07.16.07
Wearing Boldly Colored Separates
Pull together boldly colored separates by varying the degrees of vibrancy. Team heavier fabrics in richer shades with floatier items in pastel tones. Finish it all off with earthy, low-key sandals.
07.05.07
Summer Sandals in the OC
I know living in Orange County we can all get a little lazy when it comes to wearing flip flops everyday in the summer time. I am guilty of this all too often myself. This summer I am really trying not to wear them everyday. They are fine if you are going to the beach or heading to the pool or at a VERY casual occasion. But the reality is, there are so many cute, dressier, flat, comfy sandals that you could wear just as easily. Invest in a couple pair of these. Wear them with your sun dresses, skirts, linen pants, or jeans and you will look much more put together and little less beach bum.
07.01.07
Wearing Linen This Summer
Wearing linen can be a bit of a battle. Do you struggle to keep it wrinkle free or do you just embrace the wrikles and let it flow? I opt for the latter approach.
My theory is that linen is supposed to wrinkle, so why fight it? It’s like curly hair…why straighten it and then get annoyed when it doesn’t stay straight…it’s supposed to be curly!
Keep in mind that linen is a casual, summer fabric. I know they make linen suits, but one should be aware that they are never as formal as their wool counterparts. It is also not advised to mix linen into your fall or winter wardrobes. I know here in Orange County, we can get away with wearing linen in the winter, but make sure your look is consistent from head to toe. Don’t try to wear a linen skirt with tights and boots…as it won’t work! If it’s 80 degrees in November, by all means wear linen if you feel like it…just keep the whole look summery.
White linen pants are my personal favorite. I love how they look, how they feel, how comfortable they are, and how easy they are to pair with a sexy little tank top for a slightly dressed up look in the evening. Be aware that most white linen pants are a little see through, so plan your underwear accordingly.
One more thought on linen. I find the head to toe beige linen look a little too “granola tree hugger” if you know what I mean. If you are going to wear beige linen keep it either on the top or the bottom. Don’t wear it from head to toe, unless you’re really into that nature look…but I can’t imagine it working well here in the OC.
06.24.07
Baby Boomer Swim Suits
If heading to the beach or the pool is in your future this summer, you are probably starting to think “Oh my God, I actually have to get in a bathing suit. Why did I agree to this? I should have been excercising more.” Not to worry. There are so many great bathing suits and cover ups on the market now. With a little planning you will be sure to look beautiful and stylish while you are on holiday.
One piece bathing suits have come along way over the years. They are no longer the matronly swim suits that your mother wore. There are so many different styles now and most are very sexy. Many have low backs or low fronts or some sort of interesting ring or knot inbetween the boobs which provides a great focal point…especially if you are trying to divert attention from your thighs.
Many have skirts that can be bought to match as well. These are fantastic, as you can wear them while your laying by the water and they cover that dreaded inner thigh area. You can also keep them on if you want to go for a dip, as they are the same material as your bathing suit.
Don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune on a swim suit either. Check out your local Target for a huge selection of really stylish and current bathing suits. Issac Mizrahi and Mossimo both have great lines available at Target. I buy two new ones each summer and just keep rotating the old ones out. At about $20 each, you can’t beat the price.
Enjoy the water this summer and know that you’ll look great doing it. Don’t forget a big hat and sun glasses and you’ll be set!
06.11.07
Packing for a Vacation
I’m leaving for a month long vacation on Friday and I was starting to think about what I would bring. I have travelled a lot, so I have got this packing thing down pretty well. I’m not the type that plans for weeks what I’ll bring.
The key to not over packing is to make sure that every piece of clothing you bring serves more than one purpose. Don’t pack an entire outfit that doesn’t match anything else you are bringing…it limits your choices. I tend to like skirts and tops for warm places because skirts can be dressed up or down. You can wear the same skirt to the beach with a tank top and flip flops that you can wear out to dinner with a nicer top, blazer, and strappy sandals. The tops that you bring for your skirts can also be worn with your jeans, linen pants, and other skirts of the same color combinations.
Here’s an example of what I’ll be bringing with me…keep in mind we will be at the beach for a month:
1 pair of jeans
4 skirts
8 tops
3 sundresses that can be dressed up or down
2 cardigan sweaters
3 bathing suits
2 pair of pajamas
2 work out outfits
1 pair of beach flip flops
1 pair of dressier sandals
1 pair of running shoes
All of the clothes that I’m bringing can be mixed and matched with each other to give me countless outfits. Packing like this will mean I will be covered for any type of situation. I can’t wait to get there!
05.25.07
Isaac Mizrahi for Target – Check it Out!
I know Isaaz Mizrahi has been designing a line of clothes for Target for a while now, but if you haven’t checked them out yet, you really must. His current collection there is fantastic. It’s full of great summer pieces. Everything is under $50, so you can’t beat the price. If you don’t have a Target near you, you can also buy online at www.target.com.
05.23.07
Trying out the Trapeze
If you are like most women, you want to look current and up to date. But how do you know when to try out styles that have circus names or to pass on anything having to do with flying through the air while holding on to a metal swing for dear life? The key is knowing your body type, whether the trend is something you even like, and figuring out how to adapt the trend specifically for you. It is important that you interpret the trend so that you feel comfortable and that it is the most flattering to your figure. To help you out, I have broken down this week’s focus of billowy tops and short trapeze dresses for the six major body types. Find your figure type, and then see how you can adapt these trends to suit your needs.
HourglassIf you are an hourglass, you have an overall curvy shape. Your hips and bust are about the same width and you have a well defined waist. You often have a full bottom and thighs with slim lower legs.
You have the classic women’s body, so accentuating your waist should be part of your daily look. Unfortunately, billowy tops are not going to do much for your silhouette, as they hide all of your beautiful womanly curves. Try pairing a billowy top with a belt to cinch in your waist.
As you normally have a fuller thigh, short trapeze dresses that hit you right at mid thigh are going to draw attention to your full thighs. Look for trapeze dresses that are slightly longer or try pairing a trapeze dress with similar colored leggings or tights to create a less obvious divide at your mid thigh.
TriangleYour hips and thighs are wider than your shoulders and bustline. You often have a flat tummy and are well proportioned above the waist. Your hip may broaden right under the waist but is usually widest at your lower hip.
Billowy tops are great for you because they help create volume on top and balance out your bottom half. Make sure that your tops do not hit you at the widest part of your hip as this will only draw attention there. Try to find tops that hit you either above or below the widest part of your hip.
Trapeze dresses are great for you, as long as they do not get too tight over your hip. If you find ones that skim over your hips, without being too snug, this will be a great A line look for your body.
Inverted TriangleYou are broadest through the bust, shoulders, and upper back, narrowing into your waist. Your hips and thighs are equal to your waist or slightly narrower all around. You have the classic swimmer’s body.
You are lucky. Most models have this body type, so you can wear almost anything. Billowy tops and trapeze dresses look great on you. Make sure that you do not overemphasize your shoulders with lots of shoulder detail such as: ruffles, epaulettes, or patch pockets.
RectangleYou are straight up and down, with a somewhat small bust and little or no waist definition. You have a columnar silhouette overall. You may have a fleshy back and slightly short neck, but you tend to have slim arms and legs.
Billowy tops and trapeze dresses will work well on you, as they will both create more volume below the waist. Creating volume below will help camouflage your columnar silhouette and give the illusion of a slight waist. As you tend to have slim legs, the trapeze dress will show them off well.
OvalYou are broader through the middle and upper torso, with no waist indentation, and often have a full bust and sloping shoulders. You have proportionately slim legs and arms, with an overall rounded shape, prominent tummy, and flat bottom.
Be very weary of these two trends. You want to avoid creating more volume around your midsection. Many oval women feel that they need to hide themselves in voluminous clothing. This only goes to make your silhouette look larger.
Find billowy tops that hit you below your widest point for the best look. When wearing dresses, make sure that the hem is even all the way around. If you find that your hem is higher in the back, take your dress to a tailor and have them hem the front of the dress so that it hangs evenly when you wear it.
DiamondYou have narrow shoulders and a small bust and back, with most of your weight distributed through the midriff and waist area. Sometimes the waist is the largest measurement around your body. You have a flat bottom, with a natural overall wedge shape.
These trends are not ideal for you, as they will often create that dreaded maternity look. To avoid this, try tapering your tops from below the bust and tummy so they are narrower at your waist. Tapering your tops and dresses will help create a cleaner, slimmer silhouette.
Once you get a better understanding of your specific body type it is increasingly easier to see if a trend will work for you. The sooner you stop comparing yourself to your friends that are completely different sizes and shapes than you, the better. What looks good on them might look awful on you and vice versa. Not every trend is meant for every body. Embrace the body you have and learn how to showcase it in its best possible light!
04.20.07
Wedges – The Hot Spring and Summer Sandal
Today will be the last day that I continuing on with my analysis of London fashion and trends. Starting tomorrow I will go back to giving you great fashion tips.
Wedge sandals are all the rage this spring and summer. Whether they are espadrilles, cork, or wooden soled, find yourself a pair that works for you.
The key is to make sure that the wedge is in proportion to your body. If you are a petite woman, find a wedge that is more dainty and not quite as tall. If you are a larger woman, try to find a higher wedge with wider straps to make your legs look thinner. Like everything else, it’s all about proportion. Your wedges should not over power your body.
04.19.07
Bumble Bee Colors for Spring
Everywhere I look I see black, white, and yellow here in London. If you want to be ahead of the trends this spring, get to the store and find a few pieces in these colors.
The key to not looking like a bee is to primarily wear two of the colors with a third as an accent. It’s when the colors are all evenly distributed that the bee effect happens.
Find a great printed skirt with all three colors in it, then wear a black top and shoes. Or black pants a white shirt and a yellow sweater with just the white collar sticking out….you get the picture.
04.18.07
Trapeze tops and dresses in London
Another London fashion that can be seen on women of varying age are trapeze tops, jackets, and dresses.
Brightly colored trapeze tops are paired with skinny jeans and heels or ankle boots. Trapeze dresses are worn alone with sandals or with leggings underneath. And perhaps the most versatile is the trapeze jacket which can be worn with jeans, trousers, or a skirt. Place a nice white blouse underneath and you are ready for the office, or a sparkly top for a night out.
Only the younger women should try the tops and dresses, but anyone can wear a trapeze jacket to liven up their wardrobe and look completely up to date!
