You can count on the Advanced Style blog to capture the most intriguing images. This woman in particular especially caught my eye because of her intriguing style…a touch of elegance (the beautiful fabric and detailed piping), edginess (the haircut and jeweled shoulders), and the eclectic (the funky fun bracelets.) A great example of how to dress for ‘all’ the people we are.
With ‘sweethearts’ day just around the corner, why not try something different this year? Pink and red make a striking combination and are so much more interesting than just either color alone. I grant you – it’s very dramatic, and not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you want to stand out from the crowd on Valentine’s Day, this is one way to do it, and you likely already have the makings in your closet. (You might just want to try it on other days as well – it will brighten up any day of the week.) Hearts to you!
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(All photos: Pinterest)
Photo: Pantone
Every year Pantone selects a Color of the Year – “Not necessarily the hot fashion color of the moment, but a color crossing all areas of design which is an expression of a mood, an attitude, on the part of the consumers.” This year’s color is Radiant Orchid – a color “Imbued with a harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and its rosy undertones emanate great joy, love and health. ” Doesn’t that sound just marvelous?
While it may not be a color that you can incorporate into your wardrobe in a big way – it might be fun to play with it as an accent color (maybe in a scarf or a nail color), teamed with your favorite neutral.
Pantone Fashion Color Report
Pantone also releases a color chart for the seasonal colors. For Spring 2014, the colors run the gamut of Easter-egg pastels to vivid floral brights.
Showing strongly in their midst on the runways during fashion week was white, as a stand-alone or in combination with (wait for it….) black! Another runway favorite was pink – in all of it’s varying strengths.
The colors of Spring are decorating retail windows even while we’re still in our winter boots, so take a stroll in the Mall or at your favorite department store and start to get a feel for what speaks to you – what lifts your spirits. Then start to think about which ones you’d like to incorporate into your wardrobe, and how; you may already have some of them hanging in your closet from past years that you can revive and breathe new life into!
P.S. If you’d like more insight into Pantone’s selection process, visit their website.
Photo: Harpers Bazaar
If you’ve ever been a bit stumped by how to pronounce designers’ names, believe me you’re not alone. Here’s a little tutorial (originally discovered by a colleague of mine, Elena – thanks so much!) that will take the mystery and uncertainty out of how to say all those names. Er-mez, anyone?
Photo: Cole Haan ‘Air Madison’ Monk Strap, Nordstrom
It seems like women have so many choices when it comes to shoes, but so do men, as it turns out. It’s helpful to know ‘what’s what’ when it comes to mens shoes, especially if you’re the primary shopper for the man in your life. The handy little tutorial by Tie-a-Tie.net describes the 8 styles of mens dress shoes. This site is very handy for all sorts of advice about male style, including how to tie the various tie knots, how to fold a pocket square, and much more. You might want to bookmark it for future reference!
Photo: Uniqlo
I’m not really a “down” person – by that I mean, I don’t tend to favor down jackets or vests as a ‘go-to’ item in my wardrobe. I don’t ski (which is where they are totally needed and appropriate) and we really don’t get super-cold temps here in the San Francisco area for the most part. However, this year I made an exception and I’m SO glad I did. The new Ultralight Down Vest from Uniqlo has been such a great buy – it’s just perfect for taking the edge off the cooler mornings in the house, and when walking the dog, and when sightseeing a bit in the City as we did over the New Year’s holiday. And the beauty of it is that it rolls up into a tiny ball and fits inside it’s own little bag, so it’s great for travel. The caveat I must give is that it’s now becoming hard to find in the stores and on-line, so if you are interested you should jump on it right away. If you miss out on the vest, they do carry it in a jacket.
Tights and leggings are perfect for this time of year…this little video will help you wear them well!
(Photos: Pinterest)
First, let me say I’m not at all disparaging grand goals – in fact, I’m a firm believer in putting your largest intentions out there for fulfillment. But for many people, major changes can be overwhelming when it comes to implementing and sticking to them. Here are some common resolutions that I’ve added that little ‘plus’ to (fashion-related, of course) that can help you feel instantly energized and motivated to keep working towards your ultimate, larger goals.
Resolve to lose weight…plus wear clothing that fits your shape and size. Believe it or not, you’ll look like you’ve lost weight if you wear clothing that fits properly and suits your frame. Too large and too small clothing both work against you. Don’t get hung up on size – I often shop sizes above and below what is my ‘normal’ size because there is such a variation between manufacturers.
Resolve to make more money…plus get more from your current clothing investments. Before you hit the sales, take a look at your closet and rework how you put outfits together, trying new combinations. Play around a little and pull out two items you’ve never worn together before and see how they look. Try combining patterned items in the same color family. You’ll be surprised how much more you can do with what you already have.
I love how this sequined top works so well with the plaid shirt underneath – it might not have been a combination that would come immediately to mind, but I definitely am going to play around with my closet and put together something similar.
Resolve to get healthier… plus wear the colors that enhance your skin tone. You will look refreshed, healthier and even younger when you’re wearing your best colors, particularly next to your face. People will think you’ve been to a spa!
Resolve to be nicer to everyone…plus be nicer to yourself. Take time to get ready for your day and creative a positive image. Put on your make-up ‘go to’s’ at a minimum – add an accessory or two, even at home. Make a deal with yourself to compliment yourself and three other people every day.
Resolve to be less impulsive…plus replace your impulse shopping with a new habit. Vow to only buy what you absolutely love and only those items that stay true to your style. What I often do is to thumb through the catalogs and magazines I receive and turn down the corners on the pages that have items I ‘want’, and then set them aside. When I pick them up a few days later and look at those pages, I find I’m not as thrilled with the items as I thought I was. If I am still interested in something, then I’ll investigate the item further. When you do find an item that you think will work for you, don’t take off the tags until you’ve tried it on and made at least three outfits from your closet.
Bed Bath & Beyond – Real Simple Slimline Flocked Hangers
Resolve to revamp your closet…plus work through it one section at a time. Start with your blouses…try on each one and get rid of the ones that no longer fit, are out of style, are beyond repair, or are closet ‘orphans’ (don’t go with at least three other items in your closet.) You might even want to start the process of replacing the wire or wooden hangers in your closet with the thin, felted ones (they take up so much less room.) Once done – congratulate yourself and take a break. If you’re up for the next section…maybe pants…go for it. If not, then wait a week or so and then tackle that section. Small steps lead to big successes.
Resolve to stop procrastinating…plus give me a call if you need a push to get started. I’m here to help!
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