Fashionable Family

Note to Reese, Ava and Deacon:

I am loving your looks at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll yesterday. Reese, your classic white look fits well and it looks appropriate for a spring garden party. Ava, I love your yellow dress. The loose fit belted on you is darling, and I like that you paired it with some gladiator sandals. Deacon, what can I even say but I love that you wore a checked shirt with an orange tie and shoelaces. I also appreciate that you didn't wear full length pants. You (or whoever dresses you) pays attention to details, and those little things make a huge difference! I bet you three were one of the best-dressed families in DC.

Note to Readers:

Ok, we all know I am a big fan of Reese, but one of the things I like the most about her is she is always dressed appropriately. Meaning she selects clothing that is right for the occasion, and for her age. I am happy to see this extends to her family too. Her children are dressed properly for attending a White House event, but they still look like kids. I like that you can see a bit of their personalities through their outfits as well. It keeps things from getting too stuffy.

Street Style

Note to Kelly Ripa:
This look is tres adorable on you! It is the perfect combination of casual yet sophisticated. I love that you didn't feel the need to wear a black top with the black and white skirt. The navy tank is a perfect addition to the look and keeps it from being too matchy-matchy.

Note to Readers:
This ensemble is exemplary in a few different categories:
1. Dressing for petite figures- This Dries Van Noten skirt has horizontal lines that make Kelly's gamine frame appear more curvy.
2. Dressing casually- For some dressing casually means wearing sweats and what ever shirt doesn't have a stain on it. Kelly's tank, skirt, and sandals combo shows that even when you are running errands, you can look effortlessly chic.
3. Dressing in hot weather- tanks, skirts, and sandals are all great ways to stay cool in the summer heat. I actually prefer to wear dresses and skirts when it is really hot. I think it is much more comfortable than wearing shorts, which are usually a tighter fit than most skirts, and don't allow your skin to breathe.
4. Dressing appropriately for one's age- I appreciate that Kelly isn't wearing an denim skirt with holes in it, and a Hello Kitty t-shirt, if you catch my drift. The length of the skirt is fitting for a woman Kelly's age, and she looks sexy while not trying to dress like a teen. Are you paying attention Mariah?

Dakota Fanning

Note to Dakota Fanning:

We all know you are an amazing actress.  At the tender age of eight you were nominated for a SAG award.  Apparently you are talented beyond your years in the realms of fashion as well.  The above picture shows what you wore to the recent Westwood premiere of your film Push.  I love it.  It is a sophisticated hue, but a youthful silhouette.  It shows that you are growing up, but you are still dressed like a teenager would (if she had your budget and movie premieres to go to).  I love the dress, I love the shoes, and your natural makeup and relaxed hair keep your look youthful.  

Note to Readers:

I don't know how you are all feeling, but I am beyond tired of seeing teenage starlets looking like they are forty.  If you are in your teens, you should not wear anything that requires double-stick tape. It seems like child stars who try to transition to a more mature career, feel the need to completely push the envelope to show everyone they are not little kids anymore.  Also, this applies to everyone, but it seems the young stars are frequently offenders in this category... do not leave the house without underwear on, ok?  I appreciate Dakota's more mature look, but even more I appreciate that she did not take the look too far.

And the Winner is....

Note to Dara Torres:
You are the only person who has beat out Michael Phelps in a while, and that is in our Fashion Noted poll. This was a difficult poll to win, because in actuality the only thing most of us have seen you wearing is a swimsuit. You have accomplished many things though, all of which have led to your big victory in this poll. You were the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, which must have been intimidating being the lone non-model posing in a bathing suit. You are not a stranger to going against the grain. Your appearance at the Beijing Olympic games was your 5th Olympics, and you are the first and only American swimmer to accomplish that. Also at age 41, you raced against women half your age, and beat almost all of them. You always had a smile on your face too, which added to your appeal. Thanks for showing us that you are never too old to give up on your dreams, and following your dreams is always fashionable.

Note to Readers:
I hope you enjoyed the Olympics as much as I did. From a style standpoint, there were many victories from the Americans. I applauded the US Gymnasts for not getting sucked into the blue eyeshadow and glitter hair gel trends that so many in their sport have succumbed to. They kept their faces fresh and natural looking, and they were the best looking squad on the mats. Michael Phelps showed us that the best accessory anyone can have is a Gold Medal, so why not make it eight of them? Kerri Walsh with the long, lean body of a model and Misty May-Treanor with her athletic build showed us that athletic women are just as beautiful as uber-skinny ones. Finally, our poll winner Dara Torres showed us that with some hard work we can achieve our goals too. I was definitely inspired and I hope you all were as well.

Mariah Strikes Again

Note to Mariah:
So apparently reading Fashion Noted is not a part of your daily routine. I guess you missed the entire post about dressing appropriately for one's age. This is what you wore to the Teen Choice Awards last night, and it is not ok. Please, please, please, for the sake of all of us, cover up your midriff and buy longer shorts. Just because your husband is in his twenties, doesn't mean you are. In fact, I am in my twenties and I wouldn't wear this ensemble, and I would frown upon teenagers who dared to wear it too.

Note to Readers:
One thing we can learn from Mariah is that you can wear bright colors at any age. The vibrant blue color of her "top" would look pretty as a dress, or on a longer, less fitted top with some white jeans. I also love yellow. In fact one of my boyfriends thought it was the only color I wore because I wore yellow on our first few dates. (Note to self: diversify wardrobe) The color of the shorts is great, it is just the length of them that I have a problem with, along with the weird belt, and the way she paired it with that "top". I encourage you all to wear bright colors while it is still summer, just wear them in more appropriate ways. If you have any questions, you know where to comment or you can email me at fashionnoted@gmail.com.

Dressing Age Appropriately

Note to Mariah:
You are basically the antithesis of dressing for your age. I don't expect you to dress matronly or frumpy in anyway. You have worked hard (and probably paid a lot) for your body, and you should dress to emphasize your hard work. I just think there may be a couple more subtle ways to highlight your assets. Unless you are at the beach, midriffs are not ok. Neither are bandanas as shirts or visible bras. Also, the butterfly trend ended circa 1999, time to find some new accessories. Thanks.

Note to Readers:
I think that it is possible to be fashionable and stylish at any age. Here are a few tips to make sure you don't look like you are stealing clothing from your pre-teen daughter's closets:
-If you have to ask yourself if something is too short, it probably is.
-Don't shy away from color. Colors look beautiful on women of all ages, and it is one of the best ways to make a wardrobe interesting. Just don't wear colors that are sprinkled with glitter, and after age six rainbow tie-dye is not acceptable-- on anyone.
-Don't hide your figures in clothes that are shapeless and too big, you may think you are hiding flaws, but it can actually make you look bigger. However, if your clothing is so tight that you can see your bra or underwear lines, or it is starting to pucker at the closures, it is definitely too tight.
-DO have fun with your clothing.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, life is too short for boring clothes.