Well, we’re seeing it again! The platform ankle bootie is sticking around, and staying fresh! For Spring we’re seeing them in vibrant colors, and different textures. Coral patent leather, soft pebbled leather, and stone details take the shoe to the next level. They are a little less edgy,and more feminine flirty while still being ultra-modern. Wear a fluid dress with movement, or cigarette pants with a blousy top to balance out the weight of the shoe. Report Signature’s booties are really reasonably priced, especially since they’ll walk you through spring and into summer.

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The geometric patterns we saw this past Spring remain for Fall and will carry over to Spring 2009. It’s a trend that can have an edge like the black & white Zac Posen dress (top row/center), or an airy quality like the Gucci dress (top row/left). If you’re worried about how a geometric print will look on your body type, then go for it on top instead of an all-over print. Buy a piece that can easily transition from Fall to Spring. A black and white print in silk is season-less. This look is modern, and can even look futuristic at times. Only buy into it if it reflects your style. I can only see myself going for the Gucci look, because it’s softer. I fear the black and white patterns would wash me away. Which geometric are you? Why do you think you lean toward one more than the other?

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The jumpsuit looks more modern than ever with its clean lines and fresh design. It’s the perfect piece to wear to a Holiday party. It’s sexy, in a refined Studio 54 way. When you move, it moves with you, when you dance, it dances with you, and it will accentuate your body beautifully. We’re going to show you three great ways to wear a jumpsuit.

Look #1

This is a fabulous look to wear to a dinner and dancing party. The gold accents make it festive, and the fabric has exquisite movement. The cut will work well on most body types, but especially on pear shaped girls. The bottom is more fluid, and it accentuates the waist.
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Look # 2

This look lends itself to a cocktail party at a friends house. It’s relaxed and elegant. You’ll feel comfortable in your outfit and look sophisticated at the same time. Perfect!

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Look #3

A jumpsuit that’s a little more tailored, which makes it well suited for more formal affairs. You can dress it up with diamonds, or gems. This jumpsuit doesn’t lend itself to pearls, it’s more modern than that, and needs the hard edge of diamonds.
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It’s always a pleasure to see a designer’s growth right in front of your eyes. T-bags became known for their bold prints, maxi dresses, and batwing tops. Season after season, we would see a different version of the same thing. This season we’re seeing sleek, modern pieces in the mix. These pieces read more mature and sophisticated (to me). Now, there’s something for almost every girl in the t-bags collection - the bold girl, the trendy girl, the sexy girl, and the simple chic girl. Awesome!

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The simple black dress goes more modern with a peak of color, and a bit of detail. It’s not overdone, it’s done in a simple way to enhance the beauty of the design. This is a dress people will notice, and you won’t get lost in a sea of basic black dresses. It’s speaks to elegance. So, you’ll want to keep accessories simple. Let the dress be the centerpiece, making you the focal point. It says you’re present in what’s happening now, and you move forward with the times.

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The Oxford shoe, once synonymous with conservative, traditional styles, is now open to a little sex appeal. While still preserving it’s tailored image, designers have opened the toe for a peek of skin. That bit of revealing flesh is what modernizes the shoe, and expands its accessibility. Think Catholic school-girl… all grown up! You’re wearing this shoe with everything from slacks to sexy dresses. It adds just the right amount of weight to the bare elements of an off the shoulder dress. You can wear them from now into Fall, and then into winter with a pair of opaque stockings. Price points are across the board on this one, so there’s bound to be one in your price range. It’s a style that is wide open to interpretation. You can wear them in a classic style, or go completely funky and pair them with the unexpected. To all the self proclaimed chameleons, like myself, they work as well with a pencil skirt as they do with a pair of skinny jeans, a silk top and a leather jacket. Let the creating begin!

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For those of you old enough to remember… there is certainly no little house in this Prairie. Prairie New York is fresh, sophisticated and fun. It’s a collaboration of modern style and the elements of nature, giving us fashion that is high in design but grounded by the components of the earth. These are pieces you will look forward to putting on, even on the hottest summer day. The fabrics will graze your body, giving you a comfortable sense of freedom. Enjoy!

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When Tiger Woods hit the scene, the game of golf had a complete facelift. It’s no longer considered the dowdy, boring game it used to be. Now it’s youthful, cool, and even sexy. Inevitably, the fashions on the course have gone through a slight transformation. Nothing too drastic, because it’s a conservative game with a lot of dress-code rules. However, we’re finally seeing designers like Stella McCartney offering fashionable alternatives. We’ve put together a couple of looks that are pulled together and sporty. The first, is a sleek modern take. We’ve selected slim black slacks paired with a white polo. The Kangol hat and the Stella McCartney shoes give the look a youthful feel. Don’t forget a sleek tote, like the Brontibay, for hitting the locker room after the round. The second look is a bit more classic-preppy. A pair of slim bermudas paired with a bright colored polo. All the pieces are in the same color family, and blend beautifully with the accessories. It’s an outfit you could easily wear into town after your round to do some errands. It’s feminine and sporty. To make your sport outfits work seemlessly, buy pieces that you can mix and match. Keep in mind your accessories, like your golf bag, tote, and golf shoes. That, way you will always look pulled together.

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sleek modern golf

classic preppy golf

Leave it to a London-based store to keep punk alive in the most avant-garde way. Topshop is known for their funky, street chic , well priced fashions. They manage to blend the edgy and the haute, making it ultra appealing to women of all ages. If you are interested in embracing punk style, Topshop’s pieces are urban and authentic. They make it easy to pull off without looking like a bad fashion flashback. It’s modern, and the pieces are on target with what’s on trend right now - punk-fusion. We love this look. It’s Sienna Miller meets Madonna in the eighties. I was first introduced to punk in the eighties, when my sister lived in London. She walked me down King’s road, and I was completely intrigued by the people I saw. I loved seeing personal expression come across in the fashions they wore. Come to think of it, that is exactly what fashion is. A personal expression of how we are feeling on any given day. So, do you feel punk today?

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Is it possible to put together a great looking outfit for under $250.00? The answer is, unequivocally, yes! We’ve selected pieces that have designer appeal without the sticker shock. All the items in this outfit can easily be mixed with other pieces in your wardrobe. They are basic in nature, with modern design. When you want to update your look without spending a lot of money, stay basic on most items. Try not to go overboard on “of the moment” patterns or prints. In six months those pieces will serve only to date your look. Clean lines always look fresh and current. If you want to introduce a trendy print or piece do it subtly. A print shirt over white denim, a clutch that dabbles in color. Keep it simple. Accessories that are neutral are always your best bet. They have a longer shelf life, and can go with a number of different ensembles. For example, a muted gold or silver shoe is one of todays best neutrals. It’s the shoe that walks with all kinds of outfits. That is truly how to get more bang for your buck. Kimora Lee says it best: “Be stingy with your money! Don’t splurge at the mall, … and definitely don’t give it to your boyfriend.”

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