leopard is the new plaid...

just what every cocktail party needs...fashionable cocktail napkins...had to share these cute ones that my friend adena got me a while back...she says she thought of me when she saw them...aww...which reminds me...i should do a post showing all my fabulous "fashionable" wine & martini glasses...wish i could have a party and invite you all to see them in person... =)

men's corner: plaid for fall...

big fall trend for men this year is plaid plaid plaid...so many ways to incorporate a little plaid into your wardrobe...and SO many colors to choose from...honestly...this is a great way to bring in color...for those of you that are more subdued in your color choices...step out a bit...be bold...bring in some color for those dreary cold fall days...

how about a nice plaid tie?

billy reid

and with your jeans...try a nice plaid shirt...don't even need to tuck that baby in...

true religion

men's corner: going plaid...

even though i adore the summer weather...can't get enough of it...my mind is already so consumed with fall...so while most are just getting their hands wrapped around summer attire...i'm thinking fall...

a trend that is still looking strong for guys this fall (courtesy of gq magazine) is the plaid shirt...we've seen a lot of plaid this summer...but turning it into a fall favorite with darker colors is a great idea...you'll still look professional when you couple it with a solid, dark-colored tie...and it does double-duty in a more casual setting when worn with jeans and a blazer...

for starters...check out nordstrom...which has a nice selection of plaids for guys...especially now...with the anniversary sale going on...prices go back up afterwards!

doesn't jason sudeikis of "saturday night live" look fabulous wearing a plaid shirt and dark tie combo?
(we don't recommend the forehead stamp...as a rule...)
source

patterns patterns patterns...

patterns can speak volumes...they can be bold or demure, sublime or ridiculous...

they can even convey different interpretation of the law...

narrow stipes? banker...
broader pinstripes? gangster...
broad stripes? convict...

they can camouflage (the soldier's fatigues) or announce (the tourist's hawaiian shirt)...there are "no-pattern" patterns, like the subtle striping on a shirt or the small arrows of a herringbone tweed, which add texture to a garment...bold patterns, often found on bathing suits, can diminish or accentuate lines of the body...larger patterns will tend to make you look larger; smaller ones do the opposite...vertical lines elongate; horizontal bars widen and shorten...

they can be used to distract - a patterned scarf around the neck draws the eye to the face...

but they can also call attention to flaws we might rather hide...so use patterns as you use color: as an accessory...your mistakes will be less expensive...and your triumphs? fabulous...of course...

"some people were born to push the envelope of fashion and some to lick it..." ~ duff, mtv vj

pattern types:

floral - subtle in a scarf, or wildly feminine when done up big on spring and summer dresses...

animal prints - they're wild by their nature...but we've seen so many stylish people wearing them (particularly leopard) over the decades - that they have become classics...



plaid - because distinct plaids were associated with various scottish clans, wearing them became a dangerous political statement and was once prohibited by british law...now they deorate everything from umbrellas to dog collars...



stripes - horizontal, they seem nautical...vertical, they are more businesslike...while they can look fresh or refined...be careful not to cover yourself in them...stripes are tiring to the eye...



polka dots - comical when large, demure when tiny...they are best used sparingly - on silk scarves for example...as they can attract a lot of attention...