Statement Shoes (and some other issues).

Recently, a friend of mine - C., made her first splurge (if you may) on a pair of colored heeled pumps. I am, of course, all for it 'cause I'm a believer of price=quality. I'm not saying that I only buy costly items - I wouldn't past up a great bargain (!), but it is especially so for footwear because we can be on our feet all day long, we need comfortable shoes to take us from day to night without giving us blisters or an aching back from poor sole support (which I must say, from personal experience, typically comes from cheap but poorly made shoes). I'm no billionaire so I'd love myself a pair of comfortable shoes at a steal but unfortunately the price you're paying equates the quality put into making them. I'm not generalizing that as long as you pay a high price you're guaranteed comfort (think Charles & Keith - I'm still disappointed at the quality despite the rising prices and their designs including those of their handbags are way too similar to designer labels'), but if you don't pay a better price, you're almost not gonna get any comfort out of wearing them.

The same theory actually goes into my shopping habits for any other piece of clothing - just thought I'd clarify myself here in case I get labeled as 'brand-conscious'. To me, the smartest shopper is one who is able to pick out great buys and mix in with some more expensive pieces to form a stylish, personalized outfit. Wearing head-to-toe designer doesn't necessarily mean you're fashionable and stylish, cleverly mixing in high and low pieces does. Kourtney Kardashian is my favorite example because she can wear H&M and Balenciaga in one look, and rock it. It unveils your inner style through mix and match and the outcome would be your product.

Besides, when shopping for anything at all (even kitchen appliances!), think not just about the price, consider the durability and quality. Be a smart shopper. While you may think you'll get more out of $100 buying cheaper items instead of just a bag or a pair of shoes, think again. What's the value-per-wear of those cheaper items, will the color run in just 2 washes, will the sweater shrink after just 1 wash (true story), will I have to suffer from blisters every time I wear them, etc. Maybe an investment in a classic will save you all these trouble and on top of that, you can wear it for day or night, plus it'll last you ten years and it won't go out of style? By all means, if the many items you can get for $100 in total are worth it, even I won't past up a great deal like that, but I'm an advocate for quality and making sure the item looks good (and importantly not cheap) on you, so I'd double check if there's anything doubtful about such a good bargain.

Going back to my topic on statement shoes, I'm definitely guilty of having a bursting shoe cabinet (which girl isn't?!), but as I obtain a greater understanding of my personal style and achieve smarter shopping skills, my shoe collection is slowly (but surely) maturing with me. It now consists of shoes that are classic and timeless, nothing too of-the-moment especially when it ain't just a $20 pair. I have pretty much every aspect covered: summer - Havaianas flip-flops (check) and for a little height in my casual look, denim wedges (check), fall/winter - suede camel ankle boots (check), comfortable flats for long shopping trips - ballerina flats (check) and my newest Pedder Red print slipper loafers, which I am so excited about and I swear I can live in them forever (check), classic heels for dinners and work purposes - nude pumps, slingbacks and mary-jane platforms (check). With these in my arsenal, everything else are bargains and steals for mix and match purposes (I heart my Schu strappy sandals that I got from a sale so much, that I got them in another color, only at $10!).

Now, I am just one pair away from having an almost-perfect collection - the statement shoes. Something of a brilliant color or design, that can spice up a simple LBD. The only pair of printed footwear I have are my slipper loafers but they wouldn't be my choice for attending a wedding. So here's some inspiration from celebrities who have made a statement with their shoes, instead of their dresses for a change:

 Nina Dobrev in a Monique Lhuillier dress and Brian Atwood 'Maniac' pink pumps.

Also in Brian Atwood pumps, Olivia Wilde paired them with her J. Mendel dress.

 Brooklyn Decker in a laced dress by Nha Khanh and Jimmy Choo heels.

 Leighton Meester wearing a Versus LBD and shoes designed by Pierre Hardy.

 Marion Cotillard in head-to-toe Christian Dior.

 Nicole Richie in an LBD and her own label, House of Harlow 1960 booties.

Nicole in Brian Atwood satin pumps.

Thandie Newton looking so fresh in a Giles dress and clashing turquoise Nicholas Kirkwood pumps.

Olivia Palermo in Charlotte Olympia leopard print booties.

*credit: Just Jared

What to Wear: To a Beach Cocktail Party.

I had just been tasked by my dearest friend, D. to recommend outfits to wear to a themed party, the theme being "Beach Cocktail". Now, I feel like I have a purpose! Those of you who needs some tips on "what to wear to...." do feel free to drop me a comment and I will do my best (and research) for your needs!

"Beach Cocktail" is definitely an interesting theme, as most dinner parties will go either entirely beach or entirely cocktail. I would think that most attendees will show up in outfits that tilt towards "beach" more than "cocktail" so it's really important to find the right mix here to match the theme well. So, I'm guessing many guests (I'm talking female here, but I'd expect to see Hawaiian shirts on some of the male guests) will be opting for maxi or floral dresses since these are the closest you get to beachwear but with a slight formal touch. But you'll be surprised with the amount of options you have, so none of my recommendations would include the maxi dress (I'll try avoiding the floral element as well).

[P.S. I don't actually have the Photoshop software on this computer unit I'm blogging from, so pardon the overload of pictures instead of having all compiled into a few.]

Because the cocktail dinner party is a night event, it is only appropriate to show up in something more polished than just a halter-neck beach cover-up or a scarf tied and worn as a dress (I'm sure someone will turn up in these!). But if playing it safe is your thing, the closest thing I found to a maxi is this midi print dress from ASOS (in fact, all my recommendations will be from ASOS and Forever 21 - they have so many amazing and affordable styles!):

Warehouse Lovestory Floral Midi Dress £80 (ASOS)

The feather prints are pretty and feminine. Wearing this dress with strappy heels/flats would bring it down a notch.

Strapless, halter and spaghetti strap are styles that will no doubt be on everyone's minds when looking for something for the beach theme, but if you're likely to be dining indoors at a clubhouse or restaurant by the beach rather than on the beach, wrap dresses are your next best bet. The cut is a close cousin of beach cover-ups. The key here is to not find something too fitting. Details like long, flowy sleeves or skirt can give the look a more relaxed vibe. Choose pieces with lighter colors or softer prints - darker colors are more formal, which then lose the laid-back beach style. Be sure to also pick a lightweight, soft material for your dress - life's a beach, flow is the way to go.

 Vero Moda Shiny Satin 20s Kimono Dress £28 NOW £22 (ASOS)

Vero Moda Open Sleeve Dress In Retro Peacock Print £28 NOW £22 (ASOS)

Long-sleeve flowy short dresses make good alternatives for the indoors. They look more dressy, but the loose fit keeps things casual and flirty.

 Rare Folk Embroidered Fluted Sleeve Dress £45 Now £36 (ASOS)

Vero Moda Deco Bird Print Kimono Sleeve Chiffon Swing Mini Dress £28 Now £22 (ASOS)

 Oasis Contrast Trim Kimono Dress £60 (ASOS)

 Vero Moda Chiffon Cape Dress £34 NOW £27 (ASOS)

Silk Floral Shift Dress USD32.80 (Forever 21)

You could also stay on the latest trend with Gucci-inspired colorblock looks. The styles are more revealing (thus relating to beach and bikinis) but also luxe enough for cocktail dinners. Glam down with strappy gold sandals (read on for more tips!).

 Colorblock Midi Dress w/ Braided Belt USD27.80 (Forever 21)

 Lipsy Colour Block Metallic Belt Dress £65 (ASOS)

Lipsy Colour Block Chain Halter Dress £65 (ASOS)

A feminine lace dress is a great option since it spells summer and it's covered up enough for a dinner. Both Ashley Tisdale and Mischa Barton channeled summery feel with this loose-fit Juicy Couture dress, and this is a great look for a beach cocktail party.

 *credit: Just Jared

 Retro Lace Dress USD24.80 (Forever 21)

 Ruffle Slv Open Knit Dress USD27.80 (Forever 21)

To sum up, here are some pointers to keep in mind before you step into that beach cocktail party:

1. Even though it's a cocktail party, the "beach" element is there to reduce the formality. Create a balance between the two: if your dress is more casual than it is formal, trade flip-flops/flat sandals for strappy heels, and vice versa.

2. Things to avoid: figure-hugging or structured (skip the ruched sleeve top) clothing, animal print, red and black/grey (they're too formal for beach), giant bling-bling, minaudieres or hard clutches, blazers.

3. Accessories to add on: floppy hats (H&M has stylish and cheap ones!), thin gold accessories (silver may be too washed out in the night) from bangles to necklaces, oversized soft-body clutches or cross-body minibags, shawls or chiffon throw-overs.

4. If you're allowed to wear flats, refrain from wear flip-flops (they don't fit in with "cocktail"!). You could try a pair of strappy/gladiator sandals, like those seen on Charlize Theron:

*credit: Just Jared

They're comfortable for standing, dancing and socializing in. Plus, they're perfect for the beach. Light metallic ones are more polished. If you're indoors, go for strappy heels. The beach is no place for chunky pumps or caged heels.

5. Let loose for the night! So opt for relaxed hairstyles - think loose waves, a flower in your hair, etc. Don't do sleek ponytails or neat buns.

Hope this has been helpful, D.! :)

Style Tips for Fall - Trend Alert Exclusive: Cable Knit Sweaters.

Fall is here and winter is approaching in no time. I almost can't keep up with Fashion Week (it's already over in London and I believe it has moved on to Milan!) that's already previewing the Spring collection for next year, but I promise I'm observing the trends for you guys. A little too overwhelmed at the moment to do a compilation and on top of that, I have been handicapped without my Photoshop software (thanks to you - you know who you are, that I have it back!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed I'll get them done.

Meanwhile, we need to stock up on winter wear to prepare for the season, including those of us who might be traveling to somewhere with freezing temperatures this coming year end. Unfortunately for those (like myself) who live in the hot and humid climate all year round, we are so prone to having a dated winter wardrobe.

Some tips on getting out of that stuffy situation:

1. Invest in a good quality classic trench coat - it works for fall temperatures, not so much for those below 10°C, but they never go out of style. [Stay tuned for an upcoming post on "Closet Essentials: Trench Coat"!] A versatile color like black, grey, brown or beige (think Burberry's signature trench) would never become outdated.

Zooey Deschanel

2. Make cable knit sweaters your staple for winter. This actually brings me to a small segment on "Trend Alert" because many stylish people including celebrities have donned this easy-to-wear, classic sweater. Once again, get them in classic and versatile colors to match them with your various bottoms and outerwear. But you can always grab them in bold colors to make a statement.
For cooler days but not too cold, pair it with your summer wear. Take cues from Rachel Bilson and Kate Bosworth.

*credit: Rachel-Online.org

*credit: Kate Bosworth Online

But with the rise of midi skirts on the runway and off, cable knit sweaters go perfectly well with them, making for a cozy and stylish outfit for fall. Choose a pleated skirt for a more polished look.

*credit: Trendycrew.com

Kate Bosworth

3. Winter doesn't necessarily mean you have to live in long pants/jeans. Re-work some of your dresses (especially those of you with an event to attend in the cold) by throwing over a coat and wearing tights underneath to cover up your garms. If your dress is colored, it is safest to keep to black tights. Plus, if you're wearing black boots/heels/pumps, they give an illusion of longer legs. But hey, colored tights can add color to your outfit.

 Whitney Port

Kourtney Kardashian

 Blake Lively

 Anna Sui Fall RTW 2011

Nicole Miller Fall RTW 2011

Hint: You've probably seen words like "100 denier" or "40 denier" on the packaging. That actually refers to the thickness of your tights. The large the number, the thicker and more opaque they are. So if you're looking for a thicker pair, go for 100 and beyond. Thinner ones around 40 to 50 are ideal to wear under your formal dresses. These are slightly see-through when stretched.

4. If you frequent colder countries, a trench coat may not be good enough to keep you warm. Wool is probably the best material for coats as it keeps you warm even when it's wet. Have at least two in your inventory - one in a basic color (black is preferred for versatility) and one in any color or pattern (plaid is good) you like. 

 *credit: Just Jared

Gwyneth Paltrow

Jessica Alba

 Emma Watson

Blake Lively

Lauren Conrad

While they now come in all lengths and types, it's best if they end somewhere mid-thigh for more warmth. One with an A-line cut would be more feminine and would flatter dress/skirt-outfits. 

Leighton Meester

Coats aren't something to scrimp on, especially when you want them to serve their function of keeping you warm. Cheap coats may not be made out of good quality materials so be sure to check before you make your purchase. 

But nobody said coats had to be plain and boring (besides the colored and patterned ones, of course). Details can make for an interesting dash of pattern on plain coats - check out the ones from ASOS:

Think toggles for buttons, laced collars, leopard print trimmings and military-style details! What fun!

5. Protect your head and ears! Wear a beanie or any fur-lined headgear to protect the brain that is in charge to sending signals to protect the rest of your body from the cold. Besides, it's a great accessory to doll up any winter outfit.

 Hilary Duff

 Kate Beckinsale

Kate Middleton

6. Last, but not least, we all need a pair of boots. Visiting temperate climate countries are the best excuse to rock your winter gear and the boots can't be missing. The ideal pair is one that rises up to a couple of inches below the knee. It is the classic cut that's versatile, but if you're feeling playful, try the season's hottest booties.
For comfort, have a short, thick heel to ensure that your feet gets ample support from all the walking you're gonna be doing. For a more dressy look, go higher, but beware of those with overly thin heels - they're bound to make your feet ache if you do more foot work than expected. 

Katie Holmes

Sarah Michelle Gellar

 Ashley Tisdale

Nicole Richie

Once again, black isn't the only versatile option. My other favorites are grey and camel brown.

Whitney Port

Cameron Diaz