Tips For ‘Short Girl’ Dressing May 27, 2008

I’ve had many posters of ‘petite stature’ write with questions on how best to dress for their height. I’ve provided a few rules of thumb below to help maximize our short girl dressing potential. I (being biased of course) happen to think short is beautiful. With that in mind, here are a few tips!

• Take advantage of the ‘Petite’ section. This area means ’short.’
• I’ve said it before and will say it again; GET A GOOD TAILOR. They are a short girl’s best friend. (And we often find things that are NOT in the ‘Petite’ section)
• The most flattering skirt length is anything from just below the knee and up. Longer can make you look shorter. (And a bit dumpy, in my opinion)
• The longer the pants, the longer your legs will appear. To create an illusion of length, pants should touch the floor, even with heels…
• …heels, heels, HEELS!
• Monochromatic dressing (i.e. all black) creates an uninterrupted visual ‘line’ from head to toe, making you appear taller.
• Avoid lines that visually ‘cut’ you horizontally, i.e a wide black belt worn over a light colored dress.
• Shorter shorts will make your legs look longer. Bermudas make short legs look even shorter…
• …as do Capri pants. They ’stop’ your eye 3/4 of the way down your leg.
• Maxi dresses, although stylish, are not a great bet for shorter girls. You can often end up looking like you bought a ‘regular’ length dress that is ill-fitting.
• Keep it simple. Overly embellished styles can often overwhelm a shorter frame
• Most importantly, if it makes you feel pretty when you put it on? By all means wear it!

5 Trends I Love/Loathe May 18, 2008

LOVE

• The Bubble Skirt - It even manages to make MY legs look cute.
• Sexy One Piece Swimsuits - The return of the bombshell suit is one of the best things to ever happen to moms.
• Metallics - Shoes, bags, jackets, linen…I love it all; a much more glamorous neutral than neutrals.
• Tunics - Chic, lightweight and forgiving, I adore the old guard Palm Beach vibe.
• Wedges/Platforms - A modern and comfortable alternative to regular heels; the perfect ‘training wheels’ until I can get back into my stilettos.

LOATHE

• Wayfarers - I don’t care how hip they are, you still look like you’re about to sing Bob Seger in your tightie-whities.
• Skinny Jeans - “Hmmm…how can we make the LEAST flattering jeans of all time?”
• Crocs - Unless you are presently in your garden or four years old, take them off.
• Oversized Sequins - Because you WANT to look like a showgirl from Circus Circus?
• The Monokini - What…?

Weigh In: The Top Ten ‘Must Have’ items in any fashionable Mom’s closet May 4, 2008

This is my list of the no fail items that I think every woman should have in her closet. Since you might have some different things on your list, I’d love for you to weigh in. Let us know what your ‘Must Haves’ are! Looking forward to hearing from you…LASM

1. A flattering and timeless ‘Little Black Dress’ A lifesaver for those last minute dressy events.

2. A good pair of jeans. By good, I mean ones that fit well and can be worn to dinner or pre-school pick up.

3. A pair of black pants. Never underestimate the black pants. They’ll flatter you on a sexy date night as well as the times when you feel too fat too put anything on.

4. A nude colored bra and thong (and by ‘nude’ I mean the color of YOUR skin) These are invaluable pieces - the basis of looking good AFTER you’re dressed.

5. One versatile, good quality bag. Something of an investment, but a smart one. Get one that’s neutral and will work for day OR night. A classic style that isn’t going to be ‘over’ by next season (or the one after that…)

6. A great pair of black heels. Whether they’re pumps or strappy, they should work with your little black dress, jeans and black pants.

7. SPANX! Whatever your problem area may be, there is a SPANX style to fix it. Nothing makes an outfit look better and you’ll instantly feel five pounds thinner.

8. One great coat. I like a trench, but ideally as long as it’s year round, a neutral color, and can be worn with both dressy and casual outfits, you’re good to go.

9. Diamond or CZ studs. Timeless and pretty, they go with most anything from jeans to ball gowns.

10. A suit. An all-purpose closet staple, a suit that fits well will work in numerous situations. Wear it to the office or team it up w/ a sexy cami and heels for a night on the town.

LASM’s Top Ten Fashion “Do’s” May 1, 2008

I think that Julie Christie is perfection in every sense of the word. She’s one of my all time favorite, timeless, style icons. She inspires me. Here is a list of fashion ‘do’s that won’t turn you into Julie Christie, but you just might find them inspiring. LASM

1. Leave the kids at home when you go shopping. Taking your time and being able to focus, allows you to avoid buying random things in a rushed manner.

2. Try things on. Even though you think you know your ‘number,’ no two pieces of clothing are cut exactly alike.

3. Build on your existing wardrobe. Take a mental inventory of what’s in your closet and add to it, instead of having to buy an entire outfit every time.

4. Know what looks good on your body. If you have 38 double D’s? You do not look good in that tube top.

5. Dress appropriately for your age. I cannot stress the importance of this ENOUGH. If you’re pushing 40, you shouldn’t have ‘Juicy’ written across your ass.

6. Invest in one, good, versatile handbag. Even if you carry it every day, it’s better than having 25 cheap ones.

7. Wear things that are comfortable. A big part of looking good is feeling confident.

8. Have things tailored. The difference a good fit makes is exponential.

9. Buy a few trendy pieces each season. Accessories are a good bet since they aren’t a huge investment and can be added to what you already have.

10. Know what your best assets are and play them up!

Footwear at the playground; beyond UGGs (Ugh!) and Crocs… April 18, 2008

One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive being both a mother and a stylist is, ‘What kind of shoes can I wear to the park that are both cute and comfortable?’ There are options - many of them. Bear in mind that Crocs are for kids and UGGs are for teenagers and Pam Anderson - comfy and warm I know, but let’s branch out!

My go to staple for the playground in winter time is a pair of low-heeled boots. Much more flattering than UGGs while also giving you a more put together look with jeans. Here are two pairs I like (priced reasonably at around $50 each) that can be found at endless.com (My fave shoe site, being cheaper and more comprehensive than Zappos)

For spring and fall in colder areas (or year round in warmer ones - I LIVE in these) these metallic clogs are adorable. Chic and neutral, there is a reason that they are the choice of chefs, nurses and other people that have to spend many hours on their feet. A bit pricier at around $100, but well worth the money. I bought my silver ones over four years ago when I was pregnant and they still look new. In addition to gold and silver, they also come in an amazing hot pink at tessaclogs.com.

Havaianas flip flops. THE BEST. So much more fashionable than Reefs and just as comfortable. Best of all at around $20 a pair you can buy them in multiples. They come in a ton of styles, colors and patterns and are surprisingly durable. The don’t get flat or mushy at all, and are fairly supportive. The style that I find to be the most flattering to the foot is the ‘Slim.’ Again, I have several pairs in the metallic shades. Check out their site though, because there are SO many to choose from (adorable kids’ sizes too!) at havaianas.com.

Last but never least, the sneaker. If you must (and I often do) the cutest most comfortable pair have got to be the Nike Free 5.O. I have honestly NEVER had a more comfy shoe on my foot - I wanted to sleep in them! I have them in orange and pink, but the best news is that for $100 (same as retail) you can custom design your own pair at nike.com. I also often throw them in the washer and air dry - they come out looking like new!

So now that you have some alternatives, I’ll see you all at the park (sans UGGs and Crocs) where we can embark upon a discussion about how yoga pants should stay in yoga class…

LASM