Summer’s Hot Hues

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:00:41 +0000

Don’t let the heat squelch your style. When you need a tangy new idea for summer color, think sherbet. The pastel shades of this summer snack staple are celebrated this season from blush pinks to pale lemon to light orange. Wear a wrap or a shift dress in one of these lip-smacking shades with leather sandals, a delicate bracelet and a classic silver-tone watch (Easy Reader T20061). It’s a simple summer look you won’t have to stress about.

Or go the opposite direction…with a bright footnote! Treat your feet to some seriously bold color. Vibrant pinks and reds and golden yellows are supremely fun when worn on wedges or strappy sandals. While doing a segment on the Today show recently, I saw singer Kelis literally wearing a rainbow of color topped with a bright yellow floral hairpiece. So make note that color is in.

Aye Matey! Major Deals!

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:55:05 +0000

Hitting the high seas can bring instant relief from the heat, and the maritime moment in clothes is just as refreshing. Look for nautical stripes in primary colors in tops and dresses and white jackets in crisp fabrics to create a fresh feeling, whether you rent a schooner or not.

Take advantage of end-of-season sales to stock up on swimsuits and other nautical-inspired gear for next year. Boat shoes have been the “it” shoe among hipsters for a while. Wear them as an alternative to sneakers and flats in the late summer and fall. I also like the layered necklaces or bangles look with fun ocean-ready themes like anchors, sails and lobsters. Get a beautiful watch to match, especially one that is water resistant. Use this coupon code “KEEPON15” at www.timex.com to get 15% off an American classic (T2N165).

Summer Trip to the Beach

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:59:24 +0000

A trip to the beach with my family included a requisite stroll down the boardwalk, and along the way I stopped to admire all of the women sporting a more tailored version of the army-green jacket. Perfect as a coverup to a maxi summer dress or a mini-length summer frock, these military-inspired toppers add edge to any feminine look. And the multi-purpose zipper pockets stow a tube of tinted sunscreen and a coral-colored lip gloss for a perfect after-sun glow.

Get instep with military time with a complementary WW1-inspired Camper watch (T41711). The fabric strap and simple utilitarian dial make this watch a must-have for surviving summer.

Of course no trip to the coast is complete without a beach tote, and there are many great options beyond the classic woven raffia. A camouflage print tote bag can guard all of your beach essentials (your Kindle and iPod for seaside entertainment) and serve as great arm candy come fall. I also like the new army-plucked rucksacks for trips to the beach this summer. Just remember, don’t wear all of your army-influenced gear at once!

Summer Trip to the Capital

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:04:41 +0000

On a recent trip to our nation’s capital I witnessed lots of red, white and blue in action. I suggest refining this color scheme one step further, in focusing on a bright blue for a fashionable and patriotic nod this month. You’ll find this hue in chic bikinis, cotton twill dresses and embellished tops this season. The key is to tune to a shade that’s right for you, so the younger the woman, the brighter the blue.

An easy way to wear the trend is with blue detailing on a watch, from the top ring to the face or the strap. [T Series Women’s Chronograph, blue strap]. Think blue when it comes to other accessories too. I love all of the bejeweled flat sandals in store this season. Why not find a bright blue barely-there sandal to turn up the heat on your summer shoe repertoire?

Summer Style Breeze

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:50:41 +0000

In with the new this season…as in the new shapes of fashion. This can be in the form of an asymmetrical top with a bandeau bodice and one sleeve or a jacket with strong shoulders. Discover ruffles in unexpected places and playful pleats in dresses and skirts. Definitely use this summer to play with interesting clothing cuts and statement accessories, including a watch in a bold color.

A simple addition for a summer splash that can be either old or new is a big, shiny cocktail ring. Consider a gold bauble and let it shine in the sun, keeping other accessories to a minimum for a casual, yet winning look.

Green & Fabulous

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:48:10 +0000

In winter we sang endlessly the blues, but no longer. This May is all about green. We’re talking eye-popping verde in shades of a rain forest and the multi-dimensional vert of a shamrock. You’ll see this on everything from shoes to leather handbags to double-breasted blazers and bangles. Can you wear this color? Given the above listing, of course you can. Grab a green bag or slip on a green sandal. Balance out the look with a neutral-colored watch. No need to go head-to-toe green like a gecko, unless you’re really channeling the hills of Ireland.

An ensemble that pairs perfectly with green accessories is the belted shirtdress, which offers crisp freshness and a tailored silhouette. It’s a great look for many because belted at the waist, it gives you chic definition right where you need it.

Spring Awakening

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:14:56 +0000

May Day! This has to be one of my favorite months because most of the country gets a taste of warm weather and the air smells differently as the garden shoots start to peek out.

This means it’s time to bring out some summer classics, as so many designers did on the runways. This look includes updated versions of the classic white shirt. Sure you can don a button-down favorite, but consider one with body-hugging shirring, pleated sleeves and a belt or a sophisticated ruffle bib. All these fancy suggestions needn’t cost a fortune and will add loads of style to an every day staple.

Similarly in watch trends we’re seeing a return to the traditional and for many it’s a welcome treat. Try leather banded watches with classic, cream-colored faces and with easy to read numerals.

Jackets can either be as breezy as a May wind or buckled down with a trim silhouette and a belted waist. Try a metallic belt to add a bit of spring to your coated step and mimic that feel with a shiny-heeled sandal shoe.

Whimsical Wonderland

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:46:39 +0000

With the release of “Alice in Wonderland,” I’m sure we all fantasize a trip down Tim Burton’s whimsical rabbit hole. In reality, it’s easier to draw inspiration from the film’s fashion since costume designer Colleen Atwood drew upon “authentic references” for costuming the cast of characters (WWD, March 4, 2010).

For your own turn as Alice, consider a full skirt with a white or pale blue top. To mimic Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, an all-white dress in lace or another fluttery fabrication perfectly fits the bill. To channel Helena Bonham Carter as the red queen, stick to a color scheme of red and black perhaps in the form of a bold floral print — while skipping the austere pale white makeup and electric blue eye shadow that renders her so starkly unapproachable.

Now if only the white rabbit had a reliable wristwatch…perhaps he would be more timely!

Country Glam

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:38:07 +0000

If Taylor Swift’s Grammy winning Album of the Year has anything to do with it, we’re all going to sway a little bit country…with fresh fashion options, that is. Countrified dresses in colorful hues with panels of small floral prints look sweet with cowboy boots and bare legs.

Go for a short hem to show off your legs or a super long skirt to get your bohemian going. Accessorize with a straw hat, a blue watch and a picnic basket because this ensemble screams to be unleashed outdoors in a big grassy field.

Fashion Remix

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:18:43 +0000

If ever fashion were a grab bag, this is the season for surprising plays on texture. It’s time to mix it up! Tops, dresses and jackets with beads, sequins, strings, buttons and tassels…it’s like designers opened their drawers and couldn’t stop sewing.

Add to this, experimentation with knitwear alongside delicate ribbons, cutouts, lace and fabrics of different colors and you’ve got a look of high-styled patchwork.

With so much visual stimulation, keep things simple with the extras. A solid colored shoe, a classic watch, a clean necklace of a single strand—these will all serve to accompany this seasonal trend rather than compete with it.