All Things Jeweled

layered

 

Need a place to shop for the best Spring & Summer jewelry? Gorjana has amazing pieces & just teamed up with one of my favorite fashionistas, Courtney Kerr. Their jewelry doesn’t turn into terrible brassy one-time-wearers & are well worth the investment. Their designs are so unique & fashion forward; scoop up the right pieces for you, today! Xx.

Foot Fetish

blocked

The shoe game is strong this Spring & I want to help break down what styles work for what body types & why. You may love caged gladiator sandals or block heeled wedges, but these styles flatter particular parts of the body & may not be fit for you. I’m going to showcase some of Fashion Week’s biggest sandal trends of 2014 & help you decide which footwear you want to rock the next two seasons.

Gladiators

  • Avoid knee length gladiators unless you are 5’10 with thin, model legs. If this look does in fact work for your figure, then opt for lightly detailed ones, in the neutral colored family.
  • For those unable to enjoy this style, shop for a great, short gladiator sandal with thin straps along the ankle. These straps will help elongate the body & prevent thickening of the legs.
  • The best gladiator style for thick legs is that with a heel, as this makes the legs appear longer.
  • Avoid wide straps around the ankle, regardless of the shape of your legs, as this will cut you off at your thinnest point, making any leg look stumpy.

Block Heels

  • I am absolutely obsessed with this look; a block heel is great for women with large calves, as it helps balance out the size of the legs.
  • Height is everything with this style; be sure to choose a heel that is feasible for your lifestyle.
  • A block heel can come in dozens of shapes & prints, but don’t fear a bold color. Drawing attention to the lowest part of the body means less attention on other parts you’d prefer unseen.

Single Strap Stiletto

  • The simplicity of this look can make any women incredibly sexy & feminine, but color is everything. Opting for a nude is ideal, as any shoe in a nude hue elongates the legs [& who doesn’t want longer looking stems?]
  • The day-to-night versatility of this look is so freeing & fresh, who doesn’t love accessible fashion?
  • This style is meant for women with thin, narrow feet, as this shoe is incredibly minimal & leaves little to the imagination.

If possible, try to select shoes with comparable metals as the jewelry you are wearing. Sounds a little over the top, but I, personally, find mixing gold jewelry with silver hardware a bit distracting [to each their own]. Lastly, I always remind my clients that flip flops are meant for the beach & if you are willing to take the time on the top half of your outfit, then do the same for your footwear. Your feet will thank you, as will your wardrobe & all of those eyeing your gorgeous Spring & Summer fits this year. I promise. Xx.

the boyfriend

boyfriend

I have seen the distressed boyfriend jean on every street corner this week & have finally decided to help navigate my readers with this potentially difficult look. This stylized concept stemmed from the idea of borrowing a boyfriend’s clothing; Katie Holmes helped launch this look back in 2009. Regardless, this look has skyrocketed since & can be incredibly chic if executed properly.

The three rules to styling boyfriend denim:

1. Too much distress is overkill [the idea is not to look dirty & disheveled, but rather so chic & confident that you can rock menswear & still look sexy]
2. Always add feminine pieces [a slouchy tee & a fitted blazer are perfect additives to this look, but be sure to throw on a heel or some great jewelry to offset the masculinity of the outfit]
3. Fit still matters [focus on the waistline & the length; too oversized just looks lazy & unkempt]

The thing I love most about this look is that it’s incredibly attainable for every body type. Follow along:

Short legs: a tapered, dark, slim jean is ideal for you [making the legs appear longer]
Full legs: a straight, dark wash, with cuffs right at the ankles [showing off the thinnest part of the leg] are your go-to
Thin legs: light or dark, wide-hipped pairs of these jeans are meant for you [giving the illusion of curves in the hips & butt]

This look is so versatile & can be worn day or night. Just be sure to follow the rules above & you will be loving your wardrobe that much more this Spring. Xx.

make the shoe fit

shoes

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about shoes lately & wanted to address a few key rules to this seemingly confusing area of the fashion world. So here goes…

Round Toe: a round toe shoe [also known as an “almond toe”] gives a much more classic feel to an outfit. Whether it be a cute mary jane or a great pump, round toe shoes are well-suited for those with long, lean legs. This style of shoe is also ideal for those with larger feet, as it makes the feet appear small & more compact.

Pointed toe: a pointed toe shoe adds a more tailored feel to an outfit. Versatility is the name of the game with this style of heel, flat or bootie. The look is perfect from day-to-night & works best for women with short, thick legs, as it elongates the thinnest part of the limb [even more so in nude & cream tones].

As for color requirements- there really are none! Shoes are the most unique part of a wardrobe, as they allow for freedom & creativity to help elevate an entire outfit. There’s nothing more exciting than wearing a simple LBD with a fantastically vibrant pump or boot to make heads spin. The most important element of personal style is choosing items that YOU like, not what the pushy sales person says you should like. Just remember that fit is everything & the rest is yours to decide. If only everything in life were this liberating!

Happy hunting. Xx.

The Layering Commandments

layered

Layering necklaces [amongst other jewelry] is hardly a new concept, but perfecting the look can be difficult. Fear not. Here are some true blue rules to layering:

1. Don’t be afraid to mix metals
2. Be sure to stagger each necklace [don’t have one on top of another]
3. Stick to dainty, feminine pieces [one chunky strand is enough]
4. Try to limit your number of pieces to four [more than this can look chaotic]

If you still find this look daunting, check out Urban, Anthropologie, Nasty Gal, Brandy Melville, or BaubleBar for pre-layered inspiration.

Blazin

blaze

A blazer can change the entire look & feel of an outfit. Adding a chic, polished blazer to a distressed pair of denim can add a perfect day-to-night touch. Or add a scarf & a great pair of heels & you’re business ready. Ditch your next sweater purchase & invest in a few great blazers this Spring! But remember these quick tips:

1. The true fit of a blazer is measured in the shoulders
2. White, black & a bright statement blazer should be staples in your wardrobe
3. Be sure to view your behind before purchasing [beware of looking too masculine from the rear view]