Shop With Style

It’s finally Fall. Time for layering and bundling up, and that includes your head! Not only are hats a practical way to keep warm (they prevent heat from leaving your body through the top of your head), but they are one of the most effortless ways to add flair to your outfit. But, in case your chapeau-topped ensemble isn’t quite working, there are some tips that can take it from drab to fab in no time.

• Think Seasonal – First and foremost, Fall and Winter hats should be wool, cloth, or felt-type material. Save the straw hats for Spring and Summer, since the open weave of those materials can allow heat to escape your head.
• Find the Fit – Hats come in so many sizes and fits, it can literally make your head spin. Just because a hat looks cute, doesn’t mean that it will fit your head properly. Make sure when choosing a hat that you can actually try it on…that means if you’re buying online, you need to either A) make sure the sizes are listed and you know your hat size, or B) you are buying from a site you are familiar with, and you are familiar with their sizing. If it’s too big, it will do nothing but slide down into your eyes, or blow off in a gust of wind. If it’s too tight…well…it will just look plain silly.
• Consider Hair Length – Wearing a hat can change the whole look of your face, especially when taking into account your hair length. You will often find that close-fitting hats with less material compliment shorter hair, while larger, wide-brimmed hats look great on longer-length hair… but as with most things, you’ve got to experiment to see what works.
• Consider Hair Style – If your hair is long enough to style, you have more options than long-and-loose. You can opt for a messy low bun at the back or side, or a loose braid, also at the back or side. Again, get in there and experiment!
• Consider Your Outfit – Sometimes a hat can clash with what you’re wearing, so it’s important to take into consideration the style of your outfit. A loose beret or knit hat looks sharp with a body con shirt and skinny jeans or trousers. Boho styles are really complimented by floppy, wide-brimmed hats. And something sleek and tailored would be well suited to a close-fitting cloche style.
• Color – Since it is Fall, with Winter on the way, you might as well try to embrace and incorporate some of the colors of the season. Yes, black is a classic, as is grey, and they can usually go with anything, but be bold and look for berries, rust colored, and dusky-hued varieties.
• Give it Your Style – As with so many points above, it all comes down to experimentation. If you feel like adding a brooch or feather to a hat…do it. Make it yours. You will ultimately (hopefully) own whatever look you rock, so rock it with confidence!

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.

Yes, yes…you need coats to keep you toasty when the air turns chilly. But you can accomplish that by walking around with wrapped in a blanket too.  If you’re gonna keep warm, you might as well do it with style, right? Right! Coats are not just mindless pieces of fabric that get you from point A to point B. Selecting a coat should be no different than selecting an outfit…it should always flatter your body type. These coats will keep you warm while making sure you look hot, flawlessly flattering both your shape and your style this winter!

Hourglass – If you’re an hourglass, then you know how tricky it can be to dress that beautiful shape of yours for warmth… without making that shape look like a tent or a blob. So, for the perfect coat, think wide-belted, single-breasted, with a bell-shaped or A-line skirt. It will show both your curves and define your small waist, which will keep your body in beautiful proportion.

Petite – Your small frame will only be swallowed up by a long coat with lots of bulky material, so look for something that ends just past your hips, and definitely no longer than mid-thigh. Also avoid big buckles and flashy buttons or embellishments. Coats with too much going on will only overwhelm your frame.

Pear – Since you’ve got some awesome hips and curves, your best coat will be one with a dramatic, sizeable, v-neck collar and a cinched waist. This will not only balance up your bottom half, it will draw the eye upwards toward your cleavage and face.

Boyish – The best way to add curves to a boyish shape is with a double-breasted, belted coat with either a peplum waist or a flared, bell-shaped bottom. This will help keep you looking slim while creating delicious curves in all the right places.

Apple – An overall A-line shape with an asymmetric closure (either the line of the zipper or buttons) will skim your widest area, while hugging your most narrow…thus creating a very flattering shape for you. Also look to a geometric, asymmetrical pattern, such as a plaid.

Long and lean – If your figure is ballerina-like (long and lean), you can pull off a longer, straight, structured coat. If it’s more on the boyish side and you’d like some curves, opt for a belted version that cinches in and creates/defines your waist. For an even more graceful and elegant line, try a funnel-neck collar. Positively swanlike!