They’re all over the place! Ruffles, I mean. And not the potato chip variety, though they do take up quite a bit of space in my kitchen. One of my favorite ruffle looks was Jennifer Hudson’s ruffle skirted gown at the Cannes Film Festival. What a great LBD (little black dress) plus ruffles.
All the press and buzz that ruffles are getting made me wonder why I don’t have more clothing with ruffled details. And it also made me curious as to whether there was a time period in which ruffles were as popular. I guess I’d have to go with the Elizabethans as the folks who really loved their ruffles—for both men and women. Get this: ruffles were a status symbol worn by the upper class of both genders. The rich had these big (and I mean HUGE) ruffled collars and the woman had their ruffled sleeves, in addition to their neck wear. Thankfully, though, you don’t have to be a millionaire or a celeb to wear them now.
I’m thinking that maybe I should give the ruffled look a try. Since I’d like to start slowly with adding a trend to my pretty basic wardrobe, I’m thinking our Ruffled Sleeve Tunic in white might be a good starting point. Paired with jeans, it could be the start of a fab new look for me.
What do you guys think? Will you get all ruffled up this season?
The Ruffled Dress Asymmetric is the trend for 2010. The Side Ruffle Dress shown at the right gives you that fashionable chic summer look. A linen cotton fabric available in white, black and cobalt blue, scoop neck, straight skirt, ruffled with side zipper. Comes in sizes 4-20. Machine washable. I prefer this type of fabric because with dry clean material you're forever paying for one outfit.
The Summer Sheath Dress Check out the sheath dress for those who want to show curves this summer. Dress is made from a cotton/spandex pique-textured fabric with stretch, which is my kind of fabric. This combination of fabrics offers a more comfortable fit. Dress is lined, machine washable and comes in sizes 4 - 20, available colors; black and white, dark red white, black, daisy and white (solids).
The Bandage Dress Beautiful, curve-hugging bandage dress is so cute, fun and stylish. Sheath dress has multi band design with envelope neckline. Pullover cotton/nylon fabric and machine washable. Available in XS-XL and also in tall sizes.
Before you read on, I want you all to look in the mirror right now and say to yourselves... You ARE beautiful! :)
As a society, we're so wrapped up in image: what is she wearing? What car does he drive? Who were they with? I'll be the first to admit, I'm not one to go on a quick trip to the grocery store without pulling up my unwashed hair into a ponytail and a quick swoop of eyeliner before I head out. BUT! Why do I do it? To be honest, I don't know... I'm married, so there's only one person I need to impress, and I don't consider myself as THAT super image conscious (because afterall, I am walking out of the house in my sweatpants and oversized Celtics t-shirt that I slept in). Unfortunately, society and the media tells us what "beautiful" is: you have to be thin to wear those skinny jeans, you have to have big eyes and long eye lashes to flutter at the man you want - and all the while, we're spending dollars we might not have on the latest trends and starving ourselves with the next fad diet out there.
There are a few celebrities out there who have been brave enough to not only not put on make-up, but go to a photo shoot and get their picture taken and plastered on magazine covers in their natural beauty. Jessica Simpson has graced the cover of this month's Marie Claire in only her own skin, sans make up and Kim Kardashian posed for Harper's Bazaar in her bikini with un-touched up images.
If celebrities can accept themselves the way they are, flaws and all, why can't we? I think that's great! It's telling me, it's okay to skip the make up today and it's okay to get those jeans if they make my calves look big :) We need to all feel comfortable in our own skin, in order for our real beauty to shine through (I know it sounds corny, but it's true ladies!) I personally think that a nice, good-hearted person who might be average looking, is a much more beautiful person than a stuck up "witch with a 'b'" who might look like a model.
What do you think, what kind of beauty drives you?
Okay so I know you’ve all heard the saying April showers bring May flowers. This saying is all too true for making a fashion statement during this season. If there is no better time to wear flowers May is definitely that time. Now of course you don’t want to walk around looking like your grandmother’s 1950’s couch. But there is a way to wear flower prints and make a fashion statement that will be noticed by everyone.
Now that you are a magnificent woman choose flower prints that are bold, alive, and tasteful. If you decide to wear a flower print dress pick one color that is less dominant in the dress, and accessorize using that color. If you choose a color in the dress that is less noticeable to the eye, but you accessorize with that color you will allow that color to become the distraction from the flowers. Matching your eye shadow with the less dominant color will also add a touch of class to your overall outfit.
When wearing flower prints you can easily overdo your outfit because the flowers alone take up 96 percent of your outfit. You have to find a way to balance your entire look for the day, and that means never overdue accessories. Your accessories should compliment your outfit, not bombard your outfit. There is nothing worse than wearing accessories that scream out, “hey notice me not the outfit.” So this means choose accessories such as your necklace, earrings, and bracelet that are simple, yet elegant. I suggest a simple pearl, or diamond because these accessories compliment any piece of clothing whether it be jeans, shorts, or a dress. If you want to add more color simply choose a diamond or pearl that has color to them.
Your shoes should always be simple when wearing flower prints because once again the flowers alone make a statement. If more people are complimenting your shoes than your outfit that tells you your outfit does not say anything. You do not want to spend an hour or more putting the entire outfit together only to have someone compliment you by saying, “your shoes are so awesome.” You want a compliment that will address your entire outfit such as, “You look beautiful today.”
Remember flower prints do not come with warning labels that say you must be 50 or older to wear them. You can be any age and any nationality and wear flower prints the way no one has ever wore them before. You will know that your outfit speaks for itself when you look in the mirror and have a red carpet moment. Always remember to choose flower prints that match your personality and taste; compliment your outfit with accessories never overdo it; and make sure you wear the outfit, never let the outfit wear you. As I always say make sure you bring out the U that hides within you.
I love all of the fun, flirty and feminine ruffled tops this season! There are so many different styles to choose from. The ruffled tank is so colorful, it reminds me that warm Summer days are coming... then we go from the sophisticated polka dot ruffles to the pop of color of the pink ruffled top. Rounding out my top 4 list is the ruffled sheer blouse on Dani, she looks great in that color! P.S. Don't forget to check out "What's Hot" this week and every week... ...and you didn't hear this from me...but don't forget to check out this week's promotion...you can get those ruffles for a real steal ;)
Congratulations to Mary C. who won a $50 Metrostyle Gift Card for her Guest Blogger post titled "Color Code."
Didn't win this time? There's still time to send in your Guest Blogger Post for May! What's better, our next lucky winner will receive a $100 metrostyle Gift Card!
Metrostyle proudly supports the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in association with the North Jersey Minerva Corporation for its 48th Annual Scholarship Benefit Luncheon May 22, 2010. For more information, visit: www.NorthJerseyDeltas.org. Stay tuned for more updates!
In honor of Mother’s Day (May 9th), I thought it’d be fun to blog about what I admire about my mom’s style.
But here’s the thing: It’s kind of hard to define my mom’s style! Trendy? Nope. Classic? Kinda. Glamorous? Not if she can help it…
In a way, I think my mom’s style is as unique as she is. She loves simple, comfortable styles. But she most appreciates the ones with little details that make them stand apart – like delicate embroidery, pretty trim or specialty stitching.
My mom also has an artist’s eye and really knows how to work with color. She is often drawn to neutrals and soft tones, but every once in a while she kicks it up a notch with a rich red or lime green…just to keep it interesting!
But what I love most about my mom’s style is how well it suits her personality. It’s comfortable, approachable, expressive and interesting…everything that my mom is!
P.S. Don't forget to check out "
