Reality Chic

Links a la Mode

erinflynn — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:57:34 +0000

****for week of January 7th, 2010****

Bring It On

My job as editor this week was difficult as many bloggers decided to follow the fierce directive of that cult cheerleading movie, Bring It On. It’s a new decade, and the IFB community decided to “bring it” and then some. (Just to clarify, I’m talking about the original movie starring Kirsten Dunst, and not the subsequent, watered down sequels; because as fashion bloggers, we all have original stories to tell!) This week’s links explore topics such as winter trends, vintage fur care, biker chic style revelations and profiles of 70s and 80s style icons and are so good that they make me want to lead the group in a cheer.

Links à la Mode : January 7th

39th and Broadway – NYC Brings Opportunity to Emerging Designers
A Typical Atypical – My style revolution takes me into the realm of the biker chick, and doesn’t look back!
amanda lee dot org – Essential sewing skills for wardrobe maintenance
Bobbins and Bombshells – Fashionable History – Airline Travel
DailyDivaDish – Indie jewelry designer Debra Mitchell’s newest piece: Tibet. Part of the new SALVAGE line, this necklace is convertible and each contains a piece salvaged from Tibet.
Darian Darling – The blonde fashion icon of every 80’s Hair Metal skank and rock star’s girlfriend!!
denimaniac – Woolrich Woolen Mills S/S 2010 Lookbook
Dream Sequins – A studio visit with designer Katie Gallagher
Fashion Pulse Daily – We Love Colors will fulfill your legwear fantasy, as Fashion Pulse Daily quickly discovers!
ferOHHHsh – Bryce d’Anice Aime S/S 2010 RTW … chic LBD’s, pops of red, and those spiked shoulders Rihanna made famous
Gotham Hipster – Once you’ve indulged in Babycakes there’s no going back
HiFashion – How to roller set your hair
Idiosyncratic Style – The Personal Style of Costume Designer, Melissa Stewart
Oranges and Apples – On the importance of critique in fashion blogging
Retro Chick – 5 New Years Resolutions you can’t fail to keep
sighsandwhispers – A history and analysis of the style of a notorious teenage groupie in the 70s, Lori Maddox
Style on a String – An interview with Judy Kou, owner of the fabulous online dress shop – Sunday Brunch Dress
Styletastic – We’re finding it hard to adjust to a new year at Styletastic, but here are some things we can all look forward to!
The Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire – I already knew I was going to wear a black sequins belt and beret for NYE, but I wanted some fun shoes to add to the mix; I couldn’t find anything I liked though, so I decided “when in doubt, make your own”
The door in my wardrobe – How to choose a vintage fur and take care of it – plus DIY repairing & maintenance for the brave of the heart
wit & whimsy – The winter trends you should be wearing

What to Wear on a First Date?

erinflynn — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:52:36 +0000

After going out to dinner last night with the husband, I couldn’t help but overhear the oh-so-awkward and nerve wrecking convo going on at the table next to us. It was for sure to be a first date conversation, and it was simply confirmed after the waitress brought out a giant steak for the guy and of course a salad for the girl (that only happens on the first date…right?) So it got me thinking…

What DO YOU wear on a first date?

Being too trendy or coming across too sexy can give the wrong impression, as if you didn’t already know that. Needless to say choosing your outfit should be the only thing that’s easy! So here it goes..

4 tips on what to wear for a first date:

1. Keep it casual. If it’s dinner and a movie or some other casual event, don’t dress like you’re fine dining and heading to a Broadway show. Being over dressed can be awkward, and do we really need more awkwardness on a first date? I think not.

2. Don’t be overly trendy. Unless your guy is into fashion, I wouldn’t suggest showing up in something ultra trendy. He probably won’t understand your fur coat or knee high boots. Tip: Wait a few more dates then pull out the big guns (a.k.a boots).

3. Don’t over do it. Over doing anything can be disastrous. Just because you can’t decide on what to wear, choosing to wear everything you own doesn’t make it right. Simple is better.

4. Just be yourself. Wearing something that screams you is a great way for him to get a sense of your unique personality! A scarf, necklace, or a hat are simple accessories that might just be an ice breaker.

There ya have it! Now that finding an outfit just became a little easier. You only have one more decision… Will it be a steak or salad?

Style Tip: Buckle Up (literally)

erinflynn — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:36:48 +0000

Wearing the same go-to outfit for every event can get tiring! A belt can literally change your entire look. It will draw everyone’s eyes from the same black turtleneck you’ve worn for 2 years to your new brightly colored or detailed belt.

Best part about it…they are CHEAP! Rather than spending your money on a shirt you might wear once, buy a belt you can wear multiple ways, multiple times.

Not only can a belt change a look. It can accentuate your shape.

Need curves? Cinch the belt at the smallest part of your waist which will give you the effect of an hour-glass shape. Want to draw attention to the bust? Cinch the belt right below your chest. Want to make your legs look longer? A pair of heels and a belt will do the trick.
So next time…Buckle it, Belt it, and Wear it!

A New Line in the Making (Lands End and L.L. Bean)

erinflynn — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:23:28 +0000

You might recall these two brands: L.L Bean and Lands End. However, what comes to mind when recalling these brands is somewhat boring! Known for their well-made New England style clothes and catalogs, they are also known for those not so stylish pleated khakis, fleeces, and turtle necks your parents have been wearing for over a decade, which isn’t all that appealing to someone in their 20s, right?

Lands End, though, has recently launched their new line Canvas, mainly aimed at what I’d like to call the Inbetweeners. Definition of Inbetweeners: they are left inbetween the fuzzy reality of the “real world” and “college life,” not wanting to dress like adults, but don’t want to look like teenagers anymore either. Canvas has reasonable prices for the quality of Lands End, yet has the ‘oh so chic’ style of laid back and sophisticated (a little J.Crewish without the high prices). L.L. Bean is planning to launch their new signature line for the Inbetweeners in March.

Inbetweeners

comfy,casual,new england style,chic

Although the lines are somewhat limited on selection, it might just be worth checking out! A little preppy, but comfy at the same time. Dressing like an adult might not be so bad after all! Let me know what you think of the new line!!

Trend Alert: Recession Cutbacks?

erinflynn — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:16:13 +0000

Is this how we’re cutting back due to the recession…no buttons on our shirts? Or is this just another terrible trend? It wasn’t that long ago when undergarments were just undergarments. You know…worn under your clothes! What’s next…underwear outside of the pants?

IT’S YOUR TURN TO COMMENT…Let me know what you think of the VISIBLE BRA??

Is Miley Cyrus Bringing Back the Mom Jean?

erinflynn — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:35:54 +0000

Partying in the U.S.A is one thing, but walking around Paris wearing mom jeans is something that just can’t be ignored. If you flip to page 14 on People Magazine’s Best and Worst of 2009 Double Issue, you’ll see Miley Cyrus canoodling with possible new bf Liam Hemsworth (Oooh…Awww!). However, what was simply looked over were her clothes! Let me describe… High-Waisted, White, Pleated Cropped Pants, cinched with a Skinny Belt. Miley hasn’t been the only celebrity to have been seen in these, and she probably won’t be the last. (This is me coughing Ashley Olsen.)

Needless to say, I’m a little confused. This style implicates everything someone should avoid if wanting to be seen as “stylish” or well…out in public. Pleats, high-waisted, and a long droopy bottom?! I thought we had stopped this years ago…Remember the Mom Jeans?
If it wasn’t clear enough with the skit you may recall from SNL’s “Mom Jeans,” this style isn’t cool nor will it ever be! So why is it fashion gurus are claiming pleated pants as chic must-haves?! If only I had a clue!!!
Advisory warning: Pleated pants around your stomach only accentuate your stomach more, plus leave your (how do I put this politely?) crotch area looking baggy and twice the size.
If we’ve learned anything over the past decade it’s to leave mom jeans in the past. So to step forward into the new year, may I suggest we move on to better non-pleated things! It’s merely a suggestion!

Other Pics to Check Out!
Elle’s Street Chic
Refinery 29′s Pleated Pants

Fuggs and Uggs

erinflynn — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:17:45 +0000

It seems that there has been a growing epidemic of boots. But wait…not just any boot. I’m talking about Fuggs and Uggs! If you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, please let me explain. It’s the sheep skin glory of Uggs, the Australian boot that has been made and modeled over and over by many other brands due to the price that is only affordable if you’re on a plan to share your boots with an actual Aussie friend ( which is doubtful). If you walk on any high school or college campus you’re bound to see multiple girls wearing these boots, but the question remains, are they Uggs or Fuggs? This you might not ever know unless you zoom in on the little tag that declares Uggs!

In light of my Christmas gift, Fuggs, I thought it was only appropriate to celebrate the bargain of these shoes. After all, they are 1/4 the price of Australian Uggs, mainly thanks to stores like Payless, J.C. Penney, and Zappos. So rather than saving and saving or the likelihood of finding an Aussie to share your shoes with, I suggest sticking to the fake sheep skin and saving a little dough! This is one trend that won’t be gone for a while and one that you should simply own up! So may mine and your shoes look as stylish as the next (even if they are technically fake).

How to Look Chic Without Looking Cheap

erinflynn — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:50:05 +0000

For most of us who can only sing about Christian Louboutin, Gucci, etc., there is creativity involved in looking chic without breaking the bank. And for those of us who have seen Heidi Montag dress, well… you should know looking cheap doesn’t mean being chic.

5 ways to simply stay chic

1. Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn, and stay classy by wearing black and white. It’s hard to mess up this look . Dressing in black and white might just leave people wondering how much you spent.

2. Shoes are a budget savior! You can find them everywhere and anywhere for great prices. Leave your sneakers at home and wear a heel or boot to dinner.

3. Looking so good has never been so easy! Nowadays, thanks to the gloriousness of H&M and Forever 21, you don’t have to pay a fortune to get cute clothes! These stores will not only guide you in the right direction, but give you a boost toward fashion-forward styles.

4. Layering and pairing, layering and pairing, layering and pairing….need I say it again?! This is the best advice anyone can give you when it comes to looking effortlessly chic. Who has money to spend on 3 or 4 expensive items? Take that one nice jacket that you got for your b-day and pair it with the tank in your closet from Wal-Mart along with a scarf from Target and you’re good to go.

5. Break out of the rut! It’s easy to get caught up in corporate america or college life, but it’s time to break free people! You’ll never once see a women’s business suit on a cover reading “TREND ALERT”…unless your watching CNBC or a presidential debate. So don’t dress like you’re working or sitting in class 24/7!

Stay Chic, Stay Classy, but most of all Stay Creative!

Check this out!

erinflynn — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:02:32 +0000

Sequel to the previous blog. Who would of thought??…Check this article out by NY Magazine’s The Cut

Since When Did Advertising Become Magical?!

erinflynn — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:13:45 +0000

Did you hear about the new magical make-up?! It takes away wrinkles, pores, neck lines, and any blemishes you may have. And if you don’t believe it, just look at the model of Lancome Paris Oscillation Power Foundation. A picture can say a thousand words…right?

Make-up at its best can help you have a smoother and more polished look. However, it doesn’t vanish wrinkles, pores, neck lines, or magically make your face inhumane. If you’re looking to get rid of wrinkles (try Botox), hairlessness (try laser hair removal), blemishes (try creams), and pores (try Photoshop).

The fact is these ads for make-up, hair, lip stick, fashion, and etc… are promoting their product which is one thing, but when the product they are promoting shows pictures of models with a blatantly unattainable look no matter how much stuff you slab on your face, hair, or body, it’s a bit ridiculous. In this article I’m simply choosing to mock Lancome Paris; however, there are many other brands and magazines out their that are doing exactly the same thing.

You may not think it affects you by any means, but we are turning into a society where trying to be more healthy and beautiful hasn’t just become a desire but an obsession. Honestly, how can you blame people when they are striving for a look they simply will never achieve?! So next time you see a magazine promoting an ad with perfection as its underlying tagline, look for something else . You’ll be doing yourself a favor.