Gladiators are one of the hottest trends for spring. Do you love 'em or hate 'em?
Send us a comment and let us know where you stand on them.

Give ‘em lips that glow in the day. Bright-colored lips were seen on several runways during Fashion Week. It’s an instant way to get your lips noticed! Try Besame Cosmetics lipstick in Carmine. Keep eyes and cheeks simple to get the most lip service.

I’m not talking about their collaboration everyone knows about by now – she is sporting a baby bump, after all. Keith and Nicole are collaborating talents and creating a clothing line, called Hank and Evie. No word yet on if the couple will design kids’ clothing, too. If so, they should follow the examples of D&G Juniors, Moschino Kids Footwear and Lilly Pulitzer Kids. So adorable!

Luke Wilson designing golf clothes for Puma? It struck the Couture Team as surprising also, but it turns out Wilson is quite the golfer – he’s listed as one of the Top 40 Hollywood golfers in Golf Digest. So, after learning that, it makes sense that he’s teaming up with Swedish golfer Johan Edfors to create a “chrome collection” for this summer. Can Wilson and Edfors bring sexy back to boring golf attire? We’ll have to wait and see.

The presidential election is getting a lot of coverage, but not just about the candidates’ qualifications. The candidates’ style and their wives’/husbands’ style is under fire, as well. Hillary isn’t taking much heat for Bill because he’s been in the office before, so we know what to expect fashionwise from him (doesn’t seem he’s changed much since the late ‘90s). But Barack’s first lady Michelle is being compared to Jackie O. I’m pretty sure that can’t be a bad thing.

Besides the obvious similarity (Michelle O., Jackie O.), the hair is a big thing – Michelle wears hers either flipped up or curled under, oh how Jackie O.! Mrs. Obama has, like Jackie O. had, a classic style. Think business-like sheaths worn with thin belts, clean-lined pants, collared shirts and, of course, large sunglasses.

Michelle’s style probably won’t help or hurt Barack’s chances of winning, but if the votes are in his favor, at least she’s ready to take over the role of fashionable First Lady.

Go graphic – plain tees are out, graphic tees are in. There are plenty out there, such as this John Varvatos Statue of Liberty Tee or this Moschino T-shirt. Silly imagery emblazoned on your chest/stomach makes for a good conversation starter.

New York is where I’d rather stay, I’m allergic to smelling Long Island hay, darling I love you but give me Madison Avenue... Such could be the theme song of the amazing Michael Kors, who began his fashionable career at the tender age of 19 at the Fashion Institute of Technology. He would go on to become the quintessential designer of what now is referred to as classic American Sportswear. His designs are an embodiment of the jet-set culture, both in his use of luxurious materials, precision tailoring and fabulous fits.

Kors’ classic pieces are chic, sexy and comfortable, making them the favorites of many socialites, celebrities, models and the like. Is it any wonder then that his classic handbags, fabulous shoes, and trademark stunning sunglasses are hits here on Couture.Zappos too? Our faves: Michael Kors classic Jackie O. octogonal shades, the Santorini chain flap rattan handbag, and the elegant two-piece chain detail metallic heels.

The metallic trend is going strong and shows no sign of abating, but
how does one wear it and pair it? Couture, along with one of our
fashionable fellas, Loren B., accepted the challenge to find a look
that was one part casual, one part fashion and plenty of cool.

The What: Royal Elastics Dalech sneakers

The How To: 1.Akademiks Dominate Stud jean in ‘used’ rinse 2.Affliction's Dead or Alive tee. 3.Oakley Ducati Hijinx shades

The When: Daytime cool.

The Why: Need you ask?

When you hear the word "clutch," do you think "smallest purse ever?" Get rid of that notion. There are bigger, better clutches out there! A great option for going from day to night, roomy clutches in soft metallics or basic black can store more than a wallet, cell phone, camera, makeup and water bottle. So on Monday morning, clutch it and go!

I think it’s funny how different fashion shows are in different countries. Take Alexander McQueen’s show in Tokyo – I didn’t see these shoes, especially the pair with a heel under both the heel and ball of the foot, at his show in New York. What gives?

I asked one-third of the Couture Team because she lived in Okinawa, Japan, and she offered me some insight. Not only do those shoes have a Japanese feel, they’re a little out there. Things that are ‘out there’ are more readily embraced in Japan than in other countries. Even some things Marc Jacobs designs – the reverse high heel, little bags attached to large totes – take some warming up to.

“Japan is a fad country; it’s easy for people to get bored,” Ms. M told me. “I think more Japanese fashion designers push the envelope further than their western counterparts. People keep it safe in the U.S. and Europe because they're afraid something won't sell. But in Japan, there is always someone who will buy your product, no matter how weird it is.” Enough said!

It’s all about the details – a blazer is more than a blazer when it’s got velvet, satin or two-toned trim, a printed inside lining or embroidery. Whether dressing up with slacks and spectators or dressing down with jeans and sneakers, blazers with flair get a lot of stares – in a good way!

“You are what you are, a super star” – that lyric from Lupe Fiasco is fitting for last night’s episode of How I Met Your Mother. But that star was not Britney, it was the Marc by Marc Jacob's marigold turnlock messenger bag she carried in the final scene. Spears’ wardrobe stylist paired it with a light green V-neck dress with yellow ruffle trim, and the pop tart looked….well, good. It was fabulous seeing a bag that couture has been coveting on the show, but even more so, it was good to see Britney looking pretty normal…and pretty!

The What: Just Cavalli sweetheart neckline knit dress

The How To: 1. Jean Paul Gaultier tapered leather jacket
2. Alexander McQueen Calf hobo 3. Badgley Mischka
Piera peep toe pumps 4. D&G Dolce & Gabanna crystal
embellished watch

The When: Daytime – great for work, lunch dates or after
work with friends

The Why: To be fashionably fabulous of course!

Don’t be afraid to stand out! As the weather warms up, protect your fashionable self from spring breezes with a colored coat – blue, red and yellow are three hot colors this season. Pair a thigh-high brightly colored coat with white or light pants to stand out.

Every woman knows the importance of great jeans – the pair that hugs in the right places, isn’t too low and is the perfect length. Chip and Pepper's Stella bootcut jeans are that type of great fitting jean! Our recommendation: the ‘riverview’ dark rinse, because darker rinses are always more flattering.

The long-sleeved collared shirt is a must-have staple for a guy. It works for work, dates and looks nice enough to get him into the clubs. Stand out from the rest of the guys this season with printed long-sleeved shirts. Tiny checks or icons such as little leaves, plaid designs or this psychedelic print will help attract the ladies away from those other guys in their standard blue collared shirt. So boring.

If Papa, AKA Louis Vuitton, wants a Rolling Stone, he’ll get one – Keith Richards is the latest unlikely star of the company’s advertising campaign. The Richards campaign shows the aged-rocker in an untidy hotel room looking like a rock star with messy hair and smudged makeup. Does Richards even carry Louis Vuitton luggage? I guess regardless, he’ll make the bags look more edgy and rock ‘n roll.

The campaign will be shot by iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz. Previous campaigns involved Mikhail Gorbachev, Catherine Deneuve and tennis deities Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.