August 11, 2014August 11, 2014 styledbylyric2 Comments

Falling

Phew! What a wild July I had. Yikes. However, I’m back & beyond ready to break down one of my FAVORITE seasons for my dazed & confused fashionistas. As much as I love me a great bikini & some major vitamin D, I’m longing for knit sweaters, leather boots & pumpkin spice lattes. Like now.

To prepare for the upcoming season I’ve picked my favorite Fall 2014 pieces that you’ll want to have in full rotation once the Summer temperatures give. Some of these looks are F/W 2015 runway inspired, but most are from my vault of Fall classics because let’s be real, Autumn is at the very least always all about layers, boots & a great jacket.

Let’s go.

Bah Bah Black Sheep: this Fall we’re going to see some of the heaviest wool knits to ever grace the industry. From a thick waffle stitch, to wool socks & [my personal favorite] pullovers, this season is all about comfort. Some people do however find wool too itchy on the skin, with which I’d suggest layering it over a soft lace or nylon fabric or opting out entirely for a heavy cotton or poly-blend. You may find a lack in quality, but your skin will definitely thank you.

Flashbacks: another fun additive to the coming season are the 70s inspired jackets hitting runways & stores. Big, double breasted, flat collared, & multi-fabric designs are just a few of the styles I’ve been seeing & loving. Lest we not forget the ever-famous moto jacket [such as Free People’s amazing selections: here]. These lighter-weight jackets are perfect for this transitional season into Winter & add a sexy//rocker//chic feel to any outfit.

Psychedelic: the one curious & really interesting trend I’ve seen are the new competitor to floral prints titled “trippy prints”. These bright, geometric, multicolored fabrics are packing serious punch this Fall, but are not for the faint of heart. The major styling secret behind nailing this trend is “less is more”; pair a wildly printed top with a muted bottom & vice versa. Runway to real way can be tricky, so be selective with this one.

Invested: one of my absolute favorite styles making headway this Fall are long vests & layering pieces. They are perfect in place of an old blazer & add a great tailored detail to any outfit. I recommend teaming them with a great trouser, over a printed dress or even used as a bulking layer under a winter jacket. This small touch adds sophistication & class to any look.

Wider the Better: all trends seem to circulate, often taking only a few seasons to make their way back to you. & this Fall is no different, as wide legged pants & denim are back in full force. My favorite colors being blush, taupe, true blue & black, these effortless pants will have you seriously shaming the skinny jean crowd this season.

Get an A: my last [but absolutely not least] favorite style taking names in the coming season are A-line dresses. These seemingly mod, but multi-bodytype-friendly shapes are absolutely perfect for anyone [what?!]. Truth. The shape is flattering on nearly any body or size & can be paired with tights, boots, or even a sexy heel. My only recommendation: watch your prints. Choosing the right color & pattern is everything to perfecting this wardrobe staple.

As promised in Lyric’s mission statement, I will never lead my [blog] followers &/or clients astray. Fashion is meant for everyone, but style is very much personal. This Fall seems incredibly promising as far as styles & versatility are concerned, but should you have any questions about your own personal style feel free to drop me a line & let’s chat! I’m always willing to write a post on a topic that you’re interested in or answer any fashion questions you may have! You can email me at: Dena@styledbylyric.com or use the comment option below.

Happy Layering, megababes. Xx.

June 23, 2014June 23, 2014 styledbylyricLeave a comment

Suit Up

So it’s officially been Summer for two days & I’m already seeing teeny bikini’s flooding my news feeds, thus it’s time to take on the ever-terriying subject of: Bathing Suits.

Now, there are some seriously amazing styles leading the pack this Summer in the suit department & designers are getting more & more innovative every day, but some styles simply aren’t meant for certain bodies. Fear not ladies, for I refuse to let you find yourself in a dark corner of a fitting room, drowning your sorrows over a candy bar because you “hate the way you look”. I’m here to free you from any guilt you may have from Winter & be real about your body & what suit is right for you this season. So let’s just do this thing…

We’re going to break down this years best selling suit styles & explain who should be wearing them & why.

Style #1: Classic String Bikini

This style of suit has been popular since the 60s & is going nowhere fast. However, it is not for the faint of heart. The best candidates for these minimalist, triangular pieces are athletes, small-busted women, & long & lean figures. The best part of styling a string bikini is it’s versatility; pair nearly any top with any bottom & you’ve got a show stopper.

Style #2: One Shoulder Suits

Believe it or not this style of bathing suit is perfect for my ladies with short torsos, wide bottom halves & long & lean figures. The solid mid-section elongates the torso [particularly in monochromatic tones], the high cut bottom shows more thigh making the legs appear longer & any added ruffles or embellishments add curves to the places that you want & need. This suit shows added effort without added energy.

Styled #3: The Sport Suit

This style is huge this Summer, particularly with the flux of yoga & athletic wear. Clearly the market for this suit is athletes, but the freedom it allows for activities makes it a perfect candidate for any woman willing to rock a two piece. Other babes that should be snatching this suit up in 2014 are large busted women, as this style gives great coverage & support to the bust without compromising sexiness. & did I mention these suits have some of the BEST color combos.

Style #4: The Cutout

This suit is for women who prefer a one piece, but don’t mind showing a little extra skin. A cutout suit is perfect for large busted, small busted, small torso, wide bottom & long & lean babes. Given it’s vamped but understated nature, the wearer is provided coverage & support, but still able to feel sexy without giving too much away. Think poolside in Vegas with a slushy drink in hand…yeah, it’s that good. Note: the amount of detailing & cutouts should vary depending on the size of your hips, waist & butt.

Style #5: The High Waister

This style is great if you are small busted, large busted, wide hipped, large torsoed, a post-preggo mama, or even athletic, as it sucks you in in all the right places. This is one of the most versatile, comfortable, & flattering styles for the widest range of body types that I have found this season. But being picky & finding the right color & print for your body is everything behind perfecting this look. The height of the waistline should depend directly upon your confidence level & the size of your torso. Thinner torso: lower waistline. Wider torso: higher waistline.

Style #6: The Strapless

This style has been big for about four Summers now, but I think critics are finally finding it’s flaws. The strapless design is great for sunbathing with minimal tan lines, but should you need to participate in any activities, you may find yourself experiencing a wardrobe malfunction [let alone if you are well-endowed]. The strapless concept is much like that of a strapless bra: small busted & long & lean babes should be the only ones sporting this style any longer.

Style #7: The V-Neck

The extended neckline of this bathing suit is great for my pear shaped, large torsos, apple shaped, mommy-to-be, & large busted babes, as this helps highlight one of the most feminine & sleek parts of the female body. Pair this top with the appropriate bottoms or even opt for a one piece & you’ll be beach-ready & more confident than every this Summer.

Style #7: The Bustier

The bustier is exactly as it sounds: for those who need a bit of a boost. All of the small busted, thin torso, athletic & long & lean ladies should be rocking this look all Summer long. It comes in one piece suits or bikinis & will provide amazing support, major sex-appear & allow you to be active the entire time. Note: as mentioned earlier, the completion of this look will be dependent upon finding the right bottoms & cut.

Swimsuit designers will no doubt continue their studies of the female body & what they believe works best, but it’s truly up to you & your own personal style to decide what makes you feel beautiful & confident. There is nothing worse than planning a great vacation or pool party only to find yourself hiding under a towel or beach dress for fear of being seen. Trust your body, trust your instincts & use the tools listed above & your swimsuit fears will subside in no time. But hurry, because Summer’s only here a few more months babes…

Xx.

June 11, 2014June 10, 2014 styledbylyric2 Comments

Shaded

Ever wonder why your best friend can rock a pair of sunnies that will simply never look the same on you? It’s more than likely that she’s honed in on her face shape & perfected the art of sunglass purchasing. I’ve personally struggled with this issue in the past & have had many girlfriends question me on the following topic, so I’ve decided it’s time we take on the fun subject of Sunglasses.

We are all different shapes, sizes, colors & ages [duh] & styles will vary from person to person, but possessing the general abilities to pick & choose fashionable pieces without fail is one of the most important goals for my clients. Sunglasses are not only a wardrobe staple, but for many a necessity & selecting the right pair for your face can be frustrating & costly. I’ve broken down this overwhelming task into two simple steps to help aid in finding you the perfect pair for your beautiful face, without exhausting your efforts.

Step One: Determine your face shape.

There are six different shapes to a human’s face:

Round: less definition in sharp corners or edges, but rather curvatures around the perimeter of the entire face.
Square: length & width are nearly equal across the face, with strong jawline.
Oval: gently rounded & even features throughout entirety of the face.
Oblong: long & narrow in shape with little to no edges, also known as rectangular.
Diamond: narrow jawline & strong cheek bones.
Heart: most narrow part of the face being the chin, widest being the temples & forehead.

Step Two: Know Your Styles.

Fashion is ever-changing, but as of today there are currently eight major styles in eyeglass wear:

Wrap: the Anna Wintour; these shades will protect your eyes & possible hangover without compromising your fashion sense. Wrap sunnies are classic & should be worn to intensely play up the features of the face. However, their heavy frame make for a little extra effort on behalf of your nose & ears. Ideal for oval, oblong, & round shaped faces only.

Square: best for hiding a make-up less face & blocking major sunshine during brunch; these bold shaped frames add intense definition & angle to the face. Ideal candidates: oblong, oval & round shaped faces only, as sharper shaped faces may look too contrasted.

Shield: the motorbike babe; with one simple, single lens, these glasses provide major UV protection. Heart, oblong & round shaped faces are the only ones meant for these bad boys, as the long, curved lines help elongate the face & bring focus to the temples. But as they say, rules are often made for the breaking.

Wayfarer: one of the most versatile pair of sunnies on the planet; with their round lenses, cat-eye temple bars, & butterfly-edged rims, the Wayfarer can be worn by any face shape, however, are better suited on oblong & oval, as the unique shapes bring definition to otherwise shapeless features.

Aviator: the common misconception sunnies; men & women worldwide rock these shades without caution. Unfortunately for them, diamond & square-shaped faces are truly the only ones who should be coveting them so intensely, as their round shape & gentle curves help balance out any sharp edges on the face. Remember: the width of these sunglasses should never be larger than the width of your cheekbones.

Butterfly: the Jackie O sunnies; much like the aviators, butterfly rims help soften intensely shaped faces & features with their flowing lines & corners & add a balanced contrast to unwanted features. Ideal for square & heart shaped faces, as well as those who seriously “Just can’t” today…we’ve all been there.

Cat-Eye: the ever-specific sunnies; meant for heart, oval, & square shaped faces only, as the elongated temple bars add definition to high cheek bones, bright, big eyes & balance out strong jaw bones by drawing attention upward. These glasses say “I know fashion” without having to try too hard.

Round: the serious fashionista[o] sunnies; these babies are not for the faint of heart. With all attention & focus drawn to the eyes, round glasses are meant for square & diamond shaped faces, allowing the cheek bones, high forehead & strong jawline to be softened. Warning: don’t take these on as a fashion experiment, know & trust your instincts.

Adding a fun pair of sunglasses to an outfit can change it’s entire feel, but only if executed properly. Remember, the above tools are guidelines not laws, but I hope they at least ease the stress & frustration of shopping for your new wardrobe staple. With the 100 degree heat attacking the West Coast & shortly making it’s way across the nations, you will seriously thank me. I promise.

Xx.