StyleBakery.com | Ask The Style Chefs

Camisoles with Color

March 11, 2008

Q. I just bought a lovely skirt suit. What camisole colors can I wear with a brownish purple suit? Need help fast.
-Color Clarity

A. When you say “a camisole under a suit,” do you mean the basic simple tank style or a style more like lingerie? Depending on how strong the brownish purple color is, you can easily go with chocolate or purple. But I’d say choose something with more zing of color.

1. Hanky Panky Gilded Rose Camisole, $47.99 at barenecessities.com
2. Lace-trim camisole, $28 at bananarepublic.com
3. Nanette Lepore ‘Kiss Me’ Top, $255 at nordstrom.com
4. Classiques Entier® Twist Front Top, $98 at nordstrom.com
5. Design History Sleeveless Ruffle Top, $75 at saks.com
6. Silk Illusion Blouse, $58 at ardenb.com

Rehearsal Dinner Color Confusion

March 10, 2008

Q. I have been searching for answers all over the internet, and I came across your page. I am attending my fiance’s sister’s wedding in a month and we are part of the wedding party. We will be attending the rehearsal dinner, and I am not sure what to wear. In order to complement what my fiance is wearing, I came across an ivory colored dress. Is that inappropriate to wear to the rehearsal dinner? The day of the wedding I am wearing blue, and I don’t want to wear blue again the night before. Help! What are the dress rules for the rehearsal dinner and also for the brunch the morning after the wedding?
-Ivory Intimidation

A. As long as you’re not wearing a competing white or ivory the day of the wedding, then feel free to wear the ivory dress to the rehearsal dinner. There should be no expectation to wear blue the night before to match the day of the wedding as well.

In Search of Celeb Style Leather Jacket

March 7, 2008

Q. My question is based on something I keep seeing on celebrities - leather jackets. I love the black leather jackets I’ve been seeing on young starlets, they look great with both jeans and dresses. I’d like to find a jacket that is flattering (some I’ve tried on make me look wide) and has the rock and roll feel of the ones I’ve seen in magazines, but hopefully won’t go out of style in the next few years. Could you help me?
-Rockin’ It

A. A good leather jacket is not cheap, so I warn you now that it may be an investment piece. One that has some attitude and fewer over-the-top embellishments will last longer than others. Keep it sleek and look for ones that help define your waist. Add some of your own ‘tude and you’ll covet the jacket for years. Wear it with a tank top and dark jeans, pair it with a black cashmere turtleneck and tuxedo pants then throw it over a knit or lightweight wool dress on Saturday night.

I own this jacket in black and love it (Hayden-Harnett Rizzo Motorcycle Jacket, $650) >

Some more options for you:

1. Vince Leather Motorcycle Jacket, $774 at bloomingdales.com
2. S.W.O.R.D Genova Pocket Jacket, $825 at shopbop.com
3. Jill Stuart Lara Jacket in Mascara, $675 at revolveclothing.com
4. S.W.O.R.D Volterra Leather Jacket, $748 at revolveclothing.com

Velvet Dress Worn in Late March?

March 6, 2008

Q. I am attending a black tie evening event in NYC at the end of March. Average high and low temperatures around that time are 52 and 36 degrees, respectively. So, I think there’s a good chance that it’ll be quite chilly (for a Southerner). But, it IS late March. Can I wear a long sleeve velvet burnout dress to this event? My alternative is a black sleeveless cocktail dress with asymmetrical hem (of polyester). I’m not sure what sort of wrap would complement it AND provide some warmth.
-Burned Out

A. You are stretching it with the event at the end of March. It is a lovely dress. Perhaps if you wear open toed heels like in the photo and pray for cold you can get a way with it. Best bet is to pack both and check the temperatures that night. Since you’ll be indoors for the event, a little black jacket, beaded cardigan or soft wrap will do for keeping the chill off with the sleeveless dress when you’re seated.

dress: Sutton Studio Exclusive Long Burnout Dress, $119 (sale) at bloomingdales.com

In Search of Affordable Multi Wear Dress

March 5, 2008

Q. I need your assistance shopping for a formal dress. I fell in love with a designer who is really pricey, but the dress looks damn good! It’s Butter by Nadia brand and it’s part of her Signature Satin line. I love it in Cobalt (bright blue). This dress is amazing and can be wrapped in multiple ways to create different looks. I need the dress for a special occasion. Here’s my dilemma: Butter by Nadia advertises this dress online and online boutiques sell it for the same price in stores. I cannot afford this price. This online boutique sells it in my favorite color. Victoria’s Secret’s “7 in 1” is a look-a-like in jersey material but it doesn’t come in Cobalt. The black is okay, but don’t know if the Teal and Red are formal enough. It is $200 dollars cheaper. I’m not finding any more look-a-likes, but I have heard of a Mai Tai by Soprano that is exactly like the Butter by Nadia and it’s $50. The stores that I go to are not selling it in my color and it is a mystery to me if it is sold online. Do you know any dresses in this color and style and price? If you can help me make this happen please I would be so grateful! I’m not so good at looking online. Can’t wait to hear from you.
-Wrap it

A. I own the darker blue Butter by Nadia dress. I bought it for a Holiday party with my boyfriend and I adore it. Can’t wait to wear it again and again so I can complete the list of the “20” ways to wear it. I like the silky feel of it, the drape and the color with shine. That said, I think the dress is a good investment if you think you’ll get several more chances to wear it. However, I’m not going to recommend you eat Ramen noodles for the next two months to pay your credit card bill. Why not order the V.S. dress, try it on and play with the variations they claim? If the dress falls well on your body and doesn’t seem like it will come apart at the seams, then you may have the ideal imitation. For the V.S. color choices, I’d recommend black, but I do love the colors from Butter. You’ll surely be a stand out in the crowd in color. I did look for Mai Tai by Soprano and only found clubbing clothes on the sites where the name brought me.

Camisoles with Color

Rehearsal Dinner Color Confusion

In Search of Celeb Style Leather Jacket

Velvet Dress Worn in Late March?

In Search of Affordable Multi Wear Dress

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Camisoles with Color

Rehearsal Dinner Color Confusion

In Search of Celeb Style Leather Jacket

Velvet Dress Worn in Late March?

In Search of Affordable Multi Wear Dress

get the scoop

like us on facebook!

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