You Want Me to Wear What?  

I remember at the age of 9, my inner fashionista paired plaid shorts with a floral-printed shirt. I felt great in the combo, just fabulous, but then my grandmother patiently informed me that printed tops belong with solid, same-color bottoms.  This norm was further forged growing up in “Middle America,” with the only revision to the rule being jeans counted as the infallible "solid color" pant-wear to dress in daily. But now as I type, 15 years later, wearing a bright, neon yellow pencil skirt with a floral top in sky blue, I know the matching-solid-with-a-print rule IS NOT enforced on the runway, nor should it be in my wardrobe. I’ve noticed three striking, common, designer combinations you may want to consider:

The Mix-Match

 Mono-color Separates

The Off -color Match-up

All of which, sadly,don't step off the runway into my world hardly enough.

The Look:

The Mix-Match: 

I noticed a TJ Maxx add yesterday where the model wore navy tribal printed pants and a turquoise and crème striped shirt. It seems as if mixing prints is hitting mainstream America. Although it is the modern style, something that will probably separate this decade from the last, mixing prints is definitely not new to the runways. In fall 2000, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, and Fendi all sported clothing mish mashes, just to name a few.

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Fendi fall 2000

I will say though, fashion has become a lot edgier in recent years, particularly in mixing prints. Just look at Marc Jacob’s fall 2000 show, compared to his fall 2012. It’s a great example of fashion becoming funkier with coordination as of late.

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Mar Jacobs fall 2000

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Marc Jacobs fall 2012

Tip: Start by mixing prints in the same color family, and sizing scheme. So, for example, if you have a skirt with small polka dots in red and white, opt for a top with small floral print, as opposed to larger, in a red and white. Think Stella McCartney for spring 2012.
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Stella McCartney spring 2012

The Look:

Mono-color separates:

This look simply consists of a top and bottom in the same color. The first thing that comes to mind is Blumarine Fall 2011, when Anna Molinari sent out a pair of sexy purple trousers topped with a purple turtleneck. By the time the yellow and orange renditions strutted out, this color on color pairing seemed so right, but still, so wrong? It’s just that I never see anyone wear this! When I speak for myself, my instincts say, ‘All the same color? Boring!  Where is the fun?’  And of course, that grandmother figure is still in my head, shaking her own disapproving head. But the result is bold, not boring, and oh so chic! Sometimes minimal creates the most appeal.  (Don’t believe me; check out Calvin Klein, the epitome of minimal cool, any season! But for spring ’12, Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa sent out a slew of one-tone match ups for your fancy).

Tip: Try contrasting fabrics when you're not contrasting with color.


Calvin Klein spring 2012

Tip: Stick to long, slimming cuts because they, along with the mono-tone, elongate your body.

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Blumarine fall 2011

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Bluamrine fall 2011

The Look:

The Off-Color Match Up

 Sometimes, however, a solid color with a print is effective, but perhaps , the combo packs the most heat when the solid color doesn’t match the color of the print exactly. Furthermore, two completely different colors can create a very pleasing aesthetic. My personal fav is blue and yellow, indicated by what I’m wearing and mentioned earlier. A favorite of the fall ’12 runway was pink and red, seen at Dior, and Dries von Furstenberg.
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Dior fall 2012

Tip: Take a color from a print and then pair it with a solid tone in the same color family, seen here with the darker and lighter shades of pink by Balenciaga Fall 2012.  It’s more chic than a dead on match.

Balenciaga fall 2012

And sometimes, the traditional pairing of a print with a matching color just works. I absolutely adore Chanel's matching line-up for fall 2012. I guess rules are meant to be broken, but not all the time.




Chanel fall 2012

Chanel fall 2012



The Invisible Shirt You Must See

Almost all of us have at least one of these- a top that intentionally does not completely cover, whether it be a lace throw over, an embroider patchwork cardigan, or a sheer blouse.  They all can inevitably lead you to ask, “What do I wear underneath?” This can complicate the dressing process so much that you avoid wearing your pretty little see-through shirt all together. There is a solution, a very easy, simple one, almost as clear as your skin in your peek-boo- top, and that is a nude colored body tank. 

A nude colored tank does not distract from the true sight to behold, and that is your main cover up.  A common inclination is to wear a white shirt underneath, but this can be the worst possible choice. Check out the differences a nude tank makes as opposed to a white one in these looks:

Although a nude tank is an easy solution to dressing, believe it or not, it is not an easy find! Online, the affordable stores that come to mind, such as Hanes, Target, and Kmart, do not offer any nude camis! I even came up empty handed at Victoria Secret, Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe online. Gap.com is your best, and seemingly only, bet for a quality nude cami. Try their Body Support Cami in Light Nude for $22.50. If you like everything on your bod to be luxurious, then check out HerRoom.com, where you will find pricey nude tanks, such as one by Donna Karen for $52.

I guess the easiest solution is sometimes the hardest to get your hands on. But if you pass by a nude tank ( I have the hunch they are easier, and cheaper, to find away from the computer), snag it! It's one of the most affordable, greatested investments for your wardrobe, even though no one will see it.  

Everyday this week I Dressed Up and Wrote Down. Here are my seven looks for you to Try, all with true and tested Tips.

Day 1: 

I’m a Princess 

Try: ...A pink and purple pairing. 

Tip: Keep the two tones both ultra soft for a feminine touch. Seek luxurious materials such as satin and cashmere, as well as sparkly details that make you feel like a girl playing dress up. Check out Valentino’s F/W 2012 runway looks for lovely spins on rouges, as well as Alberta Ferretti’s play with pink and purple in here Philosophy line for F/W 2012.

Day 2:

Casual Prim 

Try: ...A graphic tee with a feminine, printed skirt.  

Tip: Balance and add edge to a a high waisted, short, preferably aline skirt with a printed tee. It creates that cool contrast between girly/tomboy, dressy/casual, plus a smart graphic can be a visual treat when complimented with a print, such as the floral one seen here. Check out Dior Fall/Winter 2012 for some great skirt inspiration, as well as Dolce & Gabbana, and Mochino Cheap and Chic F/W 2012 for some  cutely paired examples. Be sure to tuck your tee in, with option to tie in with a simple belt. This look is especially right for those who want to show off their trim waist. 

Day 3: 

A Play on Hems

Try: ...A shorter-hemline skirt under a long tunic. 

...A chain belt, such as this gold one, to enliven and sexify simple looks and color schemes,  such as this one. 

...Brightly colored boots, especially if you wear a lot of black, gray, or beiges. They will complete your wardrobe with an ease and pop. 

Tip: Don’t match the peek out skirt the exact same shade or even color as seen on tunic.  For example, say you have a dark green and white printed tunic, then opt for a lime green, or even purple short skirt to peek out for optimal visual effect. Check out Isabel Marant’s F/W 2012 collection for this look. 

Dries Van Noten introduced fire engine red booties and  Diane Von Furstenberg inspired with shiny gold belts, both on black and white ensembles. 

Day 4:

Winter’s Sun 

Try: ...Yellow in winter paired with heavy cover ups and add ons in black. 

...Black/gray leopard print with yellow. 

Tip: Bring on brightness in the gray of winter with yellow. Combine a black and white texture or print with a black leopard print. As long as you keep your leopard print in the same color family, you can almost always add it to the mix for heightened style. 

Wear your classic  pearl necklace over a top, especially a turtle neck, for a girly, classy touch. Check out Donna Karan’s F/W 2012 collection for this accessorized look.

Day 5: 

Spring in Winter 

Try: ...A turtle neck under a Summer/Spring dress. Think Celine, F/W 2011. 

Tip: Tie in a turtle neck with a matching belt, it will balance the airy, light quality of your favorite warm weather frock,  and anchor, as well as add weight to the look, thus creating a more heavy, winterized appeal. For a further glimpse, check out Léonard F/W 2011 take of a cream dress lightly printed with flowers, and fully winterized with a black turtle neck and fasten at waist. 

Day 6:  

The Black Canvas 

Try: ...Bold add ons for your favorite plain, black dress. Three winning choices? A bright, bold colored boot or heel, a statement belt, and colorful, chic neck scarf. 

Tip: Seek complimenting colors for your accesories without being too matchy matchy, such as this boot’s bright red with the scarfs vibrant, yellow and cobalt. Check out Ralph Lauren’s F/W 2011 collection, where black ensembles are spiked with emerald green and bright red tassel necklaces and earrings, as well as silver buckle belts. 



Your Wardrobe Weapon: The Track Attack

Do you ever stare at your closet in a confused daze when trying to decide what to wear? Do you know there have been times where you liked what you wore, but more often, you end up feeling less than enthused with what you put haphazardly together? 

Simply put, a wardrobe tracking system keeps record of what you wear on a daily basis, but can be utilized for complex solutions to optimizing your wardrobe. It’s so easy to forget looks that work, ones that definitely do not, or target the right pieces for a given occasion, but with a simple tracking system, you can record looks that make you look and feel good, and ones that don’t, and therefore create go-to outfits that make dressing easy. Imagine, packing for a trip by simply scanning a simple list, a list that is so easy to formulate. Or even referring to a list for those days you are staring clueless in front of your closet. 

The following are easy steps to get you started in wardrobe tracking. But first, here are a few things to set straight: 

It’s ok to wear the same thing twice. It’s far better to have a designated, classy outfit, for a given occasion (like a “Camping Look”) than to wear something not as stylish, just because it is different than last time. 

The only exception where it is ok to wear outfits you don’t love are days when you are experimenting with your clothes. Try new looks out, like for example, when you purchase a new piece you still need to incorporate with your wardrobe. Don’t worry, the following tracking system will prevent an experiment from turning into a repeat fashion offense. You wont discover looks you love without daring to wear new ones.  

Now for the tracking system: 

-Buy a notebook, I like a pad, more of than a spiral, because it is easy to flip through the pages. Keep it in a convenient spot. For me, it is in a larger bowl slid under my dresser, with a pencil saving my spot. 

-Write down what you wear everyday. If you change within a day, write that down too. Even record exercise clothes- why not love what you wear to the gym too? Include accessories, which means jewelry, belts, shoes and bags. Me personally, sometimes I leave accessories out, so when I wear an outfit again, I get some fun in re-picking them out. 

-Develop a short hand. 

           Just add color or descriptive word....

BW: black and white (like striped bw) 

Pencil: pencil skirt (like green pencil)

Skinnies: skinny pants (like black skinnies)

Skinny: skinny belt  (like brown skinny) 

Peep-toe: peep-toe (like leopard peep-toe) 

Multi: multi-colored (like multi-colored sweater)

-Every week, look over list of daily records, and star the ones that you enjoyed wearing.

-Make a list of all starred outfits. An easy way to categorize it is by season. For example, make a list for “Spring”, and add your favorite outfits to that list as the season goes on. The great thing about Spring is, when Fall comes around, you can practically use the same list. 

-Use your season lists as a go-to resource for what your best outfits are for the following scenarios:  

Packing for a trip

Special Occasions

Dates 

but most importantly, ANY AND EVERY DAY! Everyday, you are out in the world, and deserve to put your best outfit forward. 

-Go more in depth, if you wish, by creating more categories for your starred items. Try some of the following: 

Casual Day/Night 

Dressy Day/Night 

Work Clothes 

Please Wear Again

-You can also list specific looks: 

Meet the Parents 

Move Day 

Job Interview 

Other things you can do with your wardrobe tracking: 

When you are trying on outfits, you might like something you put together, but don’t what to wear it right then. So write down this outfits under “Please Wear.” When you want to wear something fresh, this is a good go-to list. It’s so easy to forget your ideas, so put em down on paper! 

When you are putting looks together, sometimes you find yourself saying, “If I only had a red skirt, this outfit would be great!” Well, write red skirt down under “Please Buy.” Refer to this list for your next shopping trip, that way you buys items that will enhance your wardrobe.  

Psychologists all agree, tracking down any behavior causes improvement in that area. By simply writing what you wear everyday, who knows, on a rainy day you might find yourself looking over your note pad and coming to some great, personal fashion realizations. You’re guaranteed at least some solid fashion reminders. Imagine waking up, knowing exactly what you will be wearing And it’s fabulous. No more staring at your closet. 

Hints from the Runway

Try some of these easy pairings to add a little designer to your look (No budget needed!)

Black Shirt:White Collar 

Seen at Calvin Klein, DKNY and Louis Vuitton, this classic combo creates simple, instant polish. Try a rounded collar for a more modern take.

DKNY

Turtle Neck:Sweater

Seen at Celine, with slick trousers. Also pair your fall turtleneck with a collarless coat, a classic trench, or a fur vest.

Celine

Bright Tights

Seen at Fendi. Pair with a neutral knee length skirt, and a patterned top that picks up the color of the tights. Plaid is a smart fall option, as are ankle strap pumps.

Fendi

White Button Up:Black Skirt 

Seen at Ralph Lauren. Every woman should own a classic white button up and black skirt. Ralph Lauren makes the two staples fresh again. Simply add accessories with hints of color. Lauren went with green add-ons and red lips. A belt with a center buckle is the perfect way to complete the look.

Ralph Lauren

Socks:Booties 

Seen at Dries Van Noten, Dior and Marc by Marc Jacobs. If you will be sporting black booties next season, take a hint from Dior and opt for over-the-rim black socks or bunched leg warmers (not too thick). Or, just as well, bring in color. Try a deep fall tone, like rich burgundy. Also, bringing a pattern to the leg, perhaps peeped out of a snakeskin boot, as seen below, adds ultra cool interest.

Dries Van Noten

Q:   

If I can only buy one new piece of clothing for the Fall, what should it be?

A: 

Possibly because it adds instant elegance, offers bountiful versatility and layering options, and appeared on many Fall 2011 runways, the neck-tie blouse is your one must-have item. You can find the necktie top in many variations, from glamourous evening gowns to low-key button ups. A silk blouse version, in a classic creme, vibrant hue, or black and white graphic, can be dressed up or down, layered with fall vests, cardigans, sweaters or jackets and paired with pencil skirts, trousers, and even jeans. Tied high or tied low, in a bow or just a fold, over or under, this is the piece that feels new everyday. Gucci, probably the most, tied many of its great looks with a bow:

Gucci 

*Style note: Layer with a sweater, belt it with a skinny, and drape over with a long pendant 

*Style note: A scarf can cast the same effect. Try a plunging V neck and tie to the side. 

Other ensembles, wrapped up nicely:

Dior 

Chanel 

Yves Saint Laurent 

Dolce & Gabbana 

Alberta Ferretti 

Salvatore Ferragamo 

I Valentino

I consider Valentino to be my favorite collection of RTW Fall/Winter 2011-2012. Valentino 's dedication to true elegance always impresses me, but this season I fell in love with the romantic, soft, polished looks, one after another.

House designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciolo's creations shined in sheer panelling, glittery textures, rose lace, vivacious furs, and delicate gowns.

Pink powdered nudes, in monochromatic pairings, to deep burgundies, in classic silhouettes and detailed frocks, ranged with prevalence, as blacks, greens and blues spotted the color palette, sometimes in the form of a breezy pattern.

Sliver thin belts tied the looks together, adding delicacy to the already ultra feminine, light pieces, and block toned pumps with black ankle straps finished off the lady-like demure.

Need a wardrobe fix? This skirt makes many looks, here are six:

The Peice: A white chiffon, high-waisted skirt printed with black sketch art. Think sketch book page on article of clothing.

American Apparel $42

Look 1:

A turtle neck and full skirt pair for elegant appeal. Combine a black and white print with your favorite color- you can't go wrong.    

Look 2: 

A tied button up meets a high waisted skirt perfectly. Opt for a classic blue collared shirt. It keeps your look casual but still smart. 

Look 3:

A plain tee tones down a chiffon skirt. Pair the killer combo with lace up wedges;  they add the extra needed dose of sexy. 

Look 4:

A black and white printed item mixes well with a neutral and a pop of color.  Invest in a quality, neutral toned cardigan-your wardrobe will thank you.

Look 5: 

A long tunic can lay over a full skirt, causing a nice peek of fabric at the hemline.  Do not be afraid to add stripes and leopard print into the mix; browns serve a black and white pallet well. 

Look 6 :

A silk-tie shirt compliments the softness of the skirt.  Use black and white, texture like prints-they add interest.