Style Tips Archives | Page 2 of 4 | Blueprint for Style

Features & Series

Building The Ideal Wardrobe Series

You really want a personal stylist or someone/anyone to come into your closet, twinkle their nose, and create the ideal wardrobe for you. You could get up in the morning, fear-free, and open the door to loads of wonderful treasures; or perhaps prepare for a last-minute trip without having to head to the mall. Call the stylist – that’s one option (I’m available here). I’m certainly not opposed to that as it keeps me employed. The second option is to

2014/02/28

Features & Series

Pronouncing Designer Names

Sure you don’t want to ask anyone (especially if you’re in the store itself) because they may look at you like you don’t belong…. But you do want to know how to correctly pronounce that handbag or suit you want. Yeah – Kanye did it in his song but that’s not real life! We strive for more!! Thank Harper’s Bazaar (one my favorite fashion publications)…. Anna Sui: anna swee Ann Demeulemeester: ann de-mule-eh-meester Azzedine Alaia: azz-eh-deen ah-lie-ah Badgley Mischka: badge-lee

2014/02/19

Buzz

Essence Magazine Style Advice

I’m always honored when friends and clients ask me for advice ~ it’s a chance to share my expertise and what I love; and I get to help someone feel and look better as well. So when Essence Magazine asked for some style advice to share with career women dressing up from day to night, desk to date, day to dinner, I was again honored….and replied quickly. Click the pic to see the style insights I gave for the multifaceted

2013/03/21

Men's Matters

Five Step Plan to Custom Suit Perfection

If you don’t have or want to spend $2,000 on a custom suit, likely no one would look at you sideways ~ that’s a lot of dough. But if you walk around in a suit that is oversized or ill-fitting, you are sure to catch the side eye. The solution: a custom suit for less! Show up in your favorite suit. For most custom clothiers, it’s a skosh easier if you can say “I love this fit. This is my

2012/12/12

Beauty

Style Tip: Lips

Luscious lips are not for the office. High gloss options are messy (and sticky), so go for an easy cream finish that keeps your entire face looking professional.

2012/11/30

Beauty

Style Tip: Hair

It’s a funny thing but, hair that is polished and “in order” creates the perception of an organized mind….so crazy, outta control hair creates the perception of – (you finish the thought)!

2012/11/15

Style Tips

Calling All Questions

There is no dumb style question, so ask away and we’ll commit to give you our best/researched style insight. Ready? Set? Go!

2012/10/08

Color Combo: Sweet & Spicy!

Giambattista Valli & Emma Stone via redcarpet-fashionawards Straight from Giambattista Valli’s Fall 2011 RTW show, onto actress Emma Stone, pinks and reds have definitely made a sweet and spicy fashion mix (& totally rockable for the Holidays)! Get inspired with the look below to brighten up your mood while looking like a delectable treat in these otherwise dreary days of rain. These red hot pants are an extremely versatile choice – both for daytime and nighttime – especially when

2011/12/06

Color Combo: Navy & Brown

Some colors seem like they just won’t mesh well together, and navy with brown might just be one of them… until now! Let us show you how to incorporate these two colors into one stylish ensemble that will have you looking professional and chic for the office while still looking undeniably eye-catching for happy hour cocktails after a long day of fabulousness! By pairing together a standout animal-print bow blouse with a chic pencil skirt, finished off with brown or caramel-hued

2011/11/09

Step 2 To A Wardrobe Winter Wonderland (There Are 8)

Step 2: Show Your Bootie Not literally, but when it comes to winter weather and pant lengths, it’s most stylish to let a little of your boot show (and it saves extra cleaning around the bottom because of salt, slush, etc). Now – – no highwaters please but this is where you can take a little liberty on opting for a pant leg that is a little slimmer than normal. Style note: you should plan to grab a pair of rubbers…for your

2011/11/08

October STYLE Radar

October means fall is here — and aside from summer, it’s my favorite month (plus it’s my birthday and Halloween…who doesn’t like an excuse to dress up?!)! This month should bring about big changes in your closet and with your wardrobe. Whether man or woman, white-collar or roadworker, or living la vida loca in LA or clocking miles in the friendly skies, you’ve got to think about where you want to be, how you want to get there, and how you want to

2011/10/06

Fall Trend #5: Shimmer

Wake up your fall wardrobe with one of the season’s most attention-grabbing trends: shimmer and sheen. If you haven’t already, you will definitely be seeing a lot of glistening sequins, metallics, fringes, and appliques that are set to create a major impact. Forget about the warm weather gradually disappearing as these shiny pieces will instantly give your look a pick-me-up whether during the day or at night. Among the many designers who created gleaming pieces in their collections are Elie

2011/09/27

Fall Trend #4: Plaid

When thinking of plaid, most people may imagine a private school uniform or a Scottish kilt. We assure you that is not the case for this upcoming fall when you shop for tartan pieces to wear the trend. This time around, runways including Carven, Rag & Bone, Burberry Prorsum, and Sonia Rykiel, went mad for tartan plaid and incorporated the pattern in various shapes, forms, silhouettes, and styles. Everything from dresses and skirts, jackets and capes, to handbags and shoes – the

2011/09/13

September STYLE To-Do’s

September is typically one of the hottest in DC and given the recent weather craziness, I suspect that this year will be no different. That said, September is the biggest month in fashion (I have NO ideal how it got to be that way….) so perhaps you can adopt the same philosophy when it comes to your closet! I’ve spent month-upon-month curating my closet and refining my wardrobe so there isn’t a ton to do BUT if you’ve been wayward, here

2011/09/02

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Like your trusty LBD, a piece that’s a must-have to include in your fall wardrobe is a black skirt. Try the Geo skirt by Rogan – with leather side panels, welt pockets, and a mid-rise waistline, it will perfectly accentuate your figure and look super chic. Rumors about Marc Jacobs taking over Dior are gaining more and more attention – would you ladies be excited to see his creations or are you still a fan of John Galliano and feel nobody

2011/08/27

Fall Trend #3: Leather

Preen chiffon dress, $1,125 Bottega Veneta leather dress, $1,800 J Crew leather top, $495 Vince quilted leather jacket, $935 Reed Krakoff wrap around skirt, $1,790 Vince leather skirt, $545 Notify leather pants, $925 Sandro leather pants, $710 Tibi leather shorts, $550 Leather will be seen everywhere this upcoming fall, from shift dresses and a-line skirts to leather-trim coats and tees. It’s no secret that the classic leather jacket has become a popular essential addition to most wardrobes over the last

2011/08/24

10 Tops That Pop!

Give yourself an instant eye-catching look by snagging a top as bright and bold as the ones we’ve featured today. Whether brightly hued or loudly printed (or both!), we’ve got you covered on dressing to be the center of attention with ten tops that pop! Marc Jacobs sleeveless blouse $278 – theoutnet.com Proenza Schouler sheer blouse $550 – net-a-porter.com Miu Miu silk blouse $530 – net-a-porter.com Sonia by Sonia Rykiel silk blouse $435 – net-a-porter.com All Saints sequin tank $98 – allsaints.com Alice Olivia t shirt $200 – net-a-porter.com

2011/08/17

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Karl Lagerfeld‘s Macy’s line has officially debuted! The limited edition line hits 235 Macy’s stores on August 31st and includes pieces ranging from only $50-$70! You can’t really say no to Legerfeld with that price! View the entire line here. It’s no surprise that Kate Middleton made Vanity Fair‘s International Best-Dressed list! The Duchess always looks well put-together and still manages to look incredibly chic even while grocery shopping herself! True royalty. Just because Fall is approaching soon, it doesn’t mean

2011/08/13

Fall Trend #1: That ’70s Glam

Haute Hippie long sleeve button shirt $263 – 25park.com Etro wide leg pants $700 – stylebop.com Pour La Victoire tan pumps $183 – my-wardrobe.com Tory Burch leather clutch 310 – harrods.com Cacharel buckle belt $44 – farfetch.com From wide-leg trousers to platform pumps, the ’70s are back in a big, bold, and glamorous way. This time around, designers have combined classic bohemian flares with modern, essential staples. Filled with vivid colors, loud prints, and ultimate comfort, the ’70s glam trend is completely wearable whether for work or

2011/08/09

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

As if Olsen Twins’ line The Row hasn’t gotten enough recognition and grown tremendously, they’ve just designed cashmere, plaid, and herringbone versions of Toms shoes! Quite cozy and comfy for the fall season to come, snag yours now! Karl Lagerfeld has already collaborated with clothing lines like Diesel and H&M, so it will be no surprise when his affordable collection for Macy’s sells out. The first photograph appears in the August issue of Vogue – a simple $109 floral dress. Kanye

2011/07/23

Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!

Line & Dot tank, $70 Hips can be a problem area for ladies, so as the nice weather continues, opt for a top with a kerchief cut or one that hits above the hips to focus attention on the smallest area!

2011/07/14

‘Trim the Tummy’ Trick

Opt for a top that plays with horizontal and diagonal lines (forget what you heard about horizontal lines being the devil), and create a waist because it simultaneously minimizes the stomach area! Option two is colorblocking tops; and option three is going for color in the middle and darker colors on the outside panels – – whaa lah!

2011/07/13

Get Sunkissed This Summer!

Blueprint for Style loves orange! I don’t believe there is a more vibrant and warm color that shows off or highlights a tan better. Here we give a few of our favorite things….

2011/06/29

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

The highlight of the Versace’s men’s show at Milan’s Men’s Fashion week was Donatella herself, as she is working on a line for H&M – you can preview it now! At the end of last week, Michelle Obama stepped out in the perfect happy summer dress, with with navy blue stripes and a beautiful v-neckline. Find your favorite stripe-happy dress, too! If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect pair of wide-leg pants, take a look at these colorful

2011/06/25

Summer Style Q&A: Real Men Wear Heels!

Question from Amir: When it comes to men’s shoes, should dress shoes be flat or have a small heel? Answer: Simply put, and fashionably speaking, when it comes to men’s dress shoes, they should definitely have a small heel! Dress shoes are mainly designed with two specific parts: the sole/heel area and the top section – you will notice these elements are the most distinctive ones of the shoe. The traditional, and more stylish, inclusion of a heel, which comes

2011/06/16

Our Blog

Building The Ideal Wardrobe Series

Pronouncing Designer Names

Essence Magazine Style Advice

Five Step Plan to Custom Suit Perfection

Style Tip: Lips

Style Tip: Hair

Calling All Questions

Color Combo: Sweet & Spicy!

Color Combo: Navy & Brown

Step 2 To A Wardrobe Winter Wonderland (There Are 8)

October STYLE Radar

Fall Trend #5: Shimmer

Fall Trend #4: Plaid

September STYLE To-Do’s

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Fall Trend #3: Leather

10 Tops That Pop!

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Fall Trend #1: That ’70s Glam

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!

‘Trim the Tummy’ Trick

Get Sunkissed This Summer!

6 Things We Want to Share This Week!

Summer Style Q&A: Real Men Wear Heels!

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