Ugly Is In The Ties Of The Holders

It's a new week, and Oliver B. is presenting this week's Ugly Tie Wednesday. As I said last week, my coworkers have decided to wear ugly ties on Wednesdays, and have a little contest on who has the ugliest tie. This week the participants were going for goal, and some succeeded in presenting truly ugly (and non-salvageable) ties. Let's take a look at our contestants individually ...

Now, each week I will be posting the contestants of Ugly Tie Wednesday, and I will let my readers choose which tie is the ugliest, and indicate which ties can be saved and used in fashionable looks. I will be making my picks as well.

So, this week, the winner is the black background, loud print tie. If you all can see it, the pattern looks like stained-glass windows on churches. It is hideous. I was appalled at what I saw in person. I would suggest a runner up (should the winner not be able to fulfill his duties in the championship competition that we will have later) as the paint splotch tie. It looks like paint just fell on it ... I hate it.

I do think at least one tie can be saved. That would be the brown skinny tie (which looks like an all black tie, but it was actually brown). That tie is a relic of the 60's and 70's, but it has made a comeback on the fashion scene (I've seen it in more Hamptons America styles like Ralph Lauren). Some garments are less about the fabric and more about the overall textures. If you're wearing a lot of smooth lines, this rough, woven tie provides a great texture contrast. You should only do this with one piece in the wardrobe, whether it is a tie or a sweater vest, but not both. Mix it up a bit ... integrate textures. I personally liked that tie, and would wear it, so it's not an ugly tie.

And this my friends is the Ugly Tie Wednesday contest. Feel free to add your input and make your selections on the winners and savers. I will be sharing your thoughts with my coworkers each week. So, be sure to check back here every Wednesday for the latest entries. Oh God, I'm actually supporting ugly ties on my blog ... I need a drink.

Here's to style. Cheers!

All Dressed Up In Love ...

I have been watching the Sex and the City movie over and over again lately, and listening to the song at the end, "All Dressed Up In Love." I have really taken to the song, and I hadn't realized why until today.

As I was reading a sex book (I also keep myself abreast of sexual discussions) it finally hit me why I have been enjoying the song so much. How you present yourself to the world has an enormous effect on how you're perceived by others. Creating a positive personal image that reflects who you are will help you make an engaging impression that attracts the kinds of people into your life that you want to attract. I have decided to call this being "all dressed up in love." It plays perfectly with love and friendship, and fits with the words of the song, and the description used by Carrie in the movie. Let's discuss this ...

This image is a combination of physical appearance and mental attitude. The two need to work together in order to be successful, so learning how to make your outside appearance match your inner personality is the key to creating a winning overall image. Your clothes are a reflection of YOUR tastes and interests, so use them to create the proper first impression. You want people to see you in your clothes, not see some guy or girl wearing nice clothes; you wear the clothes, they don't wear you. You pay enough for them ... they should be under your control haha.

Just remember that confidence and self-esteem are very important fashion accessories. Having a perfect body, handsome face, and stylish wardrobe may get you a lot of attention, but if there's nothing behind all that glitz and glamor, no one is gonna hang around for long. Do you want the people in your life to fade out as quickly as the trendy fashions you use to lure them in?

Dressing yourself up in love starts with figuring out who you are. This takes that scary procedure we all try to avoid: self-examination. It's easy to be like everyone else, but being yourself--being unique--is ultimately going to be much more satisfying after all the torture you go through to get there.

Your best look comes from attitude. The most attractive quality in a stylish man or woman is confidence. A person who is confident and projects an air of happiness and satisfaction is always wearing THE sexy "it" item. If you walk around looking and acting angry or frightened or nervous, people are going to sense it and stay away. If you adopt a condescending or rude attitude, no one is going to want to be with you because, after all, just what could someone with a bad attitude have to offer? The person who is confident will have style in the bag. Nothing is more vogue than a content person.

So, get out there and be the very best you that you can be. It begins with asking yourself who are you. Let the answer (along with my other style tips) lead you to YOUR look.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Let's Play a LookGame: Sack or Salvage?

Oliver B. here with a special survey for my readers. I have been issued a challenge: turn a seemingly ugly tie into a fashion item. Can it be done? I think so, but I'm curious at what others are thinking.

SO, my office is doing an "Ugly Tie Wednesday" thing every week. This week was the first official week of it. There are two ties competing for the prize of ugliest of the week. Take a look below:

Now, I have stated that I feel the one on the left is the ugliest tie. Here's my thinking: the purple tie on the right is a salvageable tie; the one on the left should just be burned on general principles. There was heavy disagreement by the owner of the purple, who fervently advocated his cause for having the ugliest tie. I still think his tie can be made into a fashionable item of clothing. Here's how ...

Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Lanvin, and more have posted recent runway shows featuring these looks. So, from what I gather of the runway shows, ties like the purple tie (which is a great shade of purple FYI ... purple being the new hot color tie to wear in the political world) are fine to wear, and to offset the lime green polka dots on the tie, you should wear a more dark, charcoal, black, or midnight blue color. I always say that you should pick one item of clothing to be the star of the outfit. In this case it would have to be the tie. What you do is play down the rest of your look in order to present the tie as the featured item. I think with a little inspiration from the above looks, the tie will pull off fine in social settings. I wouldn't recommend it for a professional look (unless you work in fashion or public relations or something along those trendy lines) but it's definitely something I would allow in public.

Now that you've seen the ties, and have had a chance to look at my research, the question is which tie do you find the ugliest, and do you think the purple tie is salvageable for trendy fashions?

The new trends are all about splashes of loud colors--bright, vibrant, shocking colors. We have spent many years trying to avoid bright colors as horrible in fashion. The walls are coming down people: you can wear white after labor day, florals in winter, metal accessories in spring, jewel tones are all over the place (no longer reserved for jewelry), bigger is better, and loud is the best volume ;-)

Here's to style. Cheers!

Je Cherche Une Femme ... Une Femme Française

Okay my fans ... a new blog is coming your way. I was talking to a woman today who is making a trip to France, and wants to look as fashionable as possible. That is certainly understandable since Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is home to some of the greatest design houses of our time: Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermés, Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Louboutin to name a few. But what do you expect from a country which considers fashion a national issue?

The expression haute couture is, in France, a legally protected name, guaranteeing certain quality standards. French couture is regulated by an industry governing body, the Fédération

française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode created in 1973, which itself consists of the Chambre Syndicale de la mode masculine (men's fashion), the Chambre syndicale du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode (ready-to-wear) and the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture (high fashion), the latter having been created in 1868. The Federation also has a fashion school, the Ecole de la chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne (created in 1928).

Now that you have a slight history lesson, back to the topic: French fashions. This blog will be dedicated to finding great style for a French vacation. Let's begin ...

Trends:

I think first I should get the trendy stuff out of the way. While you all know I am a fan of classic and timeless style, as I have said many times before you should always have some trendy pieces to mix with your classics. Never forget that trends are not bad, they just aren't worth investing too much of your money. For trendy pieces I would suggest H&M, and even Zara. These are two very trendy stores where you can find the latest fashions at the best prices. Take a look at this French street fashion look ... the vest and the shoes are both Zara items.

This is a head-to-toe example of trendy French fashion ... sexy, rocker, bohemian, with just a touch of sophistication. Want to see more ...

And there you have trendy street fashions. Pick out things you like and start looking for them.

On to classics ... I don't have the time to go into every detail of French style, so rather than photos, I will simply state a few helpful hints.

Here are my top ten tips for choosing classic styles:

1) Chunky jewelry is always vogue.

2) Hats are a must ... think Diana Vreeland, "Hats, Hats, Hats for career girls ... "

3) Don't forget a scarf.

4) A beautiful man is a hot accessory.

5) Fashion reflects everyone; style reflects you.

6) Casual luxury is a way of life in France.

7) A good handbag can make or break your outfit.

8) A men's tuxedo shirt can have so many possibilities.

9) A red lip (that doesn't look hookerish) can jazz up a dark-colored outfit.

10) No outfit is complete without a key accessory: confidence.

If you follow these tips, I am sure you will find a style that will serve you well in France, and even here in the U.S. Chic is a universal language, so brush up on it.

Of course you know that this is not every detail of French fashion, but it is enough to jumpstart you on your way. I always like to be a guide for fashion, not a dictator. I would also recommend that you be prepared to purchase some items in France that you expect to keep a long time. Chanel is timeless, and always stylish. Christain Louboutin has stunning stiletto shoes. Make sure you don't get knockoffs. Christian Louboutin shoes have a signature red bottom that is trademarked. That's just in case you run into a hustle man like we have here in the U.S. haha. And you MUST visit Dior as well.

SO ... go forth and be fabulous.

Here's to style. Cheers!