Cover me with a Cardi!!!

 Ok so I really love cardigans all year round but especially now that the weather is turning cooler. A cardigan is perfect for adding warmth but not too much plus they can be super chic. The best thing about cardigans now is how many varieties there are. Short sleeves, 3/4 length, over sized, boyfriend, preppy, chunky, striped, argyle.... I can continue!!! And they come in every type of fiber which means, get excited, you can wear them everywhere all the time. For example I have a Jackie cardigan from J Crew with mostly cotton and wear it to class, but that same style is made in cashmere as well and can be worn to a dinner party or work.

Another great thing is the man wearing a cardigans. Men wearing cardigans are such a turn on. For example how great do men look in cardigans? A cardigan can make any man look well put together and stylish. Mainly because it is that extra step of being conscious of your appearance.

A cardigan finishes off a look mainly because it is an added layer to top everything off. I love wearing a button down under a cardigan and rolling up the cuff so you can see the button down on the sleeve. I love to wear this look with the button down tucked into a pencil skirt with some pumps for work.

For fall I am really liking the over sized, boyfriend, ivy-inspired cardigan with a skinny silhouette underneath. I also suggest a long cardigan belted at the natural waist to create an hour glass figure. Good news for those of us with curves they can be revealed!!! Several designers are bringing back the curvy models that have been absent for so long. A cardigan can easily allow for a curvy girl or a skinny girl to wear them with confidence. I suggest if you are on the curvy side to pick flattering lengths though. If you are on the edge about wearing a long cardi for fear of it hugging to tightly on the tush then opt for a cute cropped version that hits at the waist. This will bring attention to the end of the cardigan which with a cropped cardigan will be the skinniest part of your body (your waist). If you are a skinny less curvy woman I love a long cardigan with a belt because it creates a waist where there might not be one otherwise.

I have never been able to wear a cardigan fully buttoned up mainly because I look at this garment as a layer not a sweater. Usually when I am wanting to wear a cardigan it is because my arms are chilly but not my chest. There is nothing wrong with a fully buttoned cardi just make sure there is no gaping at the bust. That is a definite don't. No one does the cardigan better than First Lady Mrs. Obama!!!

Make sure you get on board with this trend!!!   

Polka with the Dots today!!!

I realy love the polka dot print. It always reminds me of the Dr. Seuss book about the animal that wants to be in the zoo and shows off his spots. I just find polka dots to be very whimsical and nostalgic. Polka Dots have such a happy feeling to me and also they can be worn at almost every time and occasion.

I recently got a polka dot cardigan that I have worn several times with nike shorts and a t-shirt for class and then with my denim pencil skirt and silk blouce to go to work. If you aren't bold enough to wear that much polka dot on your torso then I suggest wearing smaller dots on an accessory like a scarf or headband.

I think of polka dots like I do florals: you really need to be careful not to over power your body with the print and make sure to wear polka dots that fit with your body size. I suggest sticking with a solid base color and sicking with spots that are the same color as well.

When wearing polka dots make sure to contrast with a different fabric texture but keeping other prints to a minimum. If you match polka dots with another busy print such as small stripes or florals your look can be overwhelming and draw negative attention to your look. I am all for mixing textures and colors so I love the idea of pairing a whimsical polka dot print with a heavy tweed fabric to balance the dots.

I love how simple this dress is. It just oozes summer time... too bad the summer is ending. I do really like her class!!!

"white is the best selling color for the classic american t-shirt"

According to Pantone Inc. white is the best selling color for the classic american t-shirt and I would believe it whole heartedly. I own several packs of Hanes mens white t shirts, v-necks because they are more feminine, in several sizes. They are so versatile and functional. Here are a few ideas for how to wear your white tee.

A white t-shirt can be worn for almost any occasion: work, class, lunch with girl friends, to work out in, or to go to the mall. The ease of throwing on a t shirt has never been easier. I suggest buying a few packages in your normal size and then in a size up for that easy going oversized look that can be easily worn ove skinny jeans or leggings. I love to wear my larger white t-shirt with a long scraf for a chic casual look that says I am well put together but not too formal.

A plain white tee can be easily layered with a bright cardigan for brunch or tucked into a textured pencil skirt with a jacket for work. To go along with yesterday's post a white t shirt can easily go with a flowing floral skirt. Try going for the maximum punch with a maxi length floral skirt and a v-neck white t shirt tucked in with a masculine leather belt to ground the look. A white t shirt can help make that sequin skirt less dramatic for day time thus allowing you to get more use out of your skirt. Who could dislike such a great neutral garment?

Tip of the day: make sure to keep your white t-shirt white by retiring your old shirts. Nothing is trashier than a yellowed, sweat stained white t-shirt. Also fun fact cotton t shirts can be dyed beautifully to any color you want. I have dyed so many shirts that it is a game for me to see what color combinations I can get by mixing dyes. The possibilities of the plain white t shirt are endless and exciting. Stay classy and wear a white t shirt tomorrow, but make sure to keep it classy by not wearing a bra that shows through the white.