how to wear

Cannes Do Chic: Can’t beat a timeless crisp blue shirt a la Sofia Coppola

It's that time again... my favorite red carpet. The one where everyone looks so pulled together, so classic, so Cannes Do Chic (click on that for past coverage)! Yup, it's the Cannes Film Festival so let's get our style sparks going with some inspirational I'll Have What She's Having starting with Sophia Coppola's crisp blue shirt. When you're looking for a simple, chic, ageless, and E.A.S.Y. way to get out of the house for running around town, the office, or even a film festival photo call, look no further than modeling Sophia's signature clean and minimal style into your wardrobe. Take a look at the snap above of Sophia standing with the French actress Carole Bouquet and you don't need any extra convincing.  Her signature

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Stylist Advice: How to dress a short torso

 Dear Sharon: Hello! I have a short torso on top of being only 5'2". I am definitely not a size zero but I am not on the big side either. I have a terrible time finding clothes (mostly dresses) that fit right. It is so frustrating I can't leave a store without crying or being very upset and EMPTY HANDED! What kind of dresses would you suggest? (via Fashion Advice)  >> RELATED: How to Dress For Your Body Type Guide, the most popular posts on what to wear for a flattering tip   Whew, don't cry. No body is perfect. When you want to know how to dress a short torso what you want to do is visually lengthen rather than foreshorten or obviously define your

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Stylist Advice- What is Italian street chic?

Italian street chic is one vibrant source of inspiration that's worth giving a go when looking to give your look a playful yet grown-up sense of whimsy... Dear FocusOnStyle: What is Italian street chic? I am going to a event where this style of dressing in required. Please help. Grazie -P.G (M.C via Fashion Advice) Unlike the timeless simplicity of quintessential French Chic, a quick scan through Italian street style images sets one thing for certain; the Italians do have more fun with it and a zest for the livelier sartorial options. >> Catch Up on Italian Style with these posts While shoes and accessories are on the more playful, glamorous side (think high and shiny), what's the most distinctive about Italian street style is both their

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Something to focus on: Jessica Alba style inspiration for casual runaround easy chic on the go

I'll Have What She's Having: Jessica Alba's casual runaround style is something to take note of next time you are out & about and on the go... The actress and busy mom recently stepped out in your average but forever stylish plaid top and jean ensemble recently but what made her look so memorable was her gorgeously face framing vibrant ombre topper. And what is becoming a signature cute floppy fedora for her too! So next time you are heading out the door ready to combat your daily routine, think about opting for something similarly distinctive while avoiding having to sacrifice comfort. Just look at how arresting she looks without having to try too hard. >>More Casual Chic What makes Jessica's casual

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On Trend- How To Wear White Right a la Gwyneth Paltrow and Kelly Rutherford

For this week's 15th Anniversary of FocusOnStyle online, and in honor of the warmer weather (finally!), let's revisit timeless tips on how to wear white BEFORE the old adage of waiting for Labor Day. I don't know about you, but looking light & brght is tops on my list after this wicked winter. Postcript: since the writing of this post, I know own a couple more white coats! --S.H.   >> RELATED: White Clothing Care Tips- You Don’t Have To Marry the Drycleaner (if you don’t want too)  I'll Have What She's Having: White clothing tips to not look like a bride, a nurse, or the Good Humor man! According to old school fashion rules, Memorial Day is the official time to finally break

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Mixing Metals 101: How to style a chain belt

How to style a chain belt for today? Classic chain belts are on the downside and tend to be aging for most who remember wearing them in the last go round... Let's help this reader discover a modern classic take on a chain belt and how to mix metals for the right kind of chic. Dear Sharon: It is ok to wear a metal link belt and a metal necklace? Or skip a necklace when wearing a metal link belt? -Helen (M.C via Fashion Advice) >>More Inspiration: Get Motivated with the Daily Style WORD I'm sure you remember the heyday of the chain belt in the 80's & 90's when the more gilt you went, the better. After all, a chain belt works

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Add a classic retro feel to your biking shoes by way of Chukka boots

Stylist Advice- How to Style Vintage Menswear Shoes... classic is key Dear Sharon: What to wear with these Bridgeport Hush Puppies shoes (pictured below)? I got these shoes a while ago at a Thrift Shop and they were so cute that I couldn't let them pass me by. The problem is, when I brought them home, I didn't know exactly what to wear them with... and it turns out that they're actually shoes for men... but they look pretty unisex. Maybe I can pull 'em off?  I just don't know how. I'm open to most types of styles (just nothing too revealing, clownish, or short like a tiny skirt or a crop top). I want to look feminine but a bit modest as well. Any ideas on how I

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Let’s Look: Selma Blair does casual chic the way many of us dress everyday (even me)

I'll Have What She's Having: Nothing beats a good T-shirt for comfy, casual every day style! Umm, I don't know about you, but I spend a good chunk of my time wearing T-Shirts.  They're the kind of easy casual chic items that can be comfy wearing  while I zone out writing (yes, there's a zone) and then throw a jacket over and maybe a pair of heels and instantly look pulled together. But maybe it's not a heels day but a running around doing errands day. The pulled together part is still what's KEY. It's the difference from looking like you've got it going on to looking like you got dressed in the dark (even if you did). Let's take

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Stylist Advice- How to wear patterned & stylish rain boots like a grown up

Dear Sharon: Patterned rain boots are everywhere this spring. Is there a stylish way for a grown woman to wear them, or are they a fashion disaster? (Frances via Fashion Advice) >> RELATED: French Chic Trench Coats at a Certain Age No, no, patterned rain boots are not a fashion disaster at all. As a matter of fact, the wildly patterned, crazy colored patterned rain boots from a few seasons ago have given way to a more sophisticated and rugged look of puddle jumps. Some, even so chic, that you may just wish for a rainy day. Just look at the stunning art meets style design of the Ted Baker Rain Atiri Boots pictured at top for totally gorgeous & grown-up patterned stylish rain boots. What you

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Here’s how YOU can look like Heidi Klum on the beach!

I'll Have What She's Having: Easy Beach Style like Heidi Klum's convertible sarong cover-up Ok, looking like Heidi Klum on the beach is a major stretch for most of us. But not this time. Here's how... The same Theodora & Callum Scarf as Heidi is wearing Whether you're heading out of town for spring break or plan on hitting the pool this coming summer, here's great inspiration for covering up... Heidi Klum does a fast twist around her neck and her Theodora & Callum Scarf  instantly does a switch-a-roo from a big, lightweight gauzy neck scarf to a chic & perfect pareo beach coverup. Pretty darn easy & versatile. Add a cute straw fedora summer hat and you're good to go! >> Related: How

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Stylist Advice- How To Look Hot On A First Date but not too hot that you come off the wrong way

DIANE von FURSTENBERG Dress - Aurora Three-Quarter Sleeve Dress at Bloomingdale's
We sometimes get so confused as to what to wear on a first date. Through the years, I've been asked all sorts of dress questions, particulary from women re-entering the dating scene. In this week's 15th Anniversary post, let's reflect back to what a lovely lady over 40 should consider to wear on a first date.  Oh, as far as her date, I have some advice for him here too. --S.H. >> MORE: Dating Dress Tips Dear Sharon: I'm in my early forties and still find dressing to look hot for a first date to be mind-boggling. I never thought that I would actually be one for Internet dating, but here I am meeting a guy for coffee or a drink

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Le Mix: Try transitional weather dressing with French Chic Street Style inspiration

I'll Have What She's Having: Look to French Chic Street Style and learn to mix the best of fall's layers with something ready for spring... Every season Paris Fashion Week street style always ignites what we want to wear now, even more than the runways most often, as we love the mix of high & low, old & new. Now that the tides are about to change and warm weather is (rejoice!) on it's way, this show goer who Richard snapped outside of the Nina Ricci show during Paris Fashion Week, provides visual inspiration on how to mix it up when it comes to winter gear and a seasonal dress. When it comes to transitional weather dressing, the trick that makes her look work and

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Le Coat: Channel French Chic Street Style with a red topper

I'll Have What She's Having: French Chic Street Style styling to add vivid color to your transitional look... While we try to keep our eyes peered on the what's coming down the runway during fashion week, Paris Fashion Week street style snaps always have us yearning to try a new look peppered with instant French Chic. And after a bleary winter season where our sartorial choices were limited to piling on whatever was the warmest (no matter the look), the show goer above in her oversized red coat and unexpected strappy sandals leave us suggesting going for bold when layering as the weather get's warmer. We've gone over how to wear prints, how to go neutral -why not bold? So let's once-over

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