Find a Great Formal Purse for Fall

December 2nd, 2013

Fall has arrived, and with it a new season of fashion trends you’ll love keeping up with.  From small clutches and wristlets to bigger , carryall tote bags, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for these hot trends in the purse world.  Here are this fall’s biggest fashion trends for formal purses.

1) Beading
Beading and sequins are always in style when it comes to formalwear. The flashier the better, some say! That being said, it’s no surprise that once again, it’s a hot fall trend for formal purses. Sequins and beading catch the light and literally make you look like you’re sparkling, and they’re the perfect accent to nearly any evening gown, especially simpler ones without a lot of details. If you’re already wearing a glitzy, elaborate dress, you can still use beading for your purse, but try to make it a solid color that accents the already-stunning gown.

2) Large Clasps
Bold clasps on clutches and wristlets are a great addition. Think of it as jewelry for your purse! When a bag has a large clasp, the eye is drawn to it, and typically when bags have this feature, the clasp is something beautiful like a large rhinestone or polished stone.  This is a chance fore designers to add something onto an otherwise plain-looking clutch. They also make opening a purse easier, but as we all know, purses are not necessarily always function. They are, however, always for fashion, and with a large, statement-esque clasp, you’ll be totally en vogue.

3) Bright Accents on Neutral Purses

One other trend for formal purses is adding bright accents to neutral-toned purses. For instance, if a purse is a subdued taupe shade, adding a string of bright, jewel toned ribbon or a beaded sash across the front can really make it pop. This also makes the purse more versatile, as then it can go with more than just one outfit.

Hot Fashion Trends for Fall

November 25th, 2013

If you follow fashion, you know that not everything that comes down the runway is made for regular people. There are simply some looks that are best left to the professionals. That said, there are still some trends that are accessible for non-model types. Here are three of the hottest fall fashion trends to be on the lookout for this year.

1) Statement Coats.
Statement coats are, as you might imagine, coats for fall weather that aren’t your typical pea coat or motorcycle jacket. Statement coats can be oversized, brightly colored, highly embellished, made with a unique fabric, you name it—so long as the intention of the coat is to draw attention. Statement coats are not for the faint of heart, and the wearer can’t be shy or timid.  These pieces will have all eyes on you, so if you’re not thrilled about that idea, you may want to look elsewhere for your outerwear this autumn.

2) Winter White.

Typically, when speaking of fashion, it’s thought of as a “don’t” to wear white after Labor Day. Of course, the first rule about fashion is that you don’t have to follow the rules, which is probably why winter white pieces are en vogue this fall. From white slacks to long white trench coats and everything in between, this frosty hue is something you’ll be seeing a lot of this season.  Since white goes with most anything, there are a number of ways you can accessorize it. Pair it with bold shoes, metallics, statement jewelry, or other neutrals like black. Whatever you choose to pair it with, you’ll look as cold as ice—in a good way.

3) High-Shine Pieces.
Metallic and shiny fabrics are making waves in the fashion world, and we don’t mean by way of tacky, gold lame. This time around, materials like patent leather are very popular, as are bold metallics, and that means more than just silver and gold. Think things like pewter leather pants, aqua heels, and much more. These types of pieces, again, are rather attention-grabbing, so if you prefer a more subdued look, stick to neutrals that are shiny rather than bold colors.

Four Different Ways to Wear Red This Fall

November 18th, 2013


When you think of fall fashion, you likely think about earthy colors or jewel tones, but you may be missing out if you shy away from bright, stop-sign, in your face red. It’s a little more unexpected than other colors during the chilly months, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look downright stunning. If you’re trying to incorporate red into your wardrobe, here are four ways to wear the “it” color this autumn.

Red Blazers
Perfect for the office, red blazers are just what you need to make an impression at work or on the town.  Pair one with tight black pants and heels, or a tan skirt and flats. There are a number of ways to rock this look—be creative and own it.

Red Lips
If you’re not used to wearing bright colors and attracting a lot of attention, red lipstick is a good gateway to feeling comfortable doing so. Pick a sheer one at first, then build your way up to the classic look. There’s a shade out there for everyone, but it’s not the same for every person, so if you’ve never chosen a red lipstick before, it may be helpful to go to a makeup counter for advice.

Red Shoes
Shoes are also a great way to add a little spice to your wardrobe without going too over the top. When you wear red shoes, it’s best to keep the rest of your outfit simple so as to keep the look sleek. Wear neutrals like black, white, and tan with red shoes as the pop of color.  Pair boots with slim-fitting pencil skirts, or heels with an a-line dress. It may be out of your comfort zone, but you’ll start to love that little extra something when it comes to getting dressed.

Red Pants/Skirts
Finally, once you’re a bit more used to wearing bright colors, add a pair of red pants or a red skirt to your rotation. With pants, it’s best to keep them close fitting—red skinny jeans with black boots, a graphic tee and a leather jacket are a great rocker look, but if you want something a bit softer, pair a knit sweater in black and white with a red skirt and heels.

Men’s Fashion Trends for Fall

November 11th, 2013

The fashion world lights up over women’s trends, but men’s fashion is harder to pinpoint what the hot looks will be. Perhaps because fashion is usually considered more of a women’s interest, but more likely, not as many men are willing to step out of their comfort zone to stay in fashion. That said, there are some ways that men can stay hip and trendy without feeling uncomfortable in their looks. Here’s three of our favorite ultra-wearable fall fashion trends for men.

Burgundy

From shoes to trench coats to belts, take a break from traditional black or brown and mix a little dark red into your wardrobe.  You can add small doses of this rich shade to your closet in the form of knit sweaters, bomber jackets, or other accessories, or you can go all out with a dark red suit. If you go all out, be sure to keep the rest of your look relatively simple to avoid looking like you just walked off a runway—some things are best left to the models.

Black Leather
Black leather is always on trend for menswear, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look fresh this fall. If you have yet to jump on the black leather trend, now’s your chance. Check out things like boat shoes  (yes, leather boat shoes), black leather belts (this is a bit obvious, of course), and a leather jacket. The jacket can be anything from a motorcycle jacket to a suit-coat style to a trench. It depends on your personal style. Check out leather wristwatch straps, leather messenger bags, or lush leather shoes. Whatever you do, though, don’t wear all of it at once. This is one trend where there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Plaid
You may think that plaid is only for prep school attendees, but that’s simply not the case. Pair a plaid dress shirt with a blazer for work, a plaid bowtie for formal occasions, and if you’re the bold type, a dark-hued plaid suit. Of course, a plaid suit is not going to be as versatile as a navy or gray one, but if you can pull it off, there’s no reason not to wear one.

Great Fall Jackets

November 4th, 2013

The weather is cooling down, which means we’ll soon be reaching for our jackets every day, not just sometimes.  There’s no reason you shouldn’t have a great fall jacket, one that keeps you warm and looking great at the same time.  Not sure where to start? Here are some of the popular looks for jackets this fall.

1) White, Structured Jackets

If you’re not ready for early sunsets and leaving the office when it’s already dark outside, choosing a white or ivory coat will definitely brighten things up. Crisp and clean, jackets with belts flatter any figure, while contrasting details, like black buttons, keep things interesting. They’re available in any length, but we wouldn’t go any longer than mid-thigh – too long and it can look too formal for everyday wear.

2) Chic, Cropped Leather (or Faux Leather) Bombers

The motorcycle or bomber style for fall jackets is pretty timeless, but still manages to look fresh and edgy every year. This year, choose one with eye-catching details like studs, quilting, or metallic buttons or zippers. These look best with dressed-down looks, or for a night on the town. They look great in black or dark brown leather (or faux), but are also available in other shades like distressed gray, tan, pink, or practically any other color! Choose one that fits your personality.

3) Unusually Colored, Printed, or Textured Coats

If you want something a little more unique, check out this season’s bright, unusually colored trenches, plaid pea coats, or other non-traditionally printed jacket. Things like a mustard yellow or chartreuse wool coat, or a faux-fur animal print jacket. These are a bolder statement than the other two styles listed here, so they’re great for that inner fashionista dying to be let out of her cage. Here, you can really go wild—feel free to go as over the top as you want.