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Deciphering Suit Labels

Sounds slightly kitschy huh? But you do know there’s a difference between Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs, right?  Complements of GQ, we investigate three labels today: Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Ermenegildo Zegna. Hugo Boss: (black) BOSS label = traditional, contemporary premium business suits you can find just about anywhere (red) HUGO label = slimmer, progressive styling but with a similar price point (orange) BOSS ORANGE label = trendier, urban, hipper looks with a slightly lower price tag Calvin Klein:

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Italy is Back…in the U.S.

Perhaps a signal that Americans are feeling more confident in the economy, but Italian footwear brands are looking back to the US as a market to expand into. Italian footwear exports were up by 13.3% Italian footwear increased in value by 24.75% in the US last year alone The Italian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association (ANCI) held its recent showcase in New York last week, promoting 15 stand-out Italian brands “The US is now the third largest market after France and Germany” states Fabio Aromatici,

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What To Know About Color

Color is fun, but for some can be a sore subject and one of angst.  Don’t let it!  Here are a few key points to remember so you can make color work for you: Spice up any neutral outfit with a zesty pair of heels If there’s a color you think you love, but doesn’t love you back, rock it using an accessory or below the waist to avoid immediate attention Use your nail polish and accessories to sport colors!

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Winner: Blue Claw Dopp Kit

First off, we were supposed to announce this yesterday….so without further adieu, the winner of the Blue Claw Co dopp kit is – – – Tristian Turner!  Mr. Turner is a traveler who promises to make good use of his new dopp kit…..he also shares with us that he carries Jergens, Shower to Shower, and Burberry!!!

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Chanel’s Denim-Inspired Nail Polish

  Chanel’s Denim Colors: Blue Rebel, Coco Blue, Blue Boy On September 8th, (Fashion’s Night Out) Chanel will launch its denim-inspired line, Les Jeans de Chanel.  This limited edition line will be available September 8th through the end of the montn…and then it’s gone!

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Brian Atwood for Less…?!

I love Brian Atwood — and although I truly believe that designer’s ‘lines for less’ is never quite the same, I can appreciate many of the B Brian Atwood shoes.  Click the pic to preorder! Our rec: any of the knee-high boots will be your best deal…priced under $600 and in classic, Brian Atwood form and styling! B Brian Atwood Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue

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Neutral Fall Must-Have for Men

  It’s a simple tan cotton shirt (this one by Gucci). It will work great under a dark/navy suit with a lighter-colored shirt, or over a crewneck tee to add just a bit of stylish finish to your Saturday garb. This one is an easy choice that will get lots of mileage….

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Yves Saint Laurent: Fall 2011 Collection

Yves Saint Laurent I love the modern, updated classic look and feel of Yves Saint Laurent‘s fall ready-to-wear collection.  It’s very feminine with a hint of 70’s glam; and has a few vibrant colors with a strong hint toward basic black.  i’m sure anyone could have spotted my favorite piece a mile away – – – the leopard print satin dress with three-quarter sleeves and made of silk.

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Casual Dress Rules for Men – Part Deux

  We continue our pursuit/mission to help the professional man dress down….right. There are a few rules to live by — here’s our next 10. (Esquire did a huge list of casual dress rules that we’ve chosen to reduce to the essentials….) A discreet paint or grass stain conveys a sense of lived-in comfort. The same cannot be said for stains from food, dirt, wine, or bodily fluids. That’s just gross. Denim is the center of the casual universe. And some

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Double Dose of Lust!

This Manolo Blahnik snake & fabric d’orsay pump is killer! I’m a neutral-tone girl who loves to add a bit of spice and this is everything nice – – – first, it’s Manolo; the herringbone on the heel is in an earthy, autumn color (ideal for all of my camel!); and the waternsake vamp is just fierce and feminine. Manolo Blahnik

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Fall Trend #2: Handheld Bags

MaxMara We’ve gone through hobos, totes, clutches, etc but this fall it’s all about the semi/structured handheld bag this is all business and total feminine.  They’re hitting the runways and retailers everywhere (check out Neiman Marcus), but hold up just a minute to catch a few of our tips to make sure this is the trend for you and you rock it right: The top handle drop should be between 5 1/2″ to 7″ (not comfortably placed on the shoulder)

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Casual Clothing for Men – Done Right

photo courtesy of Esquire One of the most common questions we receive from our gentlemen readers is about casual dress. Oddly enough, it’s one of the easiest issues to resolve if you know what you want to look like! Esquire provided some great insights and while we don’t agree with all of them (found here), we wanted to share the ones that contribute to a more dapper don…even in jeans! When in doubt: a white oxford shirt That being said,

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Think Exotic Thoughts With Your Blue Claw Dopp Kit

While dopp kits are a gentleman’s travel accessory, we welcome the ladies to go ‘all out’ for their man! Blueprint for Style, in conjunction with Blue Claw Co, are sponsoring a contest to give away a fabulous dopp kit to one lucky winner.  Entry is simple: Tell us where you’d travel with your Blue Claw Dopp Kit and any essentials you’d need! “Like” Blueprint for Style and Blue Claw Co on Facebook The contest will run today through August 21st (winner

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Blue Claw: Rough, Rugged, Down-to-Earth Dapper

Blue Claw Dopp Kit Ever traveled with your S.O. (significant other), husband, partner, etc, and they pulled out one or more plastic bags that look like they were ready for the trash years ago? Well fear no more because Blue Claw Co.’s dopp kit is the answer to a woman’s hotel room horrors and his nagging lady noise! Starting next week, we’ll be giving away one of these fabulous dopp kit’s to one lucky winner.  Why do you want it? It’s just

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Tweople to Follow

@beblogalicious: The place for everything Blogalicious! Updates on the Conferences (Washington, DC October 21-23), Editorial Community, Webinars, Local Area Meetups; All Celebrating Diversity in Social Media. Blogalicious is the brainchild of two very savvy female attorneys named Nyasha (@JusticeNy) and Stacey (@JusticeFergie); and is devoted to increasing diversity in social media! Wow – – – these ladies tweet and retweet what’s relevant as a smart entrepreneur/blogger/business owner/working mom. Women everywhere – rejoice! BTW- yesterday, the ladies sponsored a Twitter party

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Fashion Collab: Missoni & Target

photo courtesy of Racked National The Missoni x Target collaboration will officially launch on a day far, far away…September 13th. The fashion marriage is a full-on lifestyle line featuring all categories (womenswear, menswear, kids, footwear, accessories, bed & bath, home, office, travel, blah blah blah).  Prices will be between $2.99 to $599.99 (we have no ideal what could be that much at Target), but you could pimp you pad in all-Missoni at this rate!

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Louboutin vs. YSL: Who Wins?! Who Loses?

Forget Pacquiao vs. Mosley, the [fashion] fight of the decade is Louboutin vs. YSL.  Boring, gory details are here, but we’ve provided a fab recap of the major points below: Christian Louboutin got the idea for red soles when he painted red nail polish on the black soles of a pair of women’s shoes Louboutin introduced the red sole in 1992, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded the company a trademark for it in 2008, according to the complaint After a court

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For the Month of August….

Fashion dictates that this month’s ‘flash forward‘ is all about….summer and fall (duh!) Summer weather is in full effect (I know because I’m trying to train for a half marathon and the 90+ degree days with humidity are not cool), but retailers are focused on clearing out inventory. Wonderful news for you – – – head to the stores now and (1) price the items you want, (2) purchase anything that is on sale with 50% or more [because while

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Who’s That Girl?

Blueprint for Style has interns….two!  They are both fabulous young ladies who are stylish and fashion-forward in their own right – – – albeit, neither are the same as me, that’s what makes their posts and insights so refreshing.  I wanted to take the time to introduce them and give them their ‘propers’ because they work hard…. The first one to be profiled is Donna who tweets as FearlessBfS and is, in my estimation, a contemporary reincarnation of Madonna back in

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