With the Holidays just behind us chances are you have gone to one or two of your favorite store sales events and have added a few new things to your wardrobe. Me too..
After buying a new item of clothing, people split in to two groups. Those who excitedly wear their new purchase as soon as possible and those who don't.
You see, there are some people who when they buy something new, they take it home, hang it in the closet, look at it fondly and get a sense of happy anticipation when thinking about wearing it, but they don't wear it. Not the next day, not the next weekend, not the following month and sometimes never.
So what is with the delayed gratification? You might not do delayed gratification in any other area of your life so why with your cloths you are forever on hold?
you might have picked up this habit due to hide-and-lie approach to new purchases. Whether you were hiding your purchases from Dad, mom, husband, wife, kids, roomates or whomever, you disposed the evidence and waited and waited for the discreet time to wear it. Or you might be one of those people who think " Oh, this outfit looks nice, Wait, I should save it for another occasion, I better take it off" Then you put on something older, more casual or not as nice and you leave the house.
What you're saving your nice cloths for is never clear, to you or anyone else.
There is no pay-off to this delayed gratification because ultimately, tomorrow never comes.

Whoever said you can't wear white after labor day, didn't know about the winter whites. Specially for those of us living in the southern California area where the temperature never gets too cold, but remember, when it comes to wearing white in the winter, the fabric of the garment you are wearing is very important. For example wearing a white linen pants in winter (or any color linen for that matter) might not be as appropriate as white denim or white wool pants.

Don't put away white jeans but pair them with a chunky, dark knit sweater and boots. Just remember to keep white as a monotone color and don't wear "white and navy stripes" or "white and yellow" because that is an instant reminder of Spring and Summer.

Try to be aware of the season, if you are wearing a white dress in the winter, don't show much too much skin, that will make the whole look way too summery, pair your dress with opaque black tights and shoes or a dark cardigan on top.

You can also go one shade off. Pure white is best left to a time when you've got tan skin. Choose a color that's slightly off-white, in the cream or ivory family for maximum winter white effect. Try it with a chocolate brown boot or a dark leather accessory, so people know you're aware of what season it is.

Don't feel like you have to stick with the traditional green and red for the holiday season, white can be as elegant and sophisticated if not more. You can surely stand out in the Fall/Winter season by pairing a long white wool coat with a black sweater dress. The contrast is beautiful and classy.

When you think of Eco- friendly fashion, stylish clothing may not be the first thing that comes to mind but earth-friendly clothing has undergone a big change. Think a major transformation from Hippie to hip.
New York fashion week was just wrapped up and this year we saw more green than ever, and I don’t mean the color of this season’s designer’s collection. This year we had the launch of “The Green shows” an event showcasing seven different eco- fashion designers, which can only mean that eco- design is definitely making its way in to mainstream culture.
Of course this was not the first time we had eco-friendly fashion and designers but the organization of this year’s green shows was truly impressive.
It was amazing how innovative and beautiful some of these garments turned out to be considering creating tailored and stylish cloths is difficult as it is, now making it even more difficult by having to use eco-conscious material is admirable.
Eco-friendly fashion might cost more, just like the organic food costs more than non-organic. It’s not easy to make that change from cheaper and easier made products to more expensive items but think about an impact it will have on our planet if each one us change only one thing in our everyday lives. For some it is easier to pay the price when it comes to organic food and not clothing since it goes in to our mouth and in to our body. With clothing a very few shoppers make the connection, but shopping with having our planet and our children and grandchildren’s future in mind in mind can make a huge difference.

The weather is still warm out but believe it or not fall is just around the corner. Soon we will be stepping out of tees, shorts and flip flops in to sweaters, jackets and boots. Many trends come out each season but if there is only one thing you need to know when shopping this fall, that would be "TOUGH CHIC". You would have no shortage of leather biker jackets, motorcycle pants, leather boots, or anything else with a leather trim for both men and women. Studs are going to be on almost everything, from jackets to dresses to shoes and cuffs and even your dog collar. I guess 80's are back but then again, did it ever go away?
So lets see what else is hot this season...

Leather
This one is the hottest trend this fall for both men and women. Biker leather jackets are a must have, but if you find an embellished one specially with studs, that's even better. Pair it with jeans, black pants, over a girly dress or with leggings and boots for the ladies....

Strong shoulders
This trend started in spring and is working its way up to fall and winter. Another 80's trend showing up everywhere from the runways of Milan to the streets of Los Angeles and New York. This trend is specially beneficial for people with a triangle shape to add some width to the upper half of the body and broaden the shoulders to balance the hips and the bottom half. You can find it in Jackets for both men and women, or dresses for women.

Boots

Some times it can be challenging to look stylish and put- together while living out of a suitcase. It is difficult to pack enough outfits to wear without having to send them out to get cleaned if your trip is more than a few days. if you are going on a cruise or going somewhere you need to dress up for dinner or some other function, what to pack to look appropriate could be an even bigger dilemma.
So here are some tips for packing to look great while you travel.

Choose a color palette
Choose two main colors that go together for your travel wardrobe and an accent color. Make sure one of your main colors is a neutral like, white, black, brown, navy or tan. White is the best neutral color specially for summer traveling but keep in mind it does get dirty quickly. All your main pieces should be one of the main colors. Smaller items or accessories can be your brighter accent colors, for example, belts, hats, scarves or tops. So now you can mix and match everything in your suitcase.

Stick to a few pairs of shoes
If you are planning on sightseeing, a very comfortable pair of casual shoes is a must. If you are planning on walking a lot have a second pair of sneakers or comfortable walking shoes. Perhaps one can be worn to a casual dinner. If you can take only one pair of dress shoes that goes with all your evening / formal outfits, it would be ideal. A tan color pair of heels for the ladies would be the best choice.

Temperature rising, sun is shining and bikinis are out of closet. It’s that time of the year again to pack your beach bags and head to that weekend pool party or to the beach.
But before you head out remember a few make up rules for the beach.

1- The way you apply make up to go to the beach should not be the same way you put on make up for a night out in town. A face full of make up doesn’t look right at the beach or by the pool. Any product you put on should be light and sheer, you want to look like a sunnier version of yourself.

2-First and foremost, protect your skin. 20 minutes before putting any kind of make up on be sure to apply a generous amount of sunscreen. If you need to reapply, try a powder sun block such as colore science or Shiseido.

3-In hot, humid weather, anything that is creamy or greasy- like foundation or concealer- is going to smudge. But if you can’t go without any coverage, try mixing a bit of your foundation in to your sunscreen and apply it that way. However, powder-based products, like a light loose powder to combat the shine is much better.
If you need to cover a scar or blemish, try a stiff concealer or a little bit of pressed powder.

4-Any make up you wear should enhance your skin’s natural color. So if you are going to use a bronzer, chose a shade that looks like a natural tan for you. Also, you want to pick a bronzer without any shimmer. It won’t look right in the bright sun light.

Summer is here and it's time for you to store your wool suits and opt for a lighter one that's made out of cotton, linen or other natural fibers.
High-end designers like Giorgio Armani, Paul Smith, Etro, DKNY and Calvin Klein have added cotton suits to their collections but I have seen other retailers like H&M offering a more affordable version.

The ease of a cotton suit
Cotton suits are a great alternative to summer weight wools. They are easily incorporated into a wardrobe. They can be worn with a tee as well as a shirt and tie. A pair of fabulous dress shoes or fashion sneakers, what ever your style, will finish off this cool summer wardrobe essential. keep in mind that the cotton suits offered now are more sophisticated making them better suited for the office or an evening out as opposed to the country club look found in years past.
There are so many ways you can wear a cotton/summer suit. From preppy to edgy, it’s all about personal style and accessories.
Yes even a dark cotton suit can be worn in the summer, specially in the evening, but it has to be light weight. for example a steel blue cotton suit can go from office to an evening out.

Say yes to the plaid

Summer is here. It’s time to hit the gym again and get ready for the swimsuit season. Just like other clothing items, each year we see new trends for swimsuits too.

So lets greet the summer while being stylish and fashionable.

This year swimsuits are made according to the main trends for the season. You will see bright and vibrant colors, one-shoulder, cut- away pieces, sheer fabrics and major jewelry pieces.

Pick a swimsuit that flatters your body in the best way. if you want to give an illusion of bigger bust, pick a top with ruffles. If you want to hide your mid-section, opt for a one piece that has some ruching on the belly area and gathers fabric in that section. Also stay away from shiny fabric and go for a matte color. choose a one piece that has high cut leg and low cut top to divert attention from mid section.

Bigger bust? pick a top with under wire, or a halter top, it will give you more support. also stay away from high neck lines, unless you want a uniboob look.

If you are curvy, do vertical or angled stripes, they give the illusion of a slimmer body. Do put on a bikini, just not a itsy bitsy one with narrow and thin string ties.

One - shoulder swimsuits

This type of swimwear is very popular this year. One - shoulder bikini will make you look sophisticated and elegant. You can find this style in Swimsuit collection by Herve Leger, Victoria's Secret, Max Azria, Gottex and Gucci.

Cut - away pieces

Sophia Loren, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Aniston, Eva Mendez. These are women of style, beauty and confidence. They look great at their age. Women in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s have what it takes. You no longer have to be in your 20’s to be called stylish, sexy and beautiful.
Style and the confidence that comes with it looks better as women mature. Yet so many give up as they step in to these decades. They give up on fashion and beauty and let go of their style. It’s not that hard to keep up, it is way easier than you think.
Here are some pointers to stay on the top of your game no matter what your age is.

Ladies, you don’t need to be shopping for new pieces every month but update your key pieces if you haven’t done so in a while. Handbags and shoes are the easiest to update, they give your existing wardrobe a fresher look. If you wear Jeans they NEED to be current so you don’t loose your cool status. Get a new jacket or trench to throw on the top of an older dress for an instant update.

Don’t understate the importance of undergarments. The start of a great outfit is undergarment. Make sure to update your bras every 6 months or every year the longest. Get fitted for your correct measurements and get the bra that fits. Believe it or not 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. Buy the appropriate underpants for tight pants or skirts. No one wants to see your panty line. There are many options out there, you don’t have to only wear a thong if you are not comfortable doing so. Ask the sales person and they can show you many different options.

A checked tie is great for any occasion. This Tie Pattern is a great choice for work or play. Checked neckties are not as loud as some other patterns, like paisley. It is a clean cut design that adds interest to a solid suit and shirt, but is not overly busy or distracting.
Many men choose to wear the checked necktie to work. After heading out from work for a drink, or perhaps dinner, the strong lines of the tie will make you stand out as fashionable and stylish, without pushing your image over the edge. Checks and plaids are a fashion statement this spring and summer and if you were not in to wearing a plaid shirt or suite, adding a checked tie would do the job.
The pattern is professional, but casual enough to leave the workplace with you and will make a valuable, and frequently used addition to your wardrobe and makes it more interesting and modern.

In order to wear your patterned tie with confidence, you have to match it properly with your shirt and suit. The general rule with patterned ties is that a plain, white shirt is always your safest bet, because it goes with everything.

BUT… if you want to push the boundaries and be dashing and daring, then a solid colored shirt can make you stand out and look great.

Pick a subtle color from the tie, say light blue lines on a checked necktie with a brown background, and pair the tie with a light blue shirt. The layers of color will meld together seamlessly, and will make you look coordinated without being overly matched.

Desperate housewives star Eva Longoria-Parker made headlines a few months ago because she gained some weight for her role on the show. Now the weight is gone but recently she admitted that she relies on those magic weapons all modern women have in their closets to keep her figure looking flawless under those designer dresses. She is not the only one who has admitted to getting some help from the shapers, Oprah is a big fan so is Jessica Alba.
What magic weapon you ask? It’s called Spanx!!
Consider body shapers your best friend. These days they are improved and different from the old-fashioned girdles and corsets that your grandmothers may have worn. Now they have performance, style and comfort. They are designed to fit perfectly and be undetectable under clothing.
One the most popular brands of body shapers available today is Spanx. They offer a full range of shaping items from full body shapers to panty shapers, mid thigh and even camis and more.

Spring Wardrobe memo to all men; Think Pink, Orange, Lilac and cobalt blue. Spring 2009 is the next stage in the evolution of the modern, style conscious man’s wardrobe.

Stores have started filling up with spring fashion and blacks, grays and navys are giving way to a rainbow of crayola colors. Color is one of the key trends this season, even with the more traditional labels like Kiton, Perry Ellis and Bottega Veneta. After all, this is a good time for these cheery, happy colors, considering current economic blues.

This spring fashion has something for everyone. There are many trends, many colors and many different styles.
All these can get a little confusing and overwhelming.
So you have to pick and choose which trend will work for you and which one won't. You will see some of these trends on the Oscar's red carpet tonight.

Trust me, some of these new trends and fashion that you see in the magazines belongs just to that, pages of the magazines and the runways of Milan and New York. So we are going to tackle those new spring trends that could work their way in to our closets, and I urge you to test your own boundaries and embrace the unexpected, as long as you know how to wear the trends for your shape and your age.

From the return of shoulder pads and jump suits to sheer fabrics, nothing is off limits this spring.
Yes, strong shoulders are back. You’ll see them on jackets and some dresses. Those of you with triangle shape, narrower shoulders and bigger hips, should take advantage of this as you can balance your smaller shoulders and bigger hips with the help of shoulder pads. You don't have to too go big, small ones would work as well.

You won’t see a shortage of fringe and ruffled EVERYTHING in the stores this season. You probably have noticed this trend everywhere you turn. Texture is big this spring. Whether it’s with embellishments, fringe or ruffles.

Now more than ever we can own a piece of big name designers that only rich and famous could afford. How?
Designers like Thakoon, John Varvatos for Converse, Vera Wang, Nicole Miller and so on... have started designing more affordable but still stylish clothing for everyday men and women who want to look Fashionable and maintain their personal style but don't have the bank account to support it.

I recently saw a target ad in a magazine. "Thakoon for Target" with pictures of beautiful dresses and tops, I thought to myself, "How good can that be? A $25 top at Target, the photography is good but I bet up close it'll look cheap with bad fit and style"
With that thought I went to Target to see for myself, 30 minutes later- I walked out with a gorgeous green and blue Thakoon top, a Thakoon bikini, and a Converse V- neck sweater. I have worn that Thakoon top three times already and believe it or not, every time, I get lots of complements and no one believes me when I say "I bought it at Target"

The point is you can look Fashionable, have a great up to date style and a put-together Image on a budget.
Vera Wang has her affordable clothing line at Kohl's called "Simply Vera"
Nicole Miller has teamed up with JC Penny for her line, "Nicole"- By Nicole Miller.
Allen Schwartz, the well-known designer for A.B.S has done it too. His line, Allen B. is also available at JC Penny.

Yes it is possible.

All you have to do is look in your closet and pick those items you either have a few of or no longer wear.

For example, if you have a couple of trench coats but only wear one or two, simply cut off the sleeves, shorten the length to just above or under the knee, throw on a wide belt on, and you have a great dress.

You can do the same with an old dress. If it's a long sleeve, you can make it a cap sleeve. If it's strapless, sew on some straps. If it’s a long dress, shorten it. And adding some rhinestones or other accent around the neckline gives it a new look altogether. Voila! You have a new outfit.

Do you have a pair of pants you no longer wear? Make them into knee length shorts, and then dress them up with heels or wear them with flats for a more casual look.

Remember, all you need is to find a good tailor.

So next time you open your closet doors and stare inside for 20 minutes thinking, “I have nothing new to wear”, chances are you have items in there that can easily be transformed into a new outfit. And you will spend a fraction of what you would spend on buying a new item.