Women know about the “fashion rules” (most men haven’t a clue. Note I said “most” men) and they tend not to break them and even go to the conservative end of things due to fear of looking silly or making a mistake.
The Today Show recently featured a piece with an InStyle Magazine Editor, Lisa Arbetter, that talked about how to break the fashion rules about all kinds of things. Some are more about “working the look”, creating a new vibe, and then some beauty tips that will stretch your budget a bit as well as an upcoming trend alert.
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Here’s what’s covered in the clip – plus a few of my comments as well.
Rule 1: Glittery jewelry is meant for the evening
Use statement jewelry and pile on select accessories. Note that I said select accessories. It’s about how you wear them and what you wear them with.
If you look at this photo, the outfit is neutral– and even boring– but what gives it pop and sizzle are the accessories like this bold necklace.
Items featured on the website include:
Bib necklace: Roberta Freymann; www.robertafreymann.com
Tank: Banana Republic, $29.50; www.bananarepublic.com
Shirt: Banana Republic, $59; www.bananarepublic.com
Pants: JCPenney, $44; www.jcpenney.com
Shoes: Steve Madden, $79.95; www.stevemadden.com
Want to spend a little less for that statement necklace? Check out Avon.com
Rule 2: Take off one accessory before leaving the house
This does not mean go out looking like a Christmas tree. Sometimes less is more and sometimes more is more. It’s the blend. What’s not shown in the photo but is shown in the video is the clutch of high and low bracelets the model is wearing. It works– because it’s carefully selected. A variety of several slim to medium bangles works; lots of blingy earrings, bracelets and necklaces don’t. So choose wisely and add maybe one more thing and take a look in the mirror. it’s a trick you have to learn to judge — and choose carefully. I do this particular thing all the time.
Items featured on the website:
White opal bracelet: H&M, $5.95; www.hm.com for store locations
Square chain bracelet: Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz, $88; www.ben-amun.com
Mixed metal bracelet: Giles & Brothers by Phillip Crangi, $125; www.gilesandbrother.com
Yellow ring bracelet: Giles & Brothers by Phillip Crangi, $350; www.gilesandbrother.com
Gold/turquoise bracelet: Cristina V., $88; www.cristinaV.com ($10 from sales of this Knots of Hope Bracelet got to The Himalayan Project)
Gold/Diamond bracelet: Jamie Wolf, Aladdin Bangle; www.jamiewolf.com
Looking to spend less on stuff like this? Check out my favorite places:
online sample sales (Alex & Ani have sales regularly on various websites– where you can sometimes get their bangles for as low as $5!) If you don’t what sites I am talking about, do a search on this blog for LOTS of mentions.
Also check out Target.com and Target stores since I tend to shop both for pieces as well as Forever21, H&M as well as Cost Plus Market. Don’t forget Marshalls, Ross & TJ Maxx because you can find a lot there as well. Thrift shops and garage sales are often good places to check out.
Rule 3: Mixing patterns or clashing colors is a no-no
This one is a hard one to pull off because you can wind up looking like a fashion nightmare. However the outfit that they featured works exceeding well and maybe if a jacket doesn’t work for you, how about a cardigan or a vest? over a solid shirt with a print skirt. It’s a thought to make this an easy transition.
Plaid blazer: Francis, $120; available at Bloomingdales, www.bloomingdales.com
Floral dress: Single Dress, $65; available at Bloomingdales, www.bloomingdales.com
Shoes: Seychelles, $94; www.seychellesfootwear.com
While I have pulled the jacket they featured from Bloomies on the video, the problem is the dress is NOT online and you might have to do some hunting for the dress in stores. Single (the brand) is not typically $65.00. So be prepared to pay MORE — or find the plaid and see if you can find a print dress that has similar colors in a print. That way you can make it work better for you — or you can use a print skirt & solid blouse– or a print blouse and solid skirt. It will take a bit of effort to make this work.
Rule 4: Chipped polish must be removed immediately
InStyle solution:
Essie nail color in, $8; essieshop.com
Lippmann Collection “On a Clear Day” top coat, $16; lippmanncollection.com
Love, love, love this idea. Holy guacamole, this makes so much sense and you can keep it going –carefully– for about 5 days if you are willing to be patient. Also you don’t have to buy Lippman’s top coat– but if you can afford it, do. It’s got incredible shine.
Go crazy with your nail colors.
Rule 5: Red is only for lips and nails
From InStyle:
Vibrant red shadow gives eyes a bold look. Build up the color gradually, says Pat McGrath, and make it most saturated at the base of the lashes. Wear this look with smoky black pencil and black mascara on the top and bottom lashes. On lips, opt for a deep, cool red or nude to focus on eyes
.
products:
Make Up Forever eye shadow in No. 64, $19; sephora.com
Chanel Inimitable mascara, $30; nordstrom.com
Christian Dior Crayon Eyeliner Pencil, in black $26; neimanmarcus.com
This is the hard one for you to deal with because for those with allergies or have pink-toned skin this will be harder to pull off. Suggestion, go sheer, go into the crease with this with another color as your base. Work into it and hunt the magazines down on how to pull this off if you are dying to try this. It does require a nude lip. (not bare, nude!)
there are other rules not seen on the video and they are included on another post to illustrate them better. So hunt that next post down.
Stevie Wilson
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