The Closet Coach

A reader writes to ask where she can find a good, all-purpose black blazer. You know the kind: you can wear it with jeans, to work, or on a date night.

My reader has a silhouette with narrow shoulders, so she especially needs a blazer that will balance out the widest part of her body, through the hips.

Blazer silhouettes that flatter the pear shape

So let’s start with that garment shape. First we want to add definition to the shoulders. The easiest way is with shoulder pads. Really. (Don’t worry, we’re not going to get all Alexis Carrington here–we’re talking light padding.)

And make sure the jacket fits here perfectly. The end of the shoulder seam should align with the end of your shoulder bone. In fact, a wardrobe staple like this one is worth tailoring to fit if needed.

Draw the eye upward with detailing around the collar. Or try a statement necklace or sassy scarf!

The jacket should also taper in at the waist, to emphasize your narrowest area and further create an hourglass shape balancing top and bottom. A boxy cut will just make you look bigger.

And watch out for pockets on the hips; square ones can add bulk while angled ones can be more flattering.

Finally, make sure the length is right: you don’t want the bottom of the jacket to end at the widest part of your body, which is most likely your bottom or your thighs. Look for one of two lengths: at or just above your hipbones (best if you are petite), or fingertip length.

7 black blazers for the pear shape

Here are 7 options for an all-purpose black blazer, in price points from Target to Platinum Card.

• Target Mossimo Women’s Fitted Blazer. A good, basic blazer in cotton. At this price, it’s good as a starter item or a backup. (Target.com, $30)
• LOFT Cetta Jacket. A better quality item, with peplum gathering in the back hem for a little more definition in the waist. (LOFT, $89.50, on sale for $59.99)
• The Limited Seam Pocket Jacket. In a polyester blend, this jacket should drape nicely and the front pockets are tucked into a seam. (The Limited, $138)
• Alice + Olivia Structured Leather Panel Blazer. I love the leather detailing and the unusual hemline. This is not your mama’s black blazer. (Alice + Olivia at Neiman Marcus Last Call, $173, marked down from $495)
• Ann Taylor Tropical Wool Stand Collar Jacket. Here’s a sleek equestrian-inspired silhouette with flattering seaming and a stand collar in wool. (Ann Taylor, $228)
• Ralph Lauren Devinne Wool Jacket. I like the subtle pinstriping in this jacket; it’s as versatile as a solid black blazer but with a little more visual interest. With a 30” hem length, this is best for taller women. (Ralph Lauren, $270)
• Reiss Ameris Jacket. This military-inspired jacket draws the eye upward with epaulets at the shoulder. It does have hip pockets, so you’ll want to try it on to see if it works on your body. (Reiss, $325, on sale for $162)

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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Can you believe school is starting up again already? (I can’t, she says, just 3 days after the end of her beach vacation. Sigh.)

That means it’s backpack–and tote bag–shopping time. What better time to look for some fun variations on the same old same old, whether your toting books to school, or purchases home from shopping.

I looked styles with not-so-standard variations on shape, color and silhouette, suitable for everything from outdoor hikes to urban commutes to school hallways.

Here are my picks for 8 cute tote bags and backpacks:

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)

Debi Mazar in a Stella & Dot necklace

I have a good idea how to pick out a top or skirt that look good on me and will work well with my wardrobe. Shoes? No problem!

But when it comes to jewelry, I always feel stumped. Invariably I wind up buying the same kinds of things over and over. Even when I do buy interesting pieces, I’m not very good at thinking of creative ways to wear them.

To the rescue this week comes my good friend and independent Stella & Dot stylist, Janiré Hopkins, who knows how to rock a statement necklace. This week she’s teaching us how to become a jewelry-wearing diva.

How to choose and buy jewelry

Q: I’d love to branch out more with the kinds of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings I wear but I don’t know where to start. What are your suggestions?

A: Think of jewelry as an extension of yourself. There are many sides to us as women. I recommend choosing jewelry the same way you choose shoes: you have your flirty sandals, chic kitten heels, your very sensible work pumps, drop-dead gorgeous high heel boots, etc. Step outside of your comfort zone when choosing accessories.

Q: Do certain kinds of jewelry look better on different body/face types?

A: Yes and no. :-) Your coloring will play a factor in what looks good on you. But how many times have you been told blue is not your color, only to find yourself looking fabulous in a blue dress? I have olive skin and therefore convinced myself that silver was not for me. Turns out I was wrong.

Q: What key pieces of jewelry should every woman have in her wardrobe?

A: I am firm believer in Tim Gunn’s list of must haves and really encourage women to follow the same principles when creating a jewelry wardrobe. [Editor’s note: Love him!]

Make sure your jewelry wardrobe contains pieces that:

• you can wear every day/every way, no matter your outfit (dress, jeans, sweater)
• are classic and always stylish (think pearls, stud earrings)
• you can wear on the weekend, when you want to be casual but still chic

I also think everyone should have a statement piece in their jewelry wardrobe, the equivalent of that red wrap dress you wear when you want to turn heads.

Q: How should I store my jewelry and take care of it?

A: Your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting ready, and the first thing you take off when winding down.

Q: Are there any jewelry wearing mistakes I should avoid?

A: Don’t overspend on trendy pieces. When stepping outside of your style comfort zone, make sure your investment is minimal. That way, if you end up not loving the piece, you haven’t spent a small fortune on it.

Q: What’s your favorite piece of jewelry–and why?

A: I love mixing classic pieces with statement pieces. I’ve been known to pair gold stud earrings with the Amanda Necklace, which features dyed white jade, coffee glass, gold sand glass, brown mother-of-pearl, and resin beads linked by hammered gold rinks.

About Janiré

Janiré Hopkins is an independent stylist with Stella & Dot. She is a budget fashionista who is a little obsessed with fashion, mid-century modern furniture, design & photography. She’d probably be more obsessed if she weren’t busy being the mother of six amazing kids. You can also find her on Twitter at @chicgeekstyle or at her Tumblr blog, Chic Geek Style.

[Photo courtesy Stella & Dot]

Tim Gunn: An inspiration for many fashion bloggers!

This week for Fashion Beauty Friend Friday we’re talking about outside influences, the things that inspire us as fashion bloggers, from other fashion bloggers to magazines, ads, TV, books and more.

1. What magazines do you subscribe to?
I like to read a lot of different fashion and beauty magazines; I was a subscriber to Elle for years and years. Currently I have two subscriptions, both purchased with points (yay, points programs!): Allure and Lucky. I was a charter subscriber to Lucky, then let it lapse after I had my daughter, but now we’re reunited and it feels so good. Although it’s a dangerous magazine for the shopping budget ;)

2. Do you watch any fashion TV shows?
I used to be a religious watcher of “Project Runway” but I broke up with it after the weird L.A. season and the switch to Lifetime. They had tinkered with it too much and lost some of what I loved about it. You don’t go cutting my Tim’s airtime down, dammit! The show I still watch is “What Not To Wear.” Love me some Stacey and Clinton!

3. Beyond blogs, what websites do you frequent for fashion inspiration?
I’m not really a huge visitor to the mainstream fashion sites; it’s enough just keeping up with blogs I subscribe to, magazines I subscribe to and writing/researching my own blog posts.

4. Advertisements play a huge role in forming public opinion about a product or brand; what ads do you like and why?
I only give ads a cursory glance most of the time so I honestly couldn’t name a single ad I’ve seen that made a particular impact. I’m more likely to try a new product because I read about it online or in a magazine.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kitten Heels for Spring 2011 by closetcoach

For their combination of classic style and walkability, nothing beats a cute pair of kitten heels. Working moms on the go can especially appreciate their ability to take you from home to office.

Here are 11 fabulous pairs of kitten heels you can wear right now.

(Price tags a little scary? Use these styles as inspiration and look for their cousins at Zappos, Bluefly, DSW or other retailers.)

Let’s dish

• Do you like to rock some kitten heels?
• What’s your favorite pair and where did you get them?

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