Fashion Tips

With the fashion world’s constant hustle and bustle, it’s tough to stay up-to-date on the newest designers and trends.  But if you’re reading this, you probably have a pretty good headstart on those who only read magazines that feature the mainstream powerhouse brands.  By consciously cruising the interwebs for some new info on fashion, you’re on your way to becoming a style guru!

Ok, so where do you look?  A great place to start is, believe it not, facebook! As if you needed another reason to check your facebook, right?  Well, brands and fashion companies are utilizing social networking in a big way, and it’s showing no signs of stopping.  You can find all kinds of designers and stylists (Rachel Zoe, anyone?) on facebook and twitter.  Becoming a “fan” of a store’s facebook page is a really simple way to get regular updates on their brand and keep up with sales, new releases, anything!

Twitter is, of course, amazing for instant updates on your friends’ lives, but you might be surprised to learn there are plenty of your favorite brands tweeting their hearts out all day, too!  Most will link to sales or new arrivals on their sites, but sometimes they’ll post a personal picture of something goofy going on the office or of some amazing couture they spot in a designer’s studio on a business trip.  Whatever they post, it’s a super fun way to feel even more connected with your dream brands!

In addition to following and “fanning,” you can subscribe to sale sites like RueLaLa.com, ideeli.com, and HauteLook.com (and yes, they all have twitter accounts you should be following), and they will send you emails featuring some crazy-go-nuts sales from the powerhouse staples, as well as some budding designers about which you can’t BELIEVE you’ve lived this long without knowing.  It’s a pretty great deal.

We can’t all be besties with a designer or someone who always seems to know what’s going on, but we can play in the major leagues by utilizing as much social media as we can.  And it’s not like it’s not way fun anyway!  So how do YOU keep up?

Belted waists are a trend that’s persevered for quite some time now, but the types of belts we’ve seen are getting cuter and cuter! Celebrities have taken this fashionable trend both on the streets and the red carpet, and lucky for us, it’s not hard to duplicate their style.  Hollywood stars have also showed us that belts can be worn with the most formal attire or simple jeans and t-shirt dresses. If you’re a smart shopper, these versatile accessories won’t break the bank, but they WILL bring a little something extra to your everyday (or night!) looks! Based on what we’ve seen on the pros, here’s some advice when it comes to cinching your waist. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you envious of your friends’ great vintage finds? Were you dying to buy your fav celebrity’s shirt, only to find out it came from a vintage store? You don’t always have to turn to the mall for shopping sprees and must-have items. But we know some people are intimidated by the vintage experience (or just don’t know how it’s done!) But no girl should miss out on seriously unique items just because she’s in the dark. Thrifting is fun, eco-friendly, and easy on the wallet. Here are some simple guidelines to get you started – now you have no excuse!

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Buy Beads. Save Lives.

Celebrities seem to have it made. VIP access to every and any event, designer labels, constant support and assistance… (sigh). But I believe with fame and fortune come an enormous responsibility. When you have all these advantages and luxuries, is there really any excuse not to give back to the community?

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Think about that title for a second.  At first, it might be a bit confusing, but don’t worry; I’m here to help.  A big part of looking your best is dressing appropriately for the situation you’re in.

1.      Coffee or lunch with friends – The goal here is low-maintenance, but cute.  Really cute.  There’s no “boom, boom, and boom” outfit I can give you, because there are so many options, but here are a few guidelines: Keep one aspect simple, while playing up another, e.g., ripped jeans and an airy, light tank or tee, with LOTS of long, layered necklaces.  And remember, you’re not doing brunch in the club, so keep the spiky heels and sparkly stuff at home.

2.      Shopping – Shoes that slip on and off like flip flops or any kind of flats without buckles or laces are best.  They should be durable enough to stand on once your feet are out of them, so you don’t have to put your feet on the dressing room floor.  Ick.  For the rest of the outfit, go with leggings or comfy jeans, and a bra you wear often under a tight-fitting camisole, under a boyfriend cardigan.  That way, you can just wear the cami under what you’re trying on and throw the cardigan on and off.   Keep the accessories minimal and the hair simple: down and natural is best, and ease up on the foundation to prevent makeup stains on the clothes that aren’t yours…yet. Read the rest of this entry »

Live by these items.  Invest in them.  You will not regret it.

1.  Dark-wash jeans – at least two pair: one for when you wear flats, and one long enough for some heels

2.  White collared shirt - fitted with stretch in the fabric, long enough in the torso and sleeves to cover your waistband and touch the heel of your hand, and simple enough to be belted or tucked into a high-waisted skirt

3.  Black dress – knee-length, solid black, and structured

4.  Well-tailored slacks – long enough for heels, detail-free, fitted, but not too snug

5.  Pumps – pair of black, pair of brown; make sure they’re comfortable, classic, and fabulous

6.  Trench coat – fitted through bust or waist (including through the sleeves, which should reach just past your wrists), double-breasted, neutral color, functional pockets, knee-length

7.  Boots – pair of black, pair of brown; if you have little legs, go for knee-highs, if you’re like me and have Hercules calves, stick with ankle boots, but don’t tuck your pants into them, obviously

8.  Carry-all bag – chic bag with lots of space for anything and everything, not a basic canvas tote, but one with style and a longer strap option to keep you functional

9.  Ribbed tanks – as many as possible, in as many colors as you can find…seriously

10.  Cardigan – cotton or cashmere, depending on your budget; a v-neck where the buttons start around the bottom of your sternum, as opposed to a crew neck where they start at your collar bone, is most flattering; keep the sleeves long, because you can always scrunch them up

More really is more when it comes to jewelry.  This season is all about chuncky, layered necklaces and bracelets.  Sandra Bullock, Jessica Biel, and Miley Cyrus recently hit the red carpets with layers of pearls and chains draping their necks.  Chunky necklaces add a playful and modern edge to simple skirt and tank ensembles.  The look can be done with bracelets too for a laid-back bohemian chic look.

For an affordable way to adopt this trend, shop at stores like Forever 21, Fred Flare, or Claire’s for inexpensive necklaces.  Pair your favorite ones together for a layered look or wear them separately for a simpler look.  While you’re there, stock up on their wide selection of bracelets for some extra flare.  For great deals on layered necklaces, try Arden B. The store has a variety of layered jewelry all for under $30.

Ah, men.  We love them.  And we know you’ll love your man no matter how he dresses, but wouldn’t it be nice if he showed a little interest in fashion?  Little bit??  Luckily for you, Milan’s fashion week had an awesome showing of menswear for summer, replete with masculine looks you’ll both love.

The general feel of the designer’s collections was tailored and travel-esque.  From safari jackets at Versace and earth tones at Salvatore Ferragamo to the red accents at the never-afraid-of-color Bottega Veneta, the key to success is a classic look with some fun punches of eclecticism thrown in there.  Don’t let him shy away from embroidery on his denim, whether in a dark wash or in the ripped-to-shreds look that has kept up its popularity.  On the other hand, a look that, understandably, can be avoided would be the surprisingly small and tight swim trunks shown at-where else?-Dolce and Gabbana and Versace.  You can’t win ‘em all, eh, ladies?

For a crisp look, go for slim trousers that narrow toward the ankle, and keep them short enough to show off his classic yacht loafers or maybe even some high-top shoes.  Up top, a fitted jacket with defined shoulders, or a skin-bearing vest (a’ la Cavalli) looks amazing in monochrome grey, white, or black.  Pops of orange (no, not hunter fluorescent orange) keep the ensemble fun, and for a more casual look, Versace and Gucci are telling us light colors are definitely a go.  V-neck, fitted tees in monochrome or even (gasp!) pastels work well over his favorite denim.

Overall, this is a battle you should win.  But it’s not like you weren’t expecting to anyway.  Actually, it probably won’t even be a battle with these trends.  Classic, simple looks that still allow him to be comfortable and not feel too flashy?  Can’t go wrong there.

Are celebrities being affected by the economy too?  Well, probably not, given that Ashley Tisdale’s Frye boots (pictured above) alone will cost you a pretty penny (to the tune of 328 bucks).  But stars have lately been spotted pairing luxe designer items with affordable tops and accessories.

Tisdale’s Lark & Wolff top by Steven Alan is only $68 from Urban Outfitters.  Other stars that have been spotted in clothes from the trendy retailer include Nicole Richie and Isla Fisher.  Above, Richie completes her rugged look with Urban’s BDG Burnout top for just $28!

Stars also love American Apparel too for great tees and dresses at even better prices.  Rihanna was often seen last summer wearing the brand’s Cotton Spandex Jersey dresses.  American Apparel counts Lauren Conrad as a celebrity fan as well who owns a number of the store’s affordable tanks and shirts.  The former star of The Hills was spotted with recently with a cool tie dye tee that will only run about $27.

Want designer duds but don’t have the cash to splurge? Well, there is hope for those of us who are still ballin’ on a budget.  Over the past few years, designers have been bringing their designs to the masses through collaborations with less expensive retailers.  In fact, this trend has caught on like wild fire and it’s hard to think of a designer anymore who hasn’t hopped on this train.

Target! Target’s Go International collection features clothing from up-and-coming designers at great, affordable prices.  Target currently has a collection of summer-ready dresses and tops with flowers and ruffles from California based designer Tracy Feith.  Other designers for Target’s Go International line include Thakoon, Jovovich Hawk, Erin Fetherston, and, coming this fall, Anna Sui.

H & M! H & M is another retailer to add to this list from their collaborations with the likes of Roberto Cavalli, and most recently Matthew Williamson.  The peacock dress (pictured) from his line has been worn by Nicky Hilton and Katy Perry.  The store just announced an upcoming collaboration with Jimmy Choo, who will be creating shoes, handbags, and clothes (a first for the luxury brand) for H & M.  But if you want to snag a piece from one of these collections, you better act quickly.  The day the Cavalli line debuted in stores, the racks were stripped of his clothes in minutes.

Gap! Hitting stores today is Gap’s Design Editions for the summer, featuring khaki collections from Alexander Wang and Vena Cava.  The Vena Cava collection adds a twist to their khaki designs with tribal inspirations, while Alexander Wang has shorts with chic pleating for under $50.  And for those of you with young kids, Stella McCartney is bringing style to your tots.  The designer has teamed up with Gap Kids to produce a line of affordable clothes for your children.

Payless! To complete your designer look for less, Payless has teamed up with a number of designers to bring you designer collection shoes at affordable prices.  Alice & Olivia currently has sweet open toed ballet flats for under 40 bucks.  And coming this fall, Project Runway winner Christian Siriano has a collection of edgy Egyptian-inspired shoes ranging in price from $25-$45.  Now that’s fierce!

….Continued from Part Uno!  Read on fashion frenzies….

6. create your own style – Taking cues from others is so crucial in developing your own style.  Thus being creative with what you see on somebody else and making it something that’s right for you is a triumph in itself.  Knowing you can’t pull off the acid wash torn-to-shreds skinny jeans, but finding some torn-up boot cut jeans in a darker wash and doing the grunge look is a success!  You’ve taken a style and made it work for you, instead of letting the clothes overpower.

7. stand out from the crowd – Who wants to be boring when you could be bangin’??  Doing as celebrities do is a surefire way to stick out a little bit.  While your buddies are in standard attire, you can shine in your celebrity-inspired ensembles without going overboard.  Now, it’s easy to pile on the accessories in an attempt to look put-together, but take cues from our girls featured on the site and note that sometimes, less is more.

8. leave behind the jeans & t-shirt regimen - It’s easy to get stuck in a clothes rut.  Break out of those boring regimes by checking out what your favorite celebrities are wearing and getting some fabulous ideas.  Noting a different pairing of styles (i.e. a plaid button-down worn under a boyfriend cardigan) or a flowy skirt pulled up to your chest, belted, and worn as a dress are easy ways to shake up your routine.  Plus, they make getting dressed in the morning a little more fun if you feel like you’re wearing something you’ve never worn before, eh?

9. rest assured you’re doing something right – Worried about looking too trendy or not being able to pull off a look?  Relax.  Celebrities have stylists.  And they usually do as those stylists say.  So if you’re using some of your fave celebs as a fashion guide, you really can’t go wrong.  As long as you make sure the look meshes with your personality, and you make sure you really wear the clothes, and not the other way around, know that you are doing something right.

10. feel fabulous – You know that awesome feeling you get when you just know you look great?  If you find a celebrity style you like and make it your own, you won’t be able to keep yourself from smiling!  A lot of how we approach our days and how we approach people is a direct result of how we feel, and if you’re feeling fabulous, can you imagine what a wonderful day it’s going to be?  Everything starts from within you, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to make your insides smile with a really great outfit.

1. stay ahead of trends – You know you’re not going to get the latest fashions by thinking about it really hard. You’ve got to LOOK around at what others are wearing to know what looks fresh and what looks tired. And who better to look at than those beautiful (and sometimes not-so-beautiful) people who are photographed for a living? Half of them were GIVEN designer duds to show off anyway, so you know they’ve got some good stuff.

2. know what’s appropriate – A lot of dressing well has to do with dressing appropriately. We know that wearing an evening dress every day—whether it’s gorgeous or not—is not going to attract the right type of attention to your clothes. Being well-dressed in every situation means knowing how to rock tattered jeans and a loose T-shirt downtown without looking plain, and, alternately, look completely at home in a cocktail dress at the swag uptown hotspots.

3. get new ideas – You know how you go through your closet and wonder why you ever wore certain pieces, and then a year later, you find some awesome new way to wear it and are SO glad you kept it? Credit that lovely rediscovery to your careful eye on celebrity styles! Think back to a time when naval-bearing shirts were the greatest things ever. (Eew. I know.) But consider that same shirt with a poufy mini skirt pulled up to your waist, belted something fierce, and accessorized with a statement necklace. Adorable, right? Who would’ve thought that awful belly trend could morph into a completely crucial part of your current wardrobe?

4. better than copying your friends’ styles – Love your friends, but don’t copy their styles. Likely, your group of girlfriends all dress somewhat similarly, and if everyone keeps dressing like everyone else, nothing good will result. A look outside of the group can have an amazing impact on not just your own style, but your friends’, too! So help your girls out! Take note of what the A-listers are sporting and start the trend!

5. good gossip – Remember Bjork’s swan dress a few years back? And how many times have you debated with your girlfriends about the wearability of the Lauren Conrad hippie hair twist? Little quirks in celebrity styles are memorable, and it’s always fun to talk about pop culture. Because fashion is such a huge part of many celebrities’ lives, taking note of their styles helps you learn more about them, and definitely gives you something to talk about!

…..Don’t be upset! Part Dos of Learn & Love Celeb’ Style will be coming shortly! Fashion frenzies stay tuned….

So what was the most important thing we learned from the new Sex and the City movie? It wasn’t that marriage can change a relationship. (We already knew that!) Perhaps the most shocking lesson was one of lesser substance: the existence of rent-a-bag websites. At first, this excited me. Renting designer bags! What could be better? But once the idea sunk in, I found it slightly unsettling. Why do we need a new bag every 2 weeks? Although I see the appeal of this new phenomenon, I can’t help but wonder if it’s just a new way to perpetuate the pressures women so often face to own impressive, high-status items. It’s almost humorous that such services exist, as the “need” for designer items has stooped to a system of check-outs and returns.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the latest fashions and keeping up with new trends. But I’m also an advocate of individuality and uniqueness at a reasonable cost. Which is why I’d rather have 3 or 4 “OMG, where did you find that?” bags than 1 designer bag I’ve seen on women everywhere across America.

Sites that provide rental services can be deceiving. To rent bags from one of these rental sites, you usually must become a member. The level of membership you join also dictates which bags you are allowed to rent. A basic membership only gives you access to low name designers. (Sorry Versace and Chanel lovers!)  If you’re not ready to commit, you can still rent bags without a membership for a steep price. Even though these borrowed bags are less expensive than the real deal, they are still considerably costly. To rent a decent sized bag for a short 7 days can cost over $150 – plus shipping and insurance costs.  And what about the must-have shoes and outfit to match that new bag every few weeks? Maybe rental services should stick to cars and DVDs for the sake of our wallets.

I’m not trying to diminish the prestige of top designer items. If you have the lifestyle to support it, why not buy yourself an exquisite bag? But for the rest of us, renting these second-hand bags is just unnecessary. You can find classic, stylish bags for half the cost and without a due date.  Why not search for celebrity inspired bags instead? Celebs these days carry some hot bags in bold prints and pretty patterns that are easily mimicked for a fourth of the cost. I’d recommend HandbagHeaven.com for celebrity inspired looks. Or check out PurseBlog.com to see what styles, shapes and colors the stars are crazy about. Then hit the mall in search of your own bag with these ideas in mind!

Celebrity fashionistas have recently been trying their hand at something new…designing.  Stars with coveted style are lending their keen eye for fashion to companies like DKNY and even Wal-Mart to produce affordable clothing lines.

DKNY can now add Hilary Duff to its list of celebrity designers.  Duff follows Pete Wentz and Rachel Bilson, who designed a junior’s collection for DKNY with the name Edie Rose.   Duff’s line is called Femme and will hit stores this August.  Her collection includes jeans, t-shirts, and dresses and will range from $39 to $129.

Looking to save even more money with celebrity designed clothing?  Wal-Mart sells an exclusive line for Taylor Swift by L.e.i.  Swift designed a line of adorable summer dresses that sell for around $14.  And coming out this August at Wal-Mart?  Miley Cyrus has teamed up with legendary designer Max Azria to produce a clothing line for teens to be sold at Wal-Mart.  Best thing about this line?  Nothing will cost over $20!

Some celebrities are even going as far as creating their own brands.  Reality stars Lauren Conrad of The Hills and Whitney Port of The City have both created clothing lines.  If you have a little extra money to spend (the dresses run upwards of $200-$300), their collections feature adorable summer dresses and chic high-waisted skirts.