For a sleek, sophisticated look, try a monochromatic outfit. As long as you mix fabrics and textures, it’s not the least bit boring. Recently, celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Dita von Teese have been stepping out in various shades of gray. Above, I’ve created an outfit that you can wear from day into night.
My favorite part of this look is the jacket. The belted waist balances out the voluminous sleeves. Chunky heels, statement necklaces, ruffles and snakeskin are all trendy for spring; the rose tint on the sunglasses add a subtle touch of color; and you can never go wrong with a neutral pair of gray jeans.
Paul & Joe Cleandre Coat ($980 $588), D&G Stretch Stovepipe Jeans ($265), Nine West Thyme pumps ($79), Anne Taylor Faceted Black Diamond Necklace ($59), Banana Republic Silk tiered blouse ($69), Helena de Natalio Giselle Clutch ($220), Betsey Johnson Rose Hinged Sunglasses ($69)
I absolutely love John Galliano’s response when the Christian Dior couturier was asked about the recession at Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris. In part, it sums up what I want to provide in this blog: a creative outlet to help generate thought about fashion.
“There’s a credit crunch, not a creative crunch. Of course, everyone is being more careful with their discretionary purchases. I am. But it’s our job to make people dream, and to provide the value in quality, cut, and imagination.” -John Galliano
I may not be able to wear his collection, which was inspired by Flemish painters and Christian Dior’s “New Look” from the 1940s, but it certainly makes me think about fashion. In fact, I might just wear my Dutch blue dress to work tomorrow—sans layers of tulle and a feather hat, of course.
Photo credit: Style.com
I was pretty disappointed with the fashion at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. There were some pretty looks: Anne Hathaway in Azarro, Jennifer Morrison in Anne Valérie Hash Couture and Freido Pinto in Marchesa. And I loved the gold embroidery on January Jones’ Cleopatra-esque Andrew Gn gown. But nobody made me go, “Wow!” Granted, the SAGs aren’t the Oscars, but I still expected more creativity on the red carpet. As I’ve said before, I encourage getting inspired by what other people wear. But when you have a team of stylists at your beck and call, there’s no excuse to play copycat like these actresses below…
Considering yellow is my favorite color, I love seeing it on the red carpet. Viola Davis’ David Meister gown made her skin glow but it instantly reminded me of the one-shoulder Carolina Herrera Mariska Hargitay wore to the Emmys last September.
Unless she got hit on the head on the set of Desperate Housewives and suffered a mild case of amnesia, I don’t how Eva Longoria Parker could have forgotten that she already wore a coral gown with a jeweled neckline. It was at the Emmys in 2005. And the curve-hugging Angel Sanchez was way sexier than this year’s Jenny Packham.
All I can say is hated Nicolette Sheridan’s Roerto Cavalli just as much as the Gucci Kate Hudson wore to the 2009 People’s Choice Awards.
It’s a different color, but Rosario Dawson’s Dolce & Gabbana is the exact same dress that Rihanna wore to the 2007 World Music Awards. Rosario even did her hair and makeup the same as the singer!
Another exact copycat was Lisa Edelstein. Hers didn’t bother me as much, though, because she likely chose the Reem Acra gown before Gabrielle Union wore it to the BET Awards on January 17t.
This just goes to show that getting the look isn’t always a good thing.
Photo Credit: Jeff Vespa/ Wireimage, Steve Granitz/Wireimage
Last year marked the return of Working Girl broad shoulders, and judging by Balmain’s runway shoulder pads are continuing into spring. In fact, almost everything 80s is making a comeback this year: neon, side buns, bicycle shorts and even oversize earrings.
Considering I have small ears with attached earlobes, the latter scares me. But I do have a few pairs of my mother’s giant, decadent clip-ons from the 80s. As a little girl, I loved using them to play dress-up. How ironic is it that in this photo I paired the jewelry with three additional Spring 2009 trends: hot pink, feathers and fringe? But I digress.
Bottom line, I feel ridiculous in jumbo earrings. So, instead of following a trend that does not flatter my features, I’ve found four other ways to reintroduce the jewelry into my wardrobe.
Look 1: The Brooch
Before she became our first lady, Michelle Obama stylishly pinned an Erickson Beamon brooch onto a Maria Pinto dress. It marked the return of the brooch, a look I absolutely adore. Here, I used my clip-on earring as a substitute.
Look 2: The Headband
Headbands are more popular than ever. My fellow blogger, Madison Avenue Spy, even declared Spring 2009 the season of “Heels and Headbands.” If you love Gossip Girl as much as I do, you know the headband is Blair Waldorf’s signature accessory. To channel the fictional Upper Eastside fashionista (played by Leighton Meester), I clipped both earrings on a plain black headband from Claire’s.
Look 3: The Belt
Many designers showed large embellished belts for spring. Cinching your waist with one of these accessories is the easiest way to achieve an hourglass shape. Here, I took inspiration from Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2009 collection and wrapped a sash belt around my waist, tied it then used my earring in lieu of the designer’s oversize safety pin.
The ruffle trend is continuing into spring. And anything goes: big, small, sheer, structured, tiered, you name it. So take a frill ride at the sales racks. After Christmas, I fell in love with this ruffled mini from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s line.
For winter, I’ve gone downtown chic by layering it with a boyfriend blazer and opaque tights. But when it gets warm, I want to show off the chiffon ruffles. I’ve accessorized with gold but I’m also planning to brighten it up with neon once I find an affordable substitute for Manolo’s to-die-for sandals.
Now…
Elizabeth and James dress, Theory blazer, Swarovski necklace, Guess peep-toes
Later…
Elizabeth and James dress, lia sophia cuff, Manola Blahnik D’Orsays
Yellow, lavender, blue and green are some of the top colors for spring. But if you can only remember one color, THINK PINK. You’ll want to look for either a bright pink, like fuchsia and magenta or a neutral pink, like rose dust.
Though I love bright, I’m not a fan of how I look in hot pink, so I’ve gone the neutral route. At one of Bloomingdale’s sales, I picked up this romantic rose cami with beige lace overlay from one of my favorite designer, Nanette Lepore.
For winter, I wanted to play with contrast, so I tucked it into a black high-waist pencil skirt with a touch of sheen. But for spring, I plan on styling the top more casual, pairing it with denim and other neutrals. I actually bought this blazer on sale three years ago. I’ve made it current by cuffing up the sleeves to expose the striped lining. Just goes to show that classics, as I said before, are sound investments.
Now…
Nanette Leopore top, Theory skirt, Ritmo Mundo watch, Guess peep-toes
Later…
Nanette Leopre top, Theory blazer, Paige jeans, Steve Madden sandals
