the wide leg pant...

theyskens' theory 'paige frandi' wide leg silk pants
nordstrom

the wide leg pant has been going strong for a while now...and looks to be like another strong look as we head into fall...in the spring/summer you can find some lovely linen or cotton wide leg pants...and in the fall/winter...of course the fabric gets heavier...

but no matter the season...one thing holds true...and that is what the wide leg pant can do for you...other then giving us a bit of relief from the skinny jean or pant...which has been dominating for quite a few seasons...the flowing look of the wide leg will elongate your legs...especially if you get the pants to hit where they cover your espadrilles or heels that you wear with them...

pair with a simple top or printed silk blouse...add a nice belt for accent...and you are set to go...

flower explosion...

almost anywhere you look...you will see an abundance of floral prints...the question to ask yourself...is how much floral do you want in your wardrobe...as with any trend...you can do as little or as much as you are comfortable with...

some of my clients are loving the floral prints...but when they see some of my posts...for example this one on "picking your poison in printed pants"...they get a little nervous...or think..."i can't pull that off"  and therefore...stepping away from the floral print explosion...truth be told...as much as i love those printed pants...i can't pull them off myself...but it won't stop me from pulling in florals in other ways...

so...here are some examples...especially for you minimalists out there...how about a gorgeous floral scarf?  work this in over your plain t-shirt & jeans...for a fun weekend look...add a blazer...for a casual business day...you get the idea...no?

j crew printed summer scarf

how about a solid-colored dress with one or two discreet flowers adorning it?  you might even look for a dress that has a floral border by the hem...or skirt...

how about a floral print in a wedge?  or clutch?  floral blouses...oh the choices are in abundance...

keep in mind...floral prints can be all out bright...or more simple in a neutral palette like cafe au lait or white...the key is...you choose...you take control of how much or how little...so whether you mix it all up...and wear it from head to toe...or add a tiny touch of it...the question remains...how will you bloom?

fashion funnies: the new thong bikini...

"the stares!  you'd think people had never seen a thong before..."


enjoy the summer sun this weekend...

reynolds comics

men's corner: swimwear addition...

tis the season for some fun in the sun...and no better time to update your swimwear collection...the good thing...is most stores are stocking up on fall items...so you can find some great swimwear...on sale!

but being that it is summer...and it is rallied around fun...pool time...beach...bbq's...even you conservative types...step out of your box...and add some fun & flair to your  ensemble...

add in some great color...

9" cargo long board short

or pattern...like this fabulous plaid...

7" board short in chilmark plaid

stripes are a fun addition as well...

9" long board short in social stripe

can't decide?  go for several....show off your personal style with color & pattern...and most of all...have some fun in the sun...

pleat it out...

something about the pleat...that is oh so feminine...many tend to shy away from pleats...be it the size of their hips...mostly...but the thing is...pleats come in so many forms...wide, narrow, inverted, boxed...you name it!

when it comes to pleats...which you can find many variations of in stores currently...as it is one of the current spring/summer trends...in skirts...they appear in all lengths...i say...try a mid-length pleated skirt with a wedge heel for a fabulous new outfit...

but don't stop at the skirt...you can also find them in many other pieces...i thought i would show a few examples...currently in the fabulous finds consignment boutique...

loose flowing pants...

joseph ribkoff black pleated palazzo pants - sz 8

an adorable short skirt...

mexx teal blue linen full belted skirt with pleats - sz 4

how about a pleated dress?

walter baker black pleated bustier strapless dress - sz 8

pleated work around the collar...

romeo & juliet couture white cotton pleated ruffle blouse - size large

or just a little pleated detail on the back of a jacket...

robert rodriguez brown wool blazer jacket - size 2

whether you decide to go all out pleats...or just show a little pleated detail...be sure to pleat it out...one way or another...

newest addition to my library...

so i am at my friend adena's house the other day...and she pulls out the "advanced style" book by ari seth cohen...and says..."i got this for you"...and me...after i squealed...said..."really?  why?"  and adena says..."just because..."

ok...seriously...i think the best gifts are "just because" gifts...don't you?  i had every intention of adding this lovely book to my library...but hadn't gotten around to it...now...i have it!

so if you haven't heard of advanced style...the author ari seth cohen...photographs women (and some men) with amazing style...he started the blog to capture the essence of these wonderful men & women who are often over looked because of their age...and yet...they have amazing style...but even more then that...an incredible outlook on celebrating life...no matter what your age...

i have been a long time reader of the advanced style blog...i highly recommend  perusing...if only for the pictures...but even more so...for the wonderful tidbits of wisdom in living a fabulous life...at any age...

thank you adena...i love the newest addition to my library...

fashion funnies: whose is bigger?

 

may your weekend be fabulous...

men's corner: carrying your stuff...

so...you are all dressed up for work...whether your work attire includes a suit...or your basic slacks and button down shirt...dressed or casual...one accessory that is sure to ruin this look is attaching a backpack that a high school student would be lugging to class...

i mean...come on...adults need adult bags...if you are in need of something to carry your stuff...upgrade...upgrade...upgrade...so many fabulous messenger bags...or even briefcases...that really don't look like the briefcases your father once used...you don't need to look stuffy...and you definitely do not need to look like a boy in adult clothing...

and on a side note...you may not realize it...but as you are lugging this hideous backpack around...especially when commuting...you probably don't realize how many people you are side-swiping with said hideous backpack...believe me...i've been hit...

here are some great messenger bags...sure to update your look to picture perfect...

fossil estate messenger

banana republic messenger bag

you had me at hello: snake charmer...

of course...the minute i get home...get my mail...first thing that catches my eye...a new issue!  it's the little things right?  so i get into the house...and before i do anything else...i need to peruse the issue...priorities...and what catches my eye?  it was more then a catch...it had me at hello...for this was no ordinary snake charmer...i mean...i've seen several that i loved...but what makes this one different?  is it the 18-karat white gold studded with more than 500 diamonds and emeralds?  um...yeah...the combination of the two...diamonds & anything green...les sigh...

as i read further...i realized that this is no ordinary bracelet...for within the serpents head a watch is cunningly concealed...now i do not wear a watch...but a watch like this?  i would wear...

bvlgari serpenti high jewelry watch
scanned by moi
harper's bazaar august issue

picking your poison in printed pants...

aahhh...the printed pant...they continue to steal the show...while many may sway from this look...there are so many great ways to incorporate it into your wardrobe...

here are some of my favorite pics...

although the massive floral print below may be a tad much...ok...more then a tad...you can easily replace the floral jacket...with a neutral number...same great affect...

scanned by moi
harper's bazaar june/july

if the florals are not your thing...how about some nice polka dots...they don't have to be huge...love this next look...so chic... 

scanned by moi
harper's bazaar june/july issue

i think i have already posted the latest trina turk ad...but it bears a repeat...polka dots are such a happy print...don't you think?

scanned by moi
trina turk ad picked up in store

and then...of course...let's throw in a bit of vintage...saw this interview with the lovely natalie joos...love these pucci pants...i personally could never pull them off...but i love love love them on her...if you would like to read the whole article...she talks about her styling secrets in adding vintage to your wardrobe...click here...

photo: marley kate

elle.com

these 4 looks are all so different from each other...never feel like a certain trend can only be worn one way...the beauty is always infusing your own personal style into it...and if you aren't sure...keep pics of styles you like...you will soon discover ways of putting together trends in ways that suit you...and only you...

brown & black...

do go together...i mean why wouldn't they?

i was "told" today that brown & black should never be
worn together...of course...that word "never" gets
me...every time...that and the fact that someone
somewhere...made up a rule once...and people
follow it...kind of like the whole..."don't wear white
after labor day" rule...

so i say...wear it...such a chic look...you can do it up casual
and dressy...for work...or for play...any which way...these two
neutrals...do go together...

brown & black by fabufinds 

featuring christian louboutin shoes

inspiration: over the years...

over the years i have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it...

~ yves sant laurent

enjoy the weekend

stimulating the economy...

i just received this lovely plaque for my office...from one of my dearest clients...does she know me well...or what?  it will serve as a great reminder...as if i need a reminder to go shoe shopping...

stimulating the economy, one shoe sale at a time...

you had me at hello: mixing up the room...

it probably comes as no surprise to my long time readers about my love for patterns...and more importantly...the mixing of patterns...i mix patterns in my outfits...i mix different sets of dinner plates...i mix my furniture...vintage with a touch of modern...

and then...i saw these...in the july issue of vogue...arranged at the metropolitan museum of art's costume institute gala...called a world of whimsy...the chairs are all arranged in an eclectic range of prada's most recognizable prints...be still my beating heart...

have you ever seen a prettier mix of patterns?  i will have to keep this one in the archives...wouldn't it be a fun fun project?  although i wouldn't be able to use "prada's" most recognizable prints...i could surely use my favorite prints...right?

scanned by moi

drawing inspiration from...

do things around you ever inspire an outfit?  i think that nature is one of the best ways to see incredible color combinations...and i'm always telling my clients...to key in on what stops them dead in their tracks...

this lovely pic...which i have NO idea where i first saw it...but saved it in my archives...aren't they the most adorable little birdies?  i just love the color combination...and am determined...to create an outfit of this same color combination...it may not happen today...or tomorrow...but it will happen...

what has inspired you lately?

happy 4th...

wishing you all a happy 4th of july!

may it be fun & fabulous!

photo source

summer shoes...

beautiful day in the city today...lots of sun...lots of cute
summer dresses...capri's...shorts...

and at this point...if i could...i would want to insert the
screeching of tires...as was what was going through my
head...when one after the other...i saw adorable outfits...
till you looked at the shoes...and there...the outfit is...
well...down graded...

i say it over and over...shoes can make or break an
outfit...and if you are going to go all out...looking cute...
and even if your main thing is comfort...why why why...
as i saw today...would you opt for flip flops?  now there
is nothing wrong with flip flops...but i'm talking about just
your good ole rubber flip flop found at the dollar store...
you know the ones...one notch above what you get when
you go for a pedicure...

ladies...there are so many options out there...in every
possible heel size...open toe, closed toe, embellished...not embellished...striped...patterned...neutral...bright...anything
is better then those rubber flip flops...and yes...
it "breaks" your outfit...so...let's "make" your outfit...

what are the choices?  there are shoes you can find for your
summer wardrobe...that won't break the bank...will add a little
bit of spice to your outfit...and more then anything...make you
look like you half care what you put on your feet...

summer shoes by fabufinds featuring ankle strap shoes