Devante and his ponytail appeared at the Soul Train Awards this evening.
Just…nope.
Image via Talking with Tami
Worst-dressed at the AMAs
Ugh. Where to begin? (Click on each photo for a closer look!)
Zendaya: Gold lame is chic, but this look loses something in the execution. Who wears a bikini top a with a trench coat? And that’s far too much hair on any one person’s head. This fabric is gorgeous; I would’ve loved to have seen it worked into a sheath or cropped top and skirt that fit the star’s sporty style.
Uzo Aduba: That hair and that dress (with cheap-looking fabric and styling that do her silhouette no favors) are both “NO ma’ams.” Sleeker hair and a more refined fit would’ve been better options. If you’re going to choose something that’s a bit inexpensive, steer clear of anything that makes it look gaudy, like sparkly accents.
Neyo: No comment. #opencasketsharp
Star Jones: Sigh. She is entirely too fabulous for these shorts worn with pantyhose. I think she looks amazing in artfully draped, or ruched sheaths with some structure to them. I could’ve even seen Ms. Jones in a voluminous, high-low ball skirt with a crisp white blouse or even a cropped blouse showing just a hint of skin at her waist. That shape would’ve still drawn attention to her legs, but in a more sophisticated manner.
And Diana accessorized with turkey feathers. The End.
Your thoughts?
Sophia Webster brings glamour, whimsy to J. Crew shoe collection
If you have read this blog for any length of time, then you’re probably aware of how much I love J. Crew (one might call it an obsession!). It can be difficult to find well-made, unique pieces that retain a sense of relevance and charm from one season to the next, but I never go wrong when I shop there. And rather than having to piece together an ensemble from multiple places, I can often find a head-to-toe look all at once at my local J. Crew.
Shop J. Crew’s New Arrivals by clicking HERE.
More than once, I’ve run in the Birmingham store in a complete panic because I need something at the last minute, and thanks to their Very Personal Stylists and wide selection, have been successful in pulling something together. (P.S. The VPS work around your schedule – which is super-convenient!)
This season, I’m especially excited about the Sophia Webster for J. Crew Holiday Collection. I’ve shared Ms. Webster’s line before, and her newest collection does not disappoint.
Tom Mora (Head of J.Crew Women’s Design) says, “Sophia Webster is such a natural fit for us – her use of color and patterns feels really in touch with the J.Crew DNA and all of the things we love. We try never to take ourselves too seriously, and I think she has that same sensibility.” (Agreed! – Alexis)
Famed editor Diana Vreeland once said, “The eye has to travel.” As Webster’s pieces are exquisitely detailed in terms of pattern and construction – I suggest keeping the remainder of your look simple so that the focus is on your feet. These shoes bring chic pizazz to your LBDs, sheaths, pencil skirts and sweaters; couldn’t you just see them with a pair of slim leather pants or destroyed denim and a simple tee?
I’ll take the bronze-black Eva and floral-multi Lola in a size 8, please and thank you!
Images via J. Crew
#OOTD
I rarely do outfit posts, but since I’m linking up with My Life Well Loved’s #14DaysofStyle contest on Instagram, I thought I’d share today’s look. I’m wearing J. Crew’s navy and cream silk gingham top, a black pencil skirt and bubble necklace, and C. Wonder’s blue velvet “Southern Belle” smoking slippers.
I love patterns, mixing black and navy, and pieces that are a bit quirky, and this outfit has all those elements. Fall is not my favorite season, but being able to stick to my style in unique ways helps me hang on until Spring and Summer roll back around. Oh – I’m also wearing a black cardigan…because I don’t want to catch a cold or the flu! 😉
Images via J. Crew and CWonder
#AskAlexis: Mommy and Me
Q: I recently watched ABC’s new show Black-ish, and I love the youngest daughter’s easy, breezy BEAUTIFUL pink floral dress! We’re headed on a family vacay soon; where can I find one for my little girl? – Mommy Dearest
A: MD, This super-cute dress – as seen on Marsai Johnson, above – is available at J. Crew and it’s on sale, so act fast (regularly sold for $84, it’s now $69.99)! Notice how it’s styled; with a growing child, you can get more mileage out of it by pairing it with shorts, leggings or jeans as the weather changes (and her legs get longer). If you want to have a “Mommy and Me” outfit moment, snag the floral embroidered top* and short in Pozzoli Pink for yourself (also on sale). A bit of advice: keep your footwear neutral. A gold or tan espadrille or sandal would really allow the colors to pop. And you can transition the top to fall with dark denim and flat riding boots. Happy shopping!
(*I told you you had to act fast! The top is now sold out, but it may reappear in the sale section.)
Images via Deadline.com and J. Crew
Lilly Bee offers chic game day shoes
It’s College Colors Day, and whether you roll with crimson and white, bleed orange and blue or cheer for another team, today’s the day to rep your squad!
I’m always on the hunt for cute clothing and accessories to wear on Game Day, and these Lilly Bee flats ($74 with shoe clips) are definitely my on wish list. First of all, who in her right mind is wearing stilettos on the Quad or “between the hedges”? I love my heels but a comfortable shoe that makes a statement is a better option for me. Lilly Bee effortlessly makes practical yet fashionable footwear, and these eye-catching shoes will easily stand out at a tailgate.
When you’re not supporting your team, or if you’re looking for a more neutral (but still snazzy) shoe, simply remove the grosgrain shoe clip. You can also purchase the shoe and coordinating shoe clips (with or without your school affiliation) separately. And if showing off your school spirit isn’t the fashion statement you want to make, you can also shop their sorority items or select options by specific color combinations. Lilly Bee offers free domestic shipping, and your pair is packaged in a thoughtful shoe bag.
Happy shopping and Roll Tide!
Images via Lilly Bee
No ma’am: Lifetime’s ‘Girlfriend Intervention’ is not ready for primetime
With friends like these, who needs enemies?
I’m all for helping people feel and look their best and live as stylishly as they choose, but Girlfriend Intervention is wrong on many levels. Packaging what can be an empowering process as helping an individual “find her inner black woman” is where this goes left. The show (which debuted on Lifetime last night) is rife with stereotypes that harm both black and white women, and it’s problematic for me that the resident “Soul Coach” was formerly comfortable fighting other women on Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club (I guess she found inner peace. Or something.). What exactly is a “soul coach”? Is that like Soul Seasoning (which YES, you can buy)? You just add a dash of sass or a neck roll and voila: you become a “sista”? Do you get extra credit if you can name all of the songs on Beyonce’s last album and braid hair?
Excuse me, but how exactly does this “teach these women how to embrace and celebrate their lives, speak their mind, lighten up and love themselves again,” as the show’s promo site promises? I think there probably is a better way of phrasing what these ladies are offering guests that doesn’t reduce any of us to caricatures.
Joanie, you in danger, girl.
From the Catwalk of Shame where the coaches basically throw shade (Helpful? Or nah…) to the awkward burlesque lessons in the trailer, this is just painful to watch. And I’m also disturbed by the show’s pride at being led by “four black women taught to always have it together and tell you how it is.” Isn’t this why many black women suffer from Superwoman Syndrome? The reality is too many of us are trying to LOOK like we have it all together when we don’t. I’ll be the first to admit that after this week, my “inner black woman” just wants to put on yoga pants, eat a bowl of Blue Bell and go to sleep.
They teach Double Dutch on the show; does not being able to jump in, jump out (without being eaten up by the jump rope) mean my “black card” gets revoked? This somehow reminds me of all the times I was accused of embracing my inner white woman as a child because I used proper English. That was as ridiculous then as this show is now when it has Joanie write a rap.
No thanks.
Images via LifetimeTV.com
Who wore what (and why?) at last night’s Emmy Awards
YES, I saw what Kerry, Julia, Laverne, Angela, Amy, Hayden and Keke wore, but this is my choice for best dressed at last night’s Emmy Awards. Mad Men’s Teyonah Parris is resplendent in this bold ball gown from Christian Siriano’s Spring 2014 collection worn at last nights primetime Emmy Awards. Love the color, silhouette, hair and makeup; she absolutely glows! This is black-tie at its best, without being stuffy or weird. And it’s a sigh of relief from all the sparkle, fit and flare looks and trumpet skirts.
Lena Dunham
Which leads me to my worst-dressed choice: Lena Dunham in Giambattista Valli. I love the idea of this confection of a skirt, and I adore the ombré effect, but the fit is way off. This is a daring look that the wearer must OWN. Her posture conveys a feeling of uncertainty. I don’t think Peter Pan collars work on anyone over the age of six, and I wish the bodice had been better fitted to her body. It’s unfortunate.
And the award for VMAs best-dressed goes to…
Now this is CHIC. Solange rocked H&M to last night’s VMAs, and I think her shimmery tuxedo stood out among the denim, leather and ho-hum draped gowns on last night’s red carpet. I think the flash of skin and carefree hair and makeup just work.Her general sense of style just has a sense of ease and effortlessness to it; you never want to look like you’ve tried too hard, and I think she succeeded.
Why? I’ll wait.
This is Amber Rose giving us her best Vegas showgirl impression (minus matching headress) at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards.
I can’t.
Same Chic Different Day 