The fabric of my life....right now

While we all enjoy the cheery sunshine, the heat this summer has been a bit much. Depending upon your location, the temperature can be heading well towards the 90 degree mark when you get up in the morning. Well don't let the prospect of being uncomfortably hot deter you from wonderfully cool and cute outfits. Fabric choice is the key to your comfort this summer, and I vote for cotton!

Casual Wear
Instead of throwing on a beat up t-shirt to run your errands during the weekends this summer, why not do a tee with a little detail? A V-neck tee that elongates your neck with a necklace or two, coupled with any bottom is perfect.

Work Wear
For those that must adhere to a classic business dress code, there are certainly summer weight cotton variations to choose from. Those who have more of a business casual or casual dress code can have a little bit more fun with print and shapes. Be careful not to let your creative license take you too far from professional attire. Hawaiian shirts and spaghetti straps are still not allowed.

Little Black Dresses (LBDs)
Investing in a summer version of your LBD is an extremely wise decision. Look for one that is not too fussy but special enough to make a statement. Keep in mind that you need one that is appropriate for both your cutest sandals and your sexiest heels. I LOVE this one by Ann Taylor Loft, the possibilities are endless with this one!



Style Lesson: Natural fibers are better at anytime of the year. The fabric can "breathe" better and helps to keep you cool or warm depending upon the weight.

A Little Inspiration.....

The opportunity to purchase couture fashion is something that is extremely outside of the reach of the average women, but it can be a source of inspiration to develop the evolution of your personal style. If decadent edge is your forte, then Givenchy is certainly worth examining further so that you can be ahead of the curve when the aesthetic trickles down to the mainstream.

With such a young designer (couturier) at the helm, fresh ideas are sure to keep coming. The most important aspect of couture fashion is the idea that the garment is fitted exclusively for you. Believe it or not, this is something that is within everyone's reach. Understanding your body type is the first obstacle and then finding a talented seamstress/tailor is the next objective. There really is not much that can not be expertly altered to better fit you.

Style Lesson: Next time you go shopping, think "how can this be made better for me?" with each piece that you are considering purchasing. Who says couture has to set you back thousands?

It's All In The Details: Crochet Tanks

It is quite ironic how everything "cool" these days can be found in grandma's closet. Who would have thought that what basically equates to a "doilie" attached to a jersey tank would take it from drab to fab?

This Summer's crochet tank trend is very Boho-chic and easy to wear. Since these tanks are usually cut very loose or blousy, I suggest that you pair it with a skinny jean or short that fits close to the body. Although the crochet accent can be added anywhere, my favorite variation of this is the racer or T-back. Showing a little extra skin is what summer wardrobes are about and I happen to think that if done tastefully, a woman's neck, shoulders and back can be pretty darn alluring. The only drawback is the peculiar tan line that you can end up with.



Style Lesson #1: If you are not a big fan of crochet, lace accents can give you virtually the same look, if not take it up a notch.

Style Lesson #2: The placement of the crochet/lace can expose your bra. If your intent is to hide the bra (and it should be), you could wear a tank of the same or contrasting color. The easiest fix is to invest in a good convertible bra that allows you to have the option of wearing it as a strapless that sits low on the back.

Jumpsuits Anyone?

If you have an eye for fashion, it is hard to ignore the jumpsuits that have entered the scene as a result of the Spring/Summer 2009 collections. Surprisingly this style is not as hard to wear as people think. Silhouette should be the primary concern when deciding what works best for you. This year, the designers have given us enough style and cut options to inspire the choices that you make in your local stores.

Balancing or skillfully distorting proportion is the key to wearing a jumpsuit successfully. Petite women and those with shorter legs should be looking to elongate the leg to give the illusion of height. This can be achieved with pant legs that are straight or skinny. Tall women have the luxury of adding the options of full length and wide leg versions. Curvy women with dominant hips should look to fit the widest part of them to ensure that the material falls as it should. Hips and narrow shoulders can be balanced with details that add volume, such as ruffles. Conversely V-neck and boat necks can open up narrow shoulders so that your upper-body does not get lost in the look. Lastly, those with killer legs, should be sure to wear the shorts version of the jumpsuit/romper...even plus size gals!

The best thing about a jumpsuit is that it is a one-piece garment that you can put on when you are on the go. It is a no brainer for those of you who do not enjoy the challenge of putting together too many pieces. Much like a dress, all you need are accessories and you are out the door. Accessories give you the chance to have your personality shine through, as well as take your jumpsuit to different places. A simple swapping of shoes, belt and/or jewelry can take your jumpsuit from day to night.



Stay on trend this summer and find the jumpsuit that is best for YOU.

Style Lesson: Pant jumpsuits can also be worked into your Fall wardrobe in a few months by adding a blazer and booties, so don't be afraid to invest.

Beyonce: What Can We Learn From Her?

Walking out into the world in an ensemble that is different from the norm takes real guts. Rather than bash these brave souls, we will pull out the lesson to be learned. After all, someone has to be daring enough to start the trend don't they?





Style Lesson#1: This look is all about the accessories jazzing up a basic outfit. Group up some of your favorite accessories and add an interesting shoe and viola!

Style Lesson #2: Beyonce's jeans are also used as quite a versatile piece. Instead of wearing them full length, she has chosen to style them as pseudo-capris by rolling them up. Your favorite jeans that were accidentally bleached or rip can serve as the DIY project to help you pull off this look.