Winter Blahs

Happy New Year! I'm sure I am not the only fashionista anxiously waiting for winter to say goodbye and the sunshine of spring to smile hello. I am darn tired on the freezing temps and sunless days and even more tired of the yucky snow and salt stains on the heels of my not so cheap boots. I have found that the best way to combat the winter blahs is to add lots of color to my typically all black winter wardrobe. I have traded in my dark nails for brightly colored manis and pedis, tossed away my black handbag for a red tote, and swapped my gray and black scarf for one that is fuchsia and much more fun. In doing so, I added more life to my look and smartly yet momentarily battled my winter blues. I would recommend that you also add splashes of bright colors to your winter look if not only to be more fashionable but to also enhance your mood. Happy shopping!

Fashionably yours,
Frenchye

Holiday Hottness

Many of you have started to become bombarded with holiday party invitations and are not quite sure what to wear to these grand events. Invitations are pouring in from a variety of places such as work, friends, social organizations, and New Year's Eve parties. The holidays are the perfect time to add a little sparkle to your ordinary style so go ahead and dazzle your office crew and make your friends envious of your holiday spirit and style sense. Ladies; tops and dresses embellished with fur, leather, and sequins will definitely make an impression. Black opaque tights worn with heeled ankle booties, knee boots, or over-the-knee boots will complete the look. Guys will turn heads by rocking a wool or rich velvet sport coat in black, navy, or charcoal gray, paired with dark slacks or denim. Add a pop of color to your look with a striped or plaid dress shirt paired with a complementing neck tie and pocket square. These looks will surely get you through the holidays without a hitch. Happy Holidays and most importantly, happy shopping!

Fashionably yours,
Frenchye

The well-dressed, well-heeled man

Recently I have received comments from my male readers expressing their feeling of neglect. I have heard you loud and clear, therefore this post is just for the male fashion followers. I as watched the runway shows of NY fashion week and scoured over the pages of several popular men's magazines and clothing websites, three menswear trends have completely taking over. First, the gray wool suit- it is super versatile and can be worn in both casual and formal settings. Depending on the weight of the fabric, a gray suit can be worn year round and is a timeless classic- a wardrobe must have. It is most appealing when worn with a vividly patterned shirt and bold necktie. The second standout trend are slim fitting shirts in charcoal gray, black, or army green with military inspired details such as buttoned front pockets and epaulets worn with complementing skinny neckties. Finally, every guy must get a pair of brown dress shoes for fall! Brown shoes offer the most bang for you buck. They can be worn with just about everything (yes, even black and gray) and look far less formal than the basic black shoe. I hope this helps my trend challeged guys and motivates my fashion savvy male readers, never again again shall I neglect either.

Fashionably yours,
Frenchye

Falling Hard for Capes

Every fashion season I find something new to incorporate into my wardrobe. By new I mean a style or article of clothing that I have never really worn before. This summer, shorts became my "something new". Of course I have worn shorts before but never really as a fashion statement. This was odd and definitely new because I have some what of a love/hate relationship with shorts but this year I went for the love. I wore them often with everything from tanks and sandals to sequin tops and sky high heels. Shorts for the first time became my "go to" piece for day or night.

This fall I am going mad for capes and plan on wearing them from the first brisk fall day well into the frosty winter months. Capes are basically coats with armholes instead of sleeves and are perfect for providing just enough warmth on a chilly fall afternoon or as a layering piece to wear over chunky sweaters, blazers, and with elbow length gloves. Borrowed from the fashion era's of the 1960s & 1970s, capes are a chic alternative to the basic coat. Two of my favorite fall cape looks are: 1) worn with black skinny jeans, an over sized chunky sweater, opera length leather gloves, and laced up leather booties and 2) worn with a mini skirt the same length as the cape, dark opaque tights, and chunky heeled booties. Both looks are super hot and I can't wait to sport them this fall. What new fall trend do you plan to incorporate into your wardrobe?

Fashionably yours,
Frenchye