Fashion Tips

In the week leading up to the Golden Globes, all I can think about is Marilyn Monroe’s style. Actress Michelle Williams may face tough competition for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical (she’s nominated along with Jodie Foster, Charlize Theron, Kristen Wiig and Kate Winslet); but when it comes to who played the character with the highest chic factor, Michelle wins hands down.

Here, my favorite ways to channel Marilyn’s timeless look (clockwise): (more…)

One of the allures of Tory Burch is that she sells not only fabulous clothes and accessories- but that her style and her brand brings you into the glossy world of New York’s movers and shakers.   I recently discovered one of her latest blog posts, The Tastemakers’ Guide to Fall, where she shares many of the obsessions and fall favorites of her influential friends.  It’s a must read if you’re looking for some inspiration for your own lifestyle this fall!  I, for one, have put down trying the butternut squash soup at The Mercer on my to-do list (a recommendation from fashion writer Derek Blasberg) and a trip to Paris (one of photographer Jennifer Livingston’s favorite autumn excursions) on my lust list.

And for Tory Burch herself? She’ll be spending a lot of her time working with her new foundation: The Tory Burch Foundation, a nonprofit that provides micro-financing support for aspiring businesswomen in the US.  Giving is always in style, every season- but Tory  makes it even easier by donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of certain accessories. My personal pick for this fall? The Foundation Charm Bracelet, pictured above, which would look perfect (and so Upper East Side chic) paired with my cashmere sweaters and wool coat.

If you follow TDO or any one of our Twitters, you’ll know that we are huge fans of beauty and style guru Jenn Falik.  There’s often a ton of chatter amongst TDO editors about Jenn, and what we love about her (everything!) We were super excited when she launched her own show on MSN, Beauty BFF, since as far as we were concerned-the more Jenn the better!  A few weeks ago we had the chance to chat with Jenn to learn more about her show and to get some fashion & beauty BFF advice for ourselves (and get a peek into her fabulous closet)!

TDO: How do you come up with segment ideas for Beauty BFF? Can viewers submit questions?

JF: Segment ideas are inspired by the things that I personally am curious about- I look at every segment I do no matter what it is for as an excuse to do research and master something new. For example- we have a segment on hair extensions because I am dying to get them and want to know what my options are. I also can’t blow my own hair out for the life of me, so I went to Oscar Blandi to learn his technique. I also wanted to do segments that give a peek inside the industry- especially sharing stories behind products I love. Maybe I’m a beauty nerd, but I always find the stories behind brands and what goes in to product development and even packaging decisions to be completely fascinating! Additionally, viewers are invited to submit questions to beautybff@microsoft.com and hopefully I can answer them in a future episode. (more…)

Skinny denim really comes out of our closets when it starts to get chilly — from tucking into boots or pairing with flats. We had various editors – of different heights and body types – test out a handful of denim brands and styles. Here’s what they had to say: (more…)

I’m well known for my aversion to pants and for my obsession with skirts/ dresses, but even I will be embracing the boyfriend denim trend this spring in full, thanks to new styles that are completely wearable, comfortable and flattering.

First made popular by Katie Holmes, early critics of the look sniped that she looked like she was slumming around in Tom Cruise’s jeans.  Admittedly, at first, I wasn’t a fan of the look either and felt that it did no justice to her body; it made her legs look shapeless and boxy, and when you are lucky enough to be as leggy tall as Mrs. Tom Cruise, you shouldn’t mess around with a style like that. (more…)

It’s no secret that pencil skirts are a universal staple in any girl’s closet. Even Nina Garcia thinks so, as it was featured of one of her must-have pieces in her book, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Stylish Pieces that Every Stylish Woman Must Own. I know I personally wear one to work at least once a week, because I love the way that pencil skirts hug a woman’s curves and make even the short people like me, have infinitely long leg lines. Because I wear them so often, I can sometimes run into a rut in terms of pairing them with outfits.  Thanks to some celebrity inspiration, I have five different ways to infuse new life into my staid normal pencil skirt outfits for rotation Monday through Friday:

1. The Classic Slim Fit with a Button Down Shirt

As Victoria Beckham demonstrates, you can’t go wrong in pairing a classic slim fit, high waisted pencil skirt with a perfectly fit button down shirt.  Although this style does work best with a high waisted pencil skirt to better accentuate your waist (even better showcased with a belt), a natural waist or low waist pencil skirt makes this look just as alluring.  The combination of a closely fit button down shirt with a snug pencil skirt elongates your body lines and perfectly showcases yoursilhouette in an captivating, yet appropriate Corporate, Citizen Girl way.  The key to making this look impeccable is to make sure that the button down that you wear is perfectly tailored and like a second skin, meaning that none of the buttons gape and that the shoulders are perfectly draped.  You can do no better in perfectly fit, classic White button downs than Parisian chic designer, Anne Fontaine, who creates hundreds of different designs of these shirts every year, riffing on classics to create contemporary designs, or creating the perfect timeless standard. (more…)

It’s not easy to dress warm while looking cute, and this challenge is even more difficult when jetting away to a winter ski/ snowboard getaway.  Keeping warm on mountain peaks and on the ski lift is essential, but there is no reason to sacrifice your style for the sake of practicality.  This “How To” focuses on how to look stylish and warm both on slopes and après ski, so that you look less Abominable Snowman and more Snow Bunny.  Read on after the cut for some pictures of celebrity inspiration, and offerings from some winterwear designers who know exactly how to blend fashion and function: (more…)

Each of us at TDO have a stack of beauty and fashion resource books, and Curve Rule & Flat is Fabulous by Elycia Rubin and Rita Mauceri is my new go-to reference.

I really love that this book empowers women and tells them to love the shape they’ve got.  Elycia and Rita don’t believe in the cookie-cutter body types of “boyish” or “pear” – and instead, know that women can be a combination.  Thus, they’ve got strategies for dressing for different body parts. They created a mix-and-match system with playful, fun tags like “Belly Babes,” “Curvies,” and “Tatas.”  So for instance, if you’re one of the “Hipsters” and also fit into the “Busties” category, you’ll find tips that address both those areas.

This book is divided in various sections such as Beachy, Lacy, Casual, Loungy and Sophisticated; each section devotes time to key basics that help empower all of us to dress better in our daily lives.  For instance, it’ll break down stragies for wearing a Straight Leg jean for “Booties and Hipsters,” “Belly Babes,” “Leggies,” and “Dainties.”  In addition to adorable illustrations, this book is chock full of REAL women throughout each section that illustrate the tips they’re giving, so you can an immediate visual without having to try on everything in your wardrobe. They even delve into the “Lacy” (i.e. intimates), offering advice on how to wear a Soft Cup Bra for “Busties” – full coverage is key – and “Tatas” – stick to a triangle style with an elasticized band.

Truly, this book is so fantastic that even the most stylish women could probably learn a thing or two.  I certainly found a few things that I was doing wrong (beachwear is a tough one for me!) and I highly recommend picking this up for some fabulous tips to improve your fashionable life.  

Order at Amazon.com for $18.95.

Editor’s Note: As I was attempting to book a flight for my upcoming trip, I noticed that more and more airlines were charging for that second bag. I almost gasped – not to mention scrambled to find a flight without extra fees – because I have a tiny travel problem. I always overpack – and even worse, my luggage always gets heavier on my return trip. I turned to the lovely ladies of The Jet Set Girls, Anne Fritz & Hope Schmid, for their expert advice. Check out this fabulous guest-written article, full of their best tips!

With more and more airlines charging to check a second bag, and some even your first (looking at you United, American Airlines and Northwest) carrying on your luggage is more important than ever. Not to mention that it can save you up to an hour when you land and a case of the dizzies from watching the baggage carousel go around so many times. Plus there’s no risk of your luggage going to Dallas when you’re headed to L.A.

Our best and most timeless packing secret is: (more…)

Source