Hey, stud. It’s Summer Friday. Oh wait, just kidding. It’s Monday. But you have the day off. (You best be BBQing.) So prep yourself for a season of short-sleeved occasions with these quick tips for finding the perfect-fitting polo. It’s warm weather’s #1 essential, after all.

First off – said polo should be formfitting, without being tight. No one likes to see the undercup of your pecs. (That’s what going shirtless at the beach is for.) Perfect un-tightness means:

• Sleeve: You can fit at least one finger between the sleeve and your bicep.
• Armholes: Neither too tight nor too loose. Think: Breathable. Movable. But nowhere near baggy.
• Torso: If you pull the shirt away from your body, it doesn’t move more than three inches.

 
Next, length. The polo must be long enough to tuck if necessary (see: in-law brunch at country club, impromptu Summer Friday meeting with client). Once it hits past your hip, though, steer clear. The polo should not be confused with the dress. Sleeve-wise, aim for halfway between your shoulder and elbow – slightly longer if you feel more comfortable.

And… there you have it. Easy, right? Permission to go back to BBQing: granted.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor 

Like this week’s post? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Confession: I don’t own an iron.

Yes, I know – as a person who gets giddy over the simple idea of a new piece of clothing, this is odd. But let’s be clear. It’s not my fault. A long-ago roommate owned a steamer. It was a glorious, mightily powerful contraption, an absolute guarantee that my office wear was Betty Draper–polished. I adored it. Was spoiled by it. And no iron has ever (I mean ever) lived up to its glory.

But life goes on. Behold, five ways to banish wrinkles without that go-to smoother: proof that, as scary as it may seem, you can look utterly flawless after the iron (or steamer, or whatnot) has been laid to rest… or, less dramatically – forgotten.

No blow-dryer, wrinkle releaser, flat iron, shower, or dryer in sight? Relax. You can also spray your garment with water and simply slap the wrinkles out – an aggressive, elbow-greasy approach (don’t say I didn’t warn you). Yet still, a means to the same smooth end.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Like this week’s post? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

You’ve snagged a new pair of skinnies. Worn them four days this week. Then realized people were starting to catch on. Solution? Cuff or roll them. New pair of jeans, in a flash (especially when paired with new shoes).

Here’s how to perfect the cuff and roll, what to pair each with, and more.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Yes, we all wear them. And sometimes we even like to flaunt them. But come warm temps? No one likes to see a bra peeking out (case in point) from behind spring’s skimpier dresses.

So, behold, a guide to the season’s most skin-baring attire – and the bras, tape, and cups you need to keep the girls effortlessly in check.

Wearing: Backless
Try: A low-back bra that wraps around your waist. If you don’t want to invest in one, peep these DIY tips and transform your everyday bra into one of the backless variety.

Wearing: Strapless
Try: A perfect-fitting strapless bra. Tip: Since strapless bras lack shoulder support, the key is to go one cup size smaller. Or, if the dress is structured, feel free to go braless if you can – just snag a pair of pasties to keep chill-induced awkwardness at bay.

Wearing: White
Try: A nude T-shirt bra or tank. Contrary to popular belief, white under white (or sheer) is never okay. Also – avoid most lacy bras. The pattern still shows.

Wearing: Cutouts
Try: Silicone adhesive bra cups – they keep you perky and covered, and come in a variety of sizes. Fashion tape is a must, too, to avoid the errant slip-up.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

For the days you want to look your utter best, even though you’re not feeling quite there, turn to one (or several) of these figure fixers and cue newfound confidence.

1. The wrap dress. Think of the wrap dress as your wardrobe pièce de résistance – it’s flattering on absolutely every body type, and especially forgiving in non-clingy materials like thick jersey or stiff cotton.

2. The extra-large bag. Besides the benefit of being able to tote around a weekend’s worth of necessities, the extra-large bag is a goddess at making you look quite small in relation (and selectively camouflaging trouble spots in pictures).

3. The nude wedge. Just as the black heel is to black tights, the nude wedge is to bare legs. It’s a standby for looking long and lean (bonus if you master the art of streak-free self tanner).

4. The dark jean. So flattering – especially if the fit is right. Peep these tips for what will work best for you.

5. The bib necklace. A bold bib necklace will open up your decollate and instantly flatter your shoulders. (Long chains are also a go – just steer clear of chokers.)

6. The long cardi. Hello, instant butt coverage – try it in one of spring’s whispery cottons.

7. The full scarf. Like the extra-large bag, the strategically placed scarf does wonders to hide problem spots, with the added benefit of warding off cubicle-AC frostbite.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

My mom always told me that horizontal stripes are a definite no – “Why would you wear something that makes you look wider?” she’d say, in the warmest of kvetching motherly ways.

But with brazen stripes all over the blogosphere and spring 2013 runways – from Oscar de la Renta to Marc Jacobs – I think it’s about time we tossed aside all preconceived notions and got to the bottom of that much-dwelled-upon question: Do horizontal stripes really make you look wider?

Despite research by University of York perception expert, Peter Thompson, proclaiming that all horizontal stripes actually make you look thinner, the general consensus across the web is, well, it depends. Because all horizontal stripes are not created equal. (You hear that, Mom?)

Thick stripes. Wide horizontal stripes are the trickiest to wear – this is because the wider the stripe, the more your eye will slow down and focus on it. They work best on tall, slimmer frames. But that doesn’t mean petites and curvy girls have to avoid them. Just layer them under a blazer or wear them on the smaller half of your body only – a stripy skirt for apple shapes or a striped top for pear shapes, for example.

Thin stripes. Unlike the thick stripe, a thin stripe can be surprisingly lengthening. This is because the narrower the stripe, the harder it is for your eye to focus on just one spot, so you’re likely to look up and down rather than side to side. Translation: Permission granted to wear thin stripes unabashedly this season, no matter your body type.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

There you are, April. (Rabbit, rabbit.) I woke up this morning with springy resolve: I’m going to purchase a new pair of sandals.

That first sandal pick of the season is always a little heart-fluttery. You think about all the places you’ll go in said sandals, or, perhaps more accurately, all the patios you’ll sip muddled craft cocktails on, sandal-clad…

But then reality sets in: blisters. So today, we’re talking blister prevention – a.k.a. how to break in that cute new pair of leather sandals you just scored at 11AM. After plenty of research, I stumbled on this little gem of a tip from Real Simple, which I’ve come to call “The Sandal Plunge.” Read on, try it for yourself, and take the season by storm.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor 

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Put away those puffers – it’s high time for the resurgence of the trench. But before you slip one on and head out into that springy breeze (or, err, April shower), discover these tips for finding the right fit for men and women.

Does my trench have to be the same length as my skirt?

The age-old rule is that a woman’s coat should never be longer – or shorter – than the hem of her skirt. In fact, they must match exactly. But in order to prevent the need for fifteen trillion coats in different lengths to match each and every skirt in your closet, look for a trench that’s no more than a few inches longer or shorter than your skirt. A longer trench creates a streamlined, unbroken line (read: it’s slimming!). Wearing pants? The world is your oyster – just make sure the trench is longer than your top layers. Which means no short trenches and super-long cardis.

How large should a men’s trench be? 

The Art of Manliness has this style down pat, noting that trenches should be long (and large) enough for you to wear over a suit or thick sweater. ”A good measure,” they note, “is to try on a coat and button it up fully – the shoulders should extend out past your natural shoulder by .5 to 1 full inch (to allow room for a suit jacket)….  Next look at the sleeve length – they should be worn 2 to 4 inches longer than a suit jacket’s sleeves, to about the pinch on your hand.”

Do I choose double- or single-breasted? 

In general, I think single-breasted coats are more flattering across both genders, but in the end it comes down to personal preference. What makes you feel good? For a look at the benefits of both for men, peep our Double- vs. Single-Breasted Guide.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, which in my book means one thing: It’s high time to start transitioning into springwear. But with temps still in the (insurmountably depressing) 30s here in Boston, that’s easier said than done. So let’s ease into spring slowly, shall we? First up: Taking those peep-toes out from the back of the closet.

Below, five things to know about this open-toed standby, just in time for the cusp of spring.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have a fit tip you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

This season, we’re all about high-waisted pants. Yet no matter how many high-waisted dos I see, I can’t shake the image of poor, lovely Jessica Simpson, circa 2009. Clad in ill-fitting high-waist denim cinched with double leopard belts, the fashion tycoon proved that the trend can go mom jeans – fast. So before you take the (leg-lengthening) plunge, read up on how to keep the look effortlessly modern.

Find the perfect style and fit. When it comes to high-waisted pants, there are three schools of thought: the wide-leg, the flare, and the skinny. I’m a big proponent of the former two for all body types – worn right (à la Kim Kardashian), they make your legs look miles long. Tip: If you’re pear shaped, stay away from pants that pleat or gather at the waist. Also, keep in mind for all body types – pants should hit at your natural waist, not above or below.

Tuck that top in (or crop it). High-waisted pants can make your waist look teeny, so don’t go hiding under a loose top. Tuck a fitted one in (if you’re worried about staying smooth, try a Yummie Tummie or SPANX® tee), or up the dare factor with an on-trend crop top.

Wear chunky heels or wedges. They balance out a wide-leg or flared pair and keep stems looking lean and super long. This season, I’m loving wedges with wooden accents – just be sure your shoes peek out from beneath your pants’ hem.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Have other fit tips you want answered? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday, or tweet us at @ruelala. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.