Fashism

How do you spice up a simple, gorgeous dress like this? Anytime...

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:43:38 -0400

How do you spice up a simple, gorgeous dress like this?

Anytime you’re trying to decide how to accessorize a simple outfit, you should look at the piece with a critical eye. What’s the length? Are there any outstanding details you want to shine through? What color is it? Where are the seams?

Let’s analyze this sassy lil’ number.

- It probably hits right below the knee. That means you’ll need a heel. You don’t want to pair a longer skirt with a flat because it will make the legs look too stumpy.

- It has a twisted neckline. That means you should wear your hair up to show it off! You don’t want your hair and the details of the dress to compete for attention – you want them to get along like old sorority sisters (the nice kind!).

- It has a lovely empire seam. That means NO BELT! There’s nothing worse than a seam poking out above or below a belt.

- It is a beautiful cocoa color. That means GOLD! The soft brown color would look fabulous with gold accessories because the colors fall into the same family of warmth and color.

Now we’ve narrowed it down to what we’ll need. Gold accessories, sexy heels, and a natural and unfussy updo.

I would suggest a gold menswear watch (Michael Kors has some lovely, affordable pieces) and a couple of gold bracelets from J.Crew. J.Crew offers gorgeous designs for relatively cheap prices! Because the dress is simple, feel free to pile on a few bracelets with luxe details, like ribbons, gemstones, or links.

Next, I would suggest putting your hair in rollers to achieve a soft, casual wave. Tie your hair up in a low chignon or bun and leave a few pieces in front for movement.

Lastly, the shoe. With this dress, a gorgeous metallic peep-toe pump or strappy heeled sandal would do the trick. Now go on with your bad self and enjoy the party!

Top 5 Best Dressed: EmmysBy Stacie Caplan • Eva Longoria...

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:10:37 -0400

Top 5 Best Dressed: Emmys
By Stacie Caplan

    •    Eva Longoria Parker - Although she wasn’t nominated, Eva made it to the best-dressed list again. Going for a classy look, Eva wore a black strapless Robert Rodriguez gown. Her coral chandelier earrings brought some fire to her ensemble.

    •    Claire Danes - Winner for best actress in a miniseries or movie, Claire Danes truly shined in her Armani Prive Swarovski crystal and sequin beaded gown. She looked perfectly elegant the entire night.

    •    Lea Michelle - Lea Michelle is not only talented, but is also beautiful. She wore a navy blue strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with ruffles on the bottom. Her outfit was perfectly styled with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, dark nails, and wavy-beach hair.

    •    Sofia Vergara- Getting hit on isn’t uncommon for Sofia Vergara. Last night she wore a beautiful pale yellow Carolina Herrera gown, which drew a lot of positive attention. Although she didn’t win for best supporting actress in a comedy for Modern Family, she stole the night with her beautiful gown, gold jewelry and bouncy curls.

    •    January Jones - Going for something a little out of the ordinary, January wore a blue strapless, ruffled Versace gown. To complete her look, she wore Cartier jewelry, black pumps, and had dark nails. She didn’t win for best actress in a drama, but Mad Men did well, winning best drama series.

The Fashism iPhone app is now available in the iTunes store! *...

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:56:00 -0400

The Fashism iPhone app is now available in the iTunes store!

* Vote on the latest looks right from your phone

* Upload your look and get instant feedback on the go

alicetiara: 1990s fashion part V: Makeup (This mostly covers...

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:25:07 -0400

Kristen M. for Vogue again

Drew

Drew

Smeared Courtney makeup

Dark red lipstick on Courtney

1990s supermodels - natural look

Chanel Vamp

Sharon Stone in Sliver (1993)

Twin Peaks girls

alicetiara:

1990s fashion part V: Makeup

(This mostly covers white girl makeup b/c that’s what I remember. Comments appreciated!)

For the most part, in the early 1990s, makeup was pretty plain. Check out the 1990s supermodel photo above. Kind of a nice, natural look. Maybe some brown eyeliner. Natural brows (remember Donna in 90210?). Blush was still carrying over from the 1980s. I remember the “clear mascara” trend (stupidest thing ever) which was supposed to separate and define your lashes although it didn’t actually do anything. Watch a movie like Sliver with Sharon Stone and you see the epitome of this extremely plain, extremely boring look.

The mid-1990s saw a huge popularity in dark red matte lipstick and dark red nails. Chanel Vamp was a dark red-black shade that sold $1 million worth in the first year it was available, 1994. Sassy magazine swore up and down this was due to the Twin Peaks influence on fashion, which popularized this sort of femme fatale, retro look. A great deal of early 1990s makeup harkened back to classic movie stars, with dark brows, heavy red lipstick, and winged eyeliner.

Drew Barrymore epitomizes the “mallternative” look of 1994-1996: heavily tweezed eyebrows, thrift store leopard coat, tattoos, maybe an eyebrow piercing, liquid eyeliner, and thick dark red matte lipstick. Lack of eyeshadow morphed into light eyeshadow (like a white or light blue shimmer). Skin is buffed and kept very pale - as a pale girl I loved this trend! Lots of matte face powder. Not a gloss to be seen, no tans. Wan and rebellious.

In the mid-1990s the raver look popularized such classy makeup as light blue nailpolish (“Sky” by Hard Candy was THYE shade in 1996), body glitter, eye glitter, hair glitter, and just dumping glitter over your head (I would advise against this approach unless you want glitter all over your apartment).

Courtney Love popularized a punk, smeared makeup look, although she only wore that for a few years before she got a lot of plastic surgery and went “Hollywood.” Note the dark red lipstick though!

90s FTW!

It’s Time for FummerBy: Stacie CaplanFummer: the transition...

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:06:00 -0400

Look 4

Look 3

Look 2

Look 1

It’s Time for Fummer
By: Stacie Caplan

Fummer: the transition period between summer and fall. Although some people are eagerly waiting for fall merchandise to explode into stores, myself being one, others try to hold onto summer for as long as possible, even if that means freezing in flip flops and shorts.
Deciding what to wear at the end of August until mid-September may be difficult because it’s fall yet the weather is still mild. An easy way to survive this short period is to combine both your summer and fall wardrobe. Here are some outfit ideas that will keep you warm or cold, and of course fashionable:

Look 1: Pair jeans with a striped top, scarf and comfortable flats for a casual everyday look.

Look 2: It’s all about military this fall. Pair a skirt with a cargo shirt and clogs for a girly-tough look.

Looks 3: Look like a hotter version of your boyfriend in high-waisted shorts, oxford shoes, a satchel, and an oversized button-up top.

Look 4: Lengthen your body with an easy-to-wear maxi dress. Paired with animal-printed sandals, a jean jacket and hat, this look is great for Labor Day weekend or your first day of school.

"You can’t compare the prices of perfect T-shirts and ordinary T-shirts. An $89 T-shirt that you..."

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:58:00 -0400

“You can’t compare the prices of perfect T-shirts and ordinary T-shirts. An $89 T-shirt that you love beyond reason is easily worth five sensible shirts in the $18 range that will never make you feel a transgressive shiver as you slide them over your person.”

- Cintra Wilson

Weird heels. What planet are they from? How do we wear them? ...

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:12:24 -0400

Weird heels. What planet are they from? How do we wear them? Do they work?

For several seasons now, some of the biggest design houses out there (hello, Louis Vuitton, I’m talking to you, big boy!) have been sending funky, colorful, and just plain WEIRD heels down the runway!

While it is true that we must all be slightly more conservative here in the real world with our fashion choices (unless your name is Daphne Guinness!), that doesn’t mean we can’t dip our pens in the crazy ink!

Here we have a pair of sassy red snakeskin, tribal-inspired heels paired with skinny jeans. And you know what? It WORKS. There is no reason you sexy sisters out there can’t try this daring style! At long as you keep the rest of your outfit simple and let these wonderfully weird heels steal the spotlight, you can go on with your bad self!

Try this:

Wear your funky heels with dark skinny jeans and a clean white t-shirt. Grab a classic bag and enjoy!

-whatwhatwahtareyoudoing

The First Impression Choosing an outfit for the first day back...

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:54:12 -0400

The First Impression

Choosing an outfit for the first day back at school, or the first day at a new school, can be a stressful exercise.

There’s a fine line between cute and tacky, being noticed but not being stared at, looking good and staying classy, and making sure the outfit you choose is fabulous, whilst still looking effortless.

If you’re unsure about what you are going to wear to start the new school year with a bang, here are a few suggestions:

- You’ll do well to look smart and polished. The first day of term is inevitably a time for forming first impressions, and you’re unlikely to make a good one dressed in sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt. Make sure your clothes are ironed and in good condition so you don’t look like you overslept and ran to school!

- Be comfortable. If you wear something you don’t feel like yourself in, you will look uncomfortable and you won’t be able to enjoy your day. If you feel uneasy wearing a skirt, for example, wear jeans: stick to your classic style for today – experimenting with fashion is great but you want to have fun on your first day back without wondering if you made a fashion blunder.

- Of course you want to look attractive; who doesn’t?! But please don’t confuse attractive and trashy. Miniskirts or low-cut strappy shirts are probably not appropriate at school – you’re young and beautiful – so play up your best assets while still being modest. Trust me, you will still be noticed!

- Pick your perfect bag. Your school bag will probably be used every day this year, so you’ll want it to be practical (big enough to fit all of your books!), good-quality, comfortable (it may be fine in the store but think about how it will feel when it’s full) and able to match most of your clothes. If you buy a neutral bag you can always change it up with pins or scarves – a plain bag doesn’t have to be a boring bag!

- Most of all, you want to be yourself when you walk into school on the first day. If you’re wearing clothes that you love and feel confident in, your confidence will show and you’ll be sure to turn heads.

I had a play around on Polyvore to create this back-to-school look, which I would wear if I was heading back for a new term. What are you going to wear for your first day back? Post your looks on Fashism, and all the best for a new term and a new year!

-Ellle_Croft

nadiathinks: DVF wedges $199 from $345 on Gilt’s sky high wedge...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:40:24 -0400

nadiathinks:

DVF wedges $199 from $345 on Gilt’s sky high wedge sale, going on now.

I am impressed with how many under $100 and under $50 options there are available. Of course, I absolutely love these.

Shoes like this are the reason I am sitting with my foot in a cast right now.

Fashion 101:Waistlines, Or “If You Like It Then You Should...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:56:34 -0400

Fashion 101:Waistlines, Or “If You Like It Then You Should Have Put a Belt On It”

“Put a belt on it.”

That is the one phrase I see every single day on Fashism. The belt, it would seem, is the silver bullet of fashion advice. As humans, we are naturally curious about the waist to hip ratio. Research shows that our health, our attractiveness and even our intelligence are all positively correlated to this magic WHR number. So it is only natural that we humans want to define and even embellish our waistlines. Yet, so much of popular fashion is designed to obscure the natural waist. Baby doll dresses, trapeze dresses, drop waists, Empires—all of these cuts are deemed by many to be flattering to certain body types. But are they? I am going to go out on a limb and say that, for the most part women, no matter what their size shape, should dress for the natural waist. But before I cast other all these styles aside, let’s go through the 6 most common waistlines.

Click for Slideshow

To tuck or not to tuck, that is the question! Well, it’s not...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:15:42 -0400

To tuck or not to tuck, that is the question!

Well, it’s not a question anymore!

Just look at the amazing difference between the untucked version and the tucked version of this sassy lady’s office chic ensemble! Before, the shirt was a bit too loose; it hid her gorgeous waist! What woman wants that? But with just a simple tuck, the world can see her perfect figure and the lovely piping on her pencil skirt. With details like that, the world bows down to the Tuck!

So how do you know if tucking in your shirt will do the trick? It’s all in the waist of the skirt! If you’re going to tuck your shirt into your skirt like this sexy sister here, you need to be sure the top of the skirt hits you at your natural waist – the thinnest part of your midsection.

Now make like our girlfriend here and go give some new life to your outfits!

AshleyJeanne in her back to school best! Does it work?

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:21:07 -0400

AshleyJeanne in her back to school best!

Does it work?

Who’s ready for a picnic? Oh, but this isn’t just any picnic. ...

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:06:38 -0400

Who’s ready for a picnic? Oh, but this isn’t just any picnic. This is a completely adorable picnic, and prairie chic is the dress code!

There are so many things right about this little dress. The ruffles on the sleeves, the perfectly-cinched belt, the sassy/classy length, and the endless possibilities for accessorizing! Toss on a military jacket and slouchy ankle boots and you’re ready for an afternoon under a tree reading Hemingway. Pair with a long grandpa cardigan and strappy sandals and you’re on your way to class this fall. Throw on a knit vest and belt the whole look and you are well on your way to dinner with friends!

This dress is the perfect cross-seasonal staple for young, sassy sisters out there! And if this cutie here is any indicator, this dress should be in every closet in America!

Elle_croft says: I don’t know about you, but for me, I can’t...

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:39:44 -0400

Elle_croft says:

I don’t know about you, but for me, I can’t just look to a magazine or a designer’s advertising to decide what I’m going to wear. Sure, they still inspire me and they’re always fun to peruse but the clothes draped over the models in those pictures just would not look good on me.

Unless you’re 6 feet tall and a size zero (and if you naturally are, that’s alright), you probably can’t point at an outfit in a magazine, go out and buy it and know that the clothes will look fabulous on you. The trick, instead, is to dress for your body shape and ignore fashions that just won’t suit you. Rather than rushing out to buy the latest looks from the catwalk, we all look our best when we are dressing to suit each of our unique shapes (whilst still being fashionable, of course).

The best way to work to your strengths is to firstly identify your best asset/s. There has to be at least one thing about your body that you really like; perhaps you have shapely legs, a well-defined waist, or toned arms – whatever it is, you can accentuate that feature and at the same time downplay the things you aren’t so fond of, simply by selecting the right clothes. There are countless ways to achieve your best look, but here are just a few tips you might find useful:

1. Work with what you’ve got. For example, if you have short legs, don’t spend your whole life wishing they were longer! There are things you can wear that can help your legs look less short, but why obsess over what you don’t have? Focus instead on making your best assets shine – if everyone’s eyes are drawn to your tiny waist or big blue eyes, no one will even notice your legs!

2. Be willing to let go of some of the clothes you have always worn that just might not be flattering. If you’re unsure, upload a photo of yourself wearing the garment onto Fashism and let the helpful Fashists give you an objective opinion.

3. Give some of these ideas a try:

- Define a small waist. Belts or high-waisted shorts, skirts and pants that sit at the smallest part of your waist will draw the eye to your defined waistline. Note: if you have a short torso, wide belts will visually shorten your mid-section, so choose a thinner style of belt.

- Play up those pins. If you have lovely legs, heels will always look great. Skirts are the obvious choice (but be aware that short skirts will look even shorter on long-legged ladies) and skinny jeans will emphasise your length. If you want to give the illusion of longer legs, heels will help (but try to avoid ankle straps, as these will break up the line of your leg); also, vertical stripes and high-waisted shorts/skirts/pants all create the effect of a longer leg-line.

- Working with your bust. Full-busted women: modesty is the key! Wearing a very low cut shirt isn’t going to accentuate your features in the best way. To maximize your shape without showing too much, opt for discreet necklines (not too high as that can be unflattering too, but soft V-necks or boat-necks are pretty) and tailored fits. A nice blazer over a round-neck top will accentuate your fuller chest without being immodest (think Katherine Heigl for inspiration). Smaller breasted women can pull off less structure in their shirts and can wear longer and more extravagant necklaces and tops with detailing around the bust. Strappy tops and draping fabric sit well and you can take advantage of the fact you don’t need to wear a bra by trying backless or low-back dresses (a la Kate Hudson).

- Highlighting facial features. First, make sure your haircut suits your face shape. You can ask your hairdresser for advice, and there is a wealth of knowledge online (there are tools available where you can upload a picture of yourself and virtually ‘try on’ various hairstyles). A great haircut will highlight your face and draw attention to your lovely features. Try to emphasize just one thing: if you have luscious lips, wear a bold lipstick or shiny gloss. If you have pretty eyes, use a complimentary shadow, possibly some eyeliner and at very least a sweep of mascara.

After all’s said and done though, your style needs to be suited to you. If you have short legs but adore ankle-strap shoes, who’s to say you shouldn’t wear them? Fashion and style are about having fun, playing with your look and feeling confident about yourself so if you achieve this, you don’t need to worry about the ‘rules’.

And, as always, if you’re unsure about how something looks – take it to the lovely Fashism users and see what they have to say! Have fun, Fashists!

Buy Clothes on the Internet and Feel Good About...

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:21:00 -0400

Buy Clothes on the Internet and Feel Good About Yourself

I’ve been meaning to everyone about Styleta.com, an awesome new non-profit that aims to help you clear out your closet while making a difference in the community.

The concept is simple: Clear out your closet and send your unwanted clothes to Styleta. They photograph your clothes and sell them online- giving 100% of the proceeds to nonprofit causes and women’s initiatives.

Nothing to donate? You can also support by purchasing these clothes on website. I found this adorable BCBG dress for $35!!

And yet another way to show your support for this sweet start-up, vote for Styleta in the Student Designer Challenge.

What a good excuse to shop!

Pink and black screams “Teen!” But PURPLE and black, especially...

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:14:51 -0400

Pink and black screams “Teen!” But PURPLE and black, especially in a flattering silhouette like this, screams, “I’m a sexy, chic woman ready to grab the world by the horns – and a Cosmo after work!”

By pairing this sexy purple skirt with a simple black shell, the ruffled bow is able to take center stage without overpowering the look. The warm, grape-like hue of the purple makes her olive skin tone absolutely glow. Paired with her lovely golden accessories, she looks ready to leave the office and make her way to a classy bar with her girlfriends!

Now this sister knows what works for her. The color, the shape, and the material are all super flattering! Work it, girlfriend!

You say tomato, I say to-mah-toe. There are few things in life...

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:49:38 -0400

You say tomato, I say to-mah-toe. There are few things in life that I love more than tomato red. Whether it’s in dress-form, on a woman’s lips, or brought to life in a pair of supple Gap city flats, tomato red is a hue that demands attention! Younger than a deep red and more fun than a pure red, this bright tomato color makes me weak at the knees.

But this is just one could use a little help.

Fit is key, and this sexy lady is swimming in a baggy, rotten tomato monstrosity. Now she is hot, young, and all kinds of stylish, and we can all see that she’s got some major fashion cojones to be wearing such a gorgeous color. But why did she choose a shirt two sizes too big for her frame? With a square neckline and those cap sleeves, this top will only work in a form-fitting size that hugs every curve.

But that shirt isn’t the only thing she’s swimming in. What’s with the droopy skirt?? That shirt needs to be the main focal point of the outfit. So toss that skirt to your gal pal and ask her to hunt you down a higher-waisted pencil skirt! You could go with charcoal, light grey, black, tan, or brown, but one thing must be the same: the skirt needs to start at your NATURAL WAIST and it needs to hug your booty curves like a good man should.

Now all she needs is a sexy blow-out, some don’t-mess-with-me pumps, and that cute little smile!

-whatwhatwahatareyoudoing

Whatwhatwahatareyoudoingsays: Sometimes an outfit isn’t...

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:33:38 -0400

Whatwhatwahatareyoudoingsays:

Sometimes an outfit isn’t out-right heinous. Sometimes it’s just a cute idea with a couple of cute pieces and it just fell into a puddle of wrong. Take this little honey for example. She’s got a great bod, a great tan, and an outfit that just isn’t doing her any favors.

Sure, she could walk down to the boardwalk and try on funky sunglasses with her friends in this outfit and no one would whisper, “Holy crap, what is she wearing?!” She could ride her bike to the café on the corner in this outfit and the barista wouldn’t refuse her service on account of “outfit heiniosity.” On the contrary, boys would probably applaud her for her choice in clothing as they stood behind her on the bike and enjoyed the view.

But this little miss is too cute! Why should she – or any of you – settle for fashion mediocrity? With just a few simple changes, this outfit could easily go from Blah to Ah-Ha!

First, toss that flimsy white skirt into the trash heap. Next, grab a pair of cuffed, dark denim boyfriend shorts – not too baggy, but with the definitive slouch of the season. Next, grab a lightweight, cropped jacket. Try J.Crew for some wonderful summer-to-fall transition jackets in a variety of neutral colors. Next slap on some fun, young, gold accessories (my favorite menswear watch trend and a bracelet or two)! To finish the look, grab a pair of brown leather flat sandals. NOW this girl is ready for a day of fun!

Some people say “Nothing in the English language rhymes with the...

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:59:06 -0400

Some people say “Nothing in the English language rhymes with the word ‘orange.’” To that, I would like to respond, “You are wrong! You are all wrong! There is one word that rhymes with “orange”…

CHIC!

What we have here is a young woman who isn’t afraid to take a risk with color – and it pays off! The gorgeous buttery texture of her orange leather jackets makes it completely wearable, versatile, and an overall chic look!

Paired with her black ensemble, the leather jacket avoids looking like a Halloween costume because of its modern style. But if you really want this jacket to go the distance, pair it with some dark skinny jeans, a gray blouse, and embellished ballet flats. The vibrant orange would also look lovely with slim khaki pants rolled to the ankle and a white t-shirt. Top that off with a colorful scarf, and you are set!

Girlfriend took a chance with the orange, and it paid off!

Whatwhatwahtareyoudoing says: Leggings have popped up in the...

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:45 -0400

Whatwhatwahtareyoudoing says:

Leggings have popped up in the American fashion conscious for decades. We wore them with nylon Olivia Newton John thongs in the 80s. We wore them with Tweety Bird t-shirts and oversized Hanes sweatshirts in the 90s. And we saw the peak of their fashion greatness in the 2000s, pairing them with tunics, vintage t-shirts, and everything in between. But with power comes great responsibility. If you are going to rock the leggings, you have to do it RIGHT!

First, NO WHITE LEGGINGS! Even for a teeny little thing like her, white leggings are a no-no. Who in their right minds would want a spotlight shining down on their ham hocks? Not me, I’ll tell you that.

Second, those leggings better be to the ankle or LONGER! Anything shorter cuts off the line of the leg! Ever wonder why you don’t see pedal pushers on the runways? They aren’t flattering, that’s why!

Thirdly… there is no third rule!

This sassy sister is adorable and has a figure to DIE for!

So how to we salvage this outfit? Remove white, mid-calf leggings. Donate to a nearby bonfire to provide warmth for wild animals and s’mores kindling for Girl Scout campers. Return to closet. Slip on a fierce pair of dark denim skinny jeans. Top with a cropped navy blue blazer. Roll the sleeves up for a casual and fun new take on a top otherwise ruined by unnecessary leggings!