A Diva State of Mind

We don’t often see trench coats with a feminine flair. “Traditional” trench coats are single breasted with a belt but don’t offer much else in terms of design. Although traditional, that can get boring at times.

Whitney is on the hunt for a feminine black trench coat and asked that if I found any to send them her way. While there aren’t too many feminine coats out there, I did find a few that offer fun feminine details like high/low hems, exaggerated collars, skater skirt silhouettes, ruffles and more.

If you’re like Whitney and want a less traditional black trench coat this spring season, check out these offerings below: 

More T Tahari…

Now that we know Radiant Orchid is the color of the year, you may be wondering “how can I incorporate this color into my wardrobe?”

Some may be interested in featuring the color via accessories. Others may like the idea of buying garments that have radiant orchid in them like dresses or skirts. Whatever your desire, I hope these outfit suggestions will provide inspiration on how to wear this year’s color during the spring season.

I really like the idea of incorporating the color of the year in an outfit with accessories. Two of spring’s hottest trends this season are crop tops and wearing all white so for this first look I thought it would be fun to combine the two.  All white is sexy ladies! Pair white pants with a white crop top. Add pops of color to the look by adding radiant orchid jewelry and a bold clutch. Bring the look together with gold and bronze accents: shoes, sunglasses, bronzer and aviator sunglasses.  I didn’t include a statement necklace because I did’t want to distract the eye too much from the all white silhouette.

The easiest way to dress up a pair of jeans is by pairing them heels and a cute top. This is what I like to call a casual chic look. Dress up your favorite pair of straight leg jeans (more flattering than skinny jeans) with a printed top and silver heels (on my wish list). Although the shirt is printed, it is not extremely bright so you can add a radiant orchid bag to add a pop of color to the ensemble. Another big trend this season is pink, purple and berry lipsticks. Add your favorite lipstick for another pop of color. Don’t forget your trench for those cooler spring days!

You can wear a radiant orchid dress but that may get boring after awhile. Instead, opt for a printed dress that includes this year’s color. Prints are more fun and never go out of style for the spring season, so you will more likely wear a printed dress year after year than a solid radiant orchid dress. Since the dress like the one below is such a statement piece, keep your jewelry and makeup neutral. You can include a neutral clutch; for those that are a fan of mixing colors and prints, pair the printed dress with a clutch or purse in a bright color.

I have seen different shades of radiant orchid online. Most sites feature items in the hue I’ve shown above, but some variations show radiant orchid to be close to the color fuchsia. If you’re a fan of fuchsia, this last outfit may be right up your alley. Florals will always be associated with the spring season, so you can pair an a-line (remember, a-line skirts are flattering on most body types) floral skirt with a blouse that is the same color as one of the flowers in the skirt. Showcase your love for radiant orchid or a variation of the color by pairing the outfit with fabulous sandals. Keep the look lady like with pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet. Since the shirt and shoes bring so much color to the outfit, keep the makeup light with a nude gloss and neutral eye shadow palette. This is a great outfit for those who like to brunch after church!

What do you think of these looks? Are you feeling inspired to incorporate radiant orchid into your wardrobe this spring season?

Valentine’s Day is this Friday! Whether you’re making it a date night with your boo or hanging out with your best girlfriends, you’re probably wondering “what should I wear?”

Below are four looks to serve as inspiration as you prepare to celebrate love and friendship this Friday.  Since there are so many different things you can do on Valentine ’s Day, hopefully these looks will work for any occasion you have planned.

Let’s dive in shall we?

While this look can be worn if you’re hanging out with friends, slip on a skater dress and fur coat for a night out on the town with your significant other.  This style of dress is one of my favorites because it is flattering for a variety of body types.  The empire waist of the dress will conceal the tummy and create a waist. The a-line silhouette will skim the curves of a woman who is bigger on bottom and add flattering volume for a woman who doesn’t have curves. The cap sleeves also help balance the bottom half of the body, creating an hourglass shape.

Accessorize a red skater dress with your favorite black booties, a printed clutch and gold jewelry. Of course, if you don’t want to walk around with your legs exposed, you can add black tights (solid or textured). Complete the look with a cat eye and nude lip. 

Shop red skater dresses:

More Asos…

Although Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, there will many women who have to go to work that day. If you know you won’t have time to go home and change before a romantic dinner date, add some edge to your work outfit by pairing a pussy bow blouse with a leather pencil skirt.  Switch things up by pairing the outfit with pumps in a fun print instead of black. The pencil skirt will nicely show off your figure while of course leaving something to the imagination.  Use the color of the blouse and the bow to add visual interest. Seal the look with red lipstick. Yes you can wear a red shirt AND red lipstick at the same time.

Shop a tweed coats and blouses:

More Ellen Tracy…

I envision the last two looks being for those who have more casual plans or are hanging out with their girl friends. I know I plan on having a girls night out; we’re having dinner and then going to see About Last Night.  I don’t want to wear a dress, so the plan is to wear leather pants or jeans. If you’re not a fan of wearing red, opt for a pink or fuschia sweater and pair it with leather pants or printed pants. Printed pants are great for women who are bigger on top. It adds visual interest to the lower half of the  body. It also helps create shape for women who may have a boyish frame. The shape of the purple sweater will work for a variety of body types including those who have a little extra in the middle; given the sweater skim the midsection, it will camouflage the midsection. 

Whether you’re pairing a sweater with printed or leather pants, add a pair of black pumps, a statement necklace and texture clutch to bring the outfit together. You know accessories take outfits to the next level! Complete the look with a smokey eye and dark nail polish.

Shop printed pants:

More Forever 21…

The final look is for the woman who loves wearing jeans. She does not want to be bothered wearing a dress. She is the type that likes to use heels to upgrade what would normally be a causal outfit.  If your ankles won’t be cold, pair a white or cream sweater with your favorite boyfriend jeans. To my fuller leg ladies, baggy boyfriend jeans will make your legs look larger; opt for straight leg boyfriend jeans.

If you’re not a fan of boyfriend jeans, you can pair a sweater with your favorite skinny or straight leg jeans. That’ll really elongate your legs. Use accessories to add pops of color. Instead of wearing red attire, opt for red heels and lipstick. Complete the look with a bold color coat.

Shop the look:

More Jessica Simpson…

Will any of these look work for your Valentine’s Day plans?

While women have asked what to wear to Brunch For A Cause this Saturday, I figured the guys would like some inspiration too.

Fellas, while you could wear a sweatshirt and Jordans to brunch, I encourage you to try other options! You don’t have to put on your Sunday best, but you can experiment with prints, boots, sneakers other than Jordans and accessories like scarves (yes men wear scarves).

This first look is for the guy that likes a simple outfit; no fuss. This is an outfit I’d definitely style one of my clients in for brunch. Pair black jeans with a nice printed hooded. In case you get hot and want to remove the sweater, wear a printed tee or long sleeve shirt underneath the sweater. It’s more interesting than a plain black or white tee. Complete the look with high-top sneakers, a black belt and watch. Don’t forget your to spray on your cologne!

This second look a great casual winter outfit. Switch things up and put on corduroy pants instead of jeans. Pair the pants with a printed sweater or cozy knit cardigan like the one below from J.Crew.  Layer either piece with a chambray shirt. Shy away from sneakers and complete the look with brown combat boots, which is a little edgy. or pair the look with Clarks Desert Boots. To show off that nice watch, slightly push up the sleeves of your sweater and shirt.

If you love wearing sport coats and blazers but don’t want to look like you’re going to work, wear them with jeans! Pair a navy blazer with light jeans or a grey blazer with dark jeans. Add a long sleeve shirt underneath the blazer and have fun with accessories by adding a printed scarf (I was inspired by these looks here.) You can wear casual shoes like Clarks; a great alternative to dress shoes and more dressy than sneakers.  If you’re not a fan of casual shoes, pair this look with sneakers like converse or Polo high top sneakers.

Fellas, would you wear any of these outfits?

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet for A Diva State of Mind Presents: Brunch For A Cause! please get yours today at http://brunchforacause.eventbrite.com. It’s going to be a great time!

Many have asked for suggestions on what to wear for Brunch For A Cause this Saturday. The dress code for a Saturday afternoon charity brunch in the middle of winter should be casual chic (we’ll save the sundresses for this summer). Have fun with color and textures; pairing looks with boots or booties.  Regardless of what you wear, you should look well put together.  Below are four outfits to serve as inspiration when you’re going through your closet Saturday morning to select an outfit.

Since it’s still ridiculously cold outside, all of the looks feature winter items (sweaters, boots and fur). The first look is an easy one to recreate. Pair your favorite skinny jeans with a long sleeve shirt and fur vest. If you don’t have a fur vest, you can pair the top and jeans with a blazer or add a printed scarf to add visual interest.  For those who love heels, pair this look with heeled booties. If you want to take a break from heels on the weekend, pair this look with flat black boots. Since the color palette is so dark, add a pop of color with bright lipstick and your handbag.

You may find that you wear a lot of black and grey during the winter months. Brighten things up my wearing a cream sweater with green cargo pants (or skinny pants). If you think you’ll be too hot wearing a sweater, especially after you have had a few mimosas, pair the green pants with a cream blouse. Layer the look with a fur vest which can be removed.  Although they are lighter than black and grey, colors like cream and green are still neutrals so you can add a pop of color with a bright statement necklace. Keep the makeup light and natural.

This third look is inspired by a client appointment I had last week. While going through my client’s closet, I found a sweater dress and put together a similar look like the one below. I told her it would be perfect for the charity brunch. This is a great look for the woman that isn’t big on heels but still wants to look chic. This is also great for women who are bigger on the bottom. The blazer and scarf bring the eyes up and help balance the lower half of the body.

Pair your favorite sweater dress with a blazer. Instead of wearing a necklace, switch things up and add a printed scarf to break up the solid colors. I know what some of you are thinking “do all of these colors go together?” Yes they do! Grey, navy and brown are all neutrals so they mix well together. Because they’re neutrals, you have the option of wearing any color scarf and handbag. Complete the look with blue eyeliner, blush and a nude pout.

This final look is the ladies who love to rock a sporty chic outfit. We all know that leather joggers were very popular last year. And since leather is becoming a staple, this style of pants will be around for a while. Pair your leather pants with a printed sweater.  You have the option of wear booties or wedge sneakers. Dress up this outfit with accessories like stacked bracelets and your favorite watch. Complete the look with a dark polish (I love wearing dark nail colors in the winter)! This is a great option for those days where you just don’t feel like wearing jeans or a dress.

What do you think of the looks? Have they sparked some ideas on what you plan on wearing to brunch on Saturday?

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet for A Diva State of Mind Presents: Brunch For A Cause! please get yours today at http://brunchforacause.eventbrite.com. It’s going to be a great time!

My line sister Shontadra hit me up on Twitter yesterday and asked for outfit suggestions. She has a lunch date right after a Saturday chapter meeting. We are required to wear business casual clothes to our meetings. Since my LS will be going from meeting to lunch date without having time to change, I put together some business casual looks that are professional but would also do a great job showing off her figure, while leaving something to the imagination of course!

Shontadra reminded me last night to keep in mind that her body top is bigger on top. She has large “girls” so the key to creating the ideal hourglass shape is to deemphasize the top half of her body with wrap tops & dresses and bring attention to the bottom top half of her body.

If you love wearing dresses and don’t currently have a wrap dress or faux wrap dress in your closet, I recommend you purchase one ASAP! This style of dress is flattering on all body types. For a woman who is bigger on top, the v-neck neckline actually deemphasizes the chest and holds the girls in place. If the neckline was too high, it would make a woman’s check look bigger. If a woman is bigger on the bottom, the v-neck would bring attention to the top half of her body. The fabric of wrap dresses skim over the hips so whether your bigger on top or bottom, it doesn’t add volume. For someone with a boyish frame, a wrap dress helps create curves. And the wrap effect across the midsection snatches that waist and hides the midsection, helping to create an hourglass shape.

If you want to trick the eye, find a printed dress like the Diane Von Furstenberg one below. The eye doesn’t know where to look when a woman wears a printed dress, essentially helping to camouflage problem areas (i.e midsection).  Complete the look with fabulous boots, a grey bag and neutral makeup. Save the smokey eye for an evening date.

Shop wrap dresses here:

More Karen Kane…

The second look takes up the sex appeal a notch but is still very appropriate for a meeting. Pair an animal print skirt with a blouse. Animal print is treated as a neutral, so while I used a black blouse for this look, any color will work. Specifically fushia, red, colbalt and coral. For Shontadra, I’d recommend a top that doesn’t have pockets on the chest. As mentioned above, the goal for her is to balance the top half of the body, so I’d recommend wearing color and/or print on the bottom half of her body to bring attention away from her chest. Use accessories and lipstick to add a pop of color. Of course if the temperatures drop, this look and the wrap dress outfit can be paired with tights.

You may want to wear pants instead of a dress or skirt. That’s fine but shy away from the typical black dress pants. That screams “I’m going to work.” Remember, a date follows the chapter meeting so you want the outfit to be business casual but also fun and flirty. The cream top on the right will work for women who don’t have a large chest. A collar that high and in that color may actually make a women with a large chest look bigger on top. For someone like Shontadra, I’d again recommend a top that doesn’t go all the way to the neck.

Finalize the look with pointed toe heels to elongate the body. If you aren’t too worried about height and rather break up the preppy look with some edge, opt for a bootie instead. Seal the look with eyeliner, mascara and blush.

Shontadra, I hope you have a fun on your lunch date! Let me know what outfit you put together for the special occasion.

What do you think of these looks? To see more looks created for various occasions, check out my Style Gallery.

At the end of this month, I’ll be attending my 10 year high school reunion. Where did the time go?! One of my classmates asked for suggestions on what to wear. Reunions are about reconnecting but you also want to show up looking better than you did 10 years ago!

Our reunion will take place at a lounge from 7-10pm. While some may choose to wear more casual looks, I think cocktail hour will work best for an event like this. We’ll enjoy drinks and share memories for a couple hours; we should look fabulous while doing so!

The first look is for the woman who loves to combine a feminine silouette with edgy elements.  The leather combo dress is paired with pearls (which is girly) to create a look that mixes both hard and soft pieces. You can never go wrong with all black, so the dress is paired with black booties and patterned tights just in case it’s too cold for bare legs. Add a piece that stands out by pairing the all black ensemble with a printed clutch. Complete the look with a smokey eye and dark purple nail polish, a great shade to wear during the fall/winter season.

Get the look:

More GUESS…

The next look is for the women who likes to keep things simple. Instead of a skater dress, you can wear a sheath silouette to your high school reunion. Sheath dresses are great options when you want to show off your curves. In this case, since the reunion is at the end of the November, I chose a long sleeve cotton dress, which will not only look great but also provide much needed comfort. Considering the dress is a neutral, you can use fun accessories and a bold color coat (which is very on trend this season) to serve as your visual interest.

Get the look:

More Jessica Simpson…

A cocktail party doesn’t automatically equate to wearing a dress. I’m a fan of switching things up! If you don’t want to wear a dress to your high school reunion, consider a jumpsuit. It’s a great alternative to a party dress. Don’t be afraid of color! It’s easy to choose a black jumpsuit so instead experiment with a different color like this blue one from TopShop (which is on sale at Nordstrom).  Since the color is so bold, the accessories can remain neutral, which allows the jumpsuit to take center stage.  Some people may not feel comfortable wearing a spaghetti strap jumpsuit in the winter so you can add a little sophistication with a structured blazer but of course it’s optional. Keep your makeup light with blush and lip gloss!

Get the look:

More Topshop…

The final look is for those who are a bit more conservative. You may not be a fan of dresses or you don’t want to show too much of your arms.  Opt for a slim leg tuxedo pant paired with a lace top.  This look is classic because black and white never go out of style! You can add personality to the look by pairing it with a bold necklace, fun gold captoe pumps and a red lip. Seal the look with an Olivia Pope inspired cape and long gloves.

Get the look:

More Lord & Taylor…

What do you think of these looks? Would you wear them to your high school reunion?

For more information on the items featured in each look, click on the picture. If you have style questions, submit them to [email protected]

Last week, Shivawn of Love + Labels & Joneses contacted me to write a guest post on what to wear for a movie date and outdoor date. Check out the post below!

Dating can sometimes be stressful, but choosing the right outfit shouldn’t be! When it comes to dressing for a date, you want to be stylish and dress appropriately (what you wear to dinner is going to be different than what you’d wear to go bowling). Most importantly, you want to be comfortable. If you’re comfortable, you will feel more confident; therefore, focusing less on what you’re wearing and more on your dating experience.

If you’re going to the movies, the perfect date outfit is casual chic. Blazer, jeans and heels are the epitome of casual chic but you can take it up a notch by wearing a printed blazer like this floral one from Dorothy Perkins with a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans and sandals.  Use neutral eye shadow colors to create a smokey eye and top the look off with a nude lip.

The blazer will keep you warm in the movie theatre since they are sometimes chilly. Most likely you’ll go out for dinner and/or drinks afterwards so this is an outfit that can easily transition from one activity to the next.

The second outfit suggestion is one for an outdoor date. From music festivals to touring the city, an outdoor date means you’ll want to leave the heels at home! Go for a fun and flirty look in a printed romper like this one from Nordstrom paired with gladiator sandals (a huge trend this season).

Since you’ll be out all day, you’ll want to protect yourself from the sun with a cute straw hat, sunglasses and of course sunscreen.  It’ll be too hot outside for a full face of makeup; instead add coral blush or bronzer on your cheeks and complete the look with tinted lipgloss for a sunkissed glow.

What do you think of these looks? Would you wear them on a date?

You aren’t the only one who shops at Topshop; Beyoncé does too! The diva appears to shop there often. She has been seen in a variety of Topshop pieces so it was no surprise when she posted another Instagram picture last night wearing a Topshop ensemble.

Beyoncé mixed prints by pairing a Chevron Print Tube Skirt with a top that looks like a variation of the Aztec Crop Top Tee.

Both pieces are available at Nordstrom. The top is $24 and the skirt is $44. The top is also available at Topshop.

Looks like Beyoncé has been inspired by her sister Solange lately. Solange is the queen of mixing prints and Beyoncé has been embracing printed ensembles a lot lately which I think is great! The spring/summer season is the perfect time to to have some fun and add color and prints to one’s wardrobe.

What do you think of the crop top and skirt? Would you wear those pieces?

Photos: Beyonce’s Instagram/Nordstrom

Memorial Day Weekend is unofficially the beginning of summer which means it is time for swimwear! If you haven’t gone shopping for swimsuits yet, I hope this post will serve as a guide on your quest to find the perfect one for the season!

Let’s dive in shall we?!

Bigger on Top (Larger bust than hips)

Support and coverage is key! If you’re going to wear a two piece, look for swimsuit tops that fit like a bra.  Tops that have a thicker band on the side of the swimsuit top will aid in supporting your girls! If you prefer a one-piece, look for swimsuits that have structure in the bust; a soft foam cup or shelf bra. While you can wear thinner straps, thicker straps may be more comfortable depending on bust size.  You can balance out your top half by wearing a roll down bikini bottom in a bright color or print.  This will create flattering volume in your lower half and help create the ideal hourglass shape.

Available at Bare Necessities

Available at Bare Necessities

*Suggested Retailers: Bare Necessities (up to a K cup), Victoria’s Secret (Up to DD cup), Panache (D-K cup), Freya (C-JJ cup) and Athleta.

Bigger on Bottom (larger hips than bust)

The bigger on bottom body type gets tricky. In general, you’ll want to select swimsuits that are cut higher in the leg (both bikini’s and one-piece). This will make your thighs look leaner. Many believe boy shorts work because they cover the derrière, however, boy shorts cut at the widest part of your thigh. That’s why they are great for women who don’t have curves. Bikini’s with side ties and banded bottoms work well too. For the desired hourglass shape, pair your bikini bottom with tops that have patterns, texture (i.e. ruffles and fringe) and prints to bring the attention up (this applies to women who overall have a small chest too).  You can also wear one piece swimsuits or tankinis that have color and eye-catching detail on the top like this one. A halter top will give the illusion of wider shoulders and a longer torso, therefore balancing out your bottom half.

Retro style swimsuits are also another option. They returned to the fashion scene a few years ago and are here to stay. High waisted bikinis work for women who are curvy. They create the illusion of a longer leg AND they hide the belly (if that’s a problem area).

Beyoncé for H&M

Sao Paulo High-Waisted Bikini with underwire. Available at Monif C.

*Suggested Retailers: H&M, Target, Old Navy, Zappos, Macy’s, Kohl’s and Monif C.

Straight (Boxy, No Curves)

A woman who fits this description would be or very close to a 1:1:1 chest, waist, hips ratio. You can add volume to your chest and hips by wearing prints, patterns and texture, like ruffles, fringe and embellishments.  Boy shorts are great because they give the illusion of having hips. Bandeau and halter tops are great for a narrow frame.

Before & After from Glamour.com

The Bikini Lab Fringed Bikini Top. Available at Nordstrom.

Marc by Marc Jacobs one piece on Oprah.com

*Suggested Retailers: Nordstrom, Old Navy, Target, Everything But Water, Figleaves

Extra In The Middle

A one-piece swimsuit with ruching, cut outs, control panels and color blocking will help hide the tummy.  Not only will these details hide the tummy, but they will also help define your waist. If you want to wear a two piece, a tankini is a great alternative to a one-piece or a high waisted bikini.

Monaco Swimsuit from http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/

Miraclesuit Swimsuit, Sanibel Ruched Tummy-Control One-Piece. Available at Macy’s.

Spanx swimsuit featured on Oprah.com

*Suggested Retailers: Dillards, Macy’s (they have Tummy Control Swimsuits), Kohl’s , Spanx and ModCloth

Hourglass

Your shape is considered ideal. Lucky you! You can pretty much wear anything but halter or triangle bikini tops and triangle bikini bottoms will look great on you. This type of bikini cut really shows off your assets (without being raunchy of course). Show off your torso by opting for low-rise bikini bottoms. Monokini’s are also a great option; the style of the swimsuit highlights your curves and emphasizes a small waist.

Halle Berry

Wireless Monokini. Available at Victoria’s Secret.

*Suggested Retailers: All stores listed in the post

Plus Size

If you’re plus size, you want to look for swimsuits that define a waist. The Miraclesuit below is perfect because it drapes diagonally across the midsection, creating a waistline. Swimsuits with ruching and color blocking are great at hiding the tummy while defining a waist. The retro a-line skirt style swimsuits like the one below from ModCloth are great for slimming out your thighs. It hits shorter than boy shorts, so it doesn’t cut at the widest part of your thighs. Many people will recommend wearing darker colors, but if you want to wear a bold color or print go for it. Check out Gabifresh in a black/white stripped bikini here!

Miraclesuit on Oprah.com

Gabi Fresh x Swimsuits For All

Coupe of Tea One Piece

*Suggested Retailers: ModCloth, Evans, Forever 21, Swimsuits For All, Panache, Miraclesuit, ASOS

I hope this helps you on your swimsuit shopping journey!! Please share with anyone you think could benefit from this post!

If you have any style questions or are interested in higher a personal stylist, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 301-836-1451.