Dress your age not your shoe size.....well maybe sometimes......

Earlier this month I posted on facebook asking if anyone had any questions and SKS said:

Age appropriate fashion tips. i.e. even though it's Southern California, at what age should a woman no longer bare her legs and go with stockings? What about swimwear- I don't care about the fact you CAN wear a bikini, when does it become inappropriate? Skirt lengths for 45+ and exceptions to the rule. ‪#keepitclassyLosAngeles

My first thought was......there are no rules, wear what you want, but that's not true. I love rules....ask my friends....I have too many. So there is no black and white, hard and fast rules. It depends on your body size, age and what you can pull off  - meaning your personality. I'll do my best to be as clear as possible.

To answer SKS 1st:

Bathing suits: If you look good in a bikini, then wear it; there is no age limit in my book. Besides if you have a decent body and you're in a one-piece, to me it looks weird. 

Stockings: Sorry but just the word stockings sounds old. If you mean tan nylons - I say never. Not ever, never. If you have age spots on your legs, tell yourself they are freckles and freckles are cute. Anyone who wears tan nylons screams OLD. Go bare legged all day long.  Or nude fishnets are super cute with brown shoes. Now, black tights, fishnets, and fun patterned tights, these I like. I wear them during the winter with boots. I'm not a big fan of dark tights with heels; it's a hard look to pull off. Also, NEVER EVER wear stockings with open toe shoes. I thought everyone on the planet knew this until I saw a lady with open toe heels, a mini skirt, a terrible bra which made her boobies look like weird cones and she had to be pushing 60+. It was a very bad look it hurt my eyes.

Skirt length: Ok now this will be difficult to describe. I don't think age dictates the length of the skirt. For example: I have a friend, she’s 40, under 5'5” and she used to be a dancer. Dancer = muscular legs. Her legs aren’t long; she has amazing muscular calves and thighs. If she wears knee length skirts it will make her legs look short, stocky and it’s not flattering. She wears mini-skirts/short dresses, but she’s figured out a way to wear them tastefully, here’s how. Her skirts/dresses are loose and have an A-line to them, never tight. When she wears a skirt, the top is always loose and not revealing, since she’s already revealing leg. Because she has fab legs, when she sits down and the skirt rides up, it does not matter, her legs look fab!

I know another girl, just over 40; she’s maybe 5’6” – 5’7” (she always wears heals so I’m not sure of her true height). She wears short dresses that are tight at the boobies with heels. The dresses are too short, when she sits down, she’s self contentious of the sides of her legs and so she’s constantly adjusting her skirt, pulling it down, trying to hide the sides of her legs. She looks ridiculous, like she’s trying to look younger than she is. Unfortunately it does the opposite.

For me, I’m 5’8”; long legs (thank you baby Jesus and Mom) mini-skirts with heels are out of the question. I do have a few short skirts; one is really super cute, camouflaged, a-line, with a few sequined details (you have to see it, it sounds weird in the description) I wear this with a loose top and converse slip-ons or flip-flops. I have a few dressier skirts, I wear them with tights/opaque hose and flat riding boots, I have some summer dresses that are short, and I wear them with Tory Burch flip-flops. Hint, the cheaper the dress/skirt the shorter it is. I can’t go into Forever21 and find a dress, ever.

**Note for those wanting to look attractive and classy but not super sexy, not trashy following these suggestions** Show one body part only at a time. If you’re showing cleavage, have your bottom half covered in loose clothing. No tight top and tight pants/skirt. If you have tight, sexy pants on then wear a loose shirt. If you’re wearing a short skirt, then a loose top is preferred. If you think your short skirt might be a bit too mini, wear flats. Heels with a mini are for Vegas, a club or girls under 30. 

Hope that helps!

My boyfriend......boyfriend jeans that is

I love boyfriend jeans. I love any look that is casual and not sweats. You know how I feel about sweats, if you don't, shame on you, read previous posts you bad fashionista! Casual is hard for me. I'm Persian, we dress up to go the grocery store. So when I find a casual look that is comfortable, hip, fashionable and looks good on me......oh I'm so happy.

Before boyfriend jeans, I had a love/hate relationship with jeans. Jeans made me look great, they were like spanx to the 10th degree, but they were oh so uncomfortable. Remember when it was all about low-rise boot cut jeans that had wide bottoms, you wore them with high heels (preferably platforms) and they were tight as heck? If you were 5lbs over weight or more (umm which is everyone) these jeans created the ever so lovely muffin top (see previous posts).  Or if you had a booty you were the victim to the whale tale (see photo)

They were so long, so tight and the heels so high - there was no comfort happening for days. So when I'd ask, "so what should I wear to said event", and someone would say "oh you know, it's casual, just wear jeans". I would think, do they know I can barely sit in those jeans and they are so long you can't wear tennis shoes with them, I'm stuck in 4-6" heels and I'll be well over 6ft tall????

Then one day a miracle happened.....no not the Pajama Jeans......about 4-5 years ago the ever so lovely "Boyfriend Jeans" hit the stores. I was a skeptic at first. I was working at Nordstrom's, they were $150-$250, torn and baggy. Did they think I was a fool? I thought they would make me look fat and in no way would I pay money to look fat. I can do that all on my own, thank you very much! So I poo pood them.

If you didn't know, most of my fashion inspiration comes from real people on the street,  I see something on someone and think, hey that's cute and then I go find it. Well this is what happened with the BF jeans, I started seeing them on everyone and they looked cute. I saw them casual, dressed up, mid-level dressed up and realized they were so versatile. I still wasn't ready to pay full price for them, and one day I found myself in Old Navy (shhhh don't tell, my Persian family would have me shot by a firing squad) and they had a pair of BF jeans, torn but no too torn, nowhere on the jeans did they advertise "Old Navy" and they were $40. So I bought them, I wasn't 100% sold on this trend and I didn't want to invest too much. I wore them with flats (Tory Burch silver ones of course), I wore them with high heeled sandals, I wore them with T-shirts or blouses, I could wear any color with them, hot pink, green, yellow, practically any color goes with jeans. I had to start keeping track of when and where I wore them so people didn't see me in them too much (as if you are all keeping score - I forget I'm the only one I know with a true photographic memory).

Then winter came and I was so sad. I would have to put away my BF until next summer. But wait!!! I'm at the mall and in walks this woman in a bulky sweater that hits at her waist, BF Jeans and cute combat boots! There you have it ladies and ladies, BF can stay with me through the winter!!!! and he did!

I still wear these jeans today, no one believes me when I tell them they are from Old Navy and cost $40, they look as good as the stupid $200 ones.

So here's how to buy boyfriend jeans.

If you are 5'4 or under and thin:
You can wear them super baggy (at least 2"- 4" in waist size larger than you normally would) with a big belt, flats (sandals, or lace up flat boots) or heels, just wear a tight top, tight sweater, cropped jacket in the winter, wife beater with a big light material scarf in the summer. Trust me, you are thin, we know you are thin and nothing makes you look fat. It's an illusion that you have to wear tight to show your body. Also, only roll up the pants 2x. If you have to roll them up more, then cut the bottom so the roll isn't super bulky. Also, they must hang a bit, don't pull them up to your waist. You also can wear them tighter (I'll describe that later).

Jennifer Aniston pictured left

 

If you are 5'4 or less and not thin (if you have a distorted view of yourself and you don't know if you are thin just know anyone size 6 and under in my eyes is thin - ok don't get your panties in a bunch, if you are above a size 6 you are not fat, you are still NORMAL but you're just not thin, thin also has to do with body frame, oh geeze I might have opened up a can of worms). Anywhoo...... you under 5'4 girls who have some curvature, need to wear these jeans a little tighter. NOT TIGHT, just tighter (2" in waist size larger) Tighter in the booty and thigh region, not in the calf area - we are not buying skinny jeans. Wear them with the same items above minus the wife beater (that's what Jen is wearing). Instead wear a more blousey blouse. Heels would be best for you.

For you girls over 5'5 or tall girls, you have it the best. You can wear baggy BF or tighter BF. You can wear heels or flats, just go crazy!

 

My fav look right now - I have to get these!

 

Now for where to buy:

If you're like I was when I first started and you don't want to spend a lot of money, I'm all for that.
Right now The Gap has a pair on sale for $45.99 called "1969 deconstructed boyfriend sexy jeans" item # 600623. Buy them on line, 1 and 2 sizes up, when you get them decide which you like best and return the other one to the store. They come in petite (read previous post, if you are under 5'4 buy these in petite). Or just start shopping and see what you like. I promise, once you buy a pair, you'll be thanking me.

"Breaking up with Black" - how to bring color into your wardrobe

Why we love black.....it matches everything, we think it makes us look skinny and sophisticated, we can't mix and match so it's easy, we are afraid to step out and buy something different, blah blah blah.

Let me just say this to you all who only wear black. It's starting to look like a prison issue uniform, no matter how many new clothes you buy, you look like you're wearing the same thing, always. Plus it's boring, you're boring. Do you want to be boring? I think not!

Also, here's a secret, black does not make you look skinny. Skinny makes you look skinny. I know... you're in a state of shock right now. You thought you were fooling everyone with that holiday weight you put on, you thought you were hiding it in your all black outfit.....umm nope, not happening.

So might as well venture out of black, right?

Someone was asking me the other day why I have so much color in my wardrobe, how do I do it? How do I know what colors to buy? The truth? I am a conservative shopper, well not in my fathers eyes, he wants me to save every penny for a rainy day because the sky is falling and one day we won't have money. My dad is also referred to as "Chicken Little - the sky is falling, the sky is falling". OK I digress, maybe some therapy will be in my near future.

Back to color. I find the cut and fit of clothing I like, what looks good on me, sits well on my frame, I don't fidget when it's on and I get compliments. Then I go shopping and look for it on sale, usually black, brown, tan, grey, white is gone and what is on sale is color. I buy the color. There my secret is out.

For example, I love love love Jcrews #2 Pencil skirt (if you are shorter than 5'6 have it hemmed, it's too long), and it regularly sells for $110.00. That's crazy for a skirt. However, it's made very well, it's super thick cotton (so you won't see any pantie lines), you can dry clean it often and the color and shape will keep, plus it's fully lined. Anything fully lined is awesome. I'm not willing to buy a cheaper version. I wait for them to go on sale and I buy what fits, right now I have 3 sitting in my closet that I wear summer and winter, hot pink, shocking yellow and black. I found the black on sale somehow!  Normally I wouldn't buy a bright yellow skirt, and if it was regular priced, there is no way I would have bought it. But for $39.99 hell yes I will.

Now how to wear color?  First you have to know which colors look good and which look bad. If you are olive toned, almost any color looks good on you. If you're not, I suggest going shopping with a BF that has good taste, go to a row of solid color blouses, sweaters, or what have you and in the brightest light you can find, hold the garment up to your face and ask her if you look washed out or healthy and there's your answer. Also you must like the color. People tell me all the time I would look good in red. Well guess what I hate red, I hate red cars, red nail polish and especially red clothes. Just for me though, I don't care if you wear it. Remember, just because it looks good on you doesn't matter, you have to like the color.

Next start small. Start buying scarves in colors you like and wear them with your black /grey/beige outfits. There is your pop of color. People will start complementing you and telling you how good that color looks on you. That scarf has brightened up your face, that is what they are noticing. PS you can buy scarfs on ebay for less than $10 delivered to your door!

With my bright colored skirts I have 3 pairs of shoes I wear usually; Cole Han peep toe pumps in cream patten leather, Michael Kors heels in tan with wood heels, and Nine west heels in light tan. OR  
go completely out the box and wear leopard shoes with a bright colored pant (except red. Red + Leopard = hooker). If you are going to buy leopard print shoes, the print must be small, large leopard print looks cheap. 

Ok ready to venture out even more? Before you do, here's something to keep in mind. If you are going to buy bottoms (skirt, dress or pants) in a color other than black, white, grey, beige or brown, you'll need neutral shoes. This is for dressy items, for the office or going out. Casual stuff I break rules, I wear crazy colored flats with different colored pants.

With my bright colored bottoms I try to keep the top more neutral. If you're new to wearing colors, I suggest one bright item at a time, take it easy.  I will wear Kelly green or bright yellow with navy and nude heels. Or I will wear one bright item with cream or grey. With black I like lime green, pink, baby blue, melon, yellow oh I can go on and on. Also, if you're a big chicken but you still want color, go buy a big leather handbag in your favorite bright color - that will be your accessory. Here's some pics so you can get the visual. Now go shopping!!!!!

 
 

 

Winter staples

These are some great questions posted by AC;

AC: 1. Basics for each season - good prices and how to get past being overwhelmed in department stores/malls. Coats, sweaters, stuff that can be versatile and lasting. (Avoiding "paper clothes" that only last a few washes)

I've been meaning to educate you all on basics and how to shop, it's an art you know, how to shop. If you're rich, which most people aren't, you're watching your money, you want to look good  but not spend your rent money. I get it. So the question is how to look like you spent a lot of money without doing it. I know how. 

Here are some tips on how to shop. Right now is the time to shop for your winter basics. All the stores are having sales plus 20%-50% off. Now of course,  some of the sale items are there because they didn't sell, that's because they shouldn't have sold! They are ugly, over trendy, and no one was dumb enough to buy them when they were at full price. I'm not talking about that stuff. Keep in mind, all my fashion tips are from my point of view, my taste. When I'm hired by someone to style them, that's when I get to ask questions to see what makes them tick and I style them in clothes that are their taste with a little "Katya" spin on them.  So since you're not here with me, all my suggestions are solely my taste. 

Here's how I shop, I start looking at these clothes when they first come out, towards the end of summer. I try them on and make a mental note of what I like and wish I could buy. For example, I am a fan of Jcrew, their clothes are made extremely well, they aren't super trendy and the styles look good year after year. I know my size because I've tried everything I like on in the store. I've been wanting a cream colored coat to go with my browns, but it's a want, not a need......so I wait. I'm like a clothes hunter, I wait and wait until the time is right, then I take my shot!  The coat I've been eyeing was $425 (rich lady price!) It went on sale for $249 (still to much mullah) then Jcrew had a 40% off sale items. Booyaa I got the coat for $149 - free shipping. Now that's a beautiful thing. 

I don't impulse shop, I try not to "special occasion" shop, meaning, I have to go somewhere so I need a new outfit right now - this is when I buy the wrong items at a high price and regret it every time.

For staples, 1st you have to decide on color group you're going for. We've all heard, browns and blacks, but what does that really mean? Black - goes with anything almost and it's the easiest to start with in basics. Blacks go with grey, light blue (not dark) purple, red, pink, bright greens (not forest green) and white. Black does not go with orange, brown, forest green.  Browns go with navy blue, green, yellow, orange, white (no grey, no black). This isn't an exact science, just a guide. 

I'm going to assume you need black staples, here are my suggestions. Just a note on staples, they can't be cheap, no matter what. The staples I am listing below, if you buy them from Target, Forever 21, or other cheap stores, they always look cheap, they wear bad and don't last. Don't be tempted to buy cheap staples ever.

Shoes (all leather, leather heels and leather uppers - no fake leather)

• Riding boots - they are on sale right now for $100 at Nordstroms and they were $300
• Great with leggings, skirts and skinny jeans
• Boots with heels 
• I only wear these with skirts, if you wear these with leggings you look sleazy (it's just my opinion)
• Some cool black shoes with heels
• You can wear these with fancy jeans, boyfriend jeans, or skirts

Coats; you don't have to be super conservative with these styles, but don't be super trendy - a little flair here and there never hurt anyone. All of the coats I'm describing below can go from jeans to office:

• One long coat that hits right around your knees. Big enough that you can wear layers underneath, don't buy it super fitting
• One shorter coat, depending on your height. If you are 5'3 and under, get a coat that hits at your waist or just above your hips. Similar to a pea coat but with a little more style.
• If you have extra spending money, buy one more in a fun color. 

                             

Skirts:

I own a lot, I have a ton of different colors and patterns, pencil skirts look best on me. For winter staples I would buy black, grey, a pattern like plaid or houndstooth. All the skirts must be lined, they look better on you and don't show every nook and craney, plus that means they are made well. I have 1 label I've stocked up on, Jcrew the "No 2 Pencil skirt in double serge cotton" I wear these in summer and winter, they look great and fit great. Normally $110, I wait for them to go on sale and then on sale again, I just bought a cream one for $36. Again, booyaa

Sweaters: 
If you buy cheap they get little pillys on them and look yucky. Now that doesn't mean I haven't bought cheap, I just know they won't last for more than 2 years and for the price I'm ok with that. I have some Old Navy sweaters I buy in XL or XXL and wear them with leggings or skinny jeans. For the sweaters I've invested in, they've lasted for years. For staples I would buy:

• Tight, fitted sweaters in black, grey and a few in your favorite color (pink, blue, purple, etc). These sweaters you can wear under suits when it's cold, with your pencil skirts, or with jeans and your jackets. They basically take the place of t-shirts for me when I want to stay warm. I don't buy wool, it makes me itch, so the sweaters I buy are a cotton blend with rayon or nylon. All cotton tends to fall apart. 
• Big sweaters to wear with leggings and skinny jeans.

Then to make my outfit a bit more exciting, I buy scarves in all kinds of colors, textures and patterns, and that's how I dress up my outfits.

Places to shop in the mall that have quality not crapola for staples:

• Banana Republic - you better not buy anything at regular price, everything goes on sale there.
• Jcrew - try everything you like on in the store then shop online until it goes on sale.
• Nordstrom  - not the teen department, everything in there is crap. But  the other deparments have good items, also, check on line regularly for sales.
• Max Studio - they have quality, fun styles and usually have sales going on. I love their sweaters.
• Bloomingdales - they have great sales if you can handle going through all the racks (I can't).
• TJMaxx and Marshalls - if you know your clothes, you can find some good brand name items there. They always have Calvin Klein and Guess winter coats which I like. 
• Ebay - If you know what you are looking for, you can find it on ebay for much less than you bought in the stores. 

I hope that helps........