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

WEARING ANIMAL PRINTS IN A NEW WAY

Animal prints have been around for ages in tops, dresses, shoes, and bags.  Today's blog is to show you how to wear animal prints in a new, fashion-forward way.

Try adding animal print in your sunglasses.  This leopard print pair, by Elizabeth and James, $185, adds spark to any outfit.

 


Try animal print in leopard or zebra on a pencil skirt.  BCBG, $198.  Wear with a blousey top or a fitted top and blazer.  Shoe booties add a fun edge or spiked high heels. Michael Kors Zebra Print Pencil Skirt, $895.

A strapless dress in a new print is always a fun option.  Add a silver blazer or leather coat and black studded heels to make the look ultra-modern.  Add a colored jacket to a more every day look.  Parker dress, $111.

Wear a tunic or cut out sleeve top with detail to capture attention.  Michael Kors Taupe Snake Skin Cut Sleeve Ruched Blouse or Michael Kors Zebra Print Chiffon Tunic, $995.

 

 

Try animal print in a faux fur vest, cape, or trench coat.  Not as bold...then try it in gloves, cuffs, or a scarf.  Vest by Lauren Hansen, $129.  Trench coat by Mango, $79.99. Me Jane Cropped Cape, $19.99.

Too timid to try these looks?  Start with adding it in your accessories.  Scarves, necklaces, rings, earrings are all easy additions to any outfit.

FUN GOING OUT TOPS

Add a fun top to skinny jeans when you are going out for a night on the town.

This fun color block flowy tank top is a perfect addition to skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.  Add heels, a bangle,  and a long necklace.  $34 at Nordstrom's.

 

A cobalt blue tank tank is the perfect addition to a statement necklace.  Add a yellow or green necklace to make this stand out. Trina Turk, $168.  Ann Taylor Sunburst Necklace, $78.  Available in February.

 

Try a beaded tank in a bright hue.  Great to throw a blazer on for work and a leather jacket for a night out.  Dark skinny jeans, or a pencil skirt on the bottom.  Tinley Road, $44.

This coral pleated halter tank top is perfect for a long necklace and bangles.  Try turquoise or a bright purple.  Great top to wear to work and also out at night.  Ya Los Angeles, $44.

A beaded tank top is a great option to have in your closet.  Beads can be worn for work, out with jeans to be more casual, or dress it up with jewelry.  A great grab and go top.  The metal colored version with beads is by Boyod, Joyce Beaded Tank, $147.

 

OUT ON THE TOWN DRESSES

Who doesn't love a fabulous dress when going out at night or during the day on the weekend?  Dresses are simple to pack, and easy to put on adding jewelry and boots, heels, or flats depending on the look you are going for.


This is a slit sleeve dress from BCBG with dolman sleeves.  The fitted bottom gives you great shape.  This is perfect to add a long necklace, bangle bracelet, and fun earrings. $138.

 

This green cut out detail viscose-rayon dress, by BCBG, called Rosetta, $178, is a great daytime option.  Add a fun long necklace and heels in a coordinating color, such as bright blue, or yellow.

This vibrant red color and sleeve detail make this dress a stand out.  Add only bracelets and earrings to let the dress do the talking.  6 Shore Road "Luna Mini Dress", $158.

The bright blue color of this dress captures anyone's eye.  The yellow belt keeps the look fresh and more casual (all blue would be dressier but more outdated).  Fun flirty heeled sandals are a great addition.  Add a colored blazer or cardigan for winter.  Rebecca Taylor Dress, $335.

This Rachel Roy colorblock dress with contrast stiching is perfect for brunch, shopping, or drinks during the day.  Add heeled sandals and a long necklace to wear it out at night. $398.

Charlie Jade, Ya, Jay Godfrey, Haute Hippie are all great designers who make fun going out dresses.  Wear with flats during the day and add heels and jewelry to make it pop at night.