We’ve all heard it a thousand times, capris are not flattering on most women. Yet, we can’t seem to get away from wearing them. For whatever the reason, capri’s seem to function for women. They function especially well for someone who is not comfortable in shorts, and it’s too hot out to wear full length pants. So, what’s a girl to do? Ok, we have found some variations that are flattering AND functional. The capri pant that looks the worst on women is the boxy cut that ends mid-calf. They don’t look very good because they make your legs look shorter and your body appear wider. Try going for a tapered capri - along the lines of a pedal pusher. It’s a more feminine cut and will narrow the leg. Another style that works as well as the capri is a longer short. This particular short will come to the knee or just below. Proportionally it works better on most than the capri does, and it’s more modern. We know you’re comfortable in your dependable capris, and they have become an easy “go to” piece. But check out a new style, and see if one of these cuts work for you. Who knows, you may like them better than the capris.

“Yes” capris in this observation:

Top Row:

Bottom Row:

Lara Miller seems have her finger on the pulse of women at this exact point in time. Her collection is modern yet soft, elegant, sophisticated, and really wearable. Honestly, what more could we ask for? Earlier in her career, she collaborated with dance companies in chicago. She watched and learned a lot about the movement of the female body. That knowledge is clearly reflected in her work. Simply take one look at the collection, and you will feel refreshed. The pieces hang beautifully, and showcase the female form. There’s a flexible nature to the collection that’s rooted in realty. It’s as if she imagined you playing with looks and working the pieces into your current wardrobe. So, there’s plenty of room for your own style to come across in the clothing. As such, you can own the piece by walking it with sheer confidence. That should be what every designer hopes for.

Lara’s collection is available at Smashing Darling, our favorite destination for finding Indie designer “gems.”

Have the power of pearls caught our attention once again? Or is it just that Carrie Bradshaw wore them with almost everything in the new movie? I saw many different styles in Sex and the City, but only a few I felt I could realistically work with. One of those things was a single strand long pearl necklace. Aside from Chanel, we haven’t seen many long pearl necklaces since the 80’s. I think it may be time to revisit it. They’re glamorous, sexy, and very feminine. The new take on pearls is that they go with almost anything. In the movie, Carrie wore them with everything including her pajamas. I imagine the day when I can sit on a chaise lounge in my bedroom wearing silk pj’s with a long pearl necklace draped from my neck, but that image quickly gets squelched when my two boys come crashing into my room. Oh well! I will just have to think of other ways to embrace my new found love for perfectly pretty pearls. So, do we really think that one movie has the power to pull pearls out of the attic? Yes! This particular movie can take what once was considered a granny necklace to an edgy, but glorious place. That is the whole point of the styles in Sex and the City, to show us new ways of putting things together. It opens our eyes, and gives us a fresh take on fashion and style. The magic really happens when each one of us translates those ideas into our own personal style.

check out the Majorica extra long single strand 8mm pearl necklace @ Nordstrom

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:

As you may already know, tennis is not only a physical sport, it’s also a mind game. Do you want to intimidate them by dressing the sleek athlete? Or maybe you want to trick them with sweet deception? Either way, you’ll shake the very ground they stand on. You can walk out onto the court wearing a modern black and white tennis dress, terminator like sunglasses, and a mod Manhattan-esque tennis tote. You’ll be feared as the type-A woman, who will stop at nothing to win. That impression alone will give you a leg up by provoking anxiety. Or you could go the complete opposite way by dressing in demure fashion forward pieces. A pale pink jacket with a white skirt, a fun & feminine tote, and a classic tennis bracelet will have you pegged as a pleaser who just wants to play for fun. Little do they know you are a natural born athlete who goes after the sport she’s playing. They will quickly learn not to judge a book by it’s cover when you put away every one of your serves. Some may say that’s not playing fair, but every athlete knows that the mind is the most important part of the game. Cute tennis outfits are, of course, another very important element to the game! So, if you can’t play well - at least look good out there. Good Luck, and knock ‘em dead.

gear in this observation:

In a matter of weeks, the sandal bootie shoe will be on everyone’s hot list. Sarah Jessica Parker wears a similar style throughout the movie Sex and the City. Initially it comes across as a hard, edgy shoe. However, when you pair it with softer pieces it is instantly elevated to high fashion status. To soften the look of this shoe, pair it with pretty prints or florals. It’s an unexpected combination, which will undoubtedly intrigue people. In the movie, Carrie wears them with a full green floral dress. The femininity of the dress shines new light on the shoe. That way, you trade the S&M look for a sophisticated look. If you want to wear them with skinny jeans, make sure the top is blousy to balance out the weight of the shoe. It looks great with dresses, skirts, as well as with black slacks and more urban pieces. If you think you can make the sandal bootie work, you should go grab a pair before the movie hits theatres. Good luck and happy hunting!

items in this observation (clockwise):

Today’s the day, the day he gets to show off his mom to the world. The kids at school have been preparing for this celebration for over a week, and he can’t wait to share it with you. In his eyes it doesn’t really matter what you wear, but we think you should knock his socks off. After all, it’s a special day … A Mother’s Day Tea. Play up your feminine side, wear a dress or a skirt. He probably sees you in jeans or work clothes most of the time, so enhance your “tea party” look with the more feminine and dainty pieces from your wardrobe. A wrap dress in a pretty spring color, or a floral skirt will be sure to do the trick. Pair the look with patent pumps and shoulder bag to add some flair. The jewelry should either be delicate, or something he has given you or made for you. Stay away from anything too sexy, keep it elegant and appropriate. It’s your day, so enjoy being pampered, because tomorrow he’ll be back to shooting you with his water gun, and sticking goldfish up his nose. Happy Mother’s Day!!

items in this observation:

This spring, fuller skirts are all around us, and I can’t help but be reminded of the fashions of the 1950’s. Cinched waists, fuller skirts, and full figures were all the rage. An hourglass shape was considered the ideal; round hips were the ultimate in femininity. This spring, we are embracing a bit of our past once again. Fuller skirts are perfect with a fitted top, and sandals. You can also dress it up with pumps or espadrilles. This particular cut works well on pear shaped women, it accentuates the tiny waist that is created by fuller hips. This is a feminine, flirty trend - have fun with it!

items in this observation:

Diane Von Furstenberg took us on a journey when presenting her fall line. Her collection masterfully moved us from Berlin, on to Shanghai, landing us in New York. Her focus (as always) was on the independent modern woman, which is truly the essence of Diane. While her collections are usually driven by the dress, this one consisted mostly of separates. The line used rich colors, lots of layers, and feminine lines. She used a skinny leather belt to enhance the waist, which is a nod to the past. The entire show had a forties feel, a throw back to old world glamour when women took pride in being beautifully dressed. What we love about DVF is how well she dresses the female form. Her fashions are always ladylike, a bit sexy, and never vulgar. Her designs really are “ready to wear” and very easy for women to work with. We loved this collection and hope to see most of the pieces make it to the retail stores.

Herve Leger’s designs became famous in the nineties, when his dresses started appearing on red carpets around the world. The bandage dress was his signature style, and it earned him huge accolades. We have recently noticed a resurgence; his designs seem to be everywhere right now. Don’t be fooled though, the band dresses you see now weren’t made by Herve Leger. He was bought out, and then kicked out of his own fashion house. The BCBG group took over Leger in 1999, promising him undying support. Six months later he was out, and couldn’t even fight his way back in. Herve could no longer design under his own name. At the encouragement of his good friend, Karl Lagerfeld, he changed his name and started over. In 2000 he opened a boutique in the left bank, he currently designs under his new name, Herve Leroux. He has taken his new line to even greater heights. It’s elegant, ultra-feminine, and molds the female form beautifully. It just goes to show you, you can kick the designer out of the house - but you can’t keep him from designing.