Style 101: Khloe Kardsahian-Odom {Proper Fit Matters}

Proper fit is very important...

Last week, Khloe Kardashian-Odom was spotted going into DASH in Calabasas in a very unflattering ensemble.

The outfit is actually cute but Khloe did not use her garments in the best way to flatter her shape. For starters the pants are entirely too tight. Camel toe is never the goal...

Khloe is a tall, very curvy girl with a short torso. The tucked in denim shirt just over emphasizes her short waist, wide hips, and large bum. When you have a short torso, wear longer tops to give the illusion of a slightly lower waist line. Sidebar: why is her bra showing?

If only she had worn the denim shirt untucked and found some red skinny jeans a size and a half larger... Her outfit would look great. The shoes and the belt are the only things she got right. Paparazzi was on hand to catch Khloe's fashion crime and the gossip blogs ripped her to shreds. Let this be a lesson kids, always do a full length mirror check before you leave home and buy clothes to fit the body you have not the one you think you have.

Prabal Gurung for J. Crew

Prabal Gurung is one of the 2010 runner ups of the J. Crew and Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund. His capsule collection debuts at select J. Crew stores and online next month.

I knew his collection would be interesting and out of my budget but I can still dream...


Exploding Bow Blouse - $225 {I love anything with bows!!!!}

 

Denim Pant - $295 and Bow-Dacious Denim Jacket - $400



Exploding Bow Dress - $395 {This kind of reminds me of the Patricia Field dress Carrie wore in the opening scene of SATC the movie.}



Fit To Be Tied Pant - $198 {A very easy look to recreate if you have the time and skill.}



Rampant Rose Top - $450




Images courtesy of J. Crew

Style 101: Every Trend Is Not Meant For Everyone

Turbans were a pretty hot accessory in 2010 and earlier this year. If celebrity stylist, June Ambrose has her way, the turban reign will continue and become a staple accessory.

I will not be joining the turban revolution. I tried on a turban during one of my shopping trips last fall. Instead of looking chic and fabulous, I looked old. Going to play bingo at church old. Not cute. I couldn't snatch that turban off my head fast enough and I looked around to make sure no one witnessed my style failure.

Every trend is not meant for everyone. The sooner people understand what trends work for them and what trends work against them, a lot more personal style development can begin. Creating your signature style is the best thing you can do for yourself. Your personal style is your brand.  From the pictures we see of June Ambrose we know that her signature style is comprised of turbans, Status Sunglasses by Grey Ant, and her signature red lipstick, MAC Ruby Woo.

It takes a lot of confidence to walk out your door wearing gigantic sunglasses, sporting a bulbous wrap on your head, and bright red lips. You have to own it and be committed to the look. In addition to feeling secure, be prepared for the looks you are sure to get. If you decide to try June's trademark look, you better be able to sell it like Naomi Campbell on the catwalk. Head held high, strut down the street like theme music is playing with each step you take. Nothing less will be accepted. If you cannot picture yourself in the above scenario, please do not rush out and buy a bunch of turbans. They will collect dust and you will have wasted your money.

Miss Ambrose launched her turban line last month and in the May issue of Ebony magazine, she offers her turban styling tips. I think June wears her turbans well most of the time. There have been times where her turbans were so over the top and huge that I thought she took an extra large bath towel and fashioned it into something so odd that it was just the right mix of gaudy and stylish. There is an art to creating that mix and few people have mastered it. Do not try this at home kids...

Do you have the confidence to embrace bold trends like June Ambrose and make them a part of your signature style? What are some of your signature style must haves? Leave your answers in the comments section!

{{SIDE BAR}} Chrisette Michele hired June Ambrose as her stylist for her latest music release. I thought the purpose of hiring a stylist was to help develop your style not to look like the stylist's clone. Have the celebrity styling jobs stalled for Miss Ambrose and that's what prompted her turban store?


If you want your very own June Ambrose turban, click here


Shopping: Spring/Summer 2011

Despite the fact that Chicago just refuses to warm up, I am putting the finishing touches on my spring/summer fashion list. My shopping budget is small this year because there are a few trips I plan to take and I have a lot of unworn clothes I purchased last year. I am an admitted clothes hoarder; I’ll buy something cute, hang it in my closet and forget about it.

Sunday night I moved a lot of forgotten items to the front of my closet, removed the tags, and added them to my wardrobe tracking spreadsheet. That was two hours of my life that I’ll never see again… After that task, I was able to finalize my shopping list.

My List:

• Wide leg jeans from the Gap – Loving this 70s style that is so hot right now
• Neutral color wedges
• Striped tees – white w/ navy stripes, white w/ red stripes, white w/ black stripes, white w/ gray stripes - A must have for nautical ensembles and to mix with floral prints!
• A neutral Birken-esque bag
• Lightweight abstract and/or floral tunics
• A Grecian style Maxi dress
• Denim jacket

Gap Wide Leg Trouser Jeans

Benck Wedges - Aldo

Iveans Wedges - Aldo

Dalpe handbag - Aldo

Tellis handbag - Aldo

Rachel Pally Grecian inspired maxi dress

What's on your spring/summer shopping list?

Meagan Good {Torn}

Urban actress, Meagan Good seems to favor ripped jeans, tiny tops, leather jackets, and knee high boots. She is definitely a celebrity who is not heavily into current trends and does her own thing. I can respect that, but what I have an issue with is how unpolished she typically looks.

I'm all for looking sexy for a night out and tastefully showcasing the girls but this threadbare tank top with a couple of faux strategically placed rips and visible bra business screams cheap and raggedy.

What is the point of the navy blue suspenders just hanging there? And the lone, extended feather earring? Her look is ALL over the place.

I believe in balance with style. The leather moto jacket, ripped jeans and boots are just enough edge. Miss Good should have opted for a nice intact black tank top.

I feel some sort of way about her "Louis Vuitton" case too but I'll stop now...

What do you think of Meagan Good's look? Does she need to revamp her style?



















 

The Trench Gets Edgy

The Burberry Prorsum Gabardine Studded-Trench from the Spring 2011 collection needs to be in my closet. The always classic double-breasted trench gets revamped with gold studs and a leather belt. Absolutely HAUTE!!
The coat costs $3,595.00. I wonder if there are plans to whip up a knock off version. If you are feeling crafty, I suppose you could take last year's trench and add your own studs.

Isn't it gorgeous?

R&B singer and Laker wife, Monica wore her Burberry trench 

to support hubby Shannon Brown at last nights game.   

Why is high end fashion so out of my budget? Why do I ALWAYS like the expensive, pretty things?? Will someone buy this coat for me? I'll be forever grateful *smile*

Black History Feature: Ann Lowe

In honor of February being Black History Month, I will post some Black History features this month.

Ann Lowe, born in 1898 in Clayton, Alabama. She designed the infamous wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F. Kennedy.


Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress, an Ann Lowe original

Ms. Lowe was ahead of her time and because she was black, she was not embraced by the fashion world for some time. She was a perfectionist who cared about her craft more than monetary gain.

She designed and sewed for several salons and boutiques. Her name was NOT permitted to be sewn on the labels of any of her creations. Despite designing Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress, Ms. Lowe's name was not mentioned in the press. In addition to designing for the future first lady, Ms. Lowe designed for the toast of New York society. Do the names Biddles, Auchinclosses, DuPont, and Rockefeller ring any bells? Old. Money. Her designs were in very high demand but no one knew who she really was. During those times no one would admit to wearing clothes designed by a black woman!

You can learn more about Ann Lowe in The Threads of Time. Many people have never even heard of her which I think is wrong for so many reasons. Her legacy needs to be kept alive!

Unracked w/ Gilt Groupe: Cameron Silver's Red Carpet Secrets

Get your swanky style on for 2011 with Cameron Silver! He dresses Hollywood royalty, and now he reveals the secret to looking good on the red carpet! Thanks to Unracked with Gilt Groupe, the hit web series hosted by Stefani Greenfield, Gilt members are granted exclusive access to must-see interviews with your most coveted fashion and lifestyle icons. Past series include interviews with Molly Sims, Eric Daman and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Enjoy!





For more information:
Gilt Groupe

Chicago Fashion Focus: Designers Past & Present

Last night I attended the kickoff runway show for Chicago Fashion Focus Week. The Chicago Fashion Incubator and Macy's is a year-long program that develops the talent and careers of local designers.

My name on my chair in the press section.

I'll admit that I am not that familiar with local design talent in Chicago so I was pretty excited to see the creations come down the runway.
Here are some of my favorite looks from Designer's Past & Present Runway Show:

KristinHassan.com

I'm a sucker for ruffes and flower details.



Simply gorgeous!



Audey - This was my favorite collection of the night!

I loved the whimsy of Audey's dresses. There was a sweet yet very modern country girl vibe that really spoke to me.  

Kate Boggiano:



Loving the patterned tights. They lend an edge to a pretty tame gathered mini.





AggA B.





Something about the above look was very Katherine Hepburn to me.

Nora del Busto

Donaldo Smith of Killian Gui

Really like the color blockedand untucked shirts!



A man cannot go wrong in a tailored button down shirt, crisp jeans and polished boots!

This was an excellent offering of past and present Chicago Fashion Incubator designers. I'm so proud of Chicago. There is an amazing plethora (I love that word) of fashion talent here and I am so glad that I now know of some local designers.

Do any of the designs appeal to you? Let me know what you think!!