Celebrity Chic But Cheap: Sienna Miller

I heart Sienna's outfit (photo courtesy of People). Although it's all black (with a white purse), it's still a standout to me. I would wear this outfit. I like how she took a dainty dress and made it current by pairing it with leggings, a knockout belt, and chunky jewelry. Had she worn the dress with heels and pearls, it would have a totally different vibe.

If you want to own Sienna's style, check out what I found below. The Tart Fiona dress, on sale for $99.99, is from Bluefly. The Calvin Klein belt is also from Bluefly for $33.00. As is the necklace from AV Max for $36.00. The black Steve Madden "Serri" sandle is $49.95 from Nordstrom. Add your own black leggings like those shown from Target and aviator shades, and you're good to go!

Stylish Person of the Week: Meghan

My pick for stylish person of the week is Megan! Meghan is a mom of two girls, and a nurse at Lakewood Hospital. Meghan is wearing a Boden UK dress. She likes to shop at Boden she says, "because they are stylish and different with a lot of vintage prints you wouldn't normally see other people wearing". I re-created Meghan's look below. Meghan's Essential Summer Dress is currently available in four colors and is on sale for E22.50, as are the sunglasses, at Boden. The Epiphany Circle Pendant, item #J25913 is available for $50.00 at QVC.

Look at other dresses Boden has in it's fall collection. Maybe Megan already owns one of these?

Simply Vera. Simply Disappointing, or Not?

Back in the day when I lived in NY and was an aspiring stylist, I interned for a short time at Vera Wang. Of course I didn't work directly for her, but I always tried to steal glimpses of her while she worked. I made it a point to walk down the hallway towards the room she was working in. She was always very gracious to say hello when you walked past her in the hallway, but you got the impression that she was a very busy woman. One of the other perks of the job is that I got to work up close with the dresses. Oh, the dresses. So.Very.Astonishingly.Beautiful. I pictured myself wearing one to my wedding or to a red carpet event. Neither happened. Darn. :)

But while I was there, I also always made sure to notice what she was wearing. What struck me was how very simply she dressed. Thus the name, Simply Vera Wang, for Kohl's? When I first heard last year that she was creating a line for Kohl's, I was elated. I went to the store specifically to own something of hers. But I was quickly disappointed. I wasn't fond of the designs she created, most seemed to be boxy or schlumpy looking, and cheaply made. I know, what was I expecting from Kohl's? But her line there is considered more high end than the other lines and thus priced that way. So if I was going to spend my money on say, an $80 cardigan, I wanted it to look and feel great. But it didn't.

Now, I'm not a huge Kohl's shopper, but my sister is, and inevitably she drags me there with her and always finds great deals. I have had success with the Daisy Fuentes line with jeans and the Apt. 9 line with tops. A couple of weeks ago, I was drawn to a display of Vera's line and decided to take a second look. And I was pleasantly surprised this time around. I actually liked what I saw and found a top that I liked. It fit nicely too. I didn't purchase it but plan on returning to do just that.

So I can finally own a Vera, along with the rest of middle America. But isn't this what it's all about? The whole movement of designers to appeal to us regular folks, who otherwise would not be able to experience their designs, except when watching coverage of the red carpet? Sure it demystifies the designer a bit, but accessibility is not all bad. Check out what I found of Vera's at Kohl's.

Fall/Winter 08/09 Trend: The Boyfriend Jean

Some celebrities (photos coutesy of People) have been wearing them all summer and they have long been a rocker staple in Europe. The slouchy, sometimes worn or torn, longer length jean, that looks like you stole them from a man's closet, did not take much notice until Katie started peg rolling them, in an 80's kind of way. When Victoria Beckham first wore them, they said that she was becoming very "LA". Actually, it was surprising to see her dressed down in her jeans and shorts this summer, when she is usually dressed to the nines. My favorite boyfriend jean look is how Jen Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker are wearing them, rolled at the very bottom, and keeping them long. Maybe it's because this is always what I've done with jeans that have been too long on me-so I've been hip all along :). But definitely this slouchy look is a nice change from the close fitting styles we have been wearing, and I like that we are making room for both.

Get the J Crew boy jeans below for $110. Select style on sale now for $69.99. The Victoria's Secret boyfriend jean is on sale for $39.50. But I have a feeling most of us have a version of these kind of jeans in our closet already. A comfy pair that is very broken in, slightly loose fitting, maybe getting a hole in the knee, that you love wearing, especially on days you feel a little "bloated" or "blah". Mine are from Abercrombie, that I bought in NY in the 90's, when I was a stylist, that I kept for memories sake, but now are a little white and faded in the seat. Pull yours out, put them on, maybe roll them at the bottom, and voila! You've been chic all along!

Choose or Die: Shoulders Above the Rest!

Ok Mateys! Here we go again. If you were forced to choose one of these styles, or walk the plank, what would you do? Would you choose giant shoulder pads like Linda Evans in Dynasty, or head to toe acid wash? This a tough one for me. I think you really cannot appreciate the size that shoulder pads really were, from the picture of Linda Evans. I mean, women thought that by wearing them, the rest of their bodies would appear smaller. Well, ladies big shoulders were seen on the runways this year, so stay tuned. As far as the acid wash is concerned, just looking at that picture cracks me up. Did we really do that? I don't remember doing it head to toe, but I do remember my acid wash jeans. Right now, I am hugging and kissing my dark wash Gap jeans. Ok mateys, tell me what you think. Arghh!

Fall/Winter 08/09 Trend: The Boyfriend Blazer

Yeah, I know Ashley and Gwyneth have been wearing theirs all summer, but it's been too hot to think about how blazers are changing. They have become more menswear inspired, longer and oversized, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet. That's because I am too in love with my cropped jackets and swing coats, which I will continue to wear and own. I do own some "boyfriend blazers" that go with pant suits, but up to this point, I have only pulled them out of my closet for interviews. If you also own longer blazers from suits, begin experimenting with them this fall. Try them with pants, skirts and jeans alike, or over a dress to add a touch of feminism. Or, don't try them at all, and stick with what makes you feel comfortable and stylish.

I think my favorite version is from Urban Outfitters, called the brother blazer. It looks more like a cropped tuxedo jacket and Charlize Theron is wearing Sally Tsengs version for $352. Check out the Urban Outfitters version for $68, here.

The Kate Moss boyfriend blazer at Topshop, below, left, has been sold out for months, but another version, is available (for 55 Euros) from Topshop.

Celebrity Chic But Cheap: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift (photo by People) looks sweet and demure as a flower, doesn't she? Ahh, the innocence of youth:) This post is to encourage you to get your use out of those summery skirts- fall is knocking on our door! I love her black/white combo. I would probably do it a little differently, like untucking the shirt and maybe adding a pop of color somewhere. But her skirt has pretty detailing at the waist, so tucking her shirt in was the right decision. Ok, I would kill for her hair!

To get Taylor's look, see what I came up with below. Most of the pieces you see are from White House Black Market. The tropic sunflower skirt is on sale for $39.99. The scoopneck sweater is $68.00. I think I would keep the red belt on with this outfit. What do you think? The Midnight Melange tassle necklace is $58.99. The America Eagle flats are $19.99 from Payless.

Stylish Person of the Week: Kathryn

My pick for stylish person of the week is Kathryn! Kathryn is a teacher for Solon Schools. She looks comfy chic in her blue Banana Republic tee, her her black Target skirt and her cool black and white headband from Sew What! Creations. Owner Karen Speck makes them for only $5.00 each. Can you even believe that price? If you want more info about how to order one, just leave me a comment. Kathryn layered a grey tank under her tee and you know I love the layered look. If you want Kathryn's look, I re-created it for you below.

The blue tee is $20.00 from Banana Republic. The Mossimo black skirt is $12.99 from Target. The silver hoop earrings for $18.00, are also from Banana Republic. Add a Sew What! Creations headband, your own layering tank and sandles, and you're good to go!

To Belt or Not to Belt: Fall/Winter 08/09

Reader Question: Many clothes come with fabric belts attached on shirts, sweaters and dresses. But they don't always lay right or look flattering. What do you suggest as a solution?

Colette

Answer: That's so true. Lots of clothes now come with a belt, as in the shirt, right, from Motto. The trend to belt everything, has remained with us for awhile now, and will continue into fall.

I have this problem too, and so I will use little ol' me as an example. I sometimes remove the belt and go without it. But this only works if the belt loops are not visible, as in the green dress I am wearing in the picture below. That dress came with a green belt but I hated how it looked with it, so I removed it.

Another option is to remove the belt and use a different one, such as a leather or fabric belt that may look more substantial and flattering. That is what I did with the khaki dress I am wearing in the second picture. It came with a flimsy fabric belt, same color as the dress, and I replaced it with a belt of my own (boy do I need some Downy wrinkle releaser). Play around with the belts you already have and see what looks good.

Say OM... for Ombre

The look of ombre is continuing into fall. The word ombre means, shadow, shade or blend. It's definitely a cool effect to look at and I'd like to see it hanging on my wall, but not necessarily on my body. I personally haven't invested in any one piece because it's one of those fads that I don't see sticking around much past a year, and I don't want to waste my money. That said, of course I have spent my hard earned money on countless fads and trends over the years, but just like you, I pick and choose what I like or what I think will flatter my body type. Usually I will invest on a smaller level, by choosing something more budget friendly or by investing in an accessory that has the same look. For the ombre look, I would stick with accessories. By the way, if you can't afford the Stella McCartney purse from net-a-porter, for $395.oo, pictured, right (that would make a cool art piece), let's look at more affordable versions of accessories.

The Steve Madden ombre east/west tote comes in three colors from QVC for $65.00, item #A83997. The ombre scarf comes in several colors for $29.00 from Ann Taylor Loft.

Three In One: How To Spotlight Your Essential White Shirt

As promised, I took a fitted white shirt featured yesterday from Nordstrom, and show how to get three different outfits from it. As I said before, a white shirt is esential to any closet and can be very versatile. My favorite way to wear a white shirt would be with a white or pastel color tank underneath, with only the middle buttoned, with a simple pair of jeans or casual skirt, with flats, and a bolder piece of jewelry and earrings. Readers, how do you wear your white shirts?

The first look below can be worn from day to evening. Wear the white shirt under the cashmere tee. Both will fall over the skirt. Belt the sweater, add the necklace and pumps and you have a great outfit. The plum cashmere short sleeve tee, for $118.00 and the grey stretch vintage cord skirt, for $68.00, are both from J Crew. The skinny belt, for $6.80, the knotted multi-strand necklace, for $7.80, and the black Penelope pumps, for $22.80, are all from Forever 21.

The second look includes a fitted jacket, which I love. I think a fitted jacket can be thrown on with almost anything to kick it up a notch, but that's for another post. The second look is all from Ann Taylor Loft. The Denim Jacket, which I would leave unbuttoned at the top for this look, is $59.00. The Marissa Sateen Trousers are $49.50, and the Candice skimmers are $49.00.

The last look is more casual but finished. It is inspired by the lines I like from QVC. The Motto jeans, A12167, are $32.00. The Modern Soul open cape cardigan, A72645, is $37.00. I used the same belt from the first look from Forever 21, to belt over the shirt and cardigan. The White Mountain shoes, A31572, are $49.32. The Maxx New York bag adds a pop of color, A16160, for $64.56.