BOLD, EYE-CATCHING MEN'S BELTS

A belt completes a man's look.  This takes your look from drab to fab.   The texture, color, and buckle are what make each belt stand out.  A colored belt can be worn as your statement piece when worn with neutrals, such as white, gray, and navy, or mix it with bold colored shirts and pants.

Bold Suede and Textured Belts

Ralph Lauren Padded Web Belt, $175  Robert Graham Suede Belt, $128

BOSS Black "Stefonio" Suede Belt, $115

Blues and Greens Pack a Punch

Ted Baker Smartton Belt, $75

 

 Nextbelt's Colour Series Bermuda Blue Belt (Golf Belt), $54.99

Finish off your look in this season's stylish belts!

Divine Style DC

LOOK CHIC AT ANY AGE...SWEATERS AND TOPS

Every woman deserves to look and feel good at any age.  But styles change as you get older and what you want to display of your body and emphasize.  Draping, fabric, prints/patterns should flatter your figure.  Dolman sleeves are ideal to drape and flatter your neckline, chest, and shoulders.

INC International Concepts Striped Cardigan, $43.99

The textured sweater and the intricate design on the neckline and shoulders create interest on top while  lengthening your frame.  Draped fabric works well to hide tummy's.  

Alberto Makali Eyelash Sweater, $152

Woven/varying textures create interest for the eye.  The button on this cardigan sits at your skinniest point and flows outward so this is figure flattering.  Wear it with leggings or skinny pants or a dress.

Curio Mix Knit Cardigan, $158

Add COLOR to your look.  While black and gray are slimming, they also accentuate your age and make changing hair color stand out.  Color makes you look fresh and younger!

The neckline and sleeves of this dress are fabulous for women as they get older as it slims you to the waist and hides arms/neckline.  Add a fun animal print belt and textured tights.  Boots or flats work great for this look.  Depending on your height, the length of the dress should come right above your knees.

Chelsea & Theodore Cashmere Belted Dress, $99


Ralph Lauren Belt, $179



Here's to looking chic at any age!

XOXO,
Divine Style DC

WRAP IT ALL UP WITH A FABULOUS BELT

Looking for a belt to complete your look can be a challenge.  The right accessory can make or break an outfit.  The finishing touches of belts, shoes, and jewelry really "make" an outfit.  A fabulous belt can make an otherwise boring dress or top appear fresh and new.

Fit
All women can wear belts regardless of their shape and size.  Where you wear the belt depends on where the weight falls on you and the type of top or dress that you are wearing.  Wearing a belt underneath of the breasts is great for anyone who is larger in the tummy area letting the fabric of the top or dress hang loser.  Wearing a belt at your natural waist is great for anyone with a straight frame.  This also can be worn by anyone who is larger in the waist as it emphasizes the smaller portion of your body.  Wearing a belt with pants or jeans at the hip area can be worn by any body shape, though it looks the best on someone who is more chest heavy or has a straight build.  Belts worn around the lower hip area (aka chain belts) is best for someone who is chest heavy, has a tummy but slimmer bottom, or a straight/slim build.  If your hips and bottom are your problem area, this is not best suited for you.

Below is shown different categories of belts.  This is not all encompassing but shows you some new style types and some staples to have in your closet.

Black Large Belt- great for wearing with pants, skirts, dresses.  A good staple to have in the closet.

Lauren by Ralph Lauren, $48                                                 White House Black Market, Exotic Covered Buckle, $44
 


Animal Prints-great eye catching addition to any outfit.  You can wear this with color or neutral tops or dresses.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Leopard with Gold Buckle, $48  Lodis Leopard Print Skinny Belt, $48
 


MICHAEL Michael Kors Snakeskin Belt, $46.99               Cache Snakeskin Belt, $58
 

                                                                 Guess LA Python Print Belt, $70 with Jeweled Buckle

Color-easy way to add fun to an outfit.  Can be worn year round.  Add yellow, tangerine,turquoise or pink as a trendy color addition.

                                                            Cole Haan Vintage Valise Belt, $88

Tie Waist-these belts are worn higher around your natural waist.  Great to show the smallest part of your body.

Ada 2-Tone Leather Obi Belt, $88                                             Ada 2-Tone Leather Obi Belt, Navy $88

 

                                                            Guess Belt with Twist Tie Cord, $29.99

Statement Belts-these belts capture your eye and do the talking.  Wear these with a simpler top or dress so it does not compete with the belt.

Brave Leather Taya Belt, $92                                             Hive & Honey Waist O Ring, $24.99

 

Leatherock "Pull Back" Hip Belt, $92                                   Vince Camuto Faux Crocodile Belt, $58

 

Chain Link/Necklace Belts- these are worn lower on the hips.  Great accessory for dresses, or longer tops/sweaters.

MICHAEL Michael Kors, $40                                          Kenneth Jay Lane Snake Buckle Gold Belt, $29.99

 

                                                                  Calvin Klein Gunmetal Chain Belt, $19.99

PASTELS FUN!

Pastels are very popular right now but can be tricky to wear.  If your skin tone isn't olive, these colors can wash you out.  So trying wearing a pastel top with a bright necklace or scarf.  Or pastel bottoms with something bolder on top.  The look is not meant to be head to toe pastel, as that look has seen its day.

Dresses
Try a pastel dress adding a neutral colored heel.  In winter, added studded neutrals.  Cameron Diaz is wearing a mint green Akris shirt dress.  This Ralph Lauren dresses simple cut allows for statement accessories, jackets, shoes, and purses to take the center stage. $898.  Missoni's Pale Rose Multi Pastel Belted Dress, is a great way to show design and style, while wearing the pastel trend. $1,372.  Parker Ruffle Side Dress in Sorbet, is the perfect addition for spring and summer.  All around great dress that can be worn daytime or nighttime.  $198.

 

 

Jeans
Colored jeans have been hot all year.  For spring, try wearing jeans in a pastel hue with a bright colored top or a neutral, such as taupe or white.  AG Adriano Goldschmied offers the stilt cigarette jeans in highlighter blue or neon pink. $159.  Tractor jeans "Diedre" cotton-spandex jeans, $82, in mint green.  J Brand Mid-Rise Overdyed Skinny Leg Jean, $169, in a variety of colors.

 

 

Tops

Add a fun colored pastel top.  Perfect with white jeans as it gets warmer out or with dark denim for winter.  Eileen Fisher Drape Neck Jersey Top, $108.  James Perse Off Shoulder Top, $135.

 

Shoes

Add a fun flat, heel, or wedge in a pastel color.  Bring drama to your feet.  The best way to wear pastel colored shoes is not to match your outfit but to contrast.  So if you are wearing a blue dress or pants, try an orange or sherbert colored shoe.  

Rachel Zoe Laura Flat, $235                                                   Miz Mooz Panther Flat, $98

 

Sam Edelman Marina Pump, Flamingo Suede or Turquoise Time Suede, $129.95

 

                                                                               Vince Camuto Ladell Pump, $118.95

Rockin' Bottoms for Men

There are a few men's pants types that I will blog about today and how to wear each style.

Styles:


Cargo-This style is great for a casual look.  This can be dressed up or down depending on what you wear with it.  The fit of the leg is important depending on how dressed up or casual you want to be.  A slimmer fit generally is more dressy versus a baggier fit which is more casual.

Ralph Lauren Black Label Stretch Stealth Cargo Pants, $395    J Crew Stanton Cargo Pant in Urban Slim Fit, $79.50
 

Ralph Lauren Herringbone Military Pant, $49.99  611 Saks Fifth Avenue New York Washed Cargo Pant, $178
 


Linen-is a great option for spring and summer.  There are lighter weights and heavier weights to linen fabric.  The waistband also determines how dressy or casual it is.  A tie-string waistband is more casual.

Santorelli Flat Front Linen Trousers, $245  John Varvatos Charcoal Melange Cotton-Linen Austin Straight Leg Pants, $174
 

Tasso Elba Linen Drawstring Pants, 29.98



Corduroy-Goes from casual to chic, night on the town.  Great versatile pair of pants.  Fit of the leg is important.  Slimmer fit looks more trendy and updated.

Citizens of Humanity SID Straight Leg Pants, $139.99        Vince Taupe Grey Pants, $255
 

Suit Pants (Night on the Town)-Fit is extremely important along with fabric.  Straight leg and slim fit are best to appear more current and dressier.  Style of fabric and texture of the fabric dictate quality.  More expensive pants generally have a richer feeling fabric. A tuxedo pant does not have to be worn just with tuxedo's.  This looks great with a dress shirt or a suit jacket.

PS Paul Smith Silver Grey Suit Pants, $695         Gucci Slim Tuxedo Pant, $750
 

Leather-great edgy, trendy look for a night out or fashion event.  Must be slim fit.

                             Neil Barrett Black Leather Pants, $1,475
  

Diesel Black Gold Licaty Leather Pants, $475