A printed scarf is the simplest way to inject this bold pattern into an everyday look without going overboard. I paired one with a tailored white blazer for an urban vibe that can go straight from the office to a night out on the town. For a more casual day look, wear it wrapped around your neck over a cami, then when the sun goes down, fashion it into a halter top and slip on your favorite pair of espadrilles to take the night by storm.

Ready to commit full force? Jungle-fauna print pants are wildly cool when paired with a brightly colored sleeveless blouse, and best accessorized by some bossa nova playing on your headphones, a straw Panama hat, and arms piled with wooden bangles.

By Grace Romanowsky, Staff Writer

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I tried this trend with a wide cuff bracelet featuring inset opaline crystals and loved how the girly jewels looked paired with a leather jacket. If you’re feeling extra daring, accessorize a see-through clutch with the contents themselves: an eye-popping phone case, funky shades, and your favorite lip gloss. One added bonus? Lucite is waterproof, so it’ll take you right from April showers to a day at the beach. And the award for most versatile accessory goes to…

By Grace Romanowsky, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Our Cinzia Rocca Boutique opens Saturday, March 16, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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First things first – identify your body type. We come in all shapes and sizes, but rest assured – so do prints.

Petite
Height isn’t on your side, so make friends with vertical stripes that will lengthen your silhouette. If you’re not into stripes, keep in mind that patterns with elements larger than your fist will overpower your petite frame.

Long and Lean
Exercise your right to pull off large and bold prints. Monotonous prints will make you appear a little lanky, but a bold print will draw the eye toward the torso and away from limbs.

Pear Shape
This one’s a given: draw the eye upward by wearing a busy print on top. Play around with colors and wear that flattering floral blouse – over and over again.

Fuller Bust
The pear shape’s alter ego. Reverse the advice and choose a printed skirt or pant to offset a top-heavy appearance. Lucky for you, printed bottoms are a hot trend for spring 2013.

By Jillian Hudon, Staff Writer

How do you wear your prints? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala, then check out our The Fitting Room column every Monday.

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It’s so close – we can practically will ourselves to smell that spring air. And along with the warm weather comes an exciting season of outdoor activities. By day, you’re a (seriously stylish) fitness inspiration as you spike balls, make putts, and run until your legs feel like jelly. And come nighttime? Here’s to hitting every roof-deck soiree, patio party, and midnight snack frenzy, guilt-free.

Hit the pavement: Sure, in these athletic-minded capris you look like you know what you’re doing, but after a long winter of running on the treadmill, it’s a bit of a shock to head outside again. Use these simple tricks to get right back into the swing, then pump up that playlist and see what you can do.

Warm up that swing: There are few things greater than getting onto the fairways for the first game of the season, between the fresh-grass smell and the comfortable grip of your very own clubs. So make sure your big debut is as stylish as your handicap is low with bright colors and an always-required collar.

Master your serve: The glamorous side of tennis? Just take a look at the traditional gear. Flattering A-line skirts and cute, fitted tops – what’s not to love?  Aside from the fashionable perks, it’s also a competitive and exciting sport – so don your favorite uniform (just keep the sleeves long until it warms up) and hit the courts.

Our PUMA Women’s and Men’s Boutiques open Saturday, March 2, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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It’s easy to settle into a shoe rut at this time of year – when wool socks feel like a must-have accessory and the snow banks only seem to be growing higher – but a weekend trip to NYC gave me the perfect excuse to kick off my boots and try some of the hottest shoe trends of the season.

Sneaker wedges: I really wasn’t sold on the concept of heeled sneakers (even after Beyoncé rocked them in the Love on Top video) – until I tried them on. Not only are they super comfortable and easy to walk in, they look effortlessly cool with both pants or bare legs. I wore these black suede lace-ups with an oversized camouflage jacket, tights, and a black minidress for a low-key night out.

Spiked pumps: These nude spiked pumps are definitely not for the faint of heart. I love them because they’re a bit more subtle and easier to pull off in the office than their metallic counterparts, but are still on-trend. If you haven’t completely warmed up to the look, try a style with a cap-toe or spiked heel.

Pop of color: These turquoise suede platform pumps are perfect for achieving a head-to-toe colorblocked look. I paired these puppies with another bright on top – try coral or fuchsia – and had all eyes on me.

By Grace Romanowsky of Valenki By ACE, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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With a new season comes a fresh set of trends to master, but when they’re a bit more daring than your comfort zone, it’s easy to dismiss them. However, leaving yourself in the fashion dust is not an option. Rather than decking yourself head to toe in colorblocked duds or everywhere beading, let your shoes display your stylish prowess, and keep the rest of your wardrobe as “you” as possible.

Cutouts
Slightly less provocative than the dress or shirt variety of this trend, these flashy flats let you rock the look from the office to cocktail hour seamlessly.

Bold Stripes
So much more than a nautical statement, stripes are making a comeback this season. Whether multicolored or single-hued, their structural presence lends an air of laid-back cool to every look (from the bottom up).

Black & White
A hot trend in both the clothing and home-decorating worlds for spring, this color pairing was practically meant to be. Treat like a neutral and mix with colorful denim to complete the look.

Beading
Like any embellishment, beading can be a hard detail to balance – especially when there’s a lot of it. To pair with jewelry or not? But when you leave the fancy stuff to your feet, competing baubles are no longer an issue.

Our Always Ready: Wear-Anywhere Flats Boutique opens Saturday, February 23, at 11AM.

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The roaring 20s–inspired trends will definitely be making a comeback as hype continues for the film’s release, so I personally plan to master the look well ahead of time. Here’s what I’ve tried so far. I like wearing these looks with my hair loosely down, but see what is best for your face shape:

Bow headband: Tie some mesh tulle in a bow on the side of an elasticized chain headband (the bigger the better) and slip it over your head. If you have one, a gem brooch looks amazing in the center of the bow. I wore this headband with fitted flare jeans and a relaxed tee to dress it down, but it could also be dressed up with an LBD or anything with fringe.

Gem headpiece: I actually made a broken necklace into a headpiece, but any necklace or beaded chain will work. Just undo the clasp (and remove some links to shorten both sides, if you’re able) and secure the ends to your hair with bobby pins. I wore this with an understated slip dress to keep things simple – you don’t want your outfit to compete with the headpiece.

Art deco print scarf: Fold a scarf so it’s about 4 – 6 inches wide, then wrap it around your head and tie a double knot at the nape of your neck. Allow the ends to hang down your back. I wore this with some skinnies and wedges during the day, which turned it into more of a modern boho look.

By Grace Romanowsky of Valenki By ACE, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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6AM: Early morning run. Resolutions aren’t so hard to keep when the music (literally) plays to your own beat.

7AM: Choose a room-commanding power suit (just follow GQ’s tips for each body type) and remember to add accessories. Cuff links and accent socks go a long way.

8AM: Grab a cup of coffee and get to the office early to crush it.

9:30AM: Client meetings all morning. Although this is run-of-the-mill, don’t forget to brush up on your meeting skills to keep things running smoothly.

12PM: Conduct a meeting with senior management. Just don’t forget the fundamentals of business.

1PM: Lunch with the guys. Get away from the office for a quick bite, a walk, anything to help you clear your mind for an hour or so. Studies show that leaving your cube helps you think outside the box.

2PM: Take a client call and work on proposals and paperwork. This time also usually includes tweeting. That’s right – businessmen tweet, too.

6PM: Happy hour with coworkers and dinner on the town. Swap your office attire for a more casual button-down before heading out (yes, this requires planning ahead). Go for something with a fun, printed cuff to stand out from the sea of suits.

Our Workplace Warriors: Men’s Suiting Essentials Boutique opens Saturday, January 12, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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The bitterly cold midwinter months bring a bit of fun with them: ski resorts. But before planning your weekend away in higher altitudes, there are a few cardinal rules to keep in mind while shredding powder (or lounging by the lodge fireplace):

1. Bundle up. Whether you’re bobbing over moguls, making pizza on the bunny hill, or a riding down the mountain goofy-style, an element-battling down coat is a must. Keep the look sleek with classic black or steel grey, or make your presence known in a colorful bright.

2. Add accessories. From iridescent goggles and beanies to fur-lined hunter hats and the gadget essentials, load up on both warm and fun extras. It may seem like more baggage, but you won’t mind when you’re cruising down the trail to your favorite song (sans frostbite).

3. Layer it on. Start with thermals and just keep adding layers, but make sure you plan ahead and wear a flattering sweater. Although it will be stashed under all that cozy warmth for the better part of the day, après-ski cocktails at the lodge are practically mandatory and demand some serious mingling.

Our On the Cold Front Boutiques for Men and Women open Saturday, January 5 at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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