Fashion Blog » 2008 » August

StyleBakery.com has the scoop on Fall’s Top 10 Trends including over 200 must-buys for every budget. 

The long slim cardigan is sure to become the single most important piece in Girlawhirl’s Fall 08 wardrobe.

SheFinds wonders if Urban Outfitters could become the next Target GO International.

Not for the squeamish: The Beauty Brains talk about Man Junk, a new product to keep your man clean down THERE.

This week on Smarter Fashion we covered: 

We showed you how to get a Cynthia Rowley Whim collection look for less!

   We showed you a great deal on some sexy high heeled dress shoes….

….and a deal on a Marc by Marc Jacobs pouch.

Desiree showed us her Personal Pick of the Week!

Colleen gave us some tips on how to dress while traveling through the country.

Have you checked out L.A.M.B.’s new Fall 2008 collection? 

Check out our first edition of “Find That Look“! Not only are we helping you find runway (designer) inspired looks, but we help you find a movie poster looks, celeb inspired looks and more.

I’m a huge fan of “The Look for Less” articles that take outrageous runway fashions (and prices) and make them reachable for the common shopper or mall crawler. I always wished, though, that writers would do it with something other than just the runway, like movie stills or posters, television shows, actors and actresses on their days off, etc. There’s so many more looks to aspire to than the levels of excess at the runway! What better place to start than the mother of all stiletto and sequins addictions, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City?

Carrie’s fashion, throughout the television series, at times offended me by the excess of sequins, tweed, knits, bows and ribbons (it was a bit too runway for me) but the poster to the Sex and the City: The Movie was positively tantalizing. Sharp, sultry, sassy…there’s no better look to go for.

Standout blue dress, never to be outdone by it’s competitors. Perfect for a night at a trendy restaurant: Betsey Johnson, $325.00 (Also, comes in black here)

A faceted oval gem necklace will add a little glitz to your look, but not take away from the dress: Express, $19.50

Grab a pair of fishnet stockings to add a hard edge to your girlie chic dress: Galapagos Boutique, $14.00

Don’t forget your favorite blue eyeshadow, and you’re good to go!  Carrie would be proud to see you strut your stuff.                            

Sex in the City: The Movie Image Source: FirstShowing.net

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through all women’s dresses.
                                        Shop for more necklaces.                                       
                                        Shop for more fishnet stockings.
                                        

Before she was rocking Dior and Louis V on the red carpet, Gwen Stefani made her own clothes. Fortunately for us, she kept sketching and transformed her own style—everything from street wear to Ready-to-wear. For those who don’t know, she now carries her line, L.A.M.B. (or “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.”) Unlike her neighbor celebrity designers, J. Lo and P.Diddy, Stefani waited awhile before exposing her first runway collection which consisted of cashmere cardigans, Rasta-style tracksuits (as shown below) and cocktail dresses.

Widely known as a popular singer, the former lead singer of No Doubt, Mrs. Gavin Rossdale, and Jean Harlow’s mother, Stefani has made a name for herself as a designer as well as a fashion plate. Though reviews of her latest collections have been anything but great, Stefani is still in demand regardless of what some say.

To check out her Fall 2008 collection, to go l-a-m-b.com.

Please note: LAMB designs are not for everyone!

This wallet/pouch comes in a variety of colors, but Bloomingdales has it on sale for the best price (below) in “earth.”  It also comes in black, “fool gold” and “cranberry field” for $68.  It’s super cute and small, but not too small where you couldn’t carry it around by itself like a clutch.

Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Key Pouch: $47.60 (Was: $68) 

If you weren’t already aware, Bloomingdales.com is having their “big brown bag” sale as we speak!  It will end online on Sept 1st so hurry over to find sales items reduced to an extra 30-50% off. 

Shop for more Marc by Marc Jacobs wallets.

Shop through all women’s wallets.

So, these two girls walk in to a rest stop along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  How do people know that they are from the city? 

A) They make a beeline for the Starbucks coffee stand, order a double shot nonfat cappuccino and grande mocha java chip;
B) Cappuccino is wearing high-waisted shorts, while Java Chip is donning matching gold accessories, down to the buckle of her shoes;
C) wafts of Chanel No. 5 replace the usual roadkill-leather stained odor;
D) All of the above.

Quite an easy answer…don’t you wish you could be this glamorous? In the city it’s all about making a 2 second fashion statement before another gal comes strutting down the street in something bigger and better than your threads. But, the country is a whole new frontier of fashion. Here’s some easy tips on how to look fabulous while traveling to the country, and not get kicked out of Amish country:

1. Accessorize. Nothing says “class” or “well-kept” like matching accessories. Go for the gold on this one, like model Lindsy Ray while traipsing through a field of cornstalks. Even down to the buckle on her purse, it’s all about thought-out additions to an already glamorous you.

2. Anticipate your surroundings. Traveling through the countryside makes for some bumpy roads and uneven footing. Get ready: pointy heels and ballet flats are not the best choice if you want to avoid the dust, muck, and field mice. Try some thick boots like Lindsy does…proper footing makes you more likely to look up and enjoy your surroundings, instead of staring down at your ruined heels.

3. Enjoy the greenery. In all of your efforts to maintain your city fashionista aesthetic, take a little time to wind down and enjoy all the green that surrounds you. Wear some fun and flirty fabrics and designs that wouldn’t fly on the subway. Bust out the shortie overalls and take the tractor for a spin. Enjoy some fresh cow’s milk and corn hand-picked from the stalk, and for (two seconds) don’t think about the calories. Sometimes, the understated fashion is the best of all.

To get Ms. Lindsy Ray’s looks, try the pink strapless dress from Forever 21,

A pearl chain necklace from Charlotte Russe…

…and a golden yellow clutch from Guess.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more strapless dresses.
                                        Shop for more gold necklaces.
                                        Shop for more clutch handbags.

Images by Colleen Brogan (Check out more work from Lindsy Ray here).

So, I’ve always been a sucker for sequins. Not only do I love the instant glamour they provide for a woman but whenever you sport some sequins, you’re sure to turn heads. Others will admire the fact that you were bold enough to wear something so flashy and bold, but just be sure to wear with confidence! One of my favorite dresses of all time is a Betsey Johnson gunmetal sequin racerback dress that I bought last year, and I’ll never part ways with that dress because I never know when I’ll need it again. I think its smart to invest in at least one nice sequin dress–I’m not saying buy a closet full, but one nice piece is really all you need.  And if you can’t seem to find an appropriate time to wear it…there’s always New Year’s Eve.

I instantly fell in love with this Foley + Corinna Sequin Tennis Dress. The actual style of the dress is almost casual, but then you look a little closer and its a dazzling mix of black and white sequin stripes. It’s very unique. This dress would be perfect to wear for a night out on the town in a big city–but I would personally save it for my own birthday bash or fancy cocktail party. Since sequins are so sparkly and pretty, its really fun to give your look an edge and pair with some tough boots or a motorcycle jacket.

Foley + Corinna Sequin Tennis Dress in Black $473, revolveclothing.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more sequin dresses.

These dress sandals are super sexy.  Gosh, and the 4 1/4” heel makes them even more sexy!  They also come in turquoise (my fave) and grey.  Make sure you have a super clean pedicure when you wear these as you want sexy toes to go with your sexy footwear.

Report Signature Women’s Flo Dress Sandal: $ $87.73 - Special offer price at Endless.com (Was: $107.22)

They do look like they might hurt, but who cares!  Just slap on some of those Dr. Scholl’s inserts I’ve mentioned before.  They make some especially for open toed shoes.

*Remember:  Endless.com is another awesome store that offers free overnight shipping and free return shipping!  

Shop through all women’s Report shoes at Smarter.com.

There are times when a designer goes to ‘the other side’ and decides to design somewhat affordable clothing lines for major name retail corporations. Cynthia Rowley was one of the pioneers in this movement—she launched Swell-a pink, girly collection of home items- at Target stores several years ago.

Although Swell has since then been phased out, Rowley did pull yet another trick out of her sleeve– Whim, a collection of items geared for summer outdoor entertaining, clothing excluded. It’s obvious though that Rowley is certainly saving her design genius for her actual clothing collections. Her most recent is oh-so-pretty, she stuck to a soft blue and gray color palette—something very easy on the eyes. She even dabbled in the resurfacing tie dye look, a bit of a risk, but executed quite well.

     Aqua Women’s Ombre Halter Dress in heather gray $98, Bloomingdales.com

     Juicy Couture Faux Horn Cuff Bracelet $128, Nordstrom.com

 Jeffrey Campbell ‘Maze’ Sandal $99.95, Nordstrom.com

 Robert Rodriguez Black High Sheen Bouffon Shift Dress $184.99, bluefly.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more halter dresses.
                                        Shop for more cuff bracelets.
                                        Shop for more women’s sandals.

StyleBakery.com shops fall’s new borrowed from the boys trend.

Autumn prints and patterns add just the right amount of punch to Girlawhirl’s Fall 08 wardrobe.

SheFinds is surprised to find out that butt-sculpting FitFlops are not at the top of everyone’s list.

SeenON! shows us how to get the look of The Hills season 4!  

Feeling artsy? Be careful! The Beauty Brains warn us about a dangerous way to make your own cosmetics.

Top Button knows the secret to abolishing your tiger-striped faux tan. Goodbye kitty cat, hello bronzed goddess!

We showed you how to get a Derek Lam Resort 2009 look for less!

We showed you a great deal on a versatile cap sleeve dress…

    …and a deal on some lovely brown fall boots.

Urmi showed us how get a fall look from Banana Republic…for less!

Make sure your clothes make the right statement while in another country!  Colleen shows us how in this weeks’s Travel Fashion post.

Check out Colleen final edition of Corporate 101!

As the summer begins to wind down and your summer office job along with it, the question becomes: what lasting impact have you made on the company and your co-workers? Will anyone even remember your name a week after you leave? While second-guessing the files you didn’t “file” or the transcriptions you forgot to “transcribe”, ask yourself this question before you turn to attention-grabbing fashion as your signature at the office’s end of season luncheon: Do you want to be hired again?

If the answer is “yes”, stick to the dress code: closed toe shoes, modest skirts and pants, no jeans, and nothing too revealing. Maybe, if you’re really gunning for next year’s summer associate position, whip out the company T-shirt. Here is a perfect example of humble, appropriate, and traditional office wear:

Macy’s is having a 20-50% off sale this weekend, so hop on down to get this look with:

                                                                   D-ring pencil skirt- $29.40

                                                            Ruffled short-sleeve Blouse - $26.40

                                                                        Kenneth Cole Pump - $82.50

If returning to your summer job makes you want to strangle a newborn koala bear (or worse!) it’s time to break all those conformist rules:

No opened toes, you say? Well flaunt more than your pearly pinkies with a pair of BCBGirls “Iriana” Pumps:

Modest skirt? Laura Ingalls Wilder would change her religion to if she was allowed to knit her patchwork quilt in to one of these leggy beasts:

                                                     Tommy Hilfiger Patchwork Miniskirt - $41.65

And while I would recommend a plunging neckline as the final upset to office decorum, Macy’s does not dabble in such risqué material. The best I could find was this Lauren Jeans Co. off the shoulder top, but it will do.

Best of luck in your final days of mindless summer corporate work! Don’t forget to end on your own terms.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more pencil skirts.
                                        Shop for more pumps.
                                        Shop for more short sleeve blouses.