A "Grace"-ful New Year

If you're going to a party to ring in the New Year, you'll need the perfect cocktail dress. I'm into retro styles and one of my favorite looks is Grace Kelly's "21" dress in "Rear Window." If you're familiar with the movie, Jimmy Stewart has broken his leg and is recuperating in his apartment that overlooks a courtyard where he can see inside the windows of his neighbors' homes. Grace (his girlfriend) brings him dinner at "21." Her gown is stunning. They just don't make clothes like that anymore.

"Reddy" or Not

The Christmas season has arrived and it's time to go "red"! Even if red isn't your color, it's perfectly okay to wear it in December. In fact, it's expected. Everyone from beagle to barista can be seen with a bit of red in their wardrobe.

Scarves jazz up an outfit and go with just about anything. You can be subtle with red bracelets or earrings, or go bold with head-to-toe red. It's up to you just how red you want to be.

Red is the perfect color for a cocktail dress if you're going to a holiday party. And if you're celebrating at home, wear red slippers as you lounge around in your jammies, watching Christmas movies and sipping hot cocoa.

I have a pair of red patent leather ballet flats that I wear all year round. They always make me smile. But be careful. Someone is bound to make a joke about clicking your heels together and saying, "There's no place like home."

So get "reddy" for the holidays.

Stripe Club

So what do zebras, candy canes and barber shop poles have in common? That's right. Stripes!

Everyone can wear stripes. Depending on your body shape, you can choose horizontal or vertical, thick or thin, pastel or bold. Striped boat neck shirts look fabulous with a blazer and jeans. Striped dresses and skirts can be paired with a sweater or jacket. For a funky look, wear striped socks, gloves, hats or scarves.

Famous stripers: gondola boatmen, candy stripers and mimes!

Fits Like a Glove

It's time to get your gloves and mittens out of storage. I like to wear both, depending on my mood. Cute fuzzy gloves you find for five dollars at discount stores come in assorted colors like red, orange, blue, green and purple. Or you can raise the stakes and purchase elegant leather gloves in black, brown, camel or burgundy.

As for mittens, there are two types:

Fashionable - knitted mittens in pretty colors that you can mix and match.

Functional - heavy-duty water-resistant for harsh winter weather. If you've ever tried to build a snowman with knit mittens, you know what I mean.

I suggest having all styles of gloves and mittens on hand (pun intended). Be prepared for anything and keep a pair in your pocket, purse or the glove compartment in your car. Wonder why it's not called a mitten compartment...

Color Me Orange

Not many people look good in orange. Well, maybe a baby in a pumpkin jumpsuit celebrating her first Halloween. Speaking of pumpkin, the color orange has many names and shades: tangerine, coral, poppy, persimmon,  chutney, apricot, carrot. (Hmm...this is starting to look like a fruit salad.)

Nevertheless, if you want to add color to your ensemble, orange accesories just might be the ticket: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, shoes, gloves, socks, purses, etc.

Just remember, wall-to-wall orange is not the way to go. Less is more.

Booting Up

It's time for boot shopping. For years I've had this cute pair of black, calf-high boots with a block heel that I wear in the fall and winter. They look cute with long skirts or knee length skirts, but now I'm ready to go up to the knee. And I'm definitely sticking with black because it goes with absolutely everything.

Depending on your personal style, you can choose shooties (combination shoe and boot), boots with stilletto heels, boots with buckles or trimmed with fur, boots with leather laces, slouch boots, cowboy boots or even Uggs. The possibilites are endless.

Gunn Laws

On Tim Gunn's page (Gunn Laws) of the September 2010 issue of Marie Claire, Tim talks about comfort. As always, he gets right to the point with no apologies. Something to think about. Here's the excerpt:

Some people think of dressing up or being polite as a burden. They think having to wear a tie or use the right fork or send a thank-you card is a kind of shackle. To these people I say: Getting out of bed is a shackle. If you feel that way, stay in it! Invest in a hospital gurney and wheel yourself around on it when you to go out. I get very impatient with this whole "comfort issue" with clothing. Yes, you don't feel as comfortable in clothes that fit as you do in your pajamas. That's a GOOD thing. You're navigating in a world where you need to have your wits about you. If you're in a lackadaisical comfort haze, you can't be engaged in the world the way you need to be.

To Sheath or Not to Sheath...

... That is the question.

So what exactly is a sheath dress? Well, it's typically a dress that is fitted and worn close to the body, although some versions are more voluminous. It can be belted or unbelted, and dressed up or dressed down.

The August 2010 issue of Real Simple features some tips in choosing the right sheath dress to fit your shape:

If you have a TUMMY: avoid lightweight of slinky fabrics; choose dresses with ruching (gathered fabric) that visually flattens the stomach.

If you have an HOURGLASS FIGURE: avoid stiff or heavy fabrics like tweed; wear form-fitting dresses with waist-enhancing seams.

If you have FULL HIPS & THIGHS: avoid wrist-length sleeves; choose dresses with volume.

If you have a STRAIGHT FIGURE: avoid thin waistbands; choose dresses with a fitted bodice and darts in the seaming.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to rock the Sheath dress.

Hollywood Fashion

I don't know about you, but I get a lot of my style ideas from movies. Over the years I've been inspired by Diane Keaton's vests  in "Annie Hall"; Meg Ryan's turtlenecks in "You've Got Mail"; Jennifer Aniston's scarves in "Love Happens"; and Tina Fey's shirt dress in "Baby Mama." 

Marie Claire online features amazing photos of iconic film fashion, from classic stars of the silver screen such as Vivien Leigh, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn to modern stars like Molly Ringwald, Winona Ryder and Uma Thurmond. Check it out:

http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/trends/articles/iconic-movie-fashion

Hold Tight!

Tights and leggings seem to never go out of style. And the weird thing is that EVERYBODY wears them! Babies, little girls, teens, career women, moms, even grandmothers! Oh, and let's not forget dancers (male and female).

I like to wear them with long skirts and boots for extra warmth in cold climates, but they're also nice with over-sized sweaters and shirts. Think "Flashdance." When you're wearing tights, it's all about the shoes and the colors in your outfit.

And unless you're Lady GaGa, you probably won't need a pair in Pepto Bismol pink.

Party Dress?

This week on "Project Runway," the designers had to create a look with items found at a party store. The winner? Andy! He created a dress out of ribbon. That's it! Just ribbon! Unbelievable! If he can do this with a pile of ribbon, what can he do with real fabric!!!

Big White Shirt

So when is the best time to wear a big white button up shirt? Summer, of course!

No, I'm not talking about Jerry Seinfeld's frilly pirate shirt. We want classic. We want chic. We want BIG!

A big white shirt can be a stylish cover up at the beach over a swimsuit. Or wear it with blue jeans for a casual weekend barbeque. You can even dress it up with a skirt, heels, a funky belt and jewelry for a night on the town. If you can't find a big white shirt in the ladies department, there's nothing wrong with venturing into men's wear. Just don't let the sales clerk talk you into a sock garter.

Funky T-Shirts

A fashion staple in any wardrobe is the versatile t-shirt. Dress it up with a vest, scarf or blazer, or just wear it with your favorite jeans. If you're in a funky mood, try a t-shirt with a message to tell the world who you are and what's on your mind. Check out the some slogans:

Just add water.

Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies.

My mother is a travel agent for guilt trips.

I'm blogging this.

I used to be schizophrenic but I'm fine now.

No sense in being pessimistic. It wouldn't work anyway.

Upon the advice of my attorney, my shirt bears no message at this time.

The Pixie

Dare to rock the doo! Getting a pixie haircut is a courageous move, but the pay-off is a dramatic, edgy look. Inspired by the Beatles and Twiggy in the 1960s, the pixie features short, wispy layers and bangs that can either by long, short or textured. Pixies can be retro or totally modern and look absolutely amazing with turtlenecks or long scarves. Pixie celebs include Pink, Winona Ryder, Katie Holmes, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli and Mia Farrow.

Bite the bullet and get a Pixie...if you dare!

Regards, Carly

Red, White and Blue

Independence Day is just around the corner so you might be tempted to jazz up your wardrobe with patriotic colors: red, white and blue. But be careful that you don't start to look like a flag. Not cool. Unless you're going for the radical 1960s hippie look, which, in 2010, isn't "fashion" as much as "costume."

I've always liked the nautical look: sailor top, sailor hat, bell bottoms. Think Gene Kelly in "On the Town." But I digress.

In choosing red, white and blue, you can go for stripes, prints, solids, bold geometric patterns, florals...just about anything. But again, don't go overboard or you'll look like a bedspread.

For a subtle holiday statement, go with accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings, scarves or hats in patriotic colors.

Regards, Carly

Tie One On!

It’s Father’s Day and it seems as though everyone in America is getting her father a neck tie. But who said only men can wear ties? Remember “Annie Hall”? Her “mannish” style with over-sized vest, man’s shirt and tie became a fashion trend in the 1970s. Today the neck tie is back! These fun accessories can be dressed up or down and worn with a button-down shirt, open blouse, or even a turtleneck. Check out your men’s department and “tie” one on!


Regards, Carly

Vintage!

If you want to rock a vintage look the best place to go is your local thrift store or consignment shop. You can find anything from "I Love Lucy" belted shirt dresses and "Mary Tyler Moore" oversized sweaters to "Bewitched" sleeveless tunics and "That Girl" go-go boots. You'll not only create a vintage look that suits your personal style, you'll also save money!

Regards, Carly

Crocs!

I always thought that a "fashionable croc" was an oxymoron. That is until a good friend of mine wore her Croc ballet flats to a social event. Very cute. When she said they were Crocs, I almost swallowed my bubble gum!

I did some research and found out that Crocs are no longer just plastic, neon-colored clodhoppers worn by every six-year-old in town. They come in a variety of styles and colors and, I have to admit, they're kind of cute.

Sandals, clogs, mules, canvas slipons, mary janes, slingbacks, flip flops, boat shoes, boots and oxfords are just a few styles that are Croc-o-rific! Check them out at Footsmart.

London Fog

What comes to mind when you think of London? The Beatles? Buckingham Palace? Bridget Jones? For me it's umbrellas! I hear that in Seattle (the Rain capital of America) that the locals can spot a tourist a mile away because she/he carries an umbrella. I guess it's not hip to use an umbrella in Seattle. But in London (an other parts of the world) umbrellas are functional and fashionable.

There are colors, sizes and styles to choose from. And they do NOT have to match your outfit. That's what's fun about umbrellas. They "go" with everything.

So hold your umbrella proudly. Don't be afraid to get your "British" on!

Regards,
Carly

Dreamin' of Denim

Timeless, earthy and universal, denim is one of the latest fashion trends for spring and summer 2010. Whether you choose classic jeans, shorts, shirts, vests, skirts or jackets, denim breaks all the boundaries.

Denim can be decorated with zippers, rivets, chains, buttons and appliques and dyed in every color of the rainbow for a fresh look. Dress your denim up with a silk blouse, colorful scarf and heels, or dress it down with flats, a t-shirt and a quirky hat.

Available in dark, medium and faded washes, denim jeans come in a variety of styles: low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise, boot cut, relaxed fit and skinny...just to name a few.

So take my advice. Personalize your wardrobe this season with dramatic denim!

Regards, Carly

Earth Day Shopping

America celebrated Earth Day on April 22 so I'd like to share one way you can jazz up your wardrobe and help the planet at the same time.

Instead of purchasing new clothes and accessories, go to your local thrift stores and second-hand shops to get what you need. You can find good quality items for great prices, including dresses, suits, blouses, skirts, pants, shorts and t-shirts, as well as belts, purses, scarves and hats. Infants and children's clothes are available as well and are often in excellent condition.

You can also discover interesting items for the home such as pillows, artwork, knick-knacks, kitchen utensils, rugs, blankets, curtains. Just about anything you need.

And if you're doing some spring cleaning, you can donate items you no longer want or need.

Happy Earth Day!

Safari Style

This spring jazz up your wardrobe with exotic African prints and patterns. Colors can be bold and bright (yellows, reds, turquoise, poppy) or quiet and subdued (olive, khaki, ochre) depending on your mood. And you can really rock your safari look with animal prints like zebra, leopard and tiger.

Enhance your outfit with natural accessories such as woven handbags, raffia sandals and wood bangles, as well as lovely gemstone jewelry like jasper, jade, obsidian and turquoise.

Regards, Carly

Why did the elephant sit on the marshmallow?
So he wouldn't fall into the hot chocolate.

What is Your Season?

Several years ago the book "Color Me Beautiful" by Carole Jackson was all the rage. The idea was that you should choose the colors in your wardrobe and makeup based on your skin tone and natural hair color. Each person belongs to one of four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer or Autumn.

Winters look best in white and black, as well as bright blues, reds and purples. They typically have naturally dark hair. (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Courtney Cox, Halle Berry)

Springs look beautiful in peach, egg shell white, coral, turquoise and aqua. Their natural hair color is light/medium brown or "warm" shades of blonde. (Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon)

Summers look best in pastels and clear colors like taupe, lavender, pink and soft yellow. Their natural hair color is light/medium brown or "cool" shades of blonde. (Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah-Jessica Parker)

Atumns wear rich, warm earth tones orke poppy, chocolate brown, camel and emerald green. Almost all redheads fall under this season. (Julianne Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Marcia Cross)

So which season are you?

Regards, Carly

What did the blanket say to the bed?
Don't worry, I've got you covered.