How to wear animal print maxi dress

Animal print is a severe and very challenging print to wear. It's something that can make you look highly fashionable and stylish if done right but can also make you look disaster with even very tiny mistakes.

Wearing little animal print in your outfit is easier to handle than wearing a huge ensemble such as an animal print maxi dress. But fret not. You don't need to be a celebrity or a model to perfectly pull off a fabulous animal print maxi dress. You just need the perfect techniques.  Take a look at my tips on how to wear animal print maxi dress.

• Choose the right dress

It's important that you pick the right animal print maxi dress for you. You'll have to consider the shade that supplements your skin color, the patterns that would go along your figure, the style and cut of the dress itself and the fitting. You must be comfortable with the cut. By that I mean that you make sure the dress itself is stylish and perfect to flaunt your assets. See how Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen wear animal print.

Hear turner Leopard Halter Evening Gown Sexy Long Maxi Dress

A black and white zebra print is a good alternative if you're intimidated by zebra or leopard print

Halter straps tied on the back of your neck and fitted bodice destruct the eyes off the print

• Choose the right accessory

 It's very essential that you choose the right accessories for your animal print dress. After all, it's with the accessories  that girls easily commit mistakes. The colors must jibe with the print. If you choose to match, make sure the accessories have finer prints.

Animal print comes in different variations. The tiger print, for example, usually comes in bigger patterns with light brown as background shade, the leopard print is much more fierce and darker, the zebra print usually comes in diagonal/stripe patterns of dark brown or black and white, and there are even more creative colored animal prints such as dark pink, purple, etc. The thing is you must know how to play with colors.

 
Jennifer Lopez's animal print cut out maxi dress behind screams fashion with matching accessories

Serena's daring animal print combination

 I wore my animal print maxi dress from Chaps with a pearl wrist watch and a dark Bindi

In case you're unsure, it's better to stick with plain dark brown or black for shoes or bags.

• Choose the perfect length for your personality or for the occasion

If you feel intimidated by the long maxi dress that's an animal print, then go for a mini-maxi dress. Showing off more flesh can tome down the fierceness of the print. Make sure that your footwear gives your dress justice. Pic a shimmering pair of silver or gold strapped shoes 'cause I guarantee, eyes would automatically shift from the dress down there.  

Model Jessica Stam attends the launch of Robeto Cavalli's new collection at H&M held at the H&M on 5th Avenue on November 8, 2007 in New York City.

For a bonus point, tip on exaggerating the print,  see how models wear leopard print.

Carine Roitfeld's guide to looking good at any age

To celebrate Paris Fashion Week, That's Not My Age looks to the 55-year-old French Vogue editor for tips on ageless style:

1. Show off your best bits
'When you are a woman you have to know what you have good, non? And you have to take advantage. I have two good things. Good legs and good eyes.'

2. Precious moments
'I say jewellery is better before 25 and after 60, and now 60 is not far off, I am allowed to wear again.'

3. Mix it up
'I do not like total look. I do not like conformist. I love white shoes in winter, white shoes with black tights, a black bra under a transparent top. I always take the opposite.'




Photo: The Sartorialist
Quotes: The Times

How to dress a curvy body

When we look at the runway or the glamor magazines, we see lots of fashion inspirations from thin shape fashion models - how they dress and how they get prettified. However, there aren't as much fashion tips for women who are blessed with curvaceous built. While slim or petite figures are much easy to dress up, to flaunt fashionably a curvaceous figure is kind'a challenging, or so we thought.

Not anymore! Kim Kardashian is one of the few women who are proud and comfortable with their curves. Instead of hiding those yummy assets with baggy clothes, Kim handles the challenge of topping her curves efficiently. Her secret? Wearing dresses that fit her body perfectly.

Kim Kardasian believes that to highlight your assets when you are curvy, you've got to use some simple tricks.

Find a great tailor

Accentuate your waist

Avoid oversize tops and dresses

Embrace your shape

Read her Tips for Dressing a Curvy body.

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How to Dress Like Carrie Without a "SATC" Budget

Author of this post, guest blogger Pauline Goodman, owns a British online store selling high quality, Italian leather handbags. For more daily updates for fabulous fashionistas, follow her on twitter, just search for paulinegoodman.

Learning to look great without spending an arm and a leg is the sort of skill that can get you far; doing it perfectly for years while establishing your own style can get you famous. Look at someone like Madonna, who started out as a young Italian woman from Detroit with no New York connections. She knew how to make an outfit work, how to stretch essentials and accent them with truly unique pieces, and she managed to look presentable enough to net those crucial meetings and get into the right clubs.

A city like New York is definitely open to those who are willing to combine classic style with contemporary flair and flourishes. After all, in the past decade, they've given us everyone from the "Sex and the City" girls to Lady Gaga herself. But the trouble with fashion magazines and television shows alike is that often, even though the people being profiled were once working with minimal budgets, once they're in the glossies, they have a whole lot more money. And figuring out how to pull of the same looks can take a bit more sleuthing if your own personal budget is more limited.

But dressing like Carrie without a "Sex and the City" budget is something that can be accomplished by any woman who is willing to put in just a bit of work in terms of searching for the right outfits at the even better prices. The first thing you have to tell yourself is that certain things should just stay on the screen, and not be an aspiration for your own closet. While it might have been cute when Carrie was fretting over how to buy a new pair of designer shoes at some Fifth Avenue store while still making rent on time, you don't need to have that same struggle.

If you must have designer shoes, realize that going vintage or going consignment can often save a whole lot of money. Likewise, it is crucial to realize that having a great pair of shoes is often enough to sustain your outfit. You don't need a closet full of them--until your budget can support that kind of habit. Try to get one timeless and versatile pair of sophisticated black heels, and then go with something a bit more spontaneous and bubbly.

Carrie's outfits are supposed to represent that great New York style that everyone has been raving about for years, and the reasoning for this is that since the show was depicting real New York, you were seeing the real fashions of a forward-thinking writer who had been unlucky in love. While outfits might not have repeated on the screen, in the real world, people know that mixing and matching is the way to get the most out of any wardrobe. Be sure to pick up basics that can go with just about anything, and realize that having understated essentials can make your fashion soar.

The right pair of sophisticated and smart high-waisted pants or a classic little black dress can be the basis for a more exciting and colorful ensemble. Spend on those pieces that you're going to be wearing more often, and try to not blow the bank on something that is very obviously this season. Carrie herself bemoans having out of season clothes cluttering her closet and wrecking her budget, so don't make that same mistake!

By shopping around a little more, actually restraining yourself when you see a sale you can't afford, and being sure that you have the essentials covered, you can look just as chic and carefree as Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, or Charlotte. Just learn how to stretch your budget, and you'll have a wardrobe that's as long-lasting as it is contemporary.

photos: photobucket

Fashion tips: Covert flirt outfits

“I’m a flirt!” Some gutsy women’s tees scream these very texts. They’re daring, they’ve made up their mind and they’re comfortable with it. However, not that I’m not daring, but that I’ve decided I’ll never wear clothes with texts printed on it that challenge my personality so that I’ve included it in my Fashion Don’t list [here, it’s first in the list and that’s thanks to LiLo]. But then, does it mean that I’m anti-flirty? Of course not! I actually recommend it to girls. Be flirty but be skilled on it. When you’ve harnessed that skill, people won’t notice – at least right away – that you are indeed flirting. Haha! Sometimes, it’s not the most beautiful girl that captures the heart of Mr. Right. Sometimes, it’s the best flirt.

So how to we flirt in the most covert way? One way that I recommend is of course, through fashion but not with the use of cheap texts, instead, with the use of bows.

Fashion forward yet feminine.
Featuring Moshi's signature "Whitney Bow" printing, this ruffle-embellished tank dress creates divine feminity with sprinkles of flirty look.

Feeling tickled pink? Yes, that phrase is so overdone and I wonder if the I am Fashion girls were the originals of it or if they only just picked it somewhere for the title of one of their lastest posts before they bade farewell, but hey! wearing pink is actually being girly. And with that, we need not debate the motion "This house believes that a man's greatest need is a woman." It goes to the government side with a trashed margin. Such a motion would be the debate, when that pink top comes with a bow.

Who says you shouldn't date a colleague? I did and I actually wrote an article about "Why shouldn't you?" but highlighting the cons - which is uderstandable - because during that time I was trying hard to pen down what I learned from my failed relationship, if you could call so, with a colleague. But there are also many successful relationships and marraige which bloosomed from work. Again, I take the same stance. It isn't wrong to go flirty at work as long as it isn't vulgar so that the entire workplace watches.

Do not be afraid to go flirty through fashion at work. This Striped Bow Trim Knit Top would make your version of covert flirt and it might make a difference for your love life.

What a statement from Valentino. Thin strap across the toes and black bowdetails. Magnificent? You may dare to color your toenails with black, or the seductive red, however, I'd prefer mine natural. I'd rather leave the flirting to my shoes.

How to wear mini-trend for summer outfits: Part 3

When we speak of summer outfits automatically we think of colorful prints and floral [Part 1] - something what my girl friends would describe as colors that scream "Someone is on here!". But then we came up with elegant summer alternatives out of black+white [Part 2] - something new out of colors that we see a lot during winter. And yet I know, that modern fashionistas are always on the look for edgy outfits that scream "personality!" and "individuality!" So here I am, bringing you the summer look inspirations full of edge. As Shopbop calls it, Edge of Summer.

♥Look 1. What gives this outfit an edge? Is it the exquisite details of this Crochet Top? Is it the drapes of this silky skirt? By the way, is that a skirt? Oopps, these Alexander Wang creation are actually shorts with apron skirt overlay. So what brings the edge? It's that color symmetry that is very evident plus the sheeredness it offers that every strong minded female would love to embrace. Freedom.

♥Look 2. Life is full of pressure, competition and friction between sweet and sour. Who needs to live with them? Most of the time it requires effort to ignore them. It requires gift to be able to focus on all the good they bring. Yes, there is no reason to rant about life. There are so much reasons to celebrate life. Although sometime for some people is a great challenge, such is the gift a Carefree Crochet Camisole gives. Featuring a ribbed top hem and scalloped bottom hem, paired with tattered or faded denim shorts, "who cares about life?"

You're everywhere to me by vintagia featuring TopShop skirts

♥Look 3. What strikes out in this outfit is the mini skirt. The Contoured Suede waist belt added just enough drama with its color being the darker version of the skirt. It's buckle is a perfect centerpiece. Notice how the circle denim vest balances the look. It's edgy but ain't that loud. Unless you're within the age of teens, I don't advise those ankle booties.

I'd love to strut around the city with edgy summer outfits. But the chaos around that is both scary and insane prevents me from doing so and from spotting more edgy outfits from the streets. [Sigh]

But it's TGIS. Have a happy one, girls.

How to wear mini-trends for summer outfits - Part 2

In yesterday's post I spoke about "how to wear mini-trends for summer outfits" through inspiring Garden Party looks - prints and florals. Today, let us focus on how basic black and white can create immense summer looks.

Our Black + white summer looks are purely black and white from head to toe. The key here is creating playful combinations that project easy and light moods out of colors that could easily look dull and non-summer.

♥Look 1 is made up of Leather Corset Shorts with Front Tie, very functional, and a black and white single-sleeved top with extraordinary style. Sadly, the top is already sold out and is no longer available in the shop. But if you heart the look, you can take a similar top such as Cielo Cover Up by Tigerlily or an organic Chemise of Only Hearts.

♥Look 2 is what had smitten me last Sunday, Erika. These sequined mesh shorts are every inch fabulous. Their feature pleats and slant pockets are great details while their rounded notch at edges is meant to highlight those curvy and shapely thighs of yours. But it's the top that mostly creates the fresh look. It features sheer lace insets and bias seam detailing which is a new definition of being Radical. For this look, I prefer the footwear nude.

♥Look 3 is what you'd look like if you want a black + white with EDGE on a summer. The Black marled bandage skirt together with the sleeveless print tunic with cascading front raffles made me speechless... From head to toe this outfit hardly screams less of perfection for a summer statement.

How would you love to try black and white for a summer outfit, girls? I understand that black is a no-no when the weather is ridiculously hot that's why I prefer an 80:20 ratio for white:black.

Hold on for the third "How to wear mini..." post which would finally survive us, as promised, the mini-trend for summer with definite edge - EDGE for Summer.

How to wear mini-trends for summer outfits - Part 1

Mini outfits are the ultimate trend of the season, no doubt about it. Unless you stay in a fully air-conditioned room the entire 24 hours, you wouldn’t want to wear long outfits much more fully covered when the temperature boils up to 41° or even higher. Sure, there are some corners of the world that still await the bliss of sunshine; but that isn’t the case for countries located close to the equator. Believe me, it’s purely exhausting. But of course, no stylish girl would stop impressing her city, or town, just because it’s burning hot. Mini-trends are a lot to embrace.

by insumia.tumblr.com

Regardless of tremendous style couching, we know that everything comes down to personal preference. However, we still scan the magazines, we still search the net, we still read blogs and we still crave for what’s up in the fashion world? just because of one simple reason – inspiration! Therefore brace yourself for the showcase of the looks that recently inspired me, mini-trend outfit suggestions from shopbop.

Lovely girly floral for garden party
Girls, I hope that you're not tired of hearing me speak a lot about prints and floral because I can't help it, they're summer essentials and that's a fact. But bare in mind that it's time to go off the tangent of quick urge to buy anything floral that comes your way especially those worn by mannequins - which are always enticing, but it's a must that you have in mind beforehand ways on how to style them so that they don't get stuck in your closet as quickly as they said “hi!” to it and would have to wait for the next summer to come, if you'd finally come up with ideas on how to wear them, that is.

But if you have several floral choices already available in your closet, then perhaps it’s just perfect to find ways on how to stylishly wear them as a new look for mini-trend.

♥It might appear at first glance that the striped waistband with buckled strap detail is a belt creatively picked to complete the outfit. But no, it is attached to the floral silk skirt with featured layers. They come in handy. It always is good to wear halter top such as this Catch a Wave but being a 100% cotton with tiered ruffles, "summer!" is getting louder.

♥How many ways can you wear this Summer Garden Strapless Dress? Worn with an Elizabeth and James blazer gives a formal look, a cardigan would make a casual smart, a denim jacket would be really chic, and a scarf? ... that would make a really lovely accessory for this dress but I'm sure I'd take a black.

♥Would you love the playful drapes on a floral mini skirt that is silk? What about a knot at the hem of this cropped Carmen Stripe Tee that gives a vintage touch? This outfit is something you wouldn't see everyday.

The title of this post says it's Part 1. This is because my eyes are already closed while my fingers struggled to encode the right words. Okay, ... that's a little exagerated. But hey! If you work for like 7-7 and then 7-12 straight, you'd know what I mean. Who needs to work harder? I wonder.

So bare with me lovelies for tomorrow's post would be the part 2: how to wear mini-trend in black and white. It would survive until part 3: How to wear mini-trend with edge - as in edge!

Have a great Wednesday :)

How to Fashionably Wear a Scarf

There are different ways to fashionably tie a scarf. Examples of which are the ascot wrap, faux bow, French twist, hacking knot and the fake knot.

by insumia.tumblr.com

Scarves are now being used as a fashion accessory. They are so versatile that they can be worn in any season, occasion, or in any outfit. Be it for casual or professional attire. Scarves are good enhancers of your looks and your outfit. There are just so many ways to tie your scarf to match your outfit. Examples are given below.

♥Ascot wrap

The ascot wrap is like wearing a tie, but, with the use of a scarf. It is an excellent way to embellish formal attires like collared shirts or blouses. In order to do this, you just wear your scarf around your neck, like a tie, making sure that the right end is shorter than the left. Take the left end of the scarf over the right. Push the left end through the loop below the neck so that the left end comes over the top. Spread the scarf neatly then open a few of your shirt or blouse’s top buttons. Tuck the ends of the scarf under the shirt exposing only the top spread out part of the scarf.

♥Faux bow

A faux bow scarf is great for open necklines. An oblong neck scarf is what you will need. First, tie a loose knot on your scarf and put the knot just below your chin. Cross the ends of the scarf behind your neck and then bring the ends again to the front. Insert the ends of the scarf on the loose knot, making sure that they are in opposite directions. Finally, tighten the ends comfortably.

♥French twist

The French twist is perfect for jackets or suits. This is what you will do. First, you have to fold your scarf lengthwise. Put it around your neck and drop the ends in front of you. Now, wrap and cross the ends around your neck and pull them to the front. Make a knot and turn it to one side.

♥Hacking knot

The hacking knot is a simple way to wear your scarf that is great on both casual and formal attires. All you have to do is fold your scarf in half (lengthwise) and wear it around your neck. Twist the ends and make a tight knot below your chin then just leave the ends hang loose. You also can twist the knot so that it will stay on one side.

♥Fake knot

A fake knot is great for casual or semi-formal attires. First, wear the scarf around your neck and bring all the ends to the front. Make a loose knot on the right end of the scarf then insert the left end into the loose knot. Pull the left end of the scarf and balance the lengths of the ends. Adjust the knot by tightening it a bit.

There are still more ways to tie your scarf. Just experiment and make a new style of your own.

Suggested Ways on Wearing Striped

A thirty something fashion guru with two kids was asked, "polka dots or stripes?" Without hesitation and second thoughts, "stripes!" was the reply. "And why? It's because polka dots isn't suited for you once you're over the age of six." Oh really?

Well yes, stripes is a lot less controvertial than polka dots. Many women are more confortable wearing it. A lot of them would undoubtedly go for striped dress, striped top, striped skirts, striped shorts/pants even striped bags and shoes more than polka dots apparels and accessories.

Sunny Yellow Striped by Gleenn featuring Vivienne Westwood accessories

I did try to dispute her argument regarding the polka dots through my preceeding post "Suggested Ways on Wearing Polka Dots", however, it dawned on me that it would help if I as well find ways on how to create a pretty striped look.

♥I already knew what I wanted when I created this set. A black diagonal striped tube mini dress to go along a pair of black tights. Black and yellow bootie and yellow bag. The lovely gold choker is the highlight of this outfit.

Stripe me up when I'm in downtown by Gleenn featuring Alexander McQueen shoes

I'm glad that despite the ongoing petition of several so-called artists and/or businessmen to shut polyvore down, it still isn't. Many polyvore users are accused of stealing copyrighted images which allegedly hurt several business owners - apparently, due to cut and paste syndrome. I can wash my hands by saying that "all the materials I used to come up with these sets that suggest how to wear striped are through the courtesy of polyvore's sponsor brands."

♥What glory it is for downtown boys to see their favorite uptown girl in a lively pink and red proom dress wearing an oversized striped hat and striped strands high heels?

No longer subdued by Gleenn featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

I was amazed to find myself commenting for several times at an article posted by IFB "Who owns the contents you post online?" The article discussed how bloggers are stripped of their rights to profit from their hard work - carefully preparing for their outfits, taking photos of it and then editing - once they submit their photos to social networking sites such as chictopia, facebook, etc. [Have you heard of this recent Payless shoes and chictopia incedent?] But anyway, the article was supposed to talk about how bloggers could help each other in protecting their rights e.g personal photos from being used for advertising without them gaining a penny least a link? However, the tons of comments below the post was manuevered into a different direction by some business owners [with links to their website hidden] when they started bashing each bloggers that commented on the post accusing bloggers of stealing others' images just to be able to run their blogs [of course this isn't true to those who only use their own images especially for those "daily outfit" blogs].

Are these accusations true? Bloggers defend that if they blog about the product, they help to market it. They also provide link back to the image source. Yet image owners screamed out "foul". They do not acknowlege that a link or a mention of their site as the source would suffice for what they demand - permission!

♥I really love this look. This DayTrip Bias Striped Vest is perfect for a faded denim short shorts. It might be coincidencial when I found these striped booties that were meant to complete the outfit. The bag is neutral while the three pack wrist bands from Nike speaks of your rock N' roll side.

Stripe me with elegance by Gleenn featuring Yves Saint Laurent shoes

If using someone's photo for your blog and mainly linking back to the source is not enough, then who isn't guilty of thief?

♥This set is unarguably elegant. Should I speak more about how elegant is black? I'd love too unless you think it's dull. Look at those shoes ... and look at the dress ...

Lady in black striped by Gleenn featuring Prada bags

Should I steal just to be able to express what I think are great ways of wearing striped? Believe me, that's the last thing I had in mind when I started this blog. I did try to use public domain photos a lot, but I found out, that anything uploaded to blogger or other free domains are listed as public domain. And those that are real public domain aren't really always useful for my posts. huh?

♥Being too striped almost all over can be overwhelming. Therefore I decided to subdue a part of this Zoo Tess Striped dress with a cropped leather jacket. The boots are hilarious. I can die if somebody would give them to me as a birthday present [which would be next week?]. But let's face it, even if the boots are at 50% discount right now, they're still very expensive. The dress however is carzily on sale for 80% off. You girls must check it. I was challenged by Anya, a hat designer, to try wearing a beret and I might just fall in love with it. I found this Newsboy Cabbie Beret with Ribbon Bow running towards me.

My Heart Will Go On by Gleenn featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Perhaps I should limit the use of photos for this blog if I were to go clean in blogging? That question is harder to ponder than "how would you like to go striped?"

♥My Hear Will Go On is my favorite love song. But I don't mean that you wear this set when you feel broken hearted or sad. No, I don't think that's the case. I love how the black ribbon gave an edgy look for the top. The stripes of the skirt aren't loud and I like it's cut. The shoes definitely match the mood.