Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com STYLIST ADVICE posts

Tuxedo Tips- Guys, here’s the ONE time you can all look (sort of) like George Clooney!

Men's Style Advice: Can I ditch the cummerbund and pleated tuxedo shirt and go more modern? Dear Sharon: I saw your site “Focus on Style,” I'm not sure if you answer men's questions but here goes. I have a standard, two-button, notch lapel black tuxedo that I wear to weddings (I'm 27 so I go to at least one wedding a month these days) with an eight-pleat shirt and cummerbund/bow tie. Pretty much your standard tux. However, I hate the fit of the shirt and the feel of a cummerbund. I would like to get a new formal shirt without pleats, and just a formal necktie (black or pewter or something like that). My question is - do I need to

Statement making BoHo wide brim hats have continued to be a major fashionista statement this season. It's a fashion trend that's just as tricky to pull off as the other biggie, faux fur vests, and can have as many, if not more, catastrophic style results. Not worn the right way, what is meant to look dramatic and chic ends up looking like the wearer is channeling a 70's gangster pimp character. Just look at KK and --albeit a favorite movie score-- force yourself not to hum a tune from Superfly. Ranging from wide brim, gaucho to BoHo floppy with portrait shape thrown in for good measure, there are a few basic style guidelines to consider when trying to pull off a wide brim hat

Pippa Middleton with her Aruna Seth Romana Bag

I (Don't) Want What She's Having: Legs that look stumpy from poor fashion choices Pippa Middleton, the every-girl style icon is looking decidedly edgy for herself. While the particular wash of her fuchsia jeans is not our favorite with its strange dye markings down the side, we appreciate her effort to spunk up a classic dark blazer with a burst of color paired with her go-to Aruna Seth Romina bag. But, here's where Pippa went wrong... Her calf-high black boots completely cut her body off into thirds! It's a color blocking disaster gone short and dumpy, while over-emphasizing muscular legs. The Aldo Elks bootie is short enough to create a longer leg and its platform will make Pippa's legs look even

What looks pretty on the model can be rather tricky on an everyday woman

Faux fur vests are probably one of the hottest fashion trends of the moment. The thing is that they are also rather tricky to wear. If you are not careful, you could look like a wild hairy beast that took over the mall. Not to mention that fur vests are not the most practical way to stay warm on anything other than a mild day. Let's get the faux fur vest trend right. Here we have a lovely, chic model wearing the Quotation: Sanctuary Original Natalie Faux Fur Vest from Bloomingdales, picture left above. To the right, we have a real woman buried in one too many trends of the moment, including a faux fur vest. Our real lady in the photo

Multi- weight, toasty warm alpaca sweater from Ann Demeulemeester

Just as the season's cold wintery weather is just starting to take hold we've compiled a shortlist of slimming layering tricks and smart finds that should keep you warm without changing your proportions or adding unwanted bulk. After all, who wants to go about their everyday while concealing themselves in pieces that add unnecessary weight to one's look? Even though it's cold out, there's no need to swath yourself in visually fattening garb when innovative technology and a set of savvy notes to take inspiration from should serve you just as generously. Just look at the gorgeous multi- weight, toasty warm alpaca sweater from Ann Demeulemeester at FarFetched, pictured above. Related: Stylish Cold Weather Boots Michael Kors Fall 2011, above. Layer #1: Outerwear- A cocoon or

Alice + Olivia Constance Striped Coat at Shopbop

Whether you're a size 2, 12, or 22 there is no excuse not to look fabulous at any age! Knowing your body and what works isn't always easy, however. Then, when the latest trends are thrown into the mix, the result can be confusing. High fashion magazines aren't always entirely helpful. They don't translate into the battlefield of life. So many of my design clients often ask me to incorporate fashion into their style makeovers. And, I say stay on trend and modern in both your home and wardrobe. One of the hottest fashion trends is the return of black and white. Just take a look at the many fab options out there. And, the best part is that color

Dear Sharon: I am not planning a big night out but still want something special to wear on New Year's Eve. As a mater of fact, I'm never one to really go all out on New Year's Eve but that doesn't mean that I don't like to celebrate in some small way. At best, we are going next door for a champagne toast with a few neighbors, but most likely, my husband and I will hang in and stay cozy. Is there something simple that you can suggest so I feel a bit more glam than usual but still homey? Thank you... love your site! --A.K. (via fashion advice) Dear A.K.: You are not alone in wanting to stay close to

Printed trousers have been making their way onto runways the world over for quite a few season's and judging by the Pre-Fall collections we've seen so far for 2012, there's more to come. So how does one don prints on a part of the body most people try to distract the eye from? Here's a look at how to make them work for you while instantly updating your wardrobe and options. These days, clashing print on print head-to-toe looks are the norm however keep in mind the importance of proportion and fit for a flawless look Make sure the print and color-way of printed pants go with your own style- no need to stand out if you're uncomfortable with the

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Suvie Satin Blazer at Bloomingdales

Dear Sharon: I'm getting exhausted from trying to figure out what to wear to holiday parties as this season progresses. I still have a few more fetes left- some are casual, some are kind of dressy. What in tarnation can I wear without having to buy something new each and every time I have to show my face at a party? I've been working a black pencil skirt and a black satin jacket but I think that not only am I sick of these two pieces, so is everyone else who sees me! Please help me rework my holiday style. (via fashion advice) MORE: Holiday Yes, there can be such a thing as party outfit fatigue! As holiday parties keep

Eva Green an AW11 black split sleeve dress and Pre AW11 leopard print peep toe shoes by Alexander McQueen to the ‘The Rum Diary’ London

I'll Have What She's Having: Streamlined and bold slits in just the right places There's something about actress Eva Green's smart sexiness that reminds us of the raw style of Italian actresses back in the 1950's via Veneto days. It's a control over non-fussiness and an emphasis on dynamic sex appeal and sultriness, best mastered in sleek, non revealing lines. Case in point: Eva's on trend, but not trendy, double-slit & slit sleeve Alexander McQueen LBD from AW11. Oh, and those luscious leopard print peep toe shoes also by Alexander McQueen. WATCH: How to Accessorize a LBD and more LBD posts Smoldering liner and red lips keep the look graphic, clean and bold We saw the sexy open back slit on Amber

I'll Have What She's Having (from the waist up): Rihanna manages to ruin a few very good pieces with some dang tacky tights and a girdle for a dress. There, I said it! Givenchy large size Antigona bag in black nappa leather, as worn by Rihanna. Available at Barney's Rihanna was sporting some super chic fashion elements on her 3AM return to her hotel after her concert in Paris. There's the well-proportioned floppy fedora (unlike that over-sized Kim Kardashian monstrosity), the covetable cropped jacket, and the to-die-for Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci “Antigona” bag... all in classic black. But, what is going on with those nasty sheer thigh highs, and the peachy body con skirt in the color of an old

Katie Holmes wearing a CARVEN indigo ruched stretch-wool dress to Marie Claire Magazine’s Second Annual Women on Top Awards

I'll Have What She's Having: A Carven indigo ruched stretch-wool dress played down to look perfect for day.A navy dress-- particularly in the fall or winter-- can get a bit tricky when it comes to deciding what color hose to wear with it.Summer months are a no-brainer with bare tan legs and tobacco, nude, or bold colored shoes.But, what to do when it gets cool out?Navy hose and a navy dress can get a bit old school flight attendentesque or schoolmarmish, and nude hose make the dress too dressy for a business day.MORE: CarvenGrab the Katie Holmes CARVEN indigo ruched stretch-wool dress available at farfetch.comKatie Holmes got it right by wearing black tights with the navy dress from Carven (FYI: A

With all the insane streams of money coming her way, Kim K still manages to look cheap. We get celebrity style pr tip sheets of almost every celebrity and celebutard that you can imagine wearing something or another. Usually they end upon the trash, but this time I couldn't bear not to share this Kim Kardashian "celebrity style" alert as it's so tacky that I've got to hope no one out there wants to make it stick. We all know that the Kardashian klan own a batch of boutiques, but did she have to wear the entire accessory department all at once? In defense of the Boulee Brynn dress, it's perfectly lovely in its BoHo styling, uneven hemline, and "Downtown"

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Tuxedo Tips- Guys, here’s the ONE time you can all look (sort of) like George Clooney!

How to wear a floppy wide brim hat and not look like a pimp

Pippa Middleton’s Fashion Mistake- Color Blocks Her Legs To Look Shorter

How To (Not) Wear a Faux Fur Vest- the trend is trickier than it seems

Mastering Winter Dressing- Take the Bulk Out of Layering

It’s Black and White- Fashion for your size that’s age-appropriate too!

Ring It In! Stylist Advice on what to wear to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home

Printed Matter- Mastering Printed Pants

Stylist Advice- Beat Party Outfit Fatigue and Rework a Few Good Pieces

How to Look Sexy and Modern? Try some well-placed slits like Eva Green in Alexander McQueen

Celebrity Style Bust- Rihanna, the girl of too many things but one good Givenchy Antigona bag

Celebrity Style- Katie Holmes Knows What Color Hose to Wear with a Navy Dress

Kim Kardashian manages to take a perfectly fine– and loose-fitting– dress and make it look cheesy

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