A couple of weeks ago I was shopping with a friend, helping him create a new look for his new body. I walked him through a few stores and a few designers and gave my input on what would look best on him, and my tips for creating a "unique-to-you" look. That got me thinking: how many others have specific questions like he did on a particular look they are interested in?
So today I am making this post an open forum of discussion. You ask the fashion questions, and I will provide the style answers. No topic is off limits ... except whether flip flops are fashionable ... they aren't. EVER!!!! PERIOD!!!! ;-)
The door is open ... who's gonna step in? I await my visitors.
Here's to style. Cheers!
7 comments:
How do you feel about the new trend towards baggy women's clothing?
Good question Kris! I am not a fan of baggy clothes on women IF the woman has a shape worth showing. If you have a Beyonce body (curves), I don't think you should hide it in dumpy clothes. A woman's body should be showcased, not placed backstage to some pillowy garment.
This is why I have always loved Valentino designs. He knew how to make any woman's body look its best in his dresses. Many celebrities like Halle Berry have said they have never loved their bodies more than in his couture. He knew that a woman's figure should be kissed and caressed by her fashions. The female form should be celebrated.
Now there are some exceptions due to body shape. Some women lack an hourglass voluptuous figure like Scarlett Johansson. In those cases a garment that is less form fitting may be helpful because it draws attention away from the fact that you have no figure. Take this shot for instance: http://www.thechicfashionista.com/images/boyfriendjeans-levis501-freepeople.jpg
Look at this woman. Does she have a figure underneath? Probably not, but the baggy clothes work on her because it takes a shapeless woman, and provides something to her figure that is more flattering than form-fitting clothes that would make her look like a 12-year-old boy.
I think my overall thoughts on this trend is that it can work if you need it to. A woman with shape won't need it.
What would be the one piece of clothing that you would recommend that women invest in this season? Same question for men also.
Crystal I will have something for you later on this evening when I get a chance to get home and look through my notes from this season's looks (yes, I have notes on fashion).
Kris ... I have additional thoughts. Just to clarify, I am not saying that the "boyfriend clothes" trend is ugly at all. So if you choose to wear it, I have seen some very good pieces from Jonathan Simkhai that I would recommend to people wanting that look. I am also not saying that women should wear tight revealing clothes either. Isn't it amazing how women in the old Hollywood era wore feminine looks that fit and managed not to spill out of them? Who knew it was possible, right? Most people seem to feel that to be sexy and feminine means put all your treats on display. I am far from that school of thought. I also don't shy away from the baggier clothes. Katherine Hepburn was a style icon for wearing men's suits. I also think her figure allowed her to pull off the look. So you see where my mind is going with this trend. I just don't envision women with a figure other than stick looking their best in this baggy, male-copied look versus male- inspired looks.
Crystal ... Like I said before check back later tonight.
This is an easy question for women as opposed to men. The one item a woman must invest in for the summer 2010 season is a short thin-layered print dress. I have seen them all over the place and I love them this season. They are shapeless, but so versatile. They look like muumuus that have been cut to look like big shirts ... that's how high they are cut off.
The reason this is the must have investment is because this summer is all about going from the sidewalk to the boardwalk, to the beach, and back again. The look must translate in all events for the day with just a small tweak here and there. This dress accomplishes it. You wear it over your swimsuit to the beach, then add a pair of shorts (short shorts) and some of the wonderful new sandals out right now that are streamlined-chic, chunky-strapped, and throw the weight of the shoe around the heel and the ankle, with just a strap or two up front to hold it all together. Remember girls: gladiator sandals are out, so don't try to keep them in. What you end up with is a sandal that’s covered and bare. It's wonderful.
That look can go to brunch with the girls somewhere or shopping for the afternoon. At night, no need to go home yet. Just pull out a good pair of heels, maybe peep-toe, add some chunky bracelets, a fashionable belt to add a waistline, a clutch, and even a hat if you're into hats, and you've got a bohemian look that is set for a night on the town. I went on to H&M (I love this store) and put together just that look I described (they have a fashion studio where you can see the look on a model), loved it, and the whole thing costs $115! The versatile dress was $9.95 and it works all day in all looks. How good is that? Ladies have it easy on the fashion side.
So, be sure to invest in a versatile half-cut muumuu-style dress (did you get all that?) and you're all set for summer ladies.
As for men, I would say the summer "it" item is a sophisticated swimsuit ... one that says "I'm a man of the world" instead of "My mommy cuts the crust off my bread for me." There is a great new throwback to the days of Sean Connery's swim shorts in Goldfinger that I am all over. The cut is higher on the leg (which shows off a man's legs much better than the stumpy-legged look of below-the-knee shorts) and the style looks more off the catwalk and onto the beach. What I am referring to are Orlebar Brown designer swim shorts. You can visit www.orlebarbrown.com to check out the line (and there are shorts for women too). I am personally a big fan of the OB Classic Setter design, which is the shorter short of about mid-thigh range. But if you can't hang with a shorter short, they have lots of different cuts and designs. I'd also advocate for the Bulldog trunk as well which is longer to just above the knee.
These shorts are well-cut, quick-drying, and nonshiny. The side tabs and hidden zippered back pocket give the shorts a tailored look, while the inner lining makes them beachproof. This look can easily be taken from the beach, styled with a good pair of boat shoes and a gingham dress shirt or V-neck tee for lunch and drinks with the boys. And at night, assuming wherever you go doesn't have a strict dress code, you can go a little NYC artsy and wear some canvas dress shoes, a light-colored, slim-tailored dress shirt, a nice slide-buckled canvas belt, and a lightweight watch (steal and leather is out for summer, so try canvas or grosgrain ribbon). That's a pretty good look I say.
In short, these shorts are the perfect summer style for men. They do cost though (the Bulldog is $200) so be prepared to invest in them (and the body maintenance it will take to always be able to wear them season to season), meaning keep them longer than one season. If $200 is out of your budget, then take a look at stores like H&M, Banana Republic, etc. to find the type of style I'm talking about. There are always inexpensive options to style ... especially nowadays.
Do you have any ideas on being stylish while working out? The black workout pants and messy ponytail aren't exactly bringing the boys to the yard...
Well, this is a challenge Jackie. You want to look good, but you also don't want to look like you're trying to look good to catch a man. I think it's the most desperate thing in the world for a woman to show up at the gym in full makeup, busting out of her track suit, not doing anything but standing around machines trying to land a man. But, there are men in the gym, so I don't see anything wrong with multi-tasking ;-).
Uniqlo has a new collection of workout clothes that I think is fashionable but still functional. They have skirts, shorts, leggings, shirts, etc. The tanks, tees, and leggings are crafted from a high-tech fabric that wicks moisture and offers near-full UV protection. The colors also add a little flare to the wardrobe. You don't have to wear black at the gym.
As for the hair, a ponytail is most appropriate for the gym, but as well all know it usually looks pretty sloppy. Now there are some other suggestions (depending on your hair length) that are much more fashionable than a loose effortless ponytail. Let's talk about those options. But basically you should be looking at dressing up a ponytail as you will read.
Double braids are really wonderful choices both for long and medium length hair. Use a comb to separate your hair at the middle, creating a straight line down the back of your head. Fix one of the two parts with an elastic band and start braiding the other section of hair. First of all, divide it in three equal arts, and then braid it till you have a small two-inch portion of hair left on the bottom. Secure the end of the braid with an elastic band then proceed in the same way with the other hair segment that was set aside.
A French braid is another classical but chic and practical hairstyle for longer hair. It is easy and quick to make, therefore this sporty and trendy hairdo is very popular with active ladies of all ages. It only takes a few minutes to create a gorgeous French braid before leaving to the gym. After brushing your hair, take the top front of hair, separate it in three parts and braid it by continually adding smaller strands from the sides. When you have finished braiding your hair at least to the base of your head, fix a free-flowing ponytail with the remaining length of your hair and you are done. I prefer this look for longer hair such as yours Jackie (I took a look at your hair on FB) because it does have some flowing hair that will bounce a little for style. It's my glam choice.
Micro-braids are great solutions when you want to keep all the bangs away from your eyes. Split your front hair into tiny segments, braiding them one by one and securing them with tiny rubber bands. Depending on how you like to wear your hair, you can braid only two or three rows or the entire head of hair in order to achieve a funkier look. You can even ask your friends to help you finish faster. There are many variations you can try. Tie all your braids back, or when you have braided only the front section, pull the rest of your hair back into a ponytail.
No matter which hairdo you choose, you will be amazed by how trendy and free you will feel with your new braided hairstyle. And it spices up the look without looking too planned.
One of the best choices for a modern, chic, and sporty woman is the pixie haircut, which is the rage these days. Besides the fact that it is a perfect haircut for elegant occasions, pixie is highly practical and comfortable for athletic women as well. This sassy, feminine, and extremely versatile hairstyle requires very low maintenance, making your life much simpler if you are an active lady. Pixie haircut is short enough not to get in your way during sport activities. You can use hair clips and headbands as well in order to fix you hair and add a little more excitement to your look.
One more note on this: make sure you pack my favorite accessory when you go to the gym ... confidence. Confidence is key; men will notice it. Just don't elevate to the level of arrogance; men will notice it.
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