Fashion Friday: Get Classy with Ann Taylor

Aren't the Ann Taylor ads with Kate Hudson just the definition of class act? For months now, I've found my attention constantly being drawn to the large printed ads while shopping in malls. The ads have a beautiful layout and it's refreshingly different to see Kate Hudson in such a Upper East Side attire, instead of her usual boho chic appearance. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see Kate's continuation as the spokeswomen for Ann Taylor's Fall 2012 ad campaign.

Whether it's due to her performances in the most entertaining romantic comedies or her role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous, I've always had a soft spot for Ms Hudson. Like her iconic mother, Hudson represents the image of an ageless beauty, which is perfect for the brand. Kate gracefully embodies the timeless yet relatable elegance that Anne Taylor reflects, making the ad collaboration a perfect fit.

"As a young girl, I looked up to the sophisticated style of Ann Taylor, so it's been very cool to see how the brand has evolved to meet the changing needs of modern women."

-Kate Hudson

Red Carpet Report: Teen Choice Awards 2012

The Teen Choice Awards are always a fabulous refreshment during the summertime(aka the season of no award shows). The fun spirited show offers the chance to bang out the most youthful and summer themed outfits! Here's a look at some stars who got it right and others who were almost there...

Best

Lea Michele looked adorable in Versace head to toe! The mini dress was anything but simple with the curvy shape at the waist and chest. The details of the dress are reminiscent of a classic spring/summer wedding dress design but with a little more freedom! Lea looks like she's channeling a fun and single Sex and the City character ready to conquer the summer Hamptons.

Zoe Saldana, queen of taking chances with fashion. I really love seeing actresses sport the crop top with high waist skirt outfit, however I think it typically looks better in motion than photographs because of the outfit's fullness. Still, Zoe looked great with this unique green colored ensemble. The blue Louboutins were also a nice touch to dazzle up the outfit!

Victoria Justice continued the night's trend of wearing new summer styles with her mullet dress! I love this look of having the dress short in the front yet long in the back, and the young starlet totally pulled it off. Adding the cheetah print and belt, Victoria looked perfect for the occasion!

Coulda,  Woulda , Shoulda

And now for those who were so close, yet a little too far away...

Oh Ashley Benson, what happened! One, if you're going to wear black during the summer you better make it sleek due to the lack of color. And two, girl those pants! I'm totally all for a nice corset but the loose fit of the pants are not flattering on Ashley's small frame. A tighter bottom, peplum skirt, or even better matched belt would've saved this outfit! 

There's technically nothing offensive about this outfit, but it is too bland for the fun event. If someone else wore this, I would say it looks cute...but it feels like Taylor Swift has worn this type of dress many times before. I like the side cutouts and beige shoes but she could've definitely stepped things up. Taylor has been on the cover of Vogue and should have fun with having that on her fashion resume! Switch it up with at least some bold colors TSwift! 

Fashion Friday: We'll Always Have Dior!

Oh Dior, can you do no wrong?! In a stunning new shot from her second Dior Campaign, Mila Kunis looks gorgeous while channeling her inner Jackie O. Dior has nailed the Hollywood glamour look perfectly just like the brand has done before with previous spokeswomen, Marion Cotillard and Charlize Theron. There's nothing simple about choosing a classic black and white setting with such diverse starlets at the center of these campaigns. Love how Dior continuously celebrates iconic tradition with a nod to modernity!

The British Are Coming!

The British invasion is everywhere. Due to the catchy music that's making it big in America,  their hilarious talk shows (yes, I've stooped that low), and the funky fashion trends-- I'm truly headed for an identity crisis. I didn't realize how strong the Brits were influencing me until I found myself complaining in the NYC Topshop how the London store was clearly superior. While I still stand by this point, it was a little ridiculous to say considering I've never been to the London store. I can admit I've taken my London respect a little too far but I still wanted to share some England fashion that I'm loving! It's not a new groundbreaking fact that Europe is more fashionable, but who knew they were responsible for more than just the fashion icon that is Victoria Beckham?!

Topshop

First thing is first! I've been aware of Topshop for a while but the actual worship only kicked in recently. The store has a vibrant vibe where you really can create any look you want depending on which pieces you put together. That's what's so great about Topshop, it's full of potential fashion risks and creativity. Because of it's loud prints and styles, the shop may not be for everybody but I personally love it for that reason. These type of clothes allow the everyday girl to experiment for affordable prices. Only warning with Topshop, the clothing runs pretty small and a lot of the tops are midriff baring. If you really love the top but are unsure about the style, throw a solid tank top underneath a peplum top. Otherwise, be careful with the sizes. 

(Check out the July 2012 Hitlist to see what's currently hot at Topshop)

Cheryl Cole

 

I guess she's kind of the Britney Spears for the Brits?! Cheryl completely owns the flashy pop-star appearance that fans love to see. Let's be honest, nothing catches the media's attention more than a charismatic beautiful star. With her different hairstyles, energy lifting choreography, and colorful music videos, Cheryl Cole is the ultimate muse in England.

Cher Lloyd

Despite her comparisons to Cheryl Cole, Cher's style differs a lot. For one, the nineteen year old singer is much more rough around the edges. While she's had her fair share of fashion no-no's, Cher and her fashion have matured quite well. Cher brings a bit of rocker chic with her crop tops and fancy fedoras. 

"British fashion is self confident and fearless. It refuses to bow to commerce, thus generating a constant flow of new ideas whilst drawing in British heritage."
-Alexander McQueen

How To...Dress For Your Body Type!

Discussing body types has certainly become a tired and overanalyzed subject. At this point, it doesn't matter if you're a size two or a size fourteen. The numbers are useless if you're clueless when it comes to dressing your body type. I firmly believe that the first step to putting together a good ensemble is knowing how to flatter your physical strengths and weaknesses. It seems like a basic thought, but lots of women struggle with body self-awareness. Since every women's body type is completely different because of height/genetics/waists/etc here is a very broad outline on dressing body types.

Petite

So after all that hard work, you finally got down to wearing the smallest sizes in the store. Except, there's still a few problems. Such as...the itty bitty waist can fit into the size two skirt but the booty can't. Or, you're technically small enough to fit into the tight clothes but maybe your stomach isn't exactly flat enough. And then there's the height...maxi's are a big no-no and jeans always need hemming. Even as the "tiniest", there's still body issues. The best general way to fix your problem? Wear loosely fitted clothes but don't drown in them. A long top with skinny jeans can distract from your short torso. During the summertime, still aim for the flowy shirts with shorts. Avoid bermuda shorts and be careful if choosing kapris-- you might end up giving your normal legs a false appearance of being short and stumpy. (Note: Follow the elongate your torso pattern even if you don't consider your weight "petite" but you're still a shorty.)

Average

         

Hard to categorize yourself? Personally, I think most women don't give themselves enough credit and actually do fall into this category. Height wise, you're either in the middle(not the shortest person in the room) or on the taller end(aka welcome to Karlie Kloss level). Weight is a little more tricky thanks to a round bottom, fuller stomach, or the tricky chest area. To put it bluntly, if you have big boobs, you've gotta dress them correctly or else you're going to make the rest of your body look bigger than it actually is. Basically, you have some humps that you want to dress smoothly and appropriately. Best way to achieve this is to go for the straight leg pants, a medium length shirt(no midriff baring or long and flowing), and a waist distraction. Above, model Whitney Thompson wears fitted shirts that distract from the stomach area but still stick well to the body. 

Curvaceous

Your height is similar to the average body type but those humps are a little bit more noticeable. Best way to flatter your shape? Go straight for the hour glass look. Your body has a particular roundness where you want to show off your waist's shape without wearing a skin tight fabric that would stick to the stomach area. Best way to do this is to accessorize with belts and annunciate those hips. Keep the girls tucked in so that they're not falling out but don't hide them. In the colder seasons, layering with cardigans and blazers are also a great way to flatter your figure. 

Fashion Friday: Sweet As Candie's!

I don't follow much news concerning the clothing line of Candie's except for knowing it's sold at Kohl's, is very girly, and once upon a time had a fab commercial starring Hilary Duff a la Lizzie McGuire era. In fact, I often forget Candie's isn't directed to a young female demographic. That is until I'm reminded of Britney Spears' previous spot as a Candie's spokeswoman and then see this new Lea Michele commercial. While I've seen the Glee star's ads with the brand in magazines, I didn't pay closer attention until this fun and flirty commercial was released. As "Love Is Strange" plays, Lea struts down the street in a sultress fashion. Reminiscent of a scene in Confessions of a Shopaholic, the actress lusts after the clothes in the window before catching the attention of the cutie in the window as a bonus.

So if you're telling me I can walk down a street in a Candie's mini dress and have major eye flirtation with the smokeshow in the shop...then yes Candie's, I'll have what she's having!

Movie Review: Katy Perry Concert!

Before yesterday, I had never looked to Katy Perry for fashion inspiration or really any type of inspiration. But after watching her concert movie, somebody better point me in the direction of where to get those blue wigs and cotton candy outfits because I now adore her! The movie not only shows Katy's entertaining performing skills, but also her quirky and sweet personality. You can't help but tear up a little while watching her marriage with Russell Brand crumble as she tries to juggle touring and love. In a heart wrenching scene regarding Brand, Katy is seen bawling her eyes out in costume before taking the stage. Just as she's about to be lifted up to her adoring fans, Perry takes several breaths and forces a charismatic smile. It's this moment that really praises Katy's ability as a star. The film proves that the 27 year old singer is certainly no shallow pop-star with a delusional outlook. Katy Perry knows how to entertain her audience with colorful theatrics but also has a firm grip on reality, outside of the makeup and costumes.

My favorite number, "Peacock"! But by this point, I was definitely questioning the under 10 year old crowd in the theater.

"If you have a dream, then you gotta go on a journey to fulfill that dream"

-Katy Perry

A Trip to the Met!

To continue my new summer Met tradition, I recently checked out the Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations exhibit. While I admit, I was more familiar with Prada's work, it was definitely interesting to see the way the both designers' creations merged together. The designers' collections worked perfectly together with the beautiful outfit collaborations consisting of Schiaparelli tops and Prada bottoms. Even though they collided well, Prada and Schiaparelli were strikingly different from one another. Their quotes really shined light on how the two women from two different eras had contrasting beliefs on the art of fashion. It was incredible to see the women's designs reflect similar messages, despite having drastically opposing beliefs. Some of my favorite sections included "Classical Body", "Exotic Body", and "Surreal Body". And of course, who could forget about those shoes? Absolutely timeless!

In true Met fashion, pictures weren't allowed (and I was not going to risk damaging the collections with a few camera flashes) so here's only a little sneak peak over what the exhibit had to offer...

Classical Body

Exotic Body

Surreal Body

"I’d also hope that my clothes made their lives a little easier, that they made them feel happier. Not more beautiful necessarily, just more of a person. I try to make women feel more powerful without losing their femininity."
-Miuccia Prada

Viva Forever Fashion Spice!

"Whether to wear the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or...the little Gucci dress!"

Ah that quote from Spice World will forever and always be music to my ears. As a 90s' child, the Spice Girls were musical legends and fashion icons for me. My five year old self didn't know much about life back then but I was strongly devoted to two things: my disastrous fashion sketches and Ginger Spice aka my long distance soul sister. I wanted nothing more than to ride in a big red tour bus, wear a Union Jack dress, and talk in a strong annunciated British accent. Now with the Spice Girls reunion and musical around the corner, I couldn't help but take a blast to the past on the girls golden fashion moments and reflect on how they've influenced today's fashion. (BTW- hope this isn't too inappropriate to celebrate the British on America's Independence day...whoops?)

The Crop Tops

The style that was once iconic for female fashion pop-stars has regained popularity in 2012. The Spice Girls were never ones to shy away from midriff bearing outfits and the flashy trend has continued to spice up a girl's fashion today! (and yes the lyrical references are only beginning)

The Shoes

From the platform sneakers and boots to Posh's scrappy heals, was their footwear ever not gaining major attention?! The eye-catching footwear was never really a fading style for the fashion or the girls. Less extreme platform sneakers and high stilettos could not be more popular. And true to her fashionista reputation, Victoria is still always sporting the newest and hottest Louboutins. 

Long Live the Glitter

When the Spice girls reunited in 2007(bless the pop gods for this magical tour), it was like the girls never left their glittery and colorful costumes! Despite their maturing lifestyles, the ladies showed that their bold, girl power fashion statements were always here to stay.