X Marks The Dot

Polka dots. Many people regard them with disdain, while others embrace them. I am encouraging you, dear reader, to be an embracer of polka dots. They add the perfect touch of whimsy to almost any outfit. See?



The three important features that determine dotted piece's cuteness are:
#1-The Piece Itself.
Dotted outerwear? It's a stretch if you're over ten years old. As for shoes, the only piece of footwear that cannot pull off dot is unfortunately.......heels. They give off the air of an overly whimsical and/or childish lady of the night. And dotted pants? Proceed with MUCH caution. That being said, almost anything else is fine. Dresses, tops, shorts, bags.




#2-Fit
I'll keep it simple. Too loose screams cat lady. Too tight screams childish prostitute.



#3-Color
Two colors only, please. Only people below eleven are exempt from this rule.Even clowns know to stay away from rainbow polka dots. Just......no.


That's all the time I have for today,dears. Sorry I haven"t written in so long, but let me tell ya, I have been having one hectic summer.
Ciao!

Lace.....

Me, I'm pretty feminine. A friend of mine, not so much. Sure, she can wear a dress with the best of  'em, she just chooses not to, but recently we were out shopping, and I persuaded her to purchase a lace tee, just to layer over tanks and camis. It's now one of her wardrobe essentials, and she loves it. (I secretly maintain that it's the reason her longtime crush FINALLY asking her out)
The point is, lace doesn't have to be limited to lingerie. Or lingerie that tries to disguise itself as clothing, like this.

I say, miss Abby Clancy, your frock is simply charming, eh what?
Lace is one of those fabrics where it can be worn either way, as long as it the RIGHT way.
In the case of Loose Lace, you really can't go wrong as long as it's a small piece. You don't want to look like a fancy-schmancy feed sack. Or like the cover image for a cheesy romance novel.



On an unrelated note, Lace Pants: NO
Don't touch them, don't go near them, just........NO. Shorts or a skirt, maybe capris, but that's it. Lace is not for pants. NO.



On to tight lace. As said, wear it right. As in, not like this.


It's okay for lace to be tight, just not see-through. And notice how the lace here is just a repetitive pattern? Yeah, that means it's cheap. You think Kate Middleton's wedding dress looked like that? Nu-uh.
And while you don't have to marry Prince William to get your hands on some quality lace, you should make sure it doesn't look like the above.


Better. Enjoy the fact you can wear this stuff.

Ciao

Stunning Vintage That Won't Break the Bank!

I love, love, love vintage clothing. Except for when it doesn't fit me. That's the problem with this beautiful collection of clothes. none of them fit me! So I was hoping that I could get some help emptying my closet of these gorgeous dresses that tease me day in and day out. Help me!!!

modelling courtesy of Gracie H.




A dress I bought because of its 50's style. It does not look very good on me.......but it will on you!


This dress has a bit of stretch, and is glittery and comfy with a cute animal print. Roll it up and pair it with a denim jacket for an artsy urban look.



A vintage black velvet dress bought by my mom in 1984. Perfect for formal event or costume party!!!

All of these are available at:
http://style.ly/boutique/Samantha-Hartley-86900

Mob Style

Stop right there, ya dirty bum! Doncha  know it's nearly Valentine's Day? Instead of doing the typical date-night look posts most fashion blogs do, I'll be posting in honor of the Valentine's Day Massacre. I'll give you your own mob style, with some tips you can't refuse.

Okay, that was really bad. Sorry.

Anyway, while the Mafia did some really gross stuff, they knew how to suit up. Really. Of course, there are some ways Mafia style can be misconstrued. Like so.




A fedora and a tommy gun do not make a Mafia look. Just..........no.  No.
Mafia Staple #1 Pinstripes
Most mobsters know how to wear a suit, and while you don't have to suit up, per se, pinstripes are  a definite must.


#2 A Hat
Usually fedora or cloche. Mob activity became very big in the 20's or 30's, around the same time this flapper trend came around. This may be just me, but I seem to see big similarities between flappers and gangster's molls.


#3 Spectators
The ultimate moll shoe. These shoes come in varying heights, sometimes with straps, but they ALWAYS are black and white, like so.

All in all, there are two basic rules.
#1
Black and white are always right.
#2
If you look like you can kill in it, you probably can.



Ciao!

Bundling Up.......Without Bulking Up

Winter, a magical time when you get to give gifts, eat copious amounts of food, and basically make merry. Unfortunately, it gets cold outside, unless you live somewhere warm, which let's face it, is not how one does winter. In this blogger's humble opinion, if you cannot see your breath, it's not winter.
But, moving on.
Have you ever bundled up in a coat, only to realize the coat in question makes you like a bundle of laundry?
Like this, for example?


With large coats like these, you add an immense amount of fabric to your frame, which unfortunately, makes one look bigger than they really are.
Don't get me wrong, I like being warm, I just like looking nice while doing so as well. Is that really too much to ask? I don't think so.
There are many different coats and jackets out there, and many different ways to style them.

One universally flattering jacket type is the peacoat, a jacket with 4-6 large buttons in the center, like so.

The peacoat's structured design holds in the wearer, and can slim or add curves. Another ideal coat for every body type is the trenchcoat.


This coat's shape is long and lean, and has a belt, which can be used to create or de-accentuate curves.
There are many coats for many different shapes, but these two are the best.
Sorry this post is short, but I left a link to a site with more detailed notes on the subject. Have fun, and Ciao!
http://risingwatersentertainment.com/2011/10/fall-trend-coats-for-every-body-shape/

Skank-Free Animal Print

Animal print. it's one of those things that women put on to feel confident, most likely because the most recognizable prints belong to ferocious animals, such as the tiger and the leopard. I myself have coldcocked my cheating boyfriend, bitched out my mortal enemy, and won a catfight while wearing animal print. Tiger, to be specific

However, animal print can also bring out the inner prostitute, drag queen, and all-around ho in people.
Like this.


I have no idea who in their right mind would wear that, but you know who you are.

1. Never mix prints. Ever. There is wiggle room for this on florals, dots and stripes, but not so with animal print. Nu-uh.
2. The piece of clothing CANNOT BE A SECOND SKIN. Either fitted or loose.
3.Pair the print with black, white, or gray. Red (but not too much. Too much Red + Animal Print = Lingerie)  and denim are okay too. If you are able to find a color that works besides this, congratulations. Call Anna Wintour to brag. On second thought, don't. She's a very busy person.
4. NO METALLICS. Never, ever. Metallics and animal print makes a statement. A statement that says, "YO, STAY OFF MY CORNER, BITCH!"
5. Try to shy away from animal print jackets. They make the aforementioned statement.

Work



This is an example of how animal print can work......for work, without looking like the office tramp. Pair the piece with a pencil skirt or slacks, and keep everything else neutral.

Party


This dress, in a tasteful leopard, paired with the jacket, is a unique yet dressy look, perfect to stand out in a sea of LBDs. Blazers and cardis work too, but leather jackets can be iffy. Only wear a leather jacket and animal print together if you want people to be intimidated.

Everyday


The vest and oxfords dress down this look, which can be dressed up for anything.

Remember the rules and unleash your inner beast!
Too cheesy? I think so, but it had to be said.
Ciao!

Be A Man! (but not really)

Menswear. It's one of those hit-and-miss things. If you put on a blazer and it makes you look wider than you really are, you missed. If you try on a pair of slack and it smooths your legs into a lean, long line, you hit it. Menswear is something that must be approached with caution. Like minidresses, jeggings and orange, they can bring out both the best and worst in people.

The most recognizable menswear pieces are:
#1-The Blazer
 
#2-Slacks


#3-Button Down



These pieces are essential for every wardrobe. They can be fit into almost any outfit, any time.

History
The menswear was epitomized by Marlene Dietrich in the 30's. This inspired women in the workforce to start wearing more tailored, clean-cut clothing, i.e, what a man would wear.


Now, remember the best and worst thing I was telling you about? Here it is.
Blazer-Worst


Do you know why the model looks so upset? IT'S BECAUSE THIS OUTFIT IS CRAP! Just like you would omit the tight-on-tight to avoid looking like a hooker, you need to omit loose-on-loose to avoid looking like a homeless hipster. (One kind of goes hand in hand with the other)
Blazer-Better


By adding a more colorful, fitted dress underneath, you draw the eye to your curves, instead of covering them up.
Slacks-Worst


Think of slacks as the local Y. If you're going to swim in it, do it right.
Better-Loose


The slacks, which are a crisp cream color, elongate the leg with their length and soft draping. Look for pairs like these, that sit at your natural waist, and flatter it.
Worst-Tight



Fitted slacks are like trying to get a bullseye with a sewing needle. First of all, the slacks themselves need to go to the ankle. Secondly, they need to be made of a fabric that does NOT accentuate your every flaw, such as corduroy, or tweed.
Better-Tight


Worst-Button Down
What most people don't realize is that a button-down isn't just for work. It's a more chic alternative to a hoodie or......anything really.
Just don't look like you robbed your overweight uncle's closet, like so.


If you're going to go big like this, tuck it in, like so. And never, ever wear something this big over a mini. It looks like you forgot pants. (Sorry about the shirt poking out in the back, sometimes the effects on here can get a little sketchy)


Fitted button-downs can also add a more sophisticated touch to any ensemble.

 

Remember: There is nothing sexier than a woman who can pull off menswear.

Ciao!