Mad About Plaid

I’m Madly in Love with Plaid…

Thanks to a few gift cards from my recent birthday, I am the proud new mother of this beautiful plaid dress from Floreat at Anthropologie.  Some say I’m not the easiest person to buy for (silly talk), so I always encourage the fam to give me GC’s for the holiday’s.  They REALLY don’t like it, but I love it.  They gave me the joy of finding and bringing home this pretty dress.  Now I just need to decide when it will make it’s debut (don’t all special garments need an unveiling?).

So plaid.  It's all the rage and I’m thrilled about it.  Plaid is seasonless, it’s casual and it’s classic.  The plaid shirt is so versatile – with literally dozens of styling options. 

Here, Charlize Theron sits courtside cool with the Lakers in a Les Halles button-down in grey/black plaid.  Paired with a dark skinny jean, patent leather gladiator heels and a mens-inspired watch, she looks confident and sexy. 

Les Halles is a family business that launched in 1979 and was recently   re-launched with the encouragement of the owners 25-year-old daughter, Remy Baum.  They’ve got a great story and a great product…and I predict great success ahead. 

Rails gets top billing from me in the plaid shirt department.  They’re reversible and have a reputation of being one of the best-fitting button-down shirts in the world, boasting nice slim arms and flattering details.  I love the “Kendra” style below in shades of purple.  It would look great in the summer with a white jean and in the fall with a skinny dark.  The ruffle top with belt from Odille at Anthropologie is charming and makes a perfect casual Friday outfit with a bootcut jean. 

 

The key to wearing plaid is including some sort of feminine touch.  It shouldn’t look like you borrowed your boyfriend’s old flannel.  Kate Bosworth is so chic in her plaid ruffled blouse with high-waisted wide leg  jeans, accented with a red Mulberry handbag.  

This look lends a more ladylike feel to the tartan trend and is easier to carry-off for those that aren’t crazy about the masculine edge of the button-down version. 

I’m a sucker for a bold plaid jacket and no one does jackets better than Smythe.  They are impeccably tailored with textures and prints that are menswear inspired and uniquely feminine.  I first fell in love with them when Lindsay Price’s character on the NBC’s Lipstick Jungle wore one of their jackets in an episode years ago…I searched for days to find that piece. 

I’m now quite smitten with this blue & black plaid hunting jacket from the Fall 2010 collection.  The fit of a Smythe jacket is incredibly flattering to a woman’s body.  Owning one means you will have a treasure for life.

Last, but certainly not the least of my favorites is this charming plaid jacket from Elevenses’.  Called the “Garment District Blazer,” it’s cinched at the waist, features two sweet front pockets and a feather on the lapel.  It was another birthday treat of mine from Anthropologie.  I love that I can wear it with jeans, a dress or trousers for three completely different looks. 

Here's to hoping plaid is here to stay.

NFL Style

I love Football

I may love it *almost* as much as fashion.  I look forward to Sunday all week so that I can veg out on my couch and watch football ALL DAY LONG…especially if my fantasy team is doing well (they usually aren’t, so its a good thing I like it anyway). 

With the season just getting started, I’ve been stocking up on gear to wear and support my team….Detroiter’s love their Lions and a lousy record doesn't stop us from coming out to support them dressed in Honolulu Blue.

Sports clothing for women has come a long way – something I credit to actress Alyssa Milano and her vision for more stylish team apparel.  An avid baseball fan, she launched TOUCH in 2007 because she couldn’t find fashionable gear in her size to support her LA Dodgers.   And if she did – it was pink!  Historically, women have had to work with oversized men’s gear because there weren’t any companies out there making products for a woman's smaller frame and feminine edge.  She partnered with G-III Apparel Group and Major League Baseball to design a line of ladies MLB apparel.  It was so successful that the line branched out to partnerships with the NFL, NBA and the NHL.   

Alyssa’s Touch line filled a gap in the fashion industry in a once male-dominated sector.  Geared toward a contemporary customer, the line is stylish, comfortable and fun.  It includes fitted tees (short and long sleeve), jackets, hoodies, jeans, dresses, jewelry and more.

 

 

The name “touch” was chosen because she wanted to use sporty fabrics that were wearable, mixed with feminine fabrics like satin.  The silhouettes are equally as important, so she works diligently to create flattering  garments that cater to a woman's body shape.  Features include , tank tops with shelf bras attached and hoodies with double zippers to avoid bulges while sitting in the stands. 

I just bought this cool Touch hoodie on sale through the online Detroit Lions Pro Shop, but for the best selection of Touch Apparel, go to Fandalia or the NFL Shop. 

The NFL has really taken noticed and started to add a variety of options for women from other companies as well.  Here are a few of my favorite tees from the Lions Pro Shop:

 

And for those of you supporting other teams….here are a few cute Touch selections and a shout out to my buddies from those towns (Sara, Andy, Jennifer and Em D).   Alyssa has proven that women can look cute, stay warm and support their team.  

  

Trend Watch: Military

 

 Military Chic

Military is a trend that never seems to go out of style.  It does, however, reappear with a fresh focus every few years.  This season, designers are giving it a new spin with feminine tailoring, luxe fabrics and unique detail and embellishments.  You’ll see the look translated into casual or elegant, making it a great option for anyone to adapt into their lifestyle. 

Burberry Prorsum is leading the way in military this fall with one jacket seemingly more beautiful than the next.  It was nearly impossible to choose one favorite from the collection for this post, but I did it.  I fell in love with the sophisticated, exquisitely tailored jacket featured above.  Designer, Christopher Bailey was inspired by uniforms and cadet girls that all started when he found an aviator jacket in the Burberry archive.  I just love that story.  As he started designing the collection, he realized how versatile the look could be – “strong, sexy, masculine and feminine.” 

Keeping the military look clean and refined is the key to pulling it off well.  I’d recommend pairing a military inspired item with tailored, classic items or a cool pair of jeans to create a look that’s fashion-forward and stylish.  

This elegant coat from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel knocks my socks off.  I love it’s boldness at the top and its flirty edge at the bottom.   

Army and aviator seem to be the key themes for this seasons take on the trend.  Army green being the dominant color and navy taking second place.  I love the rugged look of the army and see navy as a more polished look.  

Army is interpreted mostly with cropped jackets, utility or bomber, but also broadly with loose fitting or skinny cargo pants.  While army green is a standout, dark brown leather jackets are also in the mix.

I love the styling and fit of this double-breasted William Rast jacket.  It’s wide, curvy lapels frame the face beautifully and the buttoned cuffs and epaulets add great interest to the piece.  With a pair of jeans, this look is sexy.   

 

 

Asos styled this One Teaspoon army jacket with such soft femininity.  It’s shown with a simple, flowy white dress cinched at the waist with a contrasting rugged belt and topped off with a dramatic necklace.  Combined, this makes the vintage look feel young, fresh and fun. 

The charming ribbon pin detail above the pocket is a great final touch.  

 

Military jackets are everywhere this season.  From high-end to mass market, it’s hard to miss the troop-inspired pieces.

Express has done a great job of adapting to trends quickly and moving on to the next hot thing.  This jacket is a mere $98 and looks so chic paired with denim and a thin, feminine rose belt. 

Also dipping its toe into trends is a store you don’t expect to find fashion.  Kmart is entering the picture with a transformed approach to products, quality and design. 

The Fall 2010 Apparel collection features several top fashion trends, including this Sgt. Pepper inspired jacket that was featured in the September issue of Vogue.  The collection also includes a skinny cargo pant and high-waisted peplum military jacket.  They’ve hired a team of talented, yet unknown designers to create this new collection with details such as fine stitching, fully lined jackets, and streamlined silhouettes, delivered at an affordable price (This jacket –$29.99!). 

Last, but not least, military inspired boots are my favorite part of the trend this season.  Designers have done an amazing job of turning the classic combat boot into something refined, sexy and feminine.  Here are just a few of my top picks:

 

  

I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the significance of this historic day.  It’s because of the brave men and women fighting for our freedom and security that we can delight in the everyday joys of life – our families, our friends, our careers, our hobbies, reading the newspaper, shopping for beautiful clothes, savoring a good meal………

Remembering the 2,976 people who lost their lives on

September 11, 2001.  We will never forget.

2010 Emmy Report

Golden Beauty

in every way is captured in this photo.  Claire Danes looks stunning in this sparkling champagne-colored Armani Privé gown, with her golden tanned skin and holding the golden Emmy statue for her role in Temple Grandin.  I’ve always thought that Claire had a unique beauty about her (even from the days of My So-Called Life), but she has really become an elegant young woman with a beautiful smile.  This dress fit her perfectly and the hair and makeup were outstanding.  She wins top honors as my favorite of the night. 

With so many pretty dresses at the 2010 Emmy Awards, it was hard to pick my top five favorites – really hard – so I picked seven. 

Number two on my list was this navy Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Glee’s Lea Michele. 

This young beauty wore the sophisticated dress so well and you can see in her face how much she loved it.  Everyone knows I love ruffles – and coupled with this rich navy color – I was speechless. 

 

 

Number three goes to Brooke Burke in Mark Zunino.  She was breathtaking in this gown that was clearly made for her and showed off every asset to a tee while still being very ladylike.

Her side swept hair was feminine and soft and brought attention to the amazing Chopard piece around her neck.  

The shoes and the small sparkling handbag top it off.

 

 

 

Next up – Heidi Klum.  Let’s face it, this dress is just sexy.  Marchesa was represented well on the Red Carpet this year (as they should be), but this was my favorite of the pack.  I love everything Marchesa designs, but I’m always amazed by what they do with the minidress - and for leggy gals like Heidi they create showstoppers.  I appreciate that Heidi always honors her personal style and gives a dress like this the life it deserves.

Side note – Congrats to Marchesa’s, Georgina Chapman, who had a little baby girl named India Pearl right after the Emmy’s. 

Coming in at #5, Glee’s Heather Morris wearing a chic metallic gold dress by Ina Soltani. 

She looks glamorous and dare-I-say “old Hollywood."

The pretty black ribbon belt really made this dress modern and a stand out from all the other glitzy dresses in the crowd.   Carrying a vintage style black evening bag tied in with the belt perfectly.  

I love that Heather chose a lesser-known designer, that she honored the glamour and sophistication of award show fashion and she did it in a way that was youthful and appropriate to current trends.  Well done.  

 

 

 

While the next two dresses fall outside of my top five, I couldn’t leave them out of my report. 

Glee’s Dianna Agron looks radiant in this tiered lace gown by Carolina Herrera.  Mrs. Herrera always creates the most ethereal, feminine gowns that are befitting of a princess.  Dianna sure looks like one here. 

I love the combination of nude lace with black in this gown.  There is something very elegant about the combination. 

I was glad that she wore her hair back so the detail of the dress was really able to shine.

 

And, the BEST surprise of the night…DRUMROLL….

       Kelly Osbourne! 

Kelly rocked a stunning black Tony Ward Couture dress with a deep v-neck and vintage style draping.  I loved the interesting jewels at the top of the shoulders and the geometric detail along the skirt.  The black color against her pale skin and blond hair was a stunning contrast that also was fitting of her personal style. 

And where did this gorgeous body come from?  She has been working hard, looks amazing and you can tell through that smile that she feels beautiful. 

 

So who were the big winners at the 2010 Emmy’s.  Well aside from those who took home the gold statues for their work, the Glee girls really took home the fashion gold.  I don’t watch the show (but feel I should start with all the accolades they’re getting), but they sure have access to great stylists.