how to freshen up that suit...

while it is not as common as it used to be...believe it or not...there are still women that do wear suits to work...as in several of my clients...so if you are in the elite group...i realize that wearing that same old suit...can get old...but with the hefty price tags...it's not likely that these are items that you continue to buy over and over...

so what needs to happen...is to work with what you've got...while the suit on its own can be...shall we say...yawn...boring...there are some easy ways to freshen up the look...and "revive" those suits you are wearing...

if you've been wearing a basic button down shirt with your suits...how about opting for a nice bright blouse?  if you like ruffles...this is a great accent to an otherwise boring blouse...the combination of the ruffles & color cascading down the suit jacket will instantly pump up the volume...want to be a bit more daring?  go for a fun print...when looking for new blouses to add...think color...texture...detail...the smallest of which could make a huge impact...

add in some fun accessories...if you have been wearing your standard pearls or chain necklace...try adding one with a bolt of color...or adding several necklaces together to create new interest...add a fun brooch to the jacket...no one will notice your basic suit anymore...

belts are another way to update or freshen up an old suit...go for a belt that matches for a conservative approach or add some fun with one in a contrasting color...not only does this bring a great new detail to your suit...but it will instantly cinch in that waist for a flattering silhouette...

photo source

different ways to knot a belt...

i am always amazed at the clever ways i see belts looped & knotted...adds a great detail to your outfit...with some wonderful interest...especially when you've got all that extra leather hanging off to the side...

came across this lovely tutorial on pinterest...if you click on the photo source below...it will enlarge the pic...or better yet...i found the original blog post from fashionrolla...take a peak...and let me know which ones you try out!

photo source

fashion funnies: belt heights...

enjoy the weekend...

dan reynolds comics

fashion funnies: the signs of "fall"

...and the importance of wearing a belt...

scott hilburn, comic

may your weekend be fabulous

"orange" you glad it's halloween?

...personally i could take it or leave it...but the color...that is a whole different subject...it just exudes happiness...don't you think? here are some ways to incorporate the beautiful color orange into your wardrobe...

nina ricci 'fantasy' tweed pencil skirt
nordstrom

michael kors hamilton n/s tote
neiman marcus

skinny leather belt
j. crew

giuseppe zanotti satin ankle-wrap peep-toe pump
neiman marcus

hacking jacket in herringbone
j. crew

what is your favorite "orange" piece in your wardrobe?

fashion funnies: the repurposed belt...

scott hilburn - comic

may your weekend be fabulous & stylish...

men's corner: braid it...

besides the fact that a woven or braided belt adds that additional "texture" to an outfit...it is a fun way to update an otherwise casual outfit...braided-leather belts are always in style...giving an outfit some rugged authenticity...and a fabulous casual attitude...

when thinking of the right color...don't worry about needing to match the color of the leather to your shoes...in fact...for a real "pop"...contrast the color of the belt with the color of your pants...meaning...light-color belt with dark jeans and vice versa...

and the best part? no matter what size you are...meaning if you've gone up or down a bit in your waistline...they are great in that they don’t require holes...you just poke the tongue through the braid anywhere and there you are...cinched up exactly where you want to be...

prada braided leather belt
neiman marcus

belt it...

belts are a good and relatively inexpensive way to add new chic to classic...simple designs..and to rejuvenate the old timers in your wardrobe...the main rule of thumb here is that any belt that is prominently displayed must be of excellent quality...no matter what material it is made from...true to the same rule of quality vs quantity...you are much better off with fewer belts...all of quality...than mediocrity in quantity...

take for example a moderately priced shirtwaist dress...they usually come with a self-tie belt...that in my opinion...tends to down-grade an entire look immediately...this is the perfect place for a winning belt substitute...it can turn a dress from chintzy to classy...

want to spruce up an old coat? add a fabulous big belt...create a brand new look...

keep in mind...the width of the belts you choose depends mainly on your figure...tall...thin women can easily wear almost any width belt...but short women would do best to avoid wide belts...generally...the smaller you are...the narrower the belt should be...

whether you choose belts in varying shades of the neutrals that form your foundation wardrobe...experiment with contrasting colors as well...and as always...have fun with it...it is fashion...after all...and fashion...should be fun...

photo source

brilliant bejeweled belts...

how do you turn an otherwise plain outfit into a "wow" outfit? add a statement belt...when it comes to belts in the jana kos collection...they truly are pieces of art...and meant to be worn over and over...in so many different brilliant ways...

here is what we have in the fall 2010 collection...

perforated belt
red/black
vintage patent ruby italian zigzag cut leather w/black perforated leather and satin gold buckle

multi chain belt
black
napoli black italian leather w/multi gold chains and gold studded straps in gold buckle

filigree buckle belt
forest
snake italian patent emerald leather w/yellow jade, african turquoise, tiger eye semi precious stones and amethyst swarovski crystals in antique brass oval buckle

oval buckle belt
black
boa pewter italian leather w/faceted onyx stone w/black diamond rhinestone chain in antique nickel oval, pyramids buckle

multi strap belt
cognac
country brown leather w/multi straps alternating antique brass studs and light colorado topaz rhinestones in antique brass buckle w/light colorado topaz rhinestones

come in and see these beautiful works of art as well as a few others...

jana kos fall 2010 collection
trunk show
august 4 - 11, 2010

by personal appointment only
morning, afternoon & evening appts available
415.577.6133

men's corner: belt gone awry...

picture this...a well-dressed man...nice suit...nice shoes...and then i hear in my head that screeching car sound...when you see the belt...the thing is men...accessories are just as important to your outfit as it is to women's...it truly is all the tiny details that make an outfit complete...

a silver-tipped faux cowboy belt is not a dress belt...and never will be...if you’ve got one, retire it...



invest in a high-quality leather strap that’s an inch to an inch and a half wide...if it smells and feels buttery...that means it’ll age beautifully...and the buckle should be subtle...



click here for more belt basics...

brilliant belts...

belts can do amazing things to a body...lengthen a torso...shorten a torso...create the illusion of a waist...

belts can also add instant pop to an outfit...

choosing to "buckle up" whether to create an illusion or simply to accessorize an outfit is done easily with the belts in the jana kos spring 2010 collection...10 beautiful choices...and as i've said before...jana manages to turn a belt into a fabulous piece of jewelry...

these are available now...so if you see one that you can't live without...contact me =)

carved horn belt
natural hand carved horn with elastic and double strand belt
(is reversable to solid black belt)


urban stretch belt
african croc liquid blk/gold leather with matte gold buckle and elastic trim


shield stretch belt
snake italian patent leather in black with black 3" crochet elastic w/antique nickel hardware and closure


celebration belt
patent croc black leather with jet & siam swarovski crystals and sardonyx-black onyx stones in gold buckle


filegree belt
croc wash leather in mint with mother of pearl natural patina cabs & white opal in antique nickel buckle


slick stretch belt
wash metallic leather with matte silver buckle and elastic trim


stone buckle belt
patent lamb leather in copper with catseye orange, tiger eye stones and pearls in antique brass buckle


ornate stretch belt
wash metallic bronze leather with antique brass hardware and copper metallic elastic


studded belt
luscious leather in navy with multi color studs in nickel buckle


mother of pearl belt
metallic perforated lamb leather in silver with mother of pearl in nickel buckle

jana kos spring 2010 collection
trunk show - redwood shores, ca
february 10 - 21
by personal appt only

men's corner: belt basics...

every man probably has the basic go-to black calfskin belt, perhaps even one in brown leather...

of course, the buckle should be clean and elegant, unless you work the rodeo, and then words and logos are okay. wider belts are fine with jeans for the western look...

for other casual options, try belts in suede, canvas, cloth or nylon... you can play with color in casual styles, just make sure not to go too wild or you'll look like a band member from the 80's...

the foregoing aside, the belt generally should match your shoes - black shoes, black belt; brown shoes, brown belt...

buckle up...

the belt was originally drafted for the military...to support clothes and hold weapons...today, belts usually aren't as aggressive...their main job is to add color and texture to an outfit...

you will wear a basic brown or black belt forever...so invest in quality and subtle style...look for even stitching...good leather...well-finished holes...and solid or well-plated hardware...



what a belt can do...

a wide belt shortens the upper body and works well on most women...
a loosely slung belt lengthens the torso...

if your belt is the same color as your top...it will visually lower your waistline...
if it's the same color as your skirt or pants, it will help to shorten your waist and lengthen legs...
if it's a different color from the rest of your clothing, it can cut you in half, especially if the top and bottom of your outfit are the same color and texture...

and then...there is the belt simply as a luxury accessory...(my favorite)
the Jana Kos Winter 09 Collection has some beauties...

the regal belt: boa patent black italian leather, 1 1/2" contoured strap & snaps with amethyst jade semi-precious faceted stone, sardonyx and onyx semi-precious stone, silver pearl and black acrylic cabs and light amethyst crystals...

the delicious belt: shiny print patent black leather skin, 1 1/2" contoured strap & snaps with multi colored semi-precious stones, glass catseye cabs and multi colored swarovski crystals...

jana manages to turn a belt into a piece of jewelry...