Spring/Summer 2010 Trend: Hot Pants

So... For the most part, I've been able to grasp most fashion trends that resurface every few decades. Acid wash jeans, bell bottoms, big shoulder pads, grunge... all would seem like blasphemous ideas, till the masses accepted them and decided they could be made to look good.

Could the same be said for Summer 2010's trend in shorts: hot pants??

Supposed to depict a female version of me doing lunges, ha ha...-->

They've have been all over runways this year, from Prada to Marc Jacobs, magazine covers and go way back to the pin up girls era including all the sexiness it embraced.

Though I'm still on the fence about jumping on the fashion wagon with this trend, I always feel some people can pull it off without even looking like they're trying. Personally, I'd feel a bit too self conscious, and I can only imagine my dad's face upon seeing me walk out the door. On the plus side at least you'll save a whole lot of space if you pack these for vacation?

A few tips on How To Wear Hot Pants (with "Negative Hemlines")- without having them look like you stole your grandma's underwear:

• Apple shaped ladies, stay far far away from the high waisted variations of this trend. High waists tend to emphasize any problem areas around the stomach ("tummy pooch").
• Ladies: get your wax/shave/lasering on! No one wants to see hair peeking out of the bikini region or stubble.
• This goes without saying, but your legs are going to be getting most of the attention. Keep legs looking lean and sexy by exfoliating, applying a fake tanner and moisturizing.
• Look for a negative hemline curves up your outer thigh. Around the back, it should follow the contour of your tush.
• Wear them with a skinny waist belt to add some flare. This will also make for less of the "I forgot my pants at home" look.
• Wearing high (preferably) strappy heels give a slimming effect to the silhouette and make for a more sophisticated look.
• Pair with tights to reduce the impact of baring so much flesh, and also keeping warm if you live in cooler countries.
• Watch out for the camel toe! This is a good reason to go for looser shorts.
• Balance out the silhouette by covering up on top. A billowy blouse, a slouchy top or a sloppy boyfriend blazer will add some sophistication.

I kind of like these runway looks

NICOLE MILLER S/S 2010

Thank god there are alternatives for those of us who prefer not to flaunt it all: boy shorts and tap pants.

Boy shorts or short shorts are somewhat like the negative hemline shorts, but bare none of your tush.

Tap pants are a loose, almost skirt like version of them, with a slightly longer hemline (no longer then 2 inches though).

BALMAIN S/S 2010

Marchesa S/S 2010

OUTFIT IDEAS:

• Tap Pants:

What are your thoughts on these hot trends this season? What will and won't you be trying out?

What To Wear: 4th Of July

It's always a challenge (ok maybe I'm exagerating) to come up with  ideas for special holidays. In the USA the fourth of July is soon to be a huge celebration. Some people go camping, others to specially organized parties.

Whatever your plans are, Share My Fashion Addictions is here to provide some outfit deas (you can recreate) to help you show your patriotic side for the special day.

4th of July cocktail party/yacht

Camping/

casual/

by the lake

You want to accesorize minimisticly, dress for comfort and still look coordinated and cute. You could wear some comfy Chuck Taylors or even sandals.

You may want to steer away from mini skirts if you're gonna be outdoors and sitting around the campfire, etc.

If you're by the lake or beach, just wear your red/navy/white swimsuit, sunglasses and accesories.

Family BBQ/Get together:

Casual denim cropped jeans and trendy espadrills look casual and sexy too when paired with a strap top.

Chic Rompers Under $25

Trends come and go, so who wants to spend a ton of money on fashion every season?

Here are current favorite rompers and playsuits that arecheap, feminine and sexy too:

Pair these with a few simple accesories and footwear (my top picks: espadrilles and gladiator sandals):

How to look stylish for guys without trying too hard

Lately, every time guys (usually celebs) are asked what they think a girl looks best in, they respond by saying something like "Girls look best when they aren't trying (e.g.: sweats, t-shirts, just comfy jeans). What makes a girl look good is her personality."

Most of us girls/women admire other women who really look put together - chic and sexy. We'd never dream of wearing just a t-shirt and sweats on a daily basis. With celebrities influencing society more and more, everyone seams to be stepping their look up a notch.

So, how do you look stylish yet still look as like you're not trying too hard? (Like a "guys girl".)


I think when a guy says something along the lines of "a girl who looks like she isn't trying", he means little make up and no heels. Low maintenance.

Guys like a girl who can wear flats and look casual whenever necessary- but when the ocassion arises she can look hot too. No guy wants to date someone who looks overly done up and sticks out like a sore thumb. It helps to know before hand where you're going. Plus you want to dress comfy so you can feel and act more relaxed.

I've put together and chosen some outfits on Polyvore of some outfits you could wear to get the look:


Edgy look:

featuring Seven For All Mankind jeans

If you want an even more casual look, you can switch the heels up with some flat sandals with a t-strap and lose the blazer.

Flirty/feminine look:

featuring Converse shoes

Bohemian sexy look:

This is currently one of the easiest looks and my favorite for school! Everything (specially the cardi) makes it look very loose and casual, but the fitted tank and skinny jeans make it look feminine.


And of course, with all these looks, keep your make up simple. A smokey eye is fine for night time, but for daytime keep your make up simple with nude-ish lips and go light on the blush.

 

Guest Wedding Attire: The Basic Rules

Though fashion knows few rules, some events still require you to dress appropriately out of respect for the host, and well.. so you don't end up looking out of place.
Seeing as I got a few e-mails about wedding attire, I decided to post a "how to guide "with basic guidelines to follow if you are uncertain what is or isn't acceptable. Hope it helps. =)I've posted a few ensembles you could try putting together as an idea for outfits.



Know the what the "dress code" means for Her:

• Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (though business attire is ok for morning weddings)
• Informal Evening: Cocktail dress
• Semi-Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit
• Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress
• Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit. Hats and gloves optional.
• Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)
• Ultra-formal or White Tie: Long gown, extra glitz (furs, diamonds, etc.)

Do's and Don'ts for Her

• I'm sure you've all heard this one: "Don't wear white because it competes with the bride." There are plenty of other colors available. However, if you pair a white pencil skirt with a colored top (for instance) you should be ok.
• Usually it is best not to wear black during the daytime.
• Don't worry too much about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can't possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.
• Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Clubwear and way too sexy clothing (see-through, too much cleavage, mini skirts, etc) don't belong at a wedding. I go by the rule: "if you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't."
• Don't wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns, and take them off to eat or drink.
• Use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.

Know the what the dress code means "for Him":

• Informal Daytime: Dress shirt and pants, preferably a sports jacket.
• Informal Evening: Suit
• Semi-Formal Daytime: Suit
• Semi-Formal Evening: Dark suit
• Formal Daytime: Dark suit and tie
• Formal Evening: Tuxedo (if invitation states "black tie") or dark suits if women wear short dresses.
• Ultra-formal Evening or White Tie: White tie, cummerbund, vest and shirt.

Do's and Don'ts for Him

• Don't try to get cute with a tuxedo. A black tux with white shirt and black bow tie is the best way to go. If "Creative Black Tie" or "Texas Formal" or some sort of other vague formal description is used, then going with a tux and black shirt, no tie, might be acceptable. However, trendier cities (Los Angeles, New York, etc) will probably be more accepting of breaking with tradition.
• Wear a dark suit, with a tie if the wedding is after 6 PM, and doesn't say "Black Tie."
• Don't wear a tuxedo during the day time, regardless of the formality of the event.
• Use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A dark suit and conservative tie will take you just about anywhere.

If the wedding is an outdoor affair (depending on the season):

• Female guests should likely avoid skirts and dresses that can easily blow upwards and opt for a tailored suit or skirt instead.
• Avoid high heeled shoes that will sink into sand, mud or grass.
• Male wedding guests should avoid dark suits with jackets if the wedding takes place under the midday sun. Opt for a light suit with a jacket that can be easily removed. Both male and female guests should bring an extra jacket to evening weddings.
• Come prepared with an umbrella if rain is expected.
• Bring sunglasses at outdoor afternoon weddings.
• For winter weddings taking place outdoors guests should wear warm boots, coats, gloves and wraps over their dress clothes and bring shoes to change into once the reception moves inside.
• A backyard wedding and pot luck reception indicates casual summer guest attire.

Getting Started With Nail Art

Via Nail Crack

I did a nail art post some weeks back and decided to do another one. Decorating your fingernails is a quick way to spice up your wardrobe and your mood.
Step 1:

What you will need:

• Colored nail polish.
• Clear topcoat and basecoat.
• Nail art glitter pen.
• Nail glue.
• Decals, stickers, confetti – whatever decorative pieces you want to use
• Manicure sticks

Step 2:

Plan your design. I've made this mistake more times then I'd like to admit: you don't want to get stuck with glue on your nails before you realize that you hate your design or it doesn't fit. Assemble the decorative pieces you want on a flat surface, then lay them out for the look you want. Also, decide if you're going to decorate one nail to make a statement or if you want your entire set of nails to match.

Step 3:

Test design for fit. Fingernails vary in size (by individual and by finger): your pinky nail is smaller than your thumb nail. If you're doing a full set with the same design, test the design by holding it against your smallest and largest nails to determine if you like the look on each.

Step 4:
Prepare the surface. You can apply nail art to a nail already painted the color of your choice or a clear coat. Make sure that your nails are clean and dry before applying decorative items.

Step 5:

Adhere decals, stickers and/or confetti. Stickers, decals and confetti are available with or without sticky backing. The stickers are the easiest to use because they will stick directly to the nail without glue. If you need to use glue, use as little as possible. Put the decal onto the end of a manicure stick; apply a tiny dab of glue to the back, and then position the decal onto your nail. Press lightly with the stick and hold for a few seconds to set the glue.

Step 6:

Draw lines, outlines or shapes. Using a glitter pen or fine line polish, draw any additional design elements you want to add. Remember that your nail is a small canvas and you want to avoid cluttering the design with too much extra embellishment. I even like to plan this design ahead.

Step 7:

Apply top coat. Top coat should be applied once the decorative elements, glitter pen or glue have dried so they don't smudge and make all your hard work go to heck. Apply a layer of topcoat to seal in the design and create level surface. If you used rhinestones or thick decals you may need a second layer of topcoat to make sure it's properly sealed.

Step 8:

Sit back and let your nails to dry. Allowing nails to dry properly when you're done is important, but so is letting the polish dry between coats. If one coat isn't dry, the whole look will be ruined and won't dry at all.  

How To Wear Bright Shoes

Ever since Spring, brights have been a really big trend. From the runway to the streets: pink, blue, green, yellow, red, purple, orange, turquoise and lime. You name it and you'll get a variety of shoes to pick from. So how do you integrate bright shoes into your ensemble? Here are a few basic rules:

• Match your shoes with a color in your top. Some find this look a bit boring. I personally love seeing things being mixed up too and people being more daring. But matching in this way continues to make a stylish statement, so don’t feel obligated to mis-match if it’s not your style.
• Wear several brights of the same intensity. By this I mean, for instance, wearing a blue dress, with a red clutch and a yellow handbag.- sure it's daring but it's also modern, creative and it works. Throw in a pastel (pink for instance) and you will look like one hot mess. I'm definatly planning on experimenting with this "rule".
• Match bright shoes with the same color handbag. Though this look works perfectly for black and neutrals shoes and bags, I cringe when I see too much green, yellow or other bright colors; it's a bit predictable. These rules are pretty much flop proof, but I'm just saying: try and get a bit more creative.
  My advice is to experiment with Polyvore; even if you don't see the exact items you own on there, you can always get an idea of what the whole outfit will look like.
• Wear bright shoes with a neutral ensemble. This is my favorite look. Brights really pop against beige, tan, white and black outfits. You don’t need to match shoes with your handbag or pick up another colour in your ensemble.

I  avoid buying bright shoes with a patterns. They only compliment a limited number of outfits and can usually only be worn with solid-colored clothing items. Red shoes are a particularly good choice because they’re bright, but operate as a neutral.

How To Dress If You Have An Apple Shape

If you have a bit of a tummy and/or an apple shape figure, Styledash has rounded up a few hot outfits and clothes shapes to stick with which will best flatter your figure. Check it out.

How To Wear: Maxi Dresses

I posted about Chic and bugdet friendly maxi dresses some days back and got an email asking me:

Hi,
I love the maxi dress trend inspired by the SATC movie and other celebrities but am not sure if it will suit me. I saw one on Shopbop the other day and practically fell in love with it. I'm a bit short (5'3) and am also not sure if I should wear them with heels or flats. Any tips for accesorizing?
Hellpppp!

Here are basically a few guidelines to follow when wearing these long/maxi dresses:

• If you’re short don’t get one that’s way too long, unless you plan to get it hemmed (or do it yourself). A super-long dress will make you look even shorter, and may even add the illusion of you carrying extra weight. Also, remember to look for a dress that’s fitted up top and doesn’t have an extremely voluminous skirt. Less fabric is a better choice for you.

• Accessorize, but don't go overboard. Long dresses are very eye catching and it's obvious that it's going to be the main focus of your outfit. Accessorize to add instant chic-ness to the outfit, but you can keep it simple. A few bangles or a long necklace are perfect for adding character. Also, if a dress is too voluminous, you could add a cute belt at the waist.

• Footwear. These dresses look best when worn with flat sandals: flip flops or gladiators. If you want a little extra height, wedges or gladiator heels also work well.

Hope this helps and feel free to email me with any other questions.


P.S.: Maxi dresses look amazing on you tall girls and you can pretty much get away with any style of maxi dress, so long as it isn’t too short!

How To Make Small Eyes Look Bigger

Q:
My eyes are very small. Are there any tips to make them stand out more?

A:
Eyeliner is like a "magic wand" when it comes to creating an illusion of bigger, expressive eyes. Line the entire top lash line, extending the line slightly at the corners. You can also line the bottom of your eyes, but concentrate color only on the outer third and extend it slightly past the edge. (We're not talking Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra here.) A soft, smoky look will open your eyes more than a thin, hard line. Stick to dark, neutral colors with a hint of black for lining, as bright shades will only make them seem smaller.

Lashes can also be a great eye-opener. Check out my post for creating movie star lashes.

Contrary to popular belief, dark, dramatic eyeshadow won't make your eyes look bigger. In fact, it does just the opposite. If you have small eyes, keep it simple by using only light-colored shadows, and never wear more than two shades at once. Brush a subtle base color from lash to brow, and then use a slightly darker shade to create subtle definition in the crease.

P.s.: I read somewhere that lining your lower waterline with a white eyeliner gives eyes a pop.
The key is to experiment and see what works. That's how I learned to use liquid liner in my younger years for instance.

How To Get Movie Star Eye Lashes

Eyelashes can really add in-your face-drama to the eyes. People even go so far as to glue on false ones individually, and hey, if you've got the patients it's well worth it.

Here are my tips I wanted to share for getting the hottest "traffic stopping lashes" in a few simple, easy steps.

For night time:
Use an eye lash curler!

1. Apply your foundation and eyeshadow before you do your eyelashes. (Powder and eyeshadow are going to end up on your lashes anyway, so using mascara after is always a good idea to camouflage those powder specks. Plus that powder will add thickness to lashes.)
2. Curl your lashes.
3. Apply one coat of your daytime mascara. Personally I like Maybelline Lash Discovery because it separates so well without clumping. You may also want to comb your eyelashes with an eyelash brush.

4. Apply a second coat after about 2 minutes. I use "Covergirl Volume Exact". This one gives volume and length. My lashes end up looking so dramatic and almost fake. And I love it! :)


TIP for daytime and the "natural look":
1. Curl lashes.
2. An easy way to draw attention to your eyes without putting on a pile of makeup is use clear mascara. This gives a natural look and leaves lashes conditioned.

You can also try putting a dab of petroleum jelly/Vaseline to condition lashes... but only a dab or you'll end up with a load of grease  under eyes.

Nails: Yellow Fever

I'm obsessed with the new bright colors for spring. Mani's and pedi's are no exception, even when it comes to... yellow. A bright, sunny, cheery color.



I posted a poll asking what readers thought of bright yellow nail polish.
The results?
33%- Hate it
46%- Lovin' the bright color!
18%- Maybe in another shade of yellow.
(Thanks to the many of you who voted. :) I appreciate it.

TIP: If you have fair skin opt for a darker (mustard-ish) yellow. Bright and light yellows also look fab on darker skin tones.

If you don't care much for the yellow, you can still rock sther bright colors: there's a nail color explosion underway with vibrant hues.
Bright shades (blue, orange, hot pink, yellow) were showcased on the Spring 2008 runways. You can check out my post "Hottest nail color trends".

OPI also has a wide variety of high quality polishes ($7.00) and you can get a glimpse of what the colors would look like against your skin tone here.

What's your mani/pedi preference?
Do you prefer a more neutral shade or do you dare to go bold?

I wonder if guys even notice? Please share!

 

Faking A Bob

Forget faking O's, the new it thing is faking bobs!

After going thru so many pics of Posh Spice and Rihanna with their sexy short hair I've been toying with the idea of copying them. But let's be real... I'm not ready to give up my long locks yet after spending years trying to grow out.

I love the idea of recreating the new fake bob trend that was all over the Emmys red carpet in the fall and also modeled on the runways at Derek Lam's spring collection. Stars like Penelope Cruz and especially Eva Longoria are just a few faking bobs.

To get this look, curl hair in rollers or with a curling iron, then pin underneath. It may take some practicing and some heavy-duty styling spray if you have stick-straight hair.

Here are more detailed instructions:
1. Apply quite a bit of mousse- roots to ends- so your hair has a lot of texture (less slippage once pinned up).
2. Blow it very dry and somewhat straight, then set it in rollers or pin curls.
3. Let them cool, take them out, and brush your hair until it’s big and poofy.
4. Gather it into a loose, low pony, twist it into a bun, and tuck the bun under your hair so you don’t see it anymore.
5. Your hair should poof up around it to look like a bob; once it looks right, pin the bun in place and pull more hair over it.
6. The final (obvious) step: strong-hold hairspray!
Hopefully I’ll find time to try my own “bob” soon and post photos for you!

P.s.: A trick that may make this easier for those with impossibly straight, slippery hair is to tease the bottom section of your hair (the part that's going to be twisted up into a bun). This combined with alot of hairspray will help your hair stay in place.
It's also essential that you have layers that you can pull out in order to camouflage the parts that have been pinned up.

Here are some video tutorials:

How To Wear Leggings

Here are some ideas about wearing skin hugging leggings while still keeping it classy:

• With a dress or tunic style top: You’ll want a dress that doesn’t cling too much and that isn't see thru so it shows the detail of the leggings underneath. Thicker jersey knits, spandex knit blends and mesh work best. Fancy silk dresses also work when paired with heels. A-line patterned styles with empire cuts and front-knots work particularly well because they’re forgiving on the hip, tummy and thigh area. Straighter shift styles work well for those with apple and rectangular body types.

• Dress or tunic length. If you have slim thighs, wear your dress/tunic as short as mid-thigh length and no shorter. If you have a bit of extra width on your thighs, wear your dress around the knee (either just above, on, or just below). Do not wear leggings without wearing an extra long top, or as a substitute for pants (e.g. with a tight tee which reaches your waist).

• Leggings length. I love leggings when they stop on the widest part of your calf because it accentuates legs and calf muscles without being too revealing. Very sexy. And what even better is that it doesn't matter if you have small or big calves. Wearing them ankle length looks best paired with a high heel. Most leggings are ankle length which means that you’ll need to scrunch them up to your best length. I bought a black pair from Benneton and I just fold em up neatly if I want the knee length look.

• Legging types. There are plenty of options to choose from. Black is the best color for this look (although other dark colors, like brown, will work too). Recently I see alot of people going bright, which looks good if your more daring. Think hot pink and yellow! (Paired with a matching top of course, preferably in a print.)

• Shoe options. The look works with heels, ballet flats, wedges, fancy thong sandals and shoes with chunky heels. Heels are my personal favorite when it comes this look.

A few things to keep in mind when wearing leggings:

1. Make sure your leggings reach to at least mid-calf (in my opinion, longer is better).


2. Never, ever wear leggings with a top so short that it reveals your butt.


3. Don't wear your leggings with a really long dress, leggings should be worn under something short to show them off.


4. For shoes almost anything goes- tall boots, high heels or flats, depending on what you like.


5. Try to stay away from sheer leggings because they won't make your legs look as slim as solid leggings will.


6. Another problem with sheer leggings is if your dress/shirt/skirt rides up you'll be giving the world a great view of your underwear.
   Example: Paris Hilton was caught by papparazzi with her butt hanging out thanks to the sheer leggings and dress riding up- revealing her underwear.