War of the Rose-Colored Glasses by Chanel

Tonight is about fashion investments. While one percent of the country can afford to update their wardrobe in full every season, the remaining ninety-nine percent have to make smarter purchases that last beyond one season. This is what separates the trendy from the stylish. By buying pieces that stand the test of time, in a quality worth its price tag, you can become a stylish member of the bottom rung of society.

I will share with you my list of essential items for all fashionistas (and fashionistos) to invest in for long-lasting style. In the long run you will save a bundle, and perhaps have a shot at rising out of your financial pit with those savings. Let's get started.

Shoes

Shoes are the foundation of every outfit. It is because of this fact that there is no shortage of shoe choices out there at unholy prices. Do not be lead astray by trends into purchasing dozens of shoes that you may only wear once. Even if you purchase those shoes at Payless, the money adds up. And if you only wear the shoe once, you really aren't getting your money's worth, are you?

How do we fix this? Spend a little more on a versatile pair of shoes. I am a big fan of Cole Haan shoes right now. They have given men more colorful options in their shoes than ever before. Usually, color was something reserved for the women. Not anymore. These shoes put a splash of color into your old basics (saddle shoes, wingtips, deck shoes, etc.). These are shoes you can wear to work, and then dress down with a pair of jeans. And because they are just colorful versions of classic shoes, the shoe design itself will always be in style. Prices range from $198 to $348. You will find that the shoes are well worth it, especially considering that stores like Cole Haan offer restoration services for their shoes. If you wear the sole out, take it back for a restoration and keep the life of your shoes running. $198 spread out over years of use makes the shoes practically free. And once you have such a versatile pair, you don't need to buy several different pairs of shoes by the occasion you need them for.

Women can also invest in a basic shoe. Every woman should have a pair of versatile black pumps, an open-toed shoe (preferably a nude color), and a pair of everyday flats. While I think Cole Haan's line is great for a flat shoe for women, nothing beats a pair of Louboutin's for sex appeal ladies. That is a perfect pump. Open-toed shoes are ladies' choice, but I am partial to Chrissie Morris. She has a lot of open-toed shoes that are uniquely designed. Each shoe is a work of art, and would look great paired with simpler clothing to keep the attention on the shoe.

Jeans

I don't know how many times I have to say that the perfect pair of jeans are an investment. There really isn't a pair of jeans that perfectly hugs your body, accentuates all the right parts, hides all the wrong parts, and doesn't cost a fortune. Well it shouldn't if you buy the assembly line version. Jeans should reflect the life you lead. All the wear and tear of the world should show on your jeans ... it's a history on fabric. To get the serious deal of a lifetime pair of jeans, check out Loren. Loren is an intimate clothing boutique specializing in denim and hand made jeans, located in Brooklyn, New York. The price tag? $600. Yes, you read that right. Again, over the course of a lifetime that money really becomes cheaper than buying a pair of jeans every couple of months at $40.

Accessories

My favorite topic. I have posted so many blogs about accessories it's ridiculous. But here we are again. Invest in quality jewelry. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, gold, silver, platinum. If you buy the best it lasts longer than the rest. Jewelry is typically passed down through the generations, so make sure your jewelry (to include watches and rings and cuff links, men) are classic and traditional with a slight flair of uniqueness. Bags are great too. Women can always use a small elegant clutch for classy affairs. Men always need a briefcase of sorts ... choose wisely. Just remember that if the style you choose has resurfaced several times already, it is likely a good investment as it will cycle back to trendy once again.

Suits & Dresses

This is where the bulk of your fashion investment lies. The perfect black dress is a rare find. You want a simple design with unique texture, or fabric choices. Chanel will always epitomize the best of the little black dress. But go your own way ... just make sure it can go from work, to cocktail party, to formal evening, to a funeral, all with just a few accessories for the occasion.

A suit is just as costly, and hard to find. I am now a huge fan of English Laundry for suits. If properly tailored, their trendy suits go from the boardroom to the club to the bedroom and never look out of place. And they're classically crafted so they don't go out of season. All-in-all, the one I own has gotten enough use for its $250 price tag in one year's time, but it will be worn for longer than that.

And there you have it, the must-have investments for the stylish. Spend a little more, but get a greater rate of return on what you buy with these high-ticket, long-lasting items. Start saving your money and doing a little online research now for the right designers.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Accessories Make the World Go Around

Good Evening Everyone. This is Oliver B. back again to share more of my fabulous style tips for professionals. Tonight's post covers my absolute favorite topic: ACCESSORIES!! I have some wonderful ideas for the ladies and the men. Let's get started, shall we?

For the ladies, accessorizing is much easier for you than it is for the men. You have so many options it's insane. So why can't you seem to accessorize correctly? I don't understand it. But don't worry ... I am here to help.

Ladies, accessorizing has one simple rule: Make accessories pop without taking away from the outfit as a whole. It's very simple.

How do we make the accessories pop you ask? Color choices, patterns, size. If you're wearing all black, try some jade earrings, or bracelets, or rings. Yes, jade. Gold is always good with black, or jewel-toned accessories. The bright colors pop, but do not detract from the demur suit choice you've made. You can also wear patterned scarves with solid suits, and vice versa. And go big on the accessories (size not quantity). I love oversized pieces (sometimes referred to as gaudy jewelry). A great thing to do is take a few small brooches you have and cluster them together on your suit to make one large brooch. It's a unique touch. Oversized rings have been around for years, and they do not seem to be going anywhere, so feel free to accessorize with a chunky ring. Just remember the old Coco Chanel rule for accessorizing: "When accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on." It's a great way to make sure you don't overaccessorize.

And I almost forgot ladies ... BAGS! Even Target carries fashionable bags now, large enough for your case files and laptops. Why are you still lugging around two or three ugly bags every day? Get it together.

Now on to the men. It is actually pretty difficult for men to accessorize in a professional setting because let's face it, there are only a handful of accessories you have: pocket squares, rings, watches, briefcases ...

So what can a man do to perk up his look? Well it just so happens that I have found the tip for men of the modern era: change up the color of your accessories. How? Did you know that there are different varieties of gold out there? Well, GQ Magazine recommends switching your plain gold, silver, or platinum accessories for rose gold ones. Roe gold is actually a mix of copper and gold to get the reddish color. Mix a few of these pieces into your look and it will subtly take you to the head of the style pack. Just be careful to select the correct shade of rose gold. You want closer to copper, not closer to pink. You are men afterall. There are rings, watches, cufflinks, even iPad folios with rose gold used. It looks great, and has and old world feel, as rose gold was popular in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.

As for pocket squares, try contrasting patterns and colors. If you're wearing a navy suit, try a red plaid pocket square. It pops but complements the suit. It definitely gives the suit a Tommy Hilfiger all-American look. Do you get the picture? Get into mixing up the pocket squares more, using them in every day professional dress. They're a fun and inexpensive way to vary up your look.

On to briefcases. Every designer of a men's line carries men's duffel bags, weekend bags, and briefcases. So why did you go buy the old-fashioned combination lock briefcase? Why are you wearing a canvas messenger bag from college? As adults, we need to be slimmer and sleeker in our look. Go out to the department store right now and find a bag suitable of your new station in life.

You can now follow me on Twitter ... @OliverBStyles. And don't forget to catch me on "The Fine Print" ... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thefineprint

Here's to style. Cheers!

Back in Business

Ain't it grand?!

Oliver B. has been resurrected this year. I have been asked to do a segment on a new internet radio talk show, "The Fine Print: We're Calling B.S." This show is for legal discussions in an entertaining way so that the everyday normal person can understand the law. I have been asked to provide my style expertise to the legal profession and help these lawyers find some style. I accept that challenge and will do my best.

If you would like to tune in to the show, please "Like" the show on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fine-Print-Were-Calling-BS/297621273630667

You can get more information there. Also, you can follow the show on Twitter @TheFinePrintBS. The show broadcasts on BlogTalkRadio.

I hope you all tune in and support these two wonderful people, and support me in my endeavor to turn the drab world of lawyers into a fashion forward industry.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Hey Sweet Meat. What it is? Mmm - mmm, strut it out. Bring it on home to me now.

I debated sharing this with anyone, but it's too good to keep a secret. I have found the best men's clothes. The clothes are amazing let me tell you. They are the kind of clothes I picture in my head if I could actually sew or draw.

Welcome to SLS Distributors Men's Boutique. It is a fairly new online store headed up by Stefan Smith. the company is out in California, and has suddenly got a new following on Facebook of about 973 people. I tried to order something from them once, but it got back ordered, and the CEO Stefan kindly emailed me, refunded my money, and then gave me a coupon for 20% off my next order.

I am currently getting the budget set up so I can go back and get lots of these items for fall. I'm a total fall fashion kind of guy, so this place it right up my alley. The designs on the sweaters and jackets are so unique and add flare to the wardrobe. I like pieces that have a little something extra to catch the eye. Being single, you like to attract all the time, so you dress for the occasion.

I highly recommend visiting http://slsdistributors.miiduu.com/ and checking out the great items. Don't forget to stop by Oliver B.'s way for a quick fashion consulting.

Here's to style. Cheers!

I'm Dreaming of a Cavalli Christmas

Merry Christmas to all from Oliver B. Styles!

As we approach the end of another year, I wanted to take a moment and give a special gift to those of you reading my page (when I post) and taking away better feelings of your own personal style in a world where you are overrun with trends trends trends that have no everlasting substance. I hope that I have made your 2010 a little brighter and beautiful.

As I begin closing out this year of fashion I like to look back at the tips I have given you this year for one central theme that will capture 2010. I think I have found it: BREAK THE RULES!

This entire year I have presented you my thoughts on white shoes after labor day, complementary colors over matching, throwing out hosiery, spring colors in cold seasons, dark and rich colors in spring, and so much more. What is this all supposed to teach you? That there are no longer hard and fast rules for fashion. We all have to explore fashion--experiment with your look and do crazy things. I'd rather fail as a leader than to succeed as a follower. Except of course when it comes to flip flops. I will never back down that those are hideous, useless, and lazy fashions. I will never support them as everyday wear ... NEVER!

So be a leader in fashion. Take charge of your look and own it. We all want to look and feel beautiful. As we approach 2011 I hope all my readers take my lessons and make themselves look their best every day. There is no excuse to neglect yourself.

I got a great piece of advice today. it was in the context of becoming rich, but I think it works for style as well. I read that everyone should live like they are going to die tomorrow, but invest like they are going to live forever. I think that's great style advice.

Dress like you are going to die tomorrow. What I think that means is you should always look your best so that when you die you leave a legacy of beauty. If you died tonight, how would you be described through your clothes? Is that what you want as your legacy? Will you have regrets?

Invest in clothes like you are going to live forever. This goes back to my theme of distinguishing style from trendy fashion. Your main pieces of clothing should be investments. Maybe it's your favorite handbag, or a bracelet, or a sweater, or a pair of jeans or shoes. Whatever it is, when you choose that expensive must-have piece, it should be something you will wear far into the future. For example, I spent about $200 back in 2005 on a DKNY blazer that I loved. It was an investment, a must-have item. Cut to last night: I wore it out with a friend who commented on how nice the blazer was. When I told him I bought it 5 years ago, he was stunned. It's still fashionable. The amazing part is it looks even better on me now than it did back then. Invest in fashion readers! Your wallet will love it, and you'll find that you're more confident with a safety blanket in your hot timeless pieces.

So this is 2010: break rules, and set the standard for YOURSELF. It has been a pleasure having an audience to share my tips with. Now it's time for your Christmas present: a special holiday rewrite for you. Enjoy:

Collections ring,
are you list’nin’?
On the runway
clothes are glist’nin’.
A beautiful sight.
We're in vogue tonight.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Gone away: tacky sweater;
here to stay: something better.
A shiny silver dress.
Red bangles to access’.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

In your hand you need a clutch or wristlet.
I found some good ones on bluefly.com.
You'll ask: Should I buy this?
I'll say: Why not?
But I would try to
split the cost with MOM.

Later on
trends will tire,
as your style stays on fire.
‘Cause Oliver B.
knows just what you need.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

On your feet I think you need Zanotti.
You can’t go wrong with crystals and black suede.
You’ll be the best dressed gal at every party.
And give your male arm candy an upgrade.

When style shows
ain't it thrilling?
When you look good my life’s fulfilling.
We're fashionistas all day-
the Oliver B. way.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.
Strutting in a Wintour wonderland.

Here's to Style. Cheers!

Steampunk Alley

Oliver B. is back--and it is good to be back--with a renewed joy today for fashion. Just when you thought you had grown up, done all your book reports for school, and put H.G. Wells on the bookshelf never to be looked at again, fashion said "Flams!"

Hopefully you all get the Victorian era references because that is the essence of steampunk fashion, although that term wasn't coined until 1979. Steampunk fashion has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles influenced by the Victorian era. This may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; suits with vests, coats and spats; or military-inspired garments. Steampunk-influenced outfits will often be accented with a mixture of technological and period accessories: timepieces, parasols, goggles and ray guns.

This haute cant of togs is very much up my alley. Even though the Victorian era was about propriety and morality, there is something so S&M about the corsets, dark makeup, images of steam steam STEAM!! It's dark, it's edgy, it's sexual ... and I am excited that it has made its way to the forefront of fashion. Period clothing can be a very fun way to experiment with your style. You can acquire pieces from certain eras and give them the modern twist to make them relevant now.

Take a look at this woman's coat for example. Notice the buckle detail at the shoulder. I LOVE that! I have been on a hunt for a men's coat that looks like this for years. There's something simplistically complex about the design that I just adore.

And do I really need to say anything about this look? I am all about little touches like the buckles, the buttons, etc. that you just don't see often on garments. And my absolute favorite essential from the Victorian era is a cameo. The belt above has a cameo, and I have been on the hunt for cameo accessories: belts, rings, necklaces, whatever I can find. I did find this for you ladies out there:

Thanks to Holly for bringing this trend up. I think it is a wonderful lesson in style. Period pieces are a great way to add a uniquely personal touch to trendy fashions. I am personally a fan of the 60's retro look for men. I think it was a great era for men with wonderful tailored suits, vibrant colors, and cocktails! And you know that was my James Bond era as well ... enough said. So, some of my accessory choices such as hats and sunglasses reflect that era. I'm also a fan of the Victorian era for the details in the clothes ... so I am always on the hunt for a jacket with extra buckles, fabric pieces or odd zippers. So when I wear those pieces they reflect me because people see those details and say that's definitely something Oliver B. would wear.

And can we all just take a moment to admire these boots.

I just think these babies are on fire! That is the kind of boot that can only say one word: SEX. Notice all the little buckles and things on the boot. They're like little treats along the way. This is the boot of sex and fear and danger and signs that say "Do. Not. Enter." All my favorite things in life. Did anyone get that reference? Look to the hell my fans. The sex is in the heel ... lurking, hiding, stalking. Lesson learned.

Here's to style. Cheers!

Something's Got a Hold of Me ... Oh, It Must Be Leg!

Jackie,

Thank you for sending in two very good questions. You know Oliver B. is always here to settle a fashion dispute ... especially one with such a longstanding tradition of being set in stone. It is my purpose in life to tear down such traditions, and shock the conscience of those traditionalists out there. That is not to say that I myself am not into traditions. My entire blog is dedicated to preserving a sense of tradition in fashion ... style must be timeless.

With that said, please tell your mother that pantyhose are not timeless style. They are relics of a far away time that for the most part should be forgotten. This is 2010 ... and in this time we do skin. I will not completely condemn pantyhose to a life in the garbage, but with all the creamy lotions, with their own built-in tanning shades, there is no reason to hide your legs behind tan fabrics 365 days of the year. It is perfectly ladylike to show bare legs nowadays. These days it's how much skin you show that makes you unladylike, not that you show any at all.

If she really starts to get on your nerves about the pantyhose, let her know that there was once a time when it was unladylike to not wear a corset. Would she like to try that on for size so she can be considered a lady in someone else's era? I don't think so. The damage to the rib cage alone would be a deterrent. Maybe she should embrace a new world of clothing where women dare to bare a little skin. There's no harm in it. My mother is 61 and even she doesn't wear pantyhose with a dress anymore ... and she's a charm school gal from a well-to-do family. Enough said.

So, in answer of your question: no you do not HAVE to wear pantyhose with a dress or skirt. If you have pantyhose that you CHOOSE to wear as your own personal style, that is fine. But there is no longer a requirement to wear them. Skin is in!

In answer to your second question I have one name for you: BEYONCE!!! We all know this woman is bootylicious and has curves for days. She knows how to dress those curves too. Take a tip from her lookbook: go old Hollywood glam, and don't be afraid to tailor the hell out of your clothes. The era Beyonce channels is an era where women's curves were celebrated. Thickness was beautiful ... the 40's and the 60's. Also look at Mad Men for style tips. These women accentuated their bodies and preserved an hourglass shape. Their clothing was dramatic and drew you in. These are my favorite decades for women's fashions. These were certainly glam eras: you don't hide your body; you flaunt it. Whether you're Marilyn Monroe celebrating a curvaceous figure, or Joan Crawford assaulting the screen with her broad shoulder pads ... they made their bodies heard. You must do the same.

But the one thing all these eras and women had in common: they tailored their garments well. Good tailoring cannot be overlooked. Whether it's just a pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, get in good with a great tailor and he will make you look stunning every time. When your clothes hug your body in just the right way, everything you think is wrong with your body is what you'll love looking at. Most designers all the way down to Target brand clothing are making their clothes a little more form-fitting so that they are bought with an almost tailored look to them. Even bargain stores are recognizing that a tighter fit just looks better.

I would also stress that you must ... and I mean MUST ... do more than just wear a pair of jeans and a tank top. Do something with it. Accessorize the look, add a pair of heels, maybe a short-cut leather jacket. Jeans, baggy t-shirt, and sneakers tend to accentuate the negatives of curvaceous figures.

Now that you have some new-found wisdom, I want to see you get out their and show those skinny bitches that stick is not a sexy figure. Now, let's go get a drink.

Here's to style, Jackie. Cheers!