Seeing Stripes: Zimmerman Stripe Tank Dress

▲▲▲

Easy, breezy summertime fashion. Zimmerman’s Stripe Tank Dress is a great addition to end-of-summer ease.

Add some ankle boots for night and sandals for day. Transfer into fall with boots and a leather jacket or layer over your favorite leggings or skinnies.

Stripes are the perfect neutral for mixing prints. Add some leopard pumps, a floral scarf or colorful cardigan.

With summer coming to an end… sigh… purchase some great staples that will transition smoothly into fall.

Get Sweaty! Fitness Fashion

✴✴✴

Revamp your fitness wardrobe with some new gear. New clothes that make you feel/look good is the best exercise motivation.

Some things to look for when purchasing activewear:

♦   Invest in good basics just as you would your day-to day wardrobe and stock up! Never use these excuses – “I have nothing to wear” or “nothing is clean“.

♦   Do your research. For instance: the little black dress of the fitness world is the black compression pant. Read reviews and try-on. Some brands can be very expensive and need to be hand-washed. Pass. Some brands are too thin and almost see-through. Pass. Some brands will fit you perfectly and you will want to live in them forever. Stock up on these!

Tip: Compression pants can also be worn as everyday leggings. Just look for ones that are not too shiny and seamless.

♦   If you perspire a lot, make sure your base layer will keep you dry and comfortable. Look for items with “wicking ability.” Moisture wicking fabric is a kind of fabric commonly used in workout clothing and sportswear that is designed to pull moisture away from the skin. The fabric draws sweat and perspiration off of the skin and out to the exterior of the fabric.

Tip: When washing moisture wick fabrics – pass on the dryer sheets and fabric softener – they coat the fabric, which prevents the wicking absorption.

♦   Baggy pants aren’t feasible for cycling or spinning, and flowing tops won’t keep you covered when in downward dog. Consider the activities you do most, and make sure the clothes you purchase are comfortable and appropriate for that activity.

♦   Buy what makes you feel good.

Fitness fashion is great motivation to get you moving. Go get sweaty!

Here are some of my favorite basics:

1. Under Armour: ‘Flow’ Long Sleeve Top: $49.99

2. Nike: Logo Sweatshirt: $50.00

3. Lululemon: Wandering Yogi Tank: $58.00

4. H&M: Basic Tank: $5.95

5. Under Armour: Women’s HeatGear Sonic Printed Shortsleeve: $29.99

6. Aerie: Slim Gym Yoga Shortie: $14.99 (sale)

7. Zobha: Straight Leg Capri: $68.00 (Ahhhh-Mazing!)

8. adidas by Stella McCartney: Essentials Three-Quarter Sweat Pants: $100.00

9. Zella: ‘Live In’ Mèlange Reversible Leggings: $58.00 (Ahhhh-Mazing!)

10. adidas by Stella McCartney: Run Performance Shorts: $52.00 (sale)

Currently Coveting: Vince Leather Jogging Pants

✫✫✫

Jogging down the runways of Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant and Michael Kors, the jogging pant is a sporty and comfortable alternative from everyday denim or leggings. Evolving from jersey, the jogger can be found in silk, satin, wool and/or leather.

The jogging pants trend introduces a new hybrid of sweatpants and haram pants. The slouchy, relaxed fit and tapered leg is very figure-friendly. A great pant to dress up, the jogger yearns for your highest, high-heel. Keep the rest casual for a perfectly chic ensemble.

I am currently coveting the Vince Leather Jogging Pants. Sporty-style with some edge.

Jagged Edge: Asymmetric Sweaters

♢♢♢

Tired of boring, old cable-knit sweaters? Try something new with an asymmetric hemline. It is not a huge change, but a subtle update that gives cold-weather wear a little edge.

These sweaters work best with layers that emphasize the design. Coordinate opposing color schemes to show-off the sleek lines. Then pair with leggings, skinny jeans or leathers for a look that says snuggly not sloppy.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Helmut Lang ~ Asymmetric Sweater: $276.50 (sale)

T by Alexander Wang ~ Asymmetric Ribbed Open-Knit Tunic: $98.00 (sale)

Mango ~ Alpaca Wool Asymmetric Sweater: $59.99

2ND DAY ~ Medium Grey Heather Stinne Pullover: $285.00

How To: Subdued Sequins

⁕⁕⁕

Looking ahead to party season, nothing screams the holidays like a little sparkle. Incorporating sequins into your wardrobe can be troublesome. Too many times sequin pieces end up looking more Vegas Showgirl or Dancing with the Stars. The easiest way to wear sequins is to dress it down. With a little subtly, sequins can be both daytime and nighttime friendly.

The recipe is simple: Add one part sequin to one part casual wear. Weather you choose a sequin bottom or top, temper the pizzazz with a piece of casual wear.

Casual Wear: Tops: Tanks, Tees, Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Button-downs. Bottoms: Jeans, Cargo Pants, Leggings, Shorts.

Sequins is a great way to command attention at a holiday soiree. With the right layers and accessories, this look can work all year long.

Rag and Bone ~ Sandra Pullover: $350.00

Old Navy ~ Vintage – Style V-Neck Tees: $7.50

Alexander Wang ~ T by Alexander Wang – Classic Tank: $77.00

Zoe Karssen ~ Paris Can Wait Tee: $77.78

Michael Kors ~ Sequin Maxi Skirt: $150.00

Pucker Up! H&M Fashion Against Aids 2012

♕♕♕

H&M Fashion Against Aids (FAA) collection launches today in 300 stores and online. This is the company’s fifth collection raising funds and creating youth awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Just like all of H&M’s collaborated collections, the store went for on-trend bold prints in both clothing and accessories. H&M commissioned prints from artists and illustrators all over the world – Inuit designs from Greenland, tribal prints from Africa, and Maori graphics from New Zealand – and worked them into 50 pieces, ranging from leggings and dresses to jewelry and ponchos.

Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from all sales will benefit youth AIDS/HIV programs, including the United Nations Population Fund, YouthAIDS, and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

Kiss For A Cause: For every kiss uploaded, H&M will donate $1.00 to HIV/AIDS prevention. Pucker Up!

Upload kisses here: http://campaign.hm.com/faa2012/

Back to Basics: Layering Favorites

✱✱✱

Layering articles of clothing is not only practical but stylish. The art of layering will create insulation to keep you warm but will also lay the foundation for a very versatile wardrobe.

Start with your favorite basics. When shopping for basics, buy for comfort and quality. This will ensure getting the most wear out of the article of clothing. Then… buy in quantity. If you love a particular piece – purchase in different colors, patterns or styles.

For instance,  H&M tanks and camis are great – they are cheap, come in an array of colors/patterns and are made long in length. It is quite difficult to find a good tank, long enough to cover the bum when wearing leggings or tights. These tanks will also layer beautifully under just about anything, without any added bulk.

Old Navy is another great place to find layering basics. I love the light-weight v-necks and crew-necks. They are soft, comfortable, inexpensive and come in great basic colors. I wear them everywhere from the gym to work. On their own, accessorized with a great scarf or layered under a sequin/leather/boyfriend blazer to create a textured-casual look.

When it comes to quality, Splendid and KAIN Label, are unbeatable. They both provide silk blend basics that are extraordinarily comfortable and styles that are continuously on trend each season. These are the best basic pieces to collect each season, that will last a lifetime.

What are your favorite basics?

Wish List: Rag & Bone Capri Skinnies Coated Black

✯✯✯

Rag & Bone Capri Coated

Rag & Bone Capri Skinnies are at the top of my Christmas Wish List this year.

Unlike the faux-leather legging of the past, these beauties are simply coated denim. They fit like denim, can be washed like denim, but look like leather.

Comfortable and perfectly constructed, the Rag & Bone Skinnies are incredibly flattering (unlike most faux-leather leggings that make legs look like stuffed-sausages). They can be worn all year, paired with chunky cable-knit sweaters or free-flowing tanks, ankle boots or Converse sneakers. Invest in a pair of Rag & Bone’s this season, you will not regret it.

5 under $50: Leggings

✯✯✯

Versatile to wear with just about anything, leggings are a comfortable and stylish solution to outfit woes. Available in a multitude of colors, textures and patterns leggings continue to evolve each season.

Leggings Tips & Tricks:

❄ To avoid looking tacky, think of leggings as tights rather than pants. Choose longer tunics/blouses/tops to camouflage the obvious.

❄ Transition summer dresses and skirts into winter by adding simple leggings and a great leather jacket.

❄ Texture is key for a night look. Try metallic or liquid leggings paired with simple sweaters/blouses/tops.

❄ Incorporate fancy flats, boots or a matching pump; monochromatic footwear will make legs appear longer and leaner.

Leggings are an easy way to stretch your wardrobe, here are 5 lovely leggings under $50.00.

Target ~ Merona Women’s Lounge Leggings: $12.99

ASOS ~ Leggings in Metallic Knit: $26.96

Victoria’s Secret ~ Liquid Leggings: $39.50

Topshop ~ Burgundy Velvet Legging: $45.00

Forever 21 ~ Winter Wonderland Legging: $15.80

Boot Week: Pour La Victoire Bardot Ankle Boot

✯✯✯

Pour La Victoire Bardot

Boot Week continues with the versatile ankle boot.

The Bardot Ankle Boot by Pour La Victoire is a simple ankle boot with sex-appeal. The sky-high heel and hidden platform accentuate and elongate the leg. The suede is soft and easy to maneuver in and the side zipper provides comfort and flexibility.

This ankle boot pairs perfectly with just about anything; tights, leggings, pants, denim, skirts, dresses. Available in many colors and textures the ankle boot can be the focal point of an outfit or accentuate it.

Though they can easily be concealed under a pant hem, take advantage of the ability to add a chic edge to an otherwise ordinary outfit.

Lavish Leg-Wear: Wolford Fashion Tights

✯✯✯

Wolford Fashion Tights

For 60 years Wolford has positioned itself as a luxury brand of stockings, leg-wear and under garments. The Austrian fashion house rank the highest in quality, technology and innovative design.

The Wolford Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection has a strong baroque design. The leg-wear collection includes a wide array of tights, stockings, leggings and knee-highs. Elaborate yet feminine, each item accentuates a womans body and style.

Wear these intrinsic fashion tights with solid colors to make them pop. Try them on with this season’s hot booties and don’t be afraid to pair them with open-toe shoes. Wolford Fashion Tights are a fun and easy way to make humdrum outfits, electric.