Pants, Optional

Note to Pop Singers:

When did wearing pants become optional? Honestly, I understand when dancers wear just leotards for functional reasons. My question is, what is the function of wearing lingerie or leotards, combined with stilettos, and an obscene amount of rhinestones or glitter? Some of the worst offenders are Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and the above, Miley Cyrus who is deciding to rock this trend. (I know Lady Gaga does this too, but I feel like she is in her own fashion world, and I could write a book just about her sartorial selections) I know you are trying to be edgy and wear no pants, but it isn't really edgy when all of you are doing it. Please put some pants on. Merci.

Note to Readers:

I apologize if the above pic is offensive. I am just trying to make a point. Are you all ok with this no pants craze?

Outrageous 80s

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Note to Marc Jacobs:

As you may remember you won our poll for favorite American designer, so I thought I would give our readers a review of your Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection.  I guess the only thing that can be expected from your shows, is to be ready to be surprised.  This collection was entirely different from your Americana-esque Spring 2009 runway show. Your inspiration was blatantly obvious, the 80s for today's fashionista.  I love the structural aspects of the above look, with the vibrant color you infused it with. You once again transported your audience and anyone who views your collection to another time, which right now, may be exactly what we all need. Thanks for the opulent escape.

Note to Readers:

For a while now, we have all been noticing the 80s are back.  Now with Marc's new collection, they are going to stay for a while.  It is important to be able to follow the trend without looking like you are stepping out of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.  On the runway, Jacobs had the bright highlighter inspired eighties colors, eighties silhouettes (i.e. exaggerated shoulders), eighties hair, and eighties makeup.  My advice to you is to not dress in head-to-toe eighties garb, but to take one eighties element and incorporate it into your look.  If you are wearing a dress that is neon pink, pair it with some sleek current shoes, and natural hair and makeup.  Or if you are wearing a jacket with broad shoulders (perhaps courtesy of some shoulder pads), pair it with a plain colored tank and some skinny-legged pants, not neon leggings.

The trick is to look fashionable without looking like you are wearing a costume. 

Clarification

Note to Solange Knowles:

In a previous post I mentioned patterned tights are going to be a big trend this fall and winter, but I should have been more specific. Just because a pair of tights has a pattern does not mean they are worth wearing. These tights are an ugly pattern and the color would not look good on anyone over the age of six. On a positive note, your top and skirt are very chic and if you wore them bare-legged with a pair of fabulous stilettos your look would have been smashing!

Note to Readers:
I hope this post does not scare you off of wearing patterned tights. My advice for wearing them would be to pick a pattern that you would wear a shirt or skirt in. If the pattern would be ugly on another garment, it will be ugly on a pair of tights. Also, when wearing patterned tights, keep the rest of your look simple and free of prints. You do not want your outfit to look too busy. Picking a color for the tights is important as well-- choose neutral or darker colors, appropriate for the fall and winter seasons.

I Heart Plaid

All images in this post are from the Fall 2008 Dolce and Gabbana Ready to Wear Collection

Note to Plaid:
I am on the brink of being ecstatic that you are one of the stand out trends for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons. I have been trying to bring you back for a few seasons now, and I am so glad that now there are going to be so many chic and new ways to wear you. You made an appearance in many of the 2008 designer runway collections, and I was grinning from ear to ear each time you hit the runway. Welcome back my dear friend!

Note to Readers:
Some people are a little bit skeptical about wearing plaid, for fear of looking like a lumberjack or someone who never left the 90s grunge-flannel wearing stage. This Fall will be the perfect time to start reintroducing plaid into your wardrobe. Plaid prints can be busy and colorful, so make sure the rest of your outfit is solid colors and basic silhouettes. On the runways they paired different plaid prints and it looked amazing, but in real life it would be too much in one outfit. Also to avoid looking grungy or like a lumberjack, pick plaid garments with chic tailoring, more fitted and feminine silhouettes, and make sure the fit is not too loose. You don't want to get lost in a sea of plaid! Printed tights are going to be a big trend in the upcoming seasons, and I am obsessed with plaid tights. Again, with a plaid make sure you have one article of the plaid and the rest of your outfit is more subdued. Have fun with the plaid, and feel free to email me with any questions and concerns. fashionnoted@gmail.com


Please note the ultra-feminine silhouette complete with ruffles.



I love the tights, love the dress, and on the runway this outfit looks uber-cool. In real life it would have to be edited down a bit, but each of the pieces would combine with solids to make an amazing outfit. Except for the head scarf; I am not ready to hop on that train yet.

"Plain" White T's

Mary Kate Olsen in a White T-Shirt at a Red Carpet Event



Nicole Richie wearing White Shirts casually

Note to White T-Shirts:
What would I do without you? Your versatility never seems to amaze me. I love to wear you with jeans, shorts, skirts, to the gym (the few times I actually go to the gym that is), to sleep in-- really your possibilities are endless. I can wear you to the beach over a swimsuit and then seamlessly transition to wearing you under a fabulous leather jacket with some skinny jeans on a date that night. You look good in the winter with a scarf and a cardigan and you look good in the summer with some shorts and flip flops. I love that I can buy you in a pack of three (Hane's Undershirts for Men) at Target for $9.99. I'm usually am not a fan of frequent wardrobe repeats, but with you I find it hard not to wear you a few times a week. Thank you for always being there for me when I need you.

Note to Readers:
First and foremost, I apologize for my lack of blogging this past week. I was enjoying an extended holiday weekend. Hopefully there are still a few of you coming back to check for new posts and you haven't given up on me yet!

Now for a few tips about wearing White T's, the key here is to keep your look from being too plain. While your shirt may be simple, your outfit does not need to be. Adding a little extra to your outfit can be as simple as wearing a bright colored flat shoe with your jeans and white t-shirt. You can also think outside of the box and pair your t-shirt with more formal wear, for instance a friend of mine wore one with a high waisted skirt, a wide belt, and fabulous platform heels for her birthday party and she looked amazing! When your shirt is white, you can use a lot of color in your accessories without looking too overdone. Once you start thinking of new ways to wear these ubiquitous garments, you won't be able to stop! Have fun and remember, life is too short for boring clothes.

Wearing Colors: Do's and DON'Ts

Note to Bright Colors:
Now that summer is in full swing, it is tempting to wear you to match the bright weather. I love to wear vibrant colors, they accent a tan, and somehow put me in a better mood. It is just important to remember to not wear every color of the rainbow at once, whilst matching purses, shoes, and even hair to this color scheme. I promise to wear you often this summer, but I will be careful to not look like the girls above.

Note to Readers:
Now is the time to break out the bold hues that you have stuffed in back of your closet. Summer is the time to get courageous when integrating color into your wardrobe. Here are a few helpful hints to keep you from looking like a reject from the Rainbow Brite fan club. Don't be afraid of bright colors, some of my favorite shades of this season are "highlighter" inspired hues of yellow, green, pink and blue. (They are neon versions of these colors that look like highlighter ink) Just try to use the brightest color of your outfit as an accent color. Also, if you have a really bright top on, balance it out with white, black or denim on the bottom, and vice versa. When wearing a colorful dress, throw caution to the wind, wear it confidently and you will look fabulous. (just don't over-accessorize like Lily Allen and her friend in the above picture) Most importantly, have fun with your outfit choices, life is too short for boring clothes!

Fancy Flats

Note to Readers:
I love wearing heels, they dress up an outfit, make legs look leaner, and they can be the epitome of being feminine and sophisticated. That being said, they also are not the most comfortable option in footwear. Now, I am one of the first people to admit that sometimes personal comfort needs to be sacrificed for fashion. I am also quick to admit that part of looking good and confident is being comfortable in what you are wearing. Flats have saved my feet and my outfit more times than I can count. I am always on the look out for unique looking flats that can be worn with a cute outfit, without looking matronly or frumpy.

Note to Gold Flats (on the right):
You were a surprise find at the Kenneth Cole store. I was in the store shopping for my mom, and I found you- it has been love ever since. Every time I wear you, people compliment me, and ask me where you came from. I politely oblige and tell them, but so far I have not seen anyone else with you. I think we were meant to be.

Note to Cream Flats (on the left):
I am so glad that my friend Amie bought you. You were bought at the Gaspard Yurkievich showroom in Paris, so you have come a long way. She was on the fence about buying you, but now every time she wears you out she says she can't imagine the remorse she would have if she let you get away.