Style Tips Archives | Page 3 of 10 | Blueprint for Style

Features & Series

Editing Your Closet: Cliff Notes Version

This is the second in a four part series around building your ideal wardrobe. Remember that step one is all about getting lean and creating the right base to build upon. You have something akin to madness in your bedroom right now and this post should help restore some order….and space! Get your elixir of choice, turn on your favorite happy tunes (music can soothe the savage beast), and clear your calendar. Tell your family/friends that the next four (or

2014/03/14

Features & Series

In the Beginning, There was Darkness

This is the first in a four part series around building your ideal wardrobe. You can spend [and waste] a lot of time and money trying to build the ideal wardrobe when you don’t have the know-how or at least a guide to put you on the right path. This series is that plan of attack and I hope you find it provides you with enough inspiration to dig in and make it happen. You’ll need to be honest and

2014/03/07

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….Still

Yesterday we gave you the first list and since Harper’s Bazaar came out with their second list, so did we! More names and wonderful designers. Learn a couple and then impress your friends…. A Détacher: ah day-tah-shay Acne: ahk-nay Alber Elbaz: ahl-bear el-bahz Alexandre Vauthier: ah-lex-ahn-der voh-tee-ay Andrew Gn: an-drew jin Anya Hindmarch: ahn-yuh hind-marsh Aquilano Rimondi: ah-kwi-lahn-doh rim-ohn-dee Behnaz Sarafpour: ben-ahz sar-uh-for Bibhu Mohapatra: bee-booh mo-ahh-pat-rah Bouchra Jarrar: boo-shra jahr-arr Burberry Prorsum: burr-behr-ee prohr-sum Carven: cahr-vehn Costella Tagliapietra: coh-stell-oh

2014/02/20

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

Features & Series

The 2014 Must-Read Style Guidebook

It’s out. It’s here. It’s funny! It’s informative! It’s refreshing. It’s accurate. It’s on-the-money. It’s what every woman needs to hear and Monica does all of the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. Grab your copy of Without Saying A Word: The Silent Power of Style on Amazon.com (e-book version to follow soon). Or come to one of her book tour events around the country…. Hit social media and follow hashtag #WSAWstyle to see what’s going on where!

2014/02/14

Features & Series

Infographic: Fashionomics

Fashion can be considered a superfluous at times and I might be considered to agree. However, fashion is as everything else, affected by economics. This is a fun infographic but quite educational too ~ is your necktie width aligned with the economy; and how much lipstick have you purchased?

2013/12/21

holiday attire, holiday 2013, dressing right

Features & Series

Racked DC: Tips To Look Polished For Holiday Office Party

RackedDC.com wanted to know how to dress appropriately when attending an office party, so we provided these seven tips to look perfectly polished at your company’s holiday party…. Read the entire article and get all seven tips here!

2013/12/18

Clothing Maintenance & Organization

Infographic: White Tie Edified

White tie. Black tie. Formal. After 5. What does your invite say? Here we show a great infographic that we found on a fab blog, Lifestyle by PS. It was created by the GentleManual ~ and it’s one you should bookmark now! So far, I haven’t received any invites for any of the abovementioned…..but good to know anyway.

2013/12/13

Clothing Maintenance & Organization

Eight Essentials Steps of Luxury Leather

Last week we talked about the history of leather and this week {still focused on an easy transition into fall}, I want you to know the essentials of luxury leather. First off, I give 100% credit to ahalife for providing this information. Sharing it with you just makes you more educated and savvy when you start looking… leather and components selection ~ to make a high quality piece, you need to start with high quality hides pattern making ~ nailing

2013/08/14

Clothing Maintenance & Organization

The History of Leather

Don’t act like you don’t know that I’m a hug fan of leather {or that I didn’t collaborate on a collection of leather goods earlier this year}. But before you can develop a true love for leather, at least know the history of leather! Leather went from being used to protect us from the elements to supplying us with footwear and handbags not to mention meat! Approximately half of all leather produced today is used to make shoes, and about

2013/08/07

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

Style Tips

Style Insight: If You’re Curvy

LOOK FOR… A semifitted style that hits at the point where the hips start to curve out or that just covers the derriere. Belted styles are also flattering. AVOID… Cropped shapes and styles that button up to the neck. DON’T FORGET… • Always choose single-breasted styles. • Look for a closure right below the bustline. • Keep lines simple. • Opt for narrow, not exaggerated, lapels. Read more styling tips here.

2013/03/11

Style Tips

Not So Basic Black

Black is not only a basic but, “the” basic, right? It’s the go-to color for the majority of folks and frankly overutilized many times. Here’s the deal: If you’re going basic in color, make it pop another way If black is your go-to, opt for something that has black with a pattern If black is a must-have then try adding flair by mixing styles I like black….not a lot…not as much as navy blue or camel but I’m comfortable saying

2013/01/14

Bottoms

A “Real” Runway, Role Model Mom?

I’m not a mom. I have no children to speak of (other than my shoes and handbags). I do, however, have a deep appreciation for the ‘working mom‘ and spend many hours outfitting them. They want comfort. They want fabrics that move and that you can spot clean. They want versatility. And then they want what seems slightly more elusive: a bit of sexiness; femininity, a little bit of edge, and to wake up and roll out looking perky and

2012/12/10

Accessories

Her Bra Is Too Small

This picture from GQ (December 2012) shows Minka Kelly looking sexy I suppose. Men will say, “Yeah that’s looking good.” And ladies will say, “It’s cute but not practical and how will she look when she gets to be my age…” Either way, her bra is too small. Likely to create a more bustier picture, they sized her down but if you look at the strap in the back, it’s raised and that’s the telltale sign for a bra that

2012/12/07

Style Tips

Jailhouse Style

It’s not jailhouse blues or even orange but, stripes! Besides creating a great optical illusion of added spice in a slightly more orderly fashion, it’s a simple way to add color. Our advice: If there’s an area you want to de-emphasize (shrink a the snap of a finger), opt for vertical stripes If you gotta have stripes and they’re horizontal, try to ensure there’s a darker color and its the wider of the colors Stripes on top and dark on

2012/12/06

Style Tips

Style Tip: Stains

Whether you acquired it before you left the house or while at lunch, stains create the appearance of messiness and that creates the perception that your work is the same. Shape up!

2012/12/04

Style Tips

They Say It’s A Man’s World

Menswear-inspired suits. And if you paid attention to the resurgence of menswear, you’d agree. So, can you do it? All it work day to night? Wanna tiptoe toward the trend without jumping all in? Albeit totally sleek, the uptick in menswear suits is a trend that can be rocked by all. The suit offers coverage, cuts that work for the more petite/buxom/conservative, and the ability to go from daytime professional to sophisticate evening with the quick-change of your handbag and

2012/11/26

Style Tips

Style Tip: “The Girls”

You can love them and embrace them but keep them under wraps until you leave the office. In general, showing cleavage is just unprofessional and, frankly, diminishes, the effect of brain because we only see bust!

2012/11/21

Accessories

Style Tip: Heels

The closed-toe pump is the right footwear for success. Also any platform shoe with a heel in excess of 4 inches is over-the-top in terms of office etiquette. The more conservative the office, the less one should see platforms, super-high heels, and open-toe shoes.

2012/11/09

Clothing Maintenance & Organization

Organized Closet, Better Style

Make no mistake- a closet organizer cannot give you style but, they can shed light on what’s in your closet and how to get a better look at it. Ginny Snook Scott, Chief design officer of California Closets, says {and we agree} that bottoms should hang on top of the closet and shirts should go on the bottom because it makes your closet seem larger and it makes everything easier to find. Once your closet is organized then let’s schedule

2012/11/02

Style Tips

Style Tip: Hemlines

Before making any purchase, have a seat…literally! A proper, work-friendly hemline doesn’t expose too much thigh when you cross your legs.

2012/10/22

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

Handbags

Animal Instincts Under $120

Do you love animal prints as much as the next girl? If so, Vogue gathered some great finds ~ all under $120! With these options, you can go ‘whole hog‘ or just dip into the animal kingdom a little bit. Either way, you’ll be channeling your instinctive personal style.

2012/09/10

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Editing Your Closet: Cliff Notes Version

In the Beginning, There was Darkness

Building The Ideal Wardrobe Series

Pronouncing Designer Names….Still

Pronouncing Designer Names

The 2014 Must-Read Style Guidebook

Infographic: Fashionomics

Racked DC: Tips To Look Polished For Holiday Office Party

Infographic: White Tie Edified

Eight Essentials Steps of Luxury Leather

The History of Leather

Essence Magazine Style Advice

Style Insight: If You’re Curvy

Not So Basic Black

A “Real” Runway, Role Model Mom?

Her Bra Is Too Small

Jailhouse Style

Style Tip: Stains

They Say It’s A Man’s World

Style Tip: “The Girls”

Style Tip: Heels

Organized Closet, Better Style

Style Tip: Hemlines

Calling All Questions

Animal Instincts Under $120

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