Kouture

New Year’s Eve Fashion

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:45:08 +0000

Yes, the gift giving holidays might be over, but there is nothing to fret about. Now comes the real fun! Up next is one of the most celebrated events in the entire world, ringing in the new year. I suppose 2011 was wonderful, but let’s bring on 2012! I could not be more excited about being able to head out on the town with some dear friends to celebrate a year closing out and a new one starting up. On top of all the fun I will be having, I also have the most fabulous dress to wear out. What you choose to wear for New Year’s Eve should be given much thought especially in regards to how you will be ringing in the new year. If you are at a loss of what to wear, here are some helpful hints for you.

If you are partying:

At a friend’s house. House parties for New Year’s are super fun. Plus you don’t have to worry about grabbing a cab ride home if they are close friends, you can just crash on the couch. For this type of party, you can definitely rock some denim. Make sure that your jeans are dark wash and fit well. Since you know you will be sticking around indoors you can wear some strappy or toe revealing shoes. Cute! As for a top, the sparkly, the better. I love, love, love this sequin and sparkle trend, and you can find shiny tops at all sorts of retailers and stores.

Out and about. One of my favorite sayings is “go big or go home.” If you plan on being out in town when you are counting down to 2012, then dress up like you are a big shot. Plus, you never know what kind of party in town you could end up at and it is better to be overdressed than under dressed, right? Again, I choose sequins for this dress and some towering high shoes. Make sure you have a trench coat or wool coat to top it off for when you are party hopping.

At your house, on your couch. I have to say some of my fondest New Year’s celebrations involved me at home taking it easy. For this type of shindig (or un-shindig) grab some comfy (but cute) pj’s, warm socks, and maybe a snuggie and enjoy your night!

Lauren Conrad Fashion

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:38:13 +0000

Fashion is a great way to obviously express who you are. People use fashion for all sorts of things, and I like to think that it is a true reflection of your style. One of my favorite ways to dress up is using classic pieces to create a look that you can wear to all sorts of events and at all sorts of occasions. A young and true fashion icon who flawlessly represents classic fashion it would definitely be Lauren Conrad.

On top of her classic and chic style, Lauren Conrad oozes confidence and effortless beauty in her fashion choices. Nudes, florals, and neutrals create a balance in her wardrobe choices that create looks suitable for all types of women.

If you were looking to make a wardrobe update and create a closet full of pieces you will love and look fantastic in, you can get the same looks as Ms. Conrad, herself. Lauren Conrad has her own clothing line Paper Crown that is full of gorgeous wardrobe staples. For those seeking cute fashion on a budget, Lauren designs a line for the Kohls department store called LC Lauren Conrad.

Find out some of Lauren’s fashion tips below from some interviews she has done below. Her tips are suitable for everyone!

The Ideal Men’s Suit

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:43:06 +0000

Typically the fashion articles on this site are geared toward women. After all, women tend to be more interested in fashion and shopping than men. Today, we are looking for a little change of pace though, so men, this one’s for you. Today there are not too many jobs that require of men that a full suit to be worn each and every day. This has led to men being unable to properly put together a well-tailored look with a suit. In fact, when I my husband and I were dating and had to attend an event which required a suit, we pulled out his suit only to find that his pants were pleat-front. This was not acceptable.

I figured that there are more men out there in the same predicament as my poor husband. With pleated pants and baggy dress shirts, you should not being walking out of your house, much less going to an event. It is time to get yourself together and get a nice modern suit. Once you have a suit that fits well and flatters, who knows, you might find more reasons to wear it instead of keeping it crammed in the back of your closet like your old one.

The Kardashian’s Take Over QVC

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:46:33 +0000

The Kardashians are taking over the world! Okay, maybe not the world, but they certainly have taken QVC by storm.

QVC debuted the sister’s line in 2011, and they have experienced wild success thus far. The sister, Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe, have been featured on the shopping channel several times to promote their products. All of the offerings are reasonably priced, and they have something for everyone! The styles range from size XX-small petite to women’s 2X. The vast array of sizes isn’t surprising. The sisters are a unique variety of shapes and sizes, and they wanted to reflect that in their QVC offerings. The pricing is extremely reasonable, as well. The cost of their clothes range from $28-$350.

To compliment their amazing offerings, the sisters often make time to appear on QVC as well to promote their clothes. Their funny antics and sweet personalities prove to sell, as their collection on QVC is one of the channel’s best sellers.

We picked a few of their pieces to show you:

This is a fabulous short, cap sleeved dress. This adorable dress is clearly representative of the sister’s sassy style. The best part? It’s only $53!

Check it out here.

This is an amazing cape style coat. A belt cinches the waist for a form fitting feel with protecting the comfiness of a cape. This is $105.00

Check it out here.

As you can see, the Kardashian sisters have an amazing collection on their hands. The next time you’re flipping through channels, whether your watching local cable in NYC or catching your television on dish network indiana, check out QVC and try to catch the sister’s collection. It’s amazing! They also have a great collection of shoes and bags to compliment their amazing clothing line. With all the amazing fashion the Kardashians are producing, it’s easy to see why their 15 minutes of fame has lasted so long. These girls are more talented than I think we gave them credit for!

The Right Underwear Under There

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:44:05 +0000

We know that sometimes what really makes an outfit is what we wear underneath it. The wrong undergarments can turn a fashion forward and trendy outfit into a major fashion faux pas, and nobody wants that. When undergarments are too tight, there are bulges and pouches where there typically wouldn’t be, and it can create some pretty unflattering effects to even the thinnest person’s body. Loose undergarments, in the same way as too tight, are also unflattering and can cause things to sag and just look plain droopy. Just like your clothing, you should be sure that your undergarments also properly fit you so that you aren’t walking around with bulges and droopy parts.

How do you make sure that your undergarments fit properly? Well, your underwear is fairly easy to tell. If it is too tight then you can probably see some awkward crease and such where there wouldn’t be any otherwise. A bra is something that you need to be fitted for. There are professionals at department and lingerie stores who know the proper way to fit people for bras, and they will give you the direction you need to find the best bra for your shape. Bras are wonderful tools in all sorts of ways. Smaller busts can appear larger, and larger busts can get the support that is necessary. Just how long have bras been the go to undergarment for women’s busts? Take a look below to find that and some other information out.

First Lady of Fashion: Michelle Obama

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:36:36 +0000

For someone who remains in a constant spotlight with people always following, taking pictures, capturing video and more, it is so very, very important to look one’s absolute best. For years, especially following Jackie O., First Ladies have made it a point to go beyond just looking presentable, but being fashion forward and elegant in all of their chose ensembles. If you remember Laura Bush was a fan of Ralph Lauren designs, and today there is Michelle Obama. Mrs. Obama keeps her wardrobe always elegant but in a simple way.

Not only is she always looking her very best, but she is wearing fashions that we average women can also find and wear too. She is like the style icon for the everyday woman who still desires to look her very best. Take for instance the dress that she purchased from the superstore Target. That’s right a dress from the Merona for Target line which she dressed up with a more fancy belt, but the fact is that any one of us could go out the next day and find that very dress. It’s not just that either, as she has been spotted in a dress from H&M too. While I am an avid lover of custom made and couture clothing, we must face facts that it is unobtainable at times. Michelle Obama has the right idea, and frankly I think the country should follow her fashion forward lead.

Summer Work Attire

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:32:37 +0000

Summer is certainly in full swing, and the heat can make you want to break out some clothes that just may not be suitable for the office. Baring toes, shoulders, and other body parts can seem appropriate in scorching hot weather, but think about it, if your office place has air conditioning, it is not necessary to be all uncovered anyways. So, here are some tips to keep your working wardrobe not only appropriate for this summer, but also fun!

Find summer dresses that let you breath and feel comfortable. When you are looking for summer dresses for work, make sure they go along with the feel of summer. It’s too hot for something that will not let you breathe. Make sure to stay clear of dresses that are too short and/or too tight. One, they are not professional, and two, you will not be comfortable while working in them. Lose, flowing, summery dresses are perfect.

Bare arms. You can show some skin in a classy and sophisticated way. Think of tailored sleeveless dresses or suits that are flattering and professional but not too hot. Just make sure that you never ever reveal cleavage, your back, or too much leg. A good tip though if you choose to go without sleeves is to have a cardigan nearby. The air conditioning can cause you to be too chilled and that is not comfortable at all.

Instead of showing off with your skin, show off with pops of color. By pop of color, I mean one bold statement piece, not a variety of brightly hued arrangements. Choose a brightly colored skirt to go with a neutral top, or a fun hued cardigan to add more fun to a neutral shift dress.

Make sure you still keep your feet professional. No matter the temperature, it is not okay to rock flip-flops at the office. It just isn’t. Make sure you keep it professional from head to toe.

While lightening the weight of your wardrobe, don’t forget to lighten your accessories also. Sandals and wedges with larger straps will look fabulous with anything you decide to wear, pants, dresses, you name it, they will look fun and professional.

Designer iPad Cases

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:12:21 +0000

Let’s face it: Apple’s sleek and sexy iPad has become a coveted fashion accessory since arriving on the scene in April 2010. Almost immediately, top electronics accessory makers had a plethora of colorful and versatile iPad cases ready to roll. They were fine, functional, and …well, geeky looking. But the iPad was such a desirable accessory that its appeal reached well beyond the realms of nerdy computer types, and into the avenues of high fashion. The fashion world has come a long way in a year. Let’s look at three of the best designer iPad cases currently available for techfashionistas.

This Louis Vuitton ADT iPad case is the designer’s mogogram icon, brought to house the icon of the “Post PC Era” proclaimed by Apple CEO and founder, Steve Jobs. Little more than an expensive leather envelope, the LV designer iPad case is short on features. It doesn’t close. It doesn’t unfold. The only thing you can actually do with it is put the iPad in and then remove it when you want to use it. Would it be too much to ask for a little functionality? Maybe a model that can be propped up and actually used to view the iPad? For $390, you would think maybe this would be something anyone had thought of. But alas, no. This iPad case is all looks, no substance.

The Kouture favorite: Burberry, for iPad. This gorgeous, yellow leather work of art can only be Burberry. It costs $475, and zips smartly shut. Still no functionality, but at least you won’t have to worry about your precious iPad sliding out and crashing to the pavement. This particular iPad sleeve comes in a variety of colors, including red. Burberry also has crocodile textured leather iPad cases that start at $4,195, for those with a more decadent taste.

Finally, we have the sleek and stylish Gucci ipad sleeve case. The suede lining will keep your iPad snug and cozy, and thanks to a snap closure at the top, you won’t be afraid of losing your iPad to an unfortunate slip up. The Gucci iPad sleeve case comes in black (pictured,) red, tan, powder blue, and yellow. It costs $295, making it the most affordable high fashion iPad case in this feature article. In fact, compared with other designer cases for the iPad, it’s a real steal of a deal.

That’s it for this week’s high tech fashion break. Next week, we return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Fashion Statement: Eyewear

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:49:05 +0000

If you are visually challenged like many of us are, you probably prefer to wear contact lenses in order to preserve your appearance — but you could be passing up a great opportunity to add some serious style to your look by choosing designer prescription glasses that will add much to your fashion statement. the right glasses can make you appear sophisticated, wild, conservative, whimsical or style-conscious. It can also help you form how you are perceived by others.

Statements Your Glasses Make About You

Matching your glasses to your personality, appearance, and lifestyle can take a little work, but the payoff can be great. Many people can benefit from having more than just a single pair of glasses at a time. Think of them the way you do shoes; they can change the way your overall look is carried off, and some are more appropriate in one situation than in another. For instance, if you work in a bank or law firm, you might select rimless or thinly rimmed glasses in a conservative color, with a traditional shape. This tells people you are all business. But if you work in a creative field like graphics design or writing, you might want to add some thickness to those frames and a splash of color to show your playful side.

For Business

Titanium or stainless steel frames are good choices for a conservative, business appearance, as are rimless and three-piece mountings. The minimalist look these give help keep attention of the person and on the business matters at hand. The colors silver, gunmetal, black, and brown are recommended for men since they easily match the colors of most business suits. Gold, silver, burgundy, black and brown are good color choices for women.

For Creativity

A creative fashionista should welcome more modern shapes, like geometric designs with thicker and larger plastic frames. Some of the more modern frames made of metal can pull off a creative look, too, but the lighter weight plastic frames in a variety of colors and shapes screams “I’m a creative diva!” The inclusion of unusual colors like blue and purple are marks of creativity, as are animal prints and floral designs.

For Older People

Wearing stodgy or old-fashioned glasses is not your fate just because you’re over the age of 55.

“Everyone wants to look modern, and younger,” says Katie Hammond, an optician and fellow AARP member. She recommends frame shapes featuring upswept rectangles for men and softer, cat-eye shapes for women. When selected in the best colors, these add complimentary hues to the skin tone while playing up the best facial features and drawing attention away from fine wrinkles, sagging skin, and sunken eyes. There are choice xtra options available at a discount, too!

Summer Must Haves

Thu, 19 May 2011 14:41:30 +0000

It’s so hard to believe that summer is so fast approaching. With the temperature rising, and days getting longer, it is definitely time for a serious wardrobe boost. You want to make sure that your entire wardrobe makes the cut this time of year, because it is now that we tend to venture out of the house more often to be seen by more people. This is a list of all the staples that you will need to have in your closet for this summer season.

Bright colors – According to Direct TV HD Channel Guide,ever since the spring fashion shows last fall, we have noticed the ever-growing trend of bright, bright colors. This summer is no exception. For a super fun look this summer you can spice up a brightly colored skirt with a plaid print top and maybe even throw some argyle in the mix. You can create a cute, preppy look without seeming like you tried way too hard.

Cropped Jacket – It is important to have a trendy jacket in your summer wardrobe for the office or for a drafty restaurant. I tend to try and withstand the heat, just so I can keep mine on even outside! For an office look, a cropped tweed jacket will do the trick. For an outdoor barbeque you should find a cropped denim jacket that you could pair with a longer, flowy skirt.

White top – Just like spring fashion leaned toward minimalism, the summer is trending the same way. A key piece to have in your summer collection is a white top. You can pair this with your bright skirt, or under your cropped jacket for multiple looks. Dress up the white top with more accessories than you might usually use for a fun summer look.

Bag with long straps – A long strapped hand bag needs to be your go to bag this summer. These bags are cute, functional, and quite lady like. Pick one up in a bright color for some real fun.

Wedges – All of the summer essentials are easily paired with some of summer’s hottest shoes, platform wedges. Your bright skirt, minimalist white shirt with your cropped jacket will be set off nicely by these super adorable and all the while trendy shoes.

If you get these staples to add in to your wardrobe, you are sure to stay stylish all summer long, and you will feel really good about that. Don’t forget to check out your favorite fashion tv shows on your cable bundles