V-Style

Personal Style Profile - Mimi Kirk

Name: Mimi Kirk

Occupation: Author, Lecturer, and Health Coach

Wearing: "My hat is from Urban Outfitters, my pants are Rock Star's from Old Navy, my boots are faux leather, I'm vegan so I don't wear leather, and my shirt is vintage Ralph Lauren."

Personal Style: "I think it's hard to pin down. I go with my moods. One thing, I'm a casual dresser, love skinny jeans, and leggings. I think I'm more classic then trendy in most of my clothing choices."

Favorite Brand or Store: "I suppose I shop at stores that cater to younger people, American Eagle, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters."

Fashion Trick/Tip: "For me, it's a must to be comfortable in my clothes. One of my tricks is to go shopping with my daughter, and granddaughters - who are in their early 20's. They guide me to things they think I would look good in. I think shopping with someone who tells you the truth when you try on clothes is very important."

Trivia:  "I designed clothes and created the scarf look for Valerie Harper who was on the Mary Tyler Moore show, then her own sit-com Rhoda. I was actually Mary Tyler Moore's stand-in."

Personal Style Profiles feature folks with a strong sense of fashion. These individuals are not my clients.

Personal Stylist Purchase - Pink at Charlotte Russe

It has been awhile since I have seen my friend Christianna Ablahad, owner of Mog And Rue. Finally, we were able to catch up at the Neiman Marcus trend presentation. She complimented me on my recent post, What is In and What is Out? We went on to discuss the insignifance of trends. "You know, its not like I am going to run out and buy a bunch pink now," she said in reference to pink being Spring's number one trend. I laughed, agreed fully, then decided to stroll the mall instead of my usual client focused stomping. I end up in Charlotte Russe and buy numerous pink garments. I laugh the whole time. I wasn't looking for pink, I was looking for fabulous and I found it... in pink. 

Where To Find Affordable Statement Necklaces

The statement necklace is a long time friend and confidant of mine. I don't go to her every day or even every week. Often a month will pass without seeing eachother, but we both know I always come back to the sweet, sweet statement necklace. Last week, I introduced a client to said neckalces. The main reason for deocrating her neck, she can't wear earrings. Even if her ears were peirced, she is a mommy of three and we all know what little hands want to do with big earrings... pull, tug, ouch.

My go to stores for statement necklaces under $150 is Banana Republic, J Crew and Macy's. For this client, I took her to Macy's and picked up some Kenneth Cole peices. I have added some other options for you folks.

Statement necklace tip: Wear it with a high neckline, a very low, or strapless necklace. Generally, you want the necklace to rest completely on your skin or completely on the fabric of your top, not half on - half off. Also, best to skip earrings or only wear studs with large neck decór. 

Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Alfani

Haskell

Kenneth Cole

Bar 111

Spring Trends From Neiman Marcus

Yesterday morning I had breakfast with San Diego's top twelve bloggers at Neiman Marcus in Fashion Valley Mall. I ambled in at 9:30am to find stylish women drinking mimosas. I greeted friends and turned down the champagne. My nine am boozing is reserved for 4th of July. Once sat, we were presented with Neiman Marcus's translation of spring's top trends from the runways. Just like fashion week, many of the looks were overzealous and unrealistic, but were composed of dazzling pieces. Pictured above and below are the most successful ensembles and awesome goodies.

The presentation of trends began with their selection of yellow as the new neutral. Hooray! I am ecstatic to have access to yellow after years of neglect. Also featured: bold, wild and devious clutches. The minaudiere bejeweled with rainbow drops has my fingers aching for a teeny, rectanglular prop (pictured above).

Between the pinky shade and the fifties silhouette, this Monique Lhuillier frock transports me to Audrey Hepburn's Funny Face. Just as Maggie Prescott orders, spring is thinking pink! And I am adoring this line of thought, especially the detailed Roland Mouret dress, made exclusively for Neiman Marcus (pictured below). The pin tucking and origami back put NM's signature butterflies in my belly.

Next on spring's guest list, fancy pants. Look-at-me bottoms were a constant throughout the presentation, but it is the two pictured below that get my vote of beauty. Red is my #1 shade for a bold pant; while the white and black jacquard print is simply stunning. Adding to their majesty is the styling. Alex Yanez, Neiman's style adviser, built upon these two garments wonderfully. I love the YSL kicks and beautiful khaki coat with the bright hue. As for the black patterned Gucci treat, the mix of floral and stripes inspires excitement beyond Gwen Stefani.

The last of my highlights is the perforated Gucci trench (pictured below). Model Linnea Zeiner shows off another mellow yellow option and the season's sporty influence. Perfectly wrought and unabashedly warm, this is the most accomplished look of the morning. 

How To Wear Timeless Stripes

The pattern that terrorizes men's closets is now after you. That's correct, next time you kick into a clothing store, stripes are going to tackle you. I don't mean to scare you, just prepare you...

To succeed with stripes you must tread with caution. The wrong stripe can make you look like a little girl, boring, or sporty in a bad way. First step in avoiding this: don't pair a striped tunic with leggings. Best to skip striped leggings as well. A legging and stripe combination gives the boring, girly, sporty impression we would like to evade.

The best striped garment will give you a vintage, edgy or bold look. Selectivity is your tool in acquiring this exquisite stripe. Some stripes to look into...

The Nautical:

Thin blue stripes spaced an inch or two apart on a three-quarter sleeve length, boat neck Tee. A timeless and elegant stripe that throws back to lovely, beach bound, starlets in decades past. Elie Tahari has put together a wonderful example with the wide leg slack. Another pairing option, tuck it into high waisted silk shorts, or hip hugging denim shorts. 

The Graduated Stripe:

Interesting and edgy, the graduated gives the repetition of the stripe a run for its money. Forever 21 has a fun graduated stripe tank to pair with colored jeans, or tuck into skirts.

Avant Garde Vertical Stripe

Multiple colors, an asymmetrical silhouette and variation in stripe will create a bold, far from generic, striped look. Pictured above is Rebecca Minkoff Long Striped Delhia Dress

Personal Style Profile: Oliver Lang

Occupation: Professional paintball player and business owner.

Wearing: "In this photo I'm wearing (black) custom tailored trousers, purchased in thailand ($100), as well as custom tailored shirt with french cuffs. Im a big fan of the black and brown combo, so I'm wearing a brown leather belt from Zara. Brown threaded De La Rentis loafers made in Spain, purchased at a studio sale from a movie set. [I'm also wearing] a vintage tie, I picked up at one of my favorite thrift shops, a blue velvet blazer, and a funny face."

Personal Style: "I have the style of a chameleon. I have a unique look that can blend into any occasion. My fashion comparison would be having tea on a sunny day at a colombian tennis club circa 1970s with a little american indian jewelry thrown in."

Favorite Brand and Store: YSL, Amvets thrift store

Favorite Fashion Tip: "Dressed up or dressed down, it's always better to be over dressed then under dressed. It's nice to shed a layer or untuck the shirt, pull the tie down and get loose rather than standing there in your flip floats."

Personal Stylist Purchase -Tahari Coat

I rant and rave about efficiency... I need dresses to go to work as well as the bar. I need tops to function in winter and summer. I need pants to spawn, at least, five outfits... 

But there comes a time when you just need to buy something wonderful for no reason, like this Tahari jacket. The fit is perfection and the quality impeccable. I use this jacket/coat to add professional, day time, structure to a dressier dress and to add formality to black or grey leggings. It is my favorite new garment that does the least in my wardrobe. It only pairs well with one dress and one legging combination. I don't care. I love it. Sometimes I lay it next to me when I sleep - without a hanger, of course, to avoid midnight injuries.

Photo Taken by Gwendolyn Valiente

Best Dressed At The Golden Globes 2012

Angelina Jolie in Versace

Everything is perfection: the fit, the edge, the elegance as well as the hair and accessories.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Emma Stone was stunning, edgy and elegant in this unique and perfectly accessorized ensemble.

Chralize Theron in Dior

As I have always said, unique elegant and edgy is the key to making my best dressed list. Although I could do without the headband, I am wild for this look.

Madeline Stowe in Vera Wang

Madeline Stowe's detailed indigo gown completely won me over; however her purse and earring choice, I'd adjust.

 Melanie Griffith

I rarely vote for black, but the mix of textures and execution of this look struck me as one of the more unique outfits on the carpet. She oozes confident elegance.

Shalaine Woodley in Marchesa

Wodley is wholly under accessorized - I need a diamond cuff and large earrings asap - but this dress is too amazing to pass up. Gorgeous! 

p.s. I want to add what an incredible array of dresses were shown at this event. I haven't seen this much diversity, creativity and originality on the red carpet in ages! Awards to everyone!

Celebrities In 1920's Art Deco Fashions

Chanel Iman in Naeem Khan

Art Deco creeps into the jewelry arena every now and then, but it is rare to see it in fashion, until now. Maybe its the Great Gatsby remake, maybe designers have heard my prayers; either way 1920's fashion and Art Deco influence can be seen prominently around familiar faces like Naomi Watts and Charlize Theron. Soon its influence will filter down to our local retailers, at least I'm hoping. I have always been drawn to this design aesthetics's glamorous symmetry and bold edges. I also adore the uses of black, white and metallics with this fashion statement. Black and white can be so boring, but the detailing Art Deco brings to the color pairing never ceases to wow me.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci

Charize Theron in Gucci

Camilla Belle

Naomi Watts in Stella McCartney

Camilla Belle in Gucci

Websnob: Best Blogs This Week

Inspired by the Prada runway, Stiletto Jungle is featuring gorgeous green handbags for Spring.

Brad and Angie stopped by the White House this week. Allie is Wired has the pictures.

Here are BagSnob's favorite bags in every color of the rainbow, in the authentic order of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

Saturated. Womanly. François Nars’s latest color collection is all those things and more. Find out more about the NARS Spring 2012 Collection + MUR Water at BeautySnob!

Coquette loves the soft new color for spring – blush.  

Second City Style lists New Year's resolutions from a woman who usually doesn't make them in Fashionattitude.

The Beauty Stop previews Jason Wu for Target.