Ladies in Hats

Fashion Alert: As usual hats are all the rage this winter

Kokin Angora Beret

The classic french hat also known as the beret is being shown everywhere for the winter's it hat. The beret's that are being designed today are not what you'd typically expect.

Take this angora beret. I think this is a great update. It adds a funky new twist to a timeless classic. Since it is made out of wool it will provide warmth as well as looking trendy. This beret which is available at Neiman Marcus, comes in a variety of colors. The camel is my personal favorite as it is so versatile.

Joy Fur Felt Cloche

The cloche hat which to me seems ripped from the pages of the Great Gatsby is making a comeback. I have to admit I really like this style, it is just so chic looking. However, it defiantly does not work on all face shapes. If you have a round full round face this probably is not the hat for you. This hat can be overpowering, so you need to be mindful that it doesn't take over your face.

Michael Kors Mink Hat

Fur hats are always stylish and cute, granted that they are real fur. This Michael Kors mink hat is gorgeous. Faux fur is just unacceptable. Although I think it looks a little like a mink chefs hat it's still chic. I would suggest getting a rabbit fur hat because they still make the same statement but are a more reasonable price.







Bottom Line: Ditch the pom pom hat and try something new and more grown up looking. The hat you wore when you were in your teens is no longer appropriate in your twenties. Try one of these hats and obtain a sophisticated look that will not only keep your warm but keep you stylish at the same time.



Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

Skinny Belts

Michael Kors

Patent Dress Waist Belt
Fashion Alert: Skinny belts have replaced the wide belt.

Big wide belts were all the rage last year. Those days are gone and thin belts have replaced them. Cameron Diaz shows off this new style by belting a long gray tunic. She looks exceptionally chic as she struts through the LAX airport. I particularly like this Michael Kors belt which is great with pants as an accent piece with longer tops and sweaters. It has also become very popular to wear a skinny belt with a dress. Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Gwen Stefani, and Jennifer Connely accessorized their dresses with skinny belts. It instantly cinches the waist and accentuates their womanly figures. Make sure there are enough belt wholes on the belt, because these belts don't have a lot of stretch or give to them. Therefore when you sit down you might want to loosen the belt and then tighten it when you stand.

Don't put your wide belts into the back of the closet yet. They are still great to wear with blazers and jackets or anything too bulky to be worn with a skinny belt. A skinny belt wouldn't work with this black blazer the wide belt is the perfect accessory.

Bottom Line: Don't toss your wide belt but rather find new uses for it. Try the skinny belt with long tops and dresses, it just adds a little something extra to an ensemble. To top it off the skinny belt also helps give the appearance of a smaller waist, what could beat that!


Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

Bring on the Plaid

Fashion Alert: Plaid is the hot pattern for the winter season.

I give full credit to Gwen Stefani and her L.A.M.B line for bringing plaid styles into the mainstream. She first donned the look in her own personal style then incorporated it into her line.




This is a dress from the L.A.M.B line. I absolutely adore this dress. It is not at all frumpy which is what I believe first comes to women's minds when they think of plaid. Yet this dress is so chic and elegant. It helps that it is very tailored and body fitted. The plaid is also redesigned. This isn't your catholic school girl plaid! It is more much pleasing to the eye, which also makes it appealing. This dress can be more casual or more dressed up with a pair of heels as shown in the picture. The attention to detail on this dress is also flawless. I love the pleating at the bottom, as well as the belt. That instantly adds another level of sophistication to the look and makes it polished.

Plaid patterns are also being shown for outerwear. Coats in plaid have become all the rage this season. This coat by Alice & Olivia seems to be the most versatile considering it's black and white. It's pretty pricey at $440, but honestly that isn't too bad considering the hefty prices these days.

Bottom Line: Give plaid a try. Since I don't think this will be a lasting trend I would suggest buying a dress because you can wear it starting now through the winter, and you won't feel devastated if this style doesn't last. If your concerned about not being able to pull off plaid, don't be I think that if you find the right style for you that anyone can wear this trend.

Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

Anti-Semitism

Hello Fashionistas,


I know this is a blog dedicated to fashion, but something I found to be interesting and important has come up which I would like to discuss. A march by neo-nazis in Prague, Czech Republic was scheduled the day after Kristallnacht, the night in 1938 when the Nazi's attacked synagogue's and Jewish homes and businesses throughout Germany and parts of Austria. This hits very close to me as I am Jew and I consider my second home to Prague for my dad and brother live there and I travel there at least twice a year. Authorities had banned the march by the Young National Democrats which is linked to the National Resistance, a neo-nazi group through the Jewish quarter of Prague. The group however did not listen and marched anyway.


"Hundreds of Jews and others gathered in the historic Jewish quarter to commemorate the Nazi pogrom, protest the march and be ready, if it went ahead, to prevent it from going through the neighborhood." This event deeply saddens me and horrifies me, and further makes me more aware of how prevalent antisemitism still is.


neo-nazi resting after being hit by anti-facist activists in downtown Prague



Here is a video I found on youtube to show you the chaos that insued. I hope this incident as enlightening as I did.

Adios Leggings!

Fashion Alert: Leggings are so passe. I'm sorry to say it because I loved them too but leggings are finished. Black leggings worn instead of pants were all the rage last year, however they no longer posses the same allure that they used to. Celebrities like Nicole Richie, Hillary Duff, and Jessica Alba helped catapult leggings to the height of chic.

The appeal of leggings had to be their comfort factor and the ability to wear them with almost anything. They could be worn during the day with a long sweater or translated into an evening look with a tunic top and heels. Every designer incorporated leggings into their lines. Pucci even created a leggings in their signature pattern.

Leggings have now become a thing of the past only to be worn for super casual occasions or to the gym. Unfortunately, Lindsay Lohan doesn't seem to heed this advice and it still sporting the once popular trend. It seems that this is the only item of clothing she owns. Maybe she should rehire Rachel Zoe as her stylist. Nicole Richie also has been photographed lately wearing leggings. She has a legitimate excuse, being pregnant and all. For this I will let her off the hook.

Bottom Line: Take the same ensembles you would have worn with leggings and put on a pair of skinny jeans instead. Leggings can no longer pass for a sophisticated look, so if you aren't in junior high save the leggings for the gym.

Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

Desperate for Flats

When I think of flats one woman comes to mind, Tory Burch. She got on the map with her clothing line but became huge when she designed her leather flats with her signature emblem on it. Now the Prima Reva Ballerina flats comes in an array of colors and textures. In her latest flat designs she has ditched her gold emblem and gone for a more subtle flat with a cute tassel.

I also don't enjoy the knockoff Tory Burch flat. It is clearly fake so why try to pass it off as the real thing? I understand that the Burch flats can be expensive but then why not just buy one by another designer? Quite honestly, I would suggest splurging on the real thing for they last for a very long time, and they don't seem to be going out of style.

Having owned the original black flat since June 06' I have become bored by the flat. The problem is there are no other fabulous flats. Browsing through the flats section on Neimanmarcus.com I saw a pair of Manolo Blahnik leopard flats.

Of course they are insanely pricey at $515. I don't even like them that much. Honestly, I like the Tory Burch leopard flats better which are a fraction of the cost of the Manolo's. I guess if I want to get a new pair of flats I will have to settle for being like one of the pack and purchasing another pair of Burch flats. Except these faux snake skin flats are unique.

Bottom Line: The Tory Burch flat doesn't seem to be going anywhere. If your a fan of them I suggest purchasing a pair, I believe they are actually starting to go on sale at this point. My friend got a pair of the classic black ones on sale at Plaza Too. Don't buy the fake ones, it is obvious that they are not authentic, splurge on the real thing.

Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

Update

Update: Very important information I learned from my dermatologist yesterday. When you buy makeup, moisturizer or any product you will put on your face make sure it is non-comedogenic. It doesn't matter if it says dermatologist recommended, non-allergenic, etc. Non-comedogenic means that the product will not clog your pores causing acne. Fortunately enough Bare Minerals are non-comedogenic. If your products do not say this on the bottle, go to the company website and check it out.

FYI: I began a post on high-waisted pants a while ago however I just finished it on Monday. Therefore when I posted it, it appeared after my posting on Bare Minerals. Be sure to check it out.


Ciao Fashionistas

Fashion Nails

Fashion Alert: black nails are out navy nails are in!

Thank goodness there is a new hot color because I have been sporting dark, almost black, nail polish for two years! Like every other trend black nail lacquer has tricked down so that everyone is wearing it. Women over 50 are even wearing it. Celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Mischa Barton, and Nicole Richie all rocked the trend. Lindsay took it up a notch by always having chipped nails. The famed fashion house Chanel known for it's couture and demure clothing came out with a black color called black satin that was such a coveted item that it was auctioned off on eBay for $100.
OPI that well known nail lacquer company has just introduced it's knew Russian Collection. I absolutely adore all these colors. The colors are all sultry and are great alternatives to black shades. My favorite color is Russian Navy. It still provides the same dark wild flair that black does but with knew edge. More importantly, it sets you apart from everyone else in the world who is still wearing black. Sarah Michelle Geller is the first celebrity to don the color. Way to go Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Unfortunately, the nail salon I frequent didn't have the color in yet but I am looking forward to trying it this week. I will keep you posted on how it looks and the response I get.

If navy is a bit too riskay for you. Don't worry reds are still all the rage. There are so many great reds out there. Right now, I'm wearing Essie's Fish Net Stockings, Deep purples, maroons, and even gray have been spotlighted as being hip colors.

Bottom line: Venture outside the box and try something knew. Say goodbye to black nails, it used to be cutting edge but now it has become the norm. Try a color that will shock people. Remember it's not permanent, it'll be gone in a week.


Until Next Time....Ciao Fashionistas

Makeup Obsession

Fashion Alert: Cakey makeup is out, natural is in!

Say goodbye to heavy liquid foundations and hello to Bare Minerals all natural makeup. Bare Minerals has been around since 1976. The product really became popular in the 1990's. Bare Minerals is made from crushed minerals from the earth that can actually improve your skin overtime. When I first heard about Bare Minerals I was extremely skeptical. I was a huge fan of MAC foundation that basically looked like a mask when I applied it. I thought how can a powder with no artificial additives actually cover up my dark circles under my eyes, blemishes, or red spots. I was completely taken back when I ordered the start up kit and gave it a try. My skin looked natural and flawless. I would recommend purchasing the starter kit which gives you everything you need. It comes with two shades of foundation which comes in a variety of different colors. I use the lightest palette as I am very fair. Warmth is also Incorporated in the kit. This is a powder that gives you a nice bronze glow. You need very little of this product because you don't want to run the risk of looking too orange. It's not a bronzer. Then mineral veil which is a white powder that is used for all skin types. Don't worry is shows up sheer and just gives you a clean finish.

Now Bare Minerals has a different application process then regular makeup. Check out this video that gives you step by step instructions on how to Swirl, Tap, and Buff.




This is a before and after picture I found of Melissa. In the first picture her face is pale with unsightly redness. However, in the after picture the redness is gone and she has highlighted her face and retains a nice healthy glow, yet it looks so natural. It's Melissa's skin only better.

Bottom Line: Intense makeup can be fun, especially MAC. Heavy makeup worn on the right occasion can really make a statement. However, if worn on the wrong one or if you look like a clown you could be committing a serious fashion don't. The key is combining heavy makeup but still maintaining a natural look. I suggest using bare minerals foundation always and then if you want to play up your eyes or lips, go for it. What you want to avoid is being able to see the foundation on your face. FYI it isn't sexy to have orange looking gunk cover your face.





Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

J'dore High Waist

Fashion Alert: If you hadn't already heard high waisted wide leg jeans are the new skinny jeans. I adore highwaisted jeans. I enjoy waisted anything. The trend works on all body types. I know I feel much more comfortable in them because they just hold everything in. No need to worry about that unwanted muffin top. Mary-kate and Ashley Olsen are both fans of the this new look. Now there are a few different types of high-waisted pants.
1. High-waisted full leg jean
7 for all man kind Ginger Jeans





This style is my personal favorite as it combines the two trends together of a high waist and wide leg. The only snag is I find that they really must be worn with a high heel. The pants loose their flair when they are shortened to go with a flat. Gerri Hallowell and Kylie Minogue are fans of this style. I own the 7 for all man kind Ginger jeans. These are absolutely my favorite jeans ever. They are so comfortable and easy to wear. Basically any shirt tucked into them looks fab.
2. High-waisted skinny jeans
7 For All Mankind Sophie jean


This is an intersting update to the skinny jeans. This look really hasn't caught on in the general population. I think this is a very cute look. Scarlette Johanson was one the first celebrities to wear the trend during the Imitation of Christ fashion show.






3. Bell botton jeans
J Brand bell bottom jeans

Bell bottoms are back, again. I guess it's been almost ten years since bell bottoms were in last so it's time for a revival. Bell bottom pants are a great alternative to the full leg pant which doesn't highlight ones figure. These pair of J brand jeans are a great pair of jeans. The provide good lift in the buttocks region which make them more sexy and flattering. Also, men will find them more appealing as opposed to the skinny look the wide leg pants afford you.



4. Ulta wide leg jeans
7 for All Mankind Yosemite jeans
Personally, I don't like this style of jean. I think it is overwhelming and just plain stupid looking. They almost remind me of clown pants. I think it is too much of a good thing. This is exaggerating a trend to a point where it is just unwearable. I admire anyone who would spend $200 on this type of jean.

Bottom Line: Hold on to your skinny jeans but give a high waist a try. Be cognizant that not all jean brands fit the same way so try on a few pairs to see which brand is right for you. Most people love J Brand. The company definatly has innovative styles. However, I was not too thrilled with the fit of my J Brand skinny jeans. I found that they stretch out too easily. The one thing you need to be mindful of is, is the crotch area of the pants. You don't want to end up looking like Jessica Simpson who pants rode up a bit too far. I equate this incident to just a bad pair of jeans and a bad fit. If you know how to shop and know what looks good on you then you shouldn't have an issue. Cherish this time when high waists are all the rage. Seriously, would you rather be wearing low rise jeans that no one looks good in and you have to constantly pull of up your pants?


Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas

DOWN WITH RAY-BANS!

Could there be anything more played out then Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses? For those of you who don't know what I am talking about Ray-Ban Wayfarer's are the shades that are a celebrity must but have now trickled down and become popular with the masses.

Celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Chloe Sevigny, Rachel Bilson, Ashley Olsen, Lily Allen, and Kate Moss have been spotted sporting the trend. Ok, I must admit that I was thinking of purchasing a pair in tortoise until I saw that they are no longer unique that everyone is donning the Wayfarer look. Not to mention the slew of knockoff Ray-Bans that have come about. I'm just not feeling them anymore. I can't wait for them to become passe like the over sized/face eating Dior glossy sunglasses a la Paris Hilton.

If you still want to go trendy but not be one of the crowd might I suggest Tom Ford's Whitney Sunglasses. Like the Ray-Ban sunglasses these are also a fav among celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Gwen Stefani. These sunglasses are sleek, trendy, and light. They employ that wrap around look that is very with it as well as provided optimum UV protection. A big bonus for these glasses is that they are light and do not apply too much pressure on your ear, which I find with my Gucci Rimless sunglasses. They make my ears bend and give me a headache!Bottom Line: Leave the Ray-Bans at home and give another pair of sunglasses a try. Develop your own sense of style and don't just follow along with the rest of the pack. Chanel consistently makes a sophisticated, classic, and durable shades. I also find them to reasonably priced in comparison to other high end brands. Be on lookout for their new fall designs.

Until Next Time...Ciao Fashionistas!

It's All About the Booties

Lapano Loafer Bootie

Fashion Alert! Booties are the new Boots

Famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin has done it again creating a masterpiece; a beautiful patent leather ankle boot with zipper detail with his signature red sole. I adore the loafer look to this bootie. The bootie also comes in a camel color but I prefer the black as they are sleek and sexy and especially more practical. If you have the funds to purchase these booties they are available at Neiman Marcus, SAKS, and other upscale department stores that sell high end designer shoes. By the way, if you can you should because these are defiantly a must.

Ribot High Heel Platform Bootie

The lace-up oxford style bootie is also gorgeous. Gucci is making a pair that I absolutely adore. This design is a throwback to the fop look that men would employ in the 1700's. I like that the platform is seperated from the rest of the shoe. It adds a modern twist that the Louboutin shoe is lacking. The gold detailing on the lace up adds a touch of glitz that is expected from Gucci. Although I love these shoes, I can't help but ask myself are they too costumey?

FYI: All booties can be worn with both pants (skinny or wide) and skirts or dresses. Celeb fans of the ankle bootie are Mischa Barton, Gywneth Paltrow, Sienna MillerLindsay Lohan, Kate Moss, and Kate Bosworth.

Bottom Line: Both of these booties are amazing! However, if you still want to look like your strutting down the runway but can't afford to spend $770 I suggest purchasing a knockoff pair that are just as cute and a necessity to complete your fall and winter look. On Sunday, I bought a pair of leather booties by Michael Kors cheaper line KORS (unfortunately I couldn't find a pic on the net). These boots are very similar to the ones I purchased. They are reasonably priced and still fab. My philosophy is if you incorporate both expensive and inexpensive pieces into your wardrobe no one will be able to tell what's what.

Until next time...Ciao Fashionistas!

Introduction

Welcome to I Have Nothing to Wear!

I Have Nothing to Wear is a blog dedicated to everything dealing with fashion and style so you don't comit a fashion fo'pau.

Each week I will be discussing major trends in womens' clothing, shoes, bags/acessories, and makeup. If you can't get enough of the Style Network and Full Frontol Fashion and were glued to your TV during Fashion Week then this is the blog for you.

Hope you enjoy!