Do You One Better… Voluminous Trench Coats

 

Okay ya’ll,

It’s been a minute & yes I’ve been slack I admit. Things have been kinda busy but it’s no excuse I admit.

BUT … The good news is I have something new for ya’ll!

It is about time for another addition of do you one better. My favorite? The trench which is mostly a spring/fall item but can be layered with sweaters & tights on some winter days will be showcased this go ’round. For part I we’ll do the volumious aka fab versions. Check back tomorrow for part II the the cream of the “cropped”. Both are sure to keep you stylishy. Ready? Here we go… MORE AFTER THE JUMP

HOLIDAY STYLE…LACE

Now is the time of year you can spice up your wardrobe no fuss. Got fur you are dying to wear? Chandelier earrings you wouldn’t normally put on? A low back dress that would be inappropriate for just dinner and a movie? 

Just recently I became a fan of lace and have done some research to see which pieces were good picks for holiday dressing.  Lace is a way to add sophistication and a little sizzle to most any special occation. I’ve viewed a tonof lace clothing and posted my fav of the bunch.

Some key things to remember about dressing in lace. 

• Keep accessories simple.
• Don’t go head to toe lace. (Got one lace piece? It’s enough)
• Know lace doesn’t have to be fussy. (Check out some of the pieces below. Ballet flats, tops and pieces with only lace accents.)
• Lace doesn’t have to be black. 
• Have fun!!! 

You know the drill… We’ll showcase both higher and lower price points.

Clearance + Style = Bargain Stylist

There is nothing like a together woman. Poised, confident, fly… What more could u ask for? Perhaps a rare combination, I am as finance conscious as I am fashion conscious. (Take that Prada!) I love making sure that I, and the women around me, are looking our very best. I marvel @ the opportunity to help my clients look their best and stay within a reasonable budget. For instance taking $300 and coming out with 3-5 outfits or at least 3-5 pieces to greatly enhance their wardrobe. It is really doable!

One of the ways to do it right is to hit the clearance racks up! Depending on your style, price point and what your wardrobe needs this can mean different things. For me it means a really great pair of shoes, coat and accessories. ( U can change a whole look by changing your outerwear, shoes and accessories)

Many stores keep a clearance rack most times of the year and depending on how the excess will have items within that season on sale.  If I were shopping I’d start there. This way you can get the best value first and save the “big” spending for items that you can’t find on sale or for pieces that are worth the extra money.

Over the coming weeks I will be giving some insider shopping advice. Here are some tips for shopping clearance:

WHAT’CHA KNOW ABOUT… MONIF C? PLUS SIZE DESIGNER

www.monifc.com

So I must showcase this fabulous woman who is also (like Elena Miro) doing something for the plus-sized market in the fashion industry.  I have been following her line since it’s Debut in Fall 2005. I especially loved the Brown Sugar collection. In an industry where (again) big is NOT viewed as beautiful, it is good to see a woman who not only flaunts it but helps other women flaunt it too.

I respect her both as a designer and fellow black woman of power! I’m sure she had to overcome many obstacles and challenges to get where she is. Yet she’s doing it! Getting recognition from the likes of What Not To Wear, Essence, MiMi, Glamour, Latina, Jolie and WWD, she is well on her way to becoming a household name. 

She and other women in the industry like Tyra Banks, Emme and companies like Lane Byrant and Dove are bringing it and I’m glad to see it! They are paving the way for a niche within the fashion industry that will help those of us who are next keep up the heat! If Beyonce can model a line based on her body type why can’t we? Hmmmm… MY FAVORITE PIECES AFTER THE JUMP

WHAT’CHA KNOW ABOUT… Rachel Roy

www.rachelroy.com

The wife of music Mogul Damon Dash. Mother. Fashion designer. Did I say fashion designer? I love Rachel’s line. It’s sophisticated, clean and retro. It has sex appeal without being revealing or trashy.  It’s a nice mix of bohemian glam meets ’60’s care free. Her clothes are fuss free, easy to match and can add some serious style to what you already have in your closet. Her Fall/Holiday 2006 collection is very romantic. Gotta love it.

Take a look! You can also find her clothing @ www.shopbop.com . bE oN tHE lOOKOUT fOR mORE rACHEL rOY iN fASHION rEWIEWS aND dO yOU oNE bETTER… A FEW OF RACHEL’S PIECES AFTER THE JUMP…

UPDATE… DEREON HOODIE (FROM IRREPLACIBLE)

NEW UPDATE (DEC. 8TH 2006)

So, this is my final update about the hoodie. Bee-yonka ain’t paying me no royalties to keep up with this info… Status? SOLD OUT!!! Sorry ladies!!! The good news? You can now purchase these on Ebay for the overprice of $355 (more than TWICE the original $79 price.) Don’t worry, don’t worry… I’m sure that mama Knowles is scrambling to produce more, OR gonna hail this as a “Dereon Exclusive”.

UPDATE…DOLMAN SLEEVE SWEATER

oKAY y‘ALL,

i‘VE oRDERED tHE dOLMAN sLEEVE sWEATER fROM wALMART (A.K.A WALLY WORLD) aND i mUST sAY i aDORE iT!  

  

WHITE SAG DOLMAN SLEEVE SWEATER

*Available in 3 colors*

iT iS vERY wELL mADE aND iT hAS tHE lOOK & fEEL oF cASHMERE. aCTUALLY iT’S sOFTER tHAN sOME oF thE cASHMERE i’VE fELT tHIS sEASON.

*** nOW oN sALE @ http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5291607 fOR $6.00 tHERE iS nO eXCUSE nOT tO lOOK aND fEEL fABULOUS.

Mary J Blige Looking Fierce

Here is my girl Mary in some promo pic’s for her upcoming “greatest hits” album.

We gon’ take some style pointers here. 

WHY: Her makeup is flawless and she’s found the style that really works for her. See how well the hair color and fur bring out her eyes and brighten her complexion. She has truly found what makes her look good.

Get moving girlie’s. We TOO can look this stunning. Just takes practice and patience. We all need a signature look.  SEE PIC’S AFTER THE JUMP. (I upped these from concretloop.)

Quick Fashion Rules (Shopping on a budget)

 

Alright Fashionista’s,

What do you do when you like to shop, be put together and don’t wanna break the bank.

A) Forget about shopping… until you pay off all debt and your student loan.

B) Go Shopping once yearly (just spend a great amount @ one time )

C) Shop On A Budget

If you answered C you are correct. Oops,  did I say budget? I mean while saving your money for that fab trip to Tahiti…

N-E WAY…. The point is you’re not tryna go broke right? What’s a girl, or guy, to do? 

DO YOU ONE BETTER…. Dolman Sleeve Sweaters

Where my chica’s at? Holla!

In this addition of Do You One Better I’m gonna showcase some hot, body friendly, dolman sleeve sweaters. There will be different price points listed so we can all can afford one. I’ll show you a designer version and then show you the “budget” version.

Ready? Here we go….

GET HER STYLE… Kelly Rowland

WHY: Fabulous hair, easy chic style, classy with sex appeal.

HOW: Pair well fitting jeans with a sassy top and a couple of pieces that “pop” (keep it minimal)

WHO: Kelly’s look is best on someone lean and tall. (See her neck? It looks regal) However a shorter and thicker girl can also pull this off. Just get jeans for your body type. 

What’cha Know About… ASOS

Being the international fashionista that I am, I’d like to introduce (to those who don’t know) one of my favorite places for star style ASOS. It is a British company and is inexpensive.

 There is tons of great fashion finds for less. THE BAG BELOW IS UNDER $15 (American currency):