Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Ask and Ye Shall Receive!

Have a fashion question? Ask me under a comments section!

Friday, November 20, 2009

How To Wear Boots and Booties

My favorite thing about fall is getting a new pair of boots and this year the selection was outstanding! From the high end brands to the low end brands EVERYONE made beautiful boots! Over the knee, riding, mid-calf, ankle, high heel, flat, open toe and jewel toned; I was like a kid in a candy store, I wanted them all!

With all the new styles to choose from, you may be wondering how to wear them. Here are a few helpful tips and a boots and booties segment I did on Live Well HD Network's Mirror Mirror.

http://www.livewellhd.com/mirrormirror/story?id=7103478

Over the knee boots:
Over the knee boots, in a high heel or flat, can be worn with leggings, skinny jeans or a short dress or skirt with tights. Keep the colors similar. Too many colors will break up the look, not to mention your body. Be sure to choose your boot carefully. The over the knee boot is meant to be luxe so choose one in a luxe fabric like suede or a supple leather. Watch out for a platform that is too high or ostentatious and stay away from patent leather. As I said before, the look should be luxe not "Pretty Woman".

Question: Can petite women wear over the knee boots?

Answer: Yes! If you are petite, choose a boot with a high heel . A boot with a small platform will elongate the leg and also give room for a longer heel making you look taller. Make sure you choose a boot that doesn't come up too high over the knee. If you are wearing a dress or skirt make sure that the hem comes slightly above the top of boot.
Stuart Weitzman made beautiful over the knee boots this year. (shown above)






Tall and Riding Boots:
Tall/high heel boots and riding/flat boots can be worn the same ways as the over the knee boot. They look great with short dresses and skirts (with or without tights), leggings and jeans.


Great boots by Kelsi Dagger.




Mid-Calf Boot:
The mid-calf boot is great back to skinny jeans or leggings with a jacket or tunic. If you have really great legs, try a short dress with tights! Keep the colors similar as this is a tricky look to pull off. You don't want to cut yourself off at the calves. If you have thick or athletic legs you may want to stay away from this boot height. Try an ankle boot instead.

Love this Jessica Simpson boot!





Ankle Boot:
The ankle boot is soooo versatile this year! Dresses, skirts, jeans (skinny and boot cut), leggings, jumpers, the ankle boot goes with everything. They come in fun colors, with hardware, cut outs and closed and open toes. So just enjoy them!

Question: Is it okay to wear tights with an open toe boot?

Answer: Yes!

Can't go wrong with this classic black Louboutin. I love this rich royal blue Marc by Marc Jacobs!







How To Tie A Long Scarf

Long scarves are one of the best trendy accessories out there! You can wear them all year long! They are great with coats and jackets of course but try jazzing up a pain tee shirt or dress . Here are a few super simple ways to wear a long scarf!
The Slip Knot:



1. Fold your scarf in half
2. Wrap the scarf around the back of your neck
3. Pull the two loose ends of the scarf through the looped end
4. Adjust to comfort...not to tight, it's meant to be a little loose
Styling tip: This look is good for wearing with jackets.


The Wrap Around: (My personal favorite)



1. Begin with the scarf at full length
2. Place the center of the scarf in the front
3. Cross the ends in the back and bring them back around to the front
Styling tips: The ends of the scarf don't have to be even in the front. Adjust them to make them a little off for an effortless cute look. This look is good for wearing with tees and tanks.

Variation on the Wrap Around:


Keep wrapping the scarf around until the ends are as short as you want them to be.

Over the Shoulder:


1. Place scarf around your neck
2. Take one end and toss it over your shoulder

The Hang:



1. Place the scarf around your neck and let hang
Styling tip: This look is great for jackets and tees.

The Twist:



1. Place the scarf around your neck
2. Hold both ends and twist one end until the whole scarf begins to coil up
3. Wrap the scarf around your neck one more time and knot
Styling tip: Another great look for a jacket!




Don't be afraid to play and get creative, that's what makes scarves a great accessory!

Friday, September 18, 2009

How To Take Your Summer Wardrobe To Fall

Living in the Houston heat often means that when September rolls around we are not quite ready to put away our cool summer clothes. On a recent Mirror Mirror segment I give a few tips on how to transition those pieces from summer to fall.

http://livewellhd.com/video?id=7012176

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Cool Tools

Nothing will ruin the polish of a great outfit like not having the right tools to combat common fashion faux pas. Here are some of my favorite products that make being a well-put-together woman easier!




The Bra Clip: Ladies, bra straps are ugly and they look trashy hanging out of a sleeveless top.






DIMRS: DIMRS work great for days when you can't wear a bra. They are heat activated and stick to you. I swear by these. They are great under backless dresses or tight fitting tees.






Cup Inserts: These are great for tops that have the triangle boob. The triangle boob can be really unflattering no matter what size your bust is. You can just insert these into the bust part of your top for instant shape and support. This is also great for the women who needs a little more support than DIMRS.






Body Shapers and Slips: Whether you need to conceal an inch or two or just smooth your silhouette, body shapers are a must! They are great for fabrics that are see-through or clingy. I love the maxi dress trend like everyone else but I don't love the dress wedgies I see walking around with them!







Popper Stoppers: I found this product while shopping for one of my prego clients. You just put it over your belly button for a smooth line. A must if you are pregnant!





Hanky Panky Thongs: I am absolutely convinced that these are the worlds most perfect panties! They are comfortable, pretty and they lay completely flat. Even if you do not like thongs (which, by the way, is an absolute must in your wardrobe) I think you won't mind these.


*Side note confession: I have have on occasion accidentally worn them backwards and inside out and not noticed until later in the day.



Hollywood Tape: Never leave home without it! This tape sticks well to fabric and skin! This tape is perfect for holding a low cut top in place, a quick fix on a hem and about anything else you can imagine when you are in a jam.







Miss Opps: I love this product also! This little sponge will remove deodorant, dirt, some make-up and other random spots from your garments in seconds! No water needed and easily fits in a make-up bag.





Tide Stain Pen: For the stains that are a little more serious. This also fits right into your make-up bag.






Dr. Scholls High Heel Inserts: These are tremendously helpful for those long high heel wearing days. They are made for strappy so you don't have to worry about them showing.








Band-Aid Friction Block: How great is this product?! Roll it on before you put on a new pair of shoes and it will protect you from blisters!






Wednesday, July 8, 2009

BELTS!

Quite possibly my favorite accessory! I have collected many over the years and I rarely get rid of them. Thick, thin, waist, hips, I love and need them ALL!

Here is a fun segment I did with Rebecca Spera host of Mirror Mirror on the Live Well HD Network on the many ways of wearing a belt. I have also added my notes from the segment as a guide line.

http://livewellhd.com/video?id=6903401


What belts are in style? Thick, thin? Colorful? Patent?
Most all belts are in style. You should rarely give belts away. Most of them are timeless.

· When should you wear a thin belt?
Thin belts can be worn many ways. They can be worn with a trouser (in the loops), a sheath dress or even over a blazer. To get creative you can also double or triple up thin belts over a simple dress.

· When should you wear a thick belt?
Thick belts can be worn on the hips with a blousy top or dress or they can be worn at the waist or empire with an outfit that is a little more fitted.

· What belts can you wear with jeans?
If a shirt is tucked in you can wear any belt that fits inside the loops. If your shirt is untucked a belt can be worn at the waist or hips (depending on the shirt).

· What belts can you wear with a dress?
Stay away from belting A-line dresses. They were made A-line for a reason.
Side note: If you have an A-line dress that just doesn't seem quite right and you feel like it needs a little something try hemming it a little bit. A little hem on an A-line dress goes a long way.

· Body types for belts? Should a shorter woman wear a thick belt? What about someone with no waist? Can you create your own waist?
-Pear shaped women should be cautious about wearing belts at the hip. Wearing belts with garments that are empire or slightly nipped at the waist are better suited for that body type. Pear shaped women should also be careful about cinching their belts too tight, that too will accent curvy hips.
- For women with a large bust, stay away from belts at the empire or a little too high on the waist. A belt at the hips will balance you out.
-Wearing a belt at the waist can create balance on long wasted women. The opposite goes for short wasted women.

-If you are short wasted try wearing a belt at the hips.
-If you are straight up and down wearing a belt anywhere can create the illusion of a curvier figure.
· Belting a long shirt? When to tuck in your shirt and belt the pants?
Depending on the long shirt, if it’s loose, wear a belt at the hips. If it’s empire waist you can add a belt at the empire.
Crepe type materials are hard materials to belt. They tend to not lay right and make women look bigger. Just beware of materials that are not going to lay right with a belt.

One should also stay away from belting a thick sweater. Some thin sweaters can be belted, however you should keep in mind that belts often ruin the knap on knits.
Both fitted and loose can be tucked in. Just remember that when you tuck your shirt into pants you must wear a belt.


What is your one must-have belt of the season?
There are so many great belts this season. It is definitely going to be the accessory to have. If you are only going to get one belt this season I recommend a medium thick black patent leather. Black patent is going to go with so many things women already have in their closet.

What’s your one tip for wearing a belt that every woman should listen to?
Know your body type. Not every belted look is for you. Know which belted look is the best for your body type. Where ever you wear your belt is the part of the body you are accentuating.

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Hard and Fast Rules of Fashion

What is the one trend people should avoid? What is the one fashion rule everyone should follow?



These are my most asked and least favorite questions. I am often put on the spot during interviews for articles or television with these questions. Usually, I stutter through giving them an answer that suffices but that I don't entirely believe.
I am a fashion stylist. Fashion, to me, is extremely broad. I truly appreciate every piece from the functional "little black dress" to the fantastic garments that look more like art. My job as a stylist is to have a vision for how a garment, any garment, should be worn (or shown) and who should be wearing it.
My one and only rule for fashion is...that there isn't one. My only rule is more for the people wearing the fashions. NOT EVERYTHING IS FOR EVERYONE!
The fashion industry is full of creative and innovative minds, just try and get them to follow the "rules"! And thank God they don't, what great things we would have missed! Rules were meant to be broken! VIVA LA FASHION ANARCHY!






What STYLED. Is About!

Welcome to my new style blog! This blog dedicated to the question I get asked the most by my clients, "How do I wear this _(fill in the blank)_ ?"
In the entries to come I will tell you how to wear the trends and how to get the most out of the wardrobe pieces that you buy. And, of course, I will get into the new trends and "must haves" from time to time. Style is not about the money you spend on your wardrobe or the pieces that you get, it's about styling them in a way that works for you and says something about who you are.
ENJOY!