Excess Access

This season has been all about accessories, I get it. But what ever happened to "less is more?" I often see women wearing to many different styles of accessories with an already over the top outfit on. If your blouse is a halter, and ties in the back, try to wear a bigger earring, and steer clear of any kind of neck ornamentation. If you are wearing strapless, try several necklace in different lengths, and no earrings. I like to buy fun quirky necklace and and pair them with a black tube top and baggy jeans with a shoe that pops. On the other hand, my other favorite look is a low cut, or wrap top that shows a bit of skin with no necklace. This is where less is more. Pair this with some stud earrings, and that is your sexiest accessory; your skin. In the event that you are wearing a shirt with sequins and or beads, try a simple hoop earring. A good investment that will never go out of style is a pair of sterling silver hoops, and a pair of solid gold hoops. Pair hoop earrings with any bracelet(s), they will go with any color and style. As for belts and shoes, I love them to match. When I buy a pair of shoes, I typically buy a belt to match every pair. So, throw on the white button up blouse (tucked in), your favorite jeans, and the belt/shoe combo, and voila! Quick and effortless, and ALWAYS in style.

Kit and Kaboodle

I am sure your medicine cabinet is full right? Tylenol, band-aids, common things to cure what ales you. I actually don't have anything in medicine cabinet, but rest assured I have black safety pins and hem glue in a tool box in my closet. Just think of a styling kit as important as your "first aid kit" for your fashion disasters. Get a large pencil box, put these items in it, and keep it in your closet.

TOP 10
1. Needles and assorted threat colors: This is the most important thing to keep in your kit.

2. Safety pins in assorted sizes: In case you don't have time to sew on a button and need a quick fix.

3. Top Stick: This is wig tape (stylist's trick), you can get this at Sally's Beauty Supply and nothing else beats its stickiness, NOTHING! This is also useful to put on the back of a shoe strap that doesn't want to stay on your heel (sling backs).

4. Lint Roller: Very important for black fabric and wools.

5. Lint Shaver: For your winter sweaters that start to pill

6. Fabric glue: Good for gluing on embellishments that fall off. Do not use for hems, it will harm the fabric.

7. Stitch Witchery: This is for quick hems. It requires an iron, but is a strong hold for any fabric.

8. Dryer sheets: I prefer to use these for static. I find that Static Guard gets clogged easily, and the dryer sheets store easier for on the go.

9. Shout Wipes: Don't be confused, this will not take the stain out instantly but it does help to take the stain out permanently. I prefer these as opposed to the Tide stick because it dries out very quickly.

10. Piece of foam: The best way to get deodorant off of garments. Never use a wet washcloth, it could make it worse. There is also a product called "Miss Oops" made especially for this problem. But, for a cheaper option, you can find sponge at any craft store.

It would also be a good idea to find a shoe repair place near your home. I make frequent visits to mine every season to get taps replaced, suede boots cleaned, and leather polished. Find a dry cleaner that you trust, and remember that most of them do minor alterations. For major alterations, look up small independent seamstresses, they are cheaper.

Alter-Nation

Let's discuss the Trouser Jean. Its a great alternate to your skinny jean, and can be transitioned in the fall this year. If you are curvy, try to find a waistline that hits you at your natural waist (the smallest part). My problem with this style of jeans is that the pockets stick out and bring quite a bit of unwanted attention to my hips. My solution: sew the pockets down. They lay flat and are much more flattering. Because the trouser jean had a bit of a boxy shape, the length is key. It is absolutely necessary to wash and dry the jean before you alter them. Put on the highest heel that you would wear with this jean, (for the Spring try a really high wedge) and hem them to lightly dust the ground. By altering them long, they elongate your legs, making you look long and lean no matter what your shape. Since the trouser jean had a wide bottom, it will swing to show your shoe, don't worry. Do not wear this jean with a flats. I actually NEVER recommend flats!

xoxo
Ali

Nip/Tuck

This season, a lot of designers have long tunic blouses in their collections.  I love the fabrics and the detail in the blouses, but I am short and can't pull of that tunic length.  When I try to wear them with shorts, it looks like I have no bottoms on.  This spring, I have tucked in almost every blouse I have been wearing.  My favorite look:  cut off denim shorts (baggy) with a crisp white blouse (sleeves rolled up), nude bra underneath and a chunky necklace.  Easy and sexy.  Make sure you dump out the black bra underneath the white blouse this season....too 5 years ago.  

Be sure to check the blog weekly for more style ideas.

xoxo

Ali