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The Return of Grunge: Nicole Miller Fall 2010 RTW

Danielle — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:42:24 +0000

From the looks of Nicole Miller’s collection, it appears as if 90s grunge is making a comeback this fall. But before you break out your flannel shirts, note that the look is more stylized than its “grimy” predecessor. And of course, as with any other revival of a previous trend, take elements from it and work it with your existing wardrobe. Going overboard with this trend can look costumey and can get you a one-way ticket back to 1992.

Check out the rest of the collection over at Elle.com

P.S. If you’re knocking on 30’s door like me, can you believe 1990 was TWENTY years ago??? Sheesh. Where did the time go?

How to Get Dressed in 15 Minutes or Less

Danielle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:04:22 +0000

If you find yourself constantly being late for work or social outings with your crew because you’re always fighting with the contents of your closet—this post’s for you! It is absolutely possible to go to your closet, pull something fashionable out to wear, and be done in less than 15 minutes, but it takes some pre-work. Check it out:

1. First things first, clean out your closet. If you haven’t seen the floor of your wardrobe since the Clinton Administration, you’ve got some work to do. Go here for info on how to sort things out. Remember that fashion is not about how many pieces of clothing you own–it’s about putting together great outfits. And the less you have in your closet, the easier it will be to plan out your outfits.

2. Limit the amount of clothing you buy that has to be ironed to look good. This means button-down shirts, anything made of linen and certain items made out of cotton (unless you pull them out of the dryer and immediately hang them). I am a lazy girl through and through and do not own a single item that needs to be ironed—why? Because I hate to iron…lol. Call it a side effect of wearing a uniform from kindergarten through my senior year in high school and having to iron my uniform daily, but I will not miss ironing my clothes. For my day job I wear a lot of suits. The jackets get dry cleaned while the dress pants are washed in cold water and hung to dry and never need ironing. For the weekends I wear a lot of denim and sweaters in the winter—both of which can be pulled on quickly without ironing.

3. Adopt a uniform. Don’t get scared–after 13 years of wearing a uniform to school do you think I’d actually suggest you wear one? By uniform I mean put together a collection of no-fail outfits. If you’ve been reading this site and following the tips for your body type as well as my advice to buy things you really love and that you can wear a million times, chances are you have several items in your closet that can be worn a zillion different ways. Having a closet that has essential wardrobe basics helps.

4. Let your accessories tell a story. Say all you can muster out of your wardrobe is a pair of well-fitting jeans and a fitted tee. Let your accessories take you from Gap ad to wherever you want. Go punk rock with a spiked bracelet and killer platform boots. Or go boho with a scarf and cute flats. Your options are limitless.

5. Visualize how you want to look first and then go in for the outfit. This is best done either while you’re hitting the snooze button for the umpteenth time in the morning or the night before.

If you’ve got those 5 tips down, you’ll shave time off of getting dressed everyday.

How to Be Small Town Fashionably Chic

Danielle — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:02:03 +0000

Dressing like Carrie Bradshaw in her most mixed up of Patricia Fields creations might not get a second look while walking through the streets of Soho in NYC, but try that get-up at the local Walmart in Kennesaw, GA and Cobb County PD just might pick you up for “trafficking”.

Not to diss small towns, but there’s certainly a very cozy and down-home quality about them that just doesn’t call for 5-inch Gucci platforms and a ballerina skirt. But just because you live in a small town, it doesn’t mean you’re destined for a wardrobe of Victoria’s Secret PINK sweats and Uggs. Check out some of my tips on how to be a small town fashionista:

1. Don’t wear sweats. Yes, I know how incredibly comfy sweats are–I sleep in them and on occasion work out in them. But under no circumstances are they to be worn outside your home or Bally’s. Pajama pants are included.

2. Make sure all your jeans fit you fabulously. Denim can be the source of anxiety for many women, but that can be eliminated by knowing what to look for when it comes to your shape. Check out Jeans for Every Body for tips.

3. Invest in basics with a twist. A wardrobe filled with the same 3/4 sleeve Gap tees can be B-O-R-I-N-G. Instead go for basics with a twist—classic items that will last season to season, but have a bit of edge to them. For instance, instead of the redundant 3/4 sleeve white V-neck, go for one with an asymmetrical neckline. Find out more about wardrobe basics here.

4. Don’t be afraid of “out-styling” everyone else. I know many women who shy away from taking fashion risks because they hang around a crew of plain janes. Call it one of those “need to please” qualities women in general seem to inherit, but just don’t let it hinder your personal style.

5. Don’t forget to accessorize. The easiest way to try out a new trend is through accessories. For example, if you really dig the spiky look (as seen on Rihanna), but it’s just not functional for your environment, try a spiked bracelet (like mine shown below) instead.

Check out some great pieces that can be interchanged with your current wardrobe perfect for the small town fashionista (of all sizes):

The Shop Your Closet Challenge!

Danielle — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:01:51 +0000

Back in November, we vowed to not buy any new makeup and would instead shop our makeup stash in search of lost jewels.

So now it’s the new year and it’s time for a new challenge! You know the ton of clothes in your closet that you seldom ever wear? You know—the ones that probably still have price tags on them? Yeah, those. It’s time to decide whether to keep them or toss them. Having too much in your closet adds minutes to your getting dressed time and what’s the point of keeping something you’ll never wear?

And that’s where I come in. Send me a pic of yourself and a maximum of seven items from your closet and I’ll help you decide whether to keep them or toss them. Host your pics to a site like photobucket.com and send me the links to your photos. (Sorry–we’ll have to do it this long way to avoid spam). If you have trouble sending over your pics, contact me for help.

First things first–Clean Out Your Closet. We went over this last year, so go here if you need a refresher.

If you’re up for the challenge or want to know some ways to wear items in your closet, contact me! Please allow for a few days as numerous submissions may be reviewed daily and I’m a one woman team.

Now go Shop Your Closet!

New Year’s Eve Outfit Ideas

Danielle — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:01:57 +0000

Check out outfit ideas for the big countdown to 2010! I’m still on vacay, so these were already posted but still filled with the tools you’ll need to ring in the new year.

Should you miss me follow me on twitter, ask me a question, or catch up on old posts.

Happy New Year!

For the Woman of a Certain Age:

Ring in the New Year in style with these fabulous frocks built strictly for the very grown and very sexy:

Keep scrolling for options in all sizes!

And don’t forget the shoes:

Evening Dress Tips:

*It’s easy to go overboard with accessories and embellishments like sequins and glitter when it comes to after 5 dressing, but please keep it as simple as possible. As much as I love sequins (enough to bathe in them, maybe), they alone are enough punctuation for an outfit. With a sequins dress, all you’ll need are some simple platforms and understated earrings (see How to Choose Earrings for Your Face Shape). Also avoid wearing festive makeup AND a festive outfit–it’s a look that very few can pull off successfully.

*Need some tips on which dresses look best on you? Check out Dresses for Your Body Type.

*Make sure you pair your evening-wear with the proper coat. Nothing makes me burst a blood vessel more than to see a formal dress worn with a very casual coat. For tips on what to wear, check out How to Wear a Coat with a Dress.

Festive Outfit Ideas:

While you’re all out decked to the 9s and ringing in the New Year at some fancy shindig, I’ll be under the covers at the stroke of midnight watching a DVD marathon of Curb Your Enthusiasm. See, I love the idea of getting dressed up and going out, but icy cold weather and drunk people sort of scare me. I’ll live vicariously through you all…lol.

Should your New Year’s celebration call for something festive, check out these fab party-ready dresses and skirts. Then keep scrolling down for some evening dressing tips.

Keep scrolling through for plus-size options.

Don’t forget the shoes:

Evening Dress Tips:

*Need some tips on which dresses look best on you? Check out Dresses for Your Body Type.

Cute, Casual New Year’s Eve Outfits:

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Emma writes in asking, “I’m looking for a casual, sexy outfit for New Year’s Eve. I’m going to a small party in a tiny town so your typical NYC garb isn’t necessarily the norm. I want something festive without being too dressy. I’m most comfortable in jeans so if you have any ideas involving jeans and a great top with fabulous shoes and accessories- please let me know!!!”

Hey Emma!

Some New York fashionistas might go all out and pair cute party tops with anything from a festive a-line skirt to this season’s harem pants, but that’s because in a city this big, you get a taste of every style possible. But outside of NY, those looks may not read as fitting. Pairing a party top with jeans will make your look small town chic. I also love the look of a basic camisole, jeans, and a cute blazer because you can then pile on the accessories and take it to the next level. And if I could wear sequins everyday, I would. Adding one sequin item to a basic outfit adds a touch of NYE glamour.

Check out some cute small town New Year’s Eve options:

(from left to right, starting at top) Theory “Bretta Poet” Cropped Jacket, DIANE von FURSTENBERG Pleated “Matador” Top and SIWY “Hannah” Slim Sequined Pants; DIANE von FURSTENBERG “Dalmas” Embellished Tank; ASOS Button Detail One Sleeve Top; ASOS Floral Embellished Trim Cardigan; ASOS Short Sleeve Cowl Front Blouse; ASOS Snake Effect Lock Leather Purse; Bailey 44 “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” Top; ASOS Iridescent Feather Clutch
; True Religion Crystal Stud “Julie” Skinny Jean in Night Owl Wash
; Blank Studded Skinny Jeans in Black Wash; Joe’s Jeans “Muse” Bootcut Jeans in Perry Wash