NAVY...THE NEW NEUTRAL

Navy has been a popular color for years and many have had this color in their closet.  But now navy is being worn not as a stand alone color, but as a new neutral.  Pair it with white to keep it crisp, or pair with neon/bright hues, such as fuchsia, canary yellow, or coral to really pop.

Maxi dress with sheer shirting is a very on trend style right now.  The neckline of this dress makes a statement.  Pair with bright accessories, heels and jewelry to really make it pop.

Styling Tips:  With navy used as a neutral background, let your accessories, shoes, and blazers/jackets make the bold statement.  Bright pink sandals work well with this.  If wearing to work, try a bright coral or fuchsia jacket to accompany the look.  These looks all pair well with bright colored work bags or purses too.

Keepsake Love Struck Maxi Dress, $189

Paper Crown by Lauren Conrad Hazel Dress, $264

Alex & Ava Jersey Sheath Dress, $99.90

Keepsake My Dilemma Dress, $121

Add playful shoes and accessories:


                      Nine West Pitera Wedge Sandal                 Nine West Miles Between, $109

  

Bathing Suits and Cover Ups:

Becca by Rebecca Virtue One shoulder bikini, $130   Mara Hoffman, Jean Paul Gaultier for Perla

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Letarte Admiral Tunic, $248                              Letarte Admiral Tunic, $238

  

Hermanny Crochet 2012, $129           Becca by Rebecca Virtue Lady Liberty, $72

  

SHEER BLOUSES FOR DAY & NIGHT

Sheer blouses are a gorgeous way to update your look this spring/summer.  Printed blouses in bold patters and bright colored blouses are a great option for work or a night on the town.  

Pair it with a cami tank top in a contrasting or complimentary color.  White, black, and navy tank tops are always safe choices for a work environment to wear underneath a sheer blouse.  But try it with a bold spring color tank or a skin color tank top to add a little pizazz.  Style example might be an orange sheer blouse with a navy tank top and a white pencil skirt.  Add chunky gold jewelry to compliment the look.  Not sure you can wear this to work?  Add a three quarter length sleeve blazer or a flowy cardigan over top.

Fit Tip:  If the blouse is flowy, pair it with a fitted bottom to show your shape.  If it is a wrap top that is sheer you can wear a more forgiving skirt or pants with it.

Pair this striped blouse with a tangerine skirt and a fuchsia tank top and bold jewelry.  For a more casual look try slim fit white capri pants with a tangerine, fuchsia, or bright blue tank top.  

Catherine Malandrino Tie Waist Sheer Silk Blouse, $275

Casual Studio Band Collar Sheer Print Blouse, $69 (Nordstrom's)

Malene Birger Josittia Pink Leopard Silk Chiffon Blouse, $315

Pair this striped blouse with a navy pencil skirt or fitted capri's.  Jeweled sandals are great for daytime and switch to heels for night.

Chaus Embellished Stripe Blouse, $79 (Nordstrom's)

  

Urban Outfitters Dolce Vita Serena Blouse, $115

Daniel Rainn Banded Dolman Sleeve Blouse, $39.90

  

Aryn K. Hibiscus Print Blouse, $89

Sanctuary Multi Print Sheer Blouse, $86

 

Charlotte Russe Roll Cuff Button Down Blouse, $22.99

STYLE YOUR LOOK WITH STATEMENT EARRINGS

A great way to freshen up your current look and wardrobe is via statement earrings.  These are earrings that contain a bold shape, size, or color.  Earrings help draw attention to your face and neckline and are a great way to capture someone's eye.  Trends in earrings are bright feathered earrings, bold stone earrings, large metallic pieces, and bright hues.  

An easy trick to enliven an outfit you've worn a zillion times is by changing your accessories.  Exchange the earrings you wear with a dress, suit, or any look to something new, bold, and colorful.  Try colored earrings in fuchsia, deep purple, turquoise, tangerine, or green with a white, black, or neutral outfit to make your look POP!

Fiesta Earrings, $30

Angelina Earrings, $28

Kenneth Jay Lane Polished Gold and Enamel Earrings, $80

       

Bebe Stone and Feather Earrings, $26

Marciano Cabochon Earrings, $58

Kendra Scott Darby Earrings, $75

Towne and Reese Delilah Drop Earrings, $30

Neon Yellow Silver Glitter Swarovski Earrings, $24.80

Petal Earrings, $28

TANGERINE CORAL DRESS OPTIONS FOR ALL FIGURES

This Nicole Miller striped dress in coral and fuchsia incorporates three hot trends in fashion for spring/summer 2012.  Colors, stripes, and ruching.  The ruching in the center of the dress hides figure flaws and makes hips and tummy area appear smaller.  Nicole Miller, $245.

For a similar dress in the same color scheme, try this French Connection dress.  This dress is more casual in the style, but is perfect for a BBQ, go boating, or to a pool party.  You can dress it up with jewelry, a belt, and heels, or try jeweled flat sandals.  French Connection, $68.

One of my favorite dresses for the season by Milly.  Great neckline and sleeve detail.  The tied waist belt creates interest but sits higher to not emphasize the tummy.  Great for the 30-70 crowd for work or a night on the town.  Try with bold turquoise or blue earrings and cuff bracelet.  Looks great with metallic heels or sandals.  Milly, $370.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Drape Sash Ruching Dress.  The sash and ruching flatter your hips and tummy area and hide figure flaws.  Make sure it is loose enough not to cling to the tummy.  $148.

Tinley Road One Shoulder Maxi Dress.  Play this up with a long necklace in turquoise or bright blue.  $43.99.

Gianna Bini Lace Back with Gold Zipper Dress, $128.

Kasper Two Piece Suit.  Sleeveless dress option with with waistline sitting underneath the chest.  Great for ladies figures who have a little tummy or hips.  Wear just the jacket with another outfit (navy, white, blue, etc.) and the dress by itself with jewelry/heels.  $181.99 at Macy's.

 

Tahari by ASL Printed Wrap Dress, $124.

A swimwear cover up in a printed tangerine color is a great option for beach/pool time.  Vix Swimwear Mali Bliss Dress, $124.

Adrianna Papell Plus Size Lace Dress, $140. (14W-24W)

BATHING SUIT BONANZA

As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to shop for new bathing suit looks.  I always suggest purging first and trying on the suits your currently have to know what fits you well, what fabrics look worn out, or suits that have lost their shape and need to be thrown out or given away.

Colors and prints are big for spring and summer.  Pastel hues,citrus colors, metallics, and animal skin are great options.  Not ready to try these trends?  Deep hues such as amethyst, navy, and chocolate brown are the new black and make you look slim.  

Fit Tips:

If you have a small chest...ruffles, ruching, shirring and flowy fabrics work great to add fullness to your upper half.  Halter tops also gives the illusion of a larger chest when enhanced with padding or structure.

If you are busty or curvy...give your chest enough support and coverage.  Bra or molded cup styles with under-wiring give you additional support.  Bottoms with eye-catching embellishments like rings, buckles, elaborate ties, etc. draw the eye down and provide a balance to your chest.  Ruffled bottoms draw the eye and make the bottom appear to be in proportion with your top.

If you are hippy...tops with wide-set straps give the illusion of a broader shoulder area.  High-cut string bottoms with adjustable ties narrow the hips and allow the suit to be tied to fit you correctly in that area.  AVOID:  boy shorts which brings focus to your widest point, and halters and triangle tops which will make your bust look smaller and not in proportion with your hips.  Smaller bottoms are more flattering.

If you are boyish...ruching is a great option as it creates curves.  Colorblocking is a great option as are geographic prints.  This creates interest and the dimensions add the look of curves.

One Piece Suits

Inca "Cameron" nylon-spandex suit, $275, Rebel, 305-758-2369

Miraclesuit "Camilla", available at Lord & Taylor's in black, $156 (makes you look 10 lbs. slimmer)

JETS by Jessika Allen White Label, $495

Full Figure

Sorella Swimwear, $198 (sizes 10-24)

 

Monif C. Plus Sizes Swimwear, $148 (sizes 14-24)

 

Monokini

L *Space Monokini, $145

L *Space Riviera Monokini, $132

 

Beach Bunny Gold Dust Monokini, $279

Bikini's

Beach Bunny Kiss A Girl Bikini, $259

L *Space Monaco Citrus Bikini, $140

L *Space Buttercup Diva Bikini, $156

Becca Colorblock Bikini, $64 (top), $58 (bottoms)