Men in White Jeans: Total Eye Candy

Out for a typical NYC night of cocktails, beautiful people, dancing until the sun comes up and of course pancakes and eggs for the night cap. True Vampin style as I like to call it. But before the festivities began, careful preparation on what to wear was scrutinized by both men and women. Be daring? Or play it safe? Whatever the case may be, I came across a trend that created not only the drunken topic of discussion, but the question as to if this trend is well, a trend.

White denim jeans for men! Maybe a bit European but very very in! Colored jeans are by far the most trendy item for the summer and although bright colors are more of the demand, white denim is classic!

Other men may argue that guys who wear white jeans aren’t so manly. According to Esquire magazine and many other fashion publications guys that wear white jeans are not only fashionable but the women love it! They find it “sexy and exotic”. Almost every designer has a pair of white denim in their collections including True Religion, Diesel and the MVP of denim right now Nuddie Jeans.

So fellas don’t be afraid to wear white. The ladies love it and at the end of the night isn’t that really all that matters!

 

 

We’re in the Army Now!

Well, not literally, yet the signature pattern that resembles the organization known as camouflage, is a trend for the season. I remember back in high school both guys and girls would dress in camouflage. They would even go as far as being in full-on fatigue from head to toe. But let’s not get carried away. The trend is back but not in a tacky kind of way.

Especially for men, cargo camouflage shorts are the ‘it’ item for the summer. You can find them at almost any casual retailer such as Old Navy, Gap and Ralph Lauren.

I know I will be pulling my DKNY camouflage clutch out of hibernation. This is why I keep certain styles because fashion alway repeats itself.

So while you’re hanging at the shore or on a yacht somewhere, don’t forget to represent in army-swag!

Colored jeans

My obsession for colored jeans has officially taken over my thoughts and actions and I cannot go on until I have some in my life!!! Ok maybe it’s not that life threatening, but an emergency shopping trip is in full effect.

The spring/summer season is all about color, and the more electric the better. Hot pink neon nail polish, kitty-kat style glasses, colored blazers and denim, denim, denim. However colored denim is quite the hype.

From the runway to the streets, colored jeans is a trend for both the ladies and the fellas. Brands like Joe’s Jeans, J Brand and 7 For All Mankind have color palettes from bright blue to daring hot pink. Yet the must have colors for this season are green and yellow. Too loud? Maybe but everyone is doing it!

I’m always a sucker for daring trends and when the opportunity arises in which I can dress to express my personality I jump in head first! Colored jeans are right up my alley, so let the color story begin!

“Why Do You Women Shop So Much!”

This week I was asked- by a male of course- Do I ever get sick of shopping every week?! Being the infamous debater that I am I of course counter punched with a right hook of comparison and an upper jab of some knowledge; of fashion that is. And lets say I rest my case. I won! But it led to the topic of this weeks blog, Why Do Women Shop So Much?!?

Oh where to begin! I think it’s safe to say that women do not need much convincing when it comes to shopping. However we have many influences when joining the shop-o-holic frenzy.

Girl Talk

This is the best way to have girl talk. Us ladies can’t live without it so spending time at the mall or down in soho- where I prefer to shop- always leads to countless hours of trying on daring outfits while complaining about a guy or should you invest in a sex toy- I never said girl talk was a PG rated kind of convo, anything goes, that’s the rule!

Therapy

Life can get a bit rough at times. So an activity in which you can buy change is the best quick fix a girl could ask for. Women shop when they’re happy. They shop when they’re sad to cheer their selves up. And they shop heavily when they’re going through a break up. Yet the same satisfaction is provided regardless of the driving force of the shopping trip. That is the feeling of something new! Like guys get excited for a new car or a new hockey stick, women get excited for the last call sale at Saks Fifth Avenue or the new MAC lipstick colors for spring.

Retail-tainment

Shopping is entertaining. Much persuasion from sales associates, but the hype of a must-have item is something that most women are just mere suckers for. There’s always a gift with purchase or a trunk show in which you can purchase exclusive pieces from a collection. This prevents the risk of wearing the same dress as three other girls at the lounge on a Saturday night. Boy I hate that!

So whether it be for a session of male-bashing, a way to get your mind off of life, or to be amused, women shop to shop. Vanity is in our DNA; it’s part of the role of a woman. So we will shop till we drop and there’s nothing that will change that!

Block in Color!

Fashion tends to not only repeat itself but go against the grain of normality. What to most may seem as a mis-matched fashion disaster, is actually a trend that is quite trendy. This fashion rebellion is known as Color blocking! This trend is not exactly new and was a great hit last spring 2011. However it continues to be a movement for the 2012 spring season and I have to say the color blocks are vibrant as ever!

Color blocking is a technique that pairs a variety of color combinations that compliment each other to bring together a look. To successfully put together a color blocked look, refer to the color wheel for great combinations. Yes the color wheel we all made with finger paint in the second grade. Primary, secondary, and don’t forget the tertiary colors as well. Who ever said fashion wasn’t a form of art!

Start with a primary color; red, yellow or blue. The primary color doesn’t have to be the main focus of your outfit but it’s a great way to build on a color blocking look.
Next add a secondary color; green, orange or purple. Tertiary colors can be a bit tricky because they are combined hues; yellow-orange, blue green, red-violet. When color blocking, it is always best to color block in 3’s. This is when opposites do attract. In the same sense, the brighter the colors the better. Neon is in!

This season is not about the length of your dress or the cut of the neckline. It’s about color! Coming from someone who’s wardrobe is 80% black, I have some shopping to do!

So if you think your outfit doesn’t match then you probably successfully put together a color blocked ensemble

Just In: Fashion Advisory Board

The 30 below weather is here! Hopefully not for long, but for the time being our wardrobe choices will consist of scarves, hats and wool sweaters. Although I am a New Yorker, I have been living in Florida for the past few years so I have forgotten what it was like to dress in this type of weather. Failing to dress properly will result in loss of feeling in your toes and ears which is not fun. So as I set out this past weekend for my weekly shopping trip my focus was coverage and warmth. This weather calls for a complete outfit- or two- to be purchased including shoes, jackets, scarves and of course accessories!

Let’s start with Shoes

If I could wear high heels with my pajamas I would! I love them and the higher the better in my opinion. But when it’s 20 degrees out the last thing you would want to do is add to the numbness of your toes by being elevated. Flat boots are the ideal choice of footwear for the cold climates and can be fun when fur is involved. In order to truly get the warmth needed choose a boot lined with fur or fleece, and with a rubber bottom to help from slipping on the snow or ice.

Outerwear

This is where the price gets pricy, but think of it as an investment. Most jackets will last you a few winter seasons. So what to look for in a jacket? Down-filled! Just because it’s a puffy jacket doesn’t mean it will keep you warm. Most of the lower price-point jackets are actually poly-filled and will not keep you warm on the level a down-filled jacket would. So check the label! The best down-filled jacket on the market to my opinion is a Moncler jacket. However they start at $695.00. You may ask why the high ticket price? Well some say its because of the name, the way Chanel and Louie handbags hold such a significant place in the fashion world, Moncler is the Mercedes Benz of outerwear. Truth be told, their actually is a worth to the pricing of a Moncler jacket. Each jacket is filled with goose feathers primarily from aquatic birds raised in the south of Brittany and Perigord. The proper techniques that are put into the process of removing the down is the secret to the Moncler jacket. How the birds are raised and the part of the body the feathers come from (the stomach and below the wings), is why the price is so high. So you really do get what you pay for! Some great affordable brands that have down-filled jackets are North Face and Ralph Lauren RLX.

Accessories

Hats, gloves, scarves oh my! Worried about messing up your hair? You probably won’t care when its so cold out. Cashmere is a great choice of fabric for an outwear accessories. It is warm and soft. Now when it comes to gloves, as my father would call us the “texting generation” it can be difficult to text while wearing gloves. But thanks to someone cleaver there are gloves on the market that are designed with technology in the finger tips so that you can text while wearing the gloves.

So aside from a warm down filled jacket, boots with the fur and iPhone gloves, be sure to layer up and stay warm this winter season!

RLX Hi-Tech Fashion

The Ralph Lauren brand has become more than just a clothing line, it’s a lifestyle. As we move into the cold season, wintry sports are on everyone’s agenda. So why not gear up in RLX!

RLX Ralph Lauren offers technical ski attire and sophisticated loungewear for on and off the slope. The collection is balanced to fulfill the needs of any active man’s wardrobe.

The Holiday 2011 collection draws inspiration from the shuttle launch and authentic space suits, designing performance and sportswear with NASA-inspired graphics and details. These styles are perfect for the slopes but can also be mixed with sweaters and knits for everyday.

Along with the detail, the technological fabrics and trimmings are what set RLX apart from others. Down-filled nylon to give warmth that is much needed for outerwear, bold colors that will get you noticed on the lift, water resistant shells and zippers, moisture-wicking soft touch tees which moves moisture into the fabric and allows the moisture to evaporate faster. Also vest features with branded elastic binding at the armholes and waistband for a snug fit against the body that helps keep out wind.

RLX also specializes in Rip-Stop Nylon shells that are woven in a grid-like fashion to prevent ripping vertically or horizontally. So if you wipe out on the slope, your RLX Ultra Down Vest will probably hold up better than you will!

From full zip jackets to track pants and soft touch tees, the RLX Ralph Lauren collection is moderately priced. However, when purchasing clothing that is made to protect you from climate and enhance your performance is when quality will cost you quantity. So this season gear up in RLX and show off your moves on and off the slope!

Sold at Bloomindales, Macy’s, and Ralph Lauren Stores.

Black Friday: Shop With a Plot!

We are less than 48 hours away from turkey, stuffing and Black Friday shopping- which seems to be the most anticipated shopping day of the year. Is it because of the great deals?or the hype of all the madness? Whatever drives you to shop in the frenzy it’s imperative to have what I call a Shop Plot!

The promotional offers on Friday are endless and will be impossible for shoppers to participate in all. So having a mapped out plan, or shop plot, will help you avoid the unnecessary craziness and ease your Black Friday shopping battle. Because lets face it, shopping with thousands of people for the same hot items is like a fashion modern warfare!

Start by making a list of what you need, want, and people you plan on buying for; for Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever gift-giving holiday you celebrate.

Than visit the website http://www.blackfriday.info to see who’s offering what. This will help you to compare the items on your list to the stores that are offering the best promotions for those items. Keep in mind the traffic on the roads will be chaotic so try choosing stores that will offer more than one item on your list.

The Internet is really participating in black Friday this year by offering on-line discounts. Some of these offerings are even starting as early as tomorrow so consider shopping online for Black Friday for some of the items on your list.

Once your list is paired with places to get the best deal, it’s time to dress the part. Ladies leave the heels at home! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes such as flats or Ugg boots and a cross-body handbag, keeping you hands-free to grab the goods.

Aside from a careful plan-of-shopping action, here’s another survival tip to help execute your plan successfully. Places like Best Buy and Walmart offer amazing savings on appliances and electronics. However, they only receive a small stock of that merchandise. So when they advertise $300 for a 52″ LG Flat screen, they only have about 7 in stock. So unless you are prepared to be camping outside starting…now, don’t waste your time!

So remember, when shopping this Black Friday have a well constructed Shop Plot, dress in shopping battle gear (flats & cross-body handbag) and try not to get ambushed. Stick to the mission!

Happy Thanksgiving!

FML! Get Over that Heart Break

They say that hearts are made to be broken. This must have been a man that said that because a woman, whole-hearted individuals that we are, loathe the process of hopeless love. Although promises are broken, regrets and mistakes become memories made and lessons learned. But in order to ease the pain, and the process of getting over that heartbreaker, there are crucial resources that will help lift your spirits and become you again. Because lets face it, you lose yourself when going through a break up.

FML! (Fashion, Music, Life)

Fashion has evolved since the 1900s and has become a lifestyle for most. The way we dress influences so much in our lives. Our moods are persuaded by the type of shoes we have on or the handbag that we carry our whole life inside. So when you find yourself feeling not so pretty there’s nothing like a sale that will lift your spirits. Depression might sway you to grab the sweatpants and baggy shirt but stop right there! Don’t do it to yourself. Know your worth and express it in the way you dress! So pull out those Louboutin’s and paint the city red

Music aside from fashion is by far the best therapy ever! Listening to up beat happy songs that make you wanna dance where ever you are will keep your spirits free and clear of any bad thoughts. Stay away from the slow depressing songs!

The last acronym in my transformed FML, which is most commonly know as (Fu*k My Life), but in a break up situation Fashion, Music and Life sounds so much better. Power dress to make you look better, listen to music to make you feel better, but most importantly live life, better than before!

This means spending time with great people, meeting new great people, traveling, shopping, and everything else this world has to offer. Don’t subject yourself to nights in alone watching lifetime television in your sweatpants, fuzzy socks and a ponytail. Get up and get out, and remember let fashion, music, and life inspire you to become you again!

Innovation, Right at the Palm of Your Hands

Being a fashionista, and a blogger, it is my job to spend time flipping through magazines and pop television to scout out the hottest trends and styles. So last night I was watching one of my favorite shows The X Factor, and aside from the amazing talent on this show, I spotted a trend that I absolutely fell in love with! Nicole Scherzinger, from the infamous pop group The Pussycat Dolls was rocking a hand bracelet. Confused? I will explain.

The hand bracelet lies around the palm of your hand instead of on the wrist. I’m always a sucker for unique accessories that set their self apart from the rest. So thanks to Google, I searched high and low on where to find this hand bracelet. Jewelry brand Prive Jewellery is the master mind behind this design.

Established in 2009, two sisters set out to create a new, powerful brand that enhances a women’s natural beauty. From colorful stones, diamonds and unique shapes, the inspiration is stemmed from worldly cultures. The Prive Jewellery line creates breathe-taking pieces from rings to necklaces. But the real show stopper piece that made me do a double take was the Hand Bracelet. This is a first for the fine jewelers. It’s innovative and stands out in the crowd.

The hand bracelet really redefines the traditional bracelet. These magnificent pieces are sold in Paris, London, Los Angeles, Florence, Moscow, St. Barts, and Courchevel, in some of the best stores. The Prive line can also be found online at http://www.montaignemarket.com or http://www.caratime.com. Be sure to visit the Prive website at http://www.privejewellery.com.

So I may have spotted this look on Pussycat Doll superstar Nicole Scherzinger, but Prive Jewellery has styled many other celebrities including Lindsay Lohan. When it comes to accessories it’s all about making a statement and telling a story while doing so. And with a piece like a hand bracelet added to your look, it will be the fashion topic of the night. I know what I will be on the hunt for on my next shopping adventure!