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Thoughts on Today’s Fashionistas: Online and Off

Posted on by CEFashion

Do you love fashion? Do you see fashion as an art form? Do you view clothes as a way to express yourself? Do you scour the best boutique clothing sites out there to see what the top forms of elegance are in today’s society? If that’s the case then you might just be a fashionista.

Style, expressionism and art surround us, particularly in the form of what we wear. This is fashion at its core. You can add to this by learning more about the different styles of blouses and pants designs. You can read into the history of dress patterns and talk with your friends about their likes and dislikes in clothing styles to see what can potentially be done to make fashion better. If this is your passion, then you’re a fashionista at heart.

The best of the best; that is what you strive for. In style and fashion and in art. The best comes from the best of brick-and-mortar clothing stores and the best boutique clothing sites. Huge chains can contribute to a fashionista’s online selection but these giants will never have the level of understanding and classiness that a small online boutique does for the customer. A true fashionista in today’s mixed world of digital glamour and physical sophistication is one that integrates the intangible and tangible forms of fashionable art into one but knows the differences between quality and want-to-be quality.

It is a simple mix of both that give away to a true persona of style. But what exact characteristics go into donning the lifestyle of a fashionable person? The archetype of a fashionista can go by the following traits and behaviors:

  1. You own the wearing of your clothing, not the other way around.
  2. You view fashion as one of the most elite forms of art.
  3. Your friends, family and admirers appreciate your sense of fashion and come to you for advice on what to where and when.
  4. Fashion to you is a way to develop your self and personality.
  5. Shopping is not simply fun time but study time, whether it be at downtown shops or on one of the best boutique clothing sites that you recommend consistently to the people of your life.
  6. Seeing the beauty of strangers and friends alike is one of your strong suits, particularly when those people do not see their own beauty.
  7. You are not a slave to the latest trends or hottest fads. You own who you are, in personality, style and attire.

Being a fashion-forward lady does not mean you need to read Vogue every day or check for sales at the most popular shop in town. It means that you know how to identify and build out the most becoming traits in a person’s wardrobe and lifestyle. Shopping at the best boutique clothing sites can truly contribute to this process because the internet is where some of the most unique and amazing styles and ideas come from. One single find from a unique website can make all the difference in brightening up a lady’s personal style and get heads turning. A fashionista knows how to do this through and through.

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Our Favorite Beauty Products Straight Off the Runway!

For menswear.

Posted on by JS

Backstage at fashion week is always crazy! You have what sounds like 100 hair dryers blowing at once, a million people running around and a dozen plus models rushing to get dressed. However, if you can handle the chaos, it’s also the best place to see next seasons best beauty looks and learn about the very best products available (or soon to be on the market)!

We’ve rounded up our favorite products straight from New York Fashion Week!

  1. Zoya’s Naked Manicure kit

We were introduced to this kit last season and we have to say it’s definitely a winner! The Naked Manicure is a collection of products designed to heal and improve your nails. Your nails will instantly appear less damaged and discolored. However, the real beauty of this product is that over time it improves the condition, strength and flexibility of the nails! Our favorite product in the kit has to the be Lavender Perfector, a corrective coat which neutralizes discoloration! (Think of it like concealer for your nails!) The Naked Manicure system was seen all over runways including the always gorgeous Marchesa show.

  1. MAC Trend Forecast Fall 16/LIP

Featuring 6 shades ranging from deep beige to magenta-raspberry, this palette features all of the newest hot colors for fall! The palette was used all over fashion week including the pink lips at Carmen Marc Valvo.

  1. Kevyn Aucoin Luminous Foundation (coming soon to beauty.com)

Who doesn’t want to glow from the inside (or at least look like they are?) This foundation gives a soft natural gleam while covering redness and does a great job evening out the skin, for a fresh faced look, such as the one at Kate Spade created by makeup artist Romy Soleimani.

  1. TRESemmé Perfectly (un)Done hairspray

A touchable hold is important when it comes to hairspray. No one wants to spend time styling only to end up with crunchy hair. Orlando Pita, lead stylist at Herve Leger created a “Romantic Punk” look which featured braids and twists on one side and flowy soft waves on the other. The look was finished off with a few spritzes of Perfectly (un)Done to lock it in place.

  1. Maybelline’s The Colossal Spider Effect mascara

For strong (slightly clumpy) eyelashes like the ones seen at Jason Wu, you’ve got to try this mascara which will be launch June. The lead makeup artist Yadim was inspired by “beauty, disrupted” and applied the mascara only to the tips for spiky lashes.

  1. Kiss Gel Strong Nail Polish

Kiss Provides the vivid shine and wear of a salon gel manicure, but takes the potentially harmful UV/LED lamp out of the picture. Lead Artist, Gina Edwards created a glitter fade mani backstage at Carmen Marc Valvo which is sure to last all week long (that is if the models aren’t required to remove it for their next show!)

  1. Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray

When designing the perfectly un-perfect low tight knot, such as the ones at Marchesa, a little texture helps keep strands from falling flat. This spray is perfect to add a little oomph and volume into any hairstyle whether strutting on the runway or on the streets!

  1. Morgan Taylor Make It Last top coat

Designed to do exactly what the name says, make your manicure last. We learned about this top coat backstage at Monique Lhuillier and it really works. We think a bottle of this polish is worth adding to your arsenal, if you’re not a fan of chipped nails!

  1. Redken Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray

For polish and shine like the models at the Banana Republic presentation, this finishing spray is a must! It dries instantly and leaves the hair healthy and shiny! What more could you ask for?

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Spotlight on Menswear Designers: New York Fashion Week

For menswear.

Posted on by CEFashion

In New York City this week, things are heating up in the world of fashion. Every February and September, designers from all over the world converge on several different venues throughout the city to show their Spring/Summer collections for the coming year. Eleanor Lambert founded the event in 1943 and it has been a place for up and coming, as well as seasoned designers to showcase their talent.

For menswear at the New York Fashion Week, you will see designers that create more classic style clothing items like J. Crew. The American, multi-brand retailer has a Spring/Summer Menswear Collection that embodies both comfort and style. As you can see by these three runway looks, layering is important for J. Crew. On the far left, they started with the basics of lightweight khaki trousers and a casual button-down shirt, then dress things up with a navy shirt/jacket. The lace-up white sneakers and rolled pant cuffs keep the casual-chic vibe going. The middle look shows that stripes and prints are back with the wide-spaced blue pinstripes on the collared shirt, which is paired with a navy dot design undershirt and belt. The menswear look from J. Crew that is on the far right shows the importance of denim for 2016. The thought that all the denim that you wear has to match in tone has definitely been put by the wayside for this year. The top-stitched, medium denim over-shirt looks great with the slightly darker denim wash shorts. Using a lighter blue button-down and saturated navy tones in the bucket hat and striped slip-ons helps to make the bi-color denim items work.

Some of the menswear designers at New York Fashion Week 2016 are more atypical when it comes to their design concepts. Libertine is one of those designers. Their use of graphic design, mixed with a modernized screen printing technique has created a collection that has a cult following, which includes entertainers like Mick Jagger and Taylor Swift. In this runway collage, skulls and leopard print rule with the graphic printed sweatshirts, hoodies, and bottoms. This collection is a mélange of objects and colors that can be a little intimidating for traditionalists, but for those who like to live “out of the box”, Libertine can be an exciting addition to your closet.

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Top 6 Reasons Why Over the Calf Socks Are the Best for Office Wear

For menswear.

Posted on by CEFashion

They say that having the proper appearance can make or break your professional career. This is why many office workers tend to invest significant sums into a wide variety of different suits and ties in order to make themselves look more professional and increase the likelihood of receiving a promotion. However, some office workers tend to neglect investing in a good pair of socks. Some justifications behind this behavior range between them believing that socks aren’t seen anyway since they are covered by their pants or that expensive over the calf socks are an impractical investment. What they fail to realize is that people actually do notice what sort of socks a person is wearing and if you are wearing a pair that is unattractive, it makes all the money you invested into your suit and tie worthless. That is why a pair of over the calf socks are the best for office wear since they are stylish and help to enhance your overall appearance.

Prevents You From Showing Your Calves

No one, absolutely no one, wants to see your hairy legs whenever your raise one of your legs up and place it across your other leg. Yes, it may be silly but the concept behind what has become known as a “professional image” has resulted in certain expectations when it comes to how people are expected to dress in the office. One of these expectations is that you don’t expose your calves to people when you bring your legs up. This is why VKNagrani over the calf socks are popular among many of today’s chic office workers. The convenience of buying socks online makes having to hunt down several pairs from a department store a moot point; this is especially true for people that simply do not have the time to shop for socks due to their erratic work schedules.

Practicality

A common complaint in many offices around the world is that the environment is practically freezing to the point that some people have actually begun wearing scarves at their desk. This is not the work of a grand conspiracy by janitors all around the world to freeze people in their buildings; rather, it is simply that cold so that the computers at the workstations don’t overheat. Over the calf socks are quite practical in this sort of environment since they help to keep your feet and calves warm.

Fleas and Office Spaces

Most people don’t know this but the space where you place your legs under your desk is a common breeding ground for a wide assortment of different fleas. For example, have you ever had legs underneath your desk when all of a sudden you felt a sudden itch or a sudden small bite but when you go to take a look nothing’s there? That’s because the fleas are hiding in the carpeting directly below your desk. It is the ideal place really since it is out of direct foot traffic and it’s also somewhat warm since it’s located near where most desks store their computer workstations. Over the calf socks are an effective deterrent against flea bites since they tend to cover the areas that fleas are likely to converge on. Wearing these types of socks would go a long way towards avoiding flea bites and their corresponding infections.

Appearance

One of the best reasons for using over the calf socks are their general appearance since they look sleek, stylish and definitely mesh with the different styles of suits out there. The problem with purchasing ordinary white woolen socks is that they clash horribly with the pants often used in office wear. They stand out due their bulky appearance and can actually negatively impact an individual’s professional “look” due to how they make a person appear silly. This is why over the calf socks are the preferred choice when it comes to office attire, when they are worn they appear sleek, smooth and are unlikely to drop down and develop ruffles that attract attention. While they are more expensive, investing in your appearance goes a long way towards ensuring that people think more highly of you.

Comfort

The last reason why over the calf socks are the best for office wear is due to quality of the materials that go into them. Ranging from high-end silk to artificial fabrics, these type of socks are often smooth and quite comfortable to wear since they allow the skin to “breathe”.

Conclusion

All in all, over the calf socks are definitely a good option when it comes to choosing the right sort of socks to wear to the office. Their general appearance, comfort, and numerous practical uses make them an essential and much needed aspect of today’s professional office attire.

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Must-Have Men’s Fashion Accessories for Spring

For menswear.

Posted on by CEFashion

It’s easy to get excited about spring! Not only does it promise warmer weather, but it’s a great season to experiment with fashion trends. To ensure that your style stays dapper this spring, you will really want to focus on unique fashion accessories. This will be ideal for pulling your whole look together, and for expressing your style personality. Here are some men’s fashion accessories that are sure to spice up your spring wardrobe:

Take me Out to the Ball Game: Baseball Caps

You can keep things laidback with this boyish accessory. It’s a great casual spring and summer look that will help you stay cool. To pay homage to nineties street style, you can try dark hues like black and navy and pair it with a white t-shirt. You could always liven things up by trying a tan cap, or if you are more daring, select one in a different shape and tone. Another advantage is that this accessory is perfect for keeping your bedhead in check.s

(source: http://bit.ly/1VsSxVf)

They See Me Rollin’: Bandana Neckerchiefs

Bandana neckerchiefs were all the rage on the runway. You can try out this trend with a loose fitting bandana, which will add some youthfulness to your everyday outfits. It will be best to select a bandana that is long enough to produce scout worthy knots, which in turn will allow it to become more integrated into a casual look.

Comfort Never Looked So Good: Slip On Shoes

The shoes are excellent for a polished, yet casual look. There are options that suit all tastes this season, with tons of variety in terms of style and shape. If you are seeking a classic look, you can pair slippers with a traditional trench coat. If you would like to brighten your look, you can add more colourful slippers. Ensure that you keep your pants well tailored to maintain balance in your outfit.

(source: http://bit.ly/1WwzglY)

Your Neck’s Best Friend: Long Scarves

Scarves are the perfect accompaniment to a relaxed outfit or a corporate look. You can try scarves in a range of colours and thinner fabrics to ensure you’re not too warm. You can test out rich colours, or if you want to make more of a statement, you can go for a floral pattern.

I’m Pinning This: Fresh Clip-on Pins

With a more contemporary and edgier look, these accessories are definitely making a comeback. There are a lot of fun and fashionable pins that are best for those who like to experiment and take fashion risks. Ziggit, in particular, offers customized pins, which can accessorize sneakers, hats and even collars. Feel free to get playful.

(source: http://bit.ly/1PLGJM9)

Back to the Streets : Graphic Backpack

It’s always useful to have a backpack to hold all your essential items. This spring, some of the hot trends related to graphic prints and designs that were inspired by street artists. To ensure that your backpack remains the focus of your outfit, try muted colours and an understated look.

(source : http://bit.ly/1QqUehH)

 

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2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards Fashion

Posted on by CEFashion

This year, on January 30th, the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was held at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. It is an event that recognizes outstanding performances for actors in film and prime time television. The SAG Awards is the last stop on the way to the Oscars and the red carpet reflected many of the fashion trends for this year.

One huge trend that we have been seeing on many of the red carpets, including at the SAG Awards, is color. The ladies have not been afraid to step away from the black and deeper color gowns, towards the brighter colors like sky blue, fuschia pink, and dandelion yellow. One example is actress Diane Guerrero, who is best known for her roles in the series Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin. She arrived on the red carpet in a stunning fuschia pink, strapless gown with a pleated bust, mermaid-like bodice, and a flouncy train. Diane’s gown accentuates her curves perfectly and the color makes her dark features pop. Her choice of stacked diamond bangles, a large faceted pink stone ring, and a deeper pink clutch pull it all together.

Another colorful gown choice was worn by Sola Bamis, an actor from the series Mad Men. The dandelion yellow is a fantastic color for Sola, but the unfitted halter to looks sloppy and the wings-like bow is a little over the top. The dress reminds me of all the bridesmaids that have to smile and wear the bride’s choice for them, even though they think it’s horrible.

For the guys, the color trend continues with celebrity fashion stylist and television personality Brad Goreski. He chose a plum velvet tuxedo jacket and paired it with slim grey trousers, black patent leather oxfords, and a crisp white dress shirt. I haven’t been a fan of some of the velvet jackets out there lately, but Brad’s has a great fit and the right sized lapels to balance it out. Brad’s large frame glasses and black bow tie add to his totally stylish look.

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