If there's one shoe you must buy...

...let it be a nude/neutral-colored platform pump. Beginning with the current season, this shoe will be the most versatile addition to your wardrobe and the accessory you never knew you couldn't be without.

Equally excellent paired with dresses or suits, a closed-toe or peep-toe version in tan, khaki, nude, even gray can turn an otherwise standard outfit into a super-chic one. There's something very sexy yet understated about a shoe like this, no?

Some ideas are:

*Nine West "Rocha" (pictured above and absolutely perfect, but I'm partial to Nine West)
*Banana Republic "Jacky" Platform Pump
*Donald Pliner "Zina" Pump
*Type Z "Sireen" Pump

Let's see what you find to kick your jeans, dresses, office-wear (and heels) up a notch!

Don't you wish you were mod?

Well, stop wishing girlies! One of my bestest friends, T, offered up this amazing online store that carries excellent trendy clothes and cheeky accessories at really affordable prices - perfect for all of us frugal fashionistas.

ModCloth.com carries one-of-a-kind vintage and vintage-inspired finds, and everything from indie & retro to cute & emo...tops, dresses, purses, jewelry, la la la galore. A few pieces that really caught my eye were the Cornerstone Purse (a lovely, putty-colored clutch/tote/slouchy thing that would go so well with jeans), the Getting To Know You Dress (a happy, very vintage-y summer dress perfect for work and cocktails), the High Seas Skirt (a perfect paper-bag waist pencil skirt in an awesome, versatile deep blue), and the Age of Industry Ring (a stacked, industrial-looking piece that's looks part 90's minimalist, part 80's rapper).

The shop only carries a limited run of each of its pieces (many are sold out by the time I've decided to buy!) which is good if you don't want someone else wearing the same thing you are tonight but is bad if you're indecisive. Great for all you impulse buyers on a budget out there!

Now you CAN be mod (or retro, or indie, or emo...) for very few George Washingtons. We like that!

My boyfriend's back...

So let's talk "Boyfriend Jeans." This denim trend started showing up during Fall 2008 in Hollywood and, naturally, is hitting the regular RTW market en force now. Most denim lines have a version but the blogosphere is still debating whether or not this is a look we should even attempt, for fear of becoming fashion victims.

Some noteable starlets who are responsible for beginning the obsession with this new jean silhouette are Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, Rachel Bilson and Jennifer Aniston. The look is very easy, very casual and very "I look good but do I look like I care?" Kind of the same vibe I was discussing earlier with the Frye Boots...

I say YES...maybe. It all depends on whether you do it RIGHT. There was a huge debate over skinny jeans a few years back too, and that turned into a non-issue, OK?

Some tips I think are necessary when diving into this look:

1) DO NOT actually wear your boyfriend's (or any boy's) jeans. Buy GIRL's jeans that are cut in the boyfriend style.

2) Make sure that they are fitted at some point on your body (like your booty or your hips). Otherwise you'll just look like a sad little girl drowning in clown pants. Not that I've ever seen that, but it seems pretty sad...

3) Wear them with something very fitted or very feminine or both. You don't want people to start mistaking you for a teenage boy, do you? (Think a tiny tank, ruffly blouse, slightly cropped t-shirt, fitted tube top)

4) Pair them with equally feminine jewelry and shoes. Personally, I like them rolled/cuffed at the bottom with nice, high heels. However, girly flats or strappy sandals would work just as well.

5) Pay attention to COLOR - a dark wash will not necessarily be the best choice in this case. The idea is to "look" like you borrowed old jeans and made them yours, right? So look for light washes with some distressing or outright holes. The more lived-in, the better.

4) Be CONFIDENT. The most fun part about fashion is that you try things out, for the better or for the worse. And all aspiring fashionistas must be bold in my book!

Whew! That seems like a lot of rules! But now you know, so get your butts into some non-boy-but-look-like-boy's-girl's-jeans and rock it out. You can pull it off, I know it...

B is for boyfriend... - by roxy-land on Polyvore.com

"SAG" and "Blue" are usually bad...

Unless it's at the 2009 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards! The best-dressed ladies at the SAG awards followed the same rules: on-trend rich blue, tailored fit, creative yet classic feminine shapes.

What's even better is that all of these gorgeous women just happen to be ridiculously talented actresses. It IS possible to have it all (but it helps if your name is Evan Rachel, Kate or Angelina). Sigh...

2009 Fashion Predictions...

Based on my own devouring of fashion magazines, countless hours spent surfing (and shopping!) online and a general interest in what women are wearing on the street, I like to make predictions on what will be and what will remain in style for at least this season and the year.

Note: These are not predictions of what will be on the runway but guesses on what people in real life will be wearing, all to help you in your future fashion purchase decisions!

WHAT'S NEW SO FAR...

New Colors
Tans, nudes, neutrals (this goes for tops, bottoms AND shoes)
Cobalt blue (Seen this everywhere, and it's darling on all skin colors)
Bright yellows
Gray is still super-hot and is a new neutral that I have fallen in love with

New Shapes 
Interesting shapes and drapes to clothes have been showing up everywhere from the runway to the retail store. This sculptural quality is something you may want to try in small doses but if you're adventurous, go for it! See this page at Urban Outfitters for an example. If you're from the Milwaukee area, Fashion Ninja has been doing this for awhile and her shop and studio are consistently turning out new and creative ideas as well as limited run pieces.

Retro-Feminine
The return to the Jackie-O style will be very big this spring and summer. Think pencil skirts, bracelet-length sleeves, capes, lockets on skinny chains, small florals, anything with ruffles, shift dresses. The good thing about this? Very flattering on a feminine figure and oh so classy.

WHAT WILL BE STAYING
Don't toss these into the Goodwill bin just yet OR if you've been pondering buying them, do so. Right now. 

Skinny Jeans
For all the debate that has gone on round and round online and in mags, these are still going strong. Girls love them, they pair well with the blousy, feminine and voluminous tops that are still in style and will be for the spring and they're flattering when done right. Plus, Kate Moss is still wearing them and if she's still rockin' something, it's bound to still be a fashion DO. Am I right?

If you already have 'em, try updating your wardrobe with a new color (light gray, bright blue) or rise (high-waisted if you can pull this off?). If you haven't tried 'em yet, buy them in a dark color to start (dark wash indigo, black, dark gray) and make sure they have a bit of stretch to them (look for some % of lycra or spandex mixed with cotton on the tag).

My personal favorites are by BDG, available for about $50 at Urban Outfitters. I have the BDG Black Overdye Cigarette Jean. However, as with ANY clothes you buy but especially with jeans, TRY ON TRY ON TRY ON. 

Blousy, voluminous tops
I'm talking the pleated, ruffly, tunic-y tops that are ultra-feminine and have a bit of volume. Usually, they're made of a nice drapey jersey, chiffon, silk, what-have-you. Remember to balance out the proportion with a fitted skirt or skinny pants. For the winter, you can rock these in black, gray (for the safe) or in a jewel-tone to get out of the blahs. Look for them in pastels and neutrals for the spring.

Platform shoesThese showed up last year everywhere and...guess what? They're here to stay, AT LEAST through the summer. Closed, rounded toe and peep-toe with tights right now and open-toe and peep-toe for the spring/summer. If you haven't yet discovered the miracle of the hidden platform pump, try one on today (especially you shorties out there like me!).

The L.A.M.B. "Daly" Woven Hidden Platform Pump is a lovely example.
I'm not sure if the strictly gladiator look will continue but a modified version as a very strappy platform sandal will definitely be hot for the next several months, especially in new colors! Check out Michael Kors' Tajines Gladiator Sandal to see what I mean.


Higher Waists
There is a huge range here, from belly-button level to natural waist to just under the bust. This goes for pants, jeans and especially skirts.

Again, this is especially flattering for shorter legs but it provides some nice structure to all ladies' bodies and brings back an older fashion era. And again, TRY ON! You never know what will look good on you if you don't at least take a look at it on your own body inside that private sanctuary called the dressing room.

Black patent leatherShoes, purses, totes, everything. Still a good, classic investment that adds punch to your wardrobe.

WHAT WILL BE GOING. FAR AWAY...
Donate or recycle these. Thank goodness I have a sewing machine!

Big florals 
Not that this ever really caught on with the real gals out there, but I predict that these will not be pushed this spring like they were the past several months. Large prints are rarely flattering on many a bod and I think that the idea reminded us too much of our grandmas, even if the print WAS on a fabulous dress.

Maxi dresses
Anything that makes you look a little pregnant and a lot short is not a good thing. I learned the hard way. Sigh...