Find me on Examiner.com Now!!!

Don't worry, I still will be posting on my blog! Duh, this is my little fashion baby. I am writing for the Fashion Tips section for the Chicago Examiner. Check me out at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-60065-Chicago-Fashion-Tips-Examiner~y2010m7d21-Tips-for-interview-attire-in-Chicago

Expect This When You're Expecting

It is official: everyone I know is having a baby. Many of my friends and family have recently had children. With pregnant women all around me, all I can think of is how is that baby bump going to look in the clothes they choose to wear?  

With conception on my own mind (how could I avoid the thought?), my first concern was, "What the hell am I going to wear?" I have been enjoying the utter horror stories of the maternity wear available in our modern day. Now, it has taken a different toll on me. Tired of hearing people say "Just wait until your pregnant" or "You won't look like that when your pregnant," I have decided to go on a mission. A mission to find chic, glamorous, and fabulously priced clothes that are not listed as "maternity". Clothes that the modern pregnant woman can feel good in and confident, while having that smug smile for all those people who hated her figure before she was pregnant. Yes, Forever 21 sells maternity wear now, but the selection is a little limited for my taste. Any questions? Thought not! 

Mothers-to-be, they are really going to envy you now.

As with any kind of dressing, there are rules for your new shape. First off, if you are early on, don't go "shopping happy". Check out what your closet has in store for you already. Remember these shapes, they will be your best friends: Empire, Tunic, and A-Line . These shapes will flatter any which way you will carry.  This is what each shape means and will look like:

Empire: Pronunciation: om-peer: A type of dress or top where the waist line is raised above the natural waistline, sometimes as high as right below the bust. Best on slender-on-top or petite figures, the empire dress creates the illusion of length and camouflages a bottom-heavy figure or thick waist.

Tunic: A loose-fitting garment, sleeved or sleeveless, extending to the knees and worn by men and women especially in ancient Greece and Rome. It is usually made as a long, plain, sleeved or sleeveless blouse. A short pleated and belted dress worn by women for some sports.

A-Line: A cut of garment consisting basically of two A -shaped panels for the front and back, designed to give increasing fullness toward the hemline.  

All of these shapes can be found in tops, blouses, skirts and dresses. How do you wear these shapes? Let me explain...

This is a belted empire top. The pleats around the bust will gently glide over your baby bump. I suggest wearing empire tops or blouses with something tighter on the bottom. For instance, heather gray leggings would look very chic with this top and maybe even some gladiator sandals. In winter this fabulous top could be paired with a light weight cardigan, leggings, and flat slouchy boots. This could also be worn with skinny jeans or an a-line jean skirt.

This beautiful purple empire blouse has delicate rosettes under the bust. You can also see it has a halter neck line, this is another flattering detail. The kimono sleeves will hide any "bat wings" or flabby-ness. Same rules for bottoms do apply with this top. 

This top is a little more difficult to identify as empire. The waist line is not directly under the bust, where as most commonly it is. Here, the waist line is about three inches down, however, this will draw the attention to your chest. This is your chance to show off those new girls. This style of empire has more pleating and is not as long in length. The best way to wear a top of this design is with an a-line pencil skirt or jeans. Make sure to accessorize with that plunging neckline! Some bright Lucite baubles with look incredible.

In this style of a dress, you will look like a Grecian goddess. You may feel as big as a house, in this style of a dress, you will defiantly not look it! This empire dress has pleats around the bust that flows to the hem, making your legs look a mile long. Check out that neck line! This is a gorgeous dress that will flatter any one. If you are afraid your arms will look like sausages, then throw a bright colored shawl over them or try a black bolero. Don't forget the metallic wedges ladies!

This is a super trendy a-line dress. The cut is similar to the empire as far as pleating goes, but the bottom is like two "A" shaped panels. See how it is smaller at the waist, then it expands as the dress flows out? Take a note from our female ancestors of the 1950's and 1960's. The a-line reigned supreme and there wasn't a day these women did not look chic or not put together.

I can hear the sounds of eyeballs jumping out of their sockets! Do not fear! The tunic is wearable, and yes in bright-loud eccentric prints. Whomever came up with the term "confinement" for pregnant women should be shunned or stoned to death. I can completely picture my sister-in-law in this. The tunic is more flowy and does not really have a shape. Why it is your friend? Well, it gives you more room for that baby bump, and the rest of the fabric will just fall into place. Trust me. If you still feel a little moo-mooish toss a black waist belt under your bust, above the bump and your good to good. You can easily wear this dress with ballet flats, sandals, boots, even leggings with Converses.

Being pregnant does not mean that you must compromise your style or among other things (think of what Katherine Heigl says in Knocked Up). If any of you adorable preggo fashionistas need style advice, questions, or even concerns post or email me!

Here are a few more preggo chic pieces:

All pieces can be found at FOREVER 21 and are all under $30.

When Someone Tries Too Hard

There comes a time in every one's life when it is no longer appropriate to wear certain attire. Some, cannot accept the fact that they are aging. Instead of aging gracefully, this group of folks try and fight it. While the rest of us look sexy with permitable limits, the ones who try too hard look trashy and cheap. And you can always tell when someone is trying too hard.

Possibly when you were younger, platinum blond hair looked good on you. Yet, at 45, that does not work. You may be mistaken for a cheap escort. Seriously. As Dolly Patron exclaimed, "I can see a bottle job at twenty paces". Do not try and dye your hair blond at home. It never turns out a natural blond color. I don't want to hear the excuse "It's cheaper for me to do myself!". Well, if your hair color resembles My Little Pony or a canary, then you just got yourself a lot of looks and a lot of laughs. Everyone will know, you are trying too hard. Do yourself a favor, go get it done professionally. There are a ton of elegant women (grown, adult women with houses and careers) with immaculate blond hair.

Do not try and wear something meant for a thirteen year-old. I repeat myself, DO NOT DO IT! I see this all the time on grown women and I just laugh because I am thinking how utterly ridiculous they look. Wake-up call, your kids are most likely super embarrassed to be seen with you (that's why they run out of the mini-van). If it has weird fabric hanging, it looks super complicated, or if there is a ridiculous amount of cleavage, it should not be worn. Ever.

I understand if you miss the "fun clothes" you used to wear. There are many of sophisticated brands that have "fun clothes" for grown women to wear with out looking trashy. To name a few: Target, Liz Claiborne, Anne Taylor, Banana Republic, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Chanel, Tori Burch, etc.

The rule to always remember, you can always modernize your look with accessories.

Time Travel in an Outfit

You know that feeling you get, when you go to a place or see a picture, you think, "I have been here before"? I get that often. I am convinced that my soul has been traveling the world for centuries. I get that "my soul has been here before" Epiphany often when it comes to the 1920's. I used to be obsessed with this era and it slowly faded (I guess like most things in our lives). Well, I am happy to say it has resurfaced. My obsession was reignited by the incredible read, Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella (author of Confessions of a Shopaholic Series).  What really caught my attention, was the detail of the 1920's clothing, make-up, and hair styling being described (sorry to spoil a little piece of the novel). I could see myself as the girl she was describing.

You may have heard or known, I have always paid a little ode to the 20's with my signature bob. For some reason, I had this notion that I was going to grow my hair out. Why? I have no idea. So, in my newly 1920's obsession, I went and cut my hair in to a severe bob. I am waiting until my weekend off to dye my hair darker. I thought that by cutting my hair into such a chic flapper bob, it would scratch this 1920's obsession. Such wishful thinking.

What was missing was the clothes. The clothes to transform my aura. The twenties were about being classy and not afraid to go against the norm. To live in the moment, here and now. To wear the latest fashions and know what is the latest new fad in society. Having a good time is at the top of your list. It is being the perfect combination of classy and a party animal.

I searched the most obvious place for vintage 20's fashion: Ebay. Much to my dismay, most of the clothing was way over priced and look too costume-ish. Defiantly not what I was looking for. 

In my past posts I have raved on about Forever 21. All my past online shopping has been from the beloved store. Low and behold, they had absolutely everything I was looking for! And at a realistically glamorous price! Thus, I was in 1920's heaven. 

I found a crepe peach chiffon dress with beading all on the front and around the hem with a beautiful scoop neck (34.80). I also fell in love with a grey sleeveless dress with a sun pattern made out of seed beads that loop along the hem. The relaxed fit makes it very twenties (34.80). I just had to get a twenties satin covered embellished headband (I am a big Blair Waldorf fan). The embellishment is gorgeous and is located on the side with a non-tangle-hair-back (4.80). Who can turn down jewelry? Costume jewelry was born in the 1920's (thanks to Miss Coco Chanel) and Forever 21 has the best prices for beautiful pieces. I know your thinking of the traditional long necklaces (pearls, pendants, chains, etc.) worn, yet what is often forgotten is the amazing earrings these fashion forward darlings wore. I found a three piece set of dainty pearlescent bead earrings (3.80).

The best feeling is when clothes transform you, even to another era. That does not mean your dated, I think it lets you learn from the past and look incredible doing it.

My lesson: to learn to have fun again. 

Look for me at the next party, I will be the girl having illegal amounts fun. I will be the Twenties Girl.

The Strange Folks We Work With

In my profession, it is quite amusing to watch many attempt to rock "business casual". I get to people watch all day long. I supervise, so I must have my eyes pealed. And pealed they are. My absolute favorite (I have many favorites, don't I?) is when a person claims they don't care how they look or don't give a shit about what other people think. Ha! Um, hello! We are human, we have been caring what people think and talking about other human beings since Eve bit the damn apple!

This is a shout out to you Mrs. Nurse in your scrunchy socks, bulky gym shoes and boxy a-line skirt: you should care what people are saying about you, because honey, it's not good. You're an utter disaster.
You know who you are. I see you everyday, on the same floor, at the same time.

There are no excuses for dressing bad. I am a boss. I think of how people carry themselves and comfort Mrs. Nurse, is the worst thing to say. It actually translates as lazy. Why have we women worked so hard to be in the workforce? To make a stand in the world to be out-dressed by men? For what? Laziness? Comfort? Fatigue?

WRONG-O!

Want to wear a skirt? Fine. Find one that at least fits for Christ's sake. If your curvy go high waisted, no curves, go for more volume with pleats. No gym shoes, you're not a gym teacher. My guess is you sit at a desk all day long. Wear a pair of neutral wedges or colorful ballet flats. As for the quest for comfort, I am running around for eight, almost nine hours a day in wedges, so quit the bitching.

I love getting dressed in the morning. Even if you hate your job and want to run your boss over numerous times with an extremely large vehicle, dressing the part will make you feel better about yourself. Maybe even aspire the courage to ask for the raise or tell the bimbo in the next cubicle to shut her pie-hole. 

Check out the look below from business chic (a blog), the look is casual and cool. Sure to impress, sure to turn heads.

Happy Business Casual!

If you spot any outrageous co-worker's apparel please send it to me! Posts will sure to follow with them as features!!

80's Wedding Fashion

It has recently been brought to my attention what the fashion of weddings were in the 1980's. Now, an important detail of this post is that I was not asked to look into the fashions of the 80's (I can just look into my mother's wedding album or any of my dearest friends parents' albums). Actually, it is in defense of all the WOMEN out there who got married in the 1980's. Fashion is fashion. There will always be style trends we wish we could forget. However, the little invention of the camera has captured this time period and will forever be in history and in our lives.

I am sure we have all had to wear our share of hideous bridesmaid dresses. All good friends know two rules: Never say you hate it (even is it is 28 years later) and that yes, you will be able to wear it again, even when you know you will not. This is or was their day, not yours, mine, or the sister-in-laws (no matter how much she wanted to take the show). You wore it and better have liked it (or at least pretended and still should be pretending).

The fact of the matter is we may look back to 1982 and see the dresses and possibly vomit in our mouths a little, yet, this was the epic time of hideous bridesmaid dresses and brides dresses. There is no getting around it. These girls who were so excited about the up coming nuptials made due with what was out there.

I have scoured through images of dresses galore and have not found one decent dress from that era. To be quite honest, the dresses of 2010 made for bridesmaids are barely any better.

The 80's re-invented layers of taffeta and tulle, bell sleeves and collars, bibs and lace, hats and gloves. Think of it as an ode to the southern belle on acid. Classy but yet a hint of trash. Think of Pretty Woman and what her wedding would look like without Richard Gere and all his lawyer money.

If you have found a piece from this time period and think I am utterly off my rocker, please try and prove me wrong. I love a challenge.

For the record, my mother's dress was the most decent one I have seen from that time. I am not being bias here either. She knows that I am the first to criticize her apparel. But all in all...it's the truth. 

I am back and with a vengence!!!

My darlings!! I know I have been away for too long! You know me, when I hear "No" or any other form of war is ignited, it fuels my fire. To be more direct, my computer was being very slow and old (I guess that's what happens when your laptop is five years old) and I acquired a new position, with these two occurrences (and many others) left me no time or the tools to perform my daily duties to writing about styling and fashion advice.
However, I have overcome these hurdles and is ready to hit the ground running.

Are you ready?