Up and Coming

So what's trending now in the "resort" fashion collections? Everything's striped! From uniform skinny stripes to a mix and match of skinny and bold, to diagonal, prepare to add it to your closet.

When choosing a strip, don't let yourself fall into the same trap Jessica Simpson did, you remember what I'm talking about, the thick striped, form fitting, tea length dress.  Before I go off on all of the mistakes with that outfit, one of the major things was choosing a stripe that was too bold for her petite frame.  The smaller your stature the smaller your stripe should be.  Are there exceptions, sure if a top has an "accent" stripe, you can totally get away with a bolder stripe, just be sure that your figure isn't swallowed. Accessorize with solids and coordinating hues, and keep things simple, the stripes are stunners on their own.

Let me see your Peacock...

Peacock blue, what a magical and mesmerizing hue, and certainly one to love, InStyle magazine explains why,

"Neither as business like as navy nor as regal as royal, this ultra-saturated shade lends a feeling of relaxed opulence to body-hugging dresses and office-appropriate separates."

With a description like that I just want to bathe in the beautiful color.  According to Kate Smith from sensationalcolor.com, those who love the color are curious, intuitive, and kind.

The color is complimented with cool neutrals like silver and gray, but consider adding a dark purple or orange-tinted red for intensity.  This look can be pulled of monochromatically but don't be afraid to play with separates.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

I often find that when the temperatures start to decrease I end up wearing more black and gray.  Could be a reflection of my mood with the cold, could be my subconscious thinking for some reason these colors will keep me warmer, whatever it is, this year I'm going to try to break the habit!

The Cure: Go Bright or Go Home!

Now I'm not saying to eliminate blacks and grays all together, they really are the foundation of any good wardrobe, but they need to be brightened up.  Find a pair of colored denim in a color that you're comfortable with and block it with a complimenting shade.  In this particular outfit we have a bright blue and green.  Use your black as a balancing piece as seen in the blazer and clutch, but throw another color into the mix in your shoe for contrast.

Disclaimer: Try not to color block with more than 3 colors otherwise you might start to look like a clown.
Neutrals don't count.

Haute Heels

Coco Chanel said it best, " A woman with good shoes is never ugly!"Short, tall, stacked, thick, stiletto, or kitten, one thing is for sure, we've got a prime pump for you.  Glam up your gambs with a duo of delight!

$82

$82

$106

$124

$99

$159

$159

$106

$104

$59

$59

$94

$84

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Looking for a shoe to anchor your flowy maxi dresses and wide leg bell bottoms this summer?  Steady your sails on this beautiful wedge bootie by Chloe!  The wedge adds just the right amout of weight to light and airy looks while the peep-toe and cutout sides balance the high vamp.  But, when it comes time to pay out, you might be calling mayday, don't drop anchor for $695.

Chloe, $695

Instead set your sights on the Eye to Eye by Seychelles.  This leather, top-stitched wedge carries a similar peep-toe and cut-out look, but at $116 it will be smooth sailing all summer long.

Seychelles, $116

Cobalt Craze

How about a new hot hue for spring? Cobalt blue has been seen all over the runways from Mulberry to Rachel Roy.  Why is is so great you might ask?  According to InStyle Magazine,

" 'Cobalt is the new black!' declares Mulberry creative director Emma Hill.  Brighter than navy, deeper than royal blue, it adds a splash to everything from Ts to silky dresses".

 Cobalt can be worked into your wardrobe quite easily this season. It easily pairs well with white, lemon, and lilac.  For a bolder look add a dash of turquoise.  Accessorize with gunmetal  or silver jewelry and go neutral with your footwear for a look that is sleek and chic.

"When going with monochromatic cobalt, avoid frills in favor of clean, sleek lines.  Nude tones can be an understated extra. 'Cobalt is a shade that works with denim too,' says Hill, who chose slightly darker indigo boots for a "color-dipped effect" at her recent show".

 --InStyle, April 2011

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

Wedding season is just around the corner, which means bridal showers, luncheons, and weddings galore!  Do you have your go to outfit for those garden party soirees?  In most cases, nothing can be more girly than a bridal shower or a garden party.  You want to go for polka dots this season and embrace the girly/retro vibe. How do you pull off polka dots and avoid looking like Minnie Mouse?

The cure: Dainty in Dots

First and foremost if you're going to go for polka dots, avoid the boring black and white, look for something with color! This dress is the perfect example, it has a great classic, simple silhouette with neckline pleats and a cinched waist, but it totally modern in its teal shade with chartreuse dots.  Layer over with a cute boyfriend sweater in a complimenting shade, and of course accentuate the waste with a great neutral belt.  Stick with earrings only and go for a great retro shoe like this peep-toe clog from Seychelles.  You have a retro, yet modern, totally girly look.  

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

So it may not be Memorial Day yet, but for all of those who think you can't wear white before, cast your fashion faux pas fears aside! It may not feel right to wear all white just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't start working this silent yet stately shade (or lack there of) into your style.

The Cure: Half & Half

Nothing is more clean and crisp than pairing whites with dark denim.  Make your whites stand out with texture and pattern.  This crochet blouse under a cropped leather jacket says you're ready for the spring white out to begin, but are still a rooted in reality when it comes to the constant teetering temperature.  Balanced on top of dark denim, a neutral wedge, and white accessories you have an ensemble that is pure and polished.

Side Effects: Watch your coffee when you wear whites, wouldn't want to stain those pearly pieces.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

With YSL on the forefront of spring fashion, I feel that it is appropriate to work YSL platform clogs into my wardrobe equation.

"Tasteful and luxurious, yet still keeping in mind contemporary lines and cutting-edge concepts, Yves Saint Laurent namesake sits prestigiously at the top of the fashion pyramid. " --Barneys

Tasteful + luxurious + contemporary lines + cutting-edge concepts, sounds like a formula for a fabulous pair of shoes, but YSL clogs + $490 price tag =  an empty wallet.  This is not a desirable result when I'm only starting to build my spring wardrobe.

Yves Saint Laurent, $490

A different formula that catches my eye, independant edge + bold + glamour = Seychelles clogs.  Seychelles mission statement, "To personify the Independent Edge while fulfilling your desires beyond what you dream and expect" exemplifies some of the same qualities YSL embraces in their designs. Seychelles clogs + $106 price tag = a happy girl with a new pair of shoes.

Seychelles, $106

Safari Style

For a more suggestive statement on the animal print trend consider a subtler walk on the wild side with safari inspired fashion.  With a muted color palette in warm tones, pieces feel light, fresh, simple, and stately.

Neutrals and rosy hues complement skin tones and adding a pop of color makes it modern.  Natural materials like bamboo bangles, straw hats and canvas cutouts keep you cool, pair with golds and bronzes to layer on luxe.  You'll be perfectly poised for the urban jungle.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

I am a lover of the classics, simple sophisticated styles that are timeless.  Fashion houses like Chanel, Gucci, and Dior come to mind.  I realize that sometimes it's fun to put a little bit of spin on a classic, which is why I just love these maryjanes from Chloe.  The first house of luxury ready to wear has created this leather round toe maryjane pump with asymmetric buckle strap and criss-cross toe. Luxury ready to wear still comes at a cost and these maryjanes will run you $525.

Chloe, $525

While I admit that investing in classics is wise, I don't agree that "classics with a spin" necessarily fit into that category. Which is why it is so great that these maryjanes from Seychelles have appeared in my life.  They follow the simple round toe shape but have a thicker, slightly geometric heel. Plus they're only $99. They emulate the classic and still have a personality of their own.

Seychelles, $99

Back-to-Basics

These shoes are your best options when experimenting with the winter white trend, or to give your glitz and glam some subtlety.  Neutral colors, delicate details, and staying power, they will transition well into spring with the time comes.

Adorable Jeffrey Campbell flat. $109 

Adorable Jeffrey Campbell flat. $109

The studs add a little funk to this comfy Me Too wedge. $99

Cute and classic lace up oxford wedge. $78

A great basic mary-jane, the color goes with everything! $99

A girly suede pump in burgundy. $140

Cute clog from Seychelles! $106

Tie One On

This laced, heeled bootie is a great addition to your Fall wardrobe. Adorable now with skirts and bare legs, even cuter later with tights. Color is a bit more grey in person. Seychelles $104

New Spring Shoes!

We are continuing to get in fun, new Spring shoes each week! Stop by soon to see our lovely new additions.