Fashion Blog

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:41:58 GMT

Is Professional Dress Extinct?

Casual Friday has eeked its way into every day of the week. I remember when we had to earn the right to dress business casual on Friday, but only if we hit our sales numbers. Then during fund raising season we could earn the right to wear dress jeans but only if we paid $1 for each day we wore jeans.

Now shorts and sandals, flip flops and torn jeans are an everyday occurrence.

Even when I meet with clients I find them in jeans and polo shirts. I met with three attorneys last week and I felt dressed for Prom with my dress slacks and jacket in comparison to their casual attire.

So is there a time when you wear a suit or have they gone the way of suede fringed vests and platform shoes?

In a recent article on MSN Careers they ask "do you dress for the boardroom or the mailroom?"

Sandy Dumont, an image consultant for the Virginia-based consulting firm The Image Architect, would beg to differ. "The way you look and dress announces the outcome other people can expect from you. It also announces how you feel about yourself," she says. After all, it is this philosophy that is the reason businesses like The Career Wardrobe, Wings for Success and MenzFit exist. These non-profit organizations provide free professional clothing to low-income men and women with the aim of helping them advance into the workforce with a refined appearance and renewed confidence.

As a trained speaker I've been taught to dress one step above the expected dress of the audience and I do still find that Chamber lunches are more formally attired, but for the most part business dress has gone the way of business casual.

However, this MSN article is still a proponent of dressing for success.

"Dress for the position you want, not the position you have." Despite this popular belief, however, building a professional work wardrobe doesn't have to be complicated or cost a fortune. Simply stick to classic pieces that won't go out of style and gradually add separates to build around these pieces.* Start with the following basics:

Suit: Every professional man or woman needs at least one traditional, well-tailored suit in a classic color. Women who choose a skirt suit should also have a pair of pants as a coordinating piece.

Button-down shirts: Classic white is a must because it looks good with anything, but buy a few in different colors that match your suit.

Shoes: Women should invest in black leather pumps and walking shoes, such as a good, comfortable pair of loafers or ballet flats in leather. Men should have at least one pair of black leather shoes and a black leather belt to wear with them.

Accessories: Women should accessorize with a few pieces of jewelry and a good leather tote bag, and men should wear a watch and have either a black or brown leather wallet.

What is the dress is your business? Does casual dress impact the way you view someone's ability to do their job?

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer Posted by: Deborah Brown      Read more     Source

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:10:17 GMT

The Bra - Heat Dilemna: Solved!

Okay, so I like Her Style just did a post on Peek-A-Boo Strapz, and I only wish I had found these sooner! They completely eliminate the whole Peek-A-Boo Strapz. What a perfect solution to the problem! I'm digging the rose ones and the silver ones. Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:40:16 GMT

Sally Hershberger Salon Offers Solutions

Summer is over and it's taken its toll on your hair. Do you have dried, damaged, split ends, frazzled hair that has no shine or bounce? Is it breaking or thin? According to Marko from Sally Hershberger Downtown Salon in New York City, it's time for the full post-summer treatment. Guys- think of it as a full court press to restore some life, bounce and body to your hair. Girls, you know what it means and you know it means a bit of time and TLC for your hair.

Step 1
Use a clarifying shampoo. You don't have to use anything terribly expensive. Marko's secret weapon is Palmolive Soap but you could use Suave or any of the less expensive shampoos like Prell to get that hair clean of unwanted mineral deposits and open up the core of the hair.

Step 2
You need to apply a deep treatment to provide nutrition like protein, minerals, and moisture to the core of the hair.
Marko states, "I suggest using a deep treatment mask made specifically for color treated hair, as those tend to be the most nourishing" He further comments, "Leave your treatment in for twenty minutes to get extra softness and shine without the weigh down."



One choice that is recommended by many celebrity stylists is Redkens' Smooth Down Butter. This will give you some deep conditioning and yet not weigh hair down.
Step 3
While Marko doesn't direct you to continue this, if you have significant damage or not the hair you want, you want to repeat these steps every week or two to give your hair some TLC and get it healthy again and looking gorge for holidays.



Redken Extreme CAT treatment is a great choice for those with extreme damage and need to add protein and lots of other nutrients back into the hair. Particularlly worthwhile using prior to coloring!

Step 4 Between treatments make sure that you get a new cut to get rid of dead ends. If you are planning on coloring your hair, do condition it BEFORE you color it and let it sit on the hair for about 20-30 minutes.

Voila! Great looking locks in nothing flat.
Thanks to www.spaweek.org for the 411! Posted by: Stevie Wilson      Read more     Source

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:46:01 GMT

Fred Flare Love

Fred Flare never fails to delight me. It's always chock-full of the cute, the quirky, and the whimsical. But while it's well known for it's adorable bags, fun shades, and little trinkets, I've never thought of it as a place where you could actually buy clothing. Accessories, maybe, but not clothing. Fred Flare is stepping it up, though! Wouldn't this be such a great fall outfit? Chic, classic, comfortable, and versatile. Plus, while it's out of my price range, it's not outrageously expensive.

Oh Fred Flare, I love you. Please pick my book for the Fred Flare book club so I can afford this outfit! Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:41:57 GMT

The Isabella Fiore Jill Hobo

Awww doesn't anybody like the Isabella Fiore Jill Hobo?

The Jill is currently available in brown or ivory handcrafted Italian leather with unique geometric seam details streaming down the body. This purse also comes accessorized with aged brass hardware, and her Logo-etched nameplate on side pocket. And yes, what's inside counts to. The bag's tummy is lined with a vibrant textile lining with two interior patch pockets, cell phone pocket, and leather-trimmed zip pocket. Measurements are 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″. So, not too small and not too fat. She's perfect for a day-to-day errand bag!


Price: $595 $359 Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:48:00 GMT

Fall makeup trends: Dramatic colors

If you haven't already, now's a good time to reconsider your makeup color choices for fall, because all big designer names have put dramatic, heavy colors as a must for the new season.

As always, you have two choices, you can accentuate your lips or your eyes. (Never both!)

Concerning lips, fashion dictates red or purple as IT choices. As great lipstick options I would suggest Ruge Dior in Red Premiere or Plum Plot hues, and if you want durability, there's always fabulous Max Factor Maxwear lip color (choose Dominatrix red or Split Prsonality hues), which will last you all work day.

If you're putting purple or red on your lips, stay minimalistic with your eyes, a good concealer and black mascara will do the trick.

Sultry eyes are another way to go, and smoky eyes are the most perfect eyewear for the season. You'll find a great how-to on Are You a Beauty?, no one can go wrong with this step by step instructions. If you're looking for the right product and shade options, MAC has recently issued just the thing - Smoke Signals color collection, which has all the makeup you need (from eye shadow and eye pencils to blushes and lip gloss).

With dramatic eyes you'll need bare lips.

Two perfect looks - dramatic lips or dramatic eyes, can easily be worn day and night. Although, I prefer drama lips for the office and drama eyes for going out. Posted by: Ivy      Read more     Source

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:06:01 GMT

Lela Rose for Payless is Here

Ughhh! How could I have forgotten about the debut of Lela Rose for Payless? My favorite shoe in the collection (The Birchin T-strap Pump) is already sold out! For shame!

Those boots you all loved (I love them too) are still available, however. Scoop 'em up! Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:45:01 GMT

Thomas Wylde Suncross Hollywood Skull Mission Bag

If you are craving to get a piece of the skull trend at a fraction of the price (maybe you want to save for the Thomas Wylde Bag of Tricks or T.W. Barolo Clutch) then wander on over to electricladyland(.com) and check out the rocker-chic Suncross Hollywood Skull Mission Hobo. But you better discover it soon, I can't promise this one will be around much longer.

T.W. Barolo Clutch
Price: $2265 $1133

side note: This same Thomas Wylde Hollywood Skull Mission bag (in black) is T.W. Barolo Clutch. 3 days left with a current bid of only $355. Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:24:45 GMT

Chanel with an Edge

Right now, I'm really into bags with that classic Chanel look - You know, quilted with a stap woven through a chain. (If you need proof, just look at the
It has the Chanel chain and quilting, but the slouchy shape and studs scream rock 'n roll. It's slightly pricy at $78, but still way cheaper than Chanel. Plus, you can flip the bag around so the studs don't show for days when you're feeling more ladylike.

I've been eyeing this vintage bag for a while (That's right, scoop it up people, there's only one). It's hot pink and only $7.99. There's nothin' wrong with that.

I think the website describes this one best. "This quilted black patent handbag mixes the classic Coco Chanel quilting with the more modern Marc Jacobs-inspired shape." On sale for $29.95. Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:15 GMT

The Black Rose: Botkier's Mini Rosette Purse

I’m a sucker for these rose design bags. Remember the YSL Rose Nadja bag? This Botkier Black Rose mini purse is newest and closest you can get to the Nadja without stocking the pages of eBay to get your hands on one of the rare forever-ago sold-out YSL bags. This little purse that looks like a mini version of the nadja, is dressed in the similar floral design of fabric that spirals to create the eye catching flower design. So cute, but so small.

Discover the Botkier Black Rose Rosette
Price: $95

More black rosies…
New for Fall: Botkier has a few different bags in the Black Rose line that feature unstructured soft slouchy leather bodies with double twist braided straps and simple block-y silver hardware. And guess what! Attached to these bags is the Rosette small purse. Price range is about $310 for the small clutch and up to $695 for the large satchel. Discover the Botkier Black Rose Rosette Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source