The title has nothing to do with the post….but it’s catchy isn’t it?! For our final day of Shoe Week, Blueprint thought it wise to leave on the ‘good foot’ (LOL!) so, wanted to provide the shoes that every stylish and sophisticated wardrobe should not be without. Unlike yesterday’s shoes that were fun, and more trendy and whimsical, the following shoes are ones that should be purchased with a cobbler in mind, your credit card in hand, and a good friend
Question: How long has Blueprint for Style been around? Answer: “about two years” Correct Answer: 23 months Winner: Rnett .
In an effort to be fiscally responsible which is, admittedly, not one of my favorite past-times and to offer some insight into remaining stylish amidst this economic crisis, today’s Shoe Week post is for those shoe finds under $100!!! While they may not get you through every occasion, you’ll have about 75% of them cover….with a few extras for those special outfits! The most common sites (bookmark these!) include yesstyle.com, piperlime.gap.com, modcloth.com. revolveclothing.com, flyjane.net, heels.com, bakersshoes.com, and lorisshoes.com…let the games
Yesterday the ladies got to pine over some of my favorite shoes (now you know how I feel!) while the gentlemen got to take a look at the most expensive shoes for men — it almost makes it ok for the ladies to purchase more than 1 pair at any sale! For some reason, I’m sure the experience of looking at shoes did not move any of the men the way it moved the ladies….again, blasphemy!! Well today we continue on with Shoe
In honor of Shoe Week, Blueprint researched some wonderfully made but, pricey shoes and thought it worthwhile to share. Most men do not have the same love affair with shoes that women have; in fact, for fully 78% of men, shoes are a necessity rather than a luxury….blasphemy! What separates these shoes from the masses is not only the quality of the leather used but, the time, effort and craftsmanship put into every detail including the soles, stitching, fit and shaping,
Recently I was golfing with a friend in Miami and had the good fortune to have great company and good conversation. I had to purchase golf shoes for the outing and as I looked down at them on a lengthy Par 5 (the new Nike Women’s Air Summer Lite II happen to be the lightest and best ventilated shoe out!), I smiled inside and giggled on the outside….I loved my new golf shoes!! During our conversation, we somehow got on
So, I am just back from a conference in Miami, Florida for the week and as much as it’s a vacation location and the weather dictates something “light”, there was no reason to forego the basic tenets of business attire and professionalism. Enter your friendly (and knowledgeable) Image Consultant whose job it is to focus on development of a framework for managing your personal style.
Tabitha Simmons is a British model-turned-designer and she is debuting a “quirky-chic collection of haute heels”. The shoe collection hasn’t quite taken off in the States yet but, they are at net-a-porter.com and my favorites are the multicolored suede platform pumps! The suede and wedge construction mean they’ll be perfect for fall; the loafer-style buckle and contrast stitching keep it very chic and business-like; and the 4.5 inch heel just says “sexy’…. .
Ok, so as of yesterday, I am just returning from a vacation in Cancun and this post comes out of necessity — I have been witness to a few fashion/style crimes that make this post fun to share! Mismatched but matching tops and bikini bottoms are a YES…at least you have something on! Men in speedos is very European — and some style tips we can leave there! One piece bathing suits can be sexy — you just need to show
Similar to our recent article on Madison’s shopping manifesto, Tucker (our fictitious but charming Fashionelle) wants to turn his everyday uniform of dress slacks and staid button-down shirts into something a little more hip and flexible. Tucker is at a point in his life where he wants to do more international travel, and do more hanging with his guys at some of the annual golf events and music festivals. Let’s run wild with Tucker’s money!
Boyfriend, dark wash, hipster, cropped, skinny, low-rise, trouser, bootleg, slouch, tapered, harem, stretch, distressed, capri, bell bottom, destroyed, straight leg, flared, stonewashed, high-rise, classic, cigarette, high-waisted…with all of these adjectives, which ones do you wear when, and with what?! A few tips to help to determine which ones when, and with what… Darker wash goes into evening easier than stone- or light washes
That question can be answered an infinite number of ways but, for our purposes, we’re going to take debt elimination and empire building off the table….and focus on what Blueprint knows, STYLE! For the sake of argument, we’ll assume Madison (our fictitious but savvy Fashionista) has a closet with most of the building blocks and wardrobe fundamentals but, her conundrum is how to spend her cash (or plastic) on a few key transition items that will alow her to use her business attire and power
That’s the first question and we suppose the answer has to be “yes” because it’s everywhere! So the second question is “how?” Blueprint for Style used its innate style sense and then went on the hunt (LOL!) for some back-up, and here’s what we’ve come up with for the stylish and sophisticated set: 10. Use it sparingly at one time – too much of anything is a bad thing!
“Leisurewear” is a broad term used to describe, in this case, clothing used for lounging or casualwear. Here are a few fun facts for the stylish and sophisticated set! Sleepwear does not equal leisurewear. Leisurewear should not be synonomous with “what I had lying around”. Leisurewear should not consist solely of team jerseys (unless you are tailgating or at a team spirit-like event). Leisurewear can be coordinated and look nice, and doesn’ t have to be slouchy and oversized. Leisurewear should be
Sometimes it can be difficult to take what we see on the runways, or in the magazines and television, or on our favorite celebrity personality and make it work for us. Performing this trick isn’t particularly difficult if you remember a few notable points: Listen to your gut — if it says that shirt feels a little tight then put it back or find a larger size! Runway items are not meant to be worn “as is”— that’s why each
When we say ‘bountiful’ beauties, we are referring to the more voluptuous of us that cannot so easily slither or wiggle into a size 6 or 12 (nowadays people in general seem to be getting bigger and wider, and it is now thought that the average dress size is nearer to measurements of bust 41 inches, waist 34 inches, and hips of 43 inches. These measurements correspond to a size 12, (UK size 14))…yet, for some reason, most mainstream clothing
Ok, it’s not a style must-have but, I can picture at least four different scenarios in which this bomber jacket ($526) would set off an outfit…. Scenario #1: long jean skirt, tall Phallon riding boot, junk tee t-shirt, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #2: cream full skirt, cognac-colored wedge heels, white tee, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #3: skinny jeans, multi-colored ruffled top, some flip flops, and my bomber jacket! Scenario #4: black pencil skirt, black fitted shirt, black tights and
Everyone needs to check out Uptown Social Magazine– get a subscription as soon as possible. They’ll be running an article this week on German travel……it’s haute and if anyone is headed there, (after all, it is once again the mecca for fashion in Eastern Europe), you’ll need the insider information that will be provided! Well Blueprint for Style has lots to say but, we try to balance that with what we think you, the reader, wants to hear. With so much
(Guys and gals) Read on — you’re wondering why a style blog is talking about beauty BUT a large part of presenting the ‘best’ you is about presenting your best ‘game face’…..after all, it is the first thing people see when they see you! I consulted with the owner of Skin Beauty Lounge, an upscale spa in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC and she had this information to share about how to weatherproof your skin for summer:
If you are a collector (or just a lover) of all things vintage, rare, couture, and/or collectible then head to 1stdibs and check out the clothing, jewelry and watches, and furniture, lighting and decor! While you’re there bookmark the page – they get new listings often!! .
I have often used the words “fashion” and “style” interchangeably but, I’m not sure they mean the same thing….or do they? The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion says fashion is, “a sociocultural phenomenon in which a preference is shared by a large number of people of a particular style that last for a relatively short period time, and then is replaced by another style…“. Fairchild defines style as, “in fashion, an individual and distinctive type of dress, coat, blouse, or other
I have some definite know-how when it comes to pulling men’s business attire together but, I don’t know it all. So, I’ve pulled together expertise from a variety of sources, vetted it (some people are not reliable), and created this quick crib sheet on how to coordinate ties, shirts and suits. READ IT – did we get it right?!?
I took some time to review this and, less some of the inane commentary, the article is directionally correct. Blueprint for Style will be doing a follow-up post on specifics (to be included in the Men’s Wardrobe Essentials section along with article) but for now, I want to share a version of Gentleman’s Quarterly‘s insight:
If you screamed “accessories” then you were right! Some of you may have said “jacket,” or “outfit,” or “purse” and, if so, you were wrong….because most people don’t carry multiple jackets, purses or outfits when they leave the house but carrying a few extra accessories is totally reasonable! So you leave the house looking like this in the morning….. You can very easily change it up by removing your jacket and adding (1) a big belt perhaps purple, or (2) a
Here are the staples you should find in any stylish and sophisticated man’s closet: Summer sneaker (not boots or lace-ups): think light, airy and versatile. Make them a little fun with some color—it’s not about matching but about a subdued statement. These Balenciaga men’s sneakers (albeit from 2006) are headed in the right direction
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