What's All The Stripe Hype?

I know, I know, everyone is talking about stripes. From high end to mass market to discount retailers, everywhere you look, you're seeing stripes. But here's the thing, people I talk to still don't think they can wear them. "Horizontal stripes make you look fat," has been ingrained in their brains from a very early age and they can't seem to accept the fact that if worn right, they in fact, do not make you look fat.

Girl, I assure you, I go to great pains to NOT look fat! So there is no way I would don anything that came even close to doing so. Just like anything else I own, it's all about the cut. Cut right for your body and you can rock thin, medium or wide horizontal stripes.

Be smart about it. Wider in the hips? Give yourself some breathing room in that area with a fit & flare skirt that does just that (flares out from the fitted waist - duh). Kate Spade knows what she's doing:

Kate Spade

Candy Shop Jeanette Dress

$395

But really, you don't have to do head-to-toe pastels to get a piece of the trend pie. There are so many affordable, adorable options out there that live up to the stripe hype.

Ann Taylor

Nautical Stripe Sweater

$68

Pair it with white wide leg pants for a cool nautical spin.

French Connection

Striped You-Me-Oui Tank

$48

The cut is more forgiving around the midsection, making it more flattering.

Vince

Twisted Striped Sweater, Coastal

$129, was $195

The longer cut gives you a leaner silhouette.

Okay, I'm not going to try to pretend there's a secret way absolutely anyone can wear this bikini. You know if you can wear it or not...regardless of the fantastic nautical stripes.

Lisa Curran

Valencia U-Bar Bandeau Bikini Top & Scoop Bottom

$88 each

And last, but certainly not least, what's life without a little Marc Jacobs in it?

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Tate Pretty Nylon Quilted Tote

$198

Now get out there and don't look fat!

I Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident

There are certain truths of my world by which I have always lived my life. Things like: Kevin Costner movies have the best quotes (need I remind you of his monologue in Bull Durham about his set of beliefs?), newer is better, most men are like buses and most importantly, you can never, ever be too tall.

But as it turns out, there are certain women in this world who shall remain nameless who don't necessarily agree with all of my rules, namely the last one. There are women who want to wear flats.

Flats! Can you imagine? Chic, subtle shoes with no heels that are comfortable to walk in. Huh? I simply don't get it. But then again, there was that one time I was proven wrong before. This could be the second.

Platinum

Jil Sander

Tessuto Ballet Flats

$425

Jean Michel Cazabat

Brushable Sequin Ballet Flat

$225

Gold

MICHAEL Michael Kors

Gogo Ballet Flats

$98

(use code SAVEMORE for 15% off)

Coach

London Flat

$148

Debit

Steve Madden

KORTSHIP Flats

$79.99

Ivanka Trump Shoes

Scapoli Flats

$80

(They're jelly!)

Well, there you have it. I was obviously right. No one would want to actually wear such cute, comfortable shoes around town. Right? Right?

Livin' On The Wedge

My apologies for lack of posts lately. I've been so busy with moving and starting my new job and my high heel online seminar that I haven't had a moment to think of fashion. Ha! As if!

Recently I realized that though I've been droning on and on and on about 70's chic wide leg jeans and pretty spring dresses, I haven't mentioned a thing about the shoes to go with them. Can you believe it?! Me! Not mentioning shoes! Something is obviously amiss.

As I sit here fresh from being coerced into the make-up chair at Saks, looking like only the highest-end drag queen around, I couldn't fit in less with the low-maintenance style of spring to come. Thankfully, that will only take a good scrubbing to get rid of so I can focus on what's really important. Shoes, obviously.

Espadrilles to be exact. They go with almost everything from whimsical silk dresses and bright floral prints, to the above mentioned wide leg jeans and requisite bikini + pareu beach uniform.

Lo and behold, they're everywhere this season. Between the natural raffia or cork wedge heels and the colorful straps, your options are practically endless with this style. Can't decide? Get all three!

Platinum

Tory Burch

Contrast Espadrille Sandals

Saks Fifth Avenue

$165

Gold

Nine West

Blanca

(ships 4/19-4/26)

$99

Debit

Dolce Vita for Target

Cork Wedge Sandals

$29.99

You know they're everywhere and you can find a pair for a great price when Nine West is the Gold price. Now get out there and live on the wedge a little too. Just don't get suckered into the make-up chair at Saks. Take my word for it.