Style File: Your Spring Style Questions Answered

ruelalablog — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:23:05 +0000

RUE LA LA STYLIST MAUREEN GIVES MEMBERS SPRING-WORTHY SOLUTIONS

Now that winter’s run its course, we’re busy getting prepped for warmer weather (an animal of its own). We asked our lovely Facebook Fans to post their most pressing questions. And one of our Rue stylists, Maureen, has all the answers when it comes to dressing for the season.

Q: What’s the one must-have outfit piece this spring? – Caitlin O.
A: Invest in a dress that can go from day to night. Try the new longer length to pair with flats in the daytime and high wedge espadrilles at night. For day, throw on a woven leather belt and a light cardigan or jean jacket. For night, go for drippy rhinestones to up the glitz.

Q: What’s the rule on nail polish color this season? Toes only? Fingers only? Matching toes & fingers? – Shawn F.
A: We love mixing up fingers and toes, but we try to keep the colors in the same family. Spring for a coral on your fingers and a hot pink on your toes, or try a ballet slipper pink paired with cherry red.

Q: I have purchased many cute tops for spring, but what do I wear them with? Aren’t cropped pants out now? – Cortnie M.
A: Even though the trend right now tends to be a wider, more trouser-y style for spring, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear cropped pants. We love a well-fitted cropped jean with a great wedge heel and a flowy bohemian top.

Q: If I’m just adding three tops to my wardrobe for spring, what type or color should I buy? – Patricia C.
A: One: A lady-like dressy blouse with a tie neck to wear with jeans, a blazer, or a skirt. Two: A striped French sailor T-shirt to serve as a wardrobe staple. Three: A racerback tank in a bold color like yellow or cobalt blue to wear with jeans and partner with a stack of chunky bangles.

Q: Is the 70’s wide-leg high-waisted jean here to stay? What’s a good way to pull this off for people with a short torso who frankly like lower-rise jeans? – Alicia D.
A. Like all trends, it’s unpredictable as to what will stay and what will go. We do predict that a wider leg jean will be around for at least a few seasons and we will be seeing less of the skinny jean. To give the illusion of long legs, try a mid-rise cut and platform heels.

Q: The rules of wearing white… it’s a big debate in the South. I grew up learning that between Easter and Labor Day white is right, but many say that you have to wait until Memorial Day to wear white. And then lately I’m reading that there are no longer rules for white, wear it year round. What is right for white??? – Christy S.
A: The rule of only wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day has gone to the wayside. For white jeans or pants, make sure it is a perfect fit and the material is forgiving because white tends to reveal imperfections. We are loving white cotton dresses and skirts too this season. It’s a pretty and fresh addition to any wardrobe.

Q: What is the best color or pattern to add to your wardrobe for spring? – Ann M.
A: A fun trend for spring is mixing patterns. Wear a floral skirt and a striped T-shirt, or mix a bold patterned dress with a smaller patterned jacket. If done right, the look is super chic.

Style File: How to Master Fall Trends

ruelalablog — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:11:01 +0000

TIPS FOR THE NEXT SEASON FROM A RUE LA LA STYLIST

Confession: Sometimes we get a glimpse of an upcoming trend and love it in theory (or how it looks on the model coming down the runway) but can’t always pull it off in the morning when it’s time to leave for work. So we turned to Rue La La stylist Maureen for easy styling solutions to this season’s most vexing trends.

Lingerie
The trick to mastering lingerie pieces is making it look like you’re not wearing a nightie in public. A couple of easy options: Wear a lacy camisole top under a blazer, or try a slip dress with opaque tights and a chunky sweater.

Fur (or faux fur)
A fun look for day or night: Wear a luxe fox collar or shrug over a casual T and jeans, or draped over a sweater dress with boots.

Socks with sandals
This has forever been a fashion no-no, but if done the right way, it can be adorable. First you want to make sure the sandal has some substance to it. A wooden chunky-heeled sandal paired with a thinner-to-medium textured scrunched sock is a great way to wear this trend (never wear an evening strappy sandal with socks).

Velvet
This is such a rich and lush fabric that it’s normally thought of for evening. But you can find gorgeous blazers in rich fall tones that would be perfect for daytime. Wear them with jeans and a T or a pretty silk blouse underneath for the office.

A cape
A wool cape in a neutral shade (camel, grey, or black) should become a staple in your fall wardrobe. Try wearing a shorter one over jeans for a toned-down, more casual look. Elbow-length gloves in leather or suede keep your arms nice and warm while looking fashion forward.

White tights
Trading black opaque tights for white can be a daunting trend for most. White tights tend to make legs look fuller, so it may not appeal to some. But if you want to be a little adventurous this fall, try white tights beneath soft knit sweater dresses and pair with a slouchy boot or bootie.

Sheers
These pieces are not for the faint of heart. If you’re not afraid to flaunt it, try a sheer dress with a shorter fitted mini beneath. A pretty satin bra would look stunning underneath a completely sheer blouse.

Knee-high socks
I love the look of knee-high socks peeking out of pair of distressed leather, calf-high boots. But if you want to embrace your inner schoolgirl, don them with heels and a skirt. But keep in mind the skirt length - you don’t want to wear a micro mini. For evening, you can wear a sheer knee-high pulled slightly over the knee with an evening shoe or bootie.

Over-the-knee boots
The trick here is to avoid looking dominatrix-y. Try a neutral grey-tone boot in a distressed leather and wear them with a knit dress or mini. To keep balance, pair your mini or dress with an oversized sweater or blazer and layer on opaque tights.

No matter what trend you’re trying to master, remember this: Style is all about taking risks. Just be sure to keep proportions in mind, and most importantly - have fun.

Rue La La » maureen

Style File: Your Spring Style Questions Answered

Style File: How to Master Fall Trends