By Manda J

So it’s February, and by now there’s no doubt you’ve given up on whatever New Year’s resolutions you made.  You know: lose weight, Land my dream job, Get organized blah blah blah.  But it’s never too late to make some Fashion Resolutions aka Fasholutions!

My Fasholutions for the masses in 2010:

1)    Wear clothes that fit. Improper fit has to stop. A good tailor or seamtress is well worth it. I’m short my pants rarely fit off the rack. I go get them hemmed and they fit like magic.

2)    Just because it comes in your size doesn’t mean you should wear it. Backless dress with back fat umm not hot. Ripped leggings with cottage cheese thigh ugh. Must I continue?

3)    Trendy doesn’t equal stylish, I’m sorry skinny jeans for guys can’t be good for your sperm count.

4)    If your not comfortable in it don’t wear it.  Those that are comfortable in their clothes exude and aura of confidence

5)    REMIX!!  Times are hard you can’t go out and buy a new outfit everytime you have a new social event. Accessorize. Scarves, necklaces, bracelets, rings all create the illusion of a new ‘fit.

6)    Lastly have fun with fashion. If you want to wear it then wear it with conviction!

Here are some of my personal, Manda J Fasholutions:

1)    Purchase a decent pair of sneakers. Sneakers can be stylish without appearing to be too athletic.

2)    Wear more dresses because they are feminine, and I feel sexy in them.

3)    Remember QUALITY or QUANITY 10 pair of black flat shoes from Forever 21 or one pair of Tory Burch flats. Hmm Investment purchases are worth it.

4)    Wear more fuchsia and pinks because they compliment my skin tone. 

5)    Stylish Chic for 2010, think classic meets modern.  June Ambrose is the epitome of stylish chic.

Continue reading In Your Closet-FASHOLUTIONS →

By Manda J, Style Guru

In these tough economic times who can afford to buy new outfits without going into debt? I know I can’t… that’s why accessories are my new BFF! Accessories such as (but not limited to) necklaces, scarf’s and rings can take an everyday outfit to newer higher fashionable heights. Monica dressed up jeans, a tee, blazer and boots with a multi-chain necklace. This look can easily be achieved with the help of a multi chain necklace from Forever 21 for $6.80.Purchase two sets for double the flair. Kelly is making an all black liquid leggings night’fit exquisite with a simple necklace. For $12.80 and the help of Forever 21 you too can dress up an all black outfit. Bib necklaces are on the way in so get on the train!!

Custom Rings

Last but certainly not least in the accessories world are scarves. Functional and fashionable how can you go wrong?, you can’t. Scarves aren’t just for bundling up before you go outside. They are the go to item for re inventing a new look especially at the last minute. If you are wearing all black the brighter the scarf the better. Estelle decided to dress her all black outfit up with a green scarf. While Beyonce decided to keep her LBD (Little Black Dress for the fashion illiterate) simple in a gray scarf. Scarves know no hour. Day or night, dark or bright scarves can take your outfit THERE.

Just because the economy is suffering doesn’t mean your wardrobe should too. Build up your accessories collection and create new outfits.

Zippers take a back seat to no one! This notion, whose purpose is to close a garment, is now THE focal point. Design houses like 3.1 Phillip Lim can solely be held responsible for being innovative when it comes to zippers. Maybe they had an extra supply of zippers. Who knows, but what we do know is that they created a much-desired look. I applaud Phillip Lim for using zippers. This is what fashion is all about. Making unconventional items conventional. Fashion forward celebrities such as Beyonce, Solange and Aubrey O’Day have been spotted wearing a 3.1 Phillip Lim zipper dress or skirt. Could you imagine an outfit made of other notions like Velcro or snaps umm that wouldn’t be very appealing.

Solange and Aubrey are wearing the same winding zipper dress, but in different colors. The dress alone is a whopping $894.00. Ladies please note the difference belting a dress makes. We all have a have waist…..no matter what size you are accentuate it!! Beyonce chose to wear the 3.1 Phillip Lim zipper riffle skirt, which retails for $ 675.00. I don’t know about you but if I spend that much for a zipper dress I want platinum zippers.

If you are daring and bold enough to tackle this look GoJane makes a leopard print zipper dress for $24.80. If you don’t want to mix too many fashion trends together (like the print and zipper) try the denim zipper dress also by GoJane for $25.90. Forever 21 makes a black tank dress with a zipper front for the very affordable price of $13.80.

In Your Closet…enhancing your fashion personality, one week at a time

By Manda J, The Style Guru

Numerous artist and designers have taken a military staple and turned it into a wardrobe staple. The King of Pop has worn numerous military inspired jackets made from such materials as leather and sequins. Rihanna and Beyoncé choose to rock military inspired jackets by Balmain. 

Beyoncé’s silver and black jacket puts a new spin on the evening jacket for the younger generation but would cost you almost $12,000. Not very recession friendly. Rihanna (who can do no wrong in my eyes) is doing her part to bring denim jackets back to the forefront in fashion. Even the men are getting in on this trend. Kanye is wearing a vintage military jacket. For those who can’t foresee themselves dishing out mad money for a Balmain jacket check out Target or this jacket from Alloy that will only run you $50.

Hall of Fame takes the title of William Friedkin’s 1985 film, “To Live and Die in L.A” as inspiration for their latest New Era fitted offering. The hat comes in either red or black with LA up front in the movie’s blood-splattered font. “To Live and Die in” is seen wrapping around the four back panels in oversized block letters. Available this weekend in-store and online at Hall of Fame. Shout outs to: http://www.highsnobiety.com/