Wearing is Believing

Belted Style: It’s a Cinch!

What’s a fantastic way to put a fresh spin on your favorite summer jacket, dress or skirt and blouse combo?  Belt it!  I’ve been getting lots of mileage out of a wide gray patent leather belt from Banana Republic - it’s given new life to the pencil skirts and blouses I often wear to the office.  And after hours, it looks great with a black sheath.

I’m not alone in my newfound affection for this look - wide belts worn at the waist are all the rage right now.  Wide belts not only cinch your waist and make it look tinier, they can add depth and rich detail to an otherwise staid outfit.  The cinching effect is particularly pronounced with this season’s bell-shaped skirts and dresses that accentuate the hips.  Play up your feminine wiles even more by adding a wide belt!  Belts to try: Banana Republic’s Leather snake-embossed belt, or White House Black Market’s Stretch Square Buckle Belt, which captures the essence of a similar belt by Gucci for only $48.

Want to really be on the inside style track, with a look that will transition right into the fall?  Go for a wide metallic belt like Michelle Obama (at right), who wore a silver Givenchy belt with a voluminious cream colored cropped kimono-style jacket and slacks at a recent LGBT event in Washington. To get a look like Michelle’s, try Michael Kors’ Metallic Leather Belt.

What do you think of this trend?  Is it one you'll try?  Tell us!

White In

The northeastern US has been under an almost constant cover of clouds and rain lately, and once the parallels to Twilight’s setting in gloomy Forks, Washington lost their charm (and with no sign of Rob Pattinson to rescue us), the weather just became downright depressing.

If you’ve been suffering the spring/summertime blues like I have, you’re probably in need of a little boost - and what better way then by wearing white?  Encourage your inner sunshine with this crisp, clean summer favorite.  This season’s whites are showing up in lots of ways:

Sleek: Like Blake Lively in Roberto Cavalli at a recent Swarovski event (at left), nothing better shows that the heat, humidity and even torrential rain won’t make you lose your cool than a fluid white summer dress that skims your curves.  An added bonus - flowing fabrics are as comfortable as they are figure flattering.  Keep the chill vibe of this look up with a cool silver bracelet like Holsted Jewelers’ Tidewater Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet.

Ultra-Feminine: There’s no better anecdote to the blahs than playing up your ultra-girly side.  Check out Lucy Liu’s bubbly demeanor in a cocktail dress blooming with hydrangea-like floral accents!  Even if you don’t embrace your femininity as effusively as Lucy does, a sweet ruffled collar, floral detail or a small bow at the waistline makes a white outfit stand out.  Capture the essence of this take on white with the Lily Strapless Floral Appliqué Party Dress.

Make It Pop:  This may be the first time I’ve ever said this, but copy Cameron Diaz to really showcase a white ensemble.  Play up the clean, crisp perfection of white with a splash of color - like Cameron did with a red belt and shoes.  The contrast really heightens what’s great about each hue - the purity of the white and the candy apple seduction of the red.  Try it with pink or green, too!

The Best Invention, Possibly Ever, For Shoe Gals!

So often we hear that beauty is pain.  Ask any woman who’s limped through a marathon night of dinner and dancing, and she’ll affirm this fact.  We try to tell ourselves that we’ll be fine, we stuff band-aids in our clutches and stomp proudly off into the night on vertiginous heels like my current fave, the Enzo Angiolini Merry Ann (get them in all colors, immediately!).  But any heel that’s worth its slimming height or calf-perfecting magic generally has an expiration date of about three hours, and leads to blisters, sore arches and sometimes, in dire circumstances, a vile barefoot walk home. 

Answering every woman’s prayers are two British companies, with quite possibly one of the greatest ideas of recent times (at least to this fashionista):  a vending machine that dispenses flats!  Rollasoles retail for about $8 - bargain when you’re suffering shoe pain - and come in three cheekily-named colors: Gold Digger, Silver Lining and Back to Black.  When they were tested in UK clubs, they sold out in record time.  And as their name suggests, you can roll them up and stuff them into your bag as necessary.

Afterheels sell for about the same price as Rollasoles, but the company claims that their vending machine flats are made from natural materials and are fully recyclable. 

Both flats dispense with a pouch for carrying your heels home, but in terms of stylishness, I give Rollasoles a slight edge.

Dear makers of Rollasoles and Afterheels: please, I beg you - bring your fabulous invention stateside!

In Full Bloom

Floral patterns have been all the rage on dresses, tops and skirts this season, and now the trend has made its way to accessories.  Like statement necklaces and chunky cocktail rings before them, todays floral pieces are bold and attention-grabbing.  Many of these pieces have a vintage feel, available in an array of metals both oxidized and polished, with glittering glass and crystals - reminiscent of pieces you might find in your grandmother’s costume jewelry collection, but with a bit of glam rock edge. 

Burberry just rolled out a new chunky floral collection that they showed on the runway with trenches and oversized cardigans (shown at left).  However, pieces like the Large Metal Flower Necklace will look great with a simple summer sheath, or an airy blouse and cropped pants.  Oscar de la Renta, Bottega Veneta and Marni are taking the trend into the fall, with bold floral pieces sure to grab more attention than your new trench or boots!

I’m a big fan of rings, and there are a lot of great floral rings out there that will bring a burst of this blooming trend into your jewelry collection.  Rings also are the easiest way to incorporate a jewelry trend into your personal style.  Try Holsted Jewelers’ Amethyst CZ and Faux Peridot Blossom Ring, which features 202 amethyst-colored cubic zirconia and faux peridot set in a lustrous silver finish (pictured at right). I also like Fragments’ silver and pink enamel large flower ring, which almost looks like glossy candy - and looked great with a white sundress and sandals at a recent cocktail party (pictured at below left).

Have a favorite floral piece, or a great idea on how to wear this trend?  Tell us!  And don’t forget, you can now find me on Facebook!