Walk the Line: How to Pull off Stripes

A model on the runway at the Michael Kors Spring '13 Show. Photo via Fairchild Photo.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I have a glaring blind spot when it comes to stripes. I see them, I want them, I buy them, and now, after years of hard work, I've managed to amass dozens of striped tops. When I see a perfect stripe, it's like my brain momentarily lapses, ignoring the impressive collection I already own, forgetting that the last thing I need is another striped shirt.  I add it to my closet and wonder how I ever ended up with so many. It's a problem.

And so, I was thrilled that summer's biggest print trend is black & white stripes. After all, I own lots of navy with white and white with navy breton striped shirts (there's a difference, I swear) plus a few sporty red & white bateau necks thrown in for good measure. But mod black & white? I definitely (maybe?) don't own any of those. I'm sensing that this is one of those blind spot moments. Ignore.

If you worry about the whole 'horizontal stripes make you look fat' thing, fret not. Read on for some style tips on how to pull off stripes. I think they meant to say 'fab' instead of 'fat' anyway. Let's just chalk that up to a typo, shall we? General rule of thumb: Wide stripes add curves and narrow stripes make you look slimmer. See? Easy.

Read the full article

Emerald City

Natasha Poly dazzles in emerald. Image source: Vogue Russia

Originally posted in The CLOSET

You may have heard (and you may have not) that Emerald is the It colour of the hour.  Between our penchant for all things planet-friendly and Pantone's declaration of 'Emerald' as the official Colour of the Year for 2013, green is where it's at.  And where last year's Tangerine Tango was a little tricky (to say the least), green is refreshingly easy to pull off, whether you're blonde, brunette or even fiery red.  Not only does it flatter, but green is incredibly versatile, making you look fresh and lively one minute and sultry and sophisticated the next.  Whether you rock it head-to-toe or simply opt for a pretty green polish (stay tuned for loads of Emerald makeup coming to Sephora this spring), there are loads of ways to get your green on.

Being green might not be easy but wearing it?  That, as they say, is a whole other story (or in this case, see below...)

Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, $199.95, Sunglass Hut;  Legacy Leather Penny Shoulder Purse, $198, Coach; Studded Suede Hi-Top Sneakers, $99.95, Le Château; Harbor Jersey Roll-Sleeve Striped Dress, $64.95, Gap

Leather Clutch, $158, Roots;  Skinny Jeans, $79.95, Le Château; Vintage Blue Sunglasses, $145, Club Monaco; Striped Knit Moto Jacket, $79.95, Gap; Ankle Boots, $90.99, ALDO

Crewneck Cashmere Sweater, $179, Club Monaco; Beaded Statement Necklace, $25, Le Château; Chambray Shirt, $29.95, H&M; Parisian Leather Saddle Bag, $268, Roots; Suede Pumps, $99, Coach; White 1969 Long & Lean Jeans, $69.95, Gap

Stripe It Up

Stripe Skirt, $110, Banana Republic

Though I've resolved to stay on budget this year (especially when it comes to shopping) this striped beauty from Banana Republic is definitely on my radar. It's so totally Marc Jacobs/Michael Kors/Balmain/Dolce & Gabbana (everyone's doing bold stripes for Spring '13) and will become my graphic go-to from now until summer.  Read between the lines (I'm not making it that tough): I WANT.

Fête Set

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

Lately, I've been acting a lot more mature, and I don't mean this in a good coming-of-age way.  I'm talking terrifyingly predictable - ie. work all day, make dinner, eat dinner, give kids a bath, stories, bedtime, then we put on a pot of water for tea (Twinings which, for the record, we did way before Fifty Shades of Grey), then work some more, then crash. Zzzzz.  It's not that I don't like being a mom, because I love it.  And I'm not saying I don't like to work, because I really do.  It's just that nothing good can possibly come of the constant routininess of it all, especially when endless piles of laundry are involved. 

What I mean, is that I'm beyond ready to bust it. I'm ready to eat, drink and be embarassingly merry.  I'm ready to sparkle my way into a snowbank somewhere and just chill out there for a minute, then get back up and shuffle my way to the next party. I'm actually even ready to feel tired the next day - in a good way. 

I've got a rocking holiday wardrobe all planned out (which I wholeheartedly encourage you to try on for size btw) should any tempting invites come my way. You hosting?

x

Michael Kors Fall 2012 - photo: style.com

1. Open Blazer, $30, Dynamite; 2. Draped Gown, $129.99, Laura; 3. Studded Loafer, $50, ALDO; 4. Faux-Fur Scarf, $70, Le Château; 5. Gemstone Clutch, $40, Le Château 

Photo: WhoWhatWear.com

1. Necklace, $18, American Eagle; 2. Leopard Bag, $25, American Eagle; 3. Flared Skirt, $40, American Eagle; 5. Patent-Toe Pumps, $42, ALDO; 6. Denim Shirt, $45, American Eagle

Emilio Pucci Fall 2012 - photo: style.com

1. Chiffon Blouse, $35, Smart Set; 2. Tuxedo Pant, $39.90, Dynamite; 3. Studded Clutch, $40, ALDO; 4. Pointy-Toed Pump, $90, ALDO; 5. Snake Bracelet, $12, ALDO

Derek Lam Fall 2012 - photo: style.com

1. Skull Necklace, $12, ALDO; 2. Bouclé Blazer, $120, Laura; 3. Lurex Scarf, $28, Laura; 4. Studded Hi-Top, $120, Le Château; 5. Wide Leg Pant, $60, Laura 

Gold Digger

You know those days when you look at your closet and all you think is, "Ugh"? Consider these your little shake-ups, guaranteed to breathe life into a safe and staid routine. I'd wear them to drop-off and pick-up, and maybe even a pick-up game of 3-on-3 just for kicks. Because I wanna be a baller, a shot caller, twenty inch blades on the Impala. 

Read: LOVE these.  

Check, check, check these Metallic Glam Studded High-Tops ($195) at Michael Kors. Now play on, playas...