Weekend Chic

Look on any soccer field, super market or shopping mall on a Saturday or Sunday and chances are you'll see women dressed down.  WAAAAAAY down.  I get the struggle to dress for work.  There are a lot of mixed messages, dress code confusion and too many inappropriate options.  It's a mess.  What I don't understand is the confusion around weekend clothes.  The weekend is not an excuse to look like a slob and I doubt most women want to look like that.  It's just an afterthought we don't get to focus on.  We put our effort into our Monday - Friday, 9 - 5 and "wing" it on the weekend.

It is so easy to look chic on your days "off" (and I use that word loosely, if your weekends are anything like mine, "off" is not what you feel like). With all the buzz in colored jeans, let's do a quick look at the red jean for the weekend.  

weekend 1 by megankristel featuring skinny fit jeans

The lesson of this set is to wear what you already have and if you throw on some better pieces, even better.  An easy outfit for a day of running around, in and out of stores, maybe meeting up with friends and family at some point.  Colored jeans are all the rage.  I really like them in a bright color.  Red is bright and still a neutral if you are conservative but want to try something you'll feel safe in these.  A chambray shirty is a casual wardrobe must have.  It works well with a very dark blue denim, colored jean, white jean or with black pants. Avoid tan and khaki so you don't look like a Gap add.  The one in this set is from Old Navy - a great price for what you'll get out of it.  

I added fancy pearls and basic studs to this.  I like wearing my good jewelry everyday, when else am I going to wear it?  It add interest and makes a fun contrast between the casualness of the denim and the loveliness of the pearl.  So just wear what you have.  

Finally, I'm lusting pretty bad for these Tom Ford sunglasses.  Ugh, they are gorgeous.  So, they might be on my very short splurge list this season.  I rounded the look out with my favorite animal print flats from Madewell.  Finally, a good sized neutral bag to carry all your essentials in and you are done and out the door in minutes.  

Get Your Intimates in Order

When I leave this earth I hope I have taught my friends and clients two things: 

1.  Fit is everything.

2.  The right underwear will change your life.

Understanding these two concepts will insure you are always well dressed.  It doesn't matter if your clothes come from Target or Neimans; you need a great fit, and getting that requires proper underwear.  

Let's talk bras as they are the biggest mistake I see women make.  Some women are still wearing their bra size from highschool.  This makes no sense: think about every other clothing size we wear.  Are you still wearing the same jean size that you did when you were 13 or 14?  The same pant size?  The same dress, or even shoe size?  I'm guessing not.  And yet, women stick to that bra size number as if it defines their identity.

Here's a bit of news that will change your life: the average woman will wear six different bra sizes in her life, after puberty is done.  That's right, six.  Those changes in size come from weight fluctuation, hormones, pregnancy, side effects from medication, or just general growth and change that happens to our bodies over the course of our lives.  So if you've been buying the same bra size for the last ten years, chances are it's no linger the right one.

Here's another fact to think about: cup size is not consistent.  The C in a 32C does not mean the same thing that it does for a 38C.  Bra sizing is based on two measurements: the measurement under your bust (which gives you the band size, or number part) and the difference between that and the measurement of your bust at its widest point (the cup size, or letter part).  A difference of one inch equals an A cup, two inch equals a B cup, three inches equals a C cup, and so on.

Want one more fact to blow your mind?  A DD is not a gigantic cup size.  Bras go up to J and K cup sizes; think about how early in the alphabet D and E are compared to K.  There is a huge range of bra sizes out there; every one can be found if you look in the right place, and every woman out there deserves the confidence that comes with having a well-fitted bra.

So what do you do?  Take a trip to get fitted.  Lingerie boutiques are great for this; of the department stores, I think Nordstrom gives their intimates employees the best training in bra fitting.  Find out what your actual, right-now-at-this-moment-in-your-life size is.  And then buy your bras in the right size.  Every woman needs a black bra and nude bra with straps, and a black and nude strapless bra.  Everything else is fun and extra, but those are your starting points.


And if your bra size is difficult to find in stores -- band size smaller than a 34, cup size bigger than a DDD -- don't give up.  Specialty lingerie stores will have your sizes, or you can try online.  My favorite online lingerie retailer is Bare Necessities.  They'll have everything you need.

Now, don't your clothes fit so much better?

Image sources 1/2/3/4

Art Deco Fabulous

One of my favorite trends for spring is the sudden outpouring of all things art deco.  It seems so modern and fresh, and it provides a welcomed change from the redundant and often boring florals of spring.  It's also an incredibly easy trend to wear.  You can mix it into your existing style using accessories or go for the whole look with a dress or blouse with interesting embellishments.  The art deco style is the rare trend that will blend seamlessly into your wardrobe, and it doesn't require one particular "look" to make it work. 

Sabine Beaded Art Deco Cami

Sabine Beaded Art Deco Cami  I love this for going out to a fun dinner with friends.

Alice + Olivia Gia Bow Blouse

Alice + Olivia Gia Bow Blouse  Easy with black pants or skirt.  Add a bright pink blazer for an unexpected burst of color. 

Rachel Zoe Iman Beaded Halter Gown

Rachel Zoe Iman Beaded Halter Gown  This gorgeous gown by Rachel Zoe is at a can't beat price of under $400 at Neimans Last Call. 

Pieces Felia Deco Necklace

Pieces Felia Deco Necklace  Probably the easiest and most cost effective way to add this trend into your existing wardrobe.  Wear with anything! (It's under $15!)

Alexis Bittar Bow Statement Pin

Alexis Bittar Bow Statement Pin  I've never met an Alexis Bittar piece I didn't love, and this deco-inspired pin is no exception. 

CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane Pave Dome Clip Earrings

CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane Pave Dome Clip Earring Love the simplicity of these.  They'll always be in style. 

Carolee Earrings, Silver Tone Square Button Stud Earrings

Carolee Earrings, Silver Tone Square Button Stud Earrings Simple and affordable.  I would wear them everyday. 

Kimchi Blue Beaded Deco Belt

Kimchi Blue Beaded Deco Belt  An easy update to a classic wardrobe.  Wrap around a black or grey skirt and a simple silk blouse for an easy look for the office. 

Moyna Beaded Framed Clutch

Moyna Beaded Framed Clutch  A tiny piece of art. 

GUESS Women's Opast Sandal

GUESS Women's Opast Sandal  A quick update to your little black dress.

Simonas Black

Simonas Black by Vince CamutoThese are so not me but I still love them.  A part of me wishes I were this bad ass, but anyone with a slightly edgy style could wear these and look amazing.  

Art Deco Complete: The Definative Guide to the Decorative Arts of the 1920s and 1930s

A gorgeous collector's book showcasing the geniuses of the Deco period.  

Colored Shoes

I've had a lot of requests for a post about colored shoes: when to wear them, how to style them, and which ones you need to have in your wardrobe. Shoes are the easiest way to update your wardrobe, keep your outfits looking modern, and even participate in some trends. Our clients often get hung up on the idea that if something doesn't match exactly, you can't wear it. Repeat after me: it does not have to match, it just has to go. Below are the basic "rules"-- and by rules I mean guidelines -- to follow (because there will inevitably be something that goes against the rules and still looks incredible).

To get you started, remember:
1. Animal print shoes are a neutral and go with just about anything
2. Metallics, such as bronze and silvers are also neutrals. You can make these causal by using the color in a flat.
3. You can bring color into an outfit by using it exclusively in your accessories. (See the look below.)
4. Pair colors that are complimentary on the color wheel, for example, a yellow skirt with a green heel. As long as the colors are the same saturation, you'll look fashionable, not crazy.
5. When in doubt, wear red.

Purple 

Pink and Purple by megankristel featuring silver clutches

You'll see purple shoes everywhere this season.  Here, I paired it with a deep pink blazer.  The colors are the same tone and saturation, so they work well off each other.  Keeping the rest of the outfit neutral brings the bright colors together in a cohesive way. I used silver accessories since both of the colors have cool undertones.

Yellow 

Green and Yellow by megankristel featuring facets jewelry

Another popular spring color: yellow.  Here, I make yellow the focus of the look by using it just in accessories.  A simple patent flat and enamel bracelet are all you need.  The bag and sunglasses are in a gorgeous light British tan, which I think works best with light grey.  The green long sleeve sweater is a nice contrast to the yellow and in the same preppy, bright tone.  (I love the way the sweater pictured looks, but don't worry, I'm not telling you to spend $625 on a sweater.  You can easily find something similar at J. Crew.)  Finally, I added a light weight polka dot scarf.  Polka dots are a big trend for spring, but I don't love them head to toe.  This adds more texture to the outfit and softens it.  I would tie it around my neck and wear it long. 

Nude

Orange and Navy by megankristel featuring strappy high heels

While I don't consider a nude shoe an actual color, it is different then a traditional black and brown and I've had some questions about it so I figured I would add it in.  I love this oufit.  It's something I would wear to a meeting in a heartbeat.  The combination of navy and orange is modern, fresh, and just preppy enough to intreset  me.  The print shell underneath pulls the two colors together.  A bracelet in a color similar to the cardigan makes orange the dominate color of the outfit without feeling overwhelming.  I love the long necklace on top of the print shell.  To round it out, a gorgeous neutral bag great for day-to-day life and neutral ankle strap heels.  

Green 

Green and Yellow by megankristel featuring no sleeve shirts

I did the same combination I did with the yellow shoes and just reversed it.  By pulling the green into the outfit with the shoe and the ring the green becomes the theme of the outfit, and the yellow balances it out.  I am nuts about the handbag: the clean lines, the handle strap... oh my.  I rounded it out with an animal print belt -- it's a neutral, just try it, you'll look like you know what you are doing.