how to wear

Beauty Advice- How to make my eyes stand out?

We've got a repeat reader asking for some beauty advice. Always glad to help! Dear Sharon: I've contacted Focus On Style about a year ago and it helped me to change my style completely. I really am quite confident in what I wear now and it's quite fun. Thank you again! I just have a quick question regarding my eyes. I have very small eyes that don't really grab attention (that's why I wear quirky glasses *giggles*). I was wondering is there anything I can do to sort of enlarge my eyes to make them stand out a bit? I've tried everything, dark colours, light colours, matt and shine, and Im still quite confused and dont know what fits best. My

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

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

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Stylist Advice- Is there a rule about mixing metallics?

Pierre Hardy Mixed metallic leather-patterned suede ankle boots
Can this reader pull off mixing metallics all in one outfit? Dear Sharon: O.K, I have a question about metallics. There is this fairly new gold/silver color I love. I have purses, I have sweaters, I have shoes, I have tops with it stitched in etc. I know there is a "double denim" rule but I am not sure about metallics. For example, one day I wore metallic shoes an embellished top and a sweater, they all matched, but it occurred to me it might be an overkill. What is your opinion doubling down on metallics? (L.T. via Fashion Advice) >> READ: How about some Holiday Dress Tips? That's a toughy. First off,  there is no real rule about mixing metallics, or piling them on.  It is more

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Add some ZING! What color shoes to wear with dressy neutrals for holiday chic

Stylist Advice-  Decisions, decisions about what shoe color to wear. How can this reader add pizzazz to a neutral holiday dress… I am wearing a mocha dress with sequins at Christmas and wondering what color of shoes I should get? Please help!!! (A.W. via Fashion Advice) >> READ: Perfect Party ShoesStandout sequins in muted shades of nude are very of the moment this holiday season. They are a sultry take on subtle and can be styled two ways for maximum holiday style.When it comes to what color shoes to wear with dressy neutrals...Stay on the more demure or safer side by keeping the look tonal and sophisticated with shoes in same shade. Make it exciting by adding texture and detail for interest. What you want to

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Stylist Advice- What to wear to a black tie optional event with the boss? Try an evening wrap!

If a black tie optional event is mostly business men, can this reader dare to bare with a backless dress? Dear Sharon:  I would sincerely appreciate your input on an issue I am having with a business black tie optional event.  I am attending a "black tie optional" awards ceremony anddinner for a builders' association in Western NY (near Canada). My completely platonic date is my boss. The builders' association is pretty male dominated, but I'm sure most will bring their wives/girlfriends to this particular event. I have this gorgeous vintage Ann Taylor black suede dress that comes to just above the knee, has bracelet-length sleeves, and is backless almost to the waist but a little higher. I am dying to wear it! Would that be

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Stylist Advice- Plus Size Layering, Define A Focal Point

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

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Stylist Advice- How to jazz up a conservative red holiday dress

Tahari Belted Portrait Collar Fit & Flare Dress
Dear Sharon: I'm wearing this holiday red shiny Tahari dress with an open portrait neckline to my husband's company Christmas party. I am wondering what shoes and jewelry to wear with it. Thanks! (H.E. via Fashion Advice) I've spent some time pondering  if I should sugarcoat this or not, and I need to be both truthful to you and to my professional style aesthetics. I have to be honest here, I don't love the dress. It's a bit matronly in that it has that strange styling combination of  simultaneously being both fussy and conservative with not much excitement in the cut-- it most definitely needs some styling work to tzuj it up! FYI: With the right styling, fab accessorizing, and a few nips & tucks,

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Season Shifters: Fall clothing for a warm climate

Theory Dress - Avrex Georgette at Bloomingdale's
Dear Sharon: How to dress for fall when you live in an area that's always hot?  Louisiana weather is always balmy, hot, and humid so changing to a seasonal wardrobe can get tricky when you  desire fall clothing for a warm climate. (via twitter)  JUST ASK: Do you need some quick stylist help to amp up your style?  Email us for Fashion Advice.  Good point. I'm having my own seasonal issues. I've been traveling a lot lately and about to pack for a trip to a hot climate-- with super cold conference room air conditioning to boot. Honestly, there is NOTHING that gets me more discombobulated than doing a last-minute season switch for travel. I feel like I'm on rewind from what clothes

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

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,

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Wear It Now: The Sleeveless Blazer Is A Runway Trend To Steal – Spring 2013 Highlights

From the Spring 2013 runways, the sleeveless blazer is back on trend... The sleeveless blazer returned as one of the top runway trends you'll want to covet. In fact who can resist when you consider how versatile they are come the transitional weather we've been facing as of late. So, here's so the 411 on how to have next season, right from your closet. With the Spring 2013 shows bowing in Paris comes a look at top trends for next season to get you on track today. >> NEED AN ARM BOOST? READ: Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy After seeing all kinds of vivid suiting options on the runways over the past few seasons from full-on print to embellished

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How to wear pastels and look chic not chintzy- look at Tilda Swinton & Marion Cotillard for style ideas

Tilda Swinton poses at the "Moonrise Kingdom" photocall during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival
I'll Have What She's Having: Sophisticated dusty pale colors that never scream juvenile You must know that I'm not a fan of grown up women wearing baby pastels... in one wrong wimpy shade, you instantly take a hit to your personal power right down to that of  a kid. >>> MORE: Do you need more style inspiration? Read how Michelle Obama wears pastels to look chic But strong women CAN pull off pastels-- particularly on these unbearably hot days (ok, not if you dealt with the freaky snow in Jackson Hole, WY this week)-- if they know how to wear pastels to look chic and not chintzy. How?  It REALLY IS all about the shade and how you wear the pastels...

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Everything’s right about a bare midriff and how to wear a crop top like Freida Pinto

Frieda Pinto wearing a Salvatore Ferragamo midrif baring 2-piece outfit at the Cannes Film Festival
  I"ll Have What She's Having: A flirty bare midriff in balance & how to wear the look. I sure know about this one! I think I spent a good decade of my life running around in a variety of bare midriff crop tops! Having a 22 1/2 inch waist at the time I barely (cheesy pun, I know) met a midsection baring top that I didn't like. >> RELATED: AbFab, Rooney Mara in Miu Miu Belly Baring Chic What was big in the eighties was a re-trend from midriff baring tops in the before air conditioned 1950's. And a subtle nod that if you wore them in any one of those decades, this style has reached its expiration point for

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Can A Midi Dress Look Chic & Not Matronly? Yes, Look At Gwyneth Paltrow

I'll Have What She's Having: An elegant midi dress that doesn't scream old lady frumpy AND you can wear it to work! Here's some stylist advice on how to make a forever-chic statement like actress Gwyneth Paltrow in a knee-length number and not look matronly. Gwyneth Paltrow wearing AW12 Burberry Prorsum Pre-Collection look 10 and carrying a Victoria Beckham Fall 2012 Two Tone Shoulder Bag in Moonstone / Black with her Turning head's for over a decade with her innate sense of style that remains forever-chic, actress Gwyneth Paltrow's recent appearance in a minimal Burberry textured dress should work for you as a source of inspiration when considering alternative skirt lengths. >>Need help figuring out how to wear it? Discover

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