Category Archives: Her Closet

Faux Real Jewelry: Looks for Less


I have always, always, always loved a lucky charm, a four leaf clover, except in my case this luck comes in mother of pearl or bright enamel and strung between gold.  Yes, Van Cleef & Arpels, the Alambra is my lucky charm of choice.

In case you weren’t sure, luck doesn’t come cheap – and either does Van Cleef.

There is something about a piece of jewelry worn by Ladies Who Lunch, carpool, and rock the Grammy Awards.  Fans, like me, are as diverse as Reese Witherspoon and Mariah Carey.

Reese Witherspoon

Mariah Carey

In the “save” category is from the very un-French, Target (*Tar-jay if you’re fancy).  This clover necklace is actually fairly close to the aesthetic of the original.  It appears, at least online, to be very delicate, and gotta love that shine.

Clover Lover: Target

In the “splurge” category we have the Jardin Black Agate Clover Necklace from every fashionista’s discount site, BlueFly.  The VC&A original also comes in enamel colors, as shown on Reese, and so this comes pretty close and for a fairly good price.

Clover Lover: BlueFly

In the “savings account” category we have the Van Cleef & Arpels original, the Alhambra.  The sparkle, the shine, the ooh la la straight from France to your neck – or mine.

Clover Lover: Van Cleef & Arpels

Do these sparkly goods make your eyes shine, too?  And is it something you would be willing to splurge on?

(Next) Weekend Wardrobe: Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving is less than a week away!  It is actually my most favorite holiday of the entire year and for good reason.  If you’re lucky, like me, the food and company are both great.  I love the fall season because it is a perfect opportunity to entertain, cook great food, and look fabulous at the same time.

This week’s Weekend Wardrobe post gives you ample time to plan ahead for Thanksgiving, much like you would/should for your menu!

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving you have a serious job on your hands, and the day is definitely requiring of two looks: one for when your company is in tow and you are the “hostess with the mostest” and the other for when your home quiets down and all you hear is the quiet hum of a dishwasher.

Weekend Wardrobe: Thanksgiving Day and Night

Shop Day: Apron, Dress, Dish, Bracelet, Boots
Shop Night: Shawl, Leggings, Mask, Rolaids, Cup, Slippers

What is great about this set, if I do say so myself?  For Thanksgiving Day a printed wrap dress is a mask for all sins, including when gravy slips off your fork and onto your bust, and for that extra serving of pie.  Also, if you’re wearing a heel a thick and sturdy one like on these boots keeps you from teetering over.

For Thanksgiving Night, when the only thing left to do is watch the Dolphins and Cowboys game and sit with a cup of tea, the look is all about comfort.  However, comfortable can still be cute, especially with friends and family in town who are likely to stop by to say hello.

Wishing you a very stylish Thanksgiving!

Weekend Wardrobe: Lady Luck


Today is 11/11/11 and for many it’s feeling very lucky.  Sounds like a good time to bet on success, and take a gamble over some dice, or cards or life.  I am not going to Atlantic City or Las Vegas, and actually I have never been, but if I was how great would it be to have all of this extra luck on my side?

For my fantasy trip and jackpot winnings, this is what I am wearing.

Weekend Wardrobe: Lady Luck

Shop: Nails, Cards, Dress, Hearts, Purse, Pumps

What could be more lucky that a rabbit’s foot (maybe faux for real) at your side, mirrors at your feet, and diamonds on your ears?

Have a very lucky weekend!

Faux Real Leather: Looks for Less


Certain items are fashion perennials, in the sense that every year they reappear and never quite go out of style.  In honor of the upcoming holiday season, and the large amount of shopping you’ll likely do, I’ll be identifying some faux/real looks at a variety of price points to keep you in style and hopefully in the black.

There is something about leather pants that I am so into this season, and at the right price and fit, I would definitely go for this trend.  No longer relegated to rock and roll groupies and motorcycle babes, this trend is here to stay.  Even the GAP is deeming leather the new denim

Mandy Moore - Professional Leather

Gwyneth Paltrom - Prim Leather

The first “save” option is from Blank Denim NYC (at Piperlime).  While not really leather, and not even faux leather or pleather, Blank makes a great fitting, low price five pocket jean and is on trend with the sheen and slick look.

Blank Denim - Black Wax Denim

In the “splurge” category is the 901 Coated Legging from J Brand.  I have worn and loved many pairs of J Brand jeans, and I will testify they do make a fabulous fitting jean, and if you’re going for the leather look, it is very exciting to not have to compromise on comfort for style.

J Brand 901 Coated

In the “savings account” category we have the Lambskin Leather Skinny from J Brand.  This is the 8001 series fit, a mid-rise skinny, and for extra biker edge with an ankle zipper.  All leather, J Brand is deeming these luxury redefined.

J Brand - Lambskin

Would you wear leather this season?  And is it something you would be willing to splurge on?

Sweater Season


This weekend put to an end any hope for a warm or mild fall and winter.  It was snowing in DC and all up the East coast.  It is officially time to pull out sweaters, scarfs, mittens and boots – and that’s okay.  In addition to being the “most wonderful time of the year” – it is also the most fashionable time!

In my fall wardrobe a little sweater goes a long way.  Because I am almost always cold, I like the layer a basic tank under a slim sweater.  The sweater and skinny jean combination has become my fall uniform because it allows me to go to warmer or cooler in a snap.  Trade out flats for boots and add a jacket and then I’m ready for winter.

Sweater Season: Fall 2011

This little sweater triumvirate is great because it sort of eliminates the notion that a sweater is either a. sweats, or b. grandma or art teacher attire.  These are chic, fun, and as young as they are sophisticated.  I would wear all of these sweaters at any time, you know with the rest of the uniform (skinny jeans + tank + flats or boots).

Be retro collegiate in slim sweaters with stripes of various sizes.  The retro vibe comes from the neutral and rust color palette and the modesty of the crew neckline.   The fit here is slim and youthful, and would be great paired with a school girl jacket.   Tip: Pick a sweater with the most skin tone flattering colors a the top (near your face) and with darker colors at your midsection)
Shop: Bold, Skinny, Many
M
 
Be runway inspired, and take a cue from Jason Wu’s use of lace and ladylike embellishment for Fall 2011.  These slim sweaters go undercover and add an element of feminine mystique with embellishments like subtle bows, and dainty lace.  Pair these with tailored pants and skirts for a fall/winter dinner engagement, or play with opposites and go sporty and tough with your lace.  Tip: You can also easily DIY this look with the simple stitching of lace on the sleeves of a favorite sweater.
Shop: Bow, Trim, Shoulders
 
 
Be ready for anything but the gym in sweaters inspired by sweats.  I am enrolling in Fashion Ed. as opposed to Phys. Ed. and embracing the easy fit of a sweatshirt with the added embellishments and details that make it fashion.  Still here: ribbed cuffs, hems, and vent stitching at the collar.  Gone are the oversize silhouettes, and anything resembling a Hanes Beefy anything.  In its place is delicate stitching, sequins, and playful patterns.  Find the right slim fit, too big and bulky you might as well wear sweats.  Tip: Look embellishment that is delicate, the emphasis here is playing with opposites.
Shop: Cropped, Hearts, Spots

M

What is your sweater style this fall?

Saturday Wardrobe: Halloween Weekend


This weekend is Halloween, and whether you’ve been planning your costume since November 1, or if you were more like me and scrambling at the 11th hour – I hope you have a fabulous and look good too.

I am suggesting this fabulous Cat Woman costume that is more sophisticated than spooky.

Saturday Wardrobe: Halloween Weekend

Shop: Candy, Boots, Sweater, Pants, Mask, Lashes, Lip

This outfit, plus or minus a few critical accessories is perfect for fall, and could easily be a go-to all season long.

Happy Halloween, may your parties be fun and your candy bag be delicious!

Bridal Trends: Fall 2012


I have been married for nearly two years and for the past week I have reviewed more than 800 wedding dresses!  800!  (It is borderline insane.)  Anyway, the research came after Bridal Market, akin to New York Fashion Week for weddings.

I have identified many trends, and as a reminder, my rule for identifying a trend is that it has to appear at least three times, three times a charm (and a trend)!

Let’s walk down the fashion aisle together!

Color and Prints: The runway for Fall 2012 showed a lot of beautiful gowns that went far beyond the traditional bridal white.  I loved the unique patterned treatment in the Seeing Spots collection for a modern and sophisticated bride.  The dresses in Golden Moment stand apart for the bride who wants to make a statement.  The dresses in Black Magic  are for the bride who is fashion forward while abandoning tradition.

 

Shape and Design:  There were a lot of very specific construction trends I identified.  Starting at the top, several designers showed visible corset and boning construction, see The Core Set, in a way that was at once sexy and sophisticated.  The Mini to the Max collection is a favorite new trend, and is definitely for the bride that wants to stand out, it would make for a fabulous party dress.  The Tiering Down set  showed the very common trend of full skirts assembled from layers of cascading handkerchief hemmed chiffon and silk.  Thigh Do is a strongly contrasting look, cut close to the body – but not tight – the emphasis of this trend is all in the slit.  The Princess Bride set is significantly reminiscent of a famous bride from this year, it is full of volume, but still conservative and demure in the styling.

 

Details: Lots of trends were found in the little details.  A favorite new trend is in the Shoulder Moment, the design showcases the bride’s collar (always flattering) with a demure half sleeve in delicate lace.  Another very popular trend was the use of sheer fabric and netting to create illusion necklines and panels, as seen in the It’s an Illusion set.  Pockets are back, I don’t personally love this trend, because no bride is actually holding her keys in her dress, but I can appreciate a trend in Corner Pocket(3x is the rule).  Lastly, texture is key in the Light as a Feather trend; in seasons past runways were filled with oversized creped roses, I like the softer feather trend in this trend.

 

Do you want to say “I Do” to any of these trends?  Tell me in the comments!

Halloween DIY: Use Your Closet


Halloween is just two weeks away and if you, like me, want to look fabulous, without breaking the bank I suggest digging through your closet to build out a perfect (and cute) Halloween costume.

Let’s travel through cinematic time for our inspiration:

The 70’s

Shop: Jacket, Top, Pants, Wig, Hoops, Gloss, Slides

The 80’s

Shop: Sweatshirt, Leotard, Spray, Legwarmers, Pumps

The 90’s

Shop: Shirt, Pants, Wig, Lip, Nail

The 00’s

Shop: Tank, Tutu, Spray, Pins, Newspaper, Shoes

All of these looks are worthy of an evening of trick-or-treating, or a night on the couch with Netflix and popcorn.

What will you be for Halloween?

Saturday Wardrobe: Charity Event Weekend


This weekend we are going to the Butterfly Bash, a celebration and fundraiser of Fair Chance, an organization that supports entrepreneurial non-profits that benefit DC Youth. We have gone for the last two years – it’s a great reason to dress up, mix and mingle, and support a worthwhile cause.

The Butterfly Bash is one of many “events” in DC; in fact October is affectionately known as tuxedo month because of the sheer volume of events.  Luckily, tonight is more festive than formal so I’ll be dressing to match the cocktail attire description.

This is what I am wearing.

Saturday Wardrobe: Charity Event

Shop:Wine, Pumps, Halter, Skirt, Bracelet, Clutch, Gloss

For a cocktail party in DC – this outfit works.  It’s easy to wear, it’s conservative enough for DC and young enough for me.

For more information about the Butterfly Bash or Fair Chance.

Sequin Season


In the last show of Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week, Elie Saab sent models down the runway in every color under the rainbow.  In the evening wear dresses and gowns they wore vibrant jewel tones.

Elie Saab, Spring 2012

The fall 2011 runways showed plenty of sequined evening looks, but if there is ever a time to play with the glittery stuff in color, it’s now, as seen on Martha Plimpton, Amy Poehler and Evan Rachel Wood at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Here are the top picks to glitter into Fall.

Sequins for Fall 2011

Shop: Blue, Green, Bordeaux, Violet, Gold, Blue, Red

 

Are you ready to shine at this season’s parties and events?