Shop With Style

There you are, happy and in love, birds chirping, rainbows filling every sky. But then comes that moment…the inevitable moment… when you have to meet the parents. Of course you know that your sweetheart loves you already, but still, first impressions can sometimes make or break you, and meeting the parents can be just plain nerve-wracking. So we’ve got a few beautiful ideas for getting a jump-start on a great first impression right here!

Pencil skirt and blouse – If the parents are more along the “preppy” line, then you can always play it both feminine and sophisticated with a pencil skirt and blouse combo. Be sure that the pencil skirt isn’t skin-tight, and if the blouse is sheer, be sure to layer a full-length (not a crop) camisole underneath. Finish with a demure pair of d’Orsay pumps with a moderate heel (this is not the occasion for stilettos).

Cropped boyfriend jeans and a fine knit sweater – If your “meet the parents” date is a bit more casual, a pair of cropped boyfriend jeans and a fine knit sweater would be a perfect outfit. Boyfriend jeans have a slightly more relaxed fit, so the sweater can also be loose, but not so baggy as to look sloppy. A delicate long necklace, diamond stud earrings, and a boyfriend watch will add the perfect touch of bling. And keep the outfit casual-cool with some leather low-heel ankle boots, like these Chelsea boots.

A-line dress and tights – An A-line dress has got to be one of the most versatile and flattering pieces of clothing you can own. It looks fabulous on every body type, equal parts fitted and flowy, and is perfect for so many occasions…especially this one! Be sure that the top is not too tight or too revealing, and that the skirt is not too short. Pair it with opaque tights and flats or a wedge pump. If it’s chilly, layer on a cute cropped cardigan.

Circle skirt and turtleneck – A circle skirt flatters the same way an A-line dress does, nipping in at the waist and flowing away from the hips and thighs. But be sure to keep the length of the skirt no shorter than mid-thigh. No matter if the turtleneck is a chunky or fine knit, just be sure it is not too tight, because what it lacks in skin-exposure, it can make up for in form-revealing. Here too, tights work well, and you can add some interest by going for opaque or thin, plain black or a complimentary hue for the rest of the outfit. For shoes, think low-heel ankle boots, flats, or even brogues. Skip a necklace, but add on a delicate pair of dangling earrings, a chain bracelet, and large-face black-strap watch.

We often focus a lot on what to wear and our accessories often find themselves second in the grand scheme of things when we are deciding on an outfit for a night out. It is my honest belief that you can accessorize a simple outfit and make it go from ok to wow with just a few simple statement pieces, so read below for a few simple pieces to help change your outfit from plain to amazing in just a few simple steps.

A great statement necklace

If you have selected a simple, block color outfit such as a plain black jumpsuit or a black top with a pair of black skinny jeans or trousers, a big, bright and bold statement necklace can really pull together and set off your entire outfit. If you feel comfortable select a large, chunky necklace, in block colors to add a bit of color and style to a plain outfit.

A dazzling clutch purse

If you are heading out for the evening you might want to style a simple outfit with a clutch purse. You will find a brightly colored clutch will help to either brighten up a simple outfit or keep a busy outfit looking stylish, elegant and unfussy.

Simple, yet elegant heeled shoes

Shoes are one of the most pivotal parts of any outfit and if you are looking for an elegant look a simple pair of strappy sandals really can help to bring your overall look together. If the weather does not really allow for sandals, which is especially true in many places throughout the winter, then a simple pair of court shoes or heeled boots while work just as well.

A pair of statement earrings

Earrings are a simple addition to your outfit and you can go two ways with them. If you are looking to go simple with your accessories because you have a bit more of a bright or fussy outfit, a simple pair of studs can help to make any outfit look classy. If you feel like your outfit needs more color you can consider a colourful pair of statement earrings.

Do not dismiss hair accessories

If you have longer hair you might want to consider some accessories for your hair. If you have your hair loose around your shoulders you might want to add a simple or sparkling headband. If you are attending a formal event, such as a wedding, a fascinator works well instead of committing to a full on wedding hat. Other hair options include clip in florals or a nice simple hair clip to keep your hair off of your face.

Ever since we all started using our phones as clocks, we have gotten away from wearing watches, which are really great pieces of jewelry that can last a lifetime. However, there are signs that fashion is shifting back toward using watches as focal points of outfits. Here are a few pieces to start building your collection before everyone else does:

Something Classic

A classic watch is something that will never go out of style. These are the watches that have metallic accents, neutral colors, and can basically work with any outfit, from a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to a business suit.

If you are going to invest in a watch of this kind, ensure that it comes with a sturdy band for daily wear.

Something Casual

Watches you wear the to grocery store or to the movies are different than watches you’d wear elsewhere. They are made to be worn and roughed up a little bit. That doesn’t mean that they have to lack style, however. Instead, go with a unique wrap-around watch or something that has a gimmicky finish to it. That will help you to dress down any outfit but still have the feeling and appearance of a great watch.

Something Gold

In general, we tend to overlook gold jewelry and watches because we don’t always wear it. So much of fashion today caters to silver jewelry. However, a gold watch is a classic that is never going to go out of style. Just having one around is important, whether you have no other gold jewelry or you do.

Go for a gold in a shade that you like – if you don’t like yellow gold, go for something lighter or a beautiful rose gold color.

Something Funky

There are a few designers out there who make some of the funkiest, funniest watches to wear. These have bright colors, interesting dial options, and even bright bands. These aren’t going to be the watches that you wear on a daily basis, but rather the ones that will give you a little bit of a laugh when you need one.

Something Glitzy

Let’s be honest, we all dream about owning a Rolex or some watch adorned in diamonds. For most of us, that isn’t quite a reality just yet. However, you can get the next best thing by finding a watch that is decked out with some rhinestones or some glitter. You won’t get quite the same look, but they can be fun to wear when you want to have a little extra glamor.

Something For Play

Do you exercise a lot? Go on runs or go kayaking? You likely will want a watch for those activities (especially if you don’t want to get your phone wet) but don’t have one that you want to beat up. Investing in a great sports watch is the perfect way to motivate yourself to get out there and get moving.

A great watch is a piece that you can hold onto forever and even pass to your children. However, having one watch is never going to be enough for all that life throws at you. These are just a few of the watches you will need to have a truly complete collection.