Lucky for me, leggings are stylish again!

Cropped leggings - DownEastBasics.com

Let me start off by saying that I know some girls – who claim to be fashionistas – who wear liquid leggings (those tacky shiny styles) to WORK and think they are being stylish. (And no, they aren’t cocktail waitresses at a disco bar.) Rarely, if ever, is this the case.

However, leggings under the right circumstances are not only trendy, but can be pretty darn hot. Who’d have thought that leggings would be stylish once again?

It’s nothing new. Leggings were a veritable staple in the eighties, and people wore them everywhere from the gym to the campus. And now, you can get them in everything from jeggings (jean leggings, which I love) to the aforementioned shiny metallic horrors. And much more inbetween in every fabric, length, and color you can imagine.

How am I wearing my leggings right now? Well, in the most traditional way of all: With a long sweater and comfy shoes. It’s been a long trip!

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Zappos.com

I consulted the fabulous Ann Siner, of My Sister’s Closet and realized we concur on a lot of timeless advice: i.e. responsibility is always chic. Two great ways to do this is embracing fabulous sample sale sites like ideeli or Gilt, and finding a few key items to add to your wardrobe. This may be a great new big or fabulous shoes – but it’ll be a statement piece of great value that will kick everything else in your closet up a notch.

Some other trends to love:

Leggings

You can find them in jersey, lace, cable knit, wet look or with exposed zippers. Stick with black and pair with the great selection of tunics, boyfriend blazers and vests. Even dresses can be worn with leggings or a colorful footless tight.

Bold

Bold colors are key, as is black and white and animal print. Embellishment is there for those that dare! (See those boots pictured? Those are my fabulous Two Lips Kitty Kat boots from Zappos.com – my new favorite shoes in the world!)

Low-key luxe

I’ve always found accessories to be a great way of following a trend, but not being ruled by it. This season, that includes ribbon necklaces, sky high wedges, classic totes and embellished cuffs. Don’t forget the boot paired with everything. Whether thigh-high or sky-high, a great boot can go day and evening, to the office or a stroll in the park.

Chic with an edge

Try pairing the sky-high wedge with a skinny black pant or legging, top with a feminine flouncy tunic and a simple blazer. Finish with a bold touch of color – possibly a big red flower on the lapel. Or tuck the pant in a sleek pair of over the knee boots and layer with a long bold color tee and an oversize cardigan. Tie an eye catching-scarf on your classic tote.

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

However, trends go deeper than that! And this summer, there’s some hot new styles (and ways) to wear your bra! With the help of Rebecca Jennings, President & CEO of Hips and Curves, we got some awesome guidance!

Dump your beige bras for summer!

Nothing looks worse than a beige bra or clear plastic straps sticking out of a tank top! It looks like you were trying to hide the bra and failed.

Instead of trying to hide your bra, make a statement with something bold, like Gwen Stefani in a white tank top over a beautiful lime green bra whose straps become part of the outfit. Letting your bra show and making it part of the outfit shows that you have a fun personality – and something going on beneath the surface!

Wear a bright colored bra with a tank top, an oversized drapey tee or a deep V-neck t-shirt – and let part of it show.

Play with color - Try a turquoise bra under a hot pink top or a magenta bra under a floral sun dress. Let the strap fall off your shoulder! Remember the cardinal rule – a bra no matter how cute it is, must be a good fit. It can’t be skimpy, it needs to hold you in comfortably.

Who says a t-shirt bra has to be boring?

Try a molded cup t-shirt bra in a leopard print. Even if no one else knows you’re wearing leopard, you’ll know. Won’t you feel sexier than you would in a beige bra?

Be a free-spirit

If you want to go for a free spirited braless look but need support try a open cup bra in black lace. A great second or third date bra – you’ll keep him wondering all night “Is she or isn’t she wearing a bra?” Even if you decide to wear it on a first date, we won’t tell!

Naughty or nice?

A black lace longline bra worn under a light weight jacket or sweater in the evening is a stylish alternative to a heavy corset. You might even call it the grown up version of the tube top!

Image: Sxc.hu

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

The maxi dress
The maxi-dress is still a big trend in 2009. This spring/summer it is paired with hottest colors and floral prints of the season. The floaty skirt below a bodice of spaghetti straps, tank-style top or a strapless bodice ensures almost any shape women can join in the maxi trend. The only note of caution we have is to avoid maxi-dresses with repeating patterns like small florals. A floor length dress has yards and yards of material and a busy pattern can easily overwhelm. It’s always better to be seen wearing the dress rather than it wearing you. The best bet for your readers is to buy a maxi in solid summer brights like like pink, green or yellow. The monotone color from head to toe makes the wearer look taller and more slender. Another option is an ombre print.

Shown: Betsey Johnson’s Ombre Satin Faced Habotai Long dress for $395.00

Mini Dress in bold florals
Rather than wear bold floral and geometric prints on a maxi dress where it’s just too much look for one person to take on, opt for this season’s bold floral patterns on a mini dress. This summer the mini-dress has a couple of different silhouettes that compliment, rather than compete, with an eye-catching pattern. We like the tunic mini-dress and the full-skirted mini paired with bright floral patterns the best. These dresses combined with strappy or gladiator heels and simple jewelry, like a bangle bracelet, can be worn day or night all summer long.

Shown: Orange Print Dresses from Laundry by Shelli Segal for $245.00

Little Black Dress
This season the little black dress is taking on a new shape. Designers added pintucking and inverted pleats to the little black dress to create bell or tulip shape skirts. The modern silhouette often doesn?t require much accessorizing at all since the dress?s sculptural look is complete on its own. Simple paired with a splash of metallic in the form of a purse or high heels creates a great evening look.
Shown: 7 For All Mankind Black Strapless Mini Dress, $198.00

Color Blocking
What’s not to love about a dress that looks like your wearing separates? By defining the top, middle and bottom of the dress by color, the style actually helps create proportional hourglass figure, even if you don?t have one. Overall, the color block dress will define a waist and emphasize curves and while the style has many incarnations, we recommend light color tops over dark colored skirts with third color band at the waist. This combination is the most flattering for most women.

Shown: COLOR-BLOCKED COTTON DRESS by BCBGMAXAZRIA for $178.00

Shirt dress
This summer the shirt dress is back in vogue.

Perfect for daytime or even for work, the casual style is updated with ruffles, bold colors and pleating. Pair you shirt dress with a tie belt or update the look with a belt in this season?s bold, bright summer colors like yellow, turquoise and pink.
Shown: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Stretch Cotton Shirtdress for $144.00

Images: Nordstrom, BCBG, ShopBop, eDressMe, Betsey Johnson

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Photo Credit: JCPenney

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Photo Credit: Carolina Herrera

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

boilermish says that she is switching from Dior J’adore to Clinique Happy Heart for Spring.

ithoughtsheknew loves Tommy Girl. ” Besides, I think this scent moves easily from season to season.

padhopper prefers body sprays to perfumes. “I normally use the same flavours all the time.”

tara3056 Winter “scent”?? Singular? Ha! I am an admitted perfume-addict and have tried perhaps 500 of them (seriously) and own decants or bottles of about 50. So I rotate a lot. That said, I do tend to switch as the seasons change. In Iowa it’s still really cold so I won’t be switching anytime soon, but when I do, I tend to wear Diorissimo, Chanel 22, Serge Lutens Un Lys, and Joy more often. For now it’s been a lot of Chanel Bois des Iles, Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque, and Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille.

Me… I’m switching back to an old favorite… Organza by Givenchy. But I just might follow Tara’s lead and go for multiple scents for spring.

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Fashion Sweatshirts

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Details…

Post from: Shopaholics Daily

Source

Post from: Shopaholics Daily