New Year, New Look, New Features

New Year

For New Year's Eve, I added some party pizazz to a Little Black Dress with colorful printed tights and a bold necklace. Cheers to 2009!

New Look

What better time than New Year's to revamp the look of my blog? I decided to eliminate the tree silhouette graphic to achieve a cleaner, simpler aesthetic. I'm going to change the background periodically to whatever shade suits the season and my mood.

New Features

Couture Q&A
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I usually have an opinion. So, if you ever have any style-related questions, just use the Couture Q&A form on the right and ask away. Can I wear black and brown together? Navy and black? Open-toe shoes with tights? I have an awesome new skirt but don't know what to wear it with. What's appropriate attire for a daytime wedding? Whatever!

Product Details  
I'm going to start specifying where I purchased all items featured and how much they cost.

Enough About Me  
From now on, I hope to have more posts that feature other people. Whether it be makeovers, random street style snapshots or friends and family members, expect to see new faces. To achieve this, I'm introducing a new type of post called "Looks I Like." Instead of a full feature story, these posts will just show a picture or pictures of looks I like without much text and without runway examples. Hopefully this will enable me to post more frequently. We'll see.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

Re-Styling

Travis' look gets an update.

For the Record: Travis was a willing participant in this "makeover." There is absolutely nothing wrong with his "Before" look. I just wanted to demonstrate the difference a few small changes can make to your overall appearance.

Before

Travis' usual look consists of a button-up shirt, his favorite Levi's, a light jacket and his Adidas.

After
 

I added a tie and v-neck sweater to the standard button-up, kept the same jeans and swapped the sneakers for some polished lace-up boots.

I replaced the jacket with a black hoodie, plaid peacoat and red scarf.

Two Easy

Look chic in a cinch with two-tone dresses.

Delicate neckline pleating and a vibrant purple skirt make this is a fab cocktail dress by itself. Paired with tights, booties and a cardigan, it's perfect for work. You get the look of a top tucked into a high-waisted skirt without the hassle.












The simple silhouette and neutral color palette of this dress let you transform it with accessories depending on the occasion.

On the Runway: Marni Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Roksanda Ilincic Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

Party Season

I shopped my closet in search of outfits for upcoming holiday soirees.

Embrace the spirit of the season with festive colors, satiny fabrics and metallic accessories. Loose-fitting blazers are a trend to look out for as spring approaches.

Party dresses are always fun, but sometimes I feel best in a good pair of jeans. Dress up your favorite denim with an embellished top and some distinctive heels.

Thigh-high stockings, a miniskirt and a statement necklace make for a trendy look. If you don't own an extra large necklace, just throw on multiple necklaces as I've done here. I made the stockings by cutting off the top of some old tights.

On the Runway: 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

 

On the Runway: DKNY Spring 2009 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

Black Out

Let this pitch-dark staple dominate your ensemble for a sleek, minimalist feel.

Eliminating color from a look encourages experimentation with other aspects of the outfit, such as layering.

When paired with all black, a vibrant accessory really pops.

Use the simplicity of black to call attention to distinctive pieces like this jumper.

On the Runway: Tao Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Zac Posen Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Erin Fetherston Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

True Romance

Add a touch of ladylike charm with lace, ruffles and bows. 

I'm typically not attracted to lace clothing, but I wanted to challenge myself to come up with a look that incorporated the tricky fabric. Last Christmas my mom gave me a lace dress that belonged to my great great aunt in the '20s. I cherish the dress (its slightly yellowed color, its distinctly sweet, musky smell) but had never actually worn it. Apparently I didn't inherit my small stature from the original owner of the dress, but with some strategic gathering and tucking, I got it to fit. Though it's not really my style, I like how black lace or white lace worn with black has a dramatic, gothic feel.

A look with layers upon layers of ruffles is fun, girly and decadent, calling to mind cupcakes with pink frosting, strands of pearls, teacups, poodles and all things sweet and nice. Pair with more structured pieces to balance the look.

Make a statement with an oversize bow around your neck or waist. As with ruffles, go for excess. The bigger the better. I love the vintage secretary feel of this look.

On the Runway: Prada Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Francesco Scognamiglio Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

Check It Out

On Wednesday I was featured on the Glamour.com daily style blog Slaves to Fashion.

Click here to see the story.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

As the winter chill sets in, cozy is key.

Grandpa cardigans are a season staple, and I lost mine earlier this fall. While searching for a new one, the sweater I had in mind kept getting bigger and bigger. I think the cozy red sweater I found over the weekend is a worthy replacement. I like it both with and without a belt. The belt adds some semblance of shape. Without the belt, it’s just wholeheartedly big and baggy.

I haven’t been too keen on the fur trend so far this season. The vests are a bit much for me, but I really like the furry caps I’ve been seeing lately.

As far as scarves go this winter, the bigger the better. I'm on the hunt for a scarf at least twice the size of anything I currently own. For now, I'll have to make do.

On the Runway: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Badgley Mischka Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: Lacoste Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

My Three Favorite Shoe Trends

1. The Fringed Boot 

Don't be afraid to flaunt some fringe. Pair moc-style boots with a look that isn't too bohemian. Rather than a flowy dress, go for structure or edgy minimalism.

On the Runway: Gucci Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

2. The Gladiator 

The trend that refuses to go away. Wear them now with tights and keep on sporting them through spring. Because they have an edgy feel, I like to pair mine with softer fabrics and floral prints.

On the Runway: Versace Fall 2008 RTW. Image Source: Style.com.

3. The Hybrid Boot

 Not quite a shoe, not quite a boot. Hybrid styles make it easy to feel sleek even when it's cold.

The oxford bootie falls into the hybrid camp and incorporates menswear inspiration.

On the Runway: Louise Goldin Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

Gray Days

The skies are turning cloudy, and so is my neutral of choice.

Lacking the austerity of black and the warmth of brown, gray is the perfect neutral as we move toward winter. I'm the kind of person who always carries the same bag, and I have a feeling this new gray tote will be by my side through spring and perhaps beyond. It features slouchy suede offset by structured faux leather accents and a detachable messenger strap if you're biking or just on the go. (Payless.com $24.99)

My gorgeous sister recently acquired this gray double-breasted leather jacket. Both biker chick tough and luxuriously chic, it's definitely a piece I'll covet all season long.

Add interest to a monochromatic look by playing with texture. This look features a sweater tank worn over a billowy cotton dress paired with suede ankle boots. It was unseasonably warm today, but for cooler temps I would add a jacket and tights.

On the Runway: Michael Kors Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

Clad in Plaid

This classic print can lend prep school charm or punky edge.

Paired with skinny jeans, black ankle boots and a studded belt, this wool peacoat in bold red plaid feels grunge-era cool. The oversize funnel neck collar adds warmth and style on crisp fall days.

This plaid button-up paired with black skinny jeans and black oxford booties has attitude, but the necktie adds just enough feminine charm.

This vintage Burberryesque jacket is clearly meant for a young boy: it buttons the wrong way, and the sleeves are way too short. Paired with trouser-style jeans and a golden Pashmina, however, there is nothing juvenile about it. This look has an air of preppy sophistication.

This plaid wool skirt adds interest to a business casual look. Together with a juicy sweater, gold braided belt and floppy felt hat, it captures the romance of autumn.

On the Runway: D&G Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.

On the Runway: D&G Fall 2008 RTW. Image source: Style.com.