Sorry I haven’t written in a while! Things have gotten really busy for me, but it’s starting to slow down a bit. Don’t worry, I won’t make you wait too long for a new entry that is actually about style and fashion, but for now please bare with me! Thanks for your support!
Stay Stylish!
-Irene
If you have read my previous entry, Fashion Made Simple, you know I like to fill my closet with as many simple and versatile pieces as I can. As I was browsing one of my favorite sites, Etsy.com, I came across the most wonderful dresses! And to my delight, they were ALL the same dress.
Isadoraclothing makes the Chameleon dress which can be worn numerous ways, so it looks like a different dress every time (it can even be worn as a skirt). Their introductory offer includes 1 dress, 2 solid-colored tube tops and one printed tube top. You can choose to wear the dress without the tube tops or you can wear the tube tops with something entirely different. What is more versatile than that?! One purchase, so many options!
Once you have all the pieces you can create as many different looks as your imagination will let you or you can watch their online videos, www.youtube.com/isadoraclothing, for ideas and visual instruction.
I chose to get one in black. A little black dress is a necessity, but a little black dress that can be 10, 20, 30 different dresses - that is invaluable.
Instant gratification - who doesn’t love that?!
I have found a site that not only spotlights chic fashion, the latest beauty finds and more, but it also makes it easy to purchase what you see. Browse www.damnilikethat.com and with just a simple click of the “buy” button at the bottom of any article, you are instantly taken to the page where you can buy the featured item. What could be better than that?! And how cool is their name?!
This site features fashion trends, beauty treasures, cool gadgets, gizmos and more. Anyone who loves staying on top of trends, and wants the latest and the greatest, should frequent this site.
- AFTER you read MY blog though of course ; )
Check it out - you won’t regret it!
Some women love a man who knows how to dress himself in a stylish outfit. Some women like a man who dresses like … well, a man. Then there is the happy medium - the man who looks good, but doesn’t try too hard at it. However you like your men to look, enjoy the pictures I found of men’s fashion trends.
A lovely skirt that is versatile enough to wear all year round, no matter the tempurature, is a sure purchase in my book. I found this fun, red skirt at oldnavy.com for the bargain price of $20. How can you beat that? I can wear it with a plain tank top during the summer, or with a pair of tights and a cozy sweater in the winter. It has a simple style that can be dressed up, or dressed down, depending on how I feel or where I am going. And the most important part? It is amazingly comfortable! I am tempted to buy the other four colors, but I might just settle for one more - the trick is deciding which one.
… Dress shoes look like they have ALWAYS been uncomfortable.
Check out the pictures I found of some vintage shoes.
While I have much love for my 3rd cousin, twice removed, her style choices are not always impressive. Now, don’t get me wrong! I believe that a person should wear what they love and what they feel comfortable in, but I don’t see how anyone can be comfortable in this vomit-on-a-chain necklace!
How many things can you fit on a necklace, anyway?! It’s almost as if the designer had a bunch of left over pieces that they did not want to go to waste. And if that is the case, then the designer at least get points for being environmentally thoughtful. BUT couldn’t you have made 5 necklaces, 3 bracelets and 2 pairs of earrings instead? Shopgoldyn.com sells this piece for a mere $525 (that is right - NO decimal point between the first 5 and the 2) - Five HUNDRED and twenty-five dollars! This necklace is so huge and ghastly that you could wear it while you were naked and no one would notice you were naked!
Okay. I’m done with my rant and it was mean, I know. But it had to be said, and I say it out of love.
** MANY apologies to my cousin - you know who you are (I DO love you!). I will not further embarrass you by using your name. You have worn that necklace at least 3 times that I know of, and I beleive that is embarrassment enough ….. Call me, we’ll do lunch - just don’t wear that necklace!
With a busy schedule and little time to worry about fashion (I know, shame on me), I found myself feeling drab and a little like the nerdy chick sitting in the corner at a party. I decided to take control of things and climb my way back up to my rightful place on the fashion pedestal. By just making a few smart choices and buying versatile pieces, I have found a simple way to look fabulous even if I get dressed with my eyes closed.
-Comfort is the Best Place to Start
When you are comfortable you feel good. When you feel good you exude confidence. And confidence looks good on everyone. I am talking about comfort with regards to both fit and style.
First, Fit – if something doesn’t fit right you will spend your time pulling and tugging at it. A piece of clothing should be comfortable as you move in it (because we all know that life does not stand still). Something might look wonderful when you are just standing in front of a mirror, but the moment you turn, sit or breathe - it bunches, rides up or pops open. Move around when you try things on and make sure you can move comfortably.
Now, Style - Sure that celebrity looks super cute in that too-cool fedora or those dinner- plate-sized earrings. But if YOU aren’t comfortable wearing hats, or big earrings aren’t your thing, then DON’T do it. You won’t be comfortable and it will show. If you are not confident in it, you will feel stupid and therefore it will LOOK stupid.
-Know your Body and What Looks Good on You
Not every body type looks good in high-waist pants, and the “color of the season” isn’t flattering on every skin tone. Trends seem like a great way to keep up with fashion, and you may be tempted to duplicate the latest looks of the super trendy, but stop and think of old pictures of yourself from the ‘80s and ‘90s and decide whether or not you really want more pictures that will make you cringe. Know what is flattering for your shape and coloring and stick to it. Also keep in mind fabric. Not every kind of fabric drapes the same on every body. Choose fabrics that compliment not complicate.
-Trends Aren’t All Bad
So, now you are thinking you will be stuck with the same old look and that is sure to get boring. Not so. Accessories are any fashion plate’s best friend. If you want to sport the latest looks do it with accessories (jewelry, handbags, shoes, sunglasses etc.). Accessories are less expensive than clothes, and different accessories can make the same outfit look completely different. They allow you to breathe new life into your favorite, most comfortable pieces that you want to wear all the time. And if you do it right with accessories, no one will even realize that you have been wearing the same thing for 3 days straight.
-Versatility Makes Life Easier (especially with fashion)
When you go shopping choose pieces that can be mixed and matched with just about anything in your closet (this is the part that allows you to get dressed with your eyes closed). This is ideal because no matter what shirt, pants or pair of shoes you grab in your mad rush to get to work on time, they will go together perfectly.
It will take time and quite a bit of experimenting, but it is a small price to pay for always looking fabulously pulled together. You will also find that you aren’t as unhappy with your “less-than-perfect” body parts that God gave you, because - Damn, you look GOOD.
No matter which way you voted in the presidential election it is hard to deny the historic event that is about to take place. Inauguration day is just around the corner and you can show your support in a stylish way with t-shirts from cafepress.com. With pages of designs to choose from, you are sure to find one that shows your support for our new president and support to make our country a better place for everyone.
Plaid is all the rage right now! And leave it to the fashion world to jack the price up for a simple plaid shirt that couldn’t be sold a year and a half ago. But I have found a shirt that is perfect for all the trendy looks that are hot this season.
JCPenney.com offers their men’s Arizona L/S Vintage Woven Shirt for a mere $12.99! It comes in three different colors and has the laid-back, cool look you thought was out of your reach … until now. I bought mine in pacific pine and delivery was prompt. The simple design allows for you to style it in several different and fun ways. My favorite is over a tank top with the sleeves rolled up paired with a comfy pair of jeans. I like a relaxed and unfussy look, and this men’s shirt is perfect for it.
But you better get a jump on it because the $12.99 price is a sale price, and as hot as plaid is, they are going to go fast!