Tag Archives: accessory

Accenting Your Wardrobe with Long Necklaces

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Long necklaces are at the top of this season’s list of jewelry trends. They add a lot of texture to your look for business or casual occasions. If you are new to this particular jewelry trend, you may feel a bit weighed down when you first try longer chains and pearl ropes. Here are a few tips to help you wear long necklaces with plenty of style and panache. Layering long necklaces with short necklaces gives your outfit depth while allowing you to comfortably sport all of your favorite chain link and beaded strands. Just like with your clothing, you can mix and match textures when layering necklaces of different lengths. Keep the look understated by pairing thick, chunky beaded necklaces with slender chains and ropes.

 

Extra-long necklaces can be doubled or tripled for additional style creating a bold, dramatic look. The pastel example above would be great to try in the office to amp up a business suit. Bulky chains with large signature pendants (as in above right) are ideal for a night on the town. Double up on pearl necklaces and bulky link chains when you’re wearing jeans, T-shirts and sneakers for a cool, funky, sophisticated vibe. This trend is so versatile!

If you don’t feel quite up to these free-flowing, oversized chains and strands described above, an alternative to rocking this trend is layering long necklaces with unique pendants. Over-sized pendants sometimes look out of place on short necklaces, but they are right at home on longer pieces. Look for modern pendants featuring large gemstones or novelty shapes that best reflects your personal style. Long necklaces work like a v-neck shirt in that they draw the eye down, lengthening the body, making you look taller, slimmer and more elegant. A perfect accessory for all seasons, they can instantly enhance your look from day-to-night… all you need to do is rock it with confidence.

For more tips on adding accessories to your fall and winter wardrobe check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Stylist Secret to Flaunting the Menswear Look? Accessorize

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A personal favorite fall trend is the return to menswear inspired style. Notice we say “inspired.”  Keeping your femininity intact is a big part of making this trend work. So bring on tweed blazers, glen plaid trousers, and varsity cardigans. With our tips you’ll be making this trend look positively chic.

The key to dressing like a man is accessorizing like a women. Load on the pearls and step it up in heels! Of course you also need to make sure each menswear styled piece is impeccably tailored to show off your silhouette. Together these two features are a formidable opponent against menswear nay-Sayers. We’ve put together a couple outfits to help inspire you in your fashionable quest.

Menswear: Before and After

In this first look we took the most common menswear pieces we could think of, plaid pants and a blue button down. Which is exactly what they look like in the before. After we’ve added our accessories we have a chic trouser and color-blocked blouse.  Plums and raspberry shades really pop against the more neutral coloring of these grey slacks and light blue top. Isn’t it amazing what a difference tucking in the blouse and adding a belt can make? While this alone would update your outfit we added bow-tied booties, a signet ring, simple stud earrings, and a whimsical necklace. We kept all the metal in the accessories a classic gold tone, but weren’t afraid of color.

Casual Menswear Vibe

Wearing this menswear trend in a casual way can almost be more difficult. It can very easily become frumpy. Give it style with those accessories. A plaid shirt and jeans quickly looses it’s ho-hum feel when worn with pearls!  You can could also throw on a tweed blazer to ward off a chill or to add some additional polish. These splash of orange oxford pumps are too perfect especially when paired with a bold orange clutch.

What do you think? Are you ready to master the menswear trend?

For more tips on flaunting your style, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Sunglasses get Colorful! How to make your frames a statement piece

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Rose colored glasses have nothing on this season’s sunglasses. They are brightly colored and covered with unique patterns to truly make them a standout accessory this summer. If you missed our post on Sunglasses for your Face Shape, start there. Then come on back to see how much fun you can have with color.

First, make sure your sunnies suit your style, personality and your own coloring. If the frames wash you out they are drab not fab.

Beyonce Sunglasses

The caramel colors of these sunglasses look fantastic against Beyonce’s coloring. Plus the geometric shape flatters her oval face. Every piece of this ensemble, from her hair color to the printed dress, works in harmony with these sunglasses.

Ashley Green Ombre Sunglasses
Next, look at the lens color. Ombre colored lenses, fading from dark to light, can be very enhancing on the right face. Long or heart shape faces with pointy chins wear this style perfectly. Check out Ashley Green showing us how to wear this look with style. We love her pup accessory too!

Jessica Biel Sunglasses Sienna Miller Wayfarer
Jessica Biel continues to show us how to wear ombre, but then ups the ante with a red framed aviator. Sienna Miller goes a bit bolder with a red wayfarer. Frame color really needs to compliment you. It should pop on you regardless of what you are wearing. These two lovelies show us how it’s done.

Jessica Szohr Sunglasses
To rock a pair of patterned sunglasses you really have to know your personal style. Jessica Szohr took hers to the max by mixing her black and white patterned sunnies with a red and white polka dot scarf. Very eclectic and so fun paired with her leather bomber jacket.

Katy Perry patterned sunglasses
Katy Perry went with a more subtle tortoise shell pattern that wouldn’t compete with her hair color choice.

Miranda Kerr Sunglasses

Even a leopard print gives classic sunglasses a little added style. Miranda Kerr has an easy summer vibe in her shades.

We want to hear what color or pattern you’re wearing this summer. If you stuck in basic black, maybe this post will inspire a shopping trip. A fabulous pair of shades is one of the Fastest Paths to Effortless Style. Plus they just make you feel like a million bucks!

For more tips to finding the perfect summer accessories, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Stylist Tips to Make a Colorful Handbag Work for You

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Have you employed a little spring cleaning to your handbag?  It’s probably time to ditch the spare gloves in favor of a compact umbrella. While you’re at it, why not ditch the boring black bag too? Opt for a pop of color in the form of a colorful handbag.  We’ve got three looks to show you how easy it is to incorporate a bold bag into your work day ensembles.

Add Color!

Neutral outfits are an easy place to start. Any one of these bags could be worn with any one of these outfits. Which means they could probably also be worn with just about anything in your closet.

Professional outfits, like suits, can make playing with fashion daunting. We’re here to show you a bold messenger bag can work with your business attire. Follow the inspiration and mix and match your suit right along with your bag for a bold look. A boxy messenger is a great way to tote your laptop, ipad, or paperwork to and from the office.

Coral Bag Office to Casual

A pretty coral bag can easily go from the work day to the weekend without skipping a beat. What’s more, it can be paired with bright colors or in a more coordinated way. Let’s break this down.  For the office, we picked a bright yellow striped cardigan and paired it with a full skirt and neutral heels. Yellow and Coral are both warm shades that pair nicely together. So don’t be afraid to wear bold with bold.  Then on the weekend we did something we seldom showcase, matchy-matchy. It works here because it doesn’t feel overdone. Flats are casual as are the jeans. We picked a short sleeve woven blouse instead of a t-shirt and finished the look with a matching statement necklace.

See, a bright colorful handbag isn’t as impractical as you imagined. In fact, it’s a pretty fierce alternative that kicks up your look for spring/summer. Treat a handbag like any accessory and don’t be afraid to play with color.

For more fashionable tips to help you flaunt it, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Stylish Spring Shoes to help you Flaunt It in Comfort!

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Even in the office you have license to have a little fun with your shoes. A business suit goes from drab to fab with the right stiletto. And those pencil skirts are just begging for a fabulous shoe.  After kicking around in your boots all winter it’s time to do a little shoe shopping! Luckily you have us to fill you in on the latest trends.

L.K.Bennett Becca Patent Point Toe Kitten Heel Court Shoe, Salmon
If your day keeps you on the go, select a shoe that can keep up with you. This L.K. Bennett kitten heel pump is sophisticated and sweet. Wear this style with light colored suits or trousers, like tan, ivory, or grey. In a more professional office they are just the perfect dose of feminine charm. Pastels are very on trend this season and it’s a head to toe movement. Wearing yours in a pretty shoe makes embracing the trend easy.

kate spade new york 'simon' pump

Equally hot this season and on the other end of the spectrum from pastels, are accessories in bright and sporty shades. Here’s another kitten heel to help you Wow in a full blast of color. Kate Spade New York Simon Pump is stunning in python embossed leather.
Oscar de la Renta Peep Toe Wedge Pump
When you want more height but don’t want to sacrifice comfort, try a wedge. They give you more stability than a stiletto and with styles like this Oscar de la Renta Peep Toe Wedge they are anything but clunky. Detailed wedges are on trend this season, as is combining neutral shades with cork. Treat these like a neutral and style then with all your favorite outfits. That pencil skirt we mentioned would sure look great with these!

AK Anne Klein Women's Bauble Flats
Thankfully flats are still going strong. This season they are taking on the color-block trend and really making a statement. Perfect for jetting in and out of the office, wear a new pair on your commute this week and toss those flip flops. AK Anne Klein’s striped Bauble flats are a chic alternative. Plus they’ll look great with your jeans over the weekend.

Cole Haan 'Air Vivian' Sandal
Now that Cole Haan has Nike Air technology, you’re practically guaranteed comfort in one of those designs. So for a sexy sandal for a night of dancing, look no further than the Air Vivian Sandal. Two-tone and strappy it’s hitting all the right notes in our book. Wear it with your favorite flirty dress and have some fun. You deserve it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just for fun, check out this St. Malo caged bootie from Sofft. This may not be your first stop for fashion, but they’re worth a second look. We’re always presently surprised to find a few gems right on-trend even in the comfort shoe brands. These would look amazing with ankle length pants this summer.

Comfort and style can go hand in hand when you’re shoe shopping. When selecting your spring shoes look for new trends including pastels, color-blocking, interesting neutrals, and of course, comfort. With this combination you’re sure to Flaunt It!

For more ways to Flaunt It, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.