Launch Party for the Cole Haan Whitney Collection

The Madison Avenue Cole Haan store was packed to the brims on Wednesday night when Guest of a Guest hosted the Cole Haan launch party for its new Whitney Collection. The collection is a trendy, urban line with some bright blues and purples in addition to the classic browns, blacks and grays that Cole Haan tends to carry. Blue and grey flats, heels with elastic bands, sporty leather hand bags, and studded accessories were standouts in the collection. These were some of my favorite pieces:

Cole Haan Launch Party for The Whitney Collection

Studded Heel and Belt

Totes from The Whitney Collection

Studded Hobo Bag from The Whitney Collection

Sporty Flats with Elastic Bands

Elastic Band Pumps

Quick Q&A: Wedding Wear

Q: @BrandiHeinz I need advice on wedding and rehearsal dresses that aren’t too much $ – everything is skanky or juvenile!

A: Luckily, with the economy in such a poor state, it isn’t too hard to find a nice dress for less. I have gathered some dresses under $150 and thrown in some tips!

Things to look for:

• Patterns, Ruffles, Florals
• Appropriate Lengths
• Strapless, interesting necklines or single shouldered dresses
• Day to night versatility- some of these dresses could work for both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding- not that you’d wear it for both, but weddings do tend to be day to night affairs and knowing you CAN wear it again is great!

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique

Calvin Klein

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These first two dresses were on Nordstrom.com. Nordstrom has an excellent “Dress Shop” with easy search functionality that allows you to find a dress for your shape, the right occasion, or by price, etc. The first is a Suzi Chin for Maggie Boutique single shouldered dress. It is definitely a statement dress, but if you dress it up with some nice earrings and a not-too-tall heel, it won’t be too outrageous.

Suzi Chin for Maggie Boutique
$148 Nordstrom.com

The Little Black Dress! The go to dress for every “what do I wear?” occasion. This Calvin Klein dress is classic and on-trend with its sheer lace overlay. This particular dress also has a sexy cut out back. You WILL want to wear it again!

Calvin Klein
$118 Nordstrom.com

Playful but Pretty

These trendy dresses would be perfect for the rehearsal dinner (unless the brides parents are reallly uptight)! The colorful dresses send out a cheerful tone and the black and white tunic can be dressed up with colorful but classy accessories (no cheap plastic bangles)!

1. Mink Pink one shouldered ruffle strap dress, $101  Chickdowntown.com
2. Moulinette Souers buttoned water color dress, $148 Anthropologie
3. BCBG Split Neck printed dress, $138 Macys.com

Mink Pink

Anthropologie

BCBG

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Patterned for the Party
Pick a pattern or floral print this summer! While patterns can seem intimidating for those who usually stick to solids or stripes, they can be very flattering if you find the right fit- so go ahead and try a few on…

1. Strapless floral dress, $22.80 Forever21.com
2. BCBG Printed Sleeveless Dress, $96.60 BCBG.com
3. Nine West floral scoop neck dress, $134 Macys.com

Forever21

BCBG

NineWest

Max & Cleo

Kensie

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Overstock.com
Overstock.com requires some good searching skills, but their prices are great for the brands that they offer!
Max & Cleo ruffle dress, $69.99 Overstock.com
Kensie Pleated sheath dress, $74.99 Overstock.com

A Quick Swimwear Q & A

Q: I need to find a bathing suit (online) for this weekend. Any good suggestions??? I have looked all over the stores and cant find anything. Victoria Secret was my best hit but wondering if there are other good stores out there…

A: These are a few of my favorite sites for suits…

Figleaves.com Favorite Brands on the Site: Vitamin A & Figleaves Swim

Everything But Water Favorite Brands on the Site: Vix & Carmen Marc Valvo

InStyle Swimwear Favorite Brands on the Site: Salinas & Michael Kors

Molly Brown Swimwear Although I have never used this site, it features many of the Sports Illustrated suits. My Favorite Brands on the Site: Letarte & Despi

Salinas

Carmen Marc Valvo

Vitamin A

Michael Kors

Letarte

Figleaves Swim

Despi

Business Casual Turns Business Fashionable

I’ve worked in offices with professional attire, business attire, and business casual dress codes. By far the most atrocious attire is business casual. 

For some reason, crossing the line from “business” to “business casual,” generally means going from business appropriate to “i just woke up and picked up whatever was on the floor.” I don’t care what the actual dress code is for a business casual environment, if it says “casual,” people tend to forget the “business” part and dress however they like until management sees too many t-shirts or witnesses one too many muffin tops. 

Of course these assumptions don’t apply to everyone. But regardless, Business Casual Must Turn Business Fashionable. Keep reading to find some Spring 2009 work wardrobe items:

Victoria's Secret Ruffle Front Silk Chiffon Blouse

TOPS

Ruffles, Patterns & Day-to-Night

Ruffles, layers, patterns, all sorts of colors (and neutrals) are in style this Spring.  All of the tops I have shown here can be worn from day-to-night as well. If you pair any one of these with a cute pair of linen shorts and high wedge heels, you have an outfit for Friday night!

Victoria’s Secret Ruffle Front Blouse– This neutral, feminine top can be paired with any color pant! 
$68 Victoria’s Secret 

 

Express Short Sleeved Shirt - Dot Print

     

Express Keyhole Ruffle Top

Express Short Sleeved Shirt  This classic short sleeved button down comes in every color- stock up!$49.50 Express

Express Keyhole Ruffle Top

Can’t go sleeveless in the office? Wear this under your suit jacket! $49.50 Express

Victoria's Secret Christie Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton

Pants

Wear what fits you well

Different styles of pants are “in” this spring. Wide-leg, skinny leg, ankle cut, etc. So if you find a pair that fits you well (length, hip and waist) buy it in a few colors! Victoria’s Secret has some of my favorite pants:

Christie Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton

$39.50 Victoria’s Secret

Available in a dozen colors!

Skirts & Dresses

Black & White, Prints & Versatility

Dresses are so versatile that they are an absolute necessity in a work wardrobe. Adding a simple cardigan to a night-on the town dress can modify a dress so it is work appropriate. The following are some highly versatile dresses I found for just that kind of occasion.

 

    

Milly Sheath Dress

Anne Taylor Loft Split Neck Ruffle Dress

 

 

 

 

 

Milly Sheath Dress (above white)

Sheath dresses are classically fit and season-less. This dress is actually backless and gorgeous- so wear a cardigan to work and take it off for that date at an outdoor cafe!

Milly, $375.00  Nordstrom

Hype Strapless Floral Dress

Ann Taylor Loft Splitneck Ruffle Dress (above black)
Black and white are hot “colors” this season- so don’t be afraid to wear black (or ruffles). $69 Ann Taylor Loft

Hype Strapless Border Dress (left)

Everyone loves floral prints this season and they aren’t hard to find! This dress comes in the color shown and a turquoise color.

$139.00 at Zappos

     

Belted Skirt

 

 

 

 

New York & Company Belted Skirt

This cotton skirt is so simple it can be paired with anything plain or patterned. 

$39.95 New York and Company 

Shoes
Nudes, Prints, and Flats

Nudes extend the leg. Prints dress up a plain/solid outfit, and flats make shorter dresses and skirts more appropriate for work. 

     

Nine West Fender Peep Toe Pump $49.99 @Ninewest.com

Anne Klein- $45 @ 6pm.com

Cynthia Vincent Pump

Cole Haan Air Ballet Flat

BCBGirls Silver Flats

 

Style vs. Savings – Spring Shoes

THE STUDDED STRAPPY SANDAL

MANOLO BLAHNIK (Style) VS. NINE WEST (Savings)

Manolo Blahnik Studded Strappy Sandal $895

Nine West Kentaro Studded Sandal $89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER:  The Nine West Kentaro is a great deal – while the studs are not as prominent, both shoes have a 4 inch heel and are in a great neutral color. I choose SAVINGS.

THE RUFFLED T-STRAP SANDAL

NANETTE LEPORE (Style) VS.  STEVE MADDEN LUXE (Savings)

 

Nanette Lepore Savage Lover Stiletto $375

Steve Madden Luxe Brake Ruffle T-Strap Sandal $74.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER: The Nanette Lepore Stiletto offers a more rigid ruffle and more delicate straps while the Steve Madden Luxe Sandal has a rounded ruffle and thicker straps around the ankle and toe. The Nanette Lepore seems dressier and would be perfect to dress up a sun dress and wear to a spring wedding. The Steve Madden sandals have an edgier feel and would be great with a mini. I love… both. TIE.

THE METALLIC CUT OUT PLATFORM

DIOR (Style) VS. NYLA (Savings)

 

Dior Extreme Cutout $780

NYLA Shika Cutout Platform $79.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER: While the NYLA has all of the same details- all the way down to the studs placed strategically in the same places- this shoe is just too bulky. The Dior Extreme is just the right balance of rock star and glam- STYLE.

EXOTIC PRINT PLATFORM

PRADA (Style) VS. Nine West- Boutique 9 (Savings)

PRADA Jeweled T-Strap Platform $1100

Voula by Boutique 9 $160

 

 

 

 

WINNER: The Prada sandal is full of details that only a designer shoe can offer- a jeweled t-strap, (natural python leather!), and a bamboo heel. But- the Boutique 9 Sandal is gorgeous and while it still isn’t a total steal at $160- I feel like it would be more wearable. This was a toughie but: SAVINGS wins.

Paris Spring Couture 2009

Spring is in full swing in Paris and the runways are full of beautiful couture designs! Chanel was showing black and white designs with plenty of lace, sequins, and a tripping model. Armani Privé added in some color, florals and metallics and Christian Dior exhibited all of the above plus voluminous skirts and details inside and out. Trend alert: Head pieces, florals, and structured jackets paired with skirts were shown all around.  Black, white, a mix of metallics and a few bright colors made the cut.

Christian Dior

Christian Dior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chanel

Chanel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Armani Prive

Armani Prive

Work Wardrobe for the Summer Heat

I’ve already spent a good amount of my graduation money on additions to my work wardrobe. But why not? Many of the items can be mixed with other things in my closet to create going out looks or looks for nice occasions without looking too “office.” I recently bought two high-waisted skirts from Express. One in a khaki color along with a matching short sleeved suit top, and another in a heather grey which can be worn year round. Mary Kate Olsen recently rocked out the casual high waisted skirt look on the red carpet. They can be dressed down

 with plain shirts and simple or bold accessories. For work, I bought this striped, short sleeve button down shirt with ruffle detail from VictoriasSecret.com. This shirt comes in a variety of colors as well as polka dot prints and is also cute with a pair of black dress shorts for a night out.

Lastly, there is nothing better than a cute pair of white pants after Memorial Day. These Ralph Lauren Pants from Nordstrom are fitted on top and wide on the bottom. They can help you transition into the wide leg fit that will be taking over in fall!