Posted by
Alissa
You've seen celebs like
Halle Berry and Queen
Latifah sporting the animal print trend. This Fall animal print is every where.
Animal print dresses are a particular hot item. The great thing about animal print is that it instantly makes you feel sassy and sexy. The scary thing about animal print is that you can look like a real life cheetah when the print size does not match your body and the print overwhelms your frame. Animal print can fit into any wardrobe. You can wear an animal print cardigan with a black pencil skirt to work. A clutch for nights out and of course animal print shoes add sexiness to any outfit.
I think large animal print patterns look good on large frames.
Dresses
Dresses: Adrian Papell, $188, sizes 14W-24W, Express, $79.50, sizes XS-L
Tops
Tops: Express, $49.50, sizes XS-L, Faith 21, $22.80, sizes XL-2X
Bags
Bags: Michael
Kors Tote, $178, Kara Clutch, $455
Ladies, ladies, ladies, please do not overload on this trend. You do not need animal print head to toe.
Posted by
Alissa
Lately I have been
cruising all of my favorite chain stores to get my own personal view of the hot Fall items. Every store I went in seemed to be stocked with luxurious lady like feminine pieces. All I kept seeing is my favorite detail on clothing and that is RUFFLES. I have atleast 10 tops that have a ruffled collar. Ruffles are everywhere. They're even on bags and shoes. I love ruffles because I think that add character to an otherwise plain top or dress. Ruffles are like an accessory on your clothes. A ruffled collard shirt dresses up a plain face or dull hairstyle, it's as if you don't need any jewelry.
Ruffles can be over done and ruffles that are too big can over power an outfit. So, you want to keep size and quantity to a minimum. This is a really great trend that comes around every season.
Dresses
Aqua dress, $168, sizes0-12, Missphit dress, sizes 1X-3X
Jackets
Ralph Lauren Coat, $199, sizes 1X-3X, Jcrew jacket, $198, sizes 0-14
If you are afraid of ruffles then go for the new ruffled accessories.
Accessories
Jessica Simpson bag, $95, Nina shoes, $89, Sizes 5.5-11
If you are looking to give the illusion of a fuller bust then a ruffled collared shirt will do the trick. Ruffles on a larger chest makes the girls look juicy and full.
Banana Republic blouse, $70, sizes XS-XL, Ann Taylor Loft blouse, $44.50, sizes XS-XXL
DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT
DKNYC does Plus. Donna Karen is my favorite designer hands down. I think she really knows how to dress a woman's body. Ever since I saw the ad where a woman was sworn in for president, I was hooked. Last year she launched a new line called
DKNYC with affordable prices as well as an edgier look. Check out these cute pieces from the line that can be purchased at
Bloomingdales.com.
FASHION & RETAIL NEWS
The prince of Rap music, Jay-Z is giving back. According to People.com Jay-Z will sell a new Rocawear T-shirt with a picture of tennis legend Arthur Ashe. The limited edition T-shirt will be sold at the 2009 US Open. Proceeds from the T-shirt will benefit the Arthur Ashe endowment for the defeat of Aids.
If you will not be one of the luck people going to the US Open, you can purchase the T-shirt at USOpen.org for $36
You go Jay. That's a good look!
Retail Sales
According to the Wall Street Journal online:
Retailers reported another month of weak same-store sales in August, but results at Target Corp., Kohl's Corp. and Gap Inc. topped analysts' expectations. Industry wide, same-store sales fell for a 12th straight month -- highlighting the woes retailers have been under as consumer spending continues to decline. But with leaner inventories, companies are hoping to avoid the markdowns of last year's holiday season as sales then were even weaker than expected.
Go to http://online.wsj.com for more on the story.
MAKEUP SPOTLIGHT
Yesterday I was searching for some affordable lip gloss that could serve as a moisturizer with a tint. I went into my local Rite Aid and discovered Cover Girl Wetslicks Amazemint. Normally I am skeptical about drugstore lip gloss because I never know which shade to get. Being that I am dark skinned there are only a few shades that flatter my complexion, so, I always go for dark purples or browns. Well, I think I found the best drugstore lip gloss ever. I bought the Cover Girl Wetslicks in Unwined and I tell you, my lips never felt smoother. It has a hint of mint that tingles when you put it on and the purple tint was perfect. The bonus was that it was only $6, WHAT!
Posted by
Alissa
This season footwear has gone rock and roll. You will be seeing tons of ankle booties with laces, studs, grommets, animal textures and tough leather. Sky high round toe pumps, gladiator heels, and colorful flats. Over the knee boots are on my Fall shopping list. I'm thinking of a nice suede pair like these from Stuart Weitzman (Left) over my skinny jeans with a crisp white shirt and fitted peplum blazer. If you are like many of us who did not work out this summer for a beach body and indulged in great summer ice cream then you will enjoy going shopping for these Fall shoes. After shopping we can still run over to Coldstone and indulge in the end of summer ice cream treats.
Stuart Weitzman, $675,sizes5.5-10.5
Laces In
Dolce Vita, $230, size 6-10, Nine West, Boutique 9, $160, sizes 5-10
Tough Leather
Lamb, $355, sizes 6.5-10, zippered Gladiator, Michael Kors,$185, sizes 6-10
FASHION & RETAIL NEWS
Rihanna Italian Vogue pictures
Hot or Not
Rihanna is gracing the cover of Italian Vogue this month. (You may have the magazine already) I think the pictures are very creative and artistic. She looks like a modern day Grace Jones. I say the pictures are HOT, Muy Caliente! What do you say?
DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT
Back in 2007 southern California designer Rachel Pally decided to partner with Nordstrom stores to create a plus size line. Rachel was known for using matte jersey material to make comfortable dresses for straight size women (whatever that means). She decided to offer her same cool designs for women sizes 14-24. Her plus size designs are also carried in Bloomingdale's. Check out these similar styles from her Fall straight size line and plus size line.
Posted by
Alissa
Hey everyone, I am back from vacation. I have been on September magazine overload and I can't wait until Fall
begins. This week I will be going over the hot Fall trends. Starting with denim.
Every year denim is the hottest item for Fall. This year denim has a new look and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Best of all, since the recession, trendy denim is affordable.
This season the 80's are taking over fashion. Some of the new styles you will see are acid washed, ripped denim, boyfriend jeans, and denim leggings. ( I wish they left the acid wash trend back in the 80's). Try denim blazers and vests to complete your looks.
The great thing about trendy denim is that it's fun and it repeats itself every 5-10 years. So, please don't be afraid to try.
Check out these new denim trends
From Top: Faith21 denim leggings, $15.80, sizes XL-2X, Calvin Klein Boyfriend Jean, Sizes 14W-24W
Denim Blazer, Esprit, $99.50, Sizes S-XL, Denim Vest, Fabulosity, $44, Sizes S-XL
Shredded denim jeans, American Eagle, $69.50, Sizes 00-18,Deconstructed jeans, Gap, $69.50, Sizes 0-16
Acid Wash jeans, Forever21, $26.90,sizes 25-31
Which look will you try this season?
Posted by
Alissa
Every now and again I wake up in the morning feeling like I can handle anything and I can take on anyone. I have no fears no regrets, my thoughts are all about making that day a great day. That feeling translates through my wardrobe. I have no insecurities and I put on whatever I want and miraculously I look good in it and I feel good in it. I look in the mirror and say to myself, "Curves, you are looking right."
Today, I had that feeling I like to call my animalistic vibe. It made me think about the Fall and how animal prints will be everywhere for the Fall season. I know many of you are afraid of the animal prints, but, I am here to tell you don't be. Your curves will look great in animal prints. If you are still too afraid. Try animal print accessories like leopard print shoes or a zebra print bracelet.
Alissa's tips:
Full figured Curves: Checkout the Lane Bryant dress in the leopard family. It will give you an hour glass figure. Notice how it pulls away from the stomach and floats around the hips to give your shape an equal balance. The small leopard print will make you look smaller.
Petite Curves: Checkout the Top Shop jumper in the pink animal print. This will highlight your curves in all the right places and it will accentuate a small waist as well as add length to your small frame.
Hour Glass Curves: Checkout the Kay Unger dress in a V-Neck fitted silhouette. This will accentuate the bust line as well as show off a small waist and voluptuous hips.
The Leopard Family
From Top Left: Lafayette 148 New York, sizes 2-16, Kay Unger, sizes 2-16, Ralph Lauren, sizes 6-10, Lane Bryant Dress, sizes 14-28.
Snakeskin
From Left: Stuart Weitzman, sizes 5.5-10.5, Max Studio, sizes 6-10, Top Shop, sizes 0-12
Zebra Style
From Left: Torrid, sizes 12-26, Overnight bag, JC Penney
Animal Print Jewelry
From Left: Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet, $66, ABS By Allen Schwartz earrings, $131
FASHION AND RETAIL NEWS
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
According to the Associated Press: Retailer Saks Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter loss widened as consumer spending on luxury fashion continued to languish, but the loss was not as
big as analysts expected.
The retailer lost $54.5 million, or 39 cents per share, in the three months that ended Aug. 1. That compares with a loss of $32.7 million, or 24 cents per share, a year earlier.
