Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com casual posts

Three Ways to Double Duty Your Style- Business fashion for a back to work mom

Dear Sharon: It's time for me to address what it takes to create a wardrobe of business fashion for a back to work mom. After being away from the concrete jungle for 6 years, it's time to go back to the office on a part-time basis. The thing is that my wardrobe is looking a bit dated and close to a size smaller although I am hoping to get back to my original weight. I want to start to rebuild my wardrobe slowly, as I'm not sure if I will stay in an office environment or opt for consulting work later. What's a good strategy to build an appropriate wardrobe of business fashion for a back to work mom? (J.D. via Fashion Advice)

I'll Have What She's Having: An updated sweatshirt in super chic fabrications but just as comfy as the real thing Don't you want some Casual Chic with a touch of glam? Get the look by way of the updated sweatshirt… With erratic seasonal temperatures across the country getting dressed for the weather outside can be a challenge. Opting to stay casual and polished is a fashion point that many would rather simply ignore than strive for simple chic. Listen up, there's a style solution to dreary sorta casual days that spans a good chunk of temperature finickiness. The Updated Sweatshirt as seen on and around the catwalks as one of the top New York Fashion Week trends for fall 2013 goes a step

Nagore Aramburu with daughter Ane in Madrid;

I totally get where this reader is coming from as I remember this dressing predicament from when my son was little. What's a stay-at-home mom to wear can be frustrating, if not a bit sticky. Let's help her out with some stylist tips.... they work to for a solo-entrepreneur who works from home with a virtual staff. Dear Sharon: I am a stay-at-home mom and I never know what to put on. Most days I exercise and go to the store or run errands. On the days I don't leave the house I just put on T-shirts and yoga pants. When I go shopping for clothes I never know what to buy. Can you help? I just don't want to look so dumpy all the

Alicia Keys arrives on a flight at the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport with her son Egypt in Paris, France.

I'll Have What She's Having: A voluminous scarf and a menswear hat to effortlessly glam up the most basic outfit. It REALLY is that easy. Getting out of the house sometimes, can be an effort in itself. Particularly, on those down low, kick back (ha!), whirlwind of errands and mommydom days. Or maybe, just a work at home, no one sees me until, crap, I have to go out and look good kind of day. Now what? Oh yeah, for many of us this kind of day is far more realistic than a pair of stilettos and a slinky sheath. On the dressier side, it's almost by route, You pull a perfectly fitting dress off a hanger, add some gorgeous shoes. Off you

I'll Have What She's Having: Black leather pants that look so right Yesterday, we talked about the ageless chic of a black leather motorcycle jacket, and today it's time to talk about your lower half. >>MORE: Leather Style There's an off-handedness that Italians have. They could be wearing the most extravagant item -- think a healthy dose of gold, a swath of fur, ornate embellishments, or in this case, black leather pants-- and throw it together in a manner that's effortless and molto elegante, and even casual in their own way. Never garish. Always fun. >>RELATED: When in Rome Black leather pants are one of the hottest trends this season, and we all know how tricky they can be. Let's look at

Kate Moss, Isabelle Hupert, Sarah Jessica Parker in black leather jackets

I'll Have What She's Having: A modern & global spin on a classic black leather jacket as an age-appropriate celebrity favorite Baby, it's leather weather! Not too hot, not too cold (yet) and just right for some hard core downtown motorcycle style done right, may it be city, casual, or dressy. From London, New York, to Cannes, we've got Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Isabelle Huppert sporting a black leather jacket in three ageless ways that will surely suit YOUR wardrobe. >>MORE: Leather Style When it comes to rocking it out whist still being both age-appropriate and ageless, please note that these ladies are in their LATE 30s, 40s, and 50s. Style doesn't have an expiration date when it looks right. Kate Moss in

Dear Sharon: I am overweight. Sometimes I wear blouses open with turtlenecks underneath. Can you wear a scarf with the open blouse and turtleneck? (C.M. via Fashion Advice) I'm not sure that I love the way you start out your question by announcing that you are overweight. Regardless of your size, we ALL need to make the most of what we've got which should come from a place of confidence and pride with our unique self. That said, what's with ALL the layers? When it comes to plus size layering, or layering clothing for any size, with rare exception, it is key to create a longer visual line with your clothing to look leaner, less bulky, and polished. The emphasis for

Dear Sharon, I'm hoping you can help me out. Now that the temperature is dropping I finally get to break out my boots. Happy me! I love wearing tights with boots but find that my feet are always freezing, especially at work. I really need to beat cold feet while looking stylish and office appropriate. >> RELATED: Style Guideline for Women Entrepreneurs I usually wear an ankle sock over my tights for added warmth but they tend to slip down and bunch up in my boots. I've tried wearing taller socks and I know that showing some sock above your boot is trendy in a casual setting, but I don't think it's very professional looking in the workplace. Other than seeing my doctor for my poor circulation,

2012 Smile Train World Smile Day Hosted by Christie Brinkley

I'll Have What She's Having: Grown-up gorgeous in down-to-earth and polished jeans Crazy that what so many of us wear so often can be impossible to pull off-- with style. Don't fret. Look no further than perennially gorgeous Christie Brinkley for celebrity style inspiration on how to look pulled together in jeans. Ok, you may not look like her (who does??), but you can master her sublime style and look pretty darn fabulous too. And, it's far more realistic than fantasizing about a red carpet gown too. >>MORE: Jeans Christie hosted the 2012 Smile Train World Smile Day to raise awareness that helps children born with clefts around the world and wore jeans for the event. Not sloppy jeans but ones so

DL1961 Denim Spring 2013

DL1961 Denim Spring 2013 Runway Review: The DL1961 Denim To Make Your Next Cult We all have our denim brands we are devoted to and follow like it's their last world tour, which I commend and adhere to myself (I am devoted to AG, Rag & Bone, and Lucky Brand - period), but I dare I say, there is a new (fairly new) denim cult to follow, and it's DL1961. It's as simple as this: it's all in the fit. For those curve-a-licious girls in particular, this is THE brand for you. On that note, I would say for those without any hips and an ass, this may not be your spiritual denim calling. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS DL1961 more or

Talk Thursday continues... don't forget to send your fashion questions for a bit of stylist advice! Hey Sharon, I went from a polished mod style and attending MBFW as an invite because of my fashion sketches, to literally digressing into a wardrobe of almost exclusively leggings and shapeless tunics. I obtained a full-time job in graphic design where the bar is very, VERY low. Think: free t-shirts and Crocs on my co-workers-- I will never stoop that low. For me, the realization that I've gotten lazy is now a bit too much-- it almost feels like I am uninspired on a daily basis. I don't want to go back to the mod look. I have been researching basic pieces for implementing a

Rebecca Taylor - Sequin Tuxedo Shorts at Saks.com

For our first round at Talk Thursday full of expert stylist's advice, our new weekly installment of style & lifestyle questions from YOU for us to contemplate, comes TWO questions that everyone could learn a thing or two from From Lisa- 'I like the shorts with platform heel look. I am not talking short shorts but at least a 5" inseam. What I am wondering is what age is too "old" to be wearing this? I am not looking for a cougar look. I do like this look, it looks good on me but when am I not age appropriate?' (via fashion advice) We agree, shorts paired with platform heels can be quite a killer look as they can highlight assets, offer a

Resort 2013 Highlights that you can wear now! Take note ladies, no need to wait until December to get your hands for top inspiring trends to hits stores... First up, cropped printed pants. >>More: On Mastering Printed Pants The 2013 Resort collections may not be hitting shops until months from now, but we take that as even more reason to take a cue and get ahead of the game by paying attention on how to wear the latest future looks now, especially come the transitional weather many of us are currently facing. >>MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Our first look at key notes that caught our attention at the Resort shows that everyone can instantly adapt into their summer repertoire were a smart

PERSONALITY BRAND KICKSTART: Become An Authentic Superstar...

Three Ways to Double Duty Your Style- Business fashion for a back to work mom

Try This Casual Chic Tip: An Updated Sweatshirt as you transition your wardrobe

What’s a stay-at-home mom to wear & not look dumpy?

Scarf This Up: Mommy Chic Wrap & Spiffy Bowler a la Alicia Keys

Leather Weather: Black (leather pants) + White = Italian Style

Leather Weather: A Black Leather Jacket At Any Age To Suit Your Every Mood!

Stylist Advice- Plus Size Layering, Define A Focal Point

Stylist Advice- How to beat cold feet? Bootights & sheepskin insoles to the rescue

How to look pulled together in jeans? Look at Christie Brinkley’s ageless style for inspiration

DL1961 Denim Spring 2013

Stylist Advice: Should I Revamp My Wardrobe From The Ground Up For French Chic Style?

Stylist Advice: Age Appropriate Shorts And What Leggings To Wear To A Wedding

Carven & Celine Wear It Now! Cropped Printed Pants- Resort 2013 Highlights

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!