Fashion Tips for Date Night: Eye Catching Ankle Boots

The perfect date begins with making the right first impression, and that’s usually set by what you wear and how you wear it. If you want a guaranteed eye catching piece of fashion, a hot pair of ankle boots are just the thing to wear. Below are some of the best boot choices that are date ready and fashionably approved.

For a look that’s eye catching and fierce, choose a pair of suede ankle boots in one of this season’s boldest shades. Steve Madden’s Cuddless feature a back-zip closure and come in four great colors, including fuchsia and blue. If your feeling extra brave, choose a pair like, DSQUARED2’s Ankle Boot featuring a Leopard print leather upper. Wearing boots in big bright colors can be a reflection of your own personality, which shows you are fun, edgy and maybe a bit daring.

Alexander McQueen ‘s red ankle boots are just the thing to wear if you’re looking to steal the nighttime crowd’s attention. The double buckle closure combined with the set-back stiletto heel is enough to have stares locked down to your feet all night. Giuseppe Zanotti also features a snake embossed leather ankle boot with a harness strap detail. These wild styles show a fearless fashion sense that proves you’re a risk taker and really not afraid to try anything new.

If you’re just looking for some good clean fun, try DSQUARED2’s Open Toe Pump Frou Camoscio . It’s ruffled fabric and feminine bow accent might mistake him to think you’re a “Goody Two-Shoes” but it’s provocative peep toe and croc leather print could have him realize you often tend to walk on the wild side.

There is a lot that can be said about a woman’s personality by the shoes she wears so make sure when choosing “date night” shoes, you pick a pair that fits your personality just as much as your style.

Easy Fashion Tips: Faux Fur

Maybe Rachel Zoe sparked an interest in fur this season with her lavish collection of fur outerwear and expressing her undoubted affection for this piece of winter apparel on her hit Bravo show. Fear not PETA, since most of the furs that will be purchased and worn (maybe we can thank the recession for this) will be faux fur this season. Seen in the past as a cheapened version of the real deal, many designers are including faux fur in their collection, adding an affordable advantage to this fun fashion piece. And although you’ll see everything from trench coats to fur collared tops, it’s the rock-and-roll inspired feel of the fur vest that tops the fashion trend list.

Best worn over a solid colored Henley (Or even a V-neck t-shirt on slightly warmer days) and a pair of jeans, a fur vest can add the right kind of glam to any dull outfit. It pairs perfectly with boots or heels, so it all depends on whether or not your toes can sustain the right weather. Keep accessories minimal, since the fur itself, is a huge attention grabber.

Achieving this look is easy, especially when offered at a great price. Juicy Couture has amazing fur selections, although my vote goes to the Fur Vest W/ Rib Trim , perhaps for almost passing for the real thing. If you can’t get enough fur from a vest, try Diesel’s Wrett Jacket , a full coat that’s glamorous, fun and still falls within a reasonable budget.

No matter how much you may love this faux fur fashion, don’t obsess over it like Cruela Deville. The only rule to keep in mind when trying this fashion trend is to wear one fur piece at a time; so leave the fur bag and matching fur shoes at home for another night out.

Easy Fashion Tips: What's a Girl to Shoes?

Somewhere to go and nothing new to wear… what’s a girl to “shoes”? Jazz up a simple little black dress with a pair of colorful shoes in one of this season’s brightest hues.

In seasons past, spring always represented corals, yellows, pinks and any other bright color in the color palette, while the darker shades were always left to fall. This year, we’ve seen every color down the runways, Cobalt Blue, Bright Orange, Fuchsia, whichever color you prefer, this fall season is anything but discriminating. The best way to make a fashion statement is to dress in a head to toe neutral hue and strap on a pair of bold bright stilettos.

We all remember Carrie’s wedding in the Sex & The City movie (no not the big lavish one where she was stood up) but the simple wedding in city hall, with the “labeless” vintage white suit set and those stunning blue Blaniks. Re-create that same memorable look with a winter white romper and a pair of Cobalt blue sandals like Steve Madden’s Taaboo or Trufle . These shoes make the ultimate stand out statement and feature a luxurious suede that’s appropriate for the season.

If yellow is more your taste, opt for a pair like Report’s Fillmore that look great against an all black ensemble. Michael Kors’s Dauphin features a a platform and 4.5 heel for a daring look for the fashionably brave.

Shoes no longer compliment an outfit but rather complete them. Shoe designers are offering us everything from pumps to flats in a series of fun bright colors. So, the next time you feel like spicing up an outfit, take advantage of the latest trend and ditch the printed outfits and those overly eccentric embellished tops. The best styling tip of the season is to keep the basic outfit simple while drawing all the attention down to your beautiful feet.

Easy Fashion Tips: Leggins

Everything in fashion makes a fashion “comeback,” including leggings, the fashion staple of the early 80’s that evolved from the rise of the aerobics and fitness trend. Since 2005, we’ve seen leggings evolve in stylish new fabrics and colors to either compliment or complete an outfit.

For fall, stocking-like leggings work best underneath a skirt or dress. Leggings are also a popular look for underneath oversized long sweaters. However, the only way this trend has continued to stay strong over the recent years, is having designers re-vamp the leggings in order to keep it fresh and new, offering prints and details to its simplistic lycra design.

Ed Hardy’s Butterfly Skull & Roses Basic Leggings add an artistic flare to a simple wardrobe. These are best worn underneath an oversized solid color sweater or for a rock glam look that fits the Ed Hardy brand, dare to wear them with a pair of destroyed denim shorts, a simple white t-shirt and an edgy cropped leather jacket.

Some of the more popular style leggings seen over the recent seasons have been “liquid leggings” or those that reflect a patent leather look. BCBG Max Azria’s Snake Legging takes that great look and adds a snake-skin texture for a cool must have piece.

Exposed zippers have been the most recent rave in fashion, and it has not gone unnoticed by designers who are adding this stylish detail to every garment possible, including leggings. Juicy Couture’s Legging W/Side Zippers are a great way to spice up a boring outfit. Just slip a pair of these on, with a simple oversized t-shirt and some bold accessories and you’ll have pulled off that effortlessly cool look seen by some of Hollywood’s trendiest stars.

Leggings are a great fashion piece, especially for their simple-to-wear and comfortable style. Look for leggings to be around for a few more seasons and for their detailing to continue to evolve. Some other great styles are ruching, lace, and now even cut and destroyed styles. Whichever piece you wear, remember to keep the top simple…these aren’t your usual step aerobics leggings anymore!

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Office Style: Boots or No Boots for the Office?

It’s finally time to ditch the flats and sandals at the office and strut your stuff in some high-heeled boots. Fall calls for the return of the ankle boots and knee-high boots that show off your gams conservatively under a knee-length skirt, but how do you pick out something trendy and functional for those long days at the office? Here are some important tips for selecting the right style of boots for the office:

1. Avoid the stiletto heel boots. Stiletto-heel boots are among the top trends for shoes this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re appropriate for the office. While you might be able to get away with them under a pair of long black pants, they’re sure to raise a few eyebrows when paired with a dress or a skirt.

2. Go for the chunky heeled ankle boots. Ankle boots are back in a big way for the Fall season, and you can find a variety of styles that are suitable for the office. Go for a chunky heel with a square toe if you want to stay comfortable and fashionable for those long days on your feet. Ankle boots are especially flattering with a knee-length skirt.

3. Save the over-the-knee boots for the weekend. Another hot trend for the Fall season are the over-the-knee leather boots. Definitely a style you want to show off at least once this season, but just don’t make it at the office. This look is best reserved for weekends with the girls or date night.

4. Ankle lace boots are a definite fashion don’t. No matter how much your inner rock star wants to play during the 9 to 5 hours, save the ankle laced boots for social hour. These boots are fun, flirty and make a bold fashion statement, but they’re not a good match for the semi-professional office environment.

5. Try platform boots for casual Friday. If you’re dying to wear boots this season but can’t find a match for the conservative dress code, you may be able to get away with a wedge or platform heel boot (or bootie) on casual Friday. Take your pick of rich leather or soft suede in a variety of colors for a classy and trendy Fall look.

Easy Fashion Tips: The Maxi Dress

So what do you wear when you want to feel flirty and feminine, but are not in the mood for a snug fitting, curve hugging dress? A maxi dress, of course. Still on the forefront of fashion after several seasons, the maxi dress remains a favorite item for its limitless variations in style, fabric and silhouettes.

Maxi dresses can be extremely versatile, taking your look straight from day to night. For a daytime look, choose a fun print, whether it be paisley or polka dot. In the Resort 2009 fashion show, floral maxi dresses were spotted all throughout the runways. Gabriella Rocha’s Norah Maxi Dress is a great printed blend of tie-dye and paisley offering you an eclectic combination of highly popular prints. A jersey or cotton style maxi dress can give you the comfort you need for all your daytime duties. Great accessories can give your maxi dress a signature look. For example, a big floppy hat can give you a sweet summer look, while a low hung leather belt can give you a cool bohemian inspired style.

For a glamorous night time look, choose a solid color maxi. The color choices are endless. Sophisticated fabrics, like silk or chiffon, will give your look that perfect elegant touch suitable for a night out. A solid maxi dress, serves as a great blank canvas for all the perfect accessories. Pair your maxi with a long necklace with an eye-catching pendant or grab a fist full of colorful bangles to complete a chic pulled together look. Gabriella Rocha also offers solid color maxi dresses like the Emilia Maxi Dress . It may be black, but it’s elegant details, like twisted straps and a deep v-neck cut is the perfect outfit for a sexy date.

Maxi dresses are flattering for girls of all sizes. Petite girls can add extra inches in sky high heels that hide behind a curtain of fabric. Larger ladies can also camouflage thick thighs or wide hips.

Who said clothing couldn’t perform miracles?

Easy Fashion Tips: Jewels & Embroidery Add Pizazz!

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!

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Building a Wardrobe: Starting a Collection of High Heel Shoes

As you mature from girl to young woman and then from young woman to business woman, your shoes will need to evolve in your wardrobe. The high heel shoe is going to be a staple for your grown-up wardrobe. High heeled shoes are sexy, dressy and fun, but if you select the wrong high heel shoe you can end up in a lot of pain.

Fit of the Shoe
The first thing that you need to do when buying high heel shoes for the very first time is to have your foot measured. You need to know your foot length and its width. These measurements will help you to select high heel shoes that are going to compliment the natural shape of your foot. It will also help you to find a shoe that will be comfortable. If you are teetering between two sizes it is generally a better idea to move up a size than it is to buy the half size, especially if you are new to wearing high heel shoes. However, if they feel too loose when you try them on you can go down to the half size.

Height of the High Heel Shoe
High heel shoes come in multiple heights. They range from very low heels, like the kitten heel, to very tall heels that can be six plus inches tall. It is usually recommended that you start off with a short heel and work your way up, but you may have better luck if you try on several heights and decide which angle feels the most comfortable to you. Sometimes a higher heel will create a more natural arch in your foot and be more comfortable to walk in than a lower heel.

Style of Your High Heel Shoes
After you have the fit and the height selected you can move on to something a bit more fun, the style of the high heel shoes. High heel shoes come in an almost unlimited number of styles. There are open toe, rounded toe, pointy toe, lace ups, strappy heels and clogs. There are also wedges, stiletto heels and chunky heels. In addition to shape and pattern differences there are also choices to be made about the color and the finish of the shoe.

Buying Your Shoes
If you are just starting to build your high heel collection then you will want to buy one pair of basic black high heels. These no frill shoes will go with most of your evening and work outfits. Next you will want to select a shoe for a day look. You can select a lighter colored neutral high heel shoe for this. After you have your basic day and evening shoes you can select shoes that are more exciting and that will be used to complete specific outfits.