Shoes = Social Justice

So I know I have been a little absent from the blog world, but it is difficult to comment on fashion in between the seasons. Now, however, we are entering the lovely days of fall, and I am back.

If there is one thing I can recommend for everyone it is TOMS Shoes. It is the perfect enclosed shoe to wear without socks. It is stylish, you can get them as plain or as decorated as you want, you can even design your own. The best part is that by purchasing one pair of TOMS you are giving a child abroad a pair of TOMS. TOMS provides children abroad with shoes; the business plan is exactly one for one. It's awesome. They are the best investments I have made when it comes to shoes.

Check them out at tomsshoes.com...HAPPY SHOPPING!

The Men

Dear Guys:

Please, in the name of everything Holy, if you are struggling in your style or style advice, seek the help of GQ magazine. I just finished the last issue, and I must say, I really enjoyed it.  It is a perfect blend of lifestyle, fashion, editorials, and interviews. I know some guys pass over it as snobby, overpriced nonsense, but it is really a decent magazine.

With the reputation of GQ I would say it is the equivalent of VOGUE to women. It is the Holy Grail of high fashion.

Read, and may the force be with you.

HAIR

Ok, I know it is everyone's security blanket, blah, blah, blah...let it go! Spring is the time to cut those locks! Girls especially, it is time to take the hair to new, shorter, lengths.

Celebrities everywhere started cutting their hair to just touching the shoulders earlier this spring, and now it is time that we caught on! 

This can make the biggest statement. The new length is a shoulder length bob. This is all a response to the new thirties and forties inspired high fashion designs. From the hats from Audrey Hepburn movies, to the hemlines of the post WW2 era, the hair is here to match. 

If you have long locks, consider cuts in stages, and work your way up to a desired length. Once the first cut is made, you might be surprised how much you like it. If you already have medium length hair consider getting another inch or two cut off. Also, for short haired ladies try accenting with floral hair pins and ribbons. 

Have fun! And go wild!!!

A Trendy Adventure

This season is perfect to really get into some risky trends. Now this is no excuse for bad fashion choices, rather an opportunity to really spice up your normal outfit with some funky, colorful additives... the icing if you will. 

Here are some hints:

Guys:

=try the shrunken suit...it's the idea of tailoring on speed...takes a lot of guts

= aviators...they're back!

=vests...from the fall, but in light fabrics and colors make the transition to spring and summer

Girls:

= go bold with nail polish...try bright yellow, bold orange, or creamy blues

=tribal jewelry is very trendy...rope necklaces, braided bracelets, wood earrings

=circular sunglasses...the bigger and darker the better

Takes some adventure. Really go wild and put as much of your personality into your style as possible. Don't be afraid to take a risk, who knows? It could be the next big thing!

A sample

So if you are interested in a stylist, I thought I would give you a sample of what my ideas tend to be.

My high school friend, ARK, is a music major in college and is performing a senior piece, she laughed and said if I styled her she would invite me, I quickly nodded. First, a description of her. She is gorgeous! And she doesn't even know it. Tall, thin, dark skin, dark hair, and great bone structure, she seriously missed her calling for modeling. Knowing it would be an evening event and she would be on stage I recommend this: black wide-leg, high waisted buttoned trousers with single pleats, no back pockets. A dark purple, tight, crew neck, short sleeved T-shirt, thick and soft enough to not be your average T-shirt, with floral embellishment on the right shoulder that comes down to cover the right collar bone area, the floral color would be light, pink or white. She always wears her hair down, so I think this would be a great opportunity to experiment with a messy, low bun, no hair in the face. The make-up would be very light, only dark eyeshadow to bring out her brown eyes. The shoes would be kept simple, nice patent leather black pumps, opaque tights. Gold circular studs would be her only jewelry. 

My other friend, Savoy, was having serious graduation outfit problems. She had two college graduations to go to and one dress. This was J. Crew's Three Way dress in a rich melon. We thought it was a great buy, and were only slightly bothered by the fact that it was supposed to be in the mid sixties the whole weekend. Saturday was graduation one (cousin): melon outfit as dress, which means it fell at the knee. Due to the cooler weather she wore a sweater over the dress and belted it slightly above the natural waist. Big earrings brought out the golden flats she wore to keep the outfit family friendly. 

Sunday was UVA graduation and I was responsible for four outfits if you include myself:

Savoy: melon outfit as skirt, made it tea length (half way between the knee and the ankle) with oversized blue deep V-neck JCrew T-Shirt tucked in and light floral belt over the skirt. She wore an off white sweater opened over the top and golden flats.

Leary: the graduate: blue silk, chiffon knee length dress, came into a low mock turtle neck with the sleeves cut out and seaming to create an empire waist. She did medium make up coverage with a red gloss for lips and eyeliner. To aid in the walking and graduating in the grass she wore strappy flat sandals to make the dress more casual.

My Mom: so my mom came to support Leary (did I mention I've known her since we were 13?). She had shown me the dress she was planning on wearing: a white dress with short sleeves, slight boat neck, natural waist, and A-line skirt with grey floral pattern. When I saw it, I recommend neutral, strappy, heels, a very good footwear trend of the season. She got patent leather Steve Madden peep toed stilettos. I was so proud!

Me: I was having true difficulties due to the weather. I decided on wide leg plain front black trousers, an orange tunic that came above the knee with a beaded neckline, a deep V back, and a seamed empire waist. I added an accented beaded African bracelet, gladiator brown 4 inch wedges, and simple gold earrings. 

I have more, but this is a good start! 

Local and Chain

Good Places to shop can be hard to find, especially if you are not blessed with 5th Avenue near by. Since I am a Charlottesvillian at this point here are some good local places to check out:

~ boutique boutique: on the Downtown Mall--earth friendly clothing

~ the shoe store next door: next to boutique boutique and owned by the same people

~ elsie garden: boutique style women's fashion (the only place in Charlottesville that sells TOMS shoes) also on the Downtown Mall

~ Antics: vintage goodies :off Downtown Mall (good men's selection)

~ elosie: water street downtown: women's fashion

~ Cha Chas: great for odds and ends

~ don't underestimate the accessories available at the stands places throughout the Downtown Mall

Some awesome chain stores in the Charlottesville area:

+Downtown:

=Urban Outfitters: Downtown Mall's newest addition in the old Hardware Store

+Barracks Road Shopping Center

=Banana Republic

= Ann Taylor Loft

= Old Navy

= Ashfield (women's clothing)

+ Fashion Square Mall

= J. Crew

= GAP

= EXPRESS

= Abercrombie and Finch

= Ann Taylor

= New York and Company

= Belk

= Journey's Shoes

= Nine West

Hopefully this will make shopping easier!

Places to Shop

There is a great misconception that men and women cannot shop together, and I want to dismiss that immediately...FALSE!! 

It takes two patient people to go shopping no matter what sex it is. Girls, remember that no one can read your mind as much as you believe your best friend can, so cut the guy, brother or boyfriend, some slack if he does not know how to answer the "Does this ruffle make my butt look like the stepmother in Cinderella?" question, he probably hasn't seen that movie in 15 years!

Guys, shopping to girls, is an art of which each piece must be inspected and noted for beauty and form or lack thereof. Be patient. 

Both of you remember to have fun and enjoy hearing the comments that you have. And be honest, nothing is worse than feeding your friend information that is unnecessary and ends up in bad fashion choices.

Places where the two of you can shop:

1. JCrew

2. Urban Outfitters

3. The GAP

4. Old Navy

5. Target

6. Abercrombie & Finch

These places have a good men's and women's sections while the store shares common fashion style in both genders. Also, there are enough staff of both genders to help both shoppers if need be. 

If you want to shop for shoes together, my best suggestion is department stores. (Clothes shopping in department stores is very segregated so unless you don't like the person, I wouldn't recommend it.)

And remember: HAVE FUN!!

This One is For the Boys

I haven't forgotten you menfolk...in fact it was while in the men's department at Urban Outfitters in Charlottesville I decided to write this blog. So here are some thoughts to make your wardrobe picture perfect.

First we must discuss man sandals, there is just nothing attractive about them. And I know that if women can wear them you want to also, I have no real advice because I really just do not know what to say. But think about this, men will always look very attractive in sneakers, always, especially white. Go bold with color and you will earn big brownie points to any girl. Simple is always good for the summer. Good places to start are Sperry's, Keds, K Swiss, VANS, and Converse...all readily available on the web. If you insist on a sandal please beware of fit and if your Grandfather would wear them. If he would, then you shouldn't. 

Things you should wear:

- layers...including scarves...yes you can!

- white--top and bottom

- linen pants

- light, in color and weight, jeans: women don't really, so this is a genre of clothing you can totally own, a nice baggy look is great if you are thinner to average weight

- watches--bring back a manly leather watch and don't be surprised about how well it is received

- summer blazer: light in fabric, an out of season jacket can be spotted a mile away

Point of consideration: fragrance, when the seasons change so should your cologne, try a lighter version of something you are currently wearing, dark fragrance will not correctly match the current temperature or what you are wearing!

Good Luck! Be Brave!

For those interested:

With the time of year being one of long sunny afternoons here are some things to keep in mind:the crucial top ten things for early summer (May/June)

10. summer cardigan: think color! and the more detail in the buttons the better...the GAP is currently selling their summer cardigan in many colors with a classic V-neck...great for those long walks on the beach ;)

9. the summer tote: the big bag is never just a thing of fall academia, this piece is crucial to hold all those things we women still accumulate in the summer (sunglasses, juicy romance novels, sunscreen, etc.)

8. the loved/dreaded swimsuit: I for one am not a fan, but it is VITAL that everyone have at least one swimsuit they love. Flattering shapes and colors are out there for every size. Remember to emphasize what you like about yourself and dial down the flaws, this means solid darker shapes to hide the flaws and brighter colors and patterns to accentuate the positive

7. short shorts are a no-no: never should one's shorts be the length of the person's pinky finger wearing them...NEVER...this doesn't have anything to do with body image but with taste.  No self respecting person should walk around Target with shorts at an inch inseam. A respectable short can go from community service to the night life...think at least 3 inches, though I personally think 5 is a great compromise

6. CUT OFFS! bring back the 70s by cutting those fall jeans into uber stylish shorts...the cutting alone will be a liberating feeling

5. artistic T-shirts: one of the trends this spring and early summer are artistic tees...what this means is that T-shirts are now coming with embellishments to make an old favorite a little more modern. The great thing is that this spans all price points and all ages. From the twenty-somethings to their Moms..everyone can participate in this trend. 

4. The headband: nothing makes a better entrance than a fresh face and nothing shows that off like a sleek updo decorated by a simple headband...this also gives the opportunity to show some style, a headband can be simple for work and jazzy with peacock feathers for night

3. sandals: not flip-flops, not heels, but real honest to goodness sandals with straps and rubber soles

2. belt: warm weather is no time to skimp out on this accessory. with a shirt, dress, or your shorts, the belt above the natural waist always accentuates the thinnest part of the female form...go crazy with colors, textures, and widths

1. The big book: crazy as it might sound coming from a fashionista, the best thing to put in that large tote is a great book, no matter what it is, it is sure to help beat the heat

WELCOME!!

Hello All!! 

Welcome to my new blog. :) Yay! So the purpose of this blog is going to be for me to start a little business I started doing for friends months ago. Here is the deal. This is going to be all about fashion. I am going to write about what I read and what I see that is fashion related, and then depending on what you see, you can contact me for styling opportunities. Not to toot my own horn but I am really good at this. I can style for any event no matter how big or small. 

Soon, there should be comments and reviews of what I have done in the past. This is going to be a word of mouth sort of thing, so get those ideas flowing! 

May the shopping begin!!