December Destination: Party Dress Nation

I love a LBD as much as the next gal, but when it comes down to it, color is the new black.  Dresses are in, separates are out this holiday hurrah, so, grab your eggnog, hide your elf, and get ready to dash through our dress show.

First things first: decide which silhouette flatters your silhouette.  Best not to try and shove a square peg in a round hole, so identify your shape and then seek out the best dress to knock their socks off.  And please don’t get discouraged.  Everyone wants what the other has.  So, let’s go shopping, shall we?

Pear Perfect – Best to showcase your shoulders and bust if you tend to have more of a pear shape.  I say look for boat necks and plunging necklines. You might wanna stay away from loose baby-dolls or loose a-lines, they can come across tent-ish and add  LB’s.  Which, I think it is safe to say, we are all trying to avoid.

1. J. Crew, Principessa dress in lace and organza, $595 (pictured)
2. Anthropologie, Cyprium Dress, $228
3. asos, River Island Belted Skater Dress With Boat Neck, $91

Hourglass Hottie – Definitely define your waist and stick to dresses just above the knee or tea length (Which BTW I am campaigning to re-title as: champagne length.  I mean, who does tea anymore except for Elizabeth?)

1. J. Crew, Siren dress, $385 (pictured)
2. My Wardrobe, L’AGENCE, SILVER LAMÉ WRAP ULTIMATE PARTY DRESS, $570
3. DVF, Akari Dress, $375
4. Zara, ASYMMETRIC STUDIO DRESS, $159

Awesome Athletic – You’re a lean, mean, fashion machine and can wear most silhouettes, but focus on highlighting what you are most proud of, whether that be arms, legs, tush or back.

1. J. Crew, Sinclair dress in leopard chiffon, $325 (pictured)
2. Piperlime, Kerstin Party Dress, $385
3. DVF, Chastity Dress, $485
4. Shop Bop, Imitation, $595

Broad Betty - Blessed with broad shoulders and décolletage most envy, a Betty of such nature can also be called an inverted triangle.  Which, is why, we prefer broad Betty.  If your shape shapes up to be wider across the shoulders and bust, draw attention to your waist and legs to balance your frame.

1.  DVF, Reona Dress, $475
2. Kate Spade, Debut Dress, $795 (pictured)
3. J. Crew, Taryn Dress in Silk Chiffon, $225
4. Zara, Combined Dress, $99

There you have it.  The four wonders of the fashion world.  Happy Everything this month and we’ll see you next year.

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

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Move over Indian Summer, Fall is in full swing with cooler temps, cloudier days, and holidays galore.  What’s on our fashion radar this November you ask?  Why, wonderbar wintertime wedges that will take you from day to par-tay.

As always, we’ve poured blood, sweat, and Tammy Faye size tears into finding you the best selection to peruse below (all in a day’s work loves, all in day’s work).  So sit back, relax, scroll down and let the fall-i-day shopping begin….

My inner shoe maven was ignited by the Famolare of the 70′s.  Though I begged and pleaded for the Sbicca wedge, my mother wouldn’t relent.  Well, karma has paid me back, cause the selection of wedges has never been greater or grander.

Our first pick is from MARC by Marc Jacobs and is the one that made me reminisce the most. I love the traditional whiskey brown offering as much as the denim inspired blue.  This hot number would pair perfectly with tights and a mini or with those boyfriend jeans you refuse to throw out (Psst, I refuse too.  Still my favorite pair.) (Neiman Marcus, Wedge Ankle Boot, on sale for $325.00)

Numero Two-o is from See by Chloe.  Loving the lug sole and knit shaft, very lumber jack-ish minus the flannel checked shirt and Saint Bernard.  Perfect over leggings and for a stroll in the park with a hot toddy right after. (Saks Fifth Avenue, Leather Moccasin Wedge, on sale for $315.00)

Thrice: is a tad dapper.  J Crew is always a go to of mine for affordable, versatile, wearable fashion.  Their fall collection is stellar, as always under Jenna’s watch, and that includes this stacked heel, menswear inspired wedge.  Tremendous under a trouser, sensational with a shift, genius with jeans, you can’t go wrong with it. (J Crew, Willem Ankle Wedge, on sale for $250.00)

Rounding out November’s nominees is a fleece lined suede starlit from Rocket Dog.  I’m voting for the mushroom, cause it’s an in-between-color thus taking you down the black and the brown paths, but for $89, you might as well snap up both colors.  Slightly more casual, not sure I’d go the shirt or trouser route, but very well may be the perfect weekend warrior. (Piperlime, Rocket Dog Wedge, on sale for $89.00)

Farewell til next month my fellow fashionistas.   Drop a line if you’d like us to cover a specific trend or have a fashion dilemma that’s left you stumped.

See you next month.

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

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• October Fashion Report
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It’s no secret I’m a sucker for anything personalized.  Jewelry, bags, gifts, dinnerware.  You name (actually, I guess I name it) and I love it.

So I fell head over heels over head when I saw the new, custom, colorful, colossal, acrylic monogram necklaces and name plates from Moon and Lola.

Like a true Southern Girl, Kelly Shatat, owner and designer extraordinaire updated the Southern classic by making it in sassy acrylic and offering it in a smorgasbord like variety of colors.

From girly, swirly script fronts to sophisticated and slightly deco block, the monograms are mega cool.  They come in three sizes (just like the three bears) plus you getta choose from silver or gold plated chains.  And did we mention the chains are adjustable in length (the girl has thought of everything I tell ya’; except how to make a manny and personal chef appear in my home at 5 o’clock every night).

In addition to the monograms, Moon and Lola does name plates (can you say Carrie and the rest of the girls from SATC would be so jealous), your lucky number, sorority letters, favorite word or icon.

So we hope you’re makin’ your list and checkin’ it twice, cause your girl Friday here just killed about 20 birds with one fashion post.

See you in November.

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

You may also enjoy:

• Faux Fur – Top 5 Picks for Fall
• Mineral Makeup Favorites
• Fabulous Personalized Jewelry
• Basic Skin Care Tips
• Beauty Call
• Bargains and Deals

August Off the Shoulder

Haute temperatures are upon us.  August has arrived and so has the AC bill.  With the heat increasing I thought I’d write about a trend that has a built in cooling system: Off the Shoulder.  Or, for those of us who obsessed about Jennifer Beals in the 80’s: Flash Dance.

I love the off the shoulder look of sweaters, tees, sweatshirts and dresses.  It gives one the look of effortless dressing while looking chic and sexy and doesn’t discriminate against any body shape.
From yoga active-wear to evening glam, off the shoulder is haute haute haute.

Some of my faves?  Read on, read on…..

Your late, screaming at the kids to get in the car, scrambling into your sweats, combing your hair with your fingers, and look as disheveled as you feel?  Fret no more, instead of pulling on the chunky ratty hoody outta the hamper, slip into a lighter weight off the shoulder sweatshirt.  We found one under fifty that’ll take a few lbs off the hoody and make you look like you just ‘threw it on’ and ‘it’ landed perfectly. (Off Shoulder Sweatshirt, $48)

You have yoga in 2 hours but have 2 hours of errands to run before and ain’t feeling like looking like a yogi in the market, at the dry cleaner or bank….slip this simple, yet polished off the shoulder top over your yoga gear and you’ll feel far more comfortable not strutting your downward dog stuff. (Beyond Yoga Asymmetrical Top)

I own this in black….though the image doesn’t show it, it completely falls off the shoulder….love! Wear it with jeans, linen pants or trousers.  (Hyacinth Tie-Dye Off-the-Shoulder Dolman Top, $100)

Layering is a big part of off the shoulder M.O. and Lizzie Parker has mastered the art.  And I’m totally biased because I’m a frequent (okay, addicted) shopper on her site…washer-dryer friendly, totally comfy, hip, and flattering.  What more could a gal ask for.  Here’s one style, but if you peruse the site, you’ll see there’s even more (you can trust me on that one)!  (Cowel Easy T Plum, $76, pictured right)

One last fun find for you, messes of dresses!  I found so many that it’s best just to list ‘em like a shopping list (truth be told, my life is one big shopping list):

• Dusty rose chiffon off-the-shoulder flutter dress, $108 (pictured top)
• Off the Shoulder Dress, $148
• ASOS Tailored Off Shoulder Fitted Waist Dress, $77.58
• Off Shoulder Cocktail Dress, $277
• James &  Joy Casual One Shoulder Dress, $58 (add this to my sub shopping list within my primary shopping list, in Rachel Zoe’s words: I Die)
• Cashmere One Shoulder Dress, $1,695 (capital O.  capital M.  capital G.)

Hope this helps keep you cool and calm this month. And if you can do the bra trick that Jennifer Beals did, kudos to you.

See you next month for fall’s fashion faves.

Cheers,
Shannon

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

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Summer Fashion Trend Alert!

Happy 4th Fashion Citizens.  Keeping in the patriotic spirit, I’ve dedicated this month’s red-white-blue to the trendy hue of cobalt blue.

The cobalt blue trend has picked up major momentum in the last couple of months with paparazzi snapping pix of the Kardashian vixens, celebs, and everyday (fashion) citizens jumping on the cobalt soul train.

And since it is our fiduciary-fashion duty to keep you loyal readers in the loop, we’ve done our legwork and found hot styles in cool cobalt blues for your viewing and potentially impulse shopping pleasure.

Pants

Pants are a plenty, and we love the brilliant rich blue, but best to keep your top neutral and loose. Let the pants do the talking and make the fashion statement, keep everything else on the down low.

• Shopbop, Arthur Pants
• HIGHgloss, Bright Blue Skinnies

Shoes

As you know, my motto is you can never have enough shoes (or handbags, or wine) and there are oodles to choose from in the trendy color.  A few stellar stars:

• Steve Madden, ALTETUDE (pictured right)
• I love love love but will have to have a long distance relationship with these stunners due to my budget - Alexander McQueen, Toe Pump
• And one final fun selection that would be super adorb (short for adorable) with cropped white sailor pants and a loose off-the-shoulder sweatshirt and a yacht if you have one handy, is Famous Footware’s, Dynasty Women’s Hermosa

If you live South of the Equator, it’s wintertime your time, so you can slip into these adorable wellies – Calvin Klein, Ava Rain Boot.  Just a side note.  Too cute to pass up mentioning.

Scarves

Lauren Conrad may have man trouble, but she’s always spot on in the fashion category.  She chose a subtle accessory, une scarf, and rocked the hue with Love Quotes Linen Knotted Fringe Scarf in Cobalt from TheTrendBoutique.

Handbags

As you know, my motto is you can have enough handbags (or shoes…..) so I’ll wrap up this month’s post with a couple of cuties….

• Lori’s, Blue Combo Pouch
• Endless, Hadaki Scoop Sling Cross-Bodyndless
• Jildor, Cobalt Blue Satchel

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading such a powerful, moving, and enlightening subject matter.  Happy July everyone.

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

You may also enjoy:

• South of the Border
• Beach Bucket Bonanza
• More Spring Fashion Trends – Bright Trousers
• Spring Trend Alert – Meet iKat
• Spring Fashion Trends 2011