Beauty & Fashion Tips - Rags & Rouges Style Tips

If you have a favorite color but don’t want to lose the denim look OR feel, you are in luck. Jeans are now available in literally a rainbow of colors and hues.  Like a kid with a paint box, select the shades that tickle your fancy.  You need to treat them like any bright piece in your wardrobe.  If you choose for a brighter shade, you want to go darker and more muted on top. With bright jeans, the spotlight is on the jeans, so don’t go too detailed on top. With brighter shades you want solids on top with simple accessories, or accessories that accent the accents on your denim — a few silver bangles or a long simple necklace — never both — will do the trick.

Red is a great way to make a statement. You can go white or black on top for a really dramatic look. These Sweetheart Skinny Jeans from Old Navy come in a variety of sizes and also in Purple for $34.50.

If you are going for a dramatic bright color like red, and are on the curvier side, you can still pull it off.  These have the classic rise which means they are neither too low or too high for your waist and they are available up to size 20.  Classic rise will take emphasis away from both your hips and your thighs and the front panel flattens your tummy.  Wear these with heels to elongate your look and distract from the curves.

The indigo look is very big this fall, and works right through winter as well. I really like the choices at DKNY Jeans as you can get the right fit for any body type.  DKNY Jeans are going to last you a lifetime as well.  Here you are looking at an Indigo pair from The Gap, another trusted brand that will last forever.  They call their Indigo Atlantic Blue.  This pair works perfectly for curvier women as well.  What I like about The Gap is for every pair of jeans YOU select your inseam and you also select either petite or Tall. So the work is already done for you.  These are called the Curvy Boot Cut and are $69.50.

If you want to have a pair just for glamor purposes or to have something comfy to wear for that night on the town, try these metallic jeans which are very big this fall as well. I have to say, I am not sure how long this trend is going to last, so buy at your own risk.  But they definitely work for a little glitz.  You can go a little overboard on the accessories with these Aramus Metallic Stretch Jeans, but keep your top simple and you want your shoes to be fancy, but unadorned.  These however would work with many figures.  Again, you have a classic rise that is neither too high nor too low, and the boot cut with some pretty shoes will definitely elongate your look and take the eyes away from your curves.

Whatever color you are looking for, you will be able to find it this year.  Don’t be afraid to go all out regardless of your body size.  If you are pairing your jeans with the right top and shoes, your figure will be flattered and enhanced rather than hidden in slouchy jeans that don’t fit properly.

Today we are going to look at denim sizing.  Finding the perfect fit to your jean has to be almost as hard as swimsuit shopping. Every woman has a different figure, and every woman, yes, even the thin girl, has a curve in a place where someone else might not.  Thankfully denim designers have clued in to this and today you have more than a few options when it comes to buying jeans.  No matter what your size, here are a few tips.  We could not possibly cover every body type and every individual situation in one blog post, so if there is something you would like to see here that is missing, leave a comment and I will see what I can come up with for you. In the meantime, here are a few basic DO’s to get you started.

Curvy Girls

You want to go for a mid or low-rise look.  Avoid high waists, or choose a waist that is high in the back and low in the front.  You also want to avoid “peg-legs” and try a more flattering boot cut.  Look for denim that has Lycra enhanced fit, or anything with X-fit Lycra.  Good brands to try are Eddie Bauer’s new line or Blue Bee.  Here you see Eddie Bauer’s Natural Fit Boot Cut Stretch, meaning they have the Lycra component.

You can also try the trouser cut with a sturdy shoe or heel. The flat panel flattens the tummy area and the trouser cut also flatters the hip line and takes attention away from the hips.  Here you are looking at Joe’s Jeans from Revolve.

Thin Girls

If you want to boost a flatter behind, try and create the illusion of a shapelier behind with jeans that have rear yokes that angle downward.  Try the Beverly Rocks from J & Company in stretch denim.

All Sizes

You can also buy your jeans based on your “sculpt”.  Some companies offer what is called sculpt sizing which means certain sizes for specific sized behinds.  Trailblazer brand Notify offers Size A for flatter behinds, Size B for a moderate curve, and Size C for the fuller figured girl.

Height

The inside length of the jean is going to affect the entire fit, so no matter what your curve situation (or lack thereof) is, you need to have the perfect inseam.  The average inseam is 34 inches, but shorter girls want to look for inseams in the 32″ range, whereas leggier girls should not be getting jeans with an inseam less than 36 inches.

Yup. You heard right. We are doing a Denim Extravaganza next week.  Denim all day, every day.  With Fall approaching (YIKES) and school on the horizon (Moms everywhere are counting the days, teachers not so much) denim is a huge staple. In fact, it always has been since its arise on the fashion scene. I’ve got a ton of stuff for you, including:

• What to wear, what not to wear
• How to find jeans that are best for YOUR body (not the perfect body)
• Colors, colors, colors
• How to size your jeans
• Designer denim
• Where to find the cheap ones
• When to pay more
• And more!

Something missing? Got a burning denim question? Looking for something specific?  Let me know, ask here, ask now, or any other day this week and you got it!

In 1993, Kate Spade debuted with seven handbags that were both practical and stylish.  Now they are still chic, and remain as practical as they were 100 years ago.  To date they have been seen in museums, runways, magazine, and are featured on a global level for every woman that wants a bag that will last from one year to the next and through every season.

I am a big BIG fan of Kate Spade. I do have a couple of her bags, and it seems I will be adding to that collection SOON.  She names each of her bags after a place, so unique.  Here are a couple that have just dropped a bomb in price.  You may like them, I know I do.

The first is the Tulum Small Coal.  Tulum is located in Mexico, and is perfect for travelers looking for a relaxed setting.  Reminiscent of the woven bags found in Mexican markets, these bags are made from raffia and cotton. Now going for 50% off at $147.00.

And here we have the Hillsborough Small Carla.  The history on this bag goes like this. She found the inspiration for this bag just south of San Francisco in the residential enclave of Hillsborough, where beautiful mansions date back to the early 20th century, and lush gardens offer a refreshing escape from the city.   This one for $296.00.

I should say if you want these, act now. I went to purchase the Medium Shopper Long Handle, which my sister told me about YESTERDAY (and it was SO there!), and it went going going gone.  Good luck!

Unless you have been living under a rock, then you know the Beckham name has becoming a household term in recent weeks. Not that this is anything new. Victoria Beckham, AKA Posh Spice, and David Beckham, AKA Yummy Man (ok, that’s mine and not EXACTLY world renowned), are making waves at the global level. With his transition from Spain to L.A. added with her new Reality Show (Victoria Beckham Comes to America) these two are very cleverly marketing themselves to be their very own brand name. And this does not even include the host of other things they have going on. We WILL discuss Vic’s fashion line at some point, but I want to just touch on how these two have become America’s favorite trendsetters.

From ensembles to hairstyles, trendwatchers and fans across the globe are copy-catting the looks from these two mega-stars. Soccer players at every level have copied his hair style, as have many adoring little men who worship his status. And women have been copying Victoria’s seemingly effortless style for ages. I will admit, even I have been coveting her hair. I have been considering short for a while now, and she just makes it look so easy. Let’s have a peek at a couple of their classic looks.

 Team Tom and Katie
New Beckham BFFs, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got hitched in Italy last year and Posh and Becks were there for all the festivities. Every inch the trend-setters, the two were photographed out and about in outfits that would eventually be knocked off. Her sexy school marm ensemble (a fitted white shirt, black collar and slim pencil skirt) and his fluffy, dear-print wrap sweater and jeans combo was found in all the shops just a few months after this photo was taken.

Coming to America
Signing a deal with the L.A. Galaxy that is worth a reported $250 million dollars (but don?t ask, the Beckhams are VERY uncomfortable talking about money), the Beckhams were finally on their way to America. The media frenzy surrounding their move only begins with their arrival at LAX on July 12, 2007. The perfect outfits for the occasion? A classic black shift dress, a black Hermes Kelly bag and stiletto pumps for her, a military jacket and jeans for him. They make it look so easy don?t they?

It seems Stefano Pilati has seen enough velour sweatsuits (puke, who hasn’t). This Yves Saint Laurent designer is rolling out a new capsule collection called Edition 24, which aims to outfit the sophisticated traveler with everything she needs for an overnight adventure. The line is comprised of around 50 seasonless pieces that are meant to be mixed and matched to create 24 looks in a simple palette of black, white and khaki. The chiffon dress resists wrinkling, the vinyl trench coat can handle London’s rainiest day, and the tailored tuxedo jacket can be thrown over the white blouse for easy dinner dressing. And since Pilati is hoping to reach ?a broader, younger clientele? with Edition 24, it’s only natural that he enlisted user-generated internet content to help promote the collection. Earlier this week, model Jessica Miller, clad in the new line, acted out 24 hours worth of screenplay. The resulting film, shot by Nick Knight, will be on view at Yves Saint Laurent this fall.

Here are a look at some of the pieces.  What I love about them is the seasonless aspect Pilati is trying to embody. So they really can go from one place to the next at any time of the year, to any climate.  Layering is the key here if changing drastic climates.  Trotting the globe never looked so effortless….

What you see here is a classic Pilati creation in neutral colors with a wide variety of layering options. You can take or leave this trench, and the crisp white shirt underneath can go just about anywhere anytime.  I love the tights with the sandals as well.  So versatile.  Perfect travel garb for a long haul flight, chic yet effortless.

Here you can never go wrong with white and black. This cool two-pieced outfit can take you anywhere at any time of the year. Gone are the days of no white after Labor Day.  If you can squeeze tights into your peep toe’d heels, you can do anything.

And then we have the classic everything bag that YSL is famous for.  This carries well as an on-flight bag, or even take it with you wherever you want this fall.  You don’t HAVE to be a jet-setter to enjoy the chic look of Edition 24.

If you love love love the Stefano, check out his Fall/Winter collection here that branches beyond the Edition 24 line. 

Ran across a site offering some very unique jewelry. I am not a big jewelry person, so when I do wear it, I like it to be a little off the beaten path. Here at Leviticus this is exactly what you will find.

The designer here is Tara Levitin, and her mission is to create jewelry that forces people to ask ?Where did you get that??. These are charming pieces, pun intended, that feature words to live by and unique charms that carry meaning and significance. Her goal is to make pieces that cater to each woman and help accentuate her beauty. Have a look at some of the ones that jumped out at me, you will see what I mean.

First up, well, I never in my wildest imagined I would be showcasing casket parts on this site, but here you go.  This piece actually HAS those, with a casket handle holding front and center on this one. This kind of creeps me out, but I have to say, I love it. This will definitely have people talking. And you know nobody is showing up at the party with this one.  Wear something like this with very simple solid colors, this piece will be the centerfold of your outfit.  Jeans and a long tunic would be great. Sandals or flats for day, heels for night.  Wear your hair up to really accentuate this.  Again, minimize everything, this piece does all the work for you. Your outfit is done.

I like this with the keys, very simple, and very elegant.  I see something like this with a very Victorian type of outfit.  Think ruffles, long flowy skirt. Don’t like skirts?  Tailored trousers or jeans will work too.  Don’t go too Victorian here though, keep your neckline nice and open to show this one off.  In the winter, throw this over a turtleneck, solid color.

This one is called Lobster and is based on the premise that Lobsters mate for life.  If you haven’t found your mate yet, wear this until you do.  If you have, share the other half of your charm with your mate.  I think this one calls for an open neckline as well.  You can add some other pieces to this, bangly earrings, bangly bracelets, and stay in the silver family for all of them.  What you wear with this one won’t matter much, this will go with everything.  The only no-no here would be a halter top or dress.

I love love LOVE this one and how the necklace actually goes up the side of your neck.  This one actually contains a disk with each of the 10 commandments written on them. Kind of odd and cool all at the same time. I don’t even care personally what the disks say, because this design is beautiful.  You want to show this one off in a strapless number, or a very wide open neckline, scooped preferably.

Check them all out at Leviticus.  You will also find here earrings and bracelets on top of the one of a kind collection and necklaces.

So I just want to touch base on a couple of topics that are of interest here.

First off, the Mena Suvari T-Shirt is creating a little stir because some of you are having problems locating this. Stirs I do not like, so I have made this my personal mission.  For starters, I am terribly sorry this has turned into the goose chase that it has.  I have contacted both Lord & Taylor as well as InStyle magazine on this subject.  InStyle was actually where I got the ’scoop’ so to speak, and it was as recent as the June issue, so I truly didn’t see how they would end up being so difficult to find. In fact it is, BASTARDS! They have not even had the decency to respond yet, so if no by tomorrow, I am cancelling my subscription (HOPE THEY’RE READING THIS!)  Seriously, that won’t help you now, but I just hate it when this happens.

Lord & Taylor has informed me they only carry them in-store.  I then scoured Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Macy’s online for the shirt, no dice. (don’t worry, Bloomingdales is my Mother Ship, it was hardly work) So I looked into the company 2 Love Inc, which is the company that hosts the making and development of the charity T’s through the stars.  I can’t find contact info *yet* but I am a writer, hence expert researcher, and when I know, so will you.  I didn’t want you all to think I had left you hanging though, because I haven’t. I can’t stand it when I want to buy something and can’t find it.  So again, keep your eyes open there.

And a little note on the headscarves post.  She Complete offers a really cool kind that is a scarf that attaches in the back with an elastic.  I bought a bunch of these off eBay last week, and I have to say they are the greatest invention in headband land.  I have not felt it slip ONCE. And it’s so retro and boho, totally my look on some days, so I love the patterns. Not only, but I can wear this with so much. My $2.99 is really going to stretch with this one! lol I can’t save the pic as it is protected, but you can certainly get a look at this link of what it looks like (and there are lots out there).  Go to eBay and use the keywords “headband scarf” or vice versa, and you will get a nice selection.  I picked up about 6 headband scarves for less than $20 (yes, including shipping) and I can’t say that I could be happier.  With one a pop going for $32 bucks at She Complete, I have to say as usual, eBay is a better place to shop.

Now, if I can just keep making scoops like this, I may be able to pick up those shoes I spoke about yesterday. *sigh*