Fashion Talk for the Everday Woman

We all know the little black dress is a must have for every women’s wardrobe, but just as important is the classic white button down shirt. With a renewed surge, designers are creating new and interesting takes on the classic white shirt.

A classic white shirt can never go out of style. It looks great with dress pants, skirts, and even jeans. It is such a versatile piece, and with gas prices rising and draining our pockets, having wardrobe pieces that can be worn to work or on the weekend is increasingly necessary.

This season, designers are detailing and embellishing the classic shirt to add a more feminine touch. So how do you choose which is the best shirt for you?

Depending on your style or taste you can pick from three options. The first, is the classic white button down. It is best worn to work, but also looks great with a pair of capri pants on the weekend.

This is a great example of the classic white shirt. It is $64.99 at Bloomingdale’s.

A second option is a more masculine tuxedo type white shirt. Below is a great shirt from BCBG.

Another option would be a more feminine twist. A more blousey option with a trendy bow, ruffles, or pleats. Below is a great shirt from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Whatever style you choose, have fun wearing it. Try accessorizing with different belts, necklaces, and handbags.

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. Work has been overly stressful and has left little time to blog. My next must have item is denim. Jeans can be casual or dressed up for a night on the town. Finding the right pair of jeans can be extremely difficult. I have a hard time finding jeans that are the right length. Below are some of the best jeans for different body types:

Tall Women: In order to find the best fit, you should always buy jeans where the hem falls at the bottom of the heel. That way you can ensure you won’t have any high-waters! The best brands I have found are Rock and Republic, The Limited, and Calvin Klein.

Petite Women: Straight leg jeans are the way to go. They will give the illusion of a longer leg. Stay away from boot cut and flare jeans. These will make your legs look stubby. Best brands include Rock and Republic and Banana Republic.

Hide the Tummy: If you are looking to hide your tummy, look for a mid-rise boot cut jean. Don’t go for jeans that hit too high or low on the waist. Best brands include Seven, Citizens of Humanity, Levi’s

Large Hips: The best jean will be a mid-rise trouser leg. This will help even out the hip and leg and will also give the illusion of a longer leg. Best brands include: Seven, Lucky, Gap, Banana Republic, Levi’s

Flat Tush: Look for jeans with a flap pocket and heavy embroidery. Best brands include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Levi’s.

Big Tush: Do not look for jeans with pockets or embellishments. Find the rise that fits in the crotch. Best brands include Seven, Citizens of Humanity.

Top Heavy: Look for a jean with a lighter wash. Also look for a distressed denim. This adds the illusion of a larger bottom which will help balance the body. Best brands: Any.

Any outfit can look better with heels! I have more heels in my closet than anything else. I wear heels almost all the time. Running errands, grocery shopping, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I do wear tennis shoes and flats sometimes, but I feel better in heels. I notice that women wearing heels walk more confidently. Plus they make your legs look fabulous and who doesn’t want that?

Finding the right heels is tricky business. It is more important to have a couple great pairs of heels that feel good than cheap heels that hurt your feet and give you blisters. Here are a few of my favorite classic heels.

1. Stuart Weitzman Fever ($285)

2. BCBG Girls Ariel ($89)

3. ALDO Sanem ($70)

4. Steve Madden Lockd ($99.95)

5. KORS Michael Kors Lush Patent Pump ($270)

Now that I have gone through 3 types of great bags lets move on to another of my fav items. Ballet flats are great for running errands or when you have to spend a lot of time on your feet. There are so many options for ballet flats, I will show 5 of my favorites.

1. Palladium: These are the most comfortable flats I have ever owned! They are a little expensive, but they last a long time and your feet will thank you!

2. Xhilaration® Sable Ballet Flats ($14.99)

3. ALDO Posadas ($60)

4. Seychelles - LittleWhiteLie ($29.99)

5. Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Valentina Ballerina Flats - Leopard (20.99)

Saving my favorite bags for last! I love clutches. They are great to take out on the town!

Splurges
1. Rafe Place Vendome Joy Long Frame Clutch - Animal Haircalf ($350)

2. Cammie Hill Snake Print Channel Clutch ($225)

Under $100
1. Nino Bossi Crunch Leather Full Flap ($84.50)

2. Kenneth Cole New York Fantabulous Clutch ($8

Under $75
1. Necessary Objects Arm Candy Flap Clutch ($50)

2. Kathy Van Zeeland Rock and Roll Clutch ($69)

Under $50
1. Echo Hibiscus Clutch ($4

2. Big Buddha Kayla Clutch ($40)

I was surfing ebags.com and I found this great Rampage bag. It’s $88 and is reasonably priced, but if you are looking for a summer bag that might just be too much.

Here is an alternative that is only $16.99 at Target.

Shoulder Bags

Splurges
1. Rafe Saigon Camilla Linen Satchel ($295)

2. Diesel Bags Round Lock Table ($210)

Under $100
1. Urban Kitty Subway Tote-Graffiti ($99.99)

2. Rampage Thistle Drawstring ($8

Under $75
1. Big Buddha Madison Bag ($75)

2. Bagtique Marble Crinkle Satchel ($55)

Under $50
1. Del Mano Fortune Cookie ($30)

2. Hurley Cut Out Shoulder Tote ($42)

Those are my favorite shoulder bag picks! Check in tomorrow for part 3 of great bags: The clutch!

I know……..Of course I decided to write about great bags first. I love hangbags! I think a great handbag can make or break an outfit. Just think, you a wearing your favorite outfit that makes you feel fabulous, but your handbag is ratty or doesn’t match. I see this often when shopping or running errands. I see a woman with a terrific outfit with a horrible handbag.

Nina Garcia notes in her book “Little Black Book of Style,” that every woman should have 3 staple handbags. First, a great tote. I love totes because you can always fit so much stuff in them. If you are running errands on Saturday a tote is the perfect bag to take.

For splurges I love Michael by Michael Kors ($29 and Coach ($658).

For an everyday tote these are my picks:
Under $100
1. Big Buddha Bella Bag ($85)

2. Earth Axxessories Casual Luxury Patent Tote ($94)

Under $75
1. Bagtique Wrinkle Large Tote ($52)

2. Lazaro Anne Flat Tote ($69.99)

Under $50
1. Necessary Objects Lucky Louie Tote ($42)

2. Loeffler Randall for Target® Large Tote - Cream ($27.99)

Those are my picks for great totes. My favorite places to shop for bags are Target, TJ Maxx, Dillards, ebags.com, and overstock.com.

Tomorrow I will continue with great shoulder bags.

Ok…..My friends always ask for fashion advice from me, so I decided to start this blog. Just a blog about great fashion at affordable prices. Yes I love high end designers. Yes I purchase items by these designer. However, I buy many of my fashions from affordable stores such as TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Target, The Limited, Old Navy, JC Penney, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, quality is much more important than quantity. I always buy staple items for quality. You should never feel bad about spending $60 on a great pair of black pants. In fact, my favorite pair of pants are my brown striped Michael by Michael Kors pants I bought at Dillard’s. They are very comfortable, great classic style, and fit my body shape well. Please ladies treat yourself! You are worth it.

We have all seen the women that have tons of clothes in their closets, but half of it is either ratty, has holes, looks cheap, or is just out of style. Remember quality over quantity! Nina Garcia wrote a great book “The little black book of style,” where she lists some staple items that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Below are those items:

1. A Classic Trench Coat

2. Little Black Dress

3. Man’s Classic Watch

4. Diamonds

5. Cashmere Cardigan or Turtleneck

6. Denim

7. A great bag

8. Classic Man’s White Button Down Shirt

9. Classic High Heel

10. Ballet Flats

Over the next few days I will take each of these staples and show examples of great classic style at affordable prices and some splurges as well.So now you all know that I like quality over quantity and classic staples. What else makes up this girl’s fashion mantra?

For one, I like to have a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched. I always get annoyed when I purchase something and it just doesn’t work with anything else in my closet. For me that means I will rarely wear it. Let’s face it ladies we all have these pieces in our closet. When you have a wardrobe that meshes, it makes for many outfit choices.

Secondly, being bold. Why wear a black shirt and jeans every day. Spice it up a little. Try a great pair of jeans, colorful top, fitted blazer, big accessories, and a fabulous pair of heels. Finish it off with a tote and you are ready for a fantastic Saturday.

Accessorize. I can’t stress this enough. You can play an outfit up or dress it down with accessories.Lots of shoes and handbags. I love shoes and handbags! This I learned from my Mom and Grandmother. Again quality is much more important than quantity. Sure it’s ok to buy some fun shoes for summer, but for your feet’s sake buy comfortable and high quality shoes.

In a nutshell that is my fashion mantra. Look for the top 10 must haves in upcoming posts.