Denim is the "it" fabric for spring

I'm not talking about school marm denim jumpers circa 1983, I mean sexy denim like the dress Eva Longoria wore in this candid photo. Don't you just love the Internet? You see a celebrity wearing something cute and within minutes it's yours (well, at least it's on the way to being yours).  I love this dress because of the elephant belt that cinches the middle and the flattering silhouette.

Get the Voom Elephant denim dress at ShopHarmonyLane.com.

::A.Covington for Belisi Fashions

 

While we don't all have stylists and personal shoppers but with a little effort (a few clicks of a mouse), you can look as "effortlessly" chic as Kate Hudson in her colorful cashmere sweater jacket, black v-neck sweater and skinny belt, flare leg jeans and playful leopard print pumps.

Photo: InStyle.com

Get Kate Hudson's look:

Lily Mcneal black v-neck sweater

Linea Pelle, Inc. skinny belt

Lauren Conrad Katherine Wrap in Blue Jewel

True Religion Bobby Big T in Nine Lives Dark jeans

Anne Klein New York Leopard Haircalf Pumps

Stella McCartney Aviators

So the Golden Globes was an hour long "press conference" ...  we can still critique what celebrities wear right? Of course! Here is my list of the best-dressed actresses:

Katie Holmes

Nicole Kidman

Reese Witherspoon

Lucy Liu

Jessica Alba

Rachel Bilson

Best Gifts for Men

When it comes to buying gifts for men, the rules are pretty simple. Unlike women, most guys like getting gifts that make their lives easier. If it means one less trip to the mall, all the better. If it entertains them, it’s a winner. While women like gifts that make them feel pampered, men like gifts that give them more time to do the things they like doing (i.e., having fun). So if you buy them a new work wardrobe, that means they can spend more time, you guessed it, having fun. Whether it’s enjoying their wine collection or playing video games.

My favorite sexy tops and blouses ... for now

A splash of color, a stunning print or a little lace. The mercury may be dropping but that doesn’t mean you can’t look feminine and sexy. Unfortunately when you hit the mall all you see are bulky sweaters. Well, ladies, get those fingers clicking, I’ve rounded up some of the prettiest tops you can find on the Internet. And yes, I’m aware that it’s the holidays and we “shouldn’t” buy things for ourselves but what better way to ensure you get what you really want--and in the right size? I say, go for it!

What to wear to a holiday party

It’s that time of year again: holiday parties. Love ‘em or loath them, you still want to be the center of attention. With the holidays right around the corner, now’s the time to snag the dress of the season.

Here’s a list of my favorites. From the little black dress to glittering gold and demure earth tones, there’s a dress here for every taste and budget.

If you were a bit nervous splurging on a silver handbag or a pair of strappy silver Jimmy Choo heels, you can put your pretty little mind to rest. Silver is still going strong and it’s hotter than ever. Expect to see lots of silver accessories (handbags, belts, shoes, and jewelry), blouses, and dresses. Silver outerwear is in for fall and winter but I’m not sure if this trend will stick--there can be too much of a good thing.

What to keep and what to toss, donate, or relegate to the back of your closet

Leggings

There are a lot of trends floating around, and some of their staying power is surprising. Like leggings. They look good on virtually no one and yet the trend has persevered despite much backlash and skepticism. How can a style that so blatantly accentuates the calf and calls attention to ankles and the true height of the average American woman have endured for this long? Finally, the end is near my friends.

This summer is all about bright, playful colors and patterns. For women, everything is casual—even work clothes are lighter and brighter. The generational influences run the gamut of 50s glam to 70s bohemian to 80s rocker.

Tunics and free flowing tops rank high on the wish list for summer, like this fluid empire top from Nordstrom .

For tops, dresses and skirts it’s all about thick stripes, modern geometric patterns and nautical themes. For a re-interpretation of the bold stripes look, I like this Ella Moss dress.

Long shorts are hot, like these Bermudas at the Gap. Conversely, the style powers-that-be decided to revive short shorts for another season.

Premium denim is still a hot trend that goes with everything. When you have on a great fitting pair of designer jeans, you can get away with a lot on top. A $10 shirt looks like a $100 shirt paired with the right denim. I’ve seen a shift toward labels with more reasonable price points (I think we’ve all had about enough paying over $200 for a pair of blue jeans). Joe’s Jeans are super comfy and come in a variety of styles to fit a variety of shapes and sizes.

For handbags, small, hard-cased clutches along with animal skins, python and croc in particular, are really hot right now, as is colored patent leather, oversized satchels and sleek, extra long evening bags.

And finally, the ultimate “it” accessory for summer is the silk scarf. Colorful solid and print scarves are everywhere: you can spot them holding bag youthful ponytails, tied playfully around a wrist or handbag, worn as a belt, headband or around the neck. Scarves a great way to add instant, personalized style to any summer ensemble. There are so many options—small scarves for wrists, long scarves for belts and headbands, even as a cute summer top ... the possibilities are countless!

Along with the right swimsuit, oversized tote, sunglasses, flip-flops, and Lucite bangle bracelets, silk scarves are a great way to accessorize and keep the elements at bay. Wind, chlorine and sand can wreak havoc on your tresses. A stylish silk scarf helps tame fly-aways, protect your precious hue from the sun's fading rays and keep pesky sand particles at bay.

There’s no shame in zoning out on a Sunday afternoon watching the pre-Oscar special on E! Unfortunately, all those martinis the night before caused you to doze in and out of a splendid nap. In between dreams of Leonardo DiCaprio you caught snippets of seemingly useful fashion and beauty advice (imagine that, information you can actually use from a celebrity gossip station). Don’t worry, I’ve got the lo down for all you Sunday nappers. And I’ve put a more approachable slant on it too—so us normal gals can look star-studded even if we’re just going to pick up the dry cleaning (you know, when our personal assistants have the day off).

While most of us won’t be hitting the red carpet (well, at least not the Hollywood kind), there is absolutely no reason why you can’t look like an Oscar starlet.

From clutch trends to the right undergarments, here are some essentials for looking extraordinary, award-winning actor or boardroom diva:

First, get your skin ready with a gorgeous tan (and don’t even think about hitting a tanning salon, unless it’s to get Mystic Tan). Instead of subjecting your skin to harmful UV rays, salons and spas like Elite Spa in Miami, and even dermatologists offer airbrush tans that are much more even than self applied tanners. The key to keeping your tan is using a good moisturizer. The Napoleon Perdis Whipped Dream Tan Enhancer moisturizes with Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Shea Butter and Hazelnut Oil, helping you to maintain and enhance your enviable sun goddess tan. Whipped Dream Tan Enhancer will hit Napoleon Perdis stores, Saks Fifth Avenue and select independent retailers March 2007.

Seamless beauty

Before you put on any dress, you’ve got to have the right undergarments. VPL, bra straps, unsightly bulges. So not Oscar appropriate. If you show up to any social event with lines and bumps of any kind, you’ll invoke the wrath of Jay Manuel faster than you can say I should have worn Spanx.

When wearing any dress, think seamless. Victoria’s Secret has “reinvented” the bra (again). Wearing a strapless gown? A dress with a plunging neckline? A sexy backless number? No problem.
 

The new, Very Sexy® Secret Embrace™ vertical cup bra is perfect for a deep neckline. Get the support you need with seamless underwire and lightly lined cutaway cups.

Get an “enhanced,” seamless look with the Very Sexy Secret Embrace push-up bra, and the vertical cup convertible push-up bra looks great with any backless dress.

Clutches galore

It wasn’t long ago that everything was getting smaller. Not so anymore! Belts are big, phones are big and purses are big—even “smaller” bags are big—with the one exception of hard-shell clutches, like this crystal shell pillbox by Leiber. For a special event, a clutch like this  Chase Satin Clutch from Net-a-porter screams Academy Award.

For the “real” world, you need something more practical. The  is great for an evening out—not too big, not too small (so you can stash more than your I.D. and breath mints), and it folds out into a tote for daytime. With so many uses you can totally justify dropping the cash on this show-stopping bag.

The red carpet is a hodge-podge of fashion risks and safe ensembles. It’s the same in the real world—and it’s perfectly okay to opt for simplicity. After all, this spring is all about understated style. The clutch by Ananas easily transitions day to night, casual to dress up, and is anything but pedestrian.

If you want to take a walk on the wild side, this soft crocodile clutch by Bottega Veneta is a happy medium.

Take the platform

Platform shoes were seen all over the red carpet, and they work for everyday too. According to the style mavens, the shorter the hemline, the heavier the shoe should be, so if you plan to cash in on the mini dress trend, make sure you have at least one pair (and what fashionista only has one pair?) of platform shoes. On the carpet you may have seen kicks like these Valentino Halter Sandal Pumps.

Satin is great for charity dinners and weddings, but try patent leather for a night on the town like these peep-toe patent leather Marc by Marc Jacobs platforms.

For budget conscious—or just value conscious—ladies, these platforms by Oh Deer Shoes are inspired by high-end labels you see on the red carpet.

And the award goes to …. The mini dress

SoI saved the best for last. You’ve got the lingerie, the shoes, bag and a gorgeous tan. Now you need a fabulous dress. And if you’ve been salsa dancing those gams to perfection, now’s your time to flaunt it if you’ve got it. Just keep in mind that while teeny hemlines are in style, looking trashy is not. Knock ‘em dead and still look like a class act in this sophisticated and sexy LaRok gathered chemise dress or the V mini dress by Woo . For special events Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang  are always leading ladies.

~Amy N. Covington for Belisi Fashions

The word is out—wide belts are the hottest fashion accessory for spring—the perfect compliment for the gorgeous dresses slated for spring and summer. Belts look great with many different styles of dresses hitting stores, from free-flowing sundresses to shirt dresses to tunics. Really wide belts (3 inches or wider) are a hot ticket item, as are leather sashes, leather or cloth wraps and stretchy cinch belts. Get one in grey, black, brown, red, white, metallic, and pretty much any vibrant color.

Wide belts add the right feminine touch to shirt dresses, and a more tailored, modern look to shift and tunic dresses—a flirty girl-next-door flair to full skirted dresses for evening.

How to wear wide belts

The key to wearing wide belts is to wear them high, as in right under the breast bone. These belts are meant to accentuate the upper body and cinch the waist, unlike the “old” kind that went through your belt loops to either a) hold up your pants and/or b) accentuate your fanny. If you're curvier, a wide belt is extremely flattering if worn correctly. A wider belt worn high can melt off pounds—no trips to the gym required.

Now that I’ve touted the benefits of wide belts, it’s time to talk about wide belt no-no’s. A belt seems like it’s a simple enough concept for most to figure out. But we’ve all seen the Don’t section in Glamour. Don’t be a don’t: avoid cheap looking belt made of synthetic material, or one that’s too big. If it gaps in the back, it’s not the right belt for you. Likewise, if you feel like you’re about to pass out because the belt is too tight, chances are you’re not suffering for beauty. Get the hint, and find a belt that fits. Don’t wear a wide belt too low, the look is less than flattering. And lastly, don’t over-accessorize. The belt is the centerpiece of your outfit. Think twice about loud jewelry and overly embellished shoes.

Here are some great wide belts to accent your long shirts and spring dresses:

Horn-Buckle Belt

Triple Buckle Belt

Gathered Belt

Flutter Waist Cinch

Wrap Belt

Dresses that look great with belts:
Kimchi & Blue Flutter Babydoll Eyelet Jumper

Lux Vintage Printed Shirt Dress

Creme Striped Baby Doll Dress

What do you think about the wide belt trend? Think they'll make it a couple more seasons? Personally I love this trend. I was too young to really take advantage of it the first time around, and now being petite, I just love the slimming effect of wide belts.

~Amy N. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Remember the days when trends lasted one season? To be caught wearing last season’s “it” item was the Kiss of Death. Now we cross our fingers and hope that skinny jeans and metallics come back for encore performances. Well, we got our wish. And for those of us who love wearing dresses—even in the dead of winter—we can hold on to most of those too. Finally, the style mavens are cutting us some slack!

A Leg up on Leggings

You’ve probably noticed that leggings are back in a big way, so if you were holding out to make sure the trend caught on, now’s the time to catch up to the early adopters. According to Michelle Antonelli, design director of Cable & Gauge and Spenser Jeremy, wearing leggings can be tricky (and you thought it was as easy as one leg after another).

To avoid further confusion, Ms. Antonelli breaks it down for us.

How to wear leggings

• Pick an easy style dress in one of the new baby doll, a-line or trapeze shapes.
• Go soft by selecting a feminine printed georgette or an easy soft knit dress in a great color.
• Keep it simple by opting for a solid color legging in black or brown
• Keep it in proportion. Make sure the dress or top you select hits just at or above the knee. If you’re wearing a mini-dress, select Capri length leggings and a ballerina flat.
• Skip the hosiery and show off your ankles and the top of your foot by wearing a ballerina flat or colored pump.

Dressing up for the transition from winter to spring/spring to summer

Fashion divas hate to give up their favorite frocks, and fortunately layering is still a key trend, which allows us to wear make a smooth transition. Here are some simple tips from Ms. Antonelli on making your must-have dress span a couple of seasons.

Favorite Sheer Printed Dress: When the weather is chilly pair with a great turtleneck, tights and boots. When springtime arrives shed the layers and slip into a strappy metallic sandal with the great completer – an abbreviated length cardigan. For a super casual summer look, treat yourself to a fabulous pedicure and slip on your favorite flip flops.

 

Essential Sheath Dress: Layer a fine gauge long sleeve knit tee to give the essential dress a jumper look for winter. On a chilly spring day trade in the tee for a soft short sleeved tee or slip into a colorful topper jacket that is just about two inches above the hem of the dress. When it’s time to go sleeveless be sure to select a structured patent leather flat or go for a color or special detail like a bow or buckle. Jimmy Choo recently featured a rich red with vanilla trip and a bow that would be the perfect addition to the essential sheath dress.

Knit Dresses: Matte jersey dresses or separates can be your year-round friend. Pair with your favorite short cardigan a pair of warm and cozy tights. Many women find knits an essential addition to their travel wardrobe or for those in between days when Mother Nature hasn’t quite figured out what she’d like to do.

The Return of Metallic: How to Make It Work

According to Antonelli, if the runway is an indication of what’s here to stay, then metallics will be with us for yet another year. Designers have embraced shimmer and retailers are still hot for metallics, but how can we be on trend without blinding ourselves? Here are two quick tips to keep in mind the next time you reach for a metallic piece:

Find Your Shine: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Handbags, shoes, belts, Lurex sweaters and dresses in brocade or jacquard fabrics all feature different degrees of shimmer, from metallic glazes to simple touches of metallic, hardware details (grommets, buckles and rings) and two-tone trims. Cable & Gauge features gold metallic thread details and hardware in its nautical and classic neutral resort styles that can be worn from late winter and into spring. The summer line will also offer shimmery shells.

Opt for Simple Shimmer: Remember less is more when it comes to metallic and the trick to pulling off the luxe look is to pick one piece and let it shine. It’s easy to start at the top by selecting a metallic knit with a special detail like a kimono sleeve or a blouson shape and dress it up with a velvet skirt for cocktails or pair it with jeans for a casual look. Experiment and investigate this trend, it’s here to stay… at least for now.

Special thanks to Michelle Antonelli, design director of Cable & Gauge and Spenser Jeremy for her fabulous advice!

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions

Increased emphasis on individualized style and accessorizing is pushing more shoppers toward the scarf counter. Scarves can now be worn as handbags, belts and even blouses. Check out this luxury scarf collage. More more great lifestyle articles, visit the weekend and leisure section of the Wall Street Journal Online. You need to be a subscriber, but it's well worth it.

Update your wardrobe with jewelry

“A great way to update your wardrobe without depleting your budget is with accessories,” said Sara Rogers, trend specialist for Mall of America. “For women this includes belts, handbags, hoop earrings, leggings, big sunglasses, and chunky jewelry in gold pewter or copper.”

Fall Fashion also offers an entirely new color palette not seen for several seasons.  In addition to black, fall color schemes feature a combination of darks and neutrals, such as camel, taupe, black, chocolate brown and smoky grey accented with bright jewel like gold, teal, purple and red. 

With that in mind, dare to be bold this fall with vibrant jewelry. The Candy Couture line by La Bijou Belle Jewelry comes in succulent colors and bon-bon like shapes that look good enough to eat—but we wouldn’t recommend it (choking on a rhinestone, not a pretty picture). The hip and unique jewelry is already a hit with fashionistas, stylists, TV hosts, and celebrities. Fabricated out of vintage Lucite and semi-precious stones, get your candy at hot LA boutiques including Belle Gray and Miriam Claudette Jewelry in Sunset Plaza.

Staying true to the seriously feminine look, designers are looking to the some of the most romantic time periods for inspiration. Jewelry is no exception. Mixing vintage and contemporary beads Leanna Lin, a Los Angeles based jewelry designer, produces limited one-of-a-kind pieces that have a sweet, yet quirky and retro, vibe.   

Heavy Metal

It’s no surprise that metallics are in this fall but gold and copper aren’t the only metals making waves. Steel and titanium are hitting the shelves—and just as fast finding their way onto well-manicured fingers and delicate wrists around the world. I bet you never thought you’d wear jewelry made out of the same stuff used to make flagpoles É you know the one you stuck your tongue to in second grade?

"The alternative metal such as steel and titanium as well as colors such as five-stone jewelry are popular now,” said Udi Behr, a designer of the popular Love and Pride jewelry and Time for Peace watches. “But I advise my customers not to follow the trend that the industry makes, but to wear jewelry that expresses who you are.”

It’s always fun to watch the runway trends and emulate fashion models to some degree; your personal style signature should always have a unique element. As Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”

Now you’re all dressed up and accessorized, or so you think. Watches not only tell you when you need to be at your next appointment, party or date, they tell the world that you’re on top of things—no flying by the seat of your embellished jeans for you. For watches, styles run the gamut. Depending on your wrist size and personal style preferences, feel free to wear what feels and looks good. All metals are popular, from gold to titanium, so there is no need to feel restricted. Slim bands, chunky bands, even leather, the choice is yours. You can even make a political statement with your timepiece. The Time for Peace watch is a bold Swiss-action, mineral crystal watch sporting a bright orange peace sign on the face with a matching orange leather strap.

Making it personal

Whatever your look--conservative, funky or oozing with sexuality--jewelry lets you personalize your wardrobe. Add a unique piece to any outfit and it becomes a signiture look. With a wide range of colors, styles, sizes and materials, there are limitless options for creating a style that is 100 percent you, and only you.

~A. Covington for Belisi Fashions