Fashion Blog » 2009 » January

FocusOnStyle.com hails Europe Calling! Fall 09 runway mania gears up with Milan Men’s Fashion Week. Keep your guy in style with looks from Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, and John Varvatos.You can stay ahead of the fashion trend with the first peeks from Stockholm Fashion Week– we like the freshness of Rodebjer and Diana Orving, you will too! 

Girlawhirl finds 12 must-have pieces under $100 to wear to the office this spring.

SheFinds found five fabulous (and practical) fingerless and abbreviated- finger gloves for all the iPhone users among us.

Take a tip from SheZoom’s fashion guru Leon Hall, a great scarf can make any outfit go from drab to fab!

StyleBakery.com found great Valentine’s Day gifts for less than $25.

The Beauty Brains cast their vote for Votre Vu the fancy French spa skin care line. Is it worth the extra cash?

If you haven’t already been to ABC.com to check out a recap of your favorite shows or maybe play the “Which Desperate Housewife are You?” game, now’s the time to get involved: ABC.com has launched a new program where you can literally shop the clothes that are featured on their shows. While you cannot buy the clothes directly off the ABC website, they do provide links to where you can.

Top Picks:

Desperate Housewives: Eva Longoria’s Shoe Collection

While Gabrielle’s modeling career may be over (and her leopard print miniskirts are being sold off to pay the bills) her shoes are still bejeweled and fascinating.

Favorites: BCBGirls Metallic Jeweled Pumps, $66

Next in line would probably be the Dancing with the Stars dance wear, which includes some chic flowing skirts that probably look better when shimmying across the dance floor instead of standing still in a picture. So get moving!

Curved Seamed Skirt: $80

While the name Ugly Betty sure doesn’t sound appetizing, her ferocious co-character Amanda has some fabulous outfits.

Favorite Pick: Versace Runway Dress

On sale for $825

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more BCBG shoes.
Discounts on women’s skirts and women’s dresses.

If you don’t like to conform to wearing red on Valentine’s Day, but still want to show some LOVE, here are some great options for affordable heart shaped/themed earrings:.

These first two are great if you want to be subtle with the hearts.  You can’t tell at first glance (when these are on your ears) that they are made of heart shapes.

Sterling Silver Heart Earrings - Heart Talk: $$44.96 (Was: 49.95)

Silver Filigree Earrings - Peaceful Heart: $56.66 (Was: $62.95)

Any type of cute heart shape studs are posts are always perfect with any outfit on V-Day.

Baby Gold Threaded Posts Puffed Heart Earrings: $30 (Was: $60)

Hoops are always sexy…..

14K Gold Heart Hoop Earrings: $32 (Was: $80)

I particularly like that these below aren’t made with BRIGHT pink or red hearts like you normally see this time of year.  This pair is also a more subtle way of saying “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

14k Gold Tigereye Heart-Shaped Drop Earrings: $23.99 (Was: $60)

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more heart jewelry.

While much of this travel fashion column has been about finding a complete look, from dresses to shoes to socks to accessories, I would like to dedicate this column to the necessary fashion staple in travel, the handbag. Whether you go for look or efficiency, there are no rules: just find something that works for you.

If you are into designer handbags, look no further than Net-a-Porter. Hosting the hottest names, Net-a-Porter is like Bluefly fresh off the catwalk: if you’ve got the bucks, this is as close to fresh as you can get.

Highlight: Alexander McQueen Elvie Leather Tote $2,160

If travel for you is all hikes and bikes, North Face is where you want to be.

Highlight:

The North Face Women Ray 20 Multisport Pack $78.95

But if you’re looking for a classic look without all the fuss, try a signature Coach purse.

Coach Carly Signature Large All Black: $230

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Coach handbags.
Discounts on North Face backpacks.
Buy Alexander McQueen bags.

I really like how different this bag looks.  The shape, the patent trim, the hardware…everything.  It comes in a really pretty bright pumpkin color that would look great with your favorite dark denim jeans, but unfortunately that color is not on sale (Reg: $99) It also comes in oak, mustard, sand and this cool vintage looking print called “warhol print”.

Kathy Van Zeeland Delicious Ball Shopper: $81.90 (Was: $99)

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more handbags Kathy Van Zeeland handbags.

Last night’s SAG awards were nothing short of amazing - well, the earlier events were, anyway. I didn’t actually watch the awards. I was more interested in seeing what some of today’s hottest celebrities we wearing (or not) when they stepped onto the red carpet.

They did not disappoint, of course.

My absolute favorite dress of the evening was donned by Kate Winslet. The form-fitting number was flattering,and the color was brilliant. She, of course, was poised and pulled the ensemble off without a hitch.

Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, really could have done better. The dress is stunning and she looks gorgeous, but I think she could have picked something that accented her physical features a bit more and - to be honest - really should have done something a bit more elegant with her hair.

Anne’s dress wasn’t as bad as Angelina Jolie’s though. I have to say I’m pretty tired of seeing the same style over and over and over and over and… (get it?).  She’s phenomenal, don’t get me wrong, and could probably pull off any style. The dress itself is nice too (though I admit to loving the back far more than the frumpy look presented by the front). Angelina in the dress? Just..”eh.”

So maybe you disagree with my opinions, and that’s quite alright. They’re still gorgeous women in phenomenal dresses.  I only have my own two eyes to go by. Perhaps you know a bit more about Max Azria (Angie’s designer) and the spectacular beautician who did Anne Hathaway’s hair (sense my sarcasm?). I don’t. I simply know what I see and - well - that’s that.

Image credits: BBC, JustJared.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for formal dresses.

FocusOnStyle.com shares Michelle Obama Style Tips: Today’s power dressing muse has the everyday style for clean, corporate chic.

At home beauty treatments are keeping girlawhirl’s good looks in tip top shape, while allowing her to cut back on expenses.

SheFinds wants you to rock Aretha Franklin’s crazy bow hat …. or maybe a more conservative version.

SheZoom reveals fabulous bling and shock-me prints as the secret behind Crystal Audigier’s line of hats and sets.

From lemongrass to one-shoulder dresses, StyleBakery.com takes an in depth look at Michelle Obama’s style.

The Beauty Brains prove that Living Proof No Frizz products are good for frizzy hair.

This week on Smarter Fashion:

Collen shows us how to get the style of the beautiful and talented Norah Jones.

We showed you a deal on some sexy Steve Madden mid shaft boots….

…and a sophisticated high-waisted pencil skirt.

Colleen shows us how to get looks inspired by the Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.

If you watched “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” you will appreciate Collen’s suggestions for fashion pieces inspired by Cate Blanchett.

If you haven’t seen the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” yet, I highly recommend it. Not only is it in the running for a TON of Oscars, but the marvelous Cate Blanchett co-stars as Daisy, the effervescent ballet dancer and love interest of Brad Bitt, who plays Benjamin Button. Her fashion is so retro it’s mod, so modern it’s modest.

Vintage Plaid Jacket: Etsy.com. $20

Vintage Wool Red Dress: very delicate and feminine: Etsy.com, $98.00

Retro Bag: Etsy.com, $25.00

Weaved Black Beret: Etsy.com, $38.00

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more plaid jackets.
Discounts on women’s red dresses and retro handbags.
Buy women’ berets.

This pretty high-waisted skirt with a girlie button-up blouse (tucked in) would be prefect for Sunday brunch with his family or your prego friend’s baby shower.   You will also look and feel confident while kicking corporate booty at work.  If you chose a similar colored blouse like the model is wearing, show some color with teal pumps or accessories.  Magenta or dark pinkish pumps will make a statement as well.

Marciano Heritage Pencil Skirt : $94.95 (Was: $128.00)

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Marciano shirts.
Discounts on pencil skirts and high waisted skirts.

Yesterday was Inauguration Day. It was a glorious, humbling, and for some an extremely cold experience. If you were lucky enough to be in Washington D.C. for the Inauguration, you paid a price not only for your hotel room but in the physical extremes as well. We don’t all sit on upholstered cushions like the Obamas (at least not until we get home). Here are some ways to shed the winter layers and dress like the Obama/Biden families when perusing around our own White Houses.

To get Michelle Obama’s princess paisley look, try this dress by Rebecca Beeson found on RevolveClothing.com:

Print Color Block Dress in Teal: $149.00

If you want to follow Dr. Biden’s lead, a feminine women’s suit is in order. But to make it a little more sassy and green, why not try vintage at Etsy.com?

Vintage 60’s Cream and Mode Women’s Suit, $118.00

Complete Michelle Obama’s look with some sparkly grey flats.  Us tall girls may not be able to pull off the strappy Biden heels, but we can still look sharp. 

Report Women’s Catherine Flats, $23.99

Dr. Biden goes everywhere in tip-top fashion shape…and also in some tippy-toe heels. These are on sale, too!

Marciano Crocco Strappy Heels, $174.99

Find at Smarter.com:   Shop for Marciano shoes.
Discounts on strappy heels and women’s flats.
Buy women’s suits and color block dresses.