Jul 17

Influential International Style: Lily Allen

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imageLily Allen, pop’s talkative, oversharing princess, is a serious style maven. Showing a clear penchant for luxury brands like Chanel, Prada and Yves San Laurent, yet comfortable wearing Chucks and a cartoonish headband with them, she certainly has a look all her own. In the same way that Madonna did in the 1980’s, Lily Allen is probably owed back royalties for style “ideas” taken and mass-produced at Urban Outfitters. How does she do it? She starts with a beautiful piece, no matter if it’s a gorgeous top or a fantastic prom-style dress. She brightens the outfit with colored accessories and bold, thick bling. Check out my slideshow for style tips from Lily Allen! Photo credit: PR Photos

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Jul 17

Jessica Alba Is Trendy in MK2K Plaid

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imageJessica Alba was spotted leaving the ever-trendy Nobu, fittingly in a very “in” plaid blouse by MK2K. She paired her top with a black cardigan, black pants and simple jewelry, making this low-key outfit chic and comfortable. Jessica would look good in anything but this shirt works to highlight her super-slim figure. It is also an outfit that would look good on a variety of people, whether or not they have the body Jessica does. With a smocked front, this inexpensive blouse ($143!) is great for concealing a larger mid-section (not that Jessica has one by the looks of her bikini pics). Paired with skinner jeans, shorts or a skirt, this shirt can be dressed up or down depending on how you want to wear it. MK2K is a brand beloved by many stars and regular shoppers alike. Their line consists of adorable tops, fun and flirty dresses and versatile blouses. Plaid has been a trend we have been seeing for a while and it looks to have no signs of going out anytime soon. Getting Jessica’s exact look is very easy. Simply pair this top with a pair of skinny black jeans or pants. Accessorize with thin gold hoops, a gold necklace, red nails and a Chanel-like bag! See more great fashion by clicking over to our friends at Whatswear!
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Jul 16

Ole! A Touch Of Spain In Your Summer Style!

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imageFlowy white dresses and light linen layers are still feminine and flirty summer staples, but this season, designers are really stepping it up! The theme for this summer is bold and bright! Pop colors, ruffles and the hourglass shape are taking over the neutral shades and simple silhouettes of summers past. All these stimulating colors and fun details are reminiscent of traditional Spanish clothing twisted with modern edge, giving this style trend an air of classic sophistication while making a sexy and chic statement all at once! Cropped and embellished boleros are perfect summer outerwear, covering just enough for cooler summer nights and really standing out as the key piece to an ensemble. Or really vamp up the sexy, feminine side and sashay your way into sunshine with a tiered and ruffled dress like a modern day Flamenco dancer! Girly details just not your thing? No worries! Leggings with high-waists and other Spanish-inspired details are definitely in, as are decorated button-downs and embroidery and embellishments on everything! Check out the slide-show for more eye-catching, colorful items inspired by the beauty and culture of Spain!

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Jul 16

How To Sew An Exposed Zipper

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imageNicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to fashionable how-tos and do-it-yourself crafts. Below she introduces a fun project in which you can embellish clothing yourself with exposed zippers.

Zippers have come a long way over the years; they’re used in everything from garments and shoes to accessories and home decor. You may install a zipper simply to let you in and out of a garment, but why not make it stylish at the same time? In the Spring ’09 issue of SewStylish, couture sewer Anna Mazur showed you how to insert zippers four ways. Here is one of the techniques inspired by many designers including Marni. When installing an exposed zipper, you can throw all the zipper-insertion rules out the window. Turn the seam allowances to the right side, topstitch the zipper over them to conceal the fabric edges, and let the zipper tape show on the outside of the garment. You can choose a matching or contrasting zipper for even more stand-out style. Click on over to the CraftStylish blog for the full step-by-step instructions… then get sewing!

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Jul 16

Go Bold With Red Lipcolor!

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imageRed lip color is all the rage for fall beauty, and the range of reds covers everything from the subtle to the bright and daring. There’s a lot of mileage in being bold with this look – after all, if you’re going to go for red, you may as well really go for it instead of just doing it half way. Luckily, many bold reds are available in drugstore brands that won’t break your budget, like L’Oreal, Almay and Cover Girl, as well as classic luxe brands that have added staying power like Dior, Nars and Chanel. This Purminerals lipstick, for example, will only set you back 15 bucks, and in a color like Madrid Matte Bright Red, there’s no chance that your lips will go unnoticed. For more style advice, click on over to our friends at The Find!
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Jul 16

Casual But Chic Camp Shirts Are A Summer Staple

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imageThis summer, camp shirts are popping up all over the place, from the traditional structured styles to sheer, more billowy ones. They have a collar and most are button-down, so tuck them into a great pair of wide-leg linen pants and throw on a pair of pumps to be office ready! Change into a flirty skirt and wedge sandals, or some skinny jeans and peep-toe stilettos and you’ll look chic and fresh for any after-hours plans you may have. Very comfortable, completely versatile and sweetly sexy in that borrowed-from-the-boys kind of way, camp shirts are the perfect summer staple. They can even double as swim cover-ups! Check out the slideshow for some of my favorites from designers like Modern Amusement, Rag & Bone, American Eagle, and more!

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Jul 16

Sequins Finally See The Light Of Day!

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imageMaybe I’m easily distracted, but I’m just naturally drawn to sparkle. All a shirt needs is to be bedazzled in sequins, twinkling at me from its hanger, and I’m instantly a sucker! So you can imagine my delight when I started noticing that the flashy sewn-on embellishments, once reserved for dressy nights out on the town and mermaid costumes, are becoming increasingly wearable for all hours of the day, showing up on summery dresses, floaty tunics, and even casual cropped vests. I guess someone finally came to their senses and realized that daytime is the time to get the most sparkle from their shiny sun-reflective surfaces! So don’t worry about feeling like a disco ball — indulge in your love of sparkle, whether just with a shimmery neckline or a fully sparkled sheath, and get your shine on all day long with some of my favorite pieces in the slideshow!

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Jul 15

Angelina Jolie Loves Gerard Darel Maxi Dresses!

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imageEffortlessly fashionable Angelina Jolie has been seen numerous times toting her kids and traveling all around in a luxurious Gerard Darel maxi dress. Darel’s designs are feminine and classic with just a twist of vintage quirk thrown in. Angelina’s favorite seems to be the cocoa brown, strapless “Angel” maxi featured here, but has also been seen in black versions and ones with straps. Even little Zahara gets her fashion wings early in her own lavender Gerard Darel top! With his use of luxurious fabrics and fluid silhouettes that show just enough of your decolletage and shoulders, Darel’s dresses are the perfect summer piece for sophisticated and comfortable elegance. Want one just like Angie’s? The dresses retail for $548 and are available at select Bloomingdale’s stores!
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Jul 15

Video Style Steal: Beyonce Has “Sweet Dreams” Of Sparkles & Sequins

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imageBeyonce, like our friend Tyra Banks, always seems to come up in conversation whenever the word “fierce” is mentioned. This is why it was no surprise to see that her video for “Sweet Dreams,” the latest single from her I Am… Sasha Fierce album, is no less stylishly sassy than the previous vids, and she again comes equipped not only with some seriously diva-esque outfits, but her two hip-shaking backup dancers to boot. This time, however, she amps up the costuming beyond the iced-out bionic hand and leotard-and-heels combo she rocked in “Single Ladies” and channels a similarly monochromatic wardrobe with a little more sparkle and shine. With over-the-knee leather boots, a sequin miniskirt, and a silver lame dress that seems to channel a sexier Jane Jetson (we won’t even get started with the gold metal C-3PO number), B is still milkin’ the futuristic she-robot look for all its worth — and is still looking like a million bucks. Click “See Video” to watch her and her dancer-clones in action, then check the slideshow to see how you can cop her look without looking like quite a cyborg.
Photo Credit: MTV.com

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Jul 15

Easy Summer Metallics To Add Shine To Your Style

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imageMetallics are a perfect choice for casual summer wear and the opportunities for wearing them don’t have to be excluded to your nights out on the town. Today’s shiny metallics are doable for both day and evening. For example, I love this J. Crew metallic pleated cotton tank that’s paired effortlessly with a pair of jean shorts. It just proves that you don’t need sequins or silk to give a piece some shine! Switch things up by adding sheen to your shorts, like with a pair of these linen Bermuda shorts from J. Crew, or to your sandals with these flat metallic T-straps, also from J. Crew. Click over to Coquette for more summer fashion trends!
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