Blog Has Moved!

So cowboy boots are usually perceived as clunky and unstylish. Most of us ‘city folks’ rarely wear them in anything other than a costume. With that in mind, I decided to hunt down several styles of oh so fabulous cowboy boots that have style, polish, and versatility.

The main thing you need to know about cowboy boots is that the type of heel (say stack versus stiletto) and shape of the toe (think rounded versus pointy) can make them perfect for a relaxed or tailor look.

For this week’s challenge I want you to go to the shoe store or shoe department and find a pair of cowboy boots you would actually wear.

What are the colors, textures, and patterns that appeal to you?

Do you like the high-heel of the stiletto style cowboy boots or are slouchy stacked heels more your thing?

Name 3 items in your closet you would actually wear with the cowboy boots you’ve found.

This challenge is all about growing your wardrobe and stretching your sense of style.

Take pics and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Brand Spotlight: Wildfox Couture

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Who They Are:

Wildfox is a vintage-inspired women’s knitwear brand based in Los Angeles. Originally co-created by two women inspired by a love for vintage tee shirts and their friendship, the brand continues this legacy under the Creative Direction of founding partner Kimberley Gordon. Together with musician Jimmy Sommers as CEO and President of Wildfox, the brand was officially established in Los Angeles in 2007.

Known for its iconic campaigns, dreamlike quality, and clothes that tell a story, Wildfox has grown to include a full range of tops, bottoms, dresses, and skirts, while the White Label collection offers a range of luxuriously soft sweater knits, laces, chiffons, velour, and sequins. Wildfox Kids, the “little sister” adaptation of the women’s line, launched in 2009.

Today, Wildfox continues to develop its lifestyle brand with a wide range of Intimates, Swim, Sun, Denim and accessories. The brand can be found in retail boutiques nationwide including Ron Herman, Planet Blue, Akira, and Shopbop, along with select department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. But, the largest selection of Wildfox can be found right here at Wildfox.com. (Source: WildfoxCouture.com)

Why I Love Them:

There’s a sense of fun and freshness in their clothing.
They have some of the coolest wordplay tee shirts! I always get asked where I got my tee shirt when I wear one from Wildfox Couture.
Mixing casual with professional is really fun and easy with this brand. I’ll often wear one of their sweaters or tee shirts underneath a blazer and wear with jeans and stilettos. The look is so chic yet approachable!
They have very comfortable sweats and loungewear which I love to wear as much as possible.

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Fashion Stylist Tip: Adding Flair to Corporate Attire

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

When I’m working with clients who are senior and top executive level professionals, a question I always get is “how can I add more variety and flair to my work wardrobe?”

It’s a great question.

Many people on that level in their career are weary of rocking the boat in terms of the dynamics in their workplace.

Yes, this also includes how they dress.

Though this question mainly comes from women, many male executives want to know how to stop looking like a cookie cutter image of their colleagues and jazz up their career attire!

Due to this growing want to be more stylish and fun in a very corporate environment, I’ve come up with the following tips. These tips will keep you within the guidelines of most business professional workplaces while still allowing you to indulge for in your flair for fashion!

Fashion Stylist Tip #1: Learn to add accessories in trendy and stylish ways. This tip means for women to learn add colorful graphic print scarves to the traditional suit, wear small to medium size jewelry sets that add a punch of color or interest to your outfit, and wearing shoes with textured or intricate detail in traditional styles. I’m personally in love with the classic pointy-toe 4″ pump. This style is timeless and isn’t going anywhere. Try a pair of these is a great materials other than traditional matte leather. My favorite pumps are in patent leather, metallic leathers, satin or silk, beaded designs, etc.

Now for men, this tip can best be applied to things like the color/pattern of ties you wear with your suits, color and/or stripe in the collared shirt worn under your suit, novelty (but tasteful) cufflinks, and contrasting collared shirts.

Everyone needs to assess what they feel will or won’t best within their own workplace.

Fashion Stylist Tip #2: Get the details on your suits customized. A good tailor and seamstress are truly worth their weight in gold! For this tip, my goal is for the career man or woman to take the actual suits they wear to have it tailored specifically for them. Yes, first for the perfect fit and inseam. However, this tip goes beyond that. Women have much more leeway here! Ladies, customize details such as having the buttons replaced on the suit jacket of your suit, have architectural details added to your blazer such as pintucks or a slight peplum flair, and having the hem of ankle length pants tailored to have ruching details at the bottom.

Men should really focus on the fit of their suit jackets and blazers. Find a good tailor and habadashery that knows and understands the various classic and modern jacket and blazer styles for men. Another way a suit jacket can be customized if for triangle styled faux handkerchiefs to be sewing into the breast pocket or slit of the jacket.

Fashion Stylist Tip #3: Play with pattern vs. color to create impact. Since the colors that are deemed permissible (especially on a large scale) can be quite limiting for senior executives, I strongly suggest incorporating pattern and textures into your wardrobe instead. Think pinstripe, argyle, plaid, houndstooth and paisley. These patterns, even in more traditional colors can be quite dazzling. Incorporating any two of these patterns together in the same look makes a big impact. The only thing you have to ensure is that the colors in both patterns are exactly the same so you won’t look mismatched. Houndstooth and argyle especially look good together!

Now that you have a few tips to get started, go to your closet and get to work!

Before you run out and purchase anything, see what you already have that can boost your look.

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photo credit: Novowyr via photopin cc
photo credit: mattbuck4950 via photopin cc
photo credit: anicaps le forum via photopin cc

Fashion Challenger: Perforated Western

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Spring is almost here and I wanted to come up with a fashion challenge that will actually be, well, a challenge!

With that thought in mind, this week’s challenge is combining two trends–one that was hot for fall and one that’s really hot for spring.

The first trend is the Western trend which had it’s most memorable moment at the CHANEL Dallas Fashion Show hosted in Dallas, Texas. The second trend is one that involves many perforated leather items but the trend is picking up steam especially in accessories.

All About Perforated Western:

Some brands fulling embracing the perforated trend for Spring include COACH, Tory Burch, Juicy Couture, and Michael Kors
Perforated clothing hit the runways of Band of Outsiders, Mayiet, and Milly
The western trend is transitional across seasons
The perforated trend is versatile and can be worn super casual through business professional
Both trends can be worn using accessories only for a more subtle look

Your Next Move:

Spring into action (no pun intended:), sort though that tidy closet of yours, and begin to find anything with gingham, plaid, or fringe. I found that this fashion challenge is easiest to complete when you start with the western part. With that one western-inspired item, add a layering solid colored piece underneath.

For instance if you find a fringe jacket, pair it with a solid color top underneath. If you have a gingham button-up shirt, pair it with a solid colored tank underneath and if you have a plaid skirt, throw on a pair of solid dark colored tights or leggings. For those of you who have a western-inspired item that’s an accessory, set it aside until the end.

Next, find a perforated item. I suggest a perforated handbag or top. If a top is what you have in your closet, then try my La Mere Layering Technique to really amp up this challenge. The perforated item should be something unexpected, think a mesh jersy shirt or a perforated suede pair of boots.

Once you’ve put your look together, take pics and post them in the comments below!

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Styling Practice: Preppy Casual Metallic

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Source: Hautelook.com

The Look:

Preppy, casual, and timeless all in one. Being on a quest to liven up winter classics with the use of metallics, I had to highlight this look!

Why I Love It:

The navy trousers and crisp collared white button-up are complimented by a cropped pale gold metallic cardigan. The addition of the cardigan brings a lighthearted and feminine element to such a classic (often stoic) look. This a very versatile outfit that would look just as good on a college student as it would in a business casual environment or to an after-work happy hour.

*Fashion Stylist Tip:

Pair this look with a pair of black glitter or metallic stilletos and clutch for happy hour
Up the “sexy” factor by wearing the top few buttons of the shirt undone pair with a longline push-up bra
Keep this look professional by keeping makeup natural and minimal gold accessories
Layer a longer blazer on top of the cardigan to keep the look more boardroom worthy

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Fashion Challenger: Sneaker Villa

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Now that the weather is breaking a bit (well, at least this week:) I was able to wear a few pairs of sneakers instead of my regular boots.

Being a bit of a shop-a-holic, I own sneakers from the plain to the extraordinary!

Knowing that I had more than a few client appointments today, wearing sneakers in a fun yet professional look definitely appealed to me. This thought gave way to this week’s fashion challenge. Affectionately named ‘Sneaker Villa’, this week’s challenge leads me to want to know, for all of my fellow fashionistas who happen to also be sneakerheads, how you wear sneakers.

All About Sneaker Villa

DKNY’s Platform Sneakers were a hit for Fall 2014 NY Fashion Week
Sneakers should have excessive room at the toe area. Contrary to what one might expect, the foot actually gets longer and more narrow when you stand. If a shoe is just right sitting down, odds are it will be too short when you get up. Make sure to rise and walk around with your sneakers on before purchasing them
When you buy sneakers, be sure to take out the sneaker’s flimsy sock liner and slip in an insole, recommended by any podiatrist or decent shoe salesperson, which should allow you to flex your toes more effectively. Nothing should be hitting you mid-arch. The insoles absorb shock, so exercise is easier on your body

Your Next Move:

As I’m sure you’ve guessed, it’s time for you to march to your closet and start pulling out a few pairs of sneakers.

Try a look that’s more polished with a solid colored pair of wedge sneakers. Think of this as a look you would be able to wear on ‘Casual Friday’. The second look I want you to try is one that’s all about fun! Go for boldness, color, textures, and height. Go for a look you would wear to an 80’s party or theme party. I want you to go nuts on this one:)

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La Mere Layering Technique – Love from Italy

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Fashion Blogger Ilaria from Italy

This just in!

A fabulous blogger buddy of mine, Ilaria at My Way To Be Myself, showed up and showed out in her practicing my La Mere Layering Technique all the way from Italy!

See her thought about the process and pictures below.

Thoughts about La Mere Layering Technique:

“I consider this experience as a workshop, a way to communicate with the world, expressing ideas, watching people expressing theirs and learning from that.

Layering is often an underestimate aspect, as people easily think that a t-shirt and a sweater should be enough. It could be, but not always. I like when I can actually see what I’m wearing, so When I practice layering I decide giving relevance to details: the collar of shirt appearing from the sweatshirt or a funny tank under the blazer or cardigan.

In this case I chose the second option, homagin with an Alcott man t-shirt a great US President from the past, J.F.Kennedy, in a quite particular way 🙂 On the top a black cardigan, a black Zara quilted jacket and a scarf stolen from my boyfriend’s closet. To complete the outfit, an asimmetric skirt and a pair of Italian Oxford shoes. A total black with white, blue and red (colors of the US flag) details. It’s always all about details 😉

I really enjoyed this experience as layering means the possibility to play with clothes, colors and images, as fantasy could suggest. In my country, Italy, we need this stuff in winter, as it’s always quite cold.

Thanks to Janelle for this opportunity and I hope working again with her in future. Ilaria”

Enjoy her the slide show of all the pics she did for the demonstration:)

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Fashion Challenger: Blush, Fuchsia & Tan

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

Flipping through the pages of my favorite fashion mag, I came across an ad that instantly got my attention.

The colors of blush, fuchsia, and tan were smattered all throughout the advertisement and I found it utterly refreshing!

That got me to thinking about what I could do for this week’s fashion challenge, and you guessed it…it was something with this fun and feminine combinations of colors!

All About Blush, Fuchsia & Tan:

Tan or rather, Sand (Pantone 15-1225) is one of the Pantone Colors for Spring 2014
Both blush and fuchsia are pinker shades of Pantone Colors for Fall 2014 Mauve Mist (Pantone 15-3207) and Sangria (Pantone 19-2047)
All three colors can be worn together in a palette that’s both dazzling and feminine
Tan and blush, being considered softer more neutral tones, pair well with bolder colors
Tan and blush are timeless & seasonless colors (Yup, you can wear them anytime of year in any season!)

Your Next Move:

As I’m sure you’ve guessed, it’s time for you to march to your closet and start pulling out pieces in these three colors.

To try something more suited for career attire, wear fuchsia in a print (such as paisley) or the color of an accessory. For the bolder or the more bohemian fashionistas, try wearing fuchsia as the main color in either a richly tailored item or in a flowy top or skirt.

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La Mere Layering Technique – Love from The Philippines

Posted on 8:00 am by sashabowman

La Mere Layering Technique - Dianne Alejo 1

Fashion Blogger Dianne Alejo of Dianne’s Little Adventure

As I trudge along in the chilly weather of winter (I’m in the northeast in the US, but it’s a beautiful sunny day today!), I find myself absolutely addicted to my La Mere Layering Technique!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while then you know, I love to ask fellow fashion bloggers to try out new things I’ve come up with. Today, I’m receiving support from a blogger friend in The Philippines named Dianne of Dianne’s Little Adventure. She was lovely enough to include a fabulous little write-up and pictures of her demonstrating my technique!

Here are her thoughts about the process:

“I find the whole layering thing quite interesting. I thought I won’t be able to pull it off, especially in a tropical country like the Philippines. Upon following the steps and trying to make it appropriate with our weather, I was able to layer clothes like a pro 😉 What I love about this is how I can customize the layers accordingly. I can mix-and-match the different layers and come up with different outfits.

Thanks for the La Mere Layering technique, Janelle. I really had fun with this technique.”

She was so kind to include many pictures, so I thought a slideshow was called for…enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Want to get in on the layering fun? Then feel free to try out the technique and let me know your results!

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