Boys, This One's For You!

It has been brought to my attention recently that there is an entire group of potential readers whose needs I have been ignoring: guys! It seems apparent to me that most young men know only a few ways to dress, which consists of Nike, Adidas, college gear, and the occasional tuxedo for formal events. But guys there are so many other options out there for you, and all at reasonable prices!
Not to say that you do not only owe it to yourself to invest in a few casual, non-athletic gear pieces, but you also owe it to the girls or the future girl that you will have in your life. Fact: it is offensive to wear sweats and a t-shirt on a date. Ladies take the time to make themselves look presentable and fashionable for you, therefore it is expected for you to do the same.
Maybe the problem is not that you mean to be offensive, but rather you are not educated. It is completely appropriate, and sexy, to wear nice jeans, a fitted v neck t-shirt, and fashionable athletic shoes when you are hanging out with a girl. Want to amp it up a bit? Wear a V-neck sweater for cooler days, a classic polo for hotter days, or a button down stripped shirt for the in between days. And the great thing about all of these options, is that you can wear them with nice jeans. By nice jeans I mean jeans that are somewhat slim fitting and tapered, no dad or carpenter jeans allowed, and preferably a dark wash. But if you have a more formal event to attend with your girl, you can also pair any of these options with a great pair of khakis and a pair of leather loafers or slip-ons.
As for shoes, boys, this is your time to shine! What shoes a man wears says so much about his personality. If you do wear athletic shoes, which is perfectly acceptable, they should be in proper condition: clean, interesting, and eye catching. Think Justin Bieber-esque high tops, hipster converses, or preppy Sperry's. Flip flops with socks is not hot, and will not keep your girl coming back for more.
Now that you know what to wear, you may wonder where you can buy these articles of clothing. Khols, Old Navy, and H&M are stores that constantly get in new merchandise that is affordable and durable.
By choosing to wear clothing that is a bit more formal than sweats that you can lounge in, you will impress your peers and get the girl of your dreams.

The Flapper Resurfaces

It is only September, but I am already tired of the neutrals, muted colors, and basics that are on trend for this fall. Therefore it was a pleasant surprise to see the photographs from the Spring 2012 fashion week that is currently going on. Not only do all of the bright colors, fun patterns, and the high energy excite me, but also the flapper inspirations that I have seen so far. Intricate beading, fringe, and drop wastes can be seen in a number of collections, such as Tory Burch and Marchesa, as pictured above. So it seems... that the flapper lives on!

Girl Crush

Anyone that knows me well, knows that my girl crush is Sarah Jessica Parker. This admiration stems from a love of her show Sex and the City, and also because of her sense of style. Her adventurous spirit, appreciate of fashion as a true art form, and risking taking attitude have made her "fashion royalty", so to speak. She is so beloved in the world of fashion, that Anna Wintor went as far to say that she should run for mayor of New York City. She says, "I'm fascinated to see what she will do next...SJP for mayor of New York? Why Not?" Not only am I also excited to see what she does next, but I am always excited to see what she wears next.

Optical Illusions

For those fashion skeptics out there, this post is dedicated to you. Don't think clothing can create illusions or dramatic changes? Doubt the importance of a strategically placed stripe or block of color? Do you think to yourself, clothing really cannot help me look and feel better? Well think again! Optical illusions can be found in many articles of clothing. By placing dark and light values in the right places and in the correct proportions, a simple dress can enhance a woman's figure. As seen below, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen are two fashion designers that have taken advantage of the benefits optical illusions through fashion.