"LWD"...UPDATE YOUR YOUR BLACK DRESS WITH WHITE!

Women's go to staple in their closet is the Little Black Dress.   Update your look for spring and summer with a Little White Dress.  This is a crisp, fresh take of that trend.  Wear it to the office and take command.  This looks sharp when staying with all white--white heels, white jewelry, etc.  Try mixing it with metals, such as gunmetal gray, copper, and nickel.  White dresses pop when paired with a neutral black and white bag/heels or go bold with a bright colored shoe/bag combination.  Kelly green, turquoise, sapphire blue and yellow are hot trends to try.  Textured fabric brightens up a look.  Try linen, lace, or woven fabrics.

Fit and Flare-

-creates a waistline and is the perfect backdrop for fabulous statement necklaces.

A.B.S by Allen Schwartz Dress, $329  Alexia Admor Dress, $130

 

Peplum

-peplums can accentuate or create a waistline.  Perfect for the office to a night on the town.  

 Keepsake the Label Jacquard Dress, $158   French Connection Cap Sleeve Dress, $148

 

Mesh OverLay

-mesh is a sexy trend allowing you to show your neckline, shoulders, and decolletage without revealing too much!

Topshop Lace Applique, $29.99     MKL Collective "Bella Ella" Dress, $37

 

Sheath Dress 

-fit most figures.  Look for interest areas in the hemline or sleeves with embellishment and detailing.  This dress is perfect for the office and transitions to dinner on the town.

Tahari Cap Sleeve Sheath, $83.40  4. Collective Sheath Dress, $199.99

 

Wrap Dress

-always a figure favorite, look at the draping and detailing to see if the fit is flattering to your figure.  Wrap dresses can minimize stomach areas if tied/styled correctly.

 Monroe White Chiffon Wrap Dress, $138

How will you be wearing white this season???

XOXO,

Divine Style DC

WILD ABOUT ANIMAL PRINTS

Animal prints is not a new trend, but how you wear them is!  For fall and winter, try colored animal prints, i.e. oxblood leopard print, or layer your animal prints under one family.  Stick to one animal print, i.e. zebra but have the belt, clutch, dress, or blouse in different print sizes.  I love animal print paired with a bold color jacket, shoes, or accessories to stand out.

Ann Taylor Zebra Print Blouse, $78

Ann Taylor "Leandra" Haircalf Platform Shooties, $49.88   Ann Taylor Leopard Print Trench Blouse, $39.88

Liverpool Jeans Company "Sadie" Print Straight Leg Velveteen Jeans, $89

Mix together two different prints in the same color family.

Ann Taylor Mod Print Dress, $128

Colored Animal Print Looks:

Tahari Cheetah Print Side Buckle Sweater Dress, $118

Alice + Olivia "Andrew" Leopard Print Skinny Pants, Navy, $250

Add animal print in your heels, boots, and shoe booties this season.  Calf-hair is a hot trend!

Pelle Moda "Pally" Bootie, $294.95

MICHAEL Michael Kors "Eboni" Platform Booties, $225

Happy Shopping!

Go to Divine Style DC on Pinterest for more ideas.

MOMMY LOOKS....CASUAL CHIC

Ladies bodies change after they've had a baby and they no longer can fit in to what they used to, or your life is now so busy with child activities that your old wardrobe just doesn't work.  The idea behind looking and feeling fabulous as a mom is to have a few quick easy pieces to pull on that make you look like you spent a long time getting ready.  I've also added how you change the outfit from daytime with the kids to a night out...and always be casual chic.

The first look is a long tunic top or sweater and leggings.  Very easy to pull on in the morning when you are rushing.  The idea is that the top has interesting design or color to draw others attention.  This also hides any markings from your children.  Macy's Alfani Long Sleeve Patterned Sequin Tunic on sale for $51.75.  Shown in the berry color.  Or get two tops and choose another Alfani Sequin Tunic in a Grey Color Block pattern, which is very on trend for $51.99 from Macy's.  Pair this with a great pair of black leggings, and some flat black riding boots or a fun pair of flats.  Change the top and the shoes to have different looks.  This great pair of Cole Haan boots is leather in the front and stretchy ultra suede in the back with adjustable straps to make skinnier or enlargen as needed for your leg shape.  Cole Haan Air Whitley Buckle Strap boot, available at Nordstrom's for $229.90.  Add a fun black flat.  I chose one by Giuseppe Zanotti for $595.  Anything with a little design or interest makes the shoe more fun.  

         

Another option is to do a dolman sleeved long top with skinny pants or leggings as seen below.  I like this look as mom's on the go won't get dirty with a dark colored top, but you are moving away from the jeans or black leggings look.  You can wear this at home without the boots and add them if you are going out for the day with the kids.  To make it sexier for when your husband or significant other comes home, or to change it to a date night outfit, add high heel suede boots or black stiletto's and a long necklace.  This is the INC International Concepts Ponte Seamed Skinny Pull On Pants for $49.50 and the INC International Concepts Dolman Sleeve Boat Neck Tunic for $49.50 both available at Macy's. 

      

For an edgier mom look, try real or faux leather leggings.  Or change out of your regular leggings and throw a pair of these on when going out for a date night or night on the town with friends.  These are Faux Leather Leggings by International Concepts from Macy's for $49.50.

 

Another look to try is a sweater and cropped or ankle length jeans.  Shown is a metallic tunic sweater by INC International Concepts for $69.50 and cropped skinny pull on pants in white for $59.50.  I know you are thinking...white?  That is crazy.  If you aren't comfortable try it with navy.  Wear with silver flats during the day or flip flops once it is warm enough.  If going out at night, add silver high heels or nude color and silver bangles and big silver earrings and a cocktail ring.

Add a cute flat by Chloe for the daytime excursions such as park visits and field trips.  Chloe 'Zoe' ballet flat, $520, at Nordstrom's.

The last look will be a layered look.  This is a pair of nice dark denim jeans (no mom jeans ladies...see my blog about denim if you need ideas), a short or long-sleeve t-shirt top, and a cardigan with flats or boots.  The point of this outfit is that you can wear just the shirt with the jeans if home painting and running around, but add the cardigan when leaving the house or for dinner when your significant other comes home.  Shown below is a MICHAEL Michael Kors Open Front Cardigan for $69.50.  The pop of color from the t-shirt is what brings this alive.  I would also add a chunky necklace to jazz up the outfit.

Halogen, Tahari, Michael Kors, Pure Amici are just a few of the designers who make great sweaters or cardigans for this option.

I can't wait to see all you casual chic mom's out around town!