camera ready??

This weekend was all about good friends. Jen and Diane are two of my best friends. Jen (in middle) and I lived together in Detroit for years and she's one of my most important style inspirations. Diane, our other good friend, is on the left... note the amazing ombre hair! I took a picture to see if I could get my stylist, Anna Marie, at Figo to whip up something equally cool. That will be another post on its own.

This image reminded me of something...

NOTE: I am on the right... I love the Thakoon dress for Target purchased on Ebay. HOWEVER, it makes me look HUGE in pictures. Something to think about if you want to present yourself in a certain way for pictures; I talk to clients about this all the time when planning what to wear for formal events. In this instance, I am fine with a look slightly less flattering however for an event or formal photo op, I always take a pre event picture at home to see how the end result translates digitally. Just because you love to wear something doesn't mean it's the  best option for a camera ready pose. 

Rita Wilson... stop.

  

For the most part, I thought the Emmy's fashion was pretty ho-hum this year. I didn't catch the awards show Sunday evening (sorry, I'm all HBO that night), but did about 30 seconds of extensive research post airing. Did Hollywood stylists fall asleep for the week before? Where was all the drama? The only person I could come up with that looked at all fashion forward was Australian actress Rose Byrne and Julianna Margulies in L'Wren Scott. Bryne's Gucci dress is modern (love the gold hardware) yet not weird or too promy; the accessories are just right.The hair did feel a tad big, but her dress fits well; she looks likes she's wearing it, not the other way around. Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen and Rita Wilson dripping in Prada (see below) are fine examples of girl hijacked by dress.


Rita Wilson with Tom 

And then there's Betty White...

a sparkly something

Every girl needs a beaded jacket in her closet. Definitely a stop above the jean jacket or classic black blazer which can be so expected sometimes. I love this navy one from Parker, a NYC label who is a go-to source for sexy, fun tops and jackets. Its relaxed, swingy silhouette is sophisticated and chic.

Piperlime has this cool function (like Polyvore) were users can create set looks with items from the site.

Here are a few styling ideas I like:

Summer event dressing

There are several dressy functions happening in the next few weeks here in southeastern Michigan. J Mendel is the perfect solution for the woman who wants to make a fashionable yet subtle statement. The number above is a perfect example. It can go so many places in a wardrobe. Sorry, my iPhone is not doing the colors any justice here.

I met Gilles last year at a client event and he is the most charming and delightful man. One small fact: I read that Mendel started making ready to wear after putting basic silk shifts in his store window to deter PETA protesters who took issue with Mendel's fur business.

Other looks from his Spring 2010 collection. Most we have in our store.

DL on Denier

I pulled this information from Mytights.com. Superb 101 for anyone with a hosiery fetish.

Deniers: What does it mean?

Technically denier relates to the weight (i.e. thickness) of the yarn from which hosiery is woven, (in case you are interested, 1 denier means that 9,000 meters of yarn weighs 1 gram). Generally the lower the denier, the sheerer the appearance and the more fragile the product. Certain products however have an appearance that is sheerer than would be expected for their denier - this is good news as it means that a product is stronger than it looks!

Almost Bare Nylon/Ultra Sheer: Less than 10 denier

Ultra sheer hosiery is ideal for achieving a bare leg look. Available in a wide variety of deniers and shades to suit your skin tone, ultra sheer hosiery smoothes out blemishes and keeps your legs cool during the hot summer months. Very Sheer Nylon/Sheer: 10 to 20 denier Sheer hosiery is a must-have summer item for every woman’s hosiery draw. Much like ultra sheer, sheer hosiery is available in an array of colours, deniers and finishes but, being a slightly thicker denier, will be a little more durable for everyday wear. Opt for matt finishes for a natural look and go for shine for a more noticeable appearance. Sheer hosiery can have both sheer LINK toes and sandal LINK toes, which again is great for wearing with strappy sandals or open toe shoes.

Classic Nylon/Semi-Opaque: 21 to 40 denier

Semi-Opaque hosiery is stronger and longer lasting than sheer. It will give your legs more coverage but your skin will remain quite visible. We have some great semi-opaque hosiery available in an assortment of bright and everyday colours from leading brands including Jonathan Aston and Pamela Mann.

Almost a Tight/Opaque: 41 to 69 denier

Opaque hosiery will give your legs great coverage and unlike semi-opaque, your skin will be far less visible. We have an extremely wide selection of opaque hosiery available in lots of colours from brands such as Emilio Cavallini and Falke. Perfect for winter, opaques are also great during springtime weather teamed with shorts and skirts.

Classic Tights/Thick Opaque: 70 to 99 denier

Thick opaque hosiery is a god-send during winter, especially if you want to keep your legs warm when wearing your favourite LBD to all those Christmas parties! If you don’t like wearing trousers in the winter months, thick opaques are ideal for keeping your legs protected from the elements, plus they’re extra durable. Also due to their thickness the colour on your leg will be strong and give a clear outline to your legs.

Almost a legging/Mega Thick Opaque: 100 Denier Plus

Every woman needs mega thick opaques for winter! Mega thick opaque’s are great alternatives to leggings and woolly tights. They give your legs complete coverage at all times. They are also great if you want a strong and solid colour on your leg. Perfect for making your legs stand out or alternatively go for a classic black.

Get a handle on your hoseiry

Yesterday I was at a client's dress fitting for the Hospice Ball this Saturday at the Ritz Carlton Dearborn. My client is not an event chair, but always likes to look her very best for black-tie events. Because for her knee length cocktail dress (classic black shift w/ a very cool Zac Posen fur collar) and our shoe choice, the topic of hosiery was a BIG one.

NOTE*** Research is my secret weapon; here are pics from last year's Hospice Ball. A mix of both long and short dresses with bare legs and some hosiery wearers. Know these things when dressing for an event: location, time, vibe, co chairs, people involved, dress code and event prestige. Every element provides intel into the best look for my client based on his/her role in the event and personal style.

General guidelines to noodle while picking leg wear...

• Age - those born around 1980 often don't wear leg wear ever (that includes me.) My grandmother and mother always wear leg wear in the winter for dressy and evening events.
• Time of Day - Morning, day or evening. Depending on your age, evening dressing is a bare leg DO NOT. Sometimes I think it's weird to have bear legs during that day... hosiery makes more sense
• Shoes - Open toed, sandal, depending on your look and age, open toe/sling back doesn't always look that great with tights, nylons, or hosiery.
• Weather - is it below 50? comfort may win here and hosiery could help keep you warm.
• Event - Casual, formal, black tie? Is it more formal? Can you get away with a bit of daring i.e. gallery opening or an event with less stodgy undertones - kids charity fundraiser, birthday party at a restaurant.
• Work Wear - Are you working aka not black-tie or event related? Wear hosiery in the winter, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Don't event think about wearing bare legs. Summer is a different animal and that event depends on your employer.

The best advice I can give is to wear what's comfortable for you and be aware of modern convention - doesn't mean you have to follow it. As with most things fashion, the world's your oyster. Prepared to stand your ground if you are the trend setter or black sheep in the crowd.

Wisdom from others:

Do I have to match my legwear with my shoes?

While matching your hose with your shoes is leg-lengthening and an easier option when you're getting dressed, don't be afraid to have some fun with color and texture. And remember, the old-school rule that you shouldn't pair brown and black no longer applies, so achieve an ultrachic look by donning rich browns with your black footwear. From iVillage

1.) White tights – NO. NO, NO! Unless you are three years old and gearing up for Easter Sunday, you should never, EVER wear white tights.

Forget the days of drab, nude pantyhose, ladies. First of all, you are not 80. Second of all, there are so many more FLATTERING and stylish patterns and colors to choose from! Unless you feel that you need to wear them in the workplace (we don’t want you feeling under-dressed- literally!), leave them at home. From Fashion Friday