Exploring Neutral Territory

Okay.  So I promised you I'd post again within a week.  I meant within a week of July.  Look, I'm ahead of schedule!  If there's anything I've learned in all this blogging madness, it's that I have far too many options to while away my free time.  And blogging is apparently further down on the list than the Iron Chef.  Go figure.  But alas, I promised.  So here you have it, if a bit late.  Spring/Summer Trends, Episode One:  Neutral Territory.

So what are neutrals?  Easy, right?  Neutrals are your basics - black, white, grey, brown, and all the variations thereof.  They can be monochromatic, but they can also vary greatly with prints and pops of color.  And here's the great news - neutrals are extremely cost-effective.  Think about it.  A few neutral basics can all be worn together (they're neutral, they go with everything - including each other) and color can be added to neutral outfits via inexpensive accessories.   

When I said neutrals go with everything, I meant it.  Yes, that means you can mix black with brown!  Here are two examples of what happens when neutrals meet: 

 

Sophisticated and appealing, don't you think?  Here's the thing.  It's all in how the pieces are put together.  Brown socks with a man's black suit does not work.  Why?  Because it looks like a mistake, not a purposeful fashion decision.  If you are purposeful with your choices, you'll look beautifully put together, whatever the color selection.  How can make purposeful fashion decisions?  Asses the feel of each piece you want to wear.  Does it feel ethnic?  Does it feel preppy?  Does it feel elegant?  If each piece falls into the same category, you're in business.  

 

Here are some examples to get your mind rolling.  

 

All white, with a pop of bright, bold color (near the face is best, to avoid the dreaded wash-out).  Each of these pieces projects a casual, seaside feeling (light, bright and gauzy), so they all work together.

 

 

A stone colored walking short, a brown blouse, a black or coffee colored cardigan, and a multi-toned necklace all feel half-sophisticated, half-playful (sophisticated cut to the blouse, with playful ruffles; sophisticated lines to the sweater, playful detailing with sheer cutouts; sophisticated and very tailored pant, cut short for playfulness; sophisticated beading in a playful pattern).

Get the idea?  Good!  Go wear some neutrals!  If not, post a comment or send me an email.  We'll work it out.

 

Next up:  the return of strong shoulders to your closet.  Or maybe they never left?  Get out those shoulder pads, gals, and get ready for the revenge of the 80's!

 

A Shop Discovery

This post is in response to Discover Card's promotion in which they offer $50 to the first 50 bloggers who write about a ShopDiscover experience. I love $50, and I love to shop. So why not? And in the process, perhaps you'll learn something along with me. So, here goes. The story of shopping Discover.  

It all began while combing through my finances. My discover cash back bonus had grown, so I thought I'd check for new partner offers. I think I clicked the wrong link. I ended up viewing vendors who would give extra cash back if I shopped online. Hooked.  

The first store to catch me was Piperlime. Oh, the shoes! I ran through a number of flirty sandal selections while wishing I could use my cash back bonus to pay for these extra-bonus shoes. Alas, no.  

Curiosity soon drew me back to the vendor page, and my practical side clocked in. Walgreen's. All the stuff I need, delivered straight to my door. At 5% cash back. I'm in. Does the bonus apply to pictures of my niece? I'll keep you posted.  

Back to the vendors, and behold, the mecca of all things makeup... Sephora. Just yesterday I was there, pining after a $30 stain blush that promised a bride's rosy glow AND nourished skin. Somehow I tore myself away that day without the miracle blush, but now... well I get 5% cash back! Not buying it would be like throwing away money! That would just be dumb. So pink cheeks and pristine complexion, here I come!  

In all, it was quite the shopping adventure, one I'd recommend. Go discover it for yourself! Just don't buy harem pants.

Long time, No post

To all those who hang on my every style syllable, I am deeply apologetic for my slacked communication of late.  I am hereby making a mid-year resolution to create more timely posts.  

Here begins my first step towards a new, improved and more timely blogger self. 

I gave a presentation last week to a lovely group of ladies regarding some of the fashion trends we are seeing this spring and ways to make those trends work with a girl and for a girl.  It seemed to be of interest to them, so perhaps it will also be of interest to you.  I will start with a simple list of trends, and I will add information on each one over the next week.  Week and a half, tops.  

What does this mean for you?  Well it means you will have to keep coming back for updates, of course!  After this post, or any other post for that matter, if you have questions you would like me to address specifically, simply reply with a post of your own, and I'll see what I can simply do.  

And now, here are my top 5 trends for the season:

1. Neutral tones - all of them.
   
2. Strong shoulders - and I mean strong.  Bat wings, structured jackets, puff sleeves... it's all here.
   
3. Fancy pants - the perfect antidote to the strong shoulder.  In many ways.
   
4. Citrus and melon brights - another perfect antidote, this time to the neutrals of our outfitting world.
   
5. Statement accessories - necklaces, rings, cuffs, scarves, bags and shoes, oh my!  Accessories are screaming this spring.  
   

More description and direction on how to wear these trends - and how to please not wear them - is on the way.  Stay tuned!

Following Carrots

I have had several questions on what, exactly, constitutes a carrot pant and who should wear them.  So here are the basics.

First, this is a carrot pant.  High waist, full through the hips and thighs, tapered at the ankle.

A great pair, $49.95 at Anthropologie.com.

This is a sub-set of a larger trend for the season - pleated pants.  And they can be a fun way to branch into the more fashion-forward.  But they are a dangerous trend, because they are decidedly not for most body types.   So who should wear, and who should beware?

Wear

These pants can be nice on a "model" figure - very straight and tall, as long as a little breadth is added to the upper regions.  And they can be great on a woman who is measurably larger on top than on bottom.  Why?  Because they will balance the upper half with the lower half, providing the much sought-after "hour-glass" proportion that will ultimately give the illusion of a smaller figure overall.

Beware

Do you have larger hips and thighs than bust and shoulders?  We'll find you another trend for spring.  These pants are just not for you.  Why, you ask?  I'll explain.  Say you have big feet.  Would you wear clown shoes to down-play them?  Certainly not.  Carrot pants are a hip'y girl's clown shoes.  They'll only make her look bigger in that already-disproportionately large area, thus creating the illusion of a larger frame generally.  Translation:  they'll make you look fatter.  Steer clear.

Any questions?

The Carrot Leads to the Harem. Don't Follow.

In my last post, I discussed how the carrot pant could be detrimental to the hips of a perfectly lovely woman.  As a refresher, the carrot pant is a high-waisted pant that is full through the hips and thighs, and tapers to the calf.  The carrot leads to her big sister, the harem pant, and I warn you not to follow.  

The harem is not just full.  It is voluminous.  Like wearing hot air balloons on your legs.  Who is this good for?  Models, you may say?  Take a look at this picture - of a model - and come to your own conclusions.  

Harem Pants.  We report.  You decide.

A Note on the Carrot Pant

There will be more on this fun fashion faux-pas to come, but for now, let me just say that if you have been wanting to try this trend, I applaud you.  Go for it!  But be weary, hip'y girls.   Although they may feel comfortable and give you the comfort of "covering" an area you may not like, they'll not slim you.  That's like covering a marshmallow with buttercream and thinking it's camouflaged.  

Stay tuned for examples of how to and how not to wear these crazy carrots.

Who am I really?

I am a professional stylist for a retailer of unique apparel and home decor items that appeal to an age-defying and personality-embracing range of women.  I spend my days helping my clients find their own style, or just the perfect outfit for girls' night out.  And I want to broaden my reach beyond our little zip code to help any woman who happens upon my blog to find her style, and hopefully in the process, herself.