25

Jan

The Look: Skirting the Issue

Hemlines that fall gracefully below the knee to mid-calf  or maxi length are one of this season’s biggest trends that will carry over into spring.   Expect to see some high-low versions as well.  It’s a welcome departure from the much shorter hemlines that have dominated the runways for seasons.  If you dare to wear it, go for ladylike chic or edgy coolness, but remember: the “frumpy librarian” look is definitely not in season.  Keep it neutral or try an unexpected color combination.  I am loooving the crispness pleated skirts add to separates for the office, especially when paired with a silk blouse and cardigan or even a button down.  Footwear should be kept sleek: a pump,  bootie, ballet flat or smoking slipper are super cute options.  Stay away from anything clunky!  Whether you choose a knife pleat (a narrow pleat turned in one direction), a sunburst pleat (similar to a knife pleat except it has more of a flare) or a box pleat (a wider pleat; similar to old-school cheerleader skirts), this is a classic piece that should have a permanent place in your closet.

Here’s the look as seen on People Style Watch, in shorter versions:

Images courtesy via People and BCBG

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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23

Jan

Please Don’t Wear Your Jammies to Work

No ma'am, Rachel Roy.

Nightwear as daywear is a trend that’s shown up on runways (and recently on the front page of shopbop.com), and I’m warning you: this does not mean your Forever Lazy footie pajamas, slinky negligees, or saggy Hello Kitty  flannel bottoms from freshman year are now in style and meant to be inflicted upon the public.  Those fashion choices will make you a perfect candidate for People of Walmart, not anyone’s best dressed list.  If you’d like to incorporate the look into your wardrobe smartly, here are some tips on how to wear pajama-inspired looks with flair and good taste.

1.  Try a lacy camisole under a cardi or jacket for the office, or a vintage bustier with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants for evening.  The key here is balance.   If you pair these items with a super short skirt or shorts, or anything skintight, the effect will be more “streetwalker” than chic.

2.  Pair silky or print pajama bottoms with a structured piece on top,  like a cable-knit cardigan.  Or, try a menswear-inspired pajama top with skinny jeans and a pair of fun loafers.  The blend of textures will keep you from looking like you rolled straight out of the boudoir.

3.  Please leave anything with a cheeky phrase on it in the store,  or spare the rest of us and save it for wearing at home.  Your seat isn’t for advertising to the general public. 

4.  Several words to the wise about leggings: I’m all for them when worn properly.  And by “properly” I mean that the leggings should be opaque, not sheer, fishnet, etc.  One’s legs should not look like they are squeezed into sausage casings.  And a blazer, long cardigan or tunic-style top that skims or covers the rear is most flattering.  

5.  PajamaJeans are to be avoided at all costs.  The printed zipper and pockets are…strange.  There are too many other options for affordable, comfortable and flattering denim for women of all shapes and budgets to resort to something that pulls on and has a hidden drawstring.

6.  The last word: be sure to wear appropriate undergarments so that your silhouette is sleek and your “unmentionables” remain unmentioned by passers-by.  Smooth ripples and provide an extra layer under unlined items by wearing a pair of  fleshtone hosiery that has been snipped at the calf or knee.

Image via Gawker.com

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look

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16

Jan

Oh, My…

Look up "swag" in the dictionary. This is who you'll see.

 Yeah, there are no real words for this ladies. 

Congrats to Mr. Elba on his Best Actor win at the 2012 Golden Globes. (Loving the studded loafers!)

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon/Love That!/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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16

Jan

Best Dressed: 2012 Golden Globes

*Yawn* 

That sums up last night’s fashion at the Globes.  I saw so many subdued and severe teal, burgundy, navy and dishwater (that dingy marriage of  lavender and beige) trumpet gowns that watching quickly grew boring (best of the crew: Sofia Vergara’s navy Vera Wang).  

Julie Bowen (Modern Family) was lovely in her Grace Kelly-esque Reem Acra nude chiffon gown with jeweled cap sleeves and softly curled hair.  Effortless – although I wish her coiffure had been a touch looser.  Dianna Agron (Glee) was HAUTE in a Giles Deacon fire-engine red laser cut, tiered gown with swan detail, matching pout and minimal jewelry.  Heidi Klum definitely made it work with a simple but deadly beige minimalist Calvin Klein gown with turquoise detail and simple hair.  Paula Patton was a ray of sunshine in Monique Lhuillier.  And Salma Hayek was totally gorgeous in black and gold Gucci with an Art Deco feel (her husband is owner of the luxury goods company which owns the label). 

Double-faced linings were popular, as seen on Natalie Portman in pink and scarlet Lanvin and Angelina Jolie in blood red and white Atelier Versace.

And I’m calling worst dressed a tie between Lea Michele’s pewter Marchesa gown that looked like it was screaming “HEY! Look at ME! I’m wearing a flesh-eating disease!” and (the newly engaged?) Jessica Biel in her Miss Havisham by Valentino wedding gown. Thumbs down.

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Congrats to Alabama native Octavia Spencer on her Best Supporting Actress win for The Help!

All images via InStyle

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Random Acts of Fashion/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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06

Jan

Calling All Target Shoppers: Jason Wu Collection Launches February 5

Let's Get Ready to Rummmmble!

Jason Wu, whose cutting edge (pun intended!) designs and the inaugural gown he designed for FLOTUS Michelle Obama have made him a darling of the runways, recently announced plans to release an apparel and handbag collection via Tarjhay.  If the haute mess that was the Missoni for Target release is still fresh in your mind and you are dead set on owning a piece without spending your 401K with Ebay carpetbaggers (I rebuke you, hot pink Versace for H&M dress!), you have one month to make like the Christmas Champ and appropriately plan vacation time, map out your plan of attack for storming the store, practice your best shopping cart drive-by, and plot your chic sleepover in the store parking lot (just kidding; I’m sure the po-po will relieve you of that notion).  For more images, click here.

Jason Wu

Pieces range from $19.99 to $59.99 and Target has graced us with this teaser:

Images via ology.com and Target

Connect with Same Chic Different Day via Facebook!

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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05

Jan

Caped Crusaders

Plaid "Sophie" Cape by Kate Spade

Snuggie and Forever Lazy wearers take note: this is the hautest way to keep warm!  Wrap up in a super cute cape and add a touch of drama to your looks for work  or play.  Layer it over a long sleeved blouse or tee and skinny jeans or cigarette pants plus your flat boots, loafers or ballet flats  to pull off this polished look.  I have a feeling this camel version by J. Crew will make its way into my closet.

Images courtesy of Kate Spade, Net-a-Porter and Snuggie Humor

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio/The Look

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03

Jan

Best of the Web: Real Simple

Are you stuck in a style rut? Or have you been warned that you might be a strong contender for What Not to Wear?  If one of your goals for 2012 is to update your look (or FIND a look), then Real Simple is ready to help you Find Your Style Inspiration or  Reenergize Your Signature Style .

If the looks in the articles are not your cup of tea, keep in mind their basic principles: minor tweaks can have a major impact.  Look to icons whose fashion you are drawn to (it helps if they have a similar body type, but if not you can still incorporate aspects of their style that work for your physique or coloring.).  Or try your “opposite”: if you always wear your hair curly, try a sleek blowout.  If you opt for natural makeup, try a bold lip or smoky eye.  If you lean to skirts, try slacks; or slip on kitten heels or slippers instead of towering stilettos.  It’s a new year; try a new YOU!

**And congratulations to S. Curry for winning SCDD’s Commander in Chic  giveaway!**

Image courtesy of Real Simple

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute off the Press/The Look

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30

Dec

We Like to Partyyyy

If you’re a bad girl and your friends bad too, you’ll appreciate the party dresses in this post.  Spotted by effortlessly chic SCDD reader J.T. Coates, we recommend you scoop a sparkly mini for this season’s swankiest mixers and cocktail parties.   Check out these versions by French Connection that we adore; the line can be found at Belk/The Summit and at Dillard’s. 

Not sure about baring your legs in nippy temps?  Put on a pair of jet black opaque tights and black bejewelled or satin pumps to keep your gams warm.  The tights  add a monochromatic touch that can soften the flashiness of the dress, plus they lengthen the look of your legs!  Also, because these dresses often have a lot going on, balance your hairstyle, makeup and accessories so you don’t look like a streetwalker.  An oversized bun, a slick ponytail or tousled curls look lovely; add a vampy nail lacquer like this classic from Chanel, nude lips and a smoky eye, and you’re ready to party!

Image courtesy of Google

Don’t forget to enter SCDD’s chic giveaway by 12/31! Comment on 12/21’s post and you could win a copy of Commander in Chic!

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/The Look

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14

Dec

One of the looks featured at the recent NAACP Night of Fashion was one SCDD has been excited about ever since chic reader R.B. Clark mentioned she rocked it at her college’s homecoming: neckties for ladies!  Worn the right way (think Janelle Monae, not Colonel Sanders) it’s definitely one to try.  It’s a play on menswear, but the key is to balance the look with feminine touches.  So don’t bust out a vest, jacket, pocket watch, monocle and spats.  The tie should have a slim silhuoette (no fat knots at your neck!), and can be worn casually with a v-neck or cardigan sweater and denim or with a swingy skirt and button down  – not a tailored business suit.

Image via Google

Connect with Same Chic Different Day via Twitter @SameChicSouth

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Love That!/Random Acts of Fashion/The Look

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10

Dec

Don’t Let This Be You: The Shiny Suit Edition

"Nights like this I wish...that raindrops would fallllll!" (A few of you will get that.)

We love a man who knows how to rock a suit.   But remember our previous post about keeping it simple?  When it’s your moment in the spotlight, PLEASE don’t choose a suit made of flammable fabric.  LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu (aka The Honey Badger) made a platinum statement at tonight’s Heisman Trophy presentation in New York, and while somehow he makes it work, we don’t want to see anyone downtown in a bronze or copper suit. (And for those of you who think I’m biased, who can forget this? See slide #21.)

Gentlemen, listen to us: when you want to show up and show out, there are ways to wear a suit that allow you to make a statement without saying a word (but in a good way). 

1. Make the CUT.  Choose a silhuoette that flatters your body, whether you have an athletic or slim build.  Be particular about the pants’ break.  I can’t over-emphasize the need to have your suit tailored to your body.  You should not be swimming in fabric, nor should you look like you’re suffocating.  Tailoring costs less than you probably think, and can work wonders.  It customizes the fit, even if you cannot afford to have a suit handmade.

2.  Be careful about COLOR.  Easter comes but once a year, and even then most of us don’t want to see you casket sharp in pastel from head to toe.  Or red.  Or purple.  Or plaid.  Or….you get the idea.  Subtlety is chic!

3. The devil is in the DETAILS.  Suspenders or belt?  Flashy socks (sure, if your shirt and tie are toned down)?  Bow or neck tie?  To monogram or not to monogram your cuffs? There are so many options to choose from, but don’t wear them all at once.  And please don’t match your tie to your pocket square.

Need further tips? Check out Valet Mag and Put This On.  You’re welcome. 

 (And congratulations to this year’s Heisman winner, Robert Griffin III,  as well as all the other nominees!)

Image from Best of New Orleans

Follow Same Chic Different Day on Twitter: @SameChicSouth

14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Learn From My Mistakes!/Random Acts of Fashion/The Look

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