Posts Tagged ‘dailywear’

photo credit: John Fraissinet

Most of you probably dash out the door nearly every day. How does a girl have up-to-date style AND get to where she’s going in time?

I’ve found there are a few great quickies you can turn to when making yourself look fabulous day in and day out. Here’s some to start with that you don’t have to invest minutes and minutes on:

Quickstyle Tip 1: Get Your Belt On!
I love this trick because putting a belt on provides instant shape and is oh so feminizing to your figure. Wide belts are hourglass making and turn heads. While thin tight belts look smart and oh so pro. Don’t have a belt to suit? Try cinching a silky textured scarf around that torso! Think of belts as big beautiful bracelets for your waist and you’ll be in a very fashionable frame of mind!

Quickstyle Tip 2: Heel!
Every girl with any amount of glamor in her soul has got to have some heels with height in her closet. They don’t need to be skyscraping stilettos either – kitten heels do just fine and come in easy slip on styles. If you know there’s not a lot of walking in your immediately busy future then don’t sweat it and get your toes into something feminine especially if you are wearing pants! And believe me there are plenty of “comfortable” heels out there to suite any stylish girl’s taste.

Quickstyle Tip 3: Bling Yourself!
You can go from drab to fab in seconds just by pairing up a super casual outfit with some elegant blingy jewels. So if you already threw on the boy beater and jeans make it lux with some chandelier earrings and a stack of metallic bracelets. Or dress up that denim and tee shirt you’re sporting with some metallic pumps. Add a dangling bejeweled pendant to solid colored tops or a belt with some sparkle to basic slacks. Whatever you choose to add oomph to that “basic” outfit should shine with this technique.

Okay so that’s all the tips I’ve got for now cause I too am out the door!

Happy (Quick)Styling!

photo credit: Ed Yourdon

Hot weather putting you in a style rut? Don’t worry! Looking fab under the sun is easier than you think. And you’ve got more options than just tiny tops & shorts.

Fresh Style Option 1: Tshirts
Tshirts are a classic Summer fashion staple. And they really are awesome if you think about it. They don’t cost a bundle and also afford you easy instant style. Each year as the weather warms up you get the chance to celebrate this awesomeness – the trick and the fun of it is doing it in a fresh way. That means pairing them with more than just shorts every day of the week. Get that fresh style by wearing them:

• with a flirty skirt
• underneath a strappy cocktail dress
• with rolled up jeans & platform sandals
• with trending accessories like this year’s Lucite jewelry

Fresh Style Option 2: Maxi Dress
Another fabulous Summer item, the maxi dress lets you get your sultry goddess on in whatever way you choose. Whether you go for daring dark colors in the heat or a vibrant mix of bright patterns this gown is comfortably glamorous. Because of its elegant shape and voluminous fabric keep your accessories simple and your hair and makeup non-fussy. And don’t just wear it for the evening – add some daytime elegance while the sun is still out!

photo credit: i-live.gr Greek News magazine

Fresh Style Option 3: Short Shorts
If you have the legs for it – and I’ve found wearing tiny shorts does a fab job of lengthening those stems – short shorts are a great way to beat the heat and look hot too (pun intended ha!). The trick with coordinating an outfit with shorts is the fabric and cut of your top. Don’t go for just the super casual cut offs with your boy beater top. That just looks fashionably lazy day in and day out. Instead try satin shorts in a light color for a more dressy feel – and pair with either a casual tank top or something blousy & sheer. Or wear the snaggly cut offs with a dressy feminine top for a wildly elegant look. Add a cool belt, some chunky bangles or a stack of pretty bracelets, or even a hat like this one. Just add interest and don’t forget the details.

photo credit: Jef Harris

So try these three options in the next week and revive your style! Next #wearablewednesday I’ll bring you some more inspiration to keep your season in the sun fashionable with Pt 2 of “Fresh Summer Style”.

Happy Styling!

photo credit: HiStyley

Summer means easy style for sure. But it’s not all about t-shirts and shorts right? Stay tuned and I’ll let you in on how to keep these summer wardrobe staples fresh, fierce, and/or fun and also show you how to break out of the rut with signature summer style!

In the meantime check out this fabulous streetstyle website! Histyley.com

photo credit: filtran
Whether you are an elegant bronzed goddess or a freckled little pixie this is the season for some skin and body skimming silhouettes. How do ya work your style without breaking into a huge sweat with options and trends? Fret ye not! I Got some tips for you to work your own summer style this year!

Choosing Color
Now is the season where your color choices can brighten into bolder hues like aqua, tangerine, tomato red, etc. Though the colors are truer and more saturated there is a lot to choose from (a relief to hear for those of us who have a damnable time wearing summer colors such as orange and yellow). This is also a time when warm neutrals really shine such as tan, bronze, creamy beige, or soft sandstone. Neutrals can be your ticket to summer sophistication, trust me! Bright colors are fun and flirty but neutrals really smolder. Feel free to mix and match bold color with neutral hues such as dressy brown shorts with a turquoise (the “color of the year” for 2010) tank top.

*Speaking of neutrals you might want to get your hands on your own version of the “Little White Dress” and pair it with stylish accessories such as a black jacket like Zoe Saldana wears here, funky beaded necklaces, or even denim. It’s a great fashion staple that transitions beautifully from Spring to Summer.

I’m a fan of getting inspiration from the surrounding environment when I choose color. Choosing from warm sunny scenes is what you’re looking for with this method. Desert palettes can include shades of orange, bright blue, light green, & stony beige. Colors like sky blue and soft gold evoke an easy breezy day at the beach. You can even go all out with tropical colors – bright pink, emerald green, white, purple, yellow, etc. Or perhaps you can take your que from the romance of a summer sunset with a sensual mix of blushing pinks, purples, and gold.

Classic, Funky, Sweet, or Elegant?
Trends abound during this time so it’s not all short shorts and tees. How you want to play out your style is entirely up to you. You could go classic and crisp like Jackie O. You could get your beach goddess on with flowing strappy gowns in golden earth tones. Or pile on the chunky beads and bangles for a funky exotic look.

One of the trends I’m liking this year is Western Wear – giving me an excuse to put my cowboy hat on every other day! I’ll pair it with items such as a flowing white skirt, to glittery chandelier earrings, to jeans and a well loved and form fitting graphic tee. You could go sweet with this look by wearing prairie skirts & blouses, or try going rugged and a little rock & roll with sand blasted jeans and suede.

Hair, Makeup, and All the Lovely Details
Around this time beach babes all over are gettin their highlight on. Which is just fine – the lighter days treat lighter locks much easier than dark shades. If you happen to color your hair red consider using a spray in conditioner with a sun screen to protect it during times you’re out in the sun. Otherwise the rays will suck out the color in no time. Also consider incorporating some fashionable hats to keep your color fresh for as long as possible.

I’m going to rave about mineral makeup again – I can’t help myself. This is a time where I really really appreciate the qualities of a good mineral foundation. This stuff is less likely to ooze off your face during sweaty moments. And it feels so wonderfully weightless! An added benefit (god, I could totally go on and on actually) is its water resistance so take note you water babies.

This is a great time to pile on your favorite bling & bangles. Wear dripping pendants and chains with camisoles and shorts. Stack up those bracelets! Whatever you do with your jewels mix it up and don’t get too matchy matchy (that looks a bit old and frumpy).

So what are you excited to wear this Summer? Let me know! And feel free to share your own style tips in the comments below.

Happy Styling!

Let me make an attempt to explain this passion – one of which I share with many girls – old and young. Fashion is an experience.

It’s not just about clothes. It’s about who is wearing what, when, and where. It’s about what an outfit is made of, who created it, where it will stand out. It’s this wonderful little puzzle or game to play every week, every season. From sun up to sun down your own body gets to be a dynamic piece of art that’s saying something interesting about the world you are living in, right now.

When you realize the fun you could have with fashion it takes out the exhaustion of following trends. You need not “follow” fashion like a sheep in a flock, but rather let it guide you like a dance partner. Let it twirl you about and enjoy working up a sweat for it – snagging those bargains or hot of-the-moment-items before the magic of it evaporates. Or start your own trend by taking lead yourself with wonderful wild abandon!

So go out there and play! I am (so my dress form Bridget pictured above)!

Make sure to read the next Wearable Wednesday post where I’ll share with you how your Style is your own unique response to Fashion.

<3 Apryl

photo credit: jamelah

Want to know how to get that stylish look that no one else but YOU can pull off? Of course you do! Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how each Wednesday ;)

Happy Styling!

After being accused of never wearing the same thing twice this girl has decided to actually prove it to the world, one day at a time.

One Girl
Jenny loves clothes, just like countless other girls. Also like many of us she not only enjoyed wearing and collecting clothes but also had big girl dreams to “work” with them in fashion. Her parents said it was a dumb idea – so she grew up and got a degree in journalism which they were fine with. Now, she can’t help but blog about her passion for the stylish arts.

She has quietly but purposefully joined the ranks of fashion bloggers. But, as you will see her Closet 365 project manages to set her apart from much of the rabble about “trend” this and “who’s wearing what” that. Just like another one of my fave fashion bloggers Alyson, I quickly and easy added Jenny’s Closet 365 blog to my regular “must reads”.

One Year
As of my writing today Jenny is in her 3rd month of blogging. A good girl, she decided to open up the project right at the beginning of the new year (unlike me and my random inkling to start around Halloween.). According to her photos her home town gets snow as well as sunshine so it’ll be interesting to see how her fashionable kung fu works with the seasonal shifts.

Just like me she has been inspired by 365 day projects in flickr as well as other daily fashion blogs. So far her posting has been consistent and strong and deserves props for both the content and the spirit of the project. It’ll be exciting to watch her progress as the weeks and months go by!

365 Different Outfits
One of the things that impresses me most is this girl’s layer skills – totally teaching me more than a thing or two about constructing an outfit. This is one of the true marks of signature style. Stylish girls do not merely get dressed day after day. They don’t simply match a top with a bottom and sprinkle w/ a handful of accessories. Jenny shows us how it’s also about artfully placing one layer over another layer to conduct a symphony of texture and fabric. This allows her to create an ensemble that doesn’t just cover her body but also says a few powerful somethings about her character.

Her photo documenting skills are also fantastic too – each photo of her daily style is crisp and clearly displays the whole outfit so you can easily take some note. Each outfit is distinct and she really owns her distinct style but readers can easily take inspiration from the way she puts pieces together.

So go visit her blog, say hello, and get inspired to transform your own everyday closet into a wardrobe of creative magic. Also leave a comment here – tell me what you are wearing today :) Would love to hear about it!

Ok my lovelies, I’ll see you next time for some 365daygirlness :)

Happy Styling!

Alyson is doing just that – and it’s just one of the reasons she is so “neat”. Another reason of which I heartily approve of since I practice it myself is getting fashionably creative with her outfit styling.

I’d love to blog more about it but since I’ve got a lot of my plate this weekend I’ll just let you check out her blog so you can see for yourself! Just click on the photo below! See you next time for another Fashion Friday!

photo credit: Adam Foster | Codefor

Fashion, my dears is not just about wearing clothes. It’s a whole lot more.

Everyday you get dressed you are affecting how well you get stuff done in the world, what you are saying about yourself, and showing others how much of a truly interesting person you are. Let me explain:

1) The Function of The Fabric
Of course clothing first has it’s function: Swimming suits for swimming, windbreakers for keeping out the chill, and hats to keep the sun out of your face on a bright day. Since the human animal gave up most of it’s protective furriness a long time ago it needed to layer itself in the skins of the critters it hunted instead. Eons later we’re still gallivanting across the world doing a number of things in a number of climates and environments if not so much hunting. However it’s not all about covering our bits from the elements. The clothing we choose to wear day to day must not only protect us but also enhance our movements, activities, and even the roles we perform right? Ballerina’s don’t leap elegantly in jeans. Eskimo’s don’t hunt in their skivvies. Navy seals aren’t stealth in orange tulle.

Same goes for you whether you are a receptionist, stripper, or housewife. The first order of the day when you get dressed is – “will I be able to [chase after a two year old in these shoes?] [walk down to the file room in this skirt?] [grip that pole with this feather boa on?]“. Usually this is all automatic and subconscious, which brings me to the next point:

2) Communicating Your Message
Your clothing is talking about you. Are you doing a good job of putting words in it’s mouth? Or are you just letting your outfit babble on about you to everyone who lays eyes on you?

When you are a single girl and on the market you want to show some leg, a little (or a lot) of cleavage, and accentuate as much of your bodacious feminine bits as possible. You don’t dress in a suite and tie and you don’t wear a ring on your left hand. Why? Because it’s sooooo much easier to let your clothes speak for you instead of shouting out to the streets “ATTENTION MEN! I’M A HOT, SINGLE WOMAN! COME TALK TO ME!”. You also know that men are visual creatures and are looking for the female in her most feminine form.

Conversely when you return to the office the next morning your best professional bet is to tuck that man magnetizing cleavage away and lengthen that skirt for decidedly less leg. Otherwise instead of seriously discussing that business deal with you your male co-workers brains will be scrambled with sexy static as they stare at your halter top.

What you wear is going to say things about you even when you just want to stay mum and get your work done. So get the message right. Then you may ask: “What do I want my clothes to say about ME anyway?”. Well how awesome you are for a start, which leads us to the final point:

3) Expressing Yourself!
This is where you can leave the obsession to follow trends behind – You don’t have to keep up with the mad dash of who’s-wearing-what-now. Why not? Because YOU are your own person! YOU have your own style. I like to call it “signature style” since it’s how you stylishly leave your mark on the world. Sometimes people won’t remember your name, or what you said, but their vision of your style and charm will be emblazoned on their memory if you are genuinely dressing for yourself.

You get to be you and expressing that with fashion is genuinely fun and satisfying way to show the world. What this means is wearing your favorite colors, shapes, patterns, where you want and when you want in a stylish way. Cause you know your body and what makes it look great. It’s you showing off your sexy arms in tank tops while your best friend accentuates her long legs in shorts. Looking and feeling blithely fabulous in high heels when the IT shoe is ballet flats. Or vice versa! Whatever YOUR style happens to be.

So, what are you wearing today?
Why?
What does today’s outfit say about you?

Leave your fashionable comment!

Also feel free to follow me on Twitter (@365daygirl) for more fashion fun! :)

-Apryl keepin it really Real :)