STYLE – Page 29 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Styling for Fall – the new skirt lengths & how to wear them

I love wearing skirts for Fall. It’s more easy to throw on a pair of pants or jeans when it starts to get chilly outside, but there’s something a little more special about dressing up a skirt with leggings & the right pair of boots for day or a great stocking (or bare leg) for night . What do you think?

Here are some of the latest for Fall/Winter 2013:

The Lace Midi

Keep the rest of your outfit slim and simple and let this embellished, bell-shaped style be your statement.

A lace skirt is so pretty no matter what length – straight or flare. Of course you can’t make the mistake of wearing a lace top with it – it would be overkill & could also look cheap.

The Box-Pleat Mini

Wool skirt, $398, Blue Label, ralphlauren.com

Extra-wide panels take this girlish silhouette from prep school to cutting edge. The Fit: A high-waisted look is slimming; a tailored button-down or turtleneck balances the fullness below.

I love how they paired this Ralph Lauren number with a wide belt & booties in same color. Also the midnight stockings & turtleneck give it added polish.

The Kick Flare

Tulle skirt, $295, Jean Paul Gaultier, bloomingdales.com

Give your pencil skirt a rest (but not for long) and wear this equally tailored – but way more fashion-forward style to the office instead. Keep the polished look going with something unfussy, like a boxy crew neck sweater.

This style reminds me a bit of the tulip skirt (also in style). I’m happy because I hung on to a nice silk DKNY…..just in case.

Brocade wool skirt, $390, CH Carolina Herrera, 212-744-2076.

The Quilted Full

nnnn — Wool skirt, $1450, Michael Kors, saksfifthavenue.com

It’s impossible not to feel put-together wearing this beautifully textured, ‘50’s-inspired cut. Keep it tighter on top with something like this sweater: a subdued fitted knit that feels appropriately classic. The Shoes: enhance the ladylike vibe with a sweet Mary Jane or pump in timeless black. Flats will make it look too dowdy.

Take the A-LINE

HOW TO WEAR IT
This classic skirt flaunts an early-’60s attitude, and the polished daytime look is ever-appropriate. But A-line obsession is rooted in the universally flattering, hip-and-thigh disguising shape that lets us have our cake and eat it too. And for that, it will always have a place in our closet.

There’s a prim, clean-scrubbed vibe to these skirts. So add a fitted little jacket or a basic belt, and carry a structured bag. And while it may be tempting to slip on a pair of flats, these skirts, especially those that fall below the knee, beg for the height of a ladylike heel.

(left to right) Michael Kors, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria BeckhamKate Spade New York Skirt, $328 — (left to right) Michael Kors, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria Beckham.

Pencil Skirts, especially in Leather are always so sleek and sophisticated.

I love, love, love straight pencil skirts. This look works on all ages but especially good for older women because it’s so classic. Some women feel too curvy for this look, but embrace curves if you have them. They can work really well with a pencil skirt— think Mad Men (I’ve never even watched the show but know the look). This is an investment piece.

How to style it: This is such a versatile style whether you wear a button down shirt or cardigan over top. A crisp white tucked-in shirt is super classic and can be taken from day into night by adding bold jewellery and a red lip. Pair with open-toe or strappy shoes and don’t forget – ADDitude! Pencil me IN!

FUN

On the RUNway…Trending NOW!

Last week we covered wardrobe staples that are worth splurging on – things that will always be on trend. Then we have new Trends for this FALL. Well, not really new (as in nothing ever is) but things you’ll be seeing more and more of this Fall. This was taken from the Huffington Post.

1. Capes

A model walks the runway at the Valentino Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images) — A model walks the runway at the **Valentino** Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week . (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

It’s difficult not to, but don’t fear capes – how can you, they’ve sustained themselves through the Victorian era, the 1940s, 1960s, and now, 2010s? They’re also versatile: as proven by Valentino’s winter white offering (which is beaded and calf-length) and Jill Stuart’s RTW classic black piece (which she paired with trousers and oxfords), a cape can carry you through the season and various events. Merely treat it as you would a coat, and remember that if your grandmother could do it when she was young, so can you — just like *Lily Allen (see lyrics below) and Kate Hudson did in 2010.

A model walks the runway at the Tommy Hilfiger Women's Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) — A model walks the runway at the **Tommy Hilfiger** Women’s Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).

2. Academically-Inspired

Back-to-school is synonymous with fall (obviously), but this time around, we grown-ups aren’t being left out. Case in point: collections by the likes of Tory Burch, who saw crisp button-ups layered underneath cardigans and worn with tweed pants. Meanwhile, the king of collegiate, Tommy Hilfiger, showcased a collection chalk-full of argyle suits, knit sweaters, and even a book print dress (though for the record, it’s tragically next-to-impossible to find online).

3. Over-The-Thigh Boots

Beyonce performs on stage during 'The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour' at the Barclays Center in New York. Beyonce wears a blue dress and boots by Pucci and hosiery by Capezio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment). — Beyonce performs on stage during ‘The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour’ at the Barclays Center in New York. Beyonce wears a blue dress and boots by Pucci and hosiery by Capezio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment).

It’s been more than a few years since thigh-high boots re-introduced themselves, and this season is just another testament to their staying power. (Which makes sense – winter is cold, you guys, it’s okay to cover up.) On the celeb front, Heidi Klum recently donned a suede style in the spirit of Emilio Pucci’s collection, while Miley Cyrus has made headlines in hers. Though breathe easy, flat aficionados: you can wear a smaller heel or even a flat style if you’d rather not risk tumbling to your death like some of us would.

A model walks during the Temperley London’s RTW collection. — A model walks during the **Temperley London’**s RTW collection.

4. ‘60s Mod

The best kind of fashion lives forever, and adding to 2013’s eclectic nature is the season’s mod influence, which infuses capes, thigh-high boots (good news, us: it all ties in!) with bright colours (like Lisa Perry’s loud dresses) and Twiggy-inspired mini-dresses (as found in Temperley London’s RTW collection). But in addition to flipping through old fashion magazines and scrolling through Tumblr, you can also look to someone like Alexa Chung who’s been embracing the vintage vibe for many moons now.

5. Pleated Skirts

A model walks the runway at the Calvin Klein Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week.. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

The vintage throwback continues with pleated skirts which borrow from the ‘70s and early ‘80s with their high waists and pleats. Calvin Klein infused this look with the season’s leather trend (which we’ll get to imminently), while Celine did the same. However, earlier this year, Diana Argon showcased Marc Jacobs S/S take on the trend, opting for a floral pattern and ‘50s style which there’s still plenty of room left for as we ease into autumn.

A model walks the runway at the BCBGMAXAZRIA Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on February 7, 2013 in New York, United States. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images) — A model walks the runway at the **BCBG MAXAZRIA** Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).

6. Hats

Finally, fashion and function merge in the season we need them to the most. Tommy Hilfiger featured beanies in droves in his F/W collection, while BCBG Max Azria did the same, thus finally offering a reprieve from hatless-ness in freezing temperatures. (Yes, we’re concerned about the cold. We’re adults – this is how it works.) Meanwhile, styles like fedoras, bowler hats, and this also found places within the Fall 2013 landscape, thus making “hats” and all that the word embodies a go-to autumn trend.

7. Menswear Fabrics

Model Erin Wasson walks the runway during Chanel show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)

When we say academic, you say tweed (“academic!” – “tweed!” – “academic” – “tweed!”), so with an influx of collegiate-inspired styles, we probably all expected to see menswear fabrics and patterns in droves, as is the true autumn way. Chanel dressed up the fabric in their Haute Couture collection through skirts and suits, while Alice + Olivia ran with argyle and plaid. Not that any of this is new: in 2010, Claudia Schiffer kept on-point with an argyle V-neck, making us wish we’d kept our vests from high school.

8. Emerald Green

Actress Sofia Vergara attends 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS underwritten by Swarovski at Lincoln Center on June 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Swarovski).

Declared the “it” colour of 2013 back in January, emerald green clearly stuck around for its F/W hurrah, appearing in collections by Phillip Lim, Pantone, and Carolina Herrera. This, of course, is after Emily Blunt wore it in 2012, and Sofia Vergara rocked the colour in June – thus ensuring that incorporating an emerald top, accessory, or a dress still gets a green light (eh?) this fall.

9. Oversized Coats

Where the rest of autumn sees fitted pieces, outwear remains at large. Following in the footsteps of capes are oversized jackets, which pay homage to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. (Think of Kevin McAllister’s mom in the original “Home Alone.”) Designers like Michael Kors used the look to capitalize on the menswear trend, while Mulberry kept their pink jacket relatively fitted – much like Kate Bosworth’s boyfriend jacket from a couple seasons back which she paired with leather pants.

nnnnn — A model walks the runway during the **Mulberry** Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2013-2014 show as part of the London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images).

10. Leather (Not Just Accessories)

We all have leather gloves, leather footwear, and a leather coat (which you can pick up for next-to-nothing at thrift stores if a new model is too pricey), but what about leather … everything else? In the spirit of Ross Geller, designers have clung to the fabric in droves, with everyone from Chanel (see: the aforementioned leather skirt) to Vionnet (loose-fitting leather pants) to Mulberry capitalizing on the leather look. You can do the same: even a leather-embellished t-shirt makes a good wardrobe staple, and again, a thrifted leather car coat from the 1970s will keep you on-budget and autumn-ready.

Also trending NOW:

“THE FEAR” from Lily Allen‘s “It’s Not Me, It’s You” Album

I want to be rich and I want lots of money

I don’t care about clever, I don’t care about funny

I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds

I heard people die while they’re trying to find them

And I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless

Cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous.

I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror

I’m on the right track, yeah I’m on to a winner.

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore

And I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore

And when do you think it will all become clear?

Cause I’m being taken over by The Fear

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers

It’s all about fast cars and cussing each other

But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic

And that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption

And it’s not my fault, it’s how I’m programmed to function

Forget about guns and forget ammunition

Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission

Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner

Now everything’s cool as long as I’m getting thinner

Link to her YouTube: http://vimeo.com/5782708

STYLE

style & substance – wardrobe staples worth the splurge

Falling for FALL

As much as we want to hang on to Summer, Fall is just around the corner and with these 10 investment pieces you can’t go wrong.

In every woman’s wardrobe, there are places one should splurge and places one should save. Unlike fleeting trends, closet classics—things you’ll love for years to come, regardless of ever-changing fashion fads—are the obvious best place to sink your shopping dollars. Here are 10 splurge-worthy staples that, while guaranteed to take a bigger chunk out of your budget, chances are they’ll be sticking around for awhile.

Black or Camel Coat

Outerwear trends come and go every autumn, but there are a few coat classics that never change—and two timeless hues in particular, black and camel. A Burberry duffel coat’s casual enough that you won’t have to save it only for special occasions, while a chic peacoat infuses any look with instant prep appeal. As for Max Mara’s beautiful self-belted topper, it’s the sort of piece you could pass down to your daughter or niece one day.

from left: wool-felt duffle coat, $995, burberry brit, net-a-porter.com; gaila coat in roanoke wool blend, $695, theory.com; manuela coat, $1,456, max mara, matchesfashion.com

Classic Watch

More practical than nearly any other piece of jewelry, a watch adds instant polish and professionalism to any look, and is something you’ll keep for years to come. Why shouldn’t yours be an absolute knockout?

from left: chronograph watch in rose gold/navy, $275, michaelkors.com; medor, $4,050, hermes.com; tank française watch, medium model, $4,700, cartier.us

Patent Pumps

A simple, classic pump works for everything from job interviews to first dates to black-tie weddings to girls’ night out. Find a pair that’s comfy (OK, relatively so) and take the plunge. (Side note: while I love a smooth calfskin heel too, I think there’s something about glossy patent that just adds that extra somethin’ somethin’.)

from left: decollete 868 100 mm, $625, christianlouboutin.com; aimee patent platform pump, $675, jimmy choo, bergdorfgoodman.com; tayler patent leather d’orsay pumps, $735, manolo blahnik, saksfifthavenue.com

Ballet Flats

Though less overtly sexy than the aforementioned stilettos, ballet flats are (or should be, at least) the day-in-day-out workhorses of a modern girl’s footwear wardrobe. Chances are you’ll likely clock more miles in these babies than in your heels,

so take care when shopping for them. Porselli and Repetto make beautiful, ballerina-approved versions, and many editors swear by Lanvin’s flattering hidden-wedge take on this sleek staple.

from left: porselli ballet flats, $190, apc.fr; leather ballet flats, $560, lanvin, net-a-porter.com; the cendrillon textured-leather ballet flats, $285, repetto, net-a-porter.com

Little Black Dress

Audrey wore them. Carine Roitfeld lives in them. Kate Moss accessorizes hers to the hilt. A simple black fit-and-flare dress, body-con number or sleek sheath works for pretty much any scenario imaginable and is guaranteed to make you look your absolute best, so it’s a sound item to spend a little extra on.

from left: sleeveless dress, $2,367.50, lanvin vault, farfetch.com; ripple stretch-crepe dress, $1,150, preen by thornton bregazzi, net-a-porter.com; arabesque metallic embroidered dress, $3,351, azzedine alaïa, matchesfashion.com

Printed Cocktail Dress

That said, when you’re in the mood to make even more of a statement, there’s nothing like a boldly patterned party frock. The trick here is to choose one in a relatively classic print—think florals, polka dots or easy geometric graphics.

from left: ruby printed silk crepe de chine and cotton-blend lace dress, $3,220, erdem, net-a-porter.com; garden-print dress, $895, red valentino, saksfifthavenue.com; embellished lace and silk-faille dress, $6,990, oscar de la renta, net-a-porter.com

Perfectly-Fitting Denim

There’s absolutely nothing—nothing—like finding that amazing pair of derrière-perfecting, leg-lengthening, hip-slimming jeans. Sink a little extra cash into your blues, and they’ll pay for themselves in compliments.

from left: 811 mid-rise skinny leg, $191, jbrandjeans.com; the marrakesh, $168.30, mih-jeans.com; stretch cotton-blend leggings-style jeans, $187, rag & bone jean, net-a-porter.com

Gray Cardigan

Yes, black cardigans are great too, but hear me out: when you’re already dressed in head-to-toe noir, sometimes you need another, slightly lighter neutral to keep the look from veering into Morticia Addams territory. In such cases, gray’s your go-to. Heather-colored cardis look equally great with little white dresses, too—as well as pretty much everything in one’s closet.

from left: cashmere and silk-blend cardigan, $640, miu miu, net-a-porter.com; asymmetric hem cardigan, $595, alexander wang, barneys.com; collection cashmere boyfriend cardigan, $238, jcrew.com

Oversized Cashmere or Wool Wrap

How do we love our enormous cashmere throws? Let us count the ways: they’re the perfect way to stay warm in snowy weather (when you live in a windy city, a coat alone just doesn’t cut it), they double as blankets (and pillows!) on long plane or car trips and they sort of make us feel like Stevie Nicks. Solid.

from left: cashmere travel wrap, $295, whiteandwarren.com; striped wool-blend wrap, $600, missoni, net-a-porter.com; cashmere ruana, $498, brooksbrothers.com

Timeless Handbag

If you’re looking for the absolute most reliable place to sink those wardrobe dollars, a classic carryall’s your best bet. Whether you opt for a classic flap-front 2.55 shoulder bag, a quilted tote or even a tiny crossbody carryall, there’s just no going wrong with anything double-C-adorned. Proenza Schouler’s cult-forming PS1, meanwhile, has made the tricky transition from trend to cool classic with ease. And of course, few can resist the heritage-steeped house of Hermès. While Birkins and Kellys may yield the longest waitlists, we’re currently smitten with the smaller Constance crossbody.

clockwise from left: vintage constance bag, $6,700, hermès, portero.com; ps1 medium leather, $1,695, proenzaschouler.com; classic flap bag, $4,400, chanel.com for locations

In my INbox: From Lucky Magazine by Elana Fishman.

So….how did you score? Are you a perfect 10?

FUN

Style: Rock Star Nails

How far will we go to be head to TOEnails IN fashion?

As in clothing right now we can experiment with fun colors & styles for our nails as almost anything goes.

from: clutchmagonline

You need patience and time to pull off a full-on monet style set of nails whether you’re the one doing it or leaving it

from: thegirlylooks – going for the GOLD

to a professional.

from: exquisitegirl

While I love these looks I tend to be most daring with bold color and a little design for toes while keeping nails to a mostly bare minimum.

Too boring? I think neutral nails look sophisticated.

If you busy your hands all the time because of using a keyboard and cooking, nails tend to chip a lot which looks really noticeable with darker polish unless it’s a gel. Once I tried a gel mani and loved that it didn’t chip for all of two weeks (a milestone) but when I went back to have it taken off, my nails weakened with the strong chemicals needed to remove the leftover polish. ~~Scrap that. Do only for special occasions like a two week vacation or~~ ~~over the holidays~~.

I love some *sparkle to top it all off but let’s talk about how easy is it to take off – NOT! It’s as simple as soaking nails in acetone to get polish completely removed. Not to mention the little sparkles that you find on your clothing or bathroom floor. Also if you cook a lot – not so pretty when you notice faded or removed polish right before serving. *The real gold flecks from OPI’s “man with the golden gun” tend not to do this & look great especially over darker polish.

pretty shades by Lancôme

Tried the Sally Hansen stick on nail stickers (an easy way to do leopard & lace) but they lasted all of one hour because I didn’t put a topcoat on. My sister advised me they need a TOPcoat. Once they start to peel it’s so tacky & all the rest must be removed immediately.

Designers are paying more and more attention to nails for the runway trying to cover all the bases.

The BASEics:

When applying light polish, put a milky basecoat on in between coats – it will give the polish an even surface to adhere to as lighter shades can be streaky. Try Seche ridge filling base coat.

Base coats extend the life of your manicure and keep your polish chip-free longer. They’re supposed to make your nails last at least one week – this never happens for me but I wear it anyway.

It will help prevent dark colors from staining your nail beds. We’ve all experienced the yellow nails that often follow dark nail polish – this phenomenon can be prevented with the right base coat. And with deep fall colors coming into season, it’s more important than ever to use one.

Still, I don’t want to put too much effort into nails. How about you? Are you NAILing it?

FUN

Scene: Fashion & FASCINATORing People

The Deighton Cup is probably the most fashionable and social event of the summer.

Vancouverites don’t normally get the opportunity to wear a fancy hat. The usual fare is baseball and straw oriented versions, but this past weekend proved different.

Horse racing has long been synonymous with the elaborate hat designs that trot near the track.

It’s a millinery tradition honed over the decades into a famous and frequently outrageous art form, illustrated most decoratively from the well-heeled meets of the Kentucky Derby to England’s Royal Ascot. A chance to display the

my sis Lisa

bizarre and the beautiful.

Some of the fashionable. I think I know the cool dude on the left. It’s Beau, my sister’s beaufriend.

From the Deighton Cup at Hastings Racecourse to West Vancouver’s Royal Tea-by-the-Sea, there were plenty of opportunities to wear your hat for the scene and be-seen crowd. I can’t believe I didn’t go because I love hats and horses so much however my sister went.

The “Deighton Cup” is a three day Horse Racing Event to liven up the season at a track that already draws plenty of attention.

Photo credits: The Queen of Hearts headpiece, created by The Saucy Milliner for the Deighton Cup event, is made of handrolled sinamay roses. Photo by Abbye Dahl of afoto.ca for the Vancouver Sun. — The Queen of Hearts headpiece, created by **The Saucy Milliner** for the Deighton Cup event, is made of handrolled sinamay roses. Photo by Abbye **Dahl** of afoto.ca for the Vancouver Sun.

Lauren Hutton for Bazaar Magazine - love the headpiece. — Lauren Hutton for Bazaar Magazine – How cool is the headpiece & this lady?

Photo Credits: Lisa King + Beau Schwab.

I’ll have to settle for a Mad Hatter Tea party!

FUN

style now – how brite a person are you?

It’s official: Color is the new Black

fashiontrendsetter.com

so brighten up your wardrobe and perhaps your life in the process.

Can’t say I’m crazy about a man who is too too bright!

Doesn’t wearing color make you happy? I’ve never worn so much color in my life, always tending to stick with safe neutrals (which I still love) & maybe just a bit of color with an accessory. Now that August has arrived I’m eager to wear an entire rainbow while the sun is still shining. Hell I even bought an orange purse. How much is too much? I don’t know; piling on all my tribal Masai jewelry. Color is lively and it feels like being on a tropical vacation. Like Liberace said “too much of a good thing is Wonderful.”

Not your “mellow” yellow

Designers revisited glamour with ravishing reds, plush purples, bright blues and uplifting oranges and yellows ultimately redefining feel-good fashion as we know it. Strong hues are no longer solely the domain of fashion’s risk takers; they’re for everyone. Get on board and find

the shade you’ll shine in.

while on the subject – this works for some.

hanky pantys seem bright on!

On the bright side – you can always show off your nails. Personally I tend to wear these only on my toes, preferring lighter shades for nails.

This summer is looking brighter than ever!

handmade Masai bracelets from Kenya

FUN

Has underwear really changed over the years?

You bet! My sister just bought me a vintage Playboy magazine. The date – 1972. The cover price – one dollar. Before you go thinking this is all too weird the cover reads “A Revealing History of Lingerie.” As most of you are aware, I sell beautiful lingerie online.

Moving right along…throughout much of human history, female undergarments could not in truth be named – for the very good reason that they simply didn’t exist. If she had to name them at all, she called them her unmentionables. Mother Eve and her sensational little micro-mini fig leaf aside, modesty has, in fact, played virtually no part in the origin of any sort of human clothing – under or outer, male or female.

From bloomers to thongs, pointy brassieres to push–up bras, the history of lingerie reveals a lot about women’s changing role in society – how we perceive ourselves and how we’re viewed by others. It’s fascinating to see how lingerie has changed over the last hundred years, but even more intriguing to note what’s stayed the same.

Here’s a brief (pun intended) look at ladies undergarments throughout history:

Late 18^th century – high fashion called for an ensemble of whalebone-stiffened corset and puff sleeved chemise.

19^th century – was devoted largely to achieving fullness in strategic locations. Watch- spring steel was used to make the dome-shaped “cage crinolines” & multiple layers of ruffled petticoats served the purpose for the Cancan girls of the naughty gaslight era.

1930’s – the uplift bra was responsible for the rise of a busty new breed of Hollywood star, of whom Lana Turner was the most prominent as the much photographed “sweater girl.”

1940’s – the spaghetti strap black-satin slip, once considered risqué, was memorably popularized by actress Silvana Mangano in the Italian neo-realist film “Bitter Rice.”

1950’s + 60’s – Swimwear had a mark influence in undergarment styles. The bikini – which was first seen on French beaches in 1946, was transformed into lingerie over a decade later.

The Bullet Bra (featuring exaggerated pointing or cone-shaped cups) and Push-Up Bra (by Frederick’s Of Hollywood) all debuted during this decade. Women now appeared to have breasts that almost reached their necks! Panties became more colorful and decorative.

As the ’50s went on, Elizabeth Taylor in “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” made a fashion statement (and probably scandal) wearing a custom-made-slip through most of that movie.

Slips were also featured in “Psycho” with Janet Leigh in a white bra and slip, than later as a decamping embezzler in a black ensemble.

Frederick’s Of Hollywood and Maidenform became nationally prominent during this decade. Frederick’s was created by Frederick Mellinger (he claimed to have invented the first push-up bra) in 1946. He started out with a racy catalog which quickly became popular, then branched out into a chain of more than 175 stores. You could say that Frederick’s was the Victoria’s Secret of its day.

1970’s – Freedom at last! The modern girl chucks underwear all together. Whether you see the liberation of the female form as a manifestation of women’s lib or the sexual revolution, you’ll agree that it was easy on the wallet. Of course for playboy viewing – easy on the eyes too.

1980’s – Underwear as Outerwear may have started here as Madonna began the trend by wearing her cone bra and girdles over her clothing.

1990’s – Who can forget the famous Calvin Klein underwear ads featuring a young Kate Moss and Marky Mark (Wahlberg) showing off his Calvin Klein boxer briefs. Comfort is more in style – boyshorts for women are BIG.

2013 – As of 2009, the visible wearing of corsets had become fashionable, popularized by stage performers such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

And yet what goes around, comes around as they say.

jesus fernandez lingerie from Buenos Aires available online at: http://intrigueimports.com

FUN

Style – Prints Charming

for clothing, swimwear or any wear!

**Sao Paulo fashion week with Movimento label –** Plushswimwear.com

Yes, every woman can be fashionable! This is getting to be the easiest part of my blogging week. The reason being is that simply put, pretty much anything and everything is in Style. You can hardly make a wrong move. There are *updated versions of last years styles but I love the fact that you can incorporate almost any print, hemline, sleeve + pant length, color and fabric into your wardrobe for a varied and interesting mix.

Pity the poor designer that must continuously re-invent a previous look. Have a peek:

Fergie, Katy Perry, Jessica Alba & Victoria Justice.

Dive right in to Water Color Prints

Floral jacket & jeans – check!

*Brazilian beachwear label Movimento kicked off their very first summer fashion show with romantic florals, tropical camouflage and a unique variety of cuts, prints and silhouettes.

Their Inspiration: the counterpoint between the military aesthetic and tropical flowers, birds and landscapes. With a collection infused with feminine prints, just enough masculine elements were introduced (army-like buttons and stars, olive green & grey in the palette) to keep the line fresh with a touch of edginess.

What appeals to you most?

FUN

B well – B fearless

WITH your FASHION choices and life in general. If the shoe fits it will make you feel better. Follow:

Designer Michael Kors’s Fashion Principles

Kors with Project runway panel Heidi Klum, Jennifer Hudson & Nina Garcia. — Kors with **Project Runway** panel Heidi Klum, Jennifer Hudson & Nina Garcia.

“Now that everyone looks like she’s 30, it’s not easy to define rules for how women should dress at different ages,” says Kors. Kors breaks down the elements of style:

Hemlines: “Supershort skirts should be left to the young or the tennis court. As you age, it’s more important to consider balance: If you’re showing your legs, show less on top.”

Cleavage: “It’s great to show off your best points, but still – leave a bit to the imagination.”

Prints: “I don’t think you can tell a woman who feels like a million dollars when she puts on a bold, graphic print that she should stop wearing it just because she’s hit a certain age. Wear what makes you feel beautiful.”

Color: “The colors that suited you when you were 30 will still suit you when you’re 70. Your skin tone and hair and eye color are the real question, not your age.”

Fit: “Your clothes should look as if they were made just for you. Forget the size tags and get to a tailor. If you wear skinny jeans and you’re fit, stay true to your style. And no matter your age, skip the pieces that make you fidget, whether it’s a shoe you can’t walk in or a hemline you have to keep pulling down.”

Jewelry: “This is the best way to shake up your look at any age. If you feel less comfortable showing skin, bold jewelry and strong accessories are great ways to play the fashion game. Be fearless!”

Trends: “Avoid anything that doesn’t feel relevant to your style, but always evolve, or you’ll look stuck in the past.”

As told to Danielle Pergament for Allure Magazine.

FUN

Wet ‘n Wild – Surfer STYLE

I wish I was a California Surfer Girl

Ever so appealing, exciting and adventurous – to be able to catch a WAVE. It conjures up free spirited with that hint of danger which some make look so easy.

Annette Funicello vintage photo – images. Do you think she was actually surfing? Love the SUIT!

From May issue of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine – if it was me I’d definitely go for the Chanel surfboard even to lie on at the beach.

styleofsport.com

What about surfer style? I don’t see why we can’t do “avant de” or après surf? For those less willing types not wanting to take a chance that a humongous wave will suck us up or at least our bathing suit:

I’m much better suited to surfing the internet – but that can be dangerous too.

Go Hilfiger! I found this Tommy Hilfiger shirt dress while surfing.

Love these vans-surf casual shoe.

That’s me on the cover. You didn’t really think so did you?

My style INspiration board on Pinterest at: