Wouldn't it be sweet if *one great jacket could take you from work on Friday through fun downtown or by the sea on the weekend*? Well, take a deep breath, stylistas, because here's just the jacket, and what to wear with it, for you!

Ah, the jacketjacket! This is the O'Neill Belle jacket that comes in both white and black, and either one will do. For work, pair it with some office-worthy but still stylish trousers like the tropical wool trousers from Tommy Bahama, and a head-turning blouse like this little number by BCBGirls with shirred details on the bodice and back with a rounded collar, and buttons on the front and with cuffed sleeves. It comes in both slate and pink, and while you could choose either, the whisper pink adds a whisper of femininity to the whole outfit.

That outfit's not quite ready to head out the door without two more items. First, a big bag or tote like the Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Mag Bag, with room for everything, including a change of clothes for Friday night! Your toes will be happy all day in D Stephany 05 ballet flats in black patent from Geox D.

Moving on to the weekend is a snap. Keep the jacket (of course) but change the trousers and shirt for a cheeky little gingham shirt dress from Fred Perry. Comfy, stylish, a little bit preppy (the Hamptons, anyone?) but definitely fun. Those ballet flats look great with this dress too, so all you need is a pop of color like a Liz Claiborne silky shrunken leather bucket bag in Lemon, and you're ready to take on anything the weekend has in store!

Women know all about the little black dress and probably have a collection of them in their closet. But what about the red dress? Red dresses have strong connotations of power and sexuality. The red dress has evolved from a wild exclamation to a more modest but still powerful fashion statement in movies and on TV.

Fictional Ladies in Red
From fictional images of the innocent Little Red Riding Hood to the cute and sexy cartoon Betty Boop, it's hard not to run through a pop culture flipbook of red dresses in your mind. Most recently Number Six on Battlestar Gallactica, as played by Tricia Helfer is the most sultry woman in red.

Before Number Six, Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek wore a signature red dress uniform. The dress was short, and paired with black boots. The dress had long sleeves and a black collar, under the collar bone. Lt. Uhura was a strong female character on the show, allowed to be both smart and have sex appeal.

In 1938, Bette Davis plays a rebellious woman who throws conventionality to the wind and wears a red dress to a society dance, causing a scandal, in Jezebel.

In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Cate Blanchett wears an elegant red dress, in a Retro 1940s style. While the dress is modest, it's used to represent the passion between Brad Pitt's and Cate Blanchett's characters. The symbolism works because of the moviegoers' collective association, built on all previous incarnations of the red dress on film. The dress represents sexuality, power and passion.

Red Dresses Now
The First Lady wears subdued red suits modestly tailored, making red and the red dress an acceptable choice for all women. Formal red dresses have raised the bustline and dropped the hemline, upgrading red to a positive choice even for modest party goers. Adding a patch of pattern to a red dress adds an element of sweetness to a red dress.

Jewel-encrusted and intricately embroidered pieces are hot this spring. Although these pieces may seem "gaudy" or impractical, they're actually anything but. Pieces with perfectly placed faux jewels or beautiful embroidery work make dressing up (or down) a snap.

Everyone knows that too many busy pieces normally make for a train wreck of an outfit. It's best to go with one, maybe two, really great pieces that really catch the eye and make a statement. Allow the rest of the outfit to complement those pieces and presto! You're looking good. The great thing about faux jewel-encrusted or embroidered tops, bottoms, skirts, purses and shoes is that they are nearly always eye-catching, so you don't have to worry so much about the rest of the outfit. For instance, great tops like the Michael Kors Turquoise Embroidered Tunic features intricate embroidery and decorative mirror appliqués. This piece is practically an outfit in itself. Pair it with black leggings or a white skirt with light turquoise sandals, and you're summer chic. A more inexpensive way to wear embroidery this season would be with a tee-style embroidered top, like the Esprit Embroidered Long Tee.

Jeweled or embroidered summer dresses are also perfect examples of this trend, like the Prana White Jewel Halter dress. If you want to combine two hot Spring 2009 trends - bright neons and embroidery - and you have a little cash to spend, check out the Robert Rodriguez Twist Neck Embroidered Dress. This sexy hot pink number is decorated down the front with beautifully embroidered black flowers.

Adding jeweled or embroidered accents to your spring wardrobe can be as simple or complicated as your budget and imagination will allow. Embroidered purses or jeweled sandals also make a great addition to any outfit you already own which could use a little extra spring kick. So have fun with it, and put some passion in your fashion!

Taylor Swift

Sweet singer Taylor Swift exudes femininity with her pink and champagne outfits, delicate country florals and cowgirl boots. Her look is adorable, and in addition to her angelic looks and voice, is part of the reason she is a popular pop star and fashion icon. Taylor Swift rocked a 1940s-inspired belted trench coat at her MTV Video Music Awards performance, and took it off to reveal a girlish red dress.

She was a stunning young lady in red, and the spectrum of reds and pinks suits her well. She does not shy away from cranberry reds, deep pomegranates, bubble gum pinks and barely-there blushing pinks. These colors complement her underlying wardrobe of all shades of white. Swift also works greens, bright blues and the occasional lilac or black formal wear.

We could edge her out slightly with a pair of floral-looking lace heels, with a metallic polish. They would work with any floral dress, a fuchsia tank dress, or with leggings and and over-sized sweatshirt gray, belted cardigan.

Beyonce Knowles

Where Taylor Swift's style is subdued and subtle, Beyonce Knowles is downright eye-popping. A pair of lattice black heels studded with gold could easily become a major component in Beyonce's wardrobe, if we ever saw her wear anything twice. A pair of shoes which exude her personal flair could be worn with a designer gown, a sexy sheath dress, or leather leggings with a matching, belted coat.

Knowles' wardrobe color palette ranges from deep, eggplant purples to sunshine yellow, and every color in between. Similar to Swift, Knowles knows when to work a mostly white or off-white ensemble, from neckline to shoe choice. Beyonce also knows the power of red, and wore a hot red number to the VMAs.

Both super stars performed at the 2009 MTV VMA show, and both women went home with awards.

With just over a month left of beach season, now is a great time to pack up a beach bag or travel tote and head out for some fun in the sun! Having the right gear for the beach is an important part of travel planning because you need to pack more than the usual goods for weekend getaways or a day of traveling.

When you plan to spend more time in the sun and on the sand, you need to tote along bottles of sunscreen, a large sun hat, healthy snack foods, bottled water and some reading materials. All of those necessary accessories aren't going to fit in your shoulder bag or a tote, so a flexible beach bag made with lightweight materials is your best bet.

Pick up a plaid beach bag to add a stylish twist to an otherwise simple design. Plaid is a hot trend for the summer season, and adds a casual but chic touch to your beach-bound ensemble.

If you want a sassy but chic look, go for a bold printed travel tote. These roomy totes often have extra compartments and zipper pockets which can help you keep everything organized.

Planning to camp or picnic on the beach? Stick with a sturdy weekender tote with extra-large pockets and durable straps. These beach totes are great for packing up Tupperware containers of snacks and hauling heavy water bottles.

If you're planning to shop on the Boardwalk and browse local boutiques during your trip to the beach, consider taking along an eco-chic straw tote or bag made with earth-friendly materials. These are still a top trend for the summer season, and you can show off your inner fashionista with a bold statement bag or hand-painted canvas tote.

Whether you plan to lounge by the ocean or hit the town for the day, you need to carry a bag that will handle your haul for the day with ease. If you want to stay stylish as well, take your pick from these top beach bag trends. From bold printed designs to a simple canvas bag, you have several options for handbags as you enjoy those last few weeks at the beach!

One of the leading colors for the Fall 2009 season is purple, and if you want to flaunt this trend at the office, you can play with a variety of shades to keep your look polished and professional. Purple is a great complement to an all-grey suit, a black pencil skirt and other neutral tones, but you need to follow some basic guidelines to stay in line with the office dress code. Here are some simple ways to power up your look with a touch of purple this Fall:

1. Carry a purple handbag or work tote. Trade your black briefcase or dark grey work tote for a deep purple version. This season's top styles that work for the office include oversized hobos, slouchy bags and glossy patent leather totes.

2. Wear a purple blouse under a vest. You can add a touch of purple to your outfit by wearing a full-sleeve purple blouse underneath a black or grey knit vest to keep your look semi-professional. This preppy ensemble can top off a simple pair of wide-length black pants or a black skirt in a snap.

3. Accessorize with purple jewelry. From oversized necklaces to drop earrings, take your pick of classic silver earrings accented with purple. Purple gems and jewels are a simple way to freshen up your look and add a luxe twist to your ensemble.

4. Wear a purple shell. Add just a hint of purple to your outfit by wearing a shell underneath the blazer or blouse, and you can instantly transform a white shirt, grey suit or black ensemble into something a little more stylish. A deep purple shell is great for darker suits and blouses, while a lilac or lighter purple shade will work well with a white or cream colored shirt in early fall.

5. Go for the purple heels! Purple shoes are showing up at shoe racks around the country, and you can pick out some patent leather Mary Janes, kitten heels or leather pumps in a rich, dark purple for the office. Just make sure you're not wearing purple anywhere else to keep your look professional and chic.

Last year, our feet couldn't get enough of ankle booties. This fall however, boots reach new heights, surpassing the ankle and stretching as far as over the knee. Seen all over the fall 2009 runways, these boots are designed with heels, flats and in stocking-like styles. To ensure this trend looks more haute couture, below are three ways to wear these thigh high boots right.

If you're planning on wearing shorts with you're over the knee boots, make sure they are boyfriend cut or a loose fitting pair. Avoid tight shorts or cut-offs, these will only give you that look we want to steer clear of. For a daytime look, rock a pair of over the knee flats like the Report Makee with ruched details. Then take your look from day to night, by throwing on a chic blazer and changing into a sexy pair of heels like Stuart Weitzman's Buckley buckle detailed thigh high boots.

Over the knee boots and skinny jeans seem to be the perfect pairing. For a rocker glam look, wear your favorite dark wash skinny jeans with a cool pair of wedged over the knee boots. Suede boots with detailed ruching adds the right contrast to differentiate between boots and jeans. Stuart Weitzman Sidezip boots are an amazing pair of suede boots, featuring an exposed side zipper (which we all know is a great ongoing trend for fall). Complete the look with a great fall scarf and cropped leather jacket.

If leggings are more your style (or just simply more comfortable) a shiny pair of leather thigh high boots are a great match. The Jessica Simpson Tulip slouched boot is not only attractive and affordable, but offered in five great colors. A printed tunic worn over your leggings and boots will give you a sexy bohemian look that's trend worthy for this fall.

In memory of Patrick Swayze (August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009), this week is dedicated to a trend that's been on the move for some time: dance wear. Let's look back at stylish fashions from Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, before moving onto more recent examples of dance wear and pop culture in the new TV show Glee and the remake of the movie Fame.

Dirty Dancing
The movie Dirty Dancing, made in 1987, and set in 1963, displayed fashion choices by the characters which are being seen today. Baby covers up in a casual button-up sweater on her way to delivering watermelon to the dirty dancing cabin. The sweater was a pale, lilac and pink crochet sweater. For a similar look today, an Esprit cashmere sweater could be worn with a patterned dress, or with jeans.

For his casual to dance look, Patrick Swayze as Johnny wore tight black pants. His wardrobe was simple: wear the black torso-hugging tank top for dance practice, a black t-shirt for casual moments, and a tight black button-up shirt for putting on shows. A leather coat, a hit in any decade, paired with a pair of leather ankle boots completes his look.

For her dance routine, Baby traded up, from comfortable Keds to a grown up pair of pink, strappy heels, similar to this silver pair of Naturalizers.

Glee
The new TV show, Glee, is all about performing. The show brings us a rainbow of plaids for both Preppies and Goths. Plaid is apparently the great equalizer in the world of high school fashion. The students try to dance to the beat of the same drummer, but hold tight to their preferred dancing shoes: Converse sneakers, Doc Martens and metallic ballet shoes.

Fame
Black leggings, strappy tank tops, sweatshirt layers and belted waists may all be seen in Fame, and maybe even in your own mirror.

Streamlined Sweaters, Not Clunky
Forget last year's bulky sweaters with larger-than-life triangle collars and buttons worthy of an elementary school bulletin board. Opt instead for a sleek and streamlined cardigan. Rather than a torso shortening collar, this fall's cardigan lengthens you with long columnar draping in the front, ideal for pairing with your favorite leggings.

Monochromatic, Not Complementary
Make your mornings easier and pick out a monochromatic outfit one or two days this week. Dress from head to toe in one hue, from earrings to shoes, and revel in the accolades and approving nods. The color does not have to be a citron or red, but try something other than black.

Ethnic Prints not Factory Shapes
Get rooted with ethnic prints in your wardrobe. Replace your favorite plaid with prints resembling woven fabric.

Over the Knee Not Under
If you were floored by the high knee-grazing boots of seasons past, you will love the new over-the-knee boots. Pull off the look with a pair of warm velvet over-the-knee stockings, or embrace the look with thigh high boots. The key to wearing over-the-knee boots gracefully and with style is choose a pair of flat, neutral colored boots. It's okay to wear with a short skirt or dress, but arms and decolletage should be covered up. Let the attention fall to the boots and your legs.

Squares over Rectangles
Going back to elementary school for a moment, opt for square-shaped, compact handbags over rectangular ones.

Dark Lenses, Not Rose Colored Glasses
You can still look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but only proverbially. For hip eye wear, choose the sunglasses with strong frames, worn by movie fashion icons from Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s to Tom Cruise in the 1980s. Don't worry, though, you can still match them to your outfit thanks to Wayfarer's new colored frames.

Belted Coats not Loose Coats
Your transitional season coat should be belted, buttoned and rest mid-thigh, perfect for wearing with your favorite skirt or leggings and to protect you from cool Autumn breezes.

Two actresses featured in films at the 66th Venice International Film Festival provide the inspiration for a classy and casual celebrity fashion mashup: Eva Mendes and Chloe Sevigny.

While it's possible that Eva Mendes and Chloe Sevigny met up at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, what would happen if their luggage had been swapped?

Classy Lady: Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes is one of those breathtaking Hollywood beauties that does not get enough camera time. She exudes classic Hollywood glamour and is a true fashion icon for any well-heeled woman. Recently she strolled down the red carpet with Nicolas Cage at the Venice Film Festival. Her eye make up was toned down and she wore her hair straight, parted in the middle and highlighted.

Most at home in a formal dress or matching pant suit, Eva Medes was born to wear white. She is also often seen wearing solid colors and monochromatic outfits. The star who describes herself as environmentally-conscious could wear this stretchy white skirt with a champagne tank top, giving her a more casual look.

Art Film Chic: Chloe Sevigny
Another not-often seen but always admired actress is Chloe Sevigny. Her fashion style fits her movie roles: more artsy and creative, as she thinks outside the hat box. Chloe Sevigny should continue to include quirky elements in her outfits, while adding classic pieces and designer wear. Her current style has moved from art house to coffee house, and it seems more relaxed and casual. She can wear a fitted jean jacket with a short designer dress.

Similar to Eva Mendes, Chloe Sevigny is one of those actresses blessed with long legs and she wears shorter dresses and skirts to show them off. Eva Mendes emphasizes her legs by wearing longer, sometimes below-the-knee skirts which hug her curves.

A Week in Venice
Even if their luggage had been swapped, Chloe Sevigny and Eva Mendes will be turning heads long after the film festival fanfare fizzles.

Ancient Egyptian and Greek scriptures have depicted women in water scenes wearing short cotton skirts that were waisted below the bust and held up by two straps that mark the earliest versions of the modern monokini. However, European designer, Rudi Gernreich, holds the title for designing the first monokini in 1964. A cross between a one-piece swimsuit and a two-piece, the design consisted of a bikini bottom with straps that ran over the shoulders. He also is responsible for naming the garment and was recorded in the English language that same year. The term monokini, refers to a bikini bottom held in place by two straps which, at least partially, cover the breasts. His vision to create a garment with minimal construction and detailing to maintain focus on the body itself received mixed reviews during the conservative times. In the face of the critics, the monokini was a highly purchased item for shoppers that summer, selling over $3,000 in the suits. Although not very successful in the US, it was a great hit in Europe by the early 1970's.

After its first season, the monokini grew quickly out of style, nonetheless, the exposing suit began a new era in swimsuit design. Designers soon began experimenting with strategic cutouts and mesh coverage in swimwear design. For the Sports Illustrated cover in 2000, Laetitia Casta was photographed in a vintage 1967 Gernreich monokini, reviving interest in the swimsuit. Today, the monokini is the hottest summer trend in swimsuit since its debut. Popular designs are cut-out one-piece swimsuits with designers using fabric, mesh, chain, and straps to bond the top and bottom sections together, like Dolce & Gabbana's Monokini with Metal Ring & Gold Lurex Piping. Celebrities including Paris Hilton and Eva Longoria Parker, have been photographed in stylish monokini designs, only growing the popularity of this up to the moment trend.

Classic not Trendy
In this economy it's important to spend wisely on some classic and solid pieces which will not look dated in the months and years to come.

Bold Print Leggings for Plain Black Leggings
Show off your gams, and you favorite pair of shoes with boldly-patterned tights. A long top in a color matching the tights, paired with black shoes, and a pair of black nylon knee highs will complete your look.

Polished not Bedhead
For corporate days and fancy nights, pull your hair off your face a into neat ponytail. No longer just for bad hair days, a tightly drawn up-do, with all fly-aways smoothed down is a more serious look than tousled hair for this fall.

Covered Necks, Not Bare
Turtlenecks are a wardrobe staple in the cooler months, but they are not just for jeans and sneaker days. Wear a turtleneck with a long, ankle-length skirt, in the same color, a pair of white or glittery tights and pop on a comfortable pair of Two Lips Parker shoes.

Tiny Prints for the Rest
While bold prints are acceptable for two-tone outfits, fashionistas with a romantic flair will embrace the tiny prints making their way onto everything from striped pajama's to floral intimates, scarves, dresses and cardigans. Look for tiny flower prints of white and light blue on dark blue, or any white and blue striped top.

Subtle patterns and faded colors dominate this look, and it's okay to mix and match your patterns in the same color palette.

Goodbye Peep Toe
For casual wear, cover up those peeping toes and painted nails and wear a pair of bright blue or plum low heels.

Hello Cut Out, Hello Layers
The cut out clothing trend is perfectly acceptable for day wear or casual wear, as long as you remember that this time around, there should be a contrasting layer of fabric beneath. Pair a bright white shirt with a black cut out top for a bold effect.

The warmer months are finally here, which means it's high time you traded out those jeans and full-sleeved shirts for capri shorts, mini dresses and tank tops. Since it's time to bare it all for Spring break and to count down the days to summer, you can get a head start by picking up some Spring-inspired sandals for the season. This year's top fashion trends include lots of feminine flair, which means it's time to go all out with flowers, ruffles, feathers and fun girly-girl accents.

This season's lineup of the hottest sandals include cork wedges and flats embellished with oversized jewels, and fun flats accented with seashells. Here are a few more ideas for adding some seasonal pizazz to the closet:

1. Croc-inspired slides. Skip the patent leather and plain buckles this season in favor of some flashy, crocodile leather slides. These are great for going out for a weekend brunch or for jetting off on a fun shopping trip with the girls.

2. Seashell ankle-strap sandals. If you can't go to the beach, why not bring the beach home to you? Stuart Weitzman's Shelly Sandals will help you do just that with their soft nappa or calf leather bands and cluster of seashells, fresh from the sea shore, trimming the top.

3. Super wedge heels. Forget about the conservative 2" wedges and reach new heights with 4"+heels decked out in oversized jewels or flowers. Like these Dccyclops by Stuart Weitzman. They're a real head turner with the super-stacked heel and chic espadrille-inspired design. Pair these up with a minidress or short-short skirt of the season and you'll be the life of the party.

4. Open-toe ballerina flats. If you've become a fan of the flats, or just want to give your calves a break this season, slide into a pair of open-toed flats made with patent leather straps. These are perfect for those picnics in the park and relaxing on the sands.

5. Festive thong sandals. Dress up any plain-Jane outfit with a rich leather upper covered with chrome, foil and metallic embellishments. Metallics are back for another season and are sure to add a little sass to your step this Spring.

Clothes that you buy at stores are sized based on standards set by the pattern makers. These sizes are based on average body proportions and dimensions. As you are most likely well aware of, few bodies have these exact dimensions and shapes and that is why clothing off the rack doesn't always fit or flatter your body's shape. Fortunately, there are ways to make off the rack clothes fit your body better.

Tip #1 - Use Belts

One simple way to make adjustments to the shape and fit of clothing is to utilize a belt. Belts can be used with jeans and slacks to help bring in the waist of pants that are a little too big, or they can be added to a shirt to create a more tailored look. You can also use belts of different colors and textures to add a point of visual interest to your outfit.

Tip #2 - Make Adjustments to the Seams

If you are between sizes then you will want to buy the next size up and then make adjustments to the seams. You can do this simply by figuring out where the clothing is too big and then by taking in the seams. Usually you will only need to take in the side seams to make a shirt or a pair of pants fit your shape better. When you take in the seams you need to do it evenly on both sides so that the clothing item will fit properly on your body.

Tip #3 - Make Adjustments to the Length of the Item

Another dimension that may not fit your body properly is the length of the clothing item. If the item is too long then you can hem the bottom of the item. This is a very simple fix that even novices can handle. Keep in mind that you can shorten shirts and jackets, as well as pants, shorts and skirts. Hemming can be done by hand with a needle and thread, or it can be done using a sewing machine. There are also hemming tapes that you can use to quickly set a hem. You can use the tape to hold the hem for a day while you wear the item, or you can use it to hold the hem in place while you stitch it up with a needle and thread.

Scarves used to be classified as an accessory only used when outdoor temperatures made our necks intolerable to bare. Over the recent seasons, however, scarves have been spotted not only during the spring and summer seasons, but also worn around the head and neck in various different ways.

From silk to cashmere, designers have experimented with new fabrics transcending the traditional wool that labeled scarves as only a winter accessory. These lightweight and elegant fabrics not only make them suitable for the hotter seasons but also make them malleable enough to be used creatively as a trendy head accessory.

As seen on many celebrities, the "summer scarf" is worn around the neck (not wrapped) and worn to slightly adorn bare shoulders when worn over a tank top or cami. Solid colored scarves give a sophisticated look, while various prints give a more casual and youthful feel. Designers such as Ed Hardy and Alexander McQueen have branded their scarves with highly popular prints that are easily referenced back to the designer, like the Alexander McQueen silk skull scarf. This particular scarf was seen on many celebrities, including Nicole Ricci and Lindsey Lohan.

This year, a particular way to wrap scarves around the neck put a huge spotlight back on this ancient accessory. The "triangle-tie" resembling the look that cowboys used to don were seen all over the runway and streets. Plaid patterns and fringe details were the most sought after styles, modernizing this primitive look.

What can be worn one day around the neck, can easily be transformed into a different look by wrapping it around the head. This season, scarves were highly merchandised with swimwear as the season's must-have accessory. The different ways of wearing scarves around the head are countless, which is why scarves have become highly popularized, for their capability of being a highly versatile fashion accessory. Whether draped around the neck, wrapped around the head or cinched over the waist, scarves can turn any outfit from dull to dramatic.