RJ's Fashion Blog: October 2012

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Fall 2012 Trends I Love!!

Now that Fall is into full swing it is time to review the trends that I am loving. Maybe you have jumped on board with some of these trends and maybe you haven't, maybe it's because you don't know how to. Well I am going to share how I have gone after each trend. I have done all of them at a very reasonable price because you don't need a lot of money to follow the latest trend. So let's just jump into it!!

Motorcycle Jacket -
This piece will work in all seasons and at the office (yes I said at the office) and on the weekend. At the office pair it with a pencil skirt or with a dress. On the weekends throw it on with your sweater and jeans to run errands. Add some fun to it by picking a style with zippers, studs or sequences. You can also get it in many different colors this season - black, brown, red or grey. I personally love black because it will go with everything! I got mine at jcpenney, where they have a handful to pick from, under the I <3 Ronson line, click here.

Velvet -
This trend is just starting to gain strength and I think we will see more of it come Fall 2013 as well. However, if you want to jump on the trend now come on board. Velvet allows for a rich and luxe colors and has a great hand. Try it in pieces you might have not before like pants! We have seen it before in jackets, skirts and dresses. I recently bought cheetah velvet pants from Loft and it is one of my favorite purchase yet - and they where so comfortable.

Oxblood -

Some call it chianti, some call it burgundy, but whatever you call it you need it in your closet this fall. It's sophisticated, deep, rich and moody that give a luxe look. You could be brave enough to go monochromatic or pair it with navy (my favorite), black, grey, or dark green (one that I mixed together and loved!). You can find oxblood in every piece of clothing for fall from pants to tops to dresses to shoes to accessories. So it is up to you how much or how little you want to jump in.

Color Denim -
We started to see more retailers jumping on board during the spring season but only doing a few colors here and there but this fall you can find every color in the rainbow - from bright, core, neutral, rich, and dark colors. I think it shows that we are tired of just wearing "blue" jeans all the time. Adding color to the bottom half of the outfit equation allows us to add some intrigue and interest to an area that almost got boring. But the number one question is: "How the hell do I wear it?" Here are some ways that I have worn it this season - 1) colorblock - 2) pair it with a print - 3) add a neutral. I love trying unexpected color pairings as well and what is the worst thing that could happen? You don't get it right and your friends let you know but you never know if you didn't try - this is how I have inspired some of my friends to try new colors together! My favorite color denim is from Loft and they also have color cords as well!

Peplum -
We started to see this trend emerge during spring and it has gained even more strength for fall. This is a great silhouette for most body types and comes in many different shapes and styles. You can do a simple basic dress or you can go all in and have a lot of attitude. Dresses are where you see the peplum look the most but I am also seeing it as separates on tops and skirts. You can easily wear this at work and change up the accessories and head out for a night on the town. I think this trend will continue into spring 2013 so if you are on the fence jump on board - you won't regret it!

Cheetah -

This is my favorite print, so I might be a little bias, and one that is gaining strength this fall and it is being seen in every store and collection. It can take the form of all over cheetah or touches of cheetah. You also see it very strong in footwear and accessories! The cheetah print is also coming in different colorways from the basic browns/blacks to blue/blacks to neon's to whites. So you have the choice to have a bold print or a subtle print - you can have it in neutrals or in color. I think cheetah will always be a print that will be part of every season. The question will be to what extent will it be important.

Let me know if you have any questions on how to wear these trends for fall 2012.

Happy Shopping!!

Rustie J

Outfit of the Day - October 30th!

10.30 by fashionistatx featuring a chain necklace

LOFT long sleeve cotton t shirt
loft.com

LOFT long vest
loft.com

Stretchy jeans
express.com

Grey boots
target.com

Forever 21 chain necklace
forever21.com

Outfit of the Day - October 29th!

10.29 by fashionistatx featuring chain jewelry

V neck sweater
thelimited.com

Faux leather jacket
jcpenney.com

LOFT slim fit jeans
loft.com

Rampage buckle boots
dsw.com

Forever 21 chain jewelry
forever21.com

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Countdown To Black Friday Starts!

We are only one month away from, The Super Bowl of Shopping, Black Friday!!!

Soon we should start to see sneak peaks at Black Friday ads and know what to expect.

Below are my keys to a successful Black Friday!

1) Plan and plan some more. I make a list of all of the retailers I want to visit with their open times, sales, coupons, and key items I want. Then plan out the order of the stores you will go to, remember you might have to prioritize.

2) Wear comfortable clothes and shoes! This is not a day to pick looking fabulous over comfort because you will be shopping for many hours.

3) Find a shopping buddies. They can stop you from impulse buys. Also it makes the experience fun and a great girls night/day out.

4) Get some sleep on Thanksgiving. You don't want to get tired while you are out shopping.

5) Plan some food and drink stops to recharge and refuel.

6) Don't be a crazy shopper. I don't care what anyone says nothing is worth fighting, pushing or cussing over.

7) If you have kids leave them at home! You and everyone else will be better off.

8) Most important - have FUN!!!

Check back in the coming weeks for Black Friday specials and deals. Also I'll be blogging during my Black Friday shopping event!!

Happy shopping!!

Rustie J

Monday, October 22, 2012

Mrs. Texas Shares Fashion Rules for a Lifetime

With Rachel before she was crowned!!

My dear and fabulous friend, Rachel Hedstrom, Mrs. Texas International recently posted this on the Mrs. Texas International blog. I had to repost this for y'all because she shares some of the best and basic fashion rules. To check out the more posts from Mrs. Texas International, click here. Enjoy!!

On my way home from an appearance last weekend, Queen Mum and I popped by one of my favorite stores, eager to find a great deal on a new dress (for the record: success!). We were in line at the register when we were stopped by a mom and her two daughters who were trying to decide on a dress for the oldest daughter to wear to her upcoming homecoming dance. They had two great options and just hadn’t come to a decision. I was overjoyed to be asked to help them decide! After a thorough and in-depth discussion (this is serious business, folks!), we decided the best way to choose would be to have her try on both options. This 14-year-old with big brown eyes had long, gorgeous hair and a fabulous smile. She really couldn’t go wrong with either of her choices but once she modeled each of them for us, it was easy to see which one was the winner. This fashionable teen looked gorgeous in a strapless gold party dress with a fun little detail at the hip. I hope she has the time of her life at her first high school dance!

This quest to find the perfect dress got me thinking about some of the fashion rules that have been both hard-won and rewarding over the past few years for me. I shared a few with her and thought I would post them here, too. If I could just rewind and tell these to my own 14-year-old self!

The thing about fashion rules are is that they are meant to be broken! However, for people like me who need structured direction when it comes to fashion, having some parameters and go-to strategies helps. Here are a few of my faves:

- Know your colors. When I wear deep, rich purple, people always say, “That color looks really great on you.” I took note and typically gravitate to jewel tones, including purple, in my everyday looks. My sister, on the other hand, looks great in citrusy yellow and green. Know your best shades and look for them as you scan the racks.

- Consider style. My pear shape doesn’t typically look good in loose and flowy garments, so I tend to prefer very structured, tailored things, often more body-conscious in style. Other ladies I know look terrific in unstructured garments with a lot of movement. I have wasted a lot of time in dressing rooms trying to make that look work for me, but it’s just not meant to be!

- Think about why you’re buying. I would love to just buy everything I run across that I like in the dressing room, but this queen’s got a budget! Instead, I think about the specific places I might wear that piece of clothing. If I can’t come up with at least three, then I don’t buy it. I also make sure that it’s what I refer to as “supah-fly.” If it doesn’t knock my socks off, I prefer to leave it there for someone else. I decided that I only want to wear things that really make me feel great. Life is too short!

- Make sure it stands up. This is a funny one to talk about, but we all know how this goes: sometimes, if you stand just right, you can make any dress look great. From a certain angle, we can squeeze and hold our breath and squint and turn just right and voila! Just like Gisele. But here’s the truth, girls – you have to wear things in the real world and not just in a photo shoot. Therefore, you have to look great from the front, the back, the sides, and everywhere, sans sucking in. If it doesn’t look good from a few angles, run! You are a three-dimensional human and not a picture on a piece of paper.

- Smile for the camera. Go through my Blackberry and you will find dozens of pictures of me in the dressing room. You know why? Cameras don’t lie. If you find something you think you like, take a picture of it. There is nothing like seeing yourself on the screen wearing whatever it is that you are trying on. I promise - decisions will become much easier!

- Phone a friend. Even the contestants on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? get a lifeline! Those pictures you took can also serve another purpose: to help friends help you. If you were not able to bring a friend shopping with you (infinitely more fun and always helpful), make sure you have a friend whose style eye you trust on speed dial. For me, Queen Mum, my dear sister and one Miss Laine Berry are always my lifeline to a brutally honest opinion. When I get a “LOVE LOVE LOVE” from Laine, I know that my instincts are right-on! (Hear from Laine directly as you listen to her appearance on Valerie Hayes’ “Pageant Talk Radio” by clicking here: Pageant Talk Radio - Killer Fall Fashion

I hope there are one or two things here that might help you on your next shopping trip. What are your favorite dressing room “dos and don’ts”?

Until next post, dear friends,

Rachel

Mrs. Texas International 2012

Outfit of the Day - October 22nd!

10.22 by fashionistatx featuring allen b

Allen B allen b
jcpenney.com

Allen B. skinny jeans
jcpenney.com

Olsenboye black shoes
jcpenney.com

Forever 21 chain necklace
forever21.com

Forever 21 flower jewelry
forever21.com

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The World's Largest Shoe Store

The World's LARGEST shoe store just opened in the Dubai Mall (now I really need to go here). This shoe heaven has more than 96,000 square feet of space for shoes with more than 15,000 different styles from 250 brands for sale. Did you ready that correctly 15,000 different shoe style - yes you did...again I am going to say heaven!! Anchor brands will include Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci. It is also rumored that the Louis Vuitton store will get the spring collection at least four weeks before any other store in the world! Patrick Chalhoub, chief executive officer of Chalhoub Group, said "this is a place for people who are passionate about shoes, who are addicted to shoes, who are obsessed about shoes." He can say that again! Anyone want to take a trip to Dubai so we can check out this shoe heaven for ourselves?

Welcome to shoe heaven!!

Rustie J

October Styling Tips From Who What Wear

Since it's getting cold outside and the leafs are changing colors it's time for sweaters, layering, and rich colors!! Even basics should have a bit of a twist this season, whether it's swapping your standard knit sweater for an oversized, turtleneck iteration or smartening up distressed jeans with a sophisticated blazer coat. Admit it, your cold-weather collection could use the update! Check out the following tips on how to go from summer to fall in-style!

Happy Styling!!

Rustie J

Exclusive Sketch: Banana Republic's Third 'Mad Men' Collection

October 19 6:00 PM by Lauren Levinson (Elle)

On March 1, Banana Republic will reveal its third Mad Men collection. This time, the inspiration was said to be Megan Draper's risk-taking mod style. So if you dream of landing a Don, this may be your chance to peacock in some man-attracting retro garb.

Simon Kneen, Banana Republic's creative director and EVP, design, told ELLE.com: "It is the late '60s where we see the emergence of individuality and personal style in fashion, shown today in the pops of color and pattern we have merged with classic sharp tailoring and slimming silhouettes in the spring collection. You can expect a collection that embodies the late '60s love for graphic prints, colors and boldness along with the finesse and ease of style we love from Banana Republic.

Check out this exclusive sketch of the upcoming wares.

Happy Shopping!!

Rustie J