we’re in week 2 of accessories month and this week i’m going to show you how to wear hand accessories

if you love the chunky watch, bracelet + ring look, here are some guidelines to  help you determine if your frame can pull it off:

• you’re 5’4? + taller
• your wrists + hands are not dainty
• you are not petite
  

the personality traits that best suit the chunky arm + hand accessory look, is the same as the statement necklace look form last week:

• you like to have fun + experiment with your wardrobe
• you have a flare for unique + funky things
• you’re outgoing + energetic

shop for chunky watches, bracelets + rings:

watch

bracelet

bracelet 2

ring

if you happen to:

• be petite framed
• 5’3? and shorter
• have small hands + wrists (bangles tend to fall off your wrist)
  
• like more classic pieces
• be the strong silent type

i recommend you stick with watches, bracelets + rings that are more delicate + personal, and then layer them to add element of interest.
here are some examples:

shop for delicate bracelets + rings:

bracelet

ring

watch

ring to wrist bracelet

which style are you? i’m definitely on the delicate side.

sometimes you may be a in the middle somewhere, so it’s important to always consider proportions and to experiment.

if you have a question about any of this, let me know in the comments section below.

“how do i wear accessories?”

it’s seriously one of the most asked questions i get.
aaaand i’m not gonna lie, it’s a tough question to answer because there are a lot of layers + variables.

but, i’ve decided to make the month of may accessories month, yay!

but what the heck does that mean?

well, it means that for the rest of may, i will post tips on how to wear a different accessory each week.

as you may have already guessed, this week’s accessory is necklaces!

you may have noticed a bunch of women wearing bold chunky necklaces, and wondered if you could pull off a similar look.
a statement necklace is a pretty dramatic piece and it has the potential to completely wow an ordinary outfit, but can just as easily overwhelm one also.

remember, it’s all about proportion.

will the frame of your body be able to pull off the weight + boldness of a statement necklace?

here are some general guidelines on how to tell:

• you’re 5’4″ + taller
• your torso is not too short
  
• you don’t have a short neck

and don’t forget, your personality plays a role in this too.
here are some personality traits that would make you an ideal candidate for statement necklaces:

• you like to have fun + experiment with your wardrobe
• you have a flare for unique + funky things
• you’re outgoing + energetic

you may be thinking ‘well i don’t fit any of the things above, what should i wear?’

glad you asked!

if you happen to:

• be petite framed
• 5’3″ and shorter
• like more classic pieces
• be the strong silent type

i recommend you stick with necklaces that are more delicate + personal, and then layer them to add element of interest.
here are some examples:

which style of necklaces do you feel would suit you best? and if you have any questions, post them in the comments section below!

i know you’re totally excited about spring FINALLY having sprung (you are excited aren’t you??).

i also know that this is usually a complicated time between you and your closet.

you want nothing more than to ditch all your heavy + bulky items, for the light + airy ones that have been dying to bust free from hiding, for the past 6 months now.

but there’s just one little problem…. the current 50 degree weather outside is not exactly conducive to maxi dress and sandal attire.

so what’s an anxious spring fashionista to do you ask?

glad you asked

here’s the plan:

1. ditch your winter coat for a lighter spring-appropriate version

2. layer, layer, and layer some more

• cardigan w/button up shirt

• blazer or jacket w/ sweater & button up shirt

• scarves

• skirts and dresses w/tights & booties

3. add a spring/summer color or item

and here’s a little visual spring wardrobe inspiration for you…

BTW how ready is your wardrobe? what’s your biggest challenge with spring style?

*photos courtesy of www.eonline.com + www.streetfasionmonitor.com

today’s post is completely inspired by my friend Jennifer’s question. and since i’m so excited to talk about this topic, i say we dive right in!

clothes can get really expensive.
and at some point you may have wondered which items are actually worth the extra money.

well, let me help you with that!

here’s a list of 5 items i think are totally worth the extra dineros:

the fabulous handbag

i’m a bit of snob when it comes to this item. if you’re serious about making an effort with your style, then the quality of your handbag should be non-negotiable. a cheap looking bag can take an outfit from a 10 to a 2, in no time flat. so please, invest a good amount of time and money here and select a higher end bag.

sample price: $395
cost per wear if worn 182 days of the year: $2.17

the glam winter coat

although i prefer not to ever have to wear one, NYC winters don’t make that a possibility. so to those of us that have to endure frigid temperatures for 4 months of the year and are forced to wear a winter coat, finding one that is both warm and cute will require a little extra moula.

sample price: $990 (mackage coat pictured)
cost per wear if worn 100 days of the year: $9.90

the sexy black/navy dress pant

how can a dress pant be sexy you ask? well, let me tell you… impeccable tailoring! it’s all in the fit my love, and the brands that spend & invest a lot of time + money studying the art of well fitting clothes have to recoup that cost in the price of the garment.

sample price: $298 (moschino dress pants pictured)
cost per wear if worn 100 days of the year: $2.98

the perfect pair of blue jeans

im pretty sure you know this already, but there’s a world of difference between inexpensive generic jeans and designer brand jeans. quality of fabric and construction just to name a few. but grabbing any designer brand name alone won’t guarantee you the perfect fit. you’ll have to really spend some time trying on several brands before finding the perfect pair. 9 times out of 10, those pair of jeans will cost about $150 and up… don’t let that deter you. proceed to the checkout counter in confidence, cause it will definitely be one of your best purchases. oh and you’ll wear the hell out of those jeans!

sample price: $187 (j. brand jeans pictured)
cost per wear if worn 150 days of the year: $1.25

the go-with-everything pair of heels/boots

one of the items i seem to have the biggest difficulty with is shoes/boots. you see my feet are picky and can’t really handle being in heels for long periods of time (i.e. anything longer than 20mins), and i refuse to sacrifice comfort for the sake of cute shoes… and neither should you. after all, its really not cute to be in shoes you can barely walk in. in addition to comfort, having a pair (or 2; 1 black pair + 1 nude pair) of heels/boots that can be easily paired with almost anything in your wardrobe will prove to be more convenient than you’ll ever know. and btw high end designer shoes/boots last waaaaay longer than cheapy ones.

paying more upfront for items like these, really does pay off in the long run, and the peace of mind that comes with investing in high quality pieces that not only look good but feel good also, allows you to wear items confidently.

is there a big ticket item you’ve been eyeing but afraid to bite the bullet on? lets talk about it below and maybe i can help answer any questions you have

from one petite woman to another, i think it’s time you and i had a heart-to-heart.

i know it’s easy to forget that you’re body is smaller and that you really wanna wear the clothes that the non-petite’s are wearing.

but the truth is, your body is different and that means you’re gonna have to do things a bit differently.

it’s time to stop hiding that beautiful little body of yours in way-too-big-for-you clothing, and step up as the proud + petite hot mama you are!

so grab a notebook + pen, and i’ll break down the 3 style rules to keep in mind so that you’re petite bod looks nice + sexy!

let’s get started shall we?!

petite style #1: it’s all about the lines!

the point at which clothing lines stop on your body is super important. what do i mean when i say lines? i’m referring to the point at which your sleeves, bottom of your shirt and the hem of your pants end. since most clothing in stores are made for non-petite women, this means most of the clothing lines out there will not fall at the points in your body that look best. check to see that the lines of your clothing hits in all the right places with this list below. if they’re not, chances are your clothes are + look too big on you:

• sleeve length should hit at or right above your wrist bone
• shirt length should hit between the bottom of your pants or skirt waistband and the middle of your crotch area (remember rounded hem tops are more flattering than straight hem tops)
• pant hems should hit at your ankle if your wearing flats or sandals and should just barely skim the back of your heels when in heels
• skirt hems should be at the knee or anywhere from 2-3 inches above the knee (give or take)
• shoulder seams should sit above the slope of your shoulders

petite style #2: volume is NOT your friend!

clothes need to fit closer to your body or you will get lost in the volume. now, that doesn’t mean you should be wearing skin tight clothing instead, what it does mean, is that you’ll have to let go of the comfort of hiding beneath the volume of your clothes. structure and tailoring are key for you.

petite style #3: avoid large + overpowering prints!

since you have a small frame, bold large patterns tend to look like the clothes are wearing you, rather than the other way around. great style is all about proportion so it’s important to look for patterns that are the right scale for your body. it may take a little more effort but the end result will totally be worth it.

check out the major difference in these 2 looks with Kourtney Kardashian.

in the first look, that awful off the shoulder billowy top, does nothing for her petite frame… in fact she gets completely lost in all that fabric.

but in the second look, she does everything right; her clothes are beautifully skimming her body without being too tight, she highlights the smallest part of her waist, the pattern on her top does not overpower her and the proportions of her top and shorts make her look taller + leaner!

i hope our little heart-to-heart helped you embrace your petiteness a bit more!

but if you still have questions, ask away! you know i got your back

recently, a friend asked me the following question:

“how (do i) shop with specific outfits in mind? i somehow end up with a lot of separates (tops, skirts etc), and no clear idea how, or if, they even go together.”

MY ANSWER

unless you have a particular event that you’re shopping for, your goal when shopping should NOT be to buy an entire outfit.
the goal is to have a wardrobe of versatile pieces that mostly work well with one another.

how do you achieve that?
well, it all actually starts way before you step foot into a store.

here’s exactly how you can start buying clothes you’ll actually wear:

step 1: know your body shape (you knew that one was gonna top the list right?)
step 2: evaluate your lifestyle… maybe even make a list of all of your daily activities
step 3: do a closet cleanse - create 3 piles: alter, give away & consignment. go through every item in your closet and if it’s an item you never wear or isn’t 100% perfect on you, it belongs in one of those 3 piles
step 4: once you’ve completed your closet cleanse, analyze the give away/consignment pile closely. do those items no longer work for you because they’re outdated, are no longer your size, don’t suit your body shape or because they don’t suit your current lifestyle?
step 5: if most items are outdated and no longer fit your body, ask yourself if these pieces are part of your go to staples, and decide if you’d like to replace them with updated versions. make a list if you’d like to update them.
step 5b: if most of your give away/consignment pile doesn’t suit your lifestyle, than you’ll have to work a little harder at building a wardrobe you love. using your list of daily activities from above, make another list of what specific clothing pieces/styles and fabrics would NOT be a good fit for your lifestyle. then make a list of what pieces WILL work for your lifestyle and your body shape… this is now your master shopping list.
step 6: determine the gaps in your wardrobe. what are you constantly wishing you had when getting dressed? make a list. add this to your master shopping list.

and as i’ve said before, shopping can be very stressful, which often times results in bad purchases.
so be smart about your shopping.

here’s how to make shopping easier:

• decide to look for one category of clothing per shopping trip. for example if you’re looking for pants, be specific. are you looking for jeans, dress pants or khakis?
• give yourself a 2 hour window, during the time of day when it’s least crowded in stores
• wear clothing that you can easily get in + out of, in order to try on items in stores. and always wear comfortable shoes!
• take pictures of yourself in the mirror while in the dressing room. this will give you a completely different perspective of the item, and will add to your decision making process.
• try and make purchases at stores that allow returns so you can take items home and try them on with the pieces you currently have in your closet. if an item can be paired with multiple pieces in your closet, it’s a keeper. but if it only works well with 1 piece (or worse none), take it back!

this process will not be easy and it will take some time + commitment on you’re part, but i’m telling you, if you follow all the steps above, you’re closet will definitely have more items in it that you love + wear, than not.

how much of the clothing hanging in your closet right now do YOU wear?

if you’re hovering at about 20%, then try my steps above out, and then please come back and let me know how it went!

if you know me, than you know that i complain (like a lot), during this time a year… i guess it helps me cope

 
life saver #1

life save #2

if you happen to have any other stylish yet functional winter secrets up your sleeve, please share them here, i know there are many of us that will be eternally grateful

it’s a new year and i know you have not-so-secret plans to create a new you (duh!).

and a new you probably involves a new diet, a new workout commitment and i hope, a promise to improve your wardrobe!

but who do you turn to, and where do you go when you’re looking to revamp your style?

the best person for the job, is of course a pro wardrobe stylist.

but there are a ton of stylists out there these days, and although your first instinct may be to choose the least expensive one, it’s not the ideal way to get the best results.

choosing a stylist that will have you looking drop-dead-gorgeous isn’t as simple as it may seem.

here are 3 things that you should consider, before you say yes to your next wardrobe stylist.

1. does the stylist have a great understanding of dressing various body shapes?

this. is. huge!

if a stylist doesn’t know or understand the specific nuances of your shape, they will not be able to put you in clothes that compliment your shape.

the reason so many women struggle to look their best in clothes is because the clothes are wearing them and not the other way around.

wearing clothes that are better suited for your body really is half the battle when it comes to better style.

2. do you feel comfortable and compatible with the stylist?

always try and have a phone consultation (or meet-up in person if you can) with a stylist before hiring them. you want the relationship to be easy + comfortable because this will allow you to fully trust the stylist.

there will be times when your stylist will need to push you out of your comfort zone. emotions can run high during these moments, and your trust in them is what will carry you through!

3. does the stylist dress his/her clients like them?

this is def a personal pet peeve of mine. no one wants a one trick stylist.

and the best way to avoid this, is to hire a stylist with a portfolio of their past work. look for variety.

styling is not about forcing a way of dress on to clients. it’s about considering all the components that make the individual who they are, and representing those things in their style.

style is not something you get outside of yourself, it’s already there inside you, eagerly waiting to be brought to light.

follow these 3 steps and chances are you’ll have an awesomely-talented stylist on your hands. one that you can grow with for years to come.

i’m curious, did you make any style resolutions this year?  if so, have you been sticking to them so far? do tell!

my style resolution for 2013 is to buy something ONLY if i 100% love it!

no more ‘eh’ purchases for me!

it’s christmas day and i’m here in (freezing) chicago celebrating the holiday with my man’s family.

and even if you’re not celebrating christmas, this time of year (with the year winding down) tends to be a nostalgic one for us all.

2012  has definitely been a year of growth for me, personally and professionally.

there have been ups and there have certainly been downs… and through it all i can’t tell you how grateful i am that you’re still here.

still in my corner, cheering me on + supporting my dream of helping women everywhere look + feel beautiful!

you may not be aware of it, but you drive me to better in my work each and every day.

this space is and will always be, YOURS!

so please don’t hesitate to ever let me know what’s on your hearts + minds.

let me know if you want more of something or less of something.

or just hit reply to this email and introduce yourself! i’d love to chat

here’s to all of your beautiful moments of 2012 and the more bountiful ones that await you in 2013!

with love + gratitude,

elsa

reason #1. creates/highlights  instant waist line

i don’t know about you but my eye goes right to Kim’s tiny waist with this wrap dress!

reason #2. creates hourglass figure

so you and i both know that Gweneth is not known for a curvacious body. but this wrap dress gives her the perfect illusion of an hourglass figure.

reason #3. beautiful v- neckline
opening up the decolletage area (especially in a v-shape) instantly creates a slimming effect by leading the eye vertically down our body instead of across.

how incredible does Rihanna look in this hot v-neck wrap?!

as amazing as wrap dresses are, there are some things you should look out for, to look your absolute best in them!

things to beware of:

• heavy fabric/hem length – what a difference fabric can make. above, you saw Kim wearing a light weight wrap dress looking sleek + slim, but this crushed velvet number adds a lot of weight to her frame… no bueno!

i would have also gone with a shorter hemline for her here. the hemline of this dress creates a dowdy feel.

• too baggy fit – the number 1 rule in style applies just as heavily to wrap dresses as it does with everything else. if you have excess fabric draping off your body, you look bigger. period.

my pregnant friend Jenny, also wanted me to add that wrap dresses are a great, comfy  staple when pregnant also.

talk about versatility!

got any wrap dresses in your closet?

i’d love to hear your thoughts on wrapping it up, so do tell!