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Obsessed: Cross-Body Messenger Bags
You know it might be time to try another handbag style when your friends nickname you the “Bag Lady.” Yes, that’s right – The Bag Lady. It’s true: I am an unrelenting lover of all cavernous and delightful hobo bags. While they are certainly practical, they can be a bit cumbersome at times. A refreshing alternative? The oh-so-tiny cross-body messenger bag.
Image via here
Small, unfussy, and perfect for the on-the-go woman, this 80’s throwback is making a comeback. Where a clutch is to night, a messenger bag is to day. Casual and cool, it’s a fun trend* to try for late summer and fall.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Perfect Tavi Cross Body Bag, $348
Linea Pelle Mini Cross Body Bag, $295
Steve by Steve Madden Sofie Cross Body Bag, $88.95
Nine West Tina Small Cross Body, $49
Stay chic,
Annie
*Caveat – I always encourage clients to invest in long-term pieces that are timeless and versatile. Trends are not the place to splurge, in my opinion. I’d opt for the “look for less,” in this case, and splurge on a classic handbag.
Pencil Me In
As many of us begin to shop for fall, let me encourage you to invest in one classic wardrobe staple: the pencil skirt. Timeless, slimming, and versatile, a pencil skirt will be in your closet for years to come. If you don’t already own one, now’s the time!
Tips to use when shopping for a pencil skirt:
- Look for light-weight & mid-weight wool blends (wool/lyrca, wool garbadine, wool/elastane, etc.). The fabric has more longevity and structure – much more forgiving, in my opinion. Worth the investment!
- The fabric should be body-skimming (not skin-tight or pulling across your hips or backside).
- A pencil skirt should hit at or right above the knee, give or take an inch or two.
For a more mature, conservative look, wear a pencil skirt that hits right below the knee. Younger women can do two inches above the knee (don’t go any shorter when in a professional work environment).
My picks:
Theory “Golden” Pencil Skirt, $190, from Bloomies
Wool Skirt from Banana, $79.50
Other things to consider:
- a wide waistband will help camouflage a tummy
- a tapered fit will help create curves on a straight/small-hipped figure
- pick a dark, wool blend if you are larger on bottom (avoid bulky fabrics, tweed, etc.)
- try a high-waisted skirt if you have a long torso to help create proportion
- if you’re hourglass, look for a skirt with darting to ensure accurate fit
Where to shop? Try J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and major department stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom, etc.). These places cater to sophisticated business wear and classic wardrobe pieces.
Stay chic,
Annie
Prune & Purge
This is exactly what I do when I go into a client’s closet with my stylist shears: prune, edit, purge, rinse, repeat.
image via here
Every woman needs to consolidate the pieces in her wardrobe annually, if not seasonally. It’s important to have a discerning eye when endeavoring this seemingly daunting process – that’s where I come in. Everyone needs a second pair of eyes! How do you decide what goes, and what stays? What pieces work for your body type, and what items are simply unflattering? How do you know what’s dated, and what isn’t? A wardrobe consultant’s job is to offer a keen perspective on your closet, sorting through every piece, and determining which items work for your overall figure, age, and lifestyle. The result? A closet filled with everyday essentials, the fundamental building blocks of every outfit – versatile, figure-flattering pieces that work for YOU.
Here’s the deal: we work with what you have and only buy what you need.
Remember whose closet this is? Image via here.
Although I can’t cover all the bases in this post (make an appointment with me to do that!), I’ll offer a few salient tips when it comes to pruning and editing your closet:
- Get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a year. I mean it. Work with the size you are now, as opposed to the size you’d like to be. Hanging onto clothes you haven’t worn in years isn’t doing your closet any favors. Trim, edit, consolidate! I’ll show you which items can be tailored/salvaged, donated to charity, or taken to consignment.
- Toss it if it doesn’t flatter you. This requires some honest self-evaluation – can you do it? It’s all about what flatters your body type (which a wardrobe consultant also helps you determine).
Here’s to a clean sweep and getting more use out of what you’ve got.
Stay chic,
Annie
Scheduling appointments for fall now. Contact annie@achiccritique.com to schedule your wardrobe consultation & edit.
Fall…into Cropped Jackets
I’m dying to get one of my clients in one of these structured, cropped jackets for fall. This classic piece automatically glams up any casual oufit – try wearing one over a blouse (or even a tee) with jeans and heels for a sophisticated feel. A few of these beauties are reminiscent of a classic Chanel suit – polished, demure, and feminine. What’s not to love?
Another way I’d style this jacket (especially, any of the wool/boucle blend ones) is to pair it with a LBD for work or a party. Extremely versatile, a cropped jacket is a great fall wardrobe investment staple.
Stay chic,
Annie
My favies, clockwise, from top-left:
Tibi Cropped Wool Jacket, $425
DRIES VAN NOTEN Lace Cropped Jacket, $666
MSGM Tweed Boucle Jacket, $350
Topshop Ripple Edge Crop Jacket, $90 (Oh, how I love thee, Topshop)
Chic Travel: Carryall
Now that many airlines require you to pay if you check a bag, it can be daunting to consolidate and pack only the essentials. A chic, roomy carryall is the perfect solution when traveling: store your magazines, I-pod, bottled water, book, wallet/passport, sunglasses & even a small makeup bag. In addition to your luggage, it can be overwhelming to keep track of both a purse & a carry-on bag. Never fear! The carry-all is your saving grace, my friends.
Clockwise, starting from top left:
1. Kate Spade “Willa,” $365
2. J. Crew Exhibitor “Mega Tote,” $375
3. Longchamp ‘Le Pliage Large‘ Tote Bag $145 (Longchamp is a favorite handbag & luggage designer of mine. Their easy to care for, water-resistant nylon totes are great multi-purpose bags, and I am a huge fan of their entire luggage line. The “Le Pliage” bags come in numerous different colors!
4. Robe di Firenze Leather Carry-all, $515
My recommendation is to purchase a neutral-colored carryall as it will be more versatile from season-to-season.
Stay chic,
Annie
Contact A Chic Critique (annie@achiccritique.com) to help you pack for your impending getaway or vacation.
Sheer Delight
Always in search of the perfect season-to-season wardrobe staples, I can’t help but share with you a few of my favorite transitional pieces. As the promise of cool weather draws near (my fall boots are dying to emerge from hybernation), I’d like to suggest the lightweight, sheer cardigan as one of your summer-to-fall musts.
I love this linen silk-pocket cardigan from J.Crew, on sale now for $49.99! As J.Crew puts it, this statement sweater is a “weekend bag necesssity.”
Markus Lupfer knows how to design one stunning cardigan, $420, from Net-A-Porter.
Silver Streak Cardigan, $49.99, from ModCloth
Whisper Glimmer Cardigan, $98, from J.Crew
Sheer, easy, and more breathable than a cable-knit or heavy wool blend cardigan, these cardis work well over jeans and a simple white button-up or classic cotton tee. Pair with a statement necklace and flats for a look that is effortlessly chic! Tailor the look for work with black straight-leg pants or trousers, pumps, and a skinny belt.
Stay chic,
Annie
obsessed: gray nails
Back yet once again, this neutral color is the perfect transitional tone for summer to fall. Soft and subtle, yet an excellent alternative to the bright neons and corals of summer.
photo via here
Try:
Dashing Diva “Astor Place,” $8
Opi “You don’t know Jacques!” (Looks like a coppery-brown, but it turns out to be a pretty heather gray on)
Essie, “Chinchilly,” $8
I’m loving gray for early fall – so chic & versatile!
Annie
Jeans for Every Shape: Athletic/Boy Build
For those ladies out there who have a boyish or athletic frame with small hips, follow these guidelines when shopping for a pair of jeans:
- Look for low-rise jeans that rest on the pelvic bone.
- Avoid any sort of boxy, loose-fitting jeans (“boyfriend” style) which will mask your shape.
- A medium to light wash will create the illusion of curves.
Flat butt? No hips? Looking to add some curves to your tush?
- Look for jeans with back pocket-flaps or pocket-detailing, even heavy embroidery.* Extra material and a little detailing (such as contrast stitching & buttons) will help create curves and a shapely derriere.
- Higher-placed back pockets will help lift the butt.
*Please – avoid heavy embellishments and anything “bedazzled.” The point is to give you a butt – not to make it a walking advertisement. No one over the age of 13 needs to be sporting a fireworks display of glitter on their backside. Say YES to pockets, NO to sparkles.
Curve-enhancing suggestions:
True Religion (Green Hills Mall)
If you’re looking to minimize your backside, avoid jeans with embellishments or pockets on the backside.
To curves, and to highlighting your best ASSets.
Stay chic, Annie