrace prints, try sticking to a palette of earth-tones and neutrals with a few punches of color thrown in here or there. There are no rules when it comes to shoes, be it boots and 3 inch heels, just make sure everything flows together.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Even though Fall is speeding towards us, Summer is not ready hand over the keys.  In the hub of the heat you still have bbqs, pool parties, and let's not forget, weddings to attend.  What do you wear to that late summer wedding? Sure you may be thinking about transitioning, but trust me you have time, technically it is still July. Besides now's the time when summer items are on sale to make room for fall.  Seize the sizzling temps with some sizzling color and you will not be burned.  When the main attraction is wearing white, tempt the groomsman you have your eye on with some tantalizing tones.

The Cure: Vamped up Vibrant

Choose a bright color, like tangerine, magenta, or turquoise, and wear it boldly in a monochromatic, and in a cut that flatters your figure. Go neutral with your shoes and clutch, but play up the color with jewelry in the same palette.  If your dress has embellishment, no need to add a necklace, just add a bracelet or pair of earrings.  The idea is to let the color shine so you can stand out.

Disclaimer: While neon colors can be considered vibrant and bold, they are not recommended for this type of event.  You want people to notice you, but not be blinded by you.

Hot Summer Sale

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

With this excessive heat the country has been facing I feel it has become a necessity to have a/c built into my attire, that being said, please do not think I am walking around in 1980's mesh fashion, however the perforated look is very fashion forward when it comes to footwear.  Case in point, Miu Miu's Patent Perforated Peep-toe pump, try saying that 5x fast.  The highly stylized perforated woven leather will keep your feet perfectly pleasant during those hot summer nights, but at $650 the price is anything but perfect or pleasant.

Miu Miu, $650

Naughty Monkey has a similarly punctured style with its take on perforated woven leather.  The laser cut panels with side-cut outs and buckle adorned peep-toe, will keep your feet refreshed and refined.  At just, $97 you won't have to put your credit cards on ice.

Naughty Monkey, $97

Sweet Cherry Pie

Brace yourselves ladies, this is one hot hue that's been hitting the runways!  Cherry red, "telegraphs passion, excitement, and a bit of micshief."
According to this month's InStyle:

Wearing cherry red broadcasts confidence. 'There really is no sexier shade,' says designer Prabal Gurung, who incorporates red in all his collections."

Be bold and braze and garner yourself more attention! According to a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, men are more attracted to women wearing red than to women dressed in any other color.  Dare to wear it all over in a dress with accents of black of add a large splash of it with a trench or bright bag.  If only incorporating small bits pair it with navy, gold, brown, or even purple, it's blue undertones play well with hues that contain blue notes.

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Beautiful Brogues

Menswear inspired looks are sticking around.  Feast your eyes on these lace-ups complete with wing-tip details and quirky patterns for both modern and retro looks.

This blue-grey wedge takes the traditional oxford for a feminine spin.
 All Black, $132

A charcoal brown lace-up court shoe with a gently rounded toe.
J. Shoes, $145

A canvas, cut-out wedge that hints at the early 80s. Pictures can't do this pair justice. You gotta try them on.

 Jeffrey Campbell, $104

A modern leather pump with retro wing-tip accents.

Indigo by Clarks $109

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

We're having a heat wave! Just because the temps are on the rise doesn't mean you should let down your style guard.  I know what you're thinking, how is it possible to be comfortable in anything with this kind of weather, but it is possible to be cute, cool, and comfortable.

The Cure: Operation Cool Down!

Stick with shorts and short sleeves but dial it up a notch, go for flowy silk fabrics that gently graze the skin and not hug it.  One of my favorite color combos, yellow and gray, keep the look chic, while keeping your body cool.  Air-condition those feet with a cut-out oxford, add a few soft metallics and you're good to go.  Mission possible!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

I love ballet flats! I mean how can you not love a shoe that's both cute and stylish while also giving your feet a break from what can occasionally be painful platforms?!? One of the best things is their versatility, dress them up or down, wear them with pants, skirts, whatever. My particular style of choice, animal print or skin, they always seem to add that extra pinch of poshness. Which is why I just adore these Lanvin snakeskin flats. With it's dyed elaphe carinata snakeskin the simplistic round toe and scrunched shape shoe is toted as the "ballerina that bites back". The only other thing that bites is the price, $790. OUCH!

Lanvin, $790

Thank the shoe gods for Corso Como's Ballasox in python! These round-toe, scrunched shape, flats are like stylish slippers for your soles. As an added bonus, they easily fold into a convenient pouch that fits in your handbag. Even better, at just $59 you can take a big bite out of the animal fashion trend without taking a bite out of your budget!

Corso Como, $59

"Urban Jungle"

Animals are taking over animal print!  This upcoming season, expect to see more than just zebra and cheetah pelts, be on the lookout for their cute but ominous faces too.  Fashion designers are brining the "wilderness to the sidewalks".  Sink your teeth into this trend with a head to toe look or just scratch the surface by adding a small accessory or too.  This coming fall you're sure to know where the wild things are.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

One of the toughest things to deal with in creating a summer wardrobe is finding pieces that can be both work and play appropriate.  We want to bear the skin that has been hiding so long under sweaters and pants, but showing skin in the office is a big no no.  Is it possible to utilize a summer trend in an work environment?  You bet, thanks to the maxi skirt!

The Cure: Office Appropriate Attire

A great summer ensemble that is both on-trend and appropriate starts with a maxi skirt, which gives you the flowy light-weight feel of summer, but with a "take me seriously" length.  Pair the skirt with a ruffled print top, and top it off with a cropped blazer before you head into that meeting.  Pointy toed kitten wedges and a bag with some hardware are apropos accessories for this office outfit.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Tie up your laces girls, the oxford is back this fall and is sexier than ever.  Case in point, Lanvin's Pearlized Oxford Bootie.  Grosgrain laces make it iconically Lanvin and according to Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing "Alber Elbaz at Lanvin gets ahead of the color curve with bordeaux, the upcoming shade of the season.  And the grosgrain bow adds a feminine touch to this menswear-inspired shoe."

It's an obvious must-have for fall, with one exception, it costs $1050.

Lanvin, $1050

Alternately, Poetic Licence has a lace up oxford that can fit the bill. Scalloped suede trim and a houndstooth-patterned topline create a delectable palette set off by sexy satin laces. Very fitting for fall, also fitting is the $105 price tag. 

Poetic Licence "Backlash", $105

Lounging Around

Give your weary feet a rest in one of these cute loafer styles from Libby Edelman or fight the height with a great metallic flat from Sam Edelman. Transition from summer to fall with a great basic from BC

A casual chic slip-on loafer, good for work or the weekend. Also available in croc-embossed tan. $75

A casual chic slip-on loafer, good for work or the weekend. $75

A stylish pewter ballet flat with suede trim. $75

A great flat for late summer and into the fall. $45

Preppy Chic

Who says preppy style has to be all top siders and Polo?  There is a new wave of preppies taking the stage this summer.  The "Nouveau preppies" embrace the classics and add their own spin.  According to InStyle,

"Nouveau preppy is sporty, upbeat, and--thank goodness--a little sexier than what Winky or Muffy would wear.  It's perfect for weekends, whether you summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, or Bayside, Queens, or the San Francisco Bay Area.  Inspried by waht some wear to 'the club', these togs definitely push the 'house rules'"

Mix and match traditional masculine styles with ultra girly ones, like a button down oxford over a bikini. Another nouveau look, take one traditionally preppy element and pair it with something a little more funky, like a tennis dress with a color-block platform sandal.  When it comes to color go bright or go home, and play around with fit, boyfriend chinos have a chic-slouchiness.

Get "Pumped" for Fall

Need to add a basic pump? How about one with a little extra kick? Any one of these will be a great addition to to your basics collection.

A great work or event shoe. The punch of color will get you noticed while the sensible heel will let you keep them on well into the evening. $110

A great color combination makes this sassy heel stand out. $122

The black patent brings class and versatility while the enclosed platform provides extra height and cushion. $139

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Summer concert series abound and you've got your favorite festivals all lined up, but what do you wear to  beat the heat and hopefully catch the eye of your favorite artist should the opportunity arise?

The Cure: Concert Chill

Flaunt your figure and shade your skin all at the same time.  Grab a pair of white cut-offs and top them with a bikini top and a knit tank.  Play peek-a-boo with a loose knit so you can stay chic and cool, while you cover up with sunglasses and hat to shade your skin.

Side-effects: Rock stars are intoxicating, take yours in small doses

Back to School

Maryjanes, saddle shoes, tassels and loafers can add just a touch of school girl to your ensemble.  Check out how Jeffrey Campbell's fall collection gives the school girl look some grown up flair!

A two toned leather wedge to carry you through Autumn. $146

This maryjane-oxford hybrid wedge is perfect for the grown-up version of your back to school wardrobe. $146

 

Oversize leather tassels add serious charm to this three inch wooden heel mule. $144

Fresh for Fall

It's a dream come true to know that some of our favorites from Poetic Licence are back this fall!  This line, born in London, celebrates the spirit of all women.  Quirky, whimsical, sophisticated, and sexy designs abound from a team that creatively makes styles of the past, modern.

"A Girl's Dream", $107

"Backlash", $105

"Backlash" $105

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Looking for a sexy stunner to strut your stuff in?  Casadei has your number with this back zip wedge sandal! With a little glitz from the glamorous metallic sheen on the wedge, stretchy straps keep you strapped in while you take your now longer limbs for a ride.  The toll for these towering two-tones, $750, perhaps this is one ride you may not take.

Casadei, $750

Another ride you should get a ticket for, the Restricted "Cookie".  These soft and sultry wedges drape leather straps over your foot for a snug and sexy fit.  The cork wedge may lack the glitz but still has ability to take you to new heights.  Take these for a test drive and you won't want to take them off and at just $65, you've got plenty left over for any other tolls you may run into.

Restricted, $65

You're making me blush!

Sweeping the runways is this "soft and feminine universally flattering and versitile shade" perfect for wall flowers that want to flirt with boldness.

According to InStyle:

"Generally considered ultra-girlie, the hue, somewhere between pale pink and champagne, can also come off as sophisticated--even edgy.  It adds personality to an ensemble without being loud."

 This shade works well as an all over look, mix and match textures and fabrics to add depth and interest.  Not into all over pink, pair with gray or camel for a soft look, or use it to break up bold shades like black and scarlet. Work in neutrals and metallics for your accessories and you will find yourself blushing all night long with the compliments you'll receive.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

When packing for that quick getaway, the less you bring the easier it is, but picking the right pieces is essential.  As promised, here are two brand spanking new looks created from the pieces that are already in your beach ready arsenal.

Simply by switching the tops and accessories you have two new and totally different looks to get you through your vacay.  Now no beach vacation would be complete without a great bikini and coverup.  The key here is to make your clothes do the work for you.

The Cure: Double Duty

Find a swimsuit with great color and print, it can stand alone or accent whatever else you're wearing.  When choosing a cover-up, consider a strapless, lightweight maxi dress in a color that complements your suit.  It's easy to throw on over your bikini, but accessorize it with that scarf you've already packed and you're ready to go out for the night!