Dressing Up With Joy

February 11, 2012

Reverse Style - How To Take A Dress From Night To Day!

I read a lot of tips about how to take a daytime dress to night, but not very many ideas about how to take an evening appropriate dress into the day without losing the character of the dress! (Yes, outfits and dresses have characters. At least mine do!) So here it is - A leopard print, strapless, mini dress - worn in a more casual style.

I wore this dress for an evening party last year and since then it was just hanging in my closet. I wanted to use it more, but for some reason (may be my conservative style is to blame here) couldn't wear it in a more casual setting. Then an idea hit me like the hidden ATM fee - tone it down a bit! Because the print of the dress is so 'out there' I decided to balance it with a simple black T-shirt.

At the time this picture was taken, I didn't realize I will use it on my blog, hence the cropped-make-do image! But I hope you get the idea:-)

Note: I am wearing the T-shirt backwards, i.e. the front of the T-shirt is in the back, so the neckline of the T-shirt doesn't clash with the neckline of my dress. And to give the dress the roar it deserves, I am wearing the red heels! A layering necklace completes the look!

Here Is How To Take A Dress From Night To Day

Dress - Express

T-shirt - OP (Walmart! $4)

Necklace, Bracelet - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Franco Sarto

Get the leopard dresses here-

February 10, 2012

Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show

Red is the color of life and vitality, warmth and fire and passion! And for Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection, the color red becomes the color of saving lives. The campaign spreads awareness among women to take their heart health seriously. (For more information see this)

For Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 fashion show, celebrities showed their style on runway in stunning gowns. My favorite -Rebecca Romjin's Marchesa gown and Minka Kelly's Diane Von Furstenberg daring gown! See some of the dazzling ones here-

Aisha Tyler, Chaka Khan, Cindi Leive, Christie Brinkley, Debbie Phelps, Elisabeth Rohm, Giselle Blondet, Gloria Estefan, Idina Menzel, Jeannette Torres-Alvarez, Jenna Elfman, Jennifer Nettles, LaLa Anthony, Linda Evans, Minka Kelly, Patti Stanger, Rebecca Romijn and Rose McGowan.

Image Credit : Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Heart Truth

Which one do you fancy? And please take care of your heart!

February 8, 2012

Mid-Week Colorblock Shoe Cravings

I have a question for you all today. How do you wear heels? Do you wear them only on occasions? Carry a pair of flip-flops/flats with you to change? Don't wear heels at all? Put the band-aid on the pinkie/back of the heel? (you know what I am taking about!!) Only wear platforms? I am asking you because I feel I can't be in the high heels for whole day, and when I see women sashay through the sidewalks in sky high stilettos, I always wonder - is she cursing on the inside with every step?? I love the high heels as much as the next girl, and own my fair share of elevated beauties, but I see people in 5 inches heels and ask myself- is she tougher than me? I guess the better person inside me goes MIA at that time!! {I still lust after the high heels nonetheless!}

1. Charlotte Russe (see price here)

2. Jessica Simpson (see price here)

3. Olsen Haus (see price here)

4. Kate Spade (see price here)

5. Ruthie Davis (see price here)

Which pair would satisfy your craving??

February 7, 2012

What Makes A Woman Stylish?

Clothes, accessories, shoes - they make us feel pretty, but there is something else that makes a woman extraordinary! It's the way she behaves! In my book, her attitude makes her stylish. Anybody can buy the couture clothes, dazzling jewelry and the trendy accessories, but the stylish attitude separates the truly stylish from forgettable beauties! A delightfully stylish woman shows her fashionable colors not only through her wardrobe, bur also through her behavior. Wanna know her style secrets - keep reading!

She does not buy fake designer goods - And neither should you! Other than being fake (do you like the word?) they are produced with unethical business practices. There are so many horrible stories of children being abused to make counterfeit goods and these fake fashion merchandise makers often are associated with drug and human trafficking rings. They take jobs away from legitimate companies and their workers and promote bad business practices. If you can not afford a Gucci, go buy a Coach. If you can't afford a brand name, go to discount stores where they have good quality merchandise for low prices. Fake is not stylish!

She never measures a woman on her looks and NEVER calls her names - This is my personal pet peeve! Oftentimes, a successful woman is not judged by her qualification and achievements but by her looks!! If a woman is not in the industry where looks are the driving force for her success (e.g. fashion,modeling, acting) nobody has the right to put her down for her style! Critique her behavior, public policy or political views, but negatively commenting on her physical features and style is just wrong! Hilary Clinton may not have been your favorite candidate but calling her B word is repulsive! (I draw the line at poking fun at her headbands!). Michelle Obama may not be your favorite first lady but commenting on her posterior is none of your business. You don't have to agree with Michele Bachman, but making fun of her eye makeup is just mean! Ladies, we have enough males doing that, we have to behave better then them - right!! {Silvio Berlusconi (oh the nerve!) called Angela Merkel something I can not even print on my blog!! And she is one the most successful and at this economically critical time - important European leaders!} I don't see a man calling another man such disgusting things. Even in an election year when most male politicians are out there debating, challenging, even calling each other names - you hardly hear a man calling another man - dog? or see them snickering over other guy's hair/eyes/body weight??

She does not fear her age - She may not reveal it to public, but she is always gracious excepting each year as a badge of experience, a life well lived, the dreams fulfilled. Comedian Rita Rudner once said - The problem with our pop culture is that a 16 years old wants to dress like a 30 years old, and a 30 years old wants to dress like a16 years old! Aging (and dressing) gracefully is the most important style skill a woman can have!

She does not equate stay at home moms/spouses with 'not working' - Yeah right, we just laze around all day watching TV! Believe me, I have worked in a crazy, chaotic, totally unorganized newsroom for 24 hours straight and compared to my SAHM experience, that was the rejuvenating vacation! Even CNN says being a mom should pay a 6 figure salary. Don't believe me - read this ! My point - stylish women respect what each and every woman in society does - no matter what the label!

She shops wisely- Her wardrobe is the envy of the women's club! Not because she spends like a celebrity, but because she is wise in her shopping. She builds a wardrobe piece by piece, mixes bargain price merchandise with high end (original) goods and preserves and conserves the fashionable pieces for a timeless wardrobe!

She uses a tailor - Good fit is the ONLY fit. She doesn't buy something that does not fit just because it was on sale or she loved the color!!! Be it the right hemline for a skirt, right cut for a jacket, right fit for a shirt - she treats her clothes as the extension of herself - always the perfect fit for her body!!

She respects her body without stereotyping - She does not follow the media standard or fad for what is sexy - she celebrates her body whether stick thin or full figured! For the longest time we were made to believe (and still are) that thin is beautiful, then the fashion world and celebrities tried to change the perspective and full figure/curvy became sexy! But these days I am seeing a dangerous trend to lash out on thin women and celebrate curvy figures but not the real everyday curvy- only an hourglass Sophia Vergara -esque body or perfectly toned -but just big boob-ed Kim Kardashian-esque figures! It is like going to other extreme in setting standards of beauty and body size. Just like the time we stereotyped thin as sexy and pressured women to throw up after meals, we are now stereotyping "curvy" image to pressure women (and even young girls) to go under the knife for bigger boobs and butt! And a stylish woman sees right through it- instead of giving the hard earned cash to the plastic surgeon she celebrates her body by rewarding it with a massage or a new DVF dress!!

Have a great week ahead you all!!

February 5, 2012

Lookbook - Check Mate!

It is the Superbowl Sunday and the radio (yes I listen to radio!) said - every football lover in the free world will be watching! BTW- It took me few years to say football and not imagining soccer. I generally don't follow football (growing up in India made me a soccer, cricket and tennis fan, and old habits die hard!), but still watch the Superbowl - mostly for the excitement and the ads than for the sport itself! And I will be tuning in today - off course to watch Tom Brady go at it!
(Is it the law that you have to cheer for New York Giants if you live in NY?)

Top - Ross

Skirt - Forever 21

Shoes - Alex Marie (Dillards)

Who are you rooting for Superbowl 2012?

February 3, 2012

Things Every Guy Should Know About Women and Our Style!

The 'Internets' are buzzing with the Valentine's Day chatter! There is a lot of talk of what to wear, what to gift, what to say and what to write! I recently read a feature about what gifts women really want on V-Day, and it got me thinking- there is one thing every woman wishes - for her man to understand (I mean really understand) her style and her shopping sense! {Although diamonds are really up high in that wish-list!}

We need more than one black and one brown pair of shoes - Average American woman owns about 17-19 pair of shoes, according to the ShopSmart magazine's 2011 survey (although my guess would have been higher, much higher!) And there is a reason behind it! Shoes are not an afterthought for us - our outfits are built around a pair of shoes. So next time you see our shoe closet, don't gasp!

We Don't consider flip flops as "shoes" - 'nuff said! Add this point to the first one! And yes, We also need more than one pair of flip flops - poolside pair is sooooooo different than the one we need for those cute shorts!

So long we are talking about shoes, here is one more - We still wear the same shoes again for a big occasion - you know the ones we complained that they 'were killing our feet' - we are that tough! But it doesn't mean we don't want your sympathy (and a foot rub when we come back home!)

When we say we are going shopping, it doesn't necessarily mean we are buying - So don't look confused when we come home empty handed after 3 hours in the mall! Just like diet cola, we do zero-calorie shopping - all the fun and no spending! (We know you secretly love us for this, don't you!)

When you say blue - we imagine blue, turquoise, aqua, indigo, sky-blue, so be specific. And don't get offended when we say blue-ish and our girlfriends understand what kind of blue we are talking about. We have an in-built radar for those kind of things!

When we drag you to Zegna sample sale, we do it out of love for you! We love your dapper look! So don't mind the crowd, chaos and cash-only of those sales! Just like us, you're worth it too!

When we say we are getting ready, we mean we are more than combing our hair, so time your clock accordingly. Waiting in the car is not gonna help ya! Mama needs time for primping! We still make it on time, don't we? (and you get a twinkle in your eyes when you see us climbing down the stairs -à la My Fair Lady!)

We love Tennis but sometimes we watch a match to only gawk at Djokovic's butt! Sorry babes- We may be on a diet, but that doesn't mean we can't look at the menu!

We love our guys- however clueless they are about our fashion - and we always will do! I just hope this list will give them some idea to make sense of our style!

Do you have more pointers you want to add to this list??

Handbag Confidential Post on Links a la Mode on IFB

TGIF y'all!! I am glad to announce that Style-Delights post about things we need in our handbag was featured on Independent Fashion Bloggers in Links a la mode - the weekly round of top 20 fashion blog posts. I have just one thing to say - thank you! Check it out with other 19 posts!

Stylish Beauty

Edited by: Meghan Donovan of WIT & Whimsy

One thing I’ve always practiced is the belief that fashion and beauty go hand in hand. I blog about makeup and skincare sometimes just as much as fashion and believe beauty balances or emphasises a look. This week’s Links a la Mode showcase that many other IFB bloggers out there believe the same. So this week, take notes, there’s lots to learn from the following posts.

SPONSOR:
New at Shopbop: ALC, Enza Costa tops, A Peace Treaty, BB Dakota, Noir, Mania Mania, Theodora & Callum, Phillip Lim, Prism Sunglasses, Blue Life, Raoul , James Perse & Reem Acra Dresses
PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

PS: If you like my blog, please support me to be Refinery 29 Next Style Blogger and vote for me:-) Its very simple -

go to Refinery 29 Style Blogger Search page and find me in recent submission gallery. You can Control +F to find my name - style.delights
Just click on the heart on my picture (In a bright orange dress)
You need your facebook account to vote - don't worry , allow access to refinery 29, after the vote, you can change your app setting to PRIVATE again!! So, no privacy concerns!

Hope you feel that I deserve your vote!! Have a great weekend!

February 2, 2012

You Can Make Me Refinery 29's Next Big Style Blogger!

Hello friends, I am one of the contestants of 'Refinery 29 Next Big Style Blogger Search'. If you like my blog and want me to realize my dream, please take some time out to vote for me:-) Its very simple -

go to Refinery 29 Style Blogger Search page and find me in recent submission gallery. You can Control +F to find my name - style.delights
Just click on the heart on my picture (as shown below!)
You need your facebook account to vote - don't worry , allow access to refinery 29, after the vote, you can change your app setting to PRIVATE again!! So, no privacy concerns!

I am up against the big established bloggers, so every vote is really crucial for me! I am counting on you to support!

Thanks!

How To Look Tall(er) And Lean(er)!

I am no Stacy London, but I do get my own share of style questions from friends and blog readers. Two of the most frequent questions I am asked are

How do you stay slim? (You can see my answer here)
How can I look taller? (Read the rest of the post!)

I strongly believe in being happy in one's own skin and body - but I also believe in improving the looks as and when one can! Lets put political correctness aside for a minute and say it for what it is! Everyone wants to look tall(er) and lean(er). So without getting in the long and short (pun intended) of it, let me give you the skinny on looking taller, leaner and more proportionate. Some tips are from personal experience, some from reading and some from watching wise girls dress!

Avoid wide leg pants if you are really short, OR use heels with pointy toes. Make sure the toebox is visible under the circumference of the pants/jeans. Case in point -Salma Hayek (she is 5'2") looks svelte and tall with a figure defining dress but boxy and short legged in a wide leg pants without the proper shoes.

Iron press a crease in your jeans/pants in the middle - just like a man's trousers. It puts the focus on the length instead of the width of the leg and makes you look tall and lean. Case in point - my own recent denim on denim post. I am tall to begin with, but this jeans with the crease on the leg is making me look even taller and leaner.

Bottom of your pant hem should stop at 3/4 inches above the bottom of your heel . In simple words, if you wear high heels, it should not be all visible under your pant hemline, nor it should be 100% covered with it. Here is my amateur effort to illustrate the point.

Nude pumps can elongate the legs like no other shoes! Case in point - Rachel McAdams. These sky high heels in any other color would take the attention away from the leg length, but nude (BTW, there is a debate on what's nude for everyone - see this) pumps are making the legs look longer without interrupting the line of the leg!

Avoid cuffed pants if you have short legs - It adds the volume on the legs and can make you look stocky.
If you have a curvier hip area, pants without the side/front pockets will work best to keep the curves balanced. Faux pockets in the pants also make you look leaner at the hip. For a slimmer line and length try side zipper trousers. Some suggestions here -

Use belts to define waist and create a more proportionate silhouette. Try thin belts if you are really petite. Big corset-belts define the waist beautifully but you need a longer torso- otherwise it will overwhelm the petite frame and distort the proportion

What other tips you have up your sleeves for a leaner, taller look? BTW, Take my tips with a grain of style salt - everybody's idea of fashion is unique and by no means one style can work for everyone! Have a great week ahead everyone!

February 1, 2012

Lookbook - How To Wear Denim on Denim

Did you shudder a little when you saw this title? In fact, I was a little scared too to try denim on denim as it can be a tricky look to pull off (remember Britney and Justin at AMA 2001?) But I had challenged myself to create an outfit for which-

1. I wanted to try denim on denim without using chambray shirt

2. I wanted to use other than my skinny jeans

3. I wanted to make a workplace outfit with denim

And this outfit came out winning (damn you Charlie Sheen for ruining this word for me!), if I say so myself! I love this short sleeves denim jacket for its structure and I paired it with a white button down and a dark wash jeans. To balance the masculinity of all that blue denim, I am wearing my prettiest pair of pumps (just love these pink rosettes!) and a string of pearls - what do you think?

Pages

February 11, 2012

Reverse Style - How To Take A Dress From Night To Day!

February 10, 2012

Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show

February 8, 2012

Mid-Week Colorblock Shoe Cravings

February 7, 2012

What Makes A Woman Stylish?

February 5, 2012

Lookbook - Check Mate!

February 3, 2012

Things Every Guy Should Know About Women and Our Style!

Handbag Confidential Post on Links a la Mode on IFB

Stylish Beauty

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: FEBRUARY 2ND

February 2, 2012

You Can Make Me Refinery 29's Next Big Style Blogger!

How To Look Tall(er) And Lean(er)!

February 1, 2012

Lookbook - How To Wear Denim on Denim

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