how to wear

Crushing on Cate Blanchett chic in menswear

Cate Blanchett chic in menswear inspired garb while recently out and about had us crushing on her relaxed take on masculine elegance. Would you don a similar look?  I'll Have what She's Having: Menswear style totally stolen from the boys. Here's what we think of her attempt at menswear made chic and why you should give it a go! >>You'll Have What She's Having: Casual Chic Done Right! To many, this could very well be a very challenging look to pull off without looking like you have just about given up. But, leave it to Cate Blanchett to work a minimal yet relaxed winter ready gray wool suit with a ladylike bag and oh-so-cute cut-out Robert Clergerie loafers. And that's where it all comes together;

Read More »

Spring Fashion Trends Guide: How to wear what was on the New York, London, Milan and Paris runways

Spring Trend Report Resource Guide: We curated the best 2014 Spring Fashion Trends from the fashion week runways in New York, London, Milan + street style inspiration to be seen on real-world ladies, like you! Straight from the catwalk and onto your mood boards-- with a bountiful array of styles from the runway & the on trend fashion week street style ladies to make a mark on your sartorial spirit for seasons to come. Where do you plan on taking your style this season? We invite you to enjoy curated highlights from our extensive coverage of Spring 2014 Runway highlights from city to city!  Thought you'd like it (wink) Why don't you Tweet your friends & share the fashion love... [tweetable]I'm loving this Spring Trend Report http://bit.ly/1f7WsTy runway looks + how to wear

Read More »

How to be Stylish: 12 Steps to Style

In recognition of what will be the 15th Anniversary of FocusOnStyle online, (craaaaazy!) I will be spotlighting some of my favorite evergreen, timeless style posts for you take note. Let's start with this post from 2007 about how to be stylish. Check out the old-school art, EEK… at least its color is THE color of THIS year… Damning dowdy with fashion tips for a wardrobe makeover Hell has no fury than a woman who lost her fashion mojo. Learn the 12 steps to style, now! >> MORE: Favorite posts from the 15 Years Online Anniversary Celebration Dear Sharon: Help! I'm a 27 year old social worker who works at a private university. I already feel like I've started to become "frumpy" in terms

Read More »

Rev up a classic skirt suit for a night out like Julia Roberts

I'll Have What She's Having: A simple way to update what you own and turn it into a party outfit We thought you might like a last-minute holiday outfit idea that you can probably pull from your closet right now! In a classic skirt suit (hers is by Givenchy) , Julia Roberts pulls off an easy to do recipe for updating your go-to number for a night out… While a quintessential black skirt suit is often saved for days at the office, Julia Roberts made one simple choice to stir things up -her cut-out heels. That's quite a realistic and dramatic approach to take and one that deserves some consideration next time you go out. Besides adding a crisp face framing edge to

Read More »

Dress up laid back style with a floppy wide brim fedora à la Jessica Alba

In a fedora, actress Jessica Alba epitomizes laid back cool while out & about… Traveling in style never comes all that easy, we know, but one look at Jessica Alba's wide brim floppy fedora had us on the hunt for a smart topper to punctuate otherwise laid back outfits when on the go. >> RELATED: Scarf This Up: Mommy Chic Wrap & Spiffy Bowler a la Alicia Keys By finding a fedora in a similar hue to her classic Wilt cardigan, Alba proves that when you wear this kind of oversized hat, you get the instant advantage of looking dressed up. And while a statement making hat tends to magnify even the simplest of details, keep in mind that it works here

Read More »

How to look sexy in a winter dress…

Let's talk about the kind of confident & sexy that takes you from day to night. I'll have what she's having: How to look sexy in a winter dress you ask? Let actress Lake Bell show you the way... In Altuzarra, Lake Bell radiates cool sophistication that's perfect to take note of for chillier nights out on the town. >>DISCOVER: More Celebrity Inspiration We all love the ease of a dress but sometimes something that appears so simple can get tricky, but not here. Covered up head-to-knee in a modest black draped neck tunic dress with a snug zippered lower panel, Blake looks ready to combat a cooler fall/winter night even sans tights. Why it works? The fully covered up black top

Read More »

Dress Up an everyday jacket, from the must-have motorcycle to a basic blazer

Dress Up an everyday jacket, and you too can be red carpet ready in one of your favorite go-to toppers Holiday party season is quickly coming upon us & we might not want to buy a one off outfit. Why not take a spin on something that you can style infinite ways? Let's take inspiration from what these A+ fashion starts wore to the 'Mademoiselle C' premiere recently, both singer Ciara and fashion titan Carine Roitfeld donned their own takes on dressing up what could be considered an everyday jacket. >>DISCOVER: Age-Appropriate leather jackets and how to shop & wear one As you can see, both opted top their head-to-toe black outfits with jackets that are casual enough to be

Read More »

Do you want the perfect way to dress up jeans? Try classic plaid!

I'll Have What She's Having: Cozy and casual chic plaid that's the perfect way to dress up  jeans Sometimes dressing up is really a spin on what could be dressing down. Truth be told, I love plaid. Especially red plaid. Always have. My vintage Geoffrey Beene red plaid coat may come out of retirement soon. For me, plaid runs the gambit from my collection of cowgirl chic western shirts to classic American sportswear iterations, like my Geoffrey Beene vintage red plaid coat, pictured left, that I may just pull out and wear again. Aside from its classic heritage, plaid is VERY much on trend this season.  What it does best is dress up your jeans in a snap. Just look at the

Read More »

Stylist Advice- Men’s job interview style for a business lunch

This reader question is about men's job interview style for a business lunch. Women also need to pay heed to not trump the person who is conducting your interview. Dear Sharon: I have a lunch interview at a fairly upscale restaurant next week. I am a guy who has no fashion sense. However, I do know that I will be suiting up for this occasion. I have a navy suit, white shirt and black tie. My question is, should I take off my suit jacket when I sit down with my potential employer? I have been getting conflicting advice from friends about leaving it on and taking it off. Please help! (K. via Fashion Advice) >> MORE: Want some men's style? We've got plenty of tips & trends,

Read More »

How to Dress Up A Dress – The Greatest Building Block of Them All

Let's call this DRESS WEEK! You know how to accessorize with French Chic street style from Paris Fashion Week, which new skirt length looks modern, and NOW: How to Dress Up A Dress! Get the most out of your money as we close our week covering the benefit's of a simple frock to help you discover what works for you when it comes to that one essential piece. The right dress & skirt can take you far, so take note as share how to dress up you favorite piece... That's right, as you may know, much like a smart skirt, a chic dress can go the distance and work as a starting point to many a look, plus you get the

Read More »

Le Dress: C’est French Chic Street Style That You Can Wear From Paris Fashion Week

I'll Have What She's Having: French Chic Street Style styling details to amp your dress I'm a little obsessed with the ease and élan of these Paris Fashion Week street style snaps. Let's once-over what makes the styling work & how you can get inspired to update your wardrobe like the lovely ladies (and gent) that Richard snapped at Paris Fashion Week. Scroll to the very end for similar styling to shop right now. Ladylike Classic with quirky youthful edge     A bit of Bourgie breaks through stuffy connotations when the styling has a pop of quirky chic. Harken  your inner blue blood with finely tailored pieces that have a youthful air. Don't fall prey to leaving out the irony.

Read More »

Must Have Alert: THE blouse of the moment, is a French Chic Bow Blouse à la Ines de La Fressange

I'll Have What She's Having: A classic chic pussy bow blouse that looks fresh and edgy I can sometimes have a real love/hate attitude with pussy bow blouses (sounds odd, I know). Same styling, different vibe with the rocker chic Saint Laurent Tie Neck Blouse When done right, they look modern, chic and feminine. Even rocker-ISH, just look at the tie neck styling from Saint Laurent in red worn with skinny leather leggings as a premier example, pictured right. Yet, taken too literal, or styled too femininely, they can get frumpy and look dated like a castaway from Rosalynn Carter's First Lady days. Caveat: If you remember when the Carter's were in office, keep the look light and easy on this go round. Here's

Read More »

The Bare Midriff – Would You Dare and Try New York Fashion Week’s Top Spring 14 Trend?

Peter Som Spring 2014 It all started with Nicolas Ghesquiere's scuplted white cropped tops at his final Balenciaga collection. The Bare Midriff, one of those zones most of us aren't ready to flaunt, has popped up on almost every runway at the New York Fashion Week Spring 2014 shows, but are you ready to try one on? For starters, they aren't for the meek as donning one is most certainly going to keep all eyes focused on your mid-section while requiring confidence aplenty. But the good news is that from the street style mavens to the runways, we've see plenty of wearable takes to keep you in the loop. >>WHAT TO WEAR NOW: Discover our Biggest Trend Report Ever for

Read More »

Scroll to Top