Colored Denim Cool or Old Skool?

Forget "Fifty Shades of Grey” this summer and fall it’s all about “Fifty Shades of Denim”.  Jeans aren’t just blue anymore.  Neon and pastel colors were great for summer and this fall jewel tone denim is right on trend.  Trends in denim are hard because they may not last and I don’t believe in putting a lot of money into something that will only last a season.  After all colored denim was cool in the 80’s, but it didn’t withstand the test of time, maybe this time around it will stick.  If you are going to try this trend I suggest choosing a color that can be worn into the next season.  For example a salmon pink jean was a great color for summer and can be worn through September and possibly into October depending on how warm it is.  For instance I probably wouldn’t wear a neon yellow jean after Labor Day.  For fall I love the deep jewel tone denim of deep blue, teal, and burgundy.   A jewel tone blue or teal jean could be worn from September through March.  The burgundy reminds me that it is more appropriate for the holiday season, but I still like it.  I just wouldn’t spend a fortune on it.  I highly recommend wearing the appropriate color jean for the season.  It just looks trashy to wear a neon jean that is meant for summer when it is snowing.  Overall I think this is a cool trend for back to school!

           

Cat Woman!

As a girl that has a day job of working in the sunglass section of a department store that shall remain nameless, I thought I would take this week to talk about a trend in sunglasses.  Yes, we all know that every year the Jackie O style, aviators, and the classic wayfarer are all popular styles.  But Spring/Summer/Fall 2012 it’s all about the cat eye.  I personally like this trend for fall better then summer.  During Summer I like a larger frame to keep the sensitive areas of my face shielded from the sun.  And yes, I said sunglasses for fall.  Sunglasses are an accessory that can be worn all year round! After all the sun does shine even when it’s snowing and sunglasses are the ultimate do not disturb sign, I especially like them on airplanes, or early morning coffee runs.  No make-up necessary just throw on your cat eye sunnies and you’re ready to go, they even add that mysterious look, the same that a smokey eye would give.  Now cat eye sunnies are perfect to hide a tired eye when your running an errand or meeting your mother for breakfast, but there are certain occasions where sunglasses are not appropriate.  Please properly do your make-up and take off the sunglasses for a job interview, work, school, or any other professional setting, I shouldn’t have to explain why this is a bad idea.  The “I wear my sunglasses at night” look is questionable.  You can get away with it for an evening dinner outside or some nightclubs, mainly in Miami, L.A., Toronto, and Europe for sure, but not so much in the Midwest (people tend to think your hiding your eyes because you’ve done something wrong).  There are many different styles of the cat eye sunglass, try them all until you find a pair that works for you, have fun with it.  Most importantly don’t let the sales person talk you into a certain style or color because it looks best on your face, buy what you want!  Sunglasses are supposed to be fun, especially this style! 

Lace Lovely or Ugly?

 

You don’t have to be a girly girl to pull off the lace trend that was big this summer and even bigger this fall.  It can look incredibly chic and fashion forward if done right.  But wearing too much lace can end up looking old fashioned or matronly.  If the lace ensemble you choose is too sheer or even cheap looking will unfortunately make for a trashy look.  One lace look I really like is lace shorts paired with tights and a blousy sweater.  A lace cocktail dress in a bright color is a great look for fall.  Just keep the accessories simple or it will be overkill.  Lace accessories like a shoe, clutch, or tights is a way to give this trend a try if you’re unsure of it.  They’re also a great way to add a touch of trendiness to a simple dress or jeans and blouse.  If you’re going to wear lace blouse or any lace apparel for that matter, make sure it is properly lined.  If it is not add a tank top or have it lined.  There is no need for anyone to see your undergarments.  As far as the lace accessories go I suggest staying away from the lace fingerless glove, unless you’re dressing up as Madonna for Halloween.  I think this is a fabulous trend for the holidays!

Golden Goddess!

It seems that lately Gold has been seen a lot more from the runway to costume jewelry seen at the stores at the mall.  A few years ago I would have said that gold looks gaudy or ghetto, but these days I do love the gold trend.  I personally think gold looks great on blonds or brunettes with darker skin.  I personally prefer to wear gold when I am tan.  Try pairing a pair of gold shorts with a neutral shirt and gold jewelry.  I also love gold jewelry with a black or yellow dress, it really complements it well.  Gold pumps paired with denim looks super chic as well. 

            I still think that it is important to be careful with this trend. If you choose gold jewelry that is too yellow-gold it can appear to look cheap and fake.  This is what I think of when I hear the term ghetto gold.  Most of us don’t have bank accounts big enough to afford us real 24k jewelry yet, but we still don’t want it to look fake from a mile away.  When wearing a gold dress, skirt, shorts, or blouse try to avoid gold shoes and or handbag, it’s too matchy matchy.  If your going with the gold jewelry wear a statement necklace but skip the doorknocker earrings and vise versa, it can be too much bling around your face.  Also think long and hard about this trend and if you think its right with your skin tone and wardrobe and won’t look dated in a few years before making big purchases in gold.  For example $400 designer sunglasses, yes this will look awesome this summer but how will you feel next summer.  This also applies for when choosing an engagement or wedding ring, you have to choose what is timeless and classic.  I don’t recommend choosing something that will be in style for a season or two.  Even Rachel Zoe who has been rocking the gold trend for years has a platinum engagement and wedding ring.  But with all trends have fun with it!

These watches remind me of what I call blinged out ghetto gold.  This trashy not trendy!

Go Wild Not Overboard For Animal Print!

 Animal print is a trend that we’ve seen over and over, season after season.  But this summer and fall season it’s back and bigger then ever.  Every woman should have some sort of animal print in her closet, it’s a staple, and a trend that has proven it’s not going anywhere.  Go wild for animal print, buy tons of it, wear it everywhere, but just don’t go overboard.  Just don’t wear all your animal print at once or you will risk looking like Peg Bundy from Married With Children, kind of a trashy look.

            Animal print works great for accessories.  This fall my favorite animal print accessory is a scarf.  It looks great paired with a simple black tee and jeans.  For work or any occasion that calls for something dressier wear your animal print scarf with a neutral sweater and pants or sweater and skirt.  This simple accessory will make an otherwise plain and boring ensemble ultra chic and trendy.  For a night out on the town an animal print shoe looks great with a little black dress.  If your really daring pair it with a little red dress, but keep in mind the dress should leave something to the imagination otherwise paired with the animal print the ensemble could look cheap and cheesy.  I think you should try to dress more modestly when wearing animal print to stay looking classy.  If your not sure about this trend and want to start out slow try it out with a belt.  An animal print belt is subtle yet shows you have a fun and adventurous.  On the plus side belts are a huge trend right now.

            Animal print accessories are a great way to spice up any outfit.  But if you’re really feeling this trend, why stop there.  An animal print blouse or sweater looks great with dark denim.  To take this trend to the next level try an animal print dress.  I personally would do this a silhouette that is fun and girly, maybe with a few ruffles.  I can’t stress enough to go as modest as possible when you’re donning this trend.  But if you must do the sexy silhouette, go for strapless and not low cut, not too short or tight.  To wear this trend and show some skin, show your shoulder, not your boobs and or butt.  Keep accessories simple and neutral to keep the look trendy and fresh.  Most importantly have fun with this trend and be confident!!!

The Little Red Leather Dress Makes a Bold Statement!

I’m going to stick with the theme of my last post and talk about leather again.  The little red leather dress is one of the latest trends that I have seen in magazines and celebrities wearing.  The little red leather dress definitely makes a bold statement.  The statement you make can be “I’m ultra chic and trendy” if done right, but if done wrong the statement your making will be “I’m ultra trashy and want to dress like a streetwalker”.  Hopefully everyone reading this wants to be trendy and chic.  When wearing a red leather dress you want to make sure your not showing too much skin and choose a dress without too much details or it will cheapen the look.  Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was spotted at on the red carpet at Chateau in Las Vegas wearing a skintight LRLD that was super short, super low-cut, and overly detailed with buckles.  Even though Vegas may call for a more risqué look this was too much and not a good look.  The LRLD you choose should have a ladylike silhouette to keep the look classy since red leather is already edgy enough on its own.  Emma Stone wowed Jay Leno with a ladylike red leather frock when she was recently a guest on his show.   

Leather Is Hot For Summer!

A big trend that has been seen on all over the red carpet this summer is leather.  Celebs are loving leather shorts, leather pants and leather sheaths.  Zoe Saldana wore leather shorts to a daytime event in Hollywood. Kim and Kanye have been seen out multiple times in leather pants.  But is this trend just too hot for summer? 

            I personally think that leather shorts are incredibly chic, if done right.  A lot of the leather looks that we are seeing this summer is lightweight and tissue thin.  Leather shorts should be paired with a lightweight and somewhat flowy top, something that isn’t too tight.  I love the idea of a sheer top paired with leather, such as a sheer button-up top or a sheer t-shirt.  Leather pants during the summer should be styled the same as leather shorts and you can take it one step further for an occasion that calls for a dressier ensemble by throwing on a white blazer.  I also love the summer leather sheath.  It’s a great LBD with a little bit of edge.  Keep the jewelry and shoe simple and it’s a great for a summer date night or cocktail party. 

            If you take this trend and go overboard you may end up looking like a Hell’s Angel biker.  To avoid this look that will end up looking trashy keep it simple.  Try to stay on the conservative side when choosing a top; the leather pants and shorts are edgy enough.  Any accessories with studs will just make you look cheesy.  If it’s going to be a chilly night or your going to an event where the space is air-conditioned and you must wear a jacket, a blazer is a great look with leather.  Do not wear a leather jacket leather on leather is too much, tacky, and just trashy.