Guest Blogger: Effortless Summer Dressing

Meet Amanda, my dear friend and one of the lucky few who gets to work in fashion (and actually get paid for it). As a valuable team member of BCBG Max Azria, Amanda has a fashion point of view that spans from the classic to the unexpected to fashion forward. But most importantly she knows what looks good on women! Here she gives us her perspective on summer fashion...

Effortless Summer Dressing

Five summer basics that I couldn’t live without include Bondage Skirts, Tunics, Sequined Tanks, Rompers & and Blowsy Shorts. I love bondage skirts because they are so simple, so comfy & they literally look good with any top. I own three! But I think everyone needs at least one neutral and one in a funky color or print. My favorite style to pair with these slim fitting skirts, or any slim bottom, is tunics (think “upside down pyramid”). Cool & breezy, tunics also offer a level of comfort. And I am all about dressing comfortably & effortlessly this summer! I love a classic white style or nautical stripe. To keep a slim illusion layer a heavy necklace on top of these flowing tops.

For an effortless night out throw on a sequined tank – with jeans, leggings, shorts, or as a dress. Sequins allow just the right amount of sparkle minimizing the need for a lot of jewelry. In +90* weather no one loves to pile on jewelry…I don’t care what Rachel Zoe says!

Rompers are so playful! I think we all should pay homage to our childhood this summer! These onesies are perfect for a day of errands, lunch with the girls, sporting events, a trip to the zoo…you get the picture. If you want to set yourself apart try a luxe fabrication like silk. Or make this look your own by adding a belt or boyfriend blazer.

I have never been a shorts fan myself, however, this year, due to numerous vacationing, I have picked up a couple of styles. My favorite pair is pleated, blousy, and silky! Kind of frivolous because they are dry clean only, but it was love at first sight! I also got two pairs that were cuffed because they are so flattering, making my legs look longer & leaner.

I will briefly speak on my view of accessories. I’m much more of a clothes junky than jewelry. I don’t usually pile on a whole lot of jewelry, but I do apply the theory that bigger is better when it comes to accessories. Be it cocktail rings, necklaces, earrings, belts or shoes, I can’t resist a statement piece!

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Army of One

I am totally obsessing over army green, olive green, whatever you want to call it. I love the safari-esqe appeal it brings and how truly versatile it is. I treat it like a neutral paring it with anything from a punchy color to other neutrals like navy or beige. But my current preferred combo is an olive green piece with an overly feminine companion like this floral, peachy-pink top, creating a strong juxtaposition of the hard and soft.

(Skirt and top - Zara, belt - vintage, necklace - Adornments)

Cargo Pants as Dress Pants

I am loving the trend of cargo pants as dress pants. From my observations, the secret to pulling it off is cuff 'em and pair 'em with sexy heels and a feminine top.

Cargos - Gap, Blouse - JcPenny's, Shoes - Dillard's, Necklace - Tiffany's

My First Giveaway!!

I am so thrilled to be offering my readers my first ever giveaway. A dear friend of mine, Wendi, has a special talent for making sweet, feminine jewelry with a vintage twist (some pieces even use real vintage beads). On top of that, her prices are so reasonable! She has offered to let the winner of the giveaway pick her (or his) favorite piece! Here is how it works--you will receive one entry if you are a current follower or sign up to be a follower and you will get an additional entry if you leave a comment.

Check out Wendi's Etsy site to explore her whole spring/summer collection.

See below for some of my personal favs!

Current Covets

Anything and Everything Silk

Photo Source: Shopbop

Frankenstein-esque shoes that will make me close to 6 feet tall!

Photo Source: NeedSupply

Funky shorts in leather, patterns, or high-waisted!

Photo Source: The Glamourai

Floral Rompers!

Photo Source: Forever 21

Denim, Denim, Everywhere

Have you noticed how everything has gone denim? I have wanted a soft, light denim button-up forever. One that is comfy, modern, and didn't break the bank. I found one today a Walmart thanks to Miley Cyrus herself. The original price tag said $18, but it rang up for only $10. I am totally wearing this tomorrow and turning denim Friday upside down.

Picture Source: Walmart.com

Favorite Fashion Apps

The influx of smart phones has permeated every aspect of our life, including how I personally approach fashion and shopping. I thought I would share some of my favorite iPhone apps that have changed my approach to style forever.

Ask a Stylist by Glamour Magazine

Cost: Free

This app is brand new and uh-mazing. Glamour has offered up the services of several NYC-based stylists 24 hours a day. You simply take a pic of the outfit in contention, answer a few questions, ask your specific question and within minutes have a professional, polite, and insightful style answer. I am in LOVE!!

Trendtrack by Trendstop

Cost: Free

This app catalogs all the latest fashion shows from around the world. You have the ability to see the latest from Milan with a simple touch of a button. But my favorite part is the "Trend" tab where you can quickly scroll through Trendstop's latest and greatest trend observations. Some can be very easily integrated into a wardrobe immediately.

Shopstyle

Cost: Free

BEWARE! This app is dangerous for the wallet. It is basically a one-stop-shop for all things fashion with all the hottest retailers. It is so easy to browse and buy that it doesn't even feel like spending money. I could get lost in this app for hours and spend thousand of dollars.

Style.com

Cost: Free

It is like having Anna Wintour in your pocket. OK maybe not, but this is probably the closest you and I will ever get to her. This app is really like having Vogue magazine in a digital format.

TouchCloset

Cost: $0.99

You know when you watched Clueless for the first time and you absolutely died for Alicia Silverstone's virtual closet? Well 15 years later you can finally have it. TouchCloset allows you to take pics and catalogue your whole closet. You can make outfits and even note when you wore them last. It makes choosing what to wear in the morning so much more fun and easy.

Do you have any fashion/style apps that you love?

Fall 2010 Runway Review

The less than pristine economy brought a sense of trend continuation from Fall '09 to Fall '10 runway looks. Nothing seemed to be completely rewritten but more repurposed. The biggest trend I saw was tons of crazy layers motivating me to experiment with what I have for Fall '10 versus buying all new. That is a nice break on our economy hit pocketbooks.

Here are a couple other big picture trends I either saw or read about on the runway:

• Furs and shearing (I am still vowing to go faux)
• Booties with bling
• Ethnic patterns and inspiration
• Ruffles and draping
• Full skirts
• Thigh highs and tights
• Belted layers
• Historically inspired hats
• Luxe fabrics like velvet, sequins and shiny materials
• Pleated and tapered dress pants circa 1980s

Sources: The Cut and ShopBop

Cozy Loving

Source: Who What Wear

After the constant snow and spending my holidays out west, I am totally obsessing about this "Northern Exposure" influence. The Indian inspired to lumber jack prints conjure up visions of cozy cabin escapes with pipping hot cups of tea. Then accessorized with faux fur, heeled hiking-esque boots, and turquoise jewelry potential gives me the stamina to make it through this already dreadful winter.

Looking where to find pieces to create this look? F21 is loaded with options under $30 bucks!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

The single good thing about the sub freezing weather san snow is all the fun, cozy outerwear. Right now I am loving my mittens, which I happened to get at this year's War Eagle Craft Fair (craft fairs aren't just for your grandmother). The mittens are made from vintage sweaters and buttons and warmed up inside with a fuzzy fleece.

Don't want to wait until next year's craft fair? Check out this Etsy site with a similar mitten concept.

Can't get enough ...

...of BIG, embellished belts. I love how retro they look and how they have the ability to add personality to even plain jane tees. Best place to get them? Thrift stores!

Guest Blogger: Fashionable Gifts for Men

I am often asked about men's fashion and then I have to kindly surrender that I know nothing about it. This is proven by all the clothes I buy my husband that are still sitting in his closet with the original tags. So to properly guide you women on men's fashion, I tapped into a man who seems to get it right. Jamie Cornett has a distinct sense of style that seamlessly blends an urban funk with a preppy polish, creating stylish ensembles that are never over the top or masculine compromising.

So here you go ... fashionable gift giving advice for the man in your life from a man who gets it:

Ok ladies, I feel like I need to start off with news you probably don’t want to hear…men don’t like getting clothes for Christmas. It’s not because we don’t trust you to find a pair of jeans or a polo shirt that would look good on us. It is because with each gift that is carefully wrapped and placed beneath the Christmas tree we immediately imagine ourselves rocking out with that new MP3 player, catching YouTube worthy video on our Flip Ultra HD camcorder, or staying cool with Dyson’s new Air Multiplier that we are convinced is inside those boxes. We want the latest gadget for Christmas. When we open that first package only to find another sweater vest we will of course be grateful…on the outside. Inside, however, we are already looking forward to that next box and hoping that whatever is inside either requires batteries or plugs in. I’m going to let you take a peek at my Christmas wish list and hopefully allow you to not only avoid this scenario completely but help you find some clothes that make your guy look great.

Jeans
Everyone knows that jeans are a staple in every guy’s wardrobe. When jeans become a gift they need to have a little more style than the 10 pairs of Levi’s that are already hanging up in the closet. Go for a darker wash and stick to either a straight leg or slim cut. This ensures that they are not overly casual and are perfectly acceptable for jean’s day at work.

Source: Gap

Cardigans
I had trouble with this one at first but you have to believe me. Take note the next time you are watching a primetime sit-com that includes young, professional men in the cast. One of them will be wearing a cardigan. Think Mr. Rogers Neighborhood! You can choose from standard colors like gray and black or if your guy is a little more courageous go out on a limb with purple or blue…and don’t forget about argyle and cable-knit styles. You might initially get a funny look once he realizes he’s holding a cardigan but insist he try it on with a dress shirt underneath and he will realize that it looks great.

Source: Banana Republic

Sneakers
While guys don’t have the obsession with shoes that plagues most females we undoubtedly feel a little better about ourselves when we’re wearing a nice new
pair of sneakers. And they go with everything! You can go super casual with jeans and a t-shirt or high-style when paired with a suit. Here the important thing is that they have something a little different about them. Maybe they are made of patent leather or have an odd mix of color (orange and turquoise perhaps). Some brands to look for are Nike, Diesel, Converse, and Puma.

Source: Puma

Half-zip Sweaters
Go to any office where the dress code is business casual and without question the majority of the guys there will be wearing long sleeve button down dress shirts. These are easy for us to buy on our own. They are either solid or striped and for the most part all look fairly similar. A great way to update this look is to add a half-zip sweater as a top layer. The color or print from the shirt is still visible and you get the added bonus of looking like you put some thought into your appearance. The good thing is that you can buy one or two half-zips and wear them over several of the dress shirts that are already in your closet. Don’t be afraid to branch out color-wise. Shades of blue, green, and purple are good choices. Also make sure the material is thin enough so that over-heating isn’t an issue.

Source: Banana Republic

Ok, there it is…my no-technology-allowed Christmas wish list. One more thing, don’t forget that there is plenty of room in your guy’s stocking to include some guy friendly fashion accessories. A pair of argyle or striped socks, a new brown or black belt, or even a black skinny tie (seriously, I still love the skinny tie) would be a great addition to the chocolate santa, chapstick, and Nerd rope that I usually find in mine.

Your Fall/Winter 2009 Wardrobe Checklist from Budget Babe

I just read a great, all-inclusive must have checklist from Budget Babe that covers off on everything from layering tees to jeggings to nail polish color.

You should definitely hop on over and check it out ... especially if you are scratching your head on the heck are jeggings (FYI, they sell them at Walmart).

Click here for the full checklist.

Techno Colored Dreamy Tights

One of the most fascinating things about trends is observing the evolution year by year, season by season. Tights have been a long standing staple in my winter wardrobe. However, this year's variation of tights is no longer just about black, knit, or ribbed. Tights have gone to a whole new colorful level. If you are like me, initially you find this trend extremely intimidating and think "oh it looks so good on her, but I could never pull it off." But after observing several friends who make it look easy, I came up with three options so that anyone can truly pull off colored tights.

Option 1: Go neutral. The easiest way to balance the blanket of color is to ensure the rest of your outfit is in neutral colors and has simple lines. Blacks and grays are the easiest selection and create a really streamlined and sharp look.

Option 2: Stay in the same color family. If you want to throw in another color, look for a monochromatic color that matches your tights, or is at least in the same color family (in this case, her tights and shoes). That makes the color lines flow seamlessly versus creating a harsh color break with a contrasting color.

Option 3: Be colorfully muted. If you choose a colored tight that is more muted (e.g., army green (BTW currently obsessed with this color), plum or navy), you can play with more color combinations. But keep those combinations muted and complementary. For example, this outfit has army green tights (the picture doesn't represent the true color), navy skirt, mustard yellow sweater, and a red-orange belt. The muted colors almost read as neutrals making the combination completely approachable and not overwhelming.

Still nervous? Try a pattern instead of a color. Maybe a little polka-dot or a lace pattern in a black or gray tight. If you are STILL not sold, I will leave you with a provoking style stat (kind of). I read somewhere that colored tights act as a visual slimming element for the legs. So go forth and be colorful.

Your UItimate Fall Closet

If I had all the money in the world, I would do 90% of my clothing and accessory shopping on Shopbop.com. With a highly developed fashion vision, Shopbop has an excellent mix of foundational designers and new, up-and-comers and carefully selects avant-garde pieces and amazing basics. Unfortunately this type of fashion sophistication comes at a price, which is one I can't afford. I often drool over their email blasts that utilize one-of-a-kind pieces to create one-of-a-kind ensembles that feel I have little ability to apply to my less than designer wardrobe. However, their latest email blast details out 14 pieces that every girl should have for the ultimate fall 2009 closet, providing a mirage of on-trend looks. While I doubt I will ever spend $200 on a plaid shirt, I can definitely look for these key pieces at the stores I can afford.


So what are the 14 things?

• Leather jacket
• Pocket tee
• Scarf
• Flat booties
• Slouchy skinny jeans
• Tote purse
• Jersey dress
• Chambray button-down
• Platform booties
• Flannel shirt
• Stripped tank
• Boyfriend jacket
• Harem pants
• Cashmere v-neck

A couple things I would add if I was a Shopbop stylist: faux fur vest, a leather, motorcycle vest, jeweled flats, and colored tights.

Visit Shopbop to see all the combinations you can create with a couple updates to your closet.

Scarving

For the past couple of seasons, scarves have been a must inclusion for any wardrobe no matter a person's fashion passion. Scarves have such a style altering power that take a plain look to Bohemian funky or effortless sophistication with a single wrap around the neck. Now that the weather is crisp and cooler, I could wear a scarf almost everyday purely for functional warmth. To ensure my repeat wearings don't make my style predictable, I experiment with how I utilize the scarf. Just in case you didn't know scarves could be so completely versatile, I offer you six ways to wear them (keeping you warm and chic).

Let it hang.

This works with a long rectangular scarf or a more substantial pashmina. The hang gives a sense of effortless sophistication.

Wrap, wrap and fluff, fluff.

This works the best with a rectangular scarf that is either very cozy or has a pattern. This look has the power to give any outfit some attitude.

Single, simple wrap for a cool polish.

Single, simple wrap with a tie in the front.

I think this works best with a patterned scarf because this technique makes the scarf a focal point.

Loop-de-loop.

I routinely get asked how I do this. Fold your scarf in half and thread the scarf's ends through the middle of the fold. I like to do this with a contrasting colored pashima to my blouse. What's great about this look is it easily transitions from a coat to no coat and still adds such a nice touch.

Handkerchief Style.

This is my current fave. Fold a square scarf in half diagnolly. Let the big point of the triangle hang from your neck as you criss cross the other corners behind you, bringing them back to the front to hang. This look has a very Indie essence to it.

Stacy London Says

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting one of my highly esteemed fashion idols, Stacy London from What Not to Wear. If I could have any job, it would take me a second to decide that I want hers. She has the ability to take clothing and make it priceless by dressing women (and some men) the best for their body type, giving them self-esteem and self-confidence that cannot be replicated.

My encounter with her included a couple hugs, kudos on my belt and jacket, and her taking off and putting back on my shoe. But more importantly, it was very interesting to hear her fashion outlook for the fall.

So what are musts for Fall 2009?

• Something ruffled! She said you can do ruffles on shirts or skirts, but just be aware that ruffles add volume, so put ruffles where you want to accentuate versus minimize.
• A plaid blouse! Make sure that it isn't too casual. She said it should have a tailored fit with modern, bright colors. She suggested to pair it with a faux fur vest, skinny jeans, and wedged boots. I am dying over this look.
• Something leather! She recommended to stick to a leather jacket and stray away from leather pants. Black is her color of choice. She recommended to soften the hard look with a sweet, flirty blouse.
• Something platform! Shoes that is. And the platform can be in a boot, pump, or even a wedge. Just be conscious it doesn't cross the stripper line.
• Architectural pieces! Especially with dresses. Look specifically for structure and pleating, but again be aware of the added volume this gives. Her fondness for structure did not extend to the shoulders ... she recommend staying away from strong shoulders or shoulder pads.
• Something velvet! Like in a jacket. But to ensure it doesn't come off as old fashion, go for a modern color like a deep purple.

A couple other things she mentioned were deep florals, Edwardian blouses (high neck), statement necklaces, jackets, lots of black, and mixing patterns, like tweeds or herringbone with plaids.

The best thing about this experience was she was so down-to-earth and approachable. And while her honesty may come across as harsh to some people, it was very apparent that her main objective is giving people self confidence no matter their size, even if it requires a little tough love.

Follow her on Twitter at StacyLondonSays.