Just say NO!                                               Give it a GO!

Style Solution reader Laura asks:

Q: I have a beautiful suit (jacket and pants) by Perry Ellis. I bought it about six years ago. However, the jacket has shoulder pads. This is bad right? I don’t think they are really noticeable though. Also the pant has a high waist and a somewhat tapered leg. I could send you a picture if you wish. I would like your feedback!

A: Thank you for your question. Shoulder pads in and of themselves are not necessarily bad. They can really help give shape to certain body types. However, if they are large and can’t be removed, or are out of proporation to your body, they will look out of date. My main concern is the pants which sound severely out of date. We can do high waist, or tapered, but not both. It is hard to say without seeing you in the suit, but just based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like it may be time to donate this suit to your favorite charity (mine is Women Helpig Women in Costa Mesa) and finding a new one.

Don’t wait for the rain to strut your stuff in one of winter’s most wearable fashions. Hunter Wellington boots are this season’s chicest cold weather choice. Definitely a timeless addition to your wardrobe, these fabulously functional boots originated in Scotland and date back to the 1800’s.

With an overwhelming variety of wintery boots on the market, opt for and old classic with a new twist.  Hunter wellies come in a variety of fun colors like bright fuschia, lemon yellow, and cherry red bringing instant cheer to any outfit or dreary day.   Available in mid-calf or knee lengths($105-$115), the beauty of their design is simplicity.

You can find Hunters at retailers such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, or online at Zappos.com. But buyers beware, Hunter’s run a full size large, so be sure to go down a size.

Not just cute and practical for a rainy climate, they are surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear daily.  They have been my cure all solution for lazy days in leggings and sweaters.  They also look great when worn over skinny jeans or paired with tights and a casual skirt.

Don’t let sunny skies hold you back.  After all, cowboy boots made their way off the ranch and equestrian boots are everywhere this season.  It is time to give your old wellies some new love.  On your next trip to the store ditch your Uggs for your Hunter wellies!

- By Style Solution guest writer Brielle Jackson

Sienna Miller has proven time and again that she is a fashion force to be reckoned with.  Entering the fashion scene as the epitome of boho chic, her style has evolved to a more sophisticated, yet still carefree and unexpected vibe.  Her look is never boring , over thought, or trashy.  While sex does sell in Hollywood, and she is certainly sexy, it is refreshing to see a young woman not put everything out there for the world to see.  She is one of the few that seem to be completely comfortable in her skin and with her fashion choices.  Whether she is shopping on London’s Portobello Road, or on the red carpet promoting her new GI Joe movie, her style and undeniable good looks continue to please and surprise.  Regardless of your style , own it!  Make fashion choices with confidence and the world will be in awe. 

Photo credit: www.whowhatwear.com

Check out the September issue of Orange Coast Magazine to see the 8 page fall fashion spread and cover that I styled, featuring OC up and comers Ashley Benson, from Eastwick, Kayla Ewell from Vampire Diaries, and Justin Chon from Twilight.

www.orangecoastmagazine.com

Q:  Style Solution reader, Jen, asks “How do I wear scarves?  There seem to be cute ways to accessorize them beyond just throwing one around my neck.”

A: Yes! Nothing adds a touch of trend and ties your look together as quickly and easily as a gauzy summer scarf.  The perfect piece to throw on with your basic tank and jeans during the day, it can also effortlessly transition to an evening wrap for those breezier summer nights.  Look for cheerful patterns and prints to wear with solid outfits, or colorful solid scarves to add to patterned outfits.  Either way, you’ll look more coordinated and stylish with the addition of a little neck wear.

There are countless ways to tie your scarf.  Try the simple once around, as demonstrated by Kirsten, Giselle, and Jessica above.  This brings the attention up to your face without adding too much bulk around your neck.  The long, lose ends also help create a strong vertical line in your outfit.

You can also try wrapping your scarf around your neck once or twice and knotting it in the front like Lindsay and Jennifer do so well. 

When the nights are color and you can feel fall around the corner, try wrapping your scarf around your neck completely and tucking the lose ends inside for a faux turtleneck look.  Or, folding your ethnic square scarf into a triangle and wearing it wrapped around your neck with the pointed end draped over your chest for added warmth and international style.  The thing to remember is that when you have a long, summery scarf, they look best when they are a little messy. Don’t paralyze yourself with perfection.  Just pull them out of your closet and start expirimenting.

In case you haven’t noticed, thigh high and over the knee boots are everywhere this fall.   I don’t know about you, but as soon as I hear “thigh high boots,” I think stripper, hooker, and all together trashy leg wear.  However, this fall, thigh high boots take on a new, almost sophisticated look and feel.

From skin tight thigh highs by Gucci and Rodarte (above) that act like leggings when paired with a mini dress…

…to the monochromatic over the knee boots from Gucci and Chloe (above) paired with the same colored opaque tights or pants to create a long, lean, line…

…to simple black over the knee boots worn with bare legs and soft, lose, girly dresses to avoid looking too sexy like these by Verrier and Isabel Marant.  Over the knee and thigh high boots can actually be cute, fashionable, and alluring without being too blatantly sexy this fall.  The key is to know whether you have great legs or not.  Such attention grabbing leg wear are not for the calf and thigh challenged.  If you carry your weight in your legs, take a pass on this trend.  However, if you’ve got great gams, embrace the boot and show off those legs of yours.

Inspired by Shopbop.com stylists Bobbie Broske and Morgan Wendleborn’s own denim creations, Shopbop.com decided to have the duo create a custom denim line for the site.  The 12 piece collection features light and dark wash jeans, ripped, studded, bleached, and thoroughly distressed denim with unique designs and embellishments like lace.  The collection takes distressed denim to a new level and inspires shopbop.com users to get out their scissors and start experimenting with their own boring jeans.  I don’t often suggest doing things yourself, but distressing your old denim is certainly something you can attempt on your own.  It’s pretty hard to screw up when the idea is to purposely make them look used and abused.

Check out my latest article in the August issue of Orange Coast Magazine.  You will find it in the OC Style section entitled Get Set to Gypset.  You can click below for the online version.  Enjoy!

http://www.orangecoastmagazine.com/style/article2.aspx?id=16095

It’s a known fact that celebrities have access to the best stylists, the most exclusive designers, and the most outrageously expensive jewelry. But all of this means nothing if their clothes do not fit perfectly and their overall look is not completely polished and put together.  Their secret weapon: fabulous tailors like Ella’s House of Tailoring (848 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-652-2952). Ella and her team of trusty tailors are behind almost every major Hollywood celebrity from Brad Pitt, Diane Lane, and Jennifer Hudson, to Avril Lavigne, Ellen Pompeo, and Christina Applegate.  Her acute attention to detail helps celebrities look like the super stars we know and love from the red carpet to their everyday errands.

Make sure your clothing fits you to a “T” by following these top tailoring tips and tricks:

Hem the Front to Match the Back
If you’ve got a little too much junk in your trunk, chances are when wearing a skirt the hem is shorter in the back than in the front.  This detail only goes to emphasize your sizable rear.  For a quick fix, march off to your tailor and have them hem the front of your skirt to match the back while you are wearing it.  Although it may look askew when on the hanger, it will appear perfectly even when worn, thus creating a more cohesive look. 

Sew in Extra Snaps
If you are a busty woman that often struggles with large gaps in between the buttons on your blouses, we’ve got the tip for you.   Head to your local fabric store and find yourself a packet of small plastic snaps.  They come in a variety of colors, so you should be able to find some that work with your particular blouse.  Sew the snaps in between the existing buttons on the inside of the placket to prevent indecent exposure.  From the outside the snaps are invisible, but it’s amazing how they will keep your entire look smoother and slimmer.  You’ll never have to worry about someone staring at your bra again.  Double stick tape can also work in a pinch.  Simply place it between the buttons to provide temporary concealment. 

Balmain may have started the revival of the 80’s bold shoulder with that now infamous asymmetric military inspired jacket, but the fall ‘09 collection of Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga softened the shoulder to a much more user friendly version.  Gone were the space age, sci-fi shoulders we’ve seen in the past, leaving room for silhouette skimming crew neck tops and satin puff sleeved blouses.  Both were paired with exquisitely folded, soft knee length skirts for a completely feminine feel. 

If the 80’s flashback shoulder isn’t your thing, pair these beautiful Grecian draped skirts with yoked waistbands with a classic white blouse, solid fitted tee, or lacey camisole for a more classic aesthetic.  Either way, skirts like these are not to be missed this fall.