STYLEnosh

FASHION & STYLE: WhatWentWrong

Let me set the scene for this one. It's 90+ degrees outside. It's a weekday and people are walking back to the office after enjoying their lunch. Tourists are strolling along, taking in the city of Atlanta. And while driving down Peachtree in the heart of downtown, I spot this gentleman wearing this very interesting ensemble. The orange jumpsuit was more than enough for me to stop midday traffic so I can snap this photo. But when you add the white hat, tie, AND shoes and top it off with the umbrella, you have a sight that must be shared with the masses. The only thing missing is theme music.

STYLISH THOUGHTS...

I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.
Oprah Winfrey

This statement is like my personal mantra. No matter how many goals you achieve in life, you should try to remain humble and grateful. And wear better footwear of course. Are you making strides towards realizing the life you always wanted? Are things happening to you that you never thought were possible? Have you upgraded your shoes???

It may sound silly but reaching personal greatness starts at the core. The base of your heart, soul, and soles, if you will. Your life is progressing in abundant directions. Does your appearance reflect the wonderful, new journey you are experiencing or do you reflect the mediocrity of the past? My shoes, like my life, are interesting and outrageous and I wouldn't have it any other way.

FASHION VIEWS: SJP's BITTEN LINE

Since I'm traveling through old stomping grounds this week, I finally got the chance to check out Sarah Jessica Parker's new line, Bitten. People have been asking me what I thought about the line; but I really couldn't provide an indepth answer since there are no Steve & Barry stores in the Atlanta metro area. Now, I can tell you exactly what I think.

The two key points about SJP's line are that it's basic clothing at extremely affordable prices. Nothing in the line is over $19.98. Yeah, that's crazy right? So everything from tank tops to winter coats will be under $20. With that in mind, I didn't expect anything to stand out and make me just "have to" purchase it. I have to admit, I was surprised.

There were a lot of things I expected to see like t-shirts, tanks, shorts and summer dresses. All solid, basic pieces that will work well for summer. But there were a few items that surprised me like the denim jacket shown here for $19.98 and the high-waisted jeans I bought for $14.98. The jeans really caught me off guard because they fit so well. (Please keep in mind that I haven't had a pair of high-waisted jeans since the 90s so I really didn't have high hopes for this new version.) But after trying them AND going down a size, I was hooked! In addition to the fit, the wash was pretty cool too. I'll be sure to snap a pic in them soon so you can see how good they look for $15 jeans.

Overall, I would recommend that you check out the Sarah Jessica Parker Bitten line at Steve & Barry's if you're looking for inexpensive clothing with a plain, classic design. And remember, a great way to wear low-cost apparel is to mix it with more expensive items. That way, most people will have a hard time detecting that your pants were the same price as two, large lattes from your favorite coffee purveyor.

Addendum: I forgot to mention that that the Bitten line runs from size 0 to 22. This fact is actually one of the things that sets this line of clothing apart from other collections since most lines don't include plus-sized women.

FASHION & STYLE: WhatWentWrong

A few years ago, I was notorious for my low-rise jeans going "too" low. At one point, my friends became concerned if they DIDN'T see my crack. I was so wrong. I took advantaged of my friends by exposing them to my behind on a regular basis. At least I knew them.

But this WWW is the epitome of the category. This woman doesn't know us, the people working and socializing at the neighborhood coffee shop. And yet she's sitting there recklessly subjecting us to her bottom. Why people, why!

Remedy: The fix here is quite simple. Buy jeans that fit your waist. I'm talking about regular jeans and not the butt skimming kind. Check out these basic denim styles at Kohl's. They're super cheap and I bet they cover the whole enchilada!!!

FASHION TIPS: PACKING FOR A LONG VACATION

It's time for me to hit the road again and this time, I'll be gone for two weeks. This picture shows how much clothing I'm taking. And it all fits in one, large suitcase!
I would list the contents of this packing job but trust me, there's just too much to summarize. I admit I'm taking more than normal because I don't have airline luggage restrictions holding me back. But I'm not completely cheating on my smart travel rules since it all fits in one suitcase. (Oh, the lies we tell ourselves.) I basically selected a bunch of jeans and tanks and tees to coordinate. Oh, and I added some dresses just in case one of my friends suggests we do something other than eat white cheddar cheese puffs on the sofa while we catch up on Tivo.

If you need a more sophisticated method for packing, take this suggestion from the June 2007 issue of Glamour (p.108). Take the number of days you're traveling and divide that number by 2. Then pack that number of bottoms for your trip. For example, if your trip is 8 days long, pack 4 pants, jeans, or skirts. To determine how many tops to bring, multiple the number of travel days by 1.5 (which would mean taking 12 tops in our example.) Brilliant! Then add a sweater or blazer to aid chilly arms at air-conditioned venues and comfortable shoes that cover multiple activities.

I know this pic looks like a closet regurgitated its contents but I think it makes the point. You don't have to pack everything you own in order to achieve great style. Packing keys pieces that work well together will get you through your entire trip. And you'll look good too.

FASHION TIPS: HOT DATE, COOL DATE OUTFIT

It's the kind of problem you like to have. A dashing man asks you if you'd like to check out some live music and you naturally say, "Yes of course." But what should you wear???

Selecting a date outfit can be a little tricky because you don't want to look like you're going to your second prom but you do want to look like you put some effort into your look. I take the simple, sexy approach when creating a date outfit by going with jeans, strappy heels, and a tank or two. Here, I add the red evening bag for creativity and a hint of, "I do my own thing." I'm sure my date will approve.

FASHION & STYLE: WhatWentWrong

I've spent a great deal of time trying to figure out if these pants are capris or just jeans cuffed to look like capris. In either case, they are not very complimentary to this young woman. This pic is a great example of short jeans making a person look shorter and bigger. The dark rinse really is only good feature of these jeans.

Remedy: She can instantly create a more flattering look by selecting a dark pair of jeans in a boot-cut style like these from Ann Taylor Loft (with smaller back pokets to minimize the butt). I also recommend wearing a shirt that doesn't cling and emphasize back rolls like this cami from Old Navy.

STYLEnosh MILESTONE!!!

Hey faithful readers! Today is special because this is my 100th post! I started this journey because I love to write about fashion and motivate personal style. And I've enjoyed the process more than I could have imagined.

For my 100th post, I thought I'd recommend some quick tips for developing your own personal style.

Know what looks good on your body - If you have a small waist, accenuate it with a belt. Blessed with nice legs? Wear skirts that show them proudly. The point is: work with what you got!

Know the power of accessories - Good shoes and handbags, the quintesential part of any great outfit. If you have very little money to spend on your wardrobe, invest it wisely on a great pair of shoes and a handbag.

Know what you need - Buying whatever's on the sale rack is not an effective shopping plan. Check out your closet, see what's missing, and buy accordingly.

Thanks for your support! Keep nibbling on fashion.

FASHION VIEWS: TOO MUCH LEG FOR YOUR AGE

This picture got me thinking seriously about what age is too old to wear short shorts or a short mini skirt. The general rule is no short bottoms after 35. But what about those of us who are in between young and slightly more mature. Can we wear short shorts? (If you get this reference from the 80s, you might be closer to slightly more mature too.)

Upon first glance I think, "Those legs look nice." Then I think, "Do you really want that much skin showing?" Personally, I had sworn off shorts a few years ago when I thought my legs looked a little less sexy and a lot more fatty. But lately good eating habits and running 4+ miles a few times a week has me feeling like maybe I can do short shorts again. Then again, notice there's no picture of the backside.

Shorts by Patrick Robinson for Target

FASHION & STYLE: WhatWentWrong

I love color. Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer color over black any day. But what is this guy thinking??? Lavendar pants? Gray shoes? Neither should be worn alone but together they are completely erroneous! A simple, plain-colored pant and shoe will suffice. Think Khaki and brown or gray and black. Both of these pant/shoe color combinations will provide a great foundation for any stylish man's wardrobe. If you still find yourself gravitating towards pants in non-neutral hues, put the item down, slowly back away, and seek immediate assistance.

SHOPPING TIPS: STYLISH FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

You caught me. I almost forgot that Father’s Day was only a few days away. And if you still haven’t found a gift suitable for the beloved dad in your life, here are some ideas that say cool and fun. (Note: Ties are not included in this list.)

Sunglasses – If your guy has been wearing the same shades he bought from the street vendor during your last vacation, upgrade his summer look with a new pair of designer ones. Aviators are sleek and classic and Sunglass Hut has a great selection to choose from.

Clothes – Buying clothes for someone else can be a little tricky. The key is to tie in what the person needs with what they like. If your dad lives on the golf course, he’ll probably appreciate a new shirt and hat for his time on the green. Or if your man is vying for the “best dressed” title in the office, consider getting him a new button-down shirt with coordinating cuff links. Check out Macy’s for a broad spectrum of shirts at all price points.

Spa day - Okay, a day at the spa may not sound appealing to a lot of guys but I know that a 60-minute massage would be greatly appreciated. Turn up the sexy factor and schedule a couples massage. (It's the gift that keeps on giving.) And if you want to get fancy, throw in a facial or a pedicure. See SpaFinder for the perfect spa venue in your city.

FASHION & STYLE - WhatWentWrong

Here is a perfect example of capris gone wrong. I know most people run into Target and grab what they need and get on with their lives. And I'm fine with that. But do you have to look like you're getting ready to roll right back into bed? Why not try a basic t-shirt and jeans. Then I might be able to get past the shoes.