Trail Blazing

The blazer: not just for your boyfriend any longer! Blazers have joined the ranks of tees and skinny jeans as style staples. This trend used to only be reserved for the workplace, but is now everywhere! True to their name, they have come blazing back into the fashion realm. Don't think of the blazer as masculine, there are many different ways to wear it, as well as many styles to select from! Shopping with girlfriends, a client lunch meeting or an evening social event, the blazer is one of the season's newest loves!

Knowing how to dress for you body type is key! (A fashion rule to live and die by!)  If you have an athletic build or broader shoulders, a cropped blazer will work well for you. A new style that creates a feminine touch as well is the cropped in the back and has the diagonal cut in the front. This adds shape to the waist and hips. Go for a look with minimal structure so you can avoid the boxy look.

Anyone who is pear shaped should avoid a crop and go for something that falls just below the hips. A lighter lapel or embellishment will also draw the eye upward and add the illusion of width to your shoulders for a more balanced look.

If you are petite, don't fret! Forget the idea that you will get lost in this over-sized jacket. Go for a more fitted style to show off your shape. You can also button the blazer to pull in at the waist.

A hot look is the boyfriend blazer! This style looks fabulous on most body types. It can be worn a variety of ways and can balance a pear shape, elongate a short torso, or provide stylish coverage to your mid-section.

Now that you have decided which will fit your body type best, time to put it all together. I truly believe the blazer can be worn with almost anything! From distressed jeans for an every day look or go with a metallic blazer over your LBD for a festive party! A long necklace looks great with a longer blazer or throw on a statement necklace with your cropped blazer. I'm a huge fan of throwing on a sequin top under a simple black blazer. It adds a fun element to a sophisticated garment.  However you choose to wear this wardrobe staple, have fun and feel confident!

Shine On

What better way to show off your holiday spirit than with sequins! Not just reserved for a black tie affair, sequins can be dressy or casual and not to mention, who can be in a bad mood when you are glittering? Here are a few tips on wearing sequins this season!

If you have slight sequin-phobia, don't worry your pretty self! Start small and incorporate accessories before you jump head first into this trend. A sequin clutch, headband or statement necklace can all serve as baby steps for the novice.

Let's begin with an every day look. You can still look casual chic and wear sequins. The trick is to pair your sequins with more casual and subtle pieces. An example is a sequin blazer with a simple black or white tee underneath and a pair of jeans. Or go the opposite way and take a solid cardigan and put it over a sequin tank or top. This will dress down the sparkle a little, but you are sure to look sassy without going overboard. For somewhere in between casual and cocktail, pair a statement sequin top with a pair of black pants. This can be great for an after work get-together or a dinner date.

Stun at your holiday cocktail party or girl's night out in all over sequins. There is a plethora of sequins out there in all colors and styles. You can't get much more glam than with a sequin dress. Go with an emerald green if color is your thing, or stick to black sequins. Keep in mind your skin tone. If you are fair, stay away from rose gold and go for a darker sequin color. The trick to this look not being over the top, is to keep in mind the length of your dress. Don't go too short! The same rule applies for a sequin skirt, which is another great party option! Dress down the sequins by adding tights. Keep accessories to a minimum and don't mix your sequins. You don't need a gold sequin purse to accompany your shining sequin attire! There is such thing as too much!

Shine on!  

Fancy in Fur

You don't have to be royalty to make an entrance in fur! While I can't argue with the fact that fur is a statement piece, it's made a comeback this season. With so many faux options out there, you won't have to max out your credit card to look like a celebrity. We're seeing fur everywhere; vest, jacket, gloves, hats, scarves. Start small or go glam! Make a lasting impression and stay warm all season!

The fur vest is the most popular, especially for this time of year. It's chilly, but not so cold that you need your long coat quite yet. Turn a simple outfit into spectacular by just throwing on the vest! From pairing with your every day jeans to over your LBD, the look embodies chic! I recommend steering clear of the cropped fur vest to avoid looking a stumpy look. Go slightly longer because this will allow you to throw it on with more attire such as a mini skirt, leggings or leather pants! Leather and fur often go together and their combination is very trendy. Choose a black fur if you wear dressier attire, and go for a mix of brown or grey if you tend to go more casual.

For a feminine look, you don't have to invest in a whole fur item, you can either go for a coat or jacket with fur trim. If you have fully embraced the trend, try the trendy cropped jacket. Be advised that to cropped version looks best with a pant. Go for the more traditional longer version for a versatile look. A mid-rise jacket complements a skirt or tighter fitted pant. The long version of the fur coat transcends on more formal attire and is definitely a top pick for date night or a black tie event!

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't! If you aren't ready to take the plunge, start with fur trimmed gloves or a cozy fur scarf. No matter what fur accessories you choose, with a big smile, you are sure to look fabulous!

Good Big or Go Home

One thing most women can all agree on is that bigger is always better! Not to mention, when it comes to fashion bigger, is also more forgiving. Lucky for us the over-sized look is in! Two tops that your fall wardrobe must accommodate are the dolman sweater and tunic top. My personal fav is the dolman sweater. Because of the banded or tighter fitted waist, it still accentuates your best assets without making you look frumpy. Initially this creates the idea of a casual look, but there are ways to dress this up for an evening out!

Going for the unfussy look is simple and the easiest way to wear these over-sized tops. No matter how you pair them, make sure what you don on bottom is more snug than loose fitting. You don't want your attire to give the illusion of a giant trash bag. Go casual with a skinny jean or legging under the top. Boots or a smoking slipper will look knock-out with trying hard! Throw on a felt hat with messy hair for a more urban feel.

Going elegant is easier than you think with these tops. For an uptown feel choose heavy fabrics or opt for sequins or metallics. Lace is also super feminine and gives your outfit a certain charm. You can't go wrong with these festive and fun alternatives to your basic cotton tee for the Holidays. These tops transcend well with a black crop or ponte pant. (A ponte pant is similar to a legging, but with heavier material to look a step up from the casual black legging) If you dare, leather leggings are completely fearless and beyond hot! Zippers will spice up any pant as well!

Go big or go home ladies, because this is a must have look of the season!