What to Wear?

Does this look familiar?

• Standing in your closet only to haphazardly grab an old standby or miraculously put together a polished look of perfection.

• What drives your fashion selection?

• How do you choose what to wear?

• Are your choices based on perception? The way in which you see yourself or the image in which you want to portray.

• Or do you select an ensemble based on your mood or the mood you want to evoke from others?

• How do you determine What to Wear?!?

Think. Discuss. Comment.

Ciao'

Photo courtesy: InStyle

Inside celebrity closets: Jamie Lynn Siegler

Incognito: Chic Sunglasses

Should sunglasses always be expensive???

No, but they MUST always be fabulous!

• In a recent conversation with a girlfriend/client in desperate need of some new sunnies I recommended investing. Upon returning to my own closet and surveying my own sunglass collection I realized...the more the merrier!

Stylist Tip: Consider your face shape when selecting styles

• Triangle: narrow forehead, wider at cheeks & chin. Style: Aviator to create balance.
• Round: measures equally in width and length. Style: Angular narrow frames or rectangular frames to break up the roundness.
• Oval: perfectly symmetrical. Style: lucky gals everything looks spot on! Try wrap around for a modern vibe.
• Diamond: High cheekbones, narrowness at the eye line and jaw. Style: Square, rimless frames to balance the widest and narrowest parts of the face.
• Oblong: longer than it is wide. Style: frames that are deep from top to bottom or have decorative temple details which draw the eye to the middle of the head and balance the length of the face.
• Square: broad forehead and strong jaw line. Style: narrow frames such as oval, round or cat eye.
• Heart: wide top and tapers down toward the chin. Style: narrow on top and wider on bottom, rimless and light color shades.

So, whether you're planning to invest in a timeless pair that will last summer after summer or trying out the latest trend consider your shape before selecting your style!

Ciao'

Savvy Selections: L to R/T to B

Banana Republic Holly $98.00

Charlie Aviators Urban Outfitters $16.00

Dolce & Gabbana Cable Sunglasses $159.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs $99.00

Marc by Marc Jacobs Metal Tipped $98.00

Round Emma Sunglasses $11.00

Banana Republic Sarena $78.00

Cheap Monday Night Watch $35.00

Beach Bound: Chic Summer Tote

Sunscreen...check.

Sunglasses...check.

Chic Summer tote...

Check!

Just because you're taking a break from life and off to the beach or pool does not give you a break from being stylish!

• Glam up your flip flops and bikini with a chic canvas tote.

• Select a neutral color that has just a pop of color. Neutrals mix easily with your beach/pool wear and wash the best without fading.

• If you must have color, select a base color such as red, green or turquoise....all mix perfectly with beachy brights.

• Leave your leather notable bags at home...it just looks out of place and silly to see a perfect put together gal on the beach with a Louis Vuitton Speedy...even if it is from the Multicolore Murakami line!

• Think: Sand, Sun & Surf...casual, chic and comfortable.

• Totes large enough to toss in a pretty pair of gladiators and skirt for a quick change and chic enough to carry for meeting up for cocktails after your day in the sun!

Ciao'

Left to Right:

Canvas with leather trim $195.00

Canvas island tote $49.50

Large canvas tote $39.50

Walk Outside Your Fashion Box

Look I'm loving: adding edge to feminine dresses.

Step outside your typical fashion repertoire and mix up a bit of rocker-chic with glamour gal.

Whilst standing in your closet deciding what to wear to that summer bash don't grab the expected frilly frock and strappy sandals.

Think: Olivia Palermo, Rachel Bilson, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Be the socialite of the season by taking a cue from the aforementioned muses whom are known for their knack of mixing couture with vintage and inexpensive lines.

A la Gunn: "Make it Work":

• Strapless feminine floral under a cropped tuxedo jacket and studded peep toe booties
• Belt a cardigan over a white lace dress and wear the suede booties from Steve Madden
• Old school glamour meets urban chic by mixing a full skirted ruched dress with the caged platforms
• Pair a pleated skirt, fitted tank and cropped denim jacket with the bold buckle peep toe

The difference between looking 'put together' and being stylishly dressed: Confidence!

Ciao'

Left to Right:

Steve Madden Roaar $109.95

Pelle Moda Kammi Cutout Bootie $209.00

BCBGirls Dana Peep Toe Ankle $66.00

Ruched Buckle Booties $32.99

Short & Sweet

Whether you are casually comfortable in cargos or classically polished in bermudas this seasons trends are showing some leg!

Paired with flat gladiator sandals, strappy wedges or even platform pumps shorts can easily become your go-to favorite for all of your summer socializing.

Casual in Cargos:

• Keep them simple as your outfit will become too fussy if paired with other items with pockets. A classic tee, tank or button down rolled at the sleeves will give you a clean chic look with very little effort.
• Add girly touches such as a sheer blouse with a ruffle hem, a delicate bag, or beaded metallic sandals to add femininity to your otherwise boyish shorts.
• Day to Night: Switch out your flats to strappy wedges, add a few delicate chain necklaces & an oversize clutch.

Polished in Bermudas:

• Anything goes with this length short...as it serves as a short version of a pencil skirt. Pairs easily with all of your basic pieces including vests and blazers (cotton blend only please).
• Layer a tank with a belted cardigan or a sheer blouse. Keep proportions in mind by adding more volume at the top or selecting longer length tops.
• Day to Night: Strap on some platform sandals, loose the cardigan and add a statement necklace & cocktail ring.

Enjoy the heat. Shed some layers. Show some leg!

Ciao'

Belted Linen Cargo $49.50

Hip Slung Bermuda $39.50

Tres Blanc: Chic White Denim

Temperatures are on the rise and as with everything else in the closet: denim is also getting lighter!

I'm loving the pairing of chic white denim with metallic flats.

Actually, I'm really loving metallic flats and think they add a certain chicness to white denim!

Think: Kate Bosworth, Jackie O., Ivanka Trump. Simple elegance.

Stylist Tip: white denim can be tricky in that it can sneakingly cause you to appear larger follow this advice and never be fooled!

• Boot cut or straight styles are universally more flattering in that the break at the knee will create a slimmer line along the thighs. So unless you have stick pins (Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham) steer clear of skinny leg styles.
• Fitted to flatter does not translate to tight and tacky. You have one butt and that is the only one we want to see in white denim. Do as Heidi Klum: 'a butt check'!
• Hem hem hem! Ask your tailor for an original hem and no one will know the difference. Nothing is worse than dirty white jeans...so don't walk on them.

Be creative with your sandals! Metallic. Beaded. Or braided. Simple styling is all you need to pull of this must have denim trend for summer!

Ciao'

Denim Clockwise:

Rich & Skinny Rich Boot cut White $87.60

Joes Jean Honey $159.00

Kenneth Cole 5 pocket $79.00

Sandals Clockwise:

Matt Bernson Bronze Woven $178.00

Emma Pink Nita $69.00

Wanted Off $50.00

What to Wear: Mother's Day Lunch/Brunch

Meeting Mother for lunch or brunch....celebrate her day and your style!

Talking with friends or clients we often discuss what cues we took or did not take from our mothers.

As a child I was always dressed 'to the nines' or immaculately put together by a sophisticated, elegant and conservative mother.

My mother being a white collar professional was always dressed to impress: "You never know who you might happen to run into." And yes, that includes the late night run to the grocery store...sweatpants are NOT optional!

Rarely caught in a pair of jeans and always wearing pantie hose under trousers (I never really understood that one!) she was the epitome of class and sophisticated glamour.

Jewelry was never for frill but rather quality: "Spend your money wisely and make purchases count." If you can only afford one piece make it investment worthy!

"Hem lengths should always be age appropriate and for goodness sake once your hips can handle children...stay out of the junior department!" This one I adapted a bit...but the point through observation was still achieved.

Never one to look back on a photo and regret her image...avoiding fashion faux pas 'transcend time, travel & trends'.

I may not have taken all of my mother's fashion advice and often rebelled (as I sit writing this in boyfriend destroyed jeans, gladiators & a black tuxedo blouse)...but I did learn the invaluable lesson of being true to my style.

Never compromise for fashion and to be endearingly chic...always dress for me!

Ciao'

Silk twist-back dress vintage navy $59.99

Hammered dew drop necklace $49.00

Bright party ring coral $49.00

Venafro tie dye button bag orange $34.99

Mia Hydra gold $70.00

Muse of the Moment: Diane Kruger

A Chanel muse that is often seen in Valentino, Burberry and 3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane Kruger has mastered the art of dressing for the red carpet. Fortunately, her street style is every bit of fabulous!

Currently I've been keeping my eye on her effortlessly chic way of dressing for daily activities, date nights or casual red carpet events.

Her style is attainable...thus my reasoning of selecting her for this month's Muse of the Moment.

• Mixing a simple black & white scarf from jeans & a tee to a basic grey t-shirt dress gives her an updated look, transitions from season to season, and adds a touch of drama.
• Wearing the same black peep toe pumps with skinny jeans and a belted white mini displays her knack for minimal accessories and spot on use of a basic pump.
• Pairing gray with white and black give elegance to monochromatic looks.

Her overall attire is typically simple and classic...a truly dedicated Chanel muse. Her 'drama' or 'pop' comes in the form of accessories.

Playing with colored pumps, a studded bag, scarves, mixing neutrals with dark and using a cross-body bag all add interest to her outfits.

Take a cue from this muse...add a touch of edge to your classic look with interesting accessories...highly attainable!

Ciao'

Check out these savvy spots for your edge:

Forever21

Rimistyle

Shop2Lux

Shop Distinction