How to Walk in High Heels
Oh, if only I had been able to use this video about How to Walk in High Heels as a guide earlier in my stiletto-wearing career. I could have avoided a broken foot, the occasional tripping (seeing Anna Wintour trip in heels outside a fashion show has helped me get over this, though) and other klutzified moments in heels.
What to Wear If You Are Hosting Thanksgiving
I can't remember the last time I actually let someone else do the Thanksgiving cooking for me (OK, so I cheat a bit and cater most of it.) But I do usually host a famly Thanksgiving at my house. One lesson I've learned is to save the droopy bows and long sleeves (gravy bowl casualty!) for events where you won't be stuck in the kitchen most of the day.
Leggings: Warmth, Comfort and Chic
I have this theory that the colder it gets, the more we crave comfort everything: comfort food, comfy home environment and definitely comfy clothing. That's where leggings come in. As a layering piece, leggings are perfect to transition your warm-weather clothes to winter-ready outfits. Just layer leggings under tunics and dresses to instantly warm them up. But beyond the warmth factor, leggings add another benefit: they are so comfy and cozy. Although I love my jeans, I have to admit that nothing compares to the comfort factor of a stretchy legging. (Photo Credit: Pricegrabber.com)
What to Wear Now: Oversized Cardigans
The one purchase I've already gotten the most use out of this season is my oversized, chunky cardigan. I like to wear mine with skinny jeans and tees, but it would go just as well with leggings. If you haven't tried this trend yet, you will surprised at how a simple shift in proportion -- to a longer sweater -- makes your basics look new again.
How to Wear Ankle Boots
The trick to pulling off ankle boots is to make sure the proportion of your outfit is right by pairing ankle boots with pieces that really work: short skirts, leggings and skinny jeans. Jennifer Lopez (left) pulls off the look by topping it off with a black jacket (balances out the harshness of the bootie) and bare legs (sexy!) I like to wear ankle boots with skinny jeans and black tights because, well, it's easy and flattering. But there are so many ways to pull off ankle boots that there's something for every girl. (Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Fashion's Chic Past in Pics
If you love the rich history of fashion from houses like Dior and Pierre Cardin, you'll love Life's online gallery of their best fashion photos. Also, view galleries of vintage Christian Dior and vintage Yves Saint Laurent (amazing how modern his 30+ year-old designs look today like these sexy tall boots and fur coat.)
5 Things You Should Never Wear
Lots of things bother me: Uggs, white shoes of any kind, long print maxi dresses. But there are only 5 things I say you should never, ever wear as a grown woman. See what my fashion pet peeves are (Hint: I hate overalls on grown women. I don't even care that Martha Stewart thinks it's a good look for her.) Then chime in with your own ideas about what grown women shouldn't wear. (Photo Credit: Plush Studios/Getty images)
I *Heart* Sweater Dresses
Chilly days are here to stay for a while, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your beloved dresses for work and play. Instead of flimsy material, just opt for a sweater dress now. Unlike the clingy, unflattering sweater dresses from the past the newest sweater dress styles come in shape-enhancing styles for almost every body type. Take Banana Repulic's sweater dress (pictured left.) It features what has become my standby style of the season: a blouson with shorter skirt. Paired with opaque tights, this dress can go to most offices; with something sheerer and a sexier shoe it goes out for the night. (Photo Credit: Banana Republic.com)
Have You Ever Been Tricked by a Skinny Mirror?
My skinny mirror incident happened just a few weeks ago when what I thought was a swanky little black dress in a flattering shift silhouette turned out to look like a maternity dress at home (and not a very good one at that.) The elusive skinny mirror theory is a tough one to prove. I mean, things like lighting and atmosphere affect your perception of how you look in the mirror (for example, I always like the way I look in an Anthropologie mirror because the dressing room at Northpark Mall in Dallas is as cozy as someone's living room and it smells delicious.) Digging deeper into the urban legend of the skinny mirror, I've found that some retailers tilt the mirror back a bit to make you look longer and leaner. Even soda machines are getting into the skinny mirror act, but their mirrored skinny images are created by a rounded form that shows a skinny version of yourself.
Become a Women's Fashion Fan on Facebook
What to Buy Now: Party Shoes
The perfect pair of party shoes a) look sexy b) are dressy and c) will allow you stand, dance or mingle all night in comfort. I think I've found my perfect party shoes that fit these criteria in this pair of Franco Sarto retro-style shoes (Buy Direct). I bought these a few weeks ago and gave them a road test at an event last week. My review? Love them! First, they have a cool retro/deco design that really appeals to me after so many seasons of ugly shoes (sorry, but I wasn't a gladiator convert and all those buckles and straps weren't my thing.) Second, they have some height, but thanks to the patent wedge (really like the combo of suede and patent) they are definitely comfortable. I never buy shoes that hurt my feet. Third, with a price under $100 I thought these were a great deal and also come in red and navy. One tip: if you wear any type of hosiery with these, put in a foot pad at the ball so your feet don't slide forward (I wore patterned tights with these.) (Photo Credit: Zappos.com)