style

My Observations on Special-Occasion Style

November 17, 2009 at 10:15 am , by Sue Erneta

I just returned from a wedding in the Dominican Republic. The bride is an accessory director at a major fashion magazine and we worked together at a former job. She is beautiful and smart and fun to be around—and she’s also incredibly fashionable, though she never looks like she’s trying too hard at it. The crowd at this wedding included lots of fashion types—editors, designers and publicists—and when it came to their attire, they did not disappoint. I think I learned a little something about style at each glamorous event.

Thursday night: Cocktail party at a beachside house
Attire: Tropical chic
I wore: A plumy silk Rebecca Taylor bustier dress and Miu Miu sequined heels.
What I observed about style: It’s always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. All the ladies pulled out their cutest cocktail dresses and fabulous shoes. Black wrap dresses need not apply.

Friday: Cruise on a catamaran
Attire: Beach casual
I wore: A gold silk mini from J. Crew and a brown Tomas Maier bikini.
What I observed about style: Shorts and a t-shirt are not appropriate beach attire. Whether they were wrapped in a sarong, or wearing an easy jersey dress, all the women looked amazing.  The key accessory: simple non-logo sunglasses.

Saturday night: The wedding
Attire: Formal
I wore: A long black asymmetrical Prada gown (before you judge my frivolous spending habits – it was a sample sale find and I got for a song!) and an Alexis Bittar gold cuff.
What I observed about style: When in doubt, wear chiffon. It moves so beautifully when you dance, and in general it’s very drapey, making it much more comfortable than a structured strapless dress.

So, tell me….what have you observed about style from the events that you’ve been to?

(Photo of me and my cute hubby by my good friend, the amazing fashion writer and amateur photographer Selene Milano Angel.)

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Objects of Desire

September 22, 2009 at 9:56 am , by Sue Erneta

I was recently in Target when my 4 year old started having a HUGE tantrum. What was wrong, you ask? Oh, just the simple fact that she had spotted a Dora mermaid doll and I said she’d have to wait to ask Santa for it. Her face began to turn red, the waterworks were sprouting, and she started jumping around like she hadn’t peed in hours. I wanted to say “Knock it off! You’re being ridiculous!” but instead I soothed her with some reasoning. “We can’t always have what we want.”

Sure it’s silly when she pulls these tantrums but then again, she is 4. And we all know what it’s like to want something we can’t have. Which reminds me…

I’m on the hunt for some new fall shoes. Let’s face it, it’s not really a desire, it’s something I need, right? Unfortunately, my budget is more “steal” than “splurge”. So, I picked out some nice Banana boots and felt pretty satisfied. Until…I popped into the Saks shoe salon. Prada studded round-toe pumps! Balenciaga lace-up booties! YSL navy sandals! Christian Louboutin patent peep-toes! My heart began to race. My palms started to sweat. I had an achy feeling in my stomach. Had I died and gone to shoe heaven? If so, it didn’t feel very good. I had to do everything in my  power to avoid having a full blown tantrum when I looked at the prices. And suddenly I understood the way my daughter felt about that Dora doll.

The next time we went to Target, I bought her that doll. I know that was probably not the right lesson but I just figured one of us should get what we wanted, right? And since hers was only $14.99, she won.

So, tell me…What have you wanted so bad that it hurt?

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Fall Shopping Checklist

September 8, 2009 at 2:35 am , by Sue Erneta

Hi! I’m Sue and I’m the Fashion Editor of Ladies’ Home Journal. I can’t tell you what to buy for fall (well, actually I did) but I figure I could tell you what I’m going to buy for fall and that way we can get to know each other a little better.

Here are some of the things on my list.

Navy boyfriend blazer: I’m opting for this shorter version from the GAP (sold out online but still available in stores) because it’ll be better for my 5’1″ frame. Navy is perfection to me, and I’ll wear this little number with jeans and tees, over little dresses, and maybe even with a mini skirt and boots. It’s the perfect ‘transition to fall’ piece.

Denim shirt: I already got one from American Eagle—gotta love early fall deliveries! I’ve worn it with a gold mini for a little contrast and this winter I’ll wear it with everything from jeans and a blazer to dressy skirts.

Read more

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