How do I wear that trend…bold colors

Feb 11, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

They were hot this past summer and they’re still hot for 2009.  Bold colors are still a great trend that is holding strong.  While basic black will always be classic and a fashion favorite, bold colors are a great way to make your outfits pop.  Now as someone that isn’t a big fan of patterns, I enjoy the bold color trend because it gives me the ability to some extra flair to my outfits without having to deal with patterns.

I know, I know.  I need to show patterns some love and I am working on it but in the meantime, I will rock those bold colors.  I do realize, however, that there are some of you who have an almost totally black wardrobe. Or there are others of you who live life in different shades of tan and brown. It’s ok, you can do the bold color trend as well.

Some easy and non intimidating ways to incorporate bold colors into your wardrobe is through jewelry, shoes, hair accessories and purses.  If you are a lady that enjoys wearing lots of black, you can spice up that black outfit with a bold colored bracelet or a bold colored pair of shoes.  If you are a lady that enjoys wearing tans, you can spice up that tan outfit with a burnt orange or red accessory of any kind.

The bold color trend is not unlike the jewel tone trend.  For more tips, check out this post I did on how to incorporate jewel tones depending on the most prevalent color palette in your wardrobe.

How Do I Wear Jewel Tones

You can also refer to a post that I wrote about how to wear the bright color trend that was really popular over the summer.  Honestly, bold colors and bright colors aren’t that different.  The tone is usually what may separate the two.  Bold colors can be bright or they can just be striking.  For example, burnt orange is a bold color whereas candy apple red is a bright color.  See the difference?  Check out this post for more tips.

How Do I Wear Bright Colors

Any questions? Send me a comment or a message.  Remember, fashion should be fun.

read more

How do I wear that trend…blazers

Feb 5, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

I just finished going through all of the comments I’ve gotten recently.  I love that there are people checking out the blog and sharing their thoughts.  I highly encourage it!  Keep up the comments, thoughts, suggestions and insights.

Ok, now on to another trend alert.  When I was looking into trends for 2009, I was pleased to discover that blazers were making a comeback on the trend scene.  Now don’t get me wrong, blazers have been around for years.  They started out as something men would wear and eventually seeped into the closets of ladies as well.  So they haven’t ever actually left but it’s great to see them on the list of trends for 2009.

I love the way a good blazer can make an outfit look instantly more polished and pulled together.  I used to stay away from them personally because I’m a bit top heavy and I have a hard time with clothes that button down the front.  I get that annoying buckle effect and I think that makes the piece of clothing look too small even if it isn’t.  However, I am going to take the leap and join the rest of the ladies wearing blazers.  The great thing about blazers is that they come in so many different fabrics so you can own more than one and achieve a separate type of look with each one.

Ok this is what I’m going to do.  I’m going to go out there and find a few blazers and put together a few different blazer looks and post those pictures for you to see.  Now, I’m not a stylist by any means and I don’t consider myself a trendy person (I am a Clueless Fashionista) but I will use this exercise to broaden my ability to put together pieces.

I challenge you to do the same thing.  Get a blazer or two and put together a few different looks.  I’d love to feature your looks as well as mine.  Once you get the pictures together, send me a message and I will send you an email about where to send the pictures.  I have to keep my email addresses away from the spammers so I won’t post it here.

So good luck with the blazer project and I look forward to seeing your pictures!

read more

How do I wear that trend…boyfriend jeans

Jan 30, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

A trend that become popular among celebrities late last year was the boyfriend jean.  In case you’re not familiar, boyfriend jeans are those jeans that are kind of loose and typically look as if you are wearing men’s jeans.  Here is a picture for a reference.

As you can see, these jeans are very loose fitting and comfortable looking. Well late last year Katie Holmes was spotted wearing them with a tight cuff in the leg and people were loving the look. Honestly, many women have been wearing boyfriend jeans for years now but they never really had a name. Now that they do, they’re a trend for 2009. This is a trend I can totally support for a few reasons.

1. They’re jeans. I love blue jeans and at one point had about 25 pair. That number has since dwindled but I am working on increasing my collection.
2. They’re loose. Throwing on a pair of great fitting jeans that hug your curves is great but sometimes you don’t want your curves hugged but you still want to look polished. Boyfriend jeans are great for that.
3. They’re jeans. Did I mention that I love blue jeans?

Ok, enough of my reasons for why these are great. If you want to work this trend into your wardrobe, please keep some things in mind.

1. Fit is key. Loose doesn’t mean ill fitting. Make sure the jeans are the proper size so that they compliment your body type. When you go buy some, try them on and make full use of the full length mirror. If in doubt, ask a sales person or take a trusted friend with you. Don’t walk around in too big jeans calling them boyfriend jeans. These jeans can be loose but still fit well.
2. Wash is important. I’m a firm believer that dark washed jeans are the most flattering for all figures across the board. With that in mind, it is possible to wear a lighter wash and still look polished, however be careful with washes that fade in and out in designs. When you try on the jeans, make sure that the wash is one that flatters your figure along with the fit. In recent years, jeans designers have started doing interesting things with the color on a jean where it fades in and out in various places. This doesn’t look good on everyone so once again, use that full length mirror.
3. Buy women’s jeans. Even though these are called boyfriend jeans, you shouldn’t look for a shortcut and buy men’s jeans. I strongly caution against that because men’s jeans are cut differently. As women we have curves that men don’t have. Even if you aren’t a very curvy woman, your body is still shaped differently than a man’s. Buying men’s jeans is not something I would suggest because it could go against suggestion 1. Stick with women’s jeans for optimal fit.

I plan on taking full advantage of this trend in 2009. I’m going to make it a point to add a pair (or two) of boyfriend jeans to my current collection. I suggest you do too. But then again, I’m very biased as I LOVE blue jeans. Any questions about this trend? Send me an email or a comment. Any pictures of you rocking this trend? Send me a picture. I’d love to see it and post it.

read more

How do I wear that trend…jewel encrusted

Jan 20, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

One of the trends on tap for this year is the jewel encrusted trend.  I know, I know.  When you hear jewel encrusted, you may automatically think bedazzled or tacky rhinestones on everything but that’s not always the case.  You can wear jewel encrusted clothing without looking like you were attacked by a glue gun.

1.  Shoes.  One great way to incorporate the jewel encrusted trend is by wearing a great pair of sparkle enhanced shoes.  As shoes become more glamorous, things like rhinestones and other sparkly studs are starting to make a strong appearance.

2.  Hair accessories. Another way to incorporate the jewel encrusted trend is by wearing sparkly hair accessories.  If you don’t want to be overwhelmed by jewels, putting them in your hair is a good way to do it in small doses.

3.  Earrings.  You can never go wrong with a great pair of sparkly earrings.  It may seem like a bit of a cop out in the jewel encrusted trend, but for those more conservative Clueless Fashionistas may benefit from an extra bit of sparkle.  Don’t be afraid of a little shine!

4.  Accessories.  Jewel encrusted belts and purses are another way to observe this trend.  It’s a great way to add an extra bit of flavor to a basic outfit without feeling overdone.

These are just a few ways you can participate in the jewel encrusted trend.  For those of you that are a bit more adventurous, you can always throw on a jewel encrusted shirt or jacket.  From there, the sky’s the limit!

read more

How do I wear that trend-sheer clothing

Jan 15, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

Last year I decided to look forward rather than back and made a list of the trends that will be coming up in 2009.  Now that we’re in 2009, I figure it’s time to start incorporating those trends.  I also realized that everyone may not know how to do this so the “How do I wear that trend…” series is back up and running.  The first trend that I mentioned for 2009 was sheer clothing.  I know that some of you that are a bit more conservative may have written this trend off before even considering it but you don’t have to.  It is possible to take part in the sheer trend without walking around showing off your underwear.  Actually, I advise against doing that anyway.

The best way to do the sheer thing is to find items that aren’t completely see through but have sheer fabric incorporated in the clothes.  For example, you could take a shirt that is sheer and layer a non sheer shirt, jacket or sweater over it.  This way the sheer item shows but it doesn’t show all of you and it can be very tasteful and fun.  Below are some pictures of different ways to wear sheer clothing.  If you’ve dabbled in the trend, send me your pics and I will post them as well.  I’d love to feature some sheer-in-action shots!

These are just to give you some general ideas of what you can do with sheer clothes without being overexposed.  Enjoy!

read more

Shopping tips: Designer shopping for less

Jan 9, 2009 by cluelessfashionista

While I’m not a complete designer snob, I do appreciate the higher quality that designer clothes typically represent.  However, I am often unable to afford to make the investment that many designer clothes and accessories require.  It made me smile when Target began partnering with designers to create lower cost collections for their stores.  Early on, we started to see Issac Mizrahi,  Mossimo and Converse added to the Target brands that we have come to know and love.  Even before Target began partnering with designers, their clothing was typically much more preferred by the fashionable but budget conscious community.  Once they began introducing lines by well known high end designers, their clothing and accessories improved even more.  Now, Target is a great shopping destination for those budget conscious fashionistas.

Well Target decided to amp up its designers collections by releasing capsule collections from different designers as a part of their Go International section.  This is great for us Clueless Fashionistas who often don’t know how to start incorporating designer brands into our wardrobes and may not be willing or able to pay the higher prices.  Well you can visit Target now and browse their Go International collections and learn about different designers.  Currently they are featuring apparel by Thakoon, a designer that’s very popular with the high fashion set.  Now the line is available to virtually everyone at Target.  I recommend that you stop in and pick up some of his pieces out but do it quickly because it will be gone after January 31.  Check out the website at www.thakoon.com and then compare it to the Target line.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  Another designer currently being featured at Target is Hayden-Harnett handbags.  Typically those handbags can run upwards of $700 or more but the Target collection ranges from $19.99 to $44.99 without sacrificing the high end look and quality.  Check out the website at www.haydenharnett.com.

Go forth and shop Clueless Fashionistas!  I know that the economy isn’t doing very well and we all have to cut back but Target is making it possible for us to cut back without looking like it and that’s why its one of my favorite stores.

Photo credit: by Photocapy

read more