Get a Leg Up….

…on falling temperatures by adding patterned tights under your dresses, skirts and shorts.  You can play it safe with opaque, or experiment with a fun pattern in argyle, quatrefoil, stripes, polka dots or even lace-print.  And of course, now’s a great time to break out a haute pair of fishnets or back-seamed stockings.  When worn with a demure pencil or pleated skirt or even a fitted dress, they look quite professional and not so “working girl.”  And even better, tights can be an inexpensive way of turning your look up a notch without breaking the bank; you can find an array of styles at reasonable prices at Target, Macy’s, Belk and Dillard’s.

Note: Our experience with thigh highs has taught us they tend to roll down at the most inopportune moments (like while we’re in line at the bank!).  We also aren’t recommending nude pantyhose for anyone of any age, for any occasion.  Instead, dare to bare legs that are smooth and moisturized (ahem)!  And if you absolutely must wear knee highs (gasp!), please remember that the top edge near your knees should not be visible when you sit, stand or walk.

Image courtesy of  Red Rider Leg Lamps

We Love a Man Who…

No. Just....no.

…keeps it simple. 

Are you wearing square-toed shoes?  Buttoning every button on your suit jacket?  Stepping out in a suit jacket with more than three buttons (SIGH)?  Rocking suspenders AND a belt (ahem: it’s either/or, never both)?   Sporting more than one ring on both hands (and if either of them is a nugget ring, go sit in the corner)? Do you have nails (finger or toe)so long that your nickname is Shredder? Are you rocking a suit so small that it looks like you stole it from Webster? Then you, sir, are doing the most.  Take it down a notch.

Take it from us: dress your age, not your shoe size.  For the love of God, manscape.   The Grizzly Adams/unwashed look is not the  business; go “occupy” a bathtub and get thee a manicure and pedicure! And the hipster look is not for every physique.   

Remember: less is sometimes much, much more.

You’re welcome.

Sister Act: Beyonce & Solange Knowles

Fashionable sisters Beyonce and Solange Knowles were recently named to Vogue Magazine’s 2011 Best Dressed List.  The duo, who just hit up New York Fashion Week’s Spring 2012 shows, are known for their edgy, distinctive style.  Solange, who is a dj, mommy to Julez and one of the faces of Carol’s Daughter, wows in her her Prabal Gurung for J. Crew ensemble.  And soon-to-be mommy and singer/actress/designer/fragrance creator Beyonce is a quick change artist in beige sequins, then a beige leather and tulle ruffled mini.  Flawless hair and makeup for both complete the looks.

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Images courtesy of Google

Best Dressed: Black Girls Rock!

We have to give it to Tracee Ellis Ross, who co-hosted the show with Regina King.  Ross, who also stars in BET’s Reed Between the Lines, rocked a floor-length Dolce and Gabbana gown bedazzled within an inch of its life.   It also served as a nice counterpoint to the all-white, floor-length Calvin Klein she rocked earlier on the red carpet.  View the slideshow below for other looks of the night from Regina King, Melanie Fiona, Taraji P. Henson, Jill Scott, Black Girls Rock founder Beverly Bond, LaLa Anthony (wearing Alessandra Rich), Elle Varner and Erykah Badu.  Only Erykah Badu (pictured with BGR recipient, revolutionary woman and Birmingham native Angela Davis) could pull off the bedazzled shoulder pads.

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And in other “haute” news: SCDD (@SameChicSouth) got retweeted by BET during the broadcast!

Images courtesy of Google

The Look for Less: Sequined Popover Sweater

Anyone who knows me well knows I have to have some bedazzle and bling in my life.  But at $398, this crewneck dark sequin popover sweater with elbow sleeves by J. Crew was not going to end up in my closet anytime soon.  So what’s a fashionable (and sensible) girl to do?  Look elsewhere, of course.  And since I love vintage clothing (because of its one of a kind, superb detail), I hunted until I found this beautiful Cyn Les sequined sweater which zips up the back.  I actually love this sweater more than the J. Crew version, because the sequins are jet black and I think the zipper keeps it from being too sweet.  And the grand total was less than $15 (yes, go ahead and hate me).   For a fun night out, I’ll style my version similarly, with tight rolled dark denim to tone the sequins down, and my fuchsia stilettos for a pop of color.  Fab and budget-friendly!

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Want more tips on shopping consignment and vintage successfully? Stay tuned for a future post from Same Chic Different Day!

Images courtesy of J. Crew

We Love a Man Who…

…knows when, where, and how to rock classic kicks.  High tops or low profiles? Makes no difference.  Need we point out that they should be in pristine condition?  We even saw a super stylish leather pair in chocolate brown worn by groomsmen in a very fashion-forward wedding recently!

Ladies – gentlemen take their footwear seriously.   I’ve heard guys talk about saving up their allowances to purchase their first pair of Jordans in tones as reverent as the one I have used to described purchasing my first Louis.

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*Okay, okay, the Prada sneaker is not exactly a classic, but at $395 the pair could be considered a very stylish investment.

Images courtesy of Converse, Nike, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus

Haute for Fall: Colored Denim

The last time we wore colored jeans, it was Fall 1997 and we rocked black Bongo jeans with a matching cropped vest to the Bayou Classic (with a white and black striped top underneath).  Denim in orange-red, lush yellow, jade green, peacock blue and rich purple is in (but we beg you not to wear cropped vests).  Pair a neutral blouse or a tee with a little bit of embellishment with a peep toe bootie or super haute loafer, and steer clear of anything matchy matchy!

Success!

Fail. Sorry, Tyra.

Images courtesy of Google

This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Turban

June Ambrose

This turban is to die for! So chic! June Ambrose, stylist extraordinaire to the celebs (and soon to be reality starlet), has worn them as part of her signature look for some time and is now launching a line to spread the fabulousness. 

I haven’t worn a turban since my Erykah Badu phase in college, but I’ll definitely rock one this fall.   These are just the thing to boost a bad hair day, or to stand out in a crowd of oh-so-average berets and cloches when the temperature decides to take a permanent dip. Make sure you have your MAC-game tight before rocking this fierce look and beware: if you look like you’ve tied your hair up for bed or to clean house, you’re committing a fashion crime. 

Image courtesy of Google

The Look for Less: Sweetheart Bracelet

Tiffany Locks 18K heart lock bracelet (lock and bracelet sold separately)

We heart the Tiffany Locks 18K heart lock bracelet, but the $2500 price tag? Not so much.  For $125 plus shipping, we’ll wear our heart on our sleeve with this vintage Victorian Gate golden sweetheart bracelet from vintagesparkles’ etsy.com shop instead.  Even sweeter is the vintage bracelet’s story: according to vintagesparkles, “when a gentleman went off to war or to travel afar, he would leave the bracelet locked around her wrist and he would hold the key until he got back. This symbol of love would show others gentlemen that the woman was theirs. Sort of like a wrist chastity belt.”  Let’s say it all together:  “Awwww!”

VintageSparkles' Victorian Gate bracelet

Images courtesy of tiffany.com and vintagesparkles @etsy.com

We See You Onika

Nicki Minaj serves it in the September issue of Glamour  with these candy-bright couture looks.  WORK.

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Images courtesy of Glamour.com

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