Beyond the Little Black Dress

2010-10-27T04:42:00.001-07:00

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2010-10-21T18:30:00.001-07:00

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2010-10-21T07:22:00.001-07:00

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Try a Floral Shift for Spring

2009-03-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

As spring rolls into full bloom, your social calendar may be getting full. Weddings and showers and parties, oh my! What will you wear!

For a fun spring dress, try a pretty floral shift dress. We love this Cotton Floating Floral Dress ($159) because the lines of the dress are classic and very flattering. The print is very of-the-moment, a romantic floral incorporating one of the season's favorite hues - blue!

Pair this dress with a cardigan for a more casual party, or throw on a pashmina for an evening (especially outdoor) event. Give it a daytime spin by tossing on your favorite navy blazer.

You can have some fun with your shoe choices with this dress. Try a pair of patent blue strappy sandals or give it a new spin with a pair of orange wedges. The possibilities are infinine and you'll be sure to get lots of mileage from this classic cut.

Dresses for Every Body Type

2009-03-22T03:48:00.000-07:00

In my opinion there is no better time to add a pretty dress to your wardrobe than spring, and this season dresses are in full bloom everywhere! With the seasonal palette including colors ranging from nudes and neutrals to eye-poppping vibrant hues, you're sure to find gorgeous dresses in all shapes and styles. But do you know which ones are right for your body type?

Take a peek at our guide to buying one that will be the most flattering on you. Once you're armed with this important information, dressing will be a breeze.

Hourglass figures are very curvy with balanced hips and shoulders. The most important thing an hourglass can do is to find a dress that has waistline emphasis. Sack dresses are not for you. You've got the curves, now go flaunt them! Show off your shoulders in this bombshell halter dress and you'll show off your assets a la Marilyn Monroe, a classic hourglass figure.

Pear Shape figures have a smaller upper body with most of their weight in the hips, thighs and buttocks. Choose a dress that visually creates balance with a sleeve or high neckline atop a full skirt that gracefully grazes the body. Avoid sleeveless dresses because they'll create a visual un-balance and can emphasize your heavy bottom half.

Apple Shape figures have a larger upper body than lower half with little waist definition. Create the illusion of a waistline with a self-belt or tie. A V-neckline draw the eye downward, creating visual balance.

Rounded body types have a large chest, a protuding tummy and fullness through hips. Choose a dress in a darker solid for a sleek, minimizing effect. An open neckline helps to elongate the body and a soft tie at the waistline gives the illusion of a defined waist.

When it comes to hemlines, forget about what's "in" and what's "out" and go with the most timeless, flattering length - knee length or slightly above. This shows off great legs and will make you appear taller. If you must go longer, take care to ensure your hemline does not hit at the widest point of your calf. It will make your legs appear shorter and longer.

Happy spring dressing!

Fashion Feng Shui

2009-03-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

By now we've all heard of Feng Shui - The Chinese philosophy which teaches that your life is influenced by the conditions within your habitual surroundings. When your home is harmonious, balanced and aligned with who you are and what you desire to be, do and have, so is your existence. The same principles apply to your clothes.

According to Evana Maggiore, president of Fashion Feng Shui International, "When your closet is filled with efficiently arranged, well cared for garments that you love, need and wear all the time, your every clothes encounter fuels you with positive energy, empowering your existence. However, if the condition of your closet is overwhelming, frustrating or depressing, you can expect the same kind of negativity to manifest around you. Negative energy depletes you, reducing your inner and outer magnificence and undermining your potential. "

"To help keep chaos out of your life, conquer it in your closet!"

FASHION FENG SHUI's CLOSET CHAOS CURES:

1. If you haven't worn it in the last year or absolutely do not love it, donate it or give it away.

2. Never keep anything for just in case. You'll create clutter.

3. When new comes in, old goes out. For each new thing you purchase, get rid of one item.

4. Discard clothes that are no longer in style or don't support you now.

5. When you think you can't afford NOT to buy something, DON'T!

6. Don't shop just to shop. Shop with a goal and a purpose.

7. Change of mind, body or spirit calls for change of clothes.

Create a closet full of clothing that you love and that supports your life as it is right now - not the life you had ten years ago or the life you wish you had. When your closet is filled with clothes that fit you well that are in your best colors and styles, getting dressed will become something you look forward to each day rather than something you dread. Don't you want to start each day with a renewed sense of energy and inspiration?

The White Dress

2009-03-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

This spring the White Dress is a huge trend that translates nicely from runway to everyday. The White Dress is a glamorous choice and looks lovely in ruffles, maxi-lengths and sheer fabrics. Think Goddess! But please, don't wear the White Dress to weddings, unless its your own.

*Rachel Pally "Beatriz" Dress from Nordstrom ($216)

Avoid a Blackout

2009-01-31T05:23:00.000-08:00

"Have you ever seen a happy goth?" Carson Kressley thinks not, and states "I think everyone needs color to feel good. Too many women rely on head-to-toe black as a form of camouflage." The reality is that any hue can be slimming if worn monochromatically - so instead of black, reach for plum, gray or chocolate brown. Choose a color that looks great on you and wear it well. You'll look slim, cheerful and chic!

Stock Up, Dress Up

2009-01-27T18:10:00.000-08:00

We all want to have that one go-to dress in our closets, ready at a moment's notice for a girls' night out, an impromptu invitation for cocktails or dinner with the boss. Here's a great chance to stock up and save!

Stewart and Brown already bring us chic dresses crafted from the finest natural and organic fibers - now you can stock up and save 50%. Simply use code "DRESSY" at checkout. But act fast because this offer is only good for 24 hours.

Shop Your Closet

2009-01-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

You've probably been hearing the phrase "shop your closet" recently, and there's no better time to do it than now! Inspired by working with my clients through our "closet clarity" sessions, it dawned on me that all women can benefit from having a fresh perspective to get the most mileage from what they already own.

Face it, most of us have way more clothes than we actually need and are bound to have few gems that get pushed to the back of the closet and forgotten. So next time you find yourself saying "I have nothing to wear!", step back, take a deep breath, and shop your closet.

Shopping your closet can be fun. The main factor that will make it a success is the ability to see your wardrobe through fresh eyes. Here are my tips to make the most of shopping your closet and maximizing your wardrobe:

1/ Distance Yourself - You're all too familiar with the old friends who hang in your closet, staring at you day after day and begging to be worn. Forget their sordid past (the sweater worn during big argument with hubby or the top worn when you last caught the stomach flu) and pretend you're looking at someone else's clothes. Things may pop out that you've never really noticed before. Get inspired!

2/ The Big Break-Up - Brad and Angelina may be inseparable, but your twinsets and suits certainly don't have to be. Take them apart and place them on separate hangers. View them individually, not just as a couple, and see how they each have a personality all their own!

3/ Mix and Match - Forget the term "match". It does not belong in your closet. Instead, use the term "coordinate". Matching is what your grandmother did with her hat, her purse and her shoes. Coordinate is what modern women do when they wear things together that aren't in the same color, but play well together. Your purse does not have to match your shoes - ever!

4/ Seeing is Believing - Remember the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"? Well, that's pretty much how your wardrobe works, too. Your goal is to have as many of your items in clear view as possible. Hang as many pieces as you can, store your scarves in a basket in your closet, hang your jewelry up on hooks or keep it in dishes where you can see it, keep your shoes where you can have easy access to them so you can try on several pairs if you need to. If you can't see it, you won't wear it - trust me!

5/ All's Well that Mends Well - Take an afternoon (or even just a few minutes) and go through your closet. Does anything need repairs? Are buttons missing? Do your shoes need repair? If you keep your clothing in good repair, mended, ironed, dry cleaned, and nicely hung, getting dressed will go so much more smoothly. You'll make your mom proud!

6/ The Icing on the Cake - If you just can't resist all those sales going on right now and need to buy something, add a few good accessories. By just adding a pretty scarf, a chic bangle or a new pair of textured or colored tights, you can breathe new life into your basics and not spend a fortune.

Got it? Great. I'd love to hear what new outfits you come up with, made from items you already own!

* Reprinted from One Chic Mama.

Give 'Em the Slip

2008-11-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Wrap dresses can be a wonderful thing, flattering your curves while camouflaging your trouble spots. Yet, if there's a breeze in the air or children running around, you can end up showing off more than you'd like (no one needs to know your undies read "foxy lady" except you and your man).

Next time you step out in a wrap dress, protect your assets with a Full Slip from Commando ($88). Not only will it keep you under wraps, but it'll help give you a smooth and sleek look under your clingy dress.

The New Neutrals

2008-11-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

Have you heard the news? Grays, purples and blues are the new black! We all know (and love) our ever-popular black that goes with anything and everything. But why not incorporate some of the season's hottest colors into your wardrobe as neutral, core pieces rather than just as accents?

This really is a simple way to integrate color into your wardrobe. Take a versatile item such as a trench coat, a sweater or a simple wrap dress and instead of buying it in black, get one in a deep shade of indigo, a modern shade of gray or a vibrant eggplant. Then look at all your options. You'll find that there is very little that will go with these colors. You can wear them with brights, prints or yes, even black (if you must). But the goal here is to find new ways to add color to your life, and this is certainly an easy way to go! And when you see how a simple act such as donning a purple trench coat, rather than a black one, sets you apart, you'll love feeling like you're in on a little secret. If only all those who drape themselves in a sea of black knew, too!

Color, Color Everywhere

2008-10-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Envision yourself standing in front of your closet in the morning. What do you see? An array of colorful and neutral separates that mix and match well to create vibrant, flattering outfits - or a sea of black, peppered with white or gray and little or no color? If your answer was the latter, then do yourself a favor - step away from the black and take a few minutes to find out why.

We all want to get dressed quickly and easily in the morning, with little fuss about what we wear. You want to make getting dressed a breeze, and you figure that wearing black is an easy way to do that. Well, sure. It can be if you don't really care about your appearance. Black may go with everything in your closet - but it may not go with YOU!

Did you know that wearing black can:

Make you look older than you are
Enhance dark circles and skin blemishes
Make you look tired and washed out
Make lines and wrinkles appear deeper and more prominent

Wearing the right color can:

Make you look younger and more vibrant
Make your skin look healthy and clear
Diminish lines and wrinkles
Make your eyes sparkle and give more color to your lips and cheeks.

Yet finding your best colors can be tricky. The best way is to have an image professional do a personalized color analysis for you. After matching up hair, skin and eye colors, you'll receive a palette containing your best colors that you can use when shopping, cleaning out your closet, even decorating your home to surround yourself in your best colors!

When having a color analysis done, there are literally millions of combinations of colors, based on your personal shades, but most can be divided in cool tones and warm tones. A warm skin tone has a yellow undertone and a cool skin tone has a pink undertone.

Someone who looks best in cool colors can be described as:
If your skin tone can be described as light or medium to dark with olive, ivory or pink undertones
Your hair color is black, dark brown, grey or white, blonde, light brown , silver grey or burgundy brown.
Your eye color is brown, grey-green, hazel,cool blue, soft grey.

Someone who looks best in warm colors can be described as:
If yourskin tone is light with peach, pink or golden undertones.
Your hair color is strawberry blonde, ash blonde, auburn, light golden brown, dark red copper, brown with red highlights, honey blonde.
Your eye color is brown, green, olive, teal blue, blue-grey.

So next time you go to your closet, don't just reach for black - reach for a color that will help bring out the best in you!

Little Purple Dress

2008-10-26T05:07:00.000-07:00

If the LBD is that staple that you pull out at a moment's notice, why not find the same kind of wardrobe staple - but in one of the season's hottest hues?

This fitted sheath dress ($49) puts a new twist on your once relied-upon LBD. A sleek fit, tempered by a touch of spandex, creates a contemporary look in a lovely shade of purple. Pair this sheath dress with another trend this season - metallics - for a chic look. Silver, gold or bronze in a soft shade would enhance this look in a modern yet simple way, without being the least bit boring. Dress it up, dress it down. Add your signature color - what color does purple NOT go with? You'll look stunning as you step out with confidence wearing a classic silhouette in a shade that's anything but expected!

Drink It - Don't Wear It

2008-10-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

You've gotta love a wine called Little Black Dress! Sounds like a wine that's made for having fun.

So I propose a toast -

May you drink your Little Black Dress and infuse your wardrobe with color!

Cheers!

Enhance Your Skintone

2008-10-17T19:10:00.002-07:00

I just love this Faux Wrap Dress ($130) from Donna Morgan. First of all, this color is just beautiful. Shades of green and teal are skin enhancers and will make you look like you are glowing! Opt for clear, vibrant tones if you have a cool skintone and dark or gray hair, and more muted shades if you have a ruddy complexion, freckles and a warmer tone to your hair and skin. This color is subtle, yet sexy and is a great start for moving beyond black. Oh, and if this is your eye-color - look out! You will be unstoppable!

Another thing I love about this dress is the style. Flattering a range of figures, it gives definition at the waistline and slightly flares out at the hemline to balance a full hip. The website, MyShape.com does much of the work for you in helping to find styles that will fit well and are flattering to your shape. With their breakdowns of seven different body types, you get some assistance in matching clothing to your measurements, your body's shape and your preferences.

Just add shoes, a simple necklace or earrings, a great bracelet and some strappy shoes or boots, and - ooh la la! You'll be hooked on wearing color and will come back begging for more!

One Size Does Not Fit All

2008-10-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

In 1926, Coco Chanel was ahead of her time when she published a picture of what was become to be known as "the little black dress" in an issue of Vogue. Vogue referred to it as "Chanel's Ford", like the Model T - a simple and accessible style for women of all social classes, it was “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”

Well, as we all know, uniforms don't look great on everyone who wears them. The color only flatters a small percentage, and the cut has to be just right to make a woman's body look as great as possible.

So I'm here to pose a challenge to you dear readers: find your own alternative to the little black dress. I'm here to hold your hand and offer up suggestions. My goal is to empower you to wear color with confidence, and to help you find the best style (whether it's a dress or a two-piece outfit) for your shape. Black is chic, cool and sexy. But it can also be draining, boring and make us look older than we are. Get out there and find your best color so you can look amazing!

Chanel was right on the money when she said

"simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."

Black can be simple, but so can blue. Or red. Or fuschia. So go. I urge you. Find something else to wear. Everyone wears black - find your true colors so you can shine. There is life beyond the little black dress!