6 Easy Ways To Mix Your Prints

Reposted from Refinery29.com

By Connie Wang, Kat George

Your closet might already be full of florals, stripes, dots, and plaids—but you probably only wear one patterned piece at a time. We don't blame you! Print mixing is one of the more difficult trends to pull off, since more often than not, wanton combo-ing can lead to Bozo-esque outfits. But when done right, mixed prints can look wildly high-fashion, and breathe some new life into your tired clothes. Below, we've come up with some easy tips to get you going. Once you've mastered it, make sure you head on over to our prints-mixing contest page and show off your concoction! 

Balance Artist - When mixing intricate prints, it helps to keep one of the prints in a neutral hue, and the other in bright. We love how both the silky textures play off one another. 



Above, from left: J.Crew Factory Printed Silk Cami, $59.50, available at J.Crew; Madewell Pretty Plumes Skirt, $98, available atMadewell. 

Thick and Thin—One of the easiest starting-off points is to mix your stripes. A thin-striped cardigan thrown over a thicker-striped tank is effortless, but looks super-thoughtful.



Above, from left: Aerie Striped Boyfriend Sweater, $29.95, available at Aerie; Kain Striped Tank, $90, available at Net-a-Porter.
Rad Plaids—Plaids of nearly all colors, types, and textures look wonderful together. A slim blazer worn atop a classic flannel is a fun, wintry take on the classic combo. 



Above, from left: Madewell Double Breasted Coat, $268, available at Shopbop; Old Navy Women's Classic Flannel Shirt, $24.50, available at Old Navy. 


Pants Perfection—Printed pants are our weakness. We can't say no to a good pair! Avoid the pajama connotations by wearing a fancy top in a contrasting color 



Above, from left: Modcloth Printed Pants, $47.99, available at ModCloth; Isabel Marant Silk Blouse, $470, available at Net-a-Porter.


Accessories Matter—Don't forget about your accessories, too! A printed shoe worn with a matching pair of tights are a quirky styling tip! 



Above, from left: Jukebox Tights, $34.99, available at ModCloth; Dr. Martens Polka Dot Boot, $150, available at Gravity Pope.


Unexpected Matches—One of our favorite pairings is floral and stripes. Whether it's a floral skirt and striped top, or a striped tank and a floral cardigan, this combo is usually foolproof! 



Above, from left: Rittenhouse Striped Shirt, $52, available at Rittenhouse; TV Perforated Floral Skirt, $407.02, available atAmelie Boutique.

under the sea

net-a-porter.com

Over the weekend, I was researching inspiration for upcoming appointments. As always, I keep eye out for myself when combing through the latest and greatest. Net-A-Porter.com is ALWAYS a first stop when scouting looks to recreate for clients.

The above emerald green leather blazer had me at hello. I AM IN LOVE. A perfect balance between classic and totally off kilter all at the same time. That magical piece that morphs perfectly into any outfit. Day night. Casual dressy. As I get older (that sounds terrible and I will never say it again), pieces of the statement variety but easy to wear is what I want in my closet.

Designed by Faith Connexion (a new designer to me)... a small blurb about the designer...

With a strong design duo at the helm, Faith Connexion offers a Parisian perspective on luxe urban clothing. Its distinctive style combines a rock edge with a glamorous finish - featuring easy-to-wear dresses and exquisitely tailored pants updated with inventive twists, the label's fresh aesthetic is pure Left Bank cool.

Of course sold out in my size and a fruitless search turned up nothing for other retailers.

you'll die if you don't....

J Brand pants

...own these pants. I am not kidding. Essential is all I can say. A client was in the other day who had a similar pant from Michael Michael Kors and we literally styled it with EVERYTHING. From super casual to glammed up evening.... this a pant every women should own in some way/shape/form.

The whole cargo look isn't for everyone... god love my healthy, robust thighs. But... what's perfect here is the color. That khaki olive is a cool option to jeans or black pants. Posting style ideas later today... :)

short cuts to fabulous

Thanks to Fashionista.com today we focus on facets other than dressing for looking AMAZING with little to no effort. My personal favorite from their round up of video tutorials was how to master the everyday fresh face... perfect b/c I love dressing but don't love spending time on make up and hair. 

Quick question: How awesome would it be to have your very own glam squad in the comfort of your own home? Thanks to YouTube and their massive makeup how-to library of makeup tutorials, now you actually do. But there’s no need to watch them all—we’ve sifted through thousands of tutorials to find the most informative and useful. For everything from how to cover acne to how to get the perfect red lip, check out the best YouTube has to offer.

On your mark, get set, watch, and bookmark! THANK YOU FASHIONISTA!

Elle.com = inspiration

Elle is by far my favorite fashion magazine right now. I love the above Spring 2012 fashion round up on Elle.com. Fabulous inspiration if you need a little before head out with that wishlist.

15 Flirty Spring Dresses That Won't Break The Bank

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Ever get to the point where you're so sick of your clothing routine you're ready to ditch your entire closet? Yeah, we're there right now. But, instead of getting all Sparta on our totally trustworthy duds, we've decided to pick up just a few new spring dresses to add to the mix. And, we've obviously got to limit ourselves somewhere (we're saving our shekels for summer Friday getaways). So, we've scoured the city for the cutest frocks under $200. Sure, that moolah could take you a long way, but we're thinking each of these flirty ensembles will see as much light as your everyday sandals, averaging out to a seriously low CPW (cost per wear). The point? Worth it. Especially if that come-hither vibe lands you that happy-hour date you've been after. 

Click through and find your perfect, easy-to-wear spring dress now—we've got 15, ripe for the picking. 

REPOSTED FROM REFINERY 29

By Annie Georgia Greenberg

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After playing with the dog this morning and freezing my butt off, I was inspired by all the great cold weather looks above from Who What Wear. Notice not one puffy coat or pair of Uggs... how refreshing!

Master Craft

Images from New York Times, Style.com

Every craft has its masters... here they are for fashion. When roaming BG or clicking through Net-Porter, it's easy to forget the roots of where garment creation comes from. What happens in haute couture, however far removed from Zara, Old Navy and you and me, is silently shaping how we dress. Reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell's rule of 10,000 hours...

Just beyond the doorway of the first studio, called the atelier flou, is a muslin-covered bust wearing a floor length skirt with layers of red organza ruffles. This is the finale dress, and it’s still without a bodice. In truth, none of the looks appear to be finished. In fact, they aren’t. In the studio 50 people in white coats are working on the remaining embroidery, stitching and construction. Half of the sewers are interns from the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, the school of the French Federation of Fashion and Ready-to-Wear. (Only a few will be offered long-term employment after years of apprenticeship. “We keep the best,” says Catherine Riviere, the directrice of haute couture for Dior.) The other sewers are all experts; many came to Dior from houses that have closed in recent years. “There are only two real haute couture houses remaining,” Ms. Riviere says. “Chanel and Dior.” She worked at the former 15 years ago before arriving at her present position. Structured, stiff designs in materials often applied to men’s suiting, and the use of faille or organza are what Ms. Riviere says distinguishes Dior from Chanel. It’s in the second studio –– the atelier tailleur –– that these architectural pieces are made.

Like the atelier flou, the atelier tailleur is occupied by about 50 sewers, each working on a single look. There’s a bust being fitted with a jacket that appears to be made of crocodile (each scale is actually an irregularly shaped cutout made of black ostrich skin that’s been hand sewn onto organdy and tulle). This entire collection is red, purple, beige, black and white. X-ray is the theme –– image seams exposed and beading turned inside out beneath sheer fabrics (the house used black toile for the first time to simulate this effect). Is there a technique that’s specific to each atelier? “There’s no technique here,” Ms. Riviere says, explaining that skills are, instead, unique to each artisan. For example, one person does embroidery, like the white cursive letters that spell out Mr. Dior’s favorite sayings on a skirt; another creates pied de coq patterning, and so on. 

It’s worth noting that not one of the 40 dresses is finished and the show is in less than 24 hours. Still, the atmosphere is tranquil, cool, unruffled. “It’s always calm. Everyone has to concentrate,” says Ms. Riviere. “You cannot be excited when every stitch must be precise.” 

Of course, there will be people working through the night until, at last, the finished pieces are covered in white muslin cases and wheeled away from the atelier, a parade of ghosts with red or purple tulle trailing behind them.

Wear it!: Floral Bottoms

   Étoile Isabel Marant Jerry Floral Pant                  Etro Floral-print wide-leg silk pants                     MAX MARA 'Tubinga' trouser

   DOLCE & GABBANA printed trouser                         DKNY Ankle Skinny Pant                             Dries Van Noten Pyrus Pants

Pair with a sweater, white button down, or corresponding printed blouse. 

       J. Crew                                                             Gap                                           Tory Burch

Neck Candy

Breath in Dannijo (made in NYC, designed by two lovely sisters, a modern women's delight.)

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.

Not your boring old jewelry line and worth every precious penny. It's easy to get sucked into the easy delights at F21, but you need a piece of this.... NOW! Glorious, beautiful, sparkly joy. Around the neck, on fingers, dangling from wrists.

Ignite the classics in your closet with seriously fun gems.

Trend: Florals Forever

Let your floral fantasies go wild this season. Bold colored patterns of pretty flowers evoke warm feelings of tropical islands and  umbrella drinks. Avoid fussy details and let the floral dress take center stage. Pair with nude heels or everyone’s favorite, the sand espadrille. See our hot picks below.

For more floral inspiration click here!

{Reposted from SheFinds}

What I Wore...Errands

Helmet Lang tee, Trouve cream blouse, Jil Sander pants, Vince Camuto Boots


I ran random errands on my day off - eye appointment, lunch with my grandma, yoga. Jil Sander pants are knit but look dressier with knee high leather boots. I am obsessed with Equipment style blouses however the roomy silk shirt look doesn't do wonders for my curves so I tighten it up with a fitted layering piece.

First Flats for Spring

First purchase for my spring 2012 wardrobe. LOVE these Isabel Toledo flats for Payless! Such a fun pop of color without making you feel like your wearing fluorescent moon boots on your feet. They remind me of the below Isabel Marant (aka super cool french girl) look from Spring 2012. Good graphic lines, bright fun colors. Feels fresh and young without being juvenile.

Flats are my new obsession because I am running around finding clothes and working with clients; heels aren't feasible for eight hours of running around like a mad lady.

For night, I crave a sexy, vintage looking heels like the Marc by Marc Jacobs below. These guys are still wishlist status... maybe later on in the season they'll become closet buddies.

Golden Globes... my tops

Katharine McPhee, in custom Donna Karan. 

Evan Rachel Wood, in Gucci Premiere, with Fred Leighton jewels

Laura Dern, in Andrew Gn
(update: I read in US Weekly she picked this dress at 1:20am the night before because her 1st choice went missing... I'd love to hear the details on that one... always have a back up plan!)

Dianna Agron, in Giles, with Fred Leighton jewels
(update: This look was included in several worst dressed lists... I say wear what you love and don't give a hoot about what other people think.)

Angelina Jolie, in Atelier Versace, with Lorraine Schwartz jewels, with Brad Pitt, in Salvatore Ferragamo

Coveting now...neon!

Not this sweater... keep reading. Neon can feel so 1990 and not in a good way (I'm not even sure what I mean by that), if only to imply it can read juvenile... the above sweater is a fair example. Good in theory I suppose but the actual number of people who could carry it off is, like, one - the model here... and she got paid so we get the motivation.

For the sophisticate in you, try these Pierre Hardy neon trim heels. I would wear these with everything. Classic shape, tonal grey with a hint of rebel in shocking pink.

What I Wore Today

Trouve silk shirt | Jil Sander pants |vintage boots | F21 pearl necklace


My main wardrobe challenge right now: how do I look cute while running around like a chicken with my head cut off at work? Personal shopping for men and women for a living is VERY rewarding but also difficult in high heels or uncomfortable clothes when you race around a 14,000 square foot building all day.

Working in fashion you can't dress down or work in Zella even though that would be nice.

What is your wardrobe challenge right now?

The Rick Santorum Sweater Vest

Today's post has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with useful style tips to help you look better, however it is a brief moment of fun sartorial fundraising from Rick Santorum... shows that having a look all your own is just as important for you as it is for White House presidential candidates.

As seen on Rick Santorum's FB page...

TEAM SANTORUM: JOIN RICK’S SWEATER VEST SQUAD! You can get one of Rick’s famous sweater vests by donating $100 or more before midnight 1-11-12. Show your support for Rick in a 100% cotton, Made In America sweater vest. Click here now to donate: http://RickSantorum.com/ NOTE: If you or your friends and family donate through your http://fundly.com/RickSantorum page, donors will receive an email to claim your vest. Game ON!

Do you Wu?

... I do especially when it's at Target. Honestly the whole big name designer meets Target is tired and way overdone. Grumble, grumble I know.

But I am anticipating good things (yes it's marked in my Google calendar)  from Jason Wu who does modern ladylike and detail (think Michelle Obama) so well in the designer arena to land in stores February 5... let's hope quality looks half as good in person as it does in the look book.

Beloved by stylish stars including Michelle Obama (who wore his dress to the inaugural ball), Diane Kruger (who often wears his designs) and Lea Michele (attending his fashion show in September), Wu’s signature feminine, flirtatious and slightly retro style is on display in the collection’s frocks, handbags and scarves.

“As with my main collection, special attention has been considered into every detail,” Wu said in a release, “and I can’t wait to see girls wearing and enjoying the collection.” Look for pleats, plaid and stripes; preppy jewel tones and girly pastels; and structured, stylish handbags that are perfect for the spring. The collection ranges from $20 to $60 and will launch online and in stores on Feb. 5, so set your alarm clocks early! - alex apatoff people.com

how to wear it: white button downs...

  
 

Need a little inspiration for those white button downs? Take a peek at US Weekly's 5 Ways to Wear a White Button Down Shirt... enjoy! I also like shorts with tights and big heels.