Sometimes, we forget about some of the great pieces we already have hanging in our closet. The basic black skirt has endless possibilities. We’re going to show you 3 looks that will inspire you to revisit your black skirt.

The First look is for work:

By adding one of the season’s hottest colors, you can take a black skirt from tired to “on trend” instantly. When wearing a pop of color, keep everything else along the same color way. You may have no choice, but avoid throwing any old coat on. Stick with black, charcoal, or purple (in this case).
Items in this observation:

The Second look is for a party:

Ruffles, ruffles, ruffles! No matter where you go, you will see blouses with ruffles. Pick one in a fancy fabric like taffeta or silk. Add some sparkle in your accessories, it makes the outfit festive.
Items in this observation:

The Third look is for lunch with the ladies:

For lunch with the girls, try the modern day Jackie O. A cardigan in a bold color with feminine detail. Consider wearing boots instead of pumps, it’s a bit more casual yet still chic.

Items in this observation:

It’s blue, and it’s brilliant! If you’re feeling blue, it’s going to be a great investment. The fashion forecast calls for blue from winter all the way through spring. In the winter months, you’re wearing this with patent leather. In the spring, it works with a nude strappy sandal. To make the color work without looking like a crayon walking down the street, play up one piece. Don’t do the all over brilliant blue - yikes. What do you think? Is this blue for you?

blue in this observation:

The Holiday season is upon us, and along with the holidays come the parties. This is the time to bring out your sparkle, shine, and shimmer. Who better to imitate than our favorite Sex And The City party girl - Kim Cattrall? The fabulous, sexy, steamy Ms. Cattrall wore this couture sequin dress (by Gilles Montezin) to an event a few months ago. She makes it look sultry and elegant, not slutty or trashy. To make sure you do the same, the dress should fit nicely. It should not be super tight, or you will look cheesy. The accessories can be gold, but stay away from anything too brassy. The jewelry should consist of earrings, no necklace, and a cuff. Let the dress be the focus, the rest should blend and not compete. Kim’s dress easily costs thousands of dollars, but Arden B. has a good alternative for $118.00. That’s a no-brainer! What a relief! You already have your New Year’s Eve dress.

Items in this observation:

Style that looks effortless is the most intriguing style of all. By effortless, I don’t mean look like you didn’t try at all. The idea is to look pulled together without looking like you’re trying too hard. To achieve this - keep the major pieces understated, but rich in structure and design. Pay attention to the tailoring; it should fit beautifully. The Miu Miu jacket has a frilled waist which adds a feminine touch, yet it’s understated in it’s color and fabric. The beauty is in the design. Choose colors that are basic, and can mix well into your wardrobe. You want the ability to create a lot of different looks with the same pieces. An off-white silk blouse can work its way into a million different outfits. A great pair of jeans - a must- of course. Accessories can be a bit more bold, if you want to amp it up. A python bag pops perfectly on a neutral backdrop. This style is one of my favorites, people notice the woman instead of the outfit. That’s ideal!

simply chic items in this observation:

The salt air hits her face as she walks to the upper deck of the ferry and she’s immediately transported. The island she’s visited every summer for the past eight years is fresh in her mind once again. Crisp cool air, bike rides to the beach, the romantic feel of the fog rolling in, and the unforgettable family moments marked by the island. It’s a casual-chic island. It’s all about cotton tunics, white jeans, linen, a cashmere cardigan, a straw bag, and a pair of great sandals. The whole point of the island is to take in the sea air, embrace the outdoors, and escape the hectic life of the city. So, convince yourself to get away fom it all. Go sit on the beach and listen to powerful east coast waves as they crash down on Madaket sand. After a week, you’ll be refreshed and welcome your return to the big city.

Ack items in this Nantucket observation:

All the excitement over the Olympics has us quite interested in Beijing. If you’re lucky enough to be going to Beijing, then you might be wondering what to wear. We’ve done some research for you. First of all, it’s going to be a little more conservative than you may be used to. You’ll want to choose pieces that are appropriate, but they can still be fashion forward. It’s summer there, and you can bet that it will be very hot. Some liken it to being in a sauna day and night. A dress is probably your best option. Make sure the dress you bring hits at the knee or just below. Bring your most comfortable sandals. Whether you’re sightseeing or going to the games, you’ll be walking a lot. During the hot daytime hours, many women carry an umbrella to shade themselves from the sweltering sun. Grab a hat and shades as well. For travel purposes, bring one bag that blends with all your outfits. A textured straw shoulder bag, like the Anya Hindmarch, is beautiful and functional. It comes with an added strap so you can secure it across your body. Jazz it up with some jewelry, and you’ll be good to go. Now, you can do Beijing in style and be comfortable at the same time. Travel apparel doesn’t always mean fanny packs, sneakers, and shorts. In fact… should it ever?

olympic items in this observation (L to R):

You’ve got another party to go to, and you’ve run out of Summer ideas. Don’t be afraid to pull out your favorite black dress. The way to work a black dress into Summer style is with accessories. Go for a Grecian sun-kissed look. Black will simply glow with brushed gold accents. Pull your hair up with modern edge, and now this dress works from the suburbs to the city. Another way to dress your black dress for Summer is to kick it up with some color. Bring the color of the sea to the dress by popping on some refined turquoise earrings. Mix pieces of white and gold in for a polished look. A creamy white clutch will give it an elegant summer edge. Pull your curled hair back loosely so the pieces fall gracefully from your face. You’ll be relaxed and refined, and people will naturally be drawn to you. It’s not always about buying something new to wear. Sometimes it’s about redefining what you already have.

2 examples in this observation:

Left:

Right:

1. The Slouchy Boot
This sexy style boot looks great going into fall. Tuck in a pair of jeans, and throw on a long cardigan and you’re understated gorgeous.

2. Patent Leather
No need to put away your patent leather from spring, unless it’s in a spring color. Designers are shining up wool and cashmere with a pop of patent for fall.

3. Leather Bomber Jacket
The leather bomber jacket is also going strong into the fall. It will look great with a pair of jeans, a tee, wrapped with a scarf.

4. Ruffles
Ruffles remain! A ruffle top will look great under your leather bomber, or a long cardigan. Pair it with skinny jeans, some slouchy boots, and you’re on it!

5. Skinny Jeans
At times we all wish the skinny jean would go away, but you’ll be glad they’re around when it’s time to tuck them into your tall boots. So, don’t burn them yet!

6. The Clutch
Clutch it, because it’s clearly a trend that’s going to stick.

7. A Long Cardigan
It’s an easy style that’s low key and can work over anything. We’re seeing it well into fall. It looks great over jeans, or belted over a dress.

Embrace your femininity this summer by stepping out in ruffles! This girly embellishment enhances the look of any outfit.

Going to an event? Try a sexy, sophisticated puff dress with pleats, dramatic in color, texture and design. Pair a ruffled sensation like this with some basic, but edgy, pumps. The bag should compliment the edgy nature of the shoes.

Meeting the girls for a poolside brunch? Choose a loose, comfortable ruffled dress in neutral colors. This dip dyed silky dress is smooth to the touch and balanced with ruffles from front to back. (Dip dye & ruffles! How fun!) With its lightweight and flowing nature, any woman will feel comfortable and fashionable in a sexy and feminine piece like this. It also makes a sophisticated cover-up!

If you need to run some errands and pick up the kids, but you just can’t resist the urge to look really cute, then go for a basic but stylish look. (Don’t you always end up running into someone you know?) Pair some dark skinny shorts with a pastel colored, ruffled top, some ruffled sandals and your favorite leather tote. Pop on your favorite shades and you’ll be the talk of the town… Get going!

Enjoy a summer picnic in a sexy, ruffled, sleeveless halter top, and some plain white sateen shorts. This is how the city girl does a picnic - toss some white with her standard black. The keyhole in the back of this halter permits a peep of what lies beneath in a very classy manner. Compliment the black and white theme with some black and white peep toe espidrilles and a striped hobo. This outfit works well from day into night.

items in this observation (clockwise):

going to an event:

meeting the girls for brunch:

Running errands:

a Summer picnic:

Let the festivities begin! Memorial day is upon us and we can smell summer in the air. Cruising with the top down, grilling in the backyard, hanging on the beach… HANGING ON THE BEACH… OH NO! That’s always how it happens; it sneaks up on us. We are quickly reminded that with all of summer’s delights also comes bathing suit season. The first few trips to the beach can prove to be the toughest. Getting beach ready is something you have to ease into. It’s a process for most of us. We are not entirely ready to shed all our clothing on the first day. I guess you could say, we like the summer to court us a little bit. I want to feel comfortable peeling off the layers, and exposing myself to the sun little by little. So, if you have to be poolside or on the beach this weekend, no worries. We’ve got a plan for you. A one piece is a good place to start. Go for a basic but sophisticated color like black or red. Cover it up with one of this season’s hottest trends, a jumpsuit. A jumpsuit will come across as playful while still maintaining it’s elegance. Pull out your summer accessories this weekend. If you’ve got a great summer tote, it should make it’s first appearance this weekend. Reminder, the tote should blend with the suit and cover-up. Slip into your new summer sandals and you’re ready. Oh, don’t forget a great big pair of sunglasses! They’ll be dying to know how you pulled it all together so early in the season.

items in this observation:
top look:

bottom look: