These days, more people are buying shoes online. No longer do you have to shop for shoes by roaming from store to store, trying on shoe after shoe until you find the pair that's just right. You can find something that works for you without leaving the comfort of your home.

Granted, this won’t suit everyone. When you want shoes that look comfortable and feel good, the best way to find them is by physically trying them on for yourself and walking around in them. However, finding the right pair of shoes can be difficult. Maybe no one seems to carry your size, maybe you hate the trends and can't find anything you like, maybe you don't have time, or maybe you just don't like fooling with it any more than you have to. If any of this is the case for you, looking for shoes online as an option worth looking into. Shopping for shoes on the internet means you'll have more choices in styles and sizes.

Before you get started, you need to know your shoe size. Bear in mind, however, that shoe sizes are often different depending on the manufacturer. That's why when you're shopping online, it's extremely important to familiarize yourself with the site's return policies. Most sites will let you return undamaged merchandise, but it's a good idea to check just to be sure.

Also, find out what the shipping costs are. You might find a pair of shoes for a fantastic deal, only to discover that the hefty shipping fee makes them even more expensive than buying them at the store. Some sites offer free shipping. Either way, verify before making a purchase.

Labels: shoes, shopping deals

Unless you’ve been across the world for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that many of the styles from the 80s are sneaking their way into the trends of today’s top dressers. In some ways this is good. In others, it’s horribly bad. Those of us who lived through the 80s remember the madness of puffed sleeves, pegged jeans and bangs puffed so high you had to bend your head to get in the car so they wouldn’t be flattened.

This article is about one of the few good things coming back from the 80s. Remember scrunchies? Don’t worry—they haven’t reared their large heads yet. But headbands have survived and revived, and without the frizzed out perms exploding out on either side of them, they’re wearing a lot better these days.

You can find all different sorts of headbands—cloth, plastic, fiberglass, you name it. Though most are more than a few dollars, you might want to try wearing a friend’s for at least a few hours before buying your own. That’s because headbands hurt—often exerting extra pressure behind the ears, causing irritation or at worst, a pounding headache by the end of the day.

If you find this to be the case for you but can’t give up that look, do not despair. Ribbons of varying thicknesses are an excellent substitute for traditional headbands, and sometimes work even better and look nicer.

You can find headbands at almost any drugstore, accessory store and women’s clothing store in their jewelry section.

Labels: hair accessories

Edith Wharton once said, “Genius is of small use to a woman who does not know how to do her hair.” Wharton’s advice applies to all women, genius or not. Like all branches of fashion, hair has undergone countless trends and styles. In several cultures, such as Orthodox Judaism and Islam, a woman’s hair is considered to be on the same level as breasts in American society when it comes to eroticism.

But even if you’re the most liberal American, no one can deny the power of hair. You might easily forget this if you’ve sunk into the rut of a simple wash and dry routine, once in awhile peppered with a sloppy ponytail. But then when you see a woman who really takes care of her hair and knows how to do it, you remember the power of hair and wonder desperately how you can get yours to attract as much attention as hers seems to.

Quality and constant grooming goes without saying. But here’s a tip to give your hair that little extra something that it can’t get with just a bottle of shampoo and a good brush. We love putting jewels around our necks and through our ears and on our wrists—why not in our hair? Clips, barrettes, and all sorts of pins are available in stores, boutiques and online and you’d be surprised at the gems you can find to adorn your tresses.

Silver is always classy—on skin, on the table, or in your hair. No woman can go wrong with a certain sparkly something peeking out from the depths of her beautiful mane.

Labels: hair

The neck is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful parts of the female body. Think about it—depending on your economic situation, we spend hundreds to thousands to even millions of dollars adorning our necks. But jewels aren’t the only options you have to show off that mark of your femininity.

Scarves have a whole range of functions: they can be elegant or trendy, muted or flashy, thick and bulky or light as paper. Basically, your options are endless when it comes to these things.

So use them!

Many women are intimidated by scarves because they have been largely unused in popular American culture. You’re much more likely to see a scarf on a woman in France or Austria than New Mexico. But stepping outside that comfort zone and trying something new will prove to be an exciting and rewarding journey!

The number of ways you can wear a scarf almost equals the number of the different types you can wear. You can drape your scarf across your upper chest, held secure by the shoulders. This creates an elegant, sweeping look that, depending on the type of scarf you’re wearing, can be sported anywhere from the opera to the grocery store.

There’s also the classic double wrap around the neck, leaving the two sides hanging free down the chest, or with one flung back across the shoulder, or tied in a knot with the fringes either tucked into your coat or hanging free.

As you can see, the matter of wearing a scarf is definitely an art and as such, is totally free for experimentation. Play around with them and see what works for you!

Labels: scarves

Shiny metallic colors will be seen in many retails stores across the nation come fall, so you will want to add a few shimmering pieces to your wardrobe as soon as possible. Metallic is different from beaded or sequined, which can be confusing since all three have been seen on the runway this season. Metallics are usually made of one material that has a bit of a glint to it. In order to choose the best metallic for you, make sure that you do not overdo this glossy look. Metallics work best when they are combined with other solid colors, so matching an entire metallic outfit is not recommended (unless you are heading to a night club!).

It may be a bit harder to find some metallic materials this season, since many people will shy away from this trend. But, if you find yourself in need of something a bit more bold than usual, here are a few retailers that have already start to stock metallic tops.

American Apparel has just added some new shiny skirts and dresses to their fall collection. The great thing about this store is that the prices are always right. If you are daring enough to try out the new “Late Night Mini Skirt,” pair it with a loose sweater, or a long tee with a great belt. The other piece that American Apparel is showcasing is the “Nylon Tricot Figure Skater Dress.” This dress can be a lot of fun, but it will work best on a very thin frame due to its rather full skirt.

Other shiny pieces can be found at Old Navy (“Frost Free” vest in “Sweet Pollen”), Banana Republic (“Silk Camisole Top”), and at various other retail stores across the country. Search for classic lines and simple fabrics when you search for metallics, but overall have fun with this style. Let yourself shine with the new metallic line!

Labels: accessories, colors, fashion trends

So, by now you know that hats are all the rage this season, but if you are feeling a bit anxious about trying one on your own head, here are a few basic hat style tips.

Since a hat will frame your beautiful face, you must take into consideration your face shape. Find your face from the list below and look underneath to see which hat will flatter you the most.

Oval Face: If you have an oval face, you are relatively fortunate when it comes to hat shapes. Your face can support almost any shape and your hats should be worn straight across your brow or across your hairline. The only caution with an oval face shape is to make sure that the crown of your hat is never more narrow that your cheek bones.

Round Face: If your face is somewhat round, you will want to avoid “flower-pot” type hats, which will only accentuate your round face frame. Instead, choose asymmetrical lines that are worn on a slight angle. This face shape usually can’t accommodate a hat that sits straight, so try to tilt it just a bit.

Square Face: Lucky for you, your square face can hold just about any shape. The same rules that apply to an oval face shape apply to you. Make sure that your hat sits straight across your brow and that the hat rim is never narrower than your cheek bones.

Oblong Face: If you have an oblong face, try to avoid narrow and very tall hats. In order to find the right brim for you, try on a few different hats. Make sure that they hat you do choose will provide a sort of balance between your shoulders and the rest of your body.

Follow these basic tips, and make sure to try on your hats before you buy them. Hats can be a lot of fun, so don’t be afraid to peek out shyly from underneath the brim and practice your best sly smile.

Labels: accessories, hats

It’s time to dig those silk scarves out of your grandmother’s drawer; scarves are back this year and they are beginning to show up in some of the most unique places. Scarves this season were reminiscent of an Italian “nonna” as they were seen loosely knotted around the head in various colors. Scarves also showed up on occasion tied around the neck in a masculine tie knot, and even on the wrist as a sort of makeshift bracelet.

Though scarves are back, they are still done in classic style with simple, old-fashioned colors and classic patterns. So, your mom’s old flowered scarf from the seventies won’t do it this season. Focus on simple black, grey, and the occasional cream. If you are having a hard time imagining this trend, just think about past stars such as Audrey Hepburn, wearing a scarf around her head as a sort of mysterious fashion item. The idea here is mystique and glamour, so go ahead and tie one up.

If ever you think about buying a timeless scarf, you must consider the legendary house of Hermes. Hermes has been making fine scarves for centuries, and this year’s collection comes in some great styles. Hermes’ classic “silk twill scarf” is just perfect for this season ($325). Choose yours in a solid black or blue color and you have a scarf that will easily be handed down from generation to generation. If Hermes is a bit out of your price range (add it to your wish list!), smaller retailers have an abundance of scarves as well.

JCrew is featuring two choice scarves that are all made up in black and white for the fall season, or you can head to Banana Republic, which happens to have a whole array of different scarves for any style. If you still love the look of luxury, but can’t afford the high price tag, your best bet is www.bluefly.com where you just might find that perfect designer scarf for much less.

If there is one accessory that is easily found and easily affordable that you must try this season, it is the scarf. Go ahead and tie one on, or loosely wrap it around your head for a bit of mystery. Whatever you do with it, the scarf is your perfect accessory for fall.

Labels: accessories, fall, fashion trends

Belts are back this fall and they can be seen tied around nearly everything. A belt is a great way to accentuate your waist, so give this trend a try. Belts look great loosely tied around a long tee or sweater, and you can even put a belt with a dress or skirt for an original look. Out of all the belt designers on the current market, here are a few must have belts for fall 2007.

You can hardly mention a runway show these days without coming across the name “BB Simon.” This belt maker has a way of taking belts from ordinary to extraordinary, and everyone from the fashion elite to the average girl on the street will want one of these belts. BB Simon uses items such as Swarovski crystals to decorate his belts, so the price tag tends to be a bit high, but you can easily find replicas of these belts all over town. In particular, the new “Copper Finish” belt ($360) is adorned with jeweled crowns, hearts, stars, and everything else that screams sugar and spice. The “Turquoise” belt reflects a classy cowboy with style from its crystal inlay to its turquoise center, this belt would be perfect with a pair of jeans and heels. The last belt from BB Simon sure to catch you eye this season is designed in gold old-fashioned bad girl style. The “Golden Shadow-Silver Finish” belt ($260) has a great skull wearing a sailor’s cap on the front of the buckle. Wrap this around a classic black dress and you have your own sassy style.

If BB Simon is a bit too flashy for you, you may want to try the other designer lighting up runway style, “Kippys.” Kippy’s belts are similar to Simon’s, but they are a bit less flashy. All of these belts are still studded with crystals, but they are a bit more conservative. The best thing about Kippy’s belts is that you can choose your own crystal color. So if you would like your new belt to show off a bit of purple with a few sapphire crystals in between Kippys will accommodate you style choice. Of course, because they are custom designed they tend to be a bit pricey, but if you choose a classic style your belt can last for years to come.

No matter what sort of belt you choose, make sure that every outfit this season comes with your own wait line accessory. Tie them up, leave them loose, use different materials and colors, but make sure you belt it up.

Labels: accessories, belts, fashion trends

Finding a great perfume can really be a daunting task. Most of the perfumes out there smell too much like pure rubbing alcohol, while some seem to fade after a few mere minutes. There is a whole science behind perfume making, which is an art form all its own. If you find a perfume that you think you love, make sure to spritz a bit on and smell yourself hours from the initial try (the best way to do this is to try a department store sample, walk around the mall, and then return to the perfume counter). Here are a few new perfumes on the market that seem to hit all the right notes.

The first perfume that you should at least sample is called “Agent Provocateur” and it retails for around $775. I know, that’s a hefty price tag for 1,000 milliliters of perfumes, but this heavenly scent was made as part of a limited edition series – there are only 300 of these porcelain bottles on the entire planet. The scent is a superb combination of coriander, gardenia, and cedarwood. All of these scents combine to make a perfume that consists of a flowery top note, a heart of cedarwood, and a final note of coriander. Though the price may be a bit high, this perfume is definitely worth a try.

The next perfume worth a shot is a relatively fruity scent. Guess has come up with their new perfume “Guess” for the fall line-up. This perfume retails for around $45 and will hit you with top notes of apple and tangerine. Overall, this perfume seems to be a bit too fruity, but if you love that summery scent this may be just perfect for you.

L’Artisan Parfumer’s “Fleur d’Orange” is an exotic scent made from Tunisian orange blossoms. If you suffer from headaches, this perfume may be just perfect for you. The scent is light, but sumptuous and though it may seem as though the perfume has faded throughout the day, the scent of orange blossoms are just enough to have all those that hug or kiss you swooning. This highly sought after perfume retails for around $250, but may be worth every drop.

Lastly, for a truly unique scent combination you must sample “Aftelier Perfumes” by Mandy Aftel of California. This scent is laced with fig, jasmine, and yuzu, which makes for a very spicy combination. Aftelier seems to stay put throughout the day and turns into a seductive force during the evening hours. Aftelier retails for $125 (.25 ounces), and may just become your signature scent.

There you have it, some of the season’s top scents that your nose will want to smell over and over again. And here’s a little secret from the beauty pro’s – if you don’t happen to have a high end retailer near you, visit www.luckyscent.com and order a small sample of a scent before you buy the entire bottle (even if the bottle costs hundreds of dollars, the sample won’t!).

Labels: fashion trends, sents, shopping deals

If you are wondering what to adorn your limbs with this fall season, wonder no more. The latest trend to hit the arms and necks of runway models are shiny, white, metals and large, stunning jewels. Most of the jewelry showcased was big in size and made a very bold statement.

The good news it that you will never have to pay a large amount of money to replicate these looks. Retail and accessory chains across the nation are already starting to push these trends and you can find great fashionable jewels for a fraction of the price at Urban Outfitters and large department stores near you. Also, don’t underestimate the looks that an accessories store such as Claire’s can offer you. Although Christian Dior was showcasing large rubies wrapped in emeralds, you can often duplicate this look for much less with some great costume jewelry.

One little gem found on the runway this season – that just may be worth the high price tag – was a small “skull and heart” necklace, which is sure to be a hot item. This necklace makes wearing the ever so popular skull design even more appealing with its almost weepy look. Sure to be as big of a hit as the old Tiffany’s dangling heart bracelet, this is one fashion accessory you will want to look out for this season.

If you are unsure how to accessorize your new fall black ensemble, go ahead and pair it up with some clunky red jewelry, or a simple skull and heart necklace – add some red lipstick and a great hat and you are on your way to becoming a fast trend setter.

Labels: accessories, fashion trends

If you have been paying attention to this season’s trend of black, blue, and grey, you will soon have a wardrobe full of muted, classic colors. But, I know you are just drying for a splash of color this season, and sure enough it has shown up in the least expected places.

This fall, it’s time to start seeing red. Blood red slicked the lips of runway models while bags in red satin and silks seeing to float in a sea of black and grey. Perfectly done up red bows graced neck lines and suits were set off with bright red belts. A favorite pick out of all these fall trends has to be the look of a red stained lip peeping out from underneath a black velvet hat. What can say “vixen” more than this look? The idea this season is to be a bit mysterious while also managing to be more than just a tad classic.

To help you pull off this look, choose red lipsticks by Sephora, Nars, or Make Up Forever. Make sure that your red shade is not too much on the orange side (or you risk looking a bit brassy), and always test out your color before you buy it.

If red handbags are more your speed, check out bags by Jimmy Choo (the”clutch” is a patent leather dream). If you don’t like the look of red too much, luckily bags have been dotting the runways in metallic colors as well as in vibrant purples and exotic animal skins. Those slithering creatures that are hot on this season’s fashion list? Crocodiles, anacondas, ostrich, and leather are all popular trends for this season. When searching for the perfect handbag keep in mind that geometric shapes are in while rounded bags are out. A bag is the perfect affordable accessory to update any look, so go ahead and splurge this one time (I won’t tell!).

Labels: accessories, colors, fashion trends

It’s not often that we women get the chance to show off a body part that we love, but this season has us heading back to the eighties in full force. And what can be more reflective of this past generation than the ever so popular ankle boot? Don’t get out those leather boots with the fake feathers just yet, this season is still all about class and the ankle boots that will appear nearly everywhere around you have an odd eighteenth century feel to them – you can almost see these beauties underneath petticoats!

When you think about this year’s ankle boots, think “Moulin Rouge.” Dressed in patent leather with a spiky heel and covered to the ankle in a stretchy wool material, these boots were made for strutting. Most of the designs floating down the runways this season were either tied up with smart laces or buttoned up with pearly black buttons. The boots you will be seeing will not be very colorful as this year is still all about black and grey, but they will look great on your feet, and provide you with a bit of warmth as well.

Since most retailers are still trying to sell their summer stock, some designer ankle boots worthy of note are Costello Tagliapietra, Marc Jacobs, and Carolina Herrera. In particular, the Costello Tagliapietra boots were both stylish and classic – they are sure to be replicated in nearly every retail store come September, so look out for them. Steve Madden also has an interesting take on this season’s ankle boots, though his are slightly chunkier than the runway version. Either way, this trend is far more sophisticated than its eighties predecessor, so if you want to get caught up in the ankle boot trend you will have to buy a new pair – and you thought you would just pull those fringed boots out of the closet, huh?

Labels: fashion trends, shoes

After all of the navy blue and black that is just about everywhere this season, you will be happy to know that there is also a splash of color hitting runways that are geared towards fall. Shades of orange, royal purple, ocean blue and canary yellow have lit up the fall fashion shows as of late. Whether leading designers simply couldn’t handle another swatch of black fabric, or whether they just wanted to pay homage to the fall colors is unknown. But if you love vibrant shades, now is your chance to mix it up.

But before you go adding yellow and purple together, remember the basic rules for color matching. Make sure that a color doesn’t wash you out completely (yellow and oranges can do this to some people), and make sure that you don’t clash. Colors this season are paired with smart black stockings and classic pumps, so only allow the top of you to exude light.

A few choice retailers that have color in store for you include JCrew (check out their “Peacock-print Emma dress”), Abercrombie and Fitch (“Lisa” dress is very trendy), and Guess (the “Valerie” dress is just perfect for this season). No matter which retailer you choose, check the hemlines (this season the skirt hits just above, or just below the knee), the color combination in contrast to you skin, and the overall material for the price. It’s color, have fun with it! Your wardrobe will need a little bit of life after all the black that it will be seeing this season.

Labels: colors, fashion trends, style

Although there may be a little splash of color at a retail store near you this coming season, you are far more likely to be seeing lots of black. When most people think of the “color” black, they think of a multi toned, rather boring shade, but that thought couldn’t be farther from the truth. Black can be sensual in satin, sizzling in suede, or simplistic in subtle hints of lace.

Most women love black because they think that the shade is very slimming. Well, this is only partly true. Usually black is slimming if it is done right. For example, a little black dress, or a black silk blazer will help you to slim down, but if you start adding layer upon layer of black you will only achieve a bulky look. Aside from the obvious designer black frocks that are abundant this season, here are a few glimpses into the every day retail world, and what they have to offer you in the way of black this season.

This review will cover two dress makers that can be a tad pricey, but when you are going to a huge event or have a special dinner, you’ll want to head to either BCBG or Betsey Johnson. To start off, let’s look at Betsey Johnson’s “Taffeta Bustle Dress” ($300). This dress is the epitome of how black can be very flirty, while at the same time being very sexy. The frill at the bottom of the skit perfectly offsets the semi-form fitting dress. Don’t overlook the corset top to this strapless beauty. Any dress with a corset top is your best friend, so if you have an event coming up, you will want to consider this perfect black dress.

For a classic design that can easily turn from day to night, look to the ever fabulous BCBG, and in particularly, the “Gradual Striped Jersey Day Dress” ($160). Even though the name of the dress evokes thoughts of birthday parties and sunshine, don’t let this timeless sundress fool you. Make a splash by adding a strand of pearls to this dress and a shiny red pump, and watch it turn from innocent day dress into vintage vixen. This dress does black with a classic pinstripe running through it, and it is made from jersey, which fits almost any form perfectly. This is an all around versatile dress that you will want to have in your closet for any occasion.

There are simply a ton of black dresses out there, but when you look for the perfect one, remember the Betsey Johnson frill, and the BCBG classic look. You don’t have to purchase one of these gowns, but if you look for something similar you can pull off a desired designer look for a lot less.

Labels: black, fashion trends, style

Feathers just seem to add an ethereal look to any outfit, and when they are all perfectly piled onto a snow white gown, the result is rather fairy-tale like. Evening gowns this season are all about feathers, but not without a touch of class.

The feathers that are showing up this fall tend to be matched with other materials. Some of these gowns can be seen paired with sheer silks, metallic tops, and raw silk skirts for an overall glam look. The trend has not yet reached (at least on the runways) tops and bottoms, but if you happen to come across feathers in places other than evening gowns, be careful not to resemble a swan.

Feathery gowns should flow around you, emphasize just a splash of something a bit different, or hardly be there at all. The idea behind feathery fashion is simply to make a garment seem almost surreal. Few fabrics can be as weightless as a feather, so when you walk into a room you will almost seem to glide.
Because you want to find a dress that is perfectly crafted without breaching the barrier between gaudy and glamorous, you might have to spend a bit more in order to achieve this look. High end department stores will carry great feather filled dresses from Isaac Mizrahi, Malandrino, Marchesa, Sari Gueron and many more. Make sure you try on your feathered gown and make sure it is something that you feel comfortable in. Short of these very basic rules, have fun with your feathers and feel like a princess as you sashay across the floor.

Labels: dresses, fashion trends

What is it about the shimmer of sequins and beads that we just can’t resist? If you want to make a splash at any event, purchase this season’s beaded delights in everything from tops to dresses and blouses too. Although beads are back, there is a right and a wrong way to make them stand out just right, so here are a few ways to successfully wear those flashy frocks.

Shine works best when it is paired with a solid color. Matching a beaded top with a solid white jacket and black pants will have every eye in the room turned toward you. Caution should be stressed if you are thinking about pairing a beaded top with a differently colored beaded bottom, you don’t want to end up looking like a seventies room divider, so be careful here. Likewise, an all sequined or beaded dress is somewhat difficult to pull off. Some designer beaded gowns give off the impression of a mermaid, which might not be a look that you are trying to achieve.

Keep your beaded dress to above the knee length and your beaded tops paired with classic jackets and perfectly creased pants, and you should love this trend. Although at times beading tends to be more popular than at other times, this style never really fades from the fashion eye. So, adding a few flashy pieces to your wardrobe is not a bad idea. One word of caution – there are some tops out there that reflect beads in interesting animal print designs. You might want to stay away from the tops with a tiger face on them, but the choice is ultimately up to you. No matter what style you try out, if you love your look chances are others will love it too.

Labels: fashion trends

Sorry girls, those comfy ballerina flats are out – they didn’t do too much for shorter people anyway -- and in their place reigns the ever so tall platform pump. The styles are sleek, the colors are classy, and the toes are (for the most part) round. Nothing seems to scream elegance and panache quite like a foot that is sumptuously pointed to reveal a perfectly pedicured toe, or a black patent leather pump that just shines with triumph.

Some great places to find these must have shoes are at Steve Madden stores, Ralph Lauren retailers, and – of course – Manolo Blahnik (with a twist). Although these shoes are technically classified under “platform” chunky wedges are not what this season’s designers have in mind. Instead you will find pointed heels or straight stove pipes that leave your legs looking long and glamorous. Go ahead and wear a classic black dress (with zippers if you must) with a shiny patent leather pump, heads are sure to turn wherever you go.

If you aren’t such a fan of tall and slender heels, opt for a heel that is just a bit lower, but still has a lot of class. This season tiger prints are out and crocodile prints are in, and though there seem to be an awful lot of ribbons and bows attached to some heel toes, be cautious about too many frills in one spot. A deep suede can often have the same effect, but done up in a much more stylish way. Fashionistas, this one is for you. These beautiful shoes are already in most store windows, so what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

Labels: fashion trends, shoes, style

If you have a little black, why not a little blue too? This season the leaves are likely to provide a very interesting contrast to all of the black and blue that will be seen weaving in and out of city streets. Colors seem to be a bit muted this fall as black tied with blue and blue hanging on top of black seemed to rule the runways.

How can you achieve this look? If you happen to own a royal blue (no sky blue seen here) top, go ahead and tie it up with a black belt, or add a pair of simple black leggings. The two colors that have long been said to never get along are joining hands this season as the two just can’t seem to get enough of each other. Blues will not only be paired with black, they will also tend to have just a bit of sheen or sheer silkiness and blacks will be subtly patterned. The look is casual, yet sophisticated and just a tad futuristic.

There is really no limit to this new trend, so go ahead and mix it all up. Although it seems best to keep black on the bottom and blue towards the top, you can certainly add different accessories to compliment the two colors. The idea behind this look is to exude a semi-tough facade, so take away frills and beads if you are going to turn yourself all black and blue. No matter where you decide to put each color, try not to cut yourself in half too much. Remember, colors have a way of slimming you down, or bulking you up, so make sure that you try out your look more than once.

Labels: fashion trends

There’s just something about a classic black hat pulled seductively over the eyes that makes a girl want to paint on the red lipstick and act the part of a femme fatale. Well femmes, hats are back and they are making a gigantic splash. Some styles are reminiscent of the roaring twenties, while some are simply sinful, and some aren’t even hats at all, but mere head scarves. It seems that this fall women will be covered from head to toe in classic flavor.

You don’t really need to spend a bundle to get the perfect looking hat, but because hats are so personal you might not want to buy one off of the internet. Your best bet is to wander into a hat store and try on every kind possible. Or, you may try your local thrift shop. A classic broad rimmed hat is relatively easy to find at almost any second hand store, so go nuts. In fact, there are no seeming restrictions to the new hat rule, designers are showing everything from fur to orange and back to classic black.

If you want to go the designer route, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, and Michael Kors are all featuring great hats that you will love to wear. If you want to hit the retail stores, opt for a larger department store that is sure to have a large variety of perfect hats. If you find one that you like, go ahead and make it your own by adding a flashy pin or perfect ribbon, but the look for fall is centered around sophistication, so keep it simple.

Hats are one accessory that nearly every woman can wear, so go ahead and try out this new trend, you might like what you see.

Labels: accessories, fashion trends, hats

If you remember the eighties and you couldn’t get enough of the zipper fad back then, it’s time to pull back out your favorite zipper clad outfit. This fall, you will see shirts, pants, and everything in between decked out in an array of zippers. Thankfully, the color “hot pink” has not returned with the zipper trend, but you will find classic frocks fitted with semi-colorful zippers throughout the land.

How do you avoid a zipped up catastrophe? First, make sure that there are no more than two zippers on any one outfit. Forget about those black leather jackets with a zipper appearing in every direction, and if you see something that resembles this look out on a bargain retail shelf, do not pick it up. Instead, skirts and dressed that are colored in muted tones and zipped stylishly up the front seem to do the trick.

Designer Derek Lam seems to capture this look expertly, while designer Behnaz Saeafpour seems to have gone a bit over the top this season. You are sure to find many different styles of zippered dresses across the nation at various retail shops, though this trend might not hit every major retailer for fear of overstock. If you are daring enough to give this trend a try, pair it with simple black tights and classic shoes. The retail store Urban Outfitters seems to have a few choice zipper pieces, or you might turn to the GAP in search of a few zipper styles. It’s true, zippers are back, so give it a try – in careful moderation.

Labels: fashion trends, style

Ladies! Pants are back! And this time they aren’t taking on any form fitting pencil legged shapes. Instead, slouch into a pair of fabulous men’s type trousers. Everything from pin striped to wool to classic black is back for this fall season. These pants are high-waisted and flow around the legs allowing women to feel free once again.

This season is all about bringing class back to the city streets, and what better way to add a bit of chic city style to your wardrobe than with some flirty flowing pants? The beauty of long legged pants is that they flatter nearly every shape. Make sure that you find menswear pants that fit loosely around the leg and a bit tighter on the behind. You will also want your new pants to slightly cover the tops of your shoes, so don’t have them tailored too much.

Runway hits featured Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Narcisco Rodriguez, Proenza Schouler, Zero Maria Cornejo and many more. All the latest designers seem to pick up on the feeling that women were tired of that tight ankle nightmare from last season. You can find retail versions of these great new pants at every retail store in the country, or you can simply head to a men’s suit shop and create your own look.

Any color seems to work while trying to replicate this trend, but sticking to classic navy blue, grey, black, and pin stripe seems to be the best look. Throw those leggings out the window, grab your charge card, and head out to snag the season’s hottest new look in pants.

Labels: body type, pants, style

If you live in a climate that turns to ice and snow sometime around the end of November, you know just how great a large, oversized, woolly blanket can be. There is nothing better than wrapping your frigid body in great warmth come winter time, so why not wear your blanket everywhere you go? No, I’m not talking about a new trend in ponchos, I am talking about the latest oversized craze to hit the runways – big, layered, sweaters.

The latest sweaters are made from chunky cable knits and warm braided wools, but almost all of them seem to hit the body just underneath the waist line to provide optimal swing. Runways were showing these large sweaters with either pencil skirts, or loose men’s trousers. The best looks seems to be a bulky sweater paired with an above the knee skirt. This way the sweater and pants don’t start to resemble a tent.

Wearing thicker tops can be a bit of a challenge since not everyone is comfortable with taking on a lot of extra bulk. The longer, chunkier, sweaters work best on a tall, thin, frame. However, if wearing a lot of extra layers in not within your comfort zone, you can still take part in this fad by finding a sweater that is a bit more form fitting, but still on the thicker side. One great example of a sweater that almost any shape can wear is the waist cinching sweater by designer Bruce. Other designers picking up on the sweater trend this season are Malo, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, Anne Klein, and Bruce.

This trend is sure to hit every top retailer in the country within the next few weeks, so keep on the lookout for your oversized winter needs.

Labels: style, sweaters

Tweed is a rather classic material with a very bad rap. This fabric is often associated with the older generation, and your mother’s ancient couch. But, done rightly, this fabric can actually give you a tailored look that you will love.

Tweed can be tricky. Try not to layer it too much, search for classic colors – stay away from the bright pinks and purples – and watch how much other material is sewn onto the tweed fabric. For example, a smart skirt and mid-waist blazer done up in grey with a few black buttons screams “classic diva,” but a mix of purple and pink tweed with patches of yellow leather selectively splattered on the arms or on the skirt is s definite no-no.

Match your tweed with sheer black stockings, or opaque grey tights, but make sure you are not adding too much contrast. The great thing about tweed is that it will give off the illusion of a slender silhouette, since the fabric is not overly clingy. Find a tweed suit or jacket that fits a bit loosely around your frame, and don’t be afraid to wear it.
Some designer tweed trends to watch include Oscar de la Renta, Thakoon, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, and, of course, Burberry. Tweed outfits may be one thing that you should consider splurging on. As previously mentioned, if tweed is not done in the right manner it can appear less than frumpy. In order to get the latest tweed look without breaking the bank, take a peek at http://www.bluefly.com/. You can often find designer items on this site, at a fraction of the cost. Don’t be afraid of tweed, only make sure that you stick to traditional styles and sophisticated colors.

Labels: body type, shopping deals, style

Look out ladies, the loose summer dresses are a thing of the past. As we move into the fall season, nothing but form fitting, cinched-at-the-waist dresses are hitting the runways. These new shapes are all about outlining your silhouette from head to toe. Fall means change and nothing could be further from the spring and summer “dress over legging” trend than these classic shaped, pencil lined dresses. Hitting just below the knee, this season seems to be heading back into the former trend of feminine mystique by covering most of the body and exposing just a bit of flesh.

Runway versions of these dresses can be found by shopping Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, and Narcisco Rodriguez. But if you aren’t living on a designer budget, this trend is already starting to hit retailers such as H&M, GAP, Macy’s, and almost all other retailers. If you are feeling a little apprehensive about wearing a garment that outlines your every curve, here are a few ways to wear the latest fall trends.

First, when it comes to wearing a silhouette slinking dress, make fabric choice your number one priority. Stay away from spandex, unless you are super model thin, and choose wool, cotton, or linen in order to hide any imperfection. You may think that a form fitting dress is your worst enemy, but if you choose your selection wisely you will actually appear much thinner than you would in a large trapeze or bubble dress. Embrace this new fall trend, and don’t be afraid to wear your shape with pride.

Labels: body type, dresses, style

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