All Fashion & personal style Articles

Long associated with royalty and nobility, purple reigns this fall. Edgy and soft, feminine and modern, the hue, in all its variations, is tied to the 1980s (Prince, anyone?), and designers are tapping into that nostalgia with a vengeance. Think eggplant, lavender, aubergine, heliotrope, orchid, plum and violet -- if it falls anywhere on the color wheel between red and blue, it's hot. Read more...

There is nothing more comfy and stylish than wearing boots in the fall and winter. Whether you are a fan of Uggs or stylish, leather heeled boots, they are perfect accessories for the cooler months. Boots are not a mere means to keep warm, but a stylish accessory that adds a chic look to any outfit. Yee-haw, grab a pair of cowboy boots. "Cowboy boots are making a Read more...

The only vampire attribute of Kelsey Corcoran's Halloween costume is the fangs. Otherwise, Corcoran's outfit -- consisting of only a corset and high heels -- will resemble her costumes of previous years: Harry Potter's Hermione (scantily clad) and a Barbie doll (dressed in a bathing suit). If she didn't dress sexy for Halloween, Corcoran said, she'd definitely stand out at parties or bars Read more...

MILAN -- The global economic crisis has generated a new phenomenon: luxury shame, or the shunning of ostentatious purchases of expensive jewelry, watches and fashion, which is largely blamed for the projected 8 percent drop in the luxury market this year. But a Bain & Co. study released Monday indicates the phenomenon isn't durable, predicting a slight 1 percent increase in the luxury Read more...

The top catwalks in New York, London, Paris and Milan, Italy, give head-to-toe style cues for next season. But while shoppers have to wait months for the spring-season futuristic floral prints and lingerie looks that debuted at these just-wrapped Fashion Weeks, the beauty trends can move from runway to real world right away. "It's like we're already there," says Gordon Espinet, Read more...

For those who survived the bolder shoulders of the 1980s, chances are you won't want to hear this: Shoulder pads are back. But today's look is less about volume and more about structure. "You want to look smart and smartly dressed," said Kim Newport Mimran, designer and founder of the womenswear line Pink Tartan. "Strong shoulders are slightly androgynous. My interpretation Read more...

The tears say it all. The minute Kathy Kendra laid eyes on the piece of jewelry created from her late mother's anniversary ring, the crying began. "It was a very emotional experience," says Kendra, of Shaler. "I cried when I saw it because it was so beautiful. I was apprehensive about trusting someone with the original ring, because my mother cherished that ring. She didn't Read more...

He's famed for boosting body confidence and accentuating women's best assets but Gok Wan's new style mantra is all about giving your wardrobe a much-needed makeover. "Work Your Wardrobe," Gok's latest fashion bible, reveals how to shake up your closet and re-work those forgotten classics. The TV stylist is encouraging fans to hone their wardrobes, stop the spending sprees and create Read more...

It's easy to believe that leggings are more popular than ever for fall. Magazines tout them as a must-have, and stores can't unpack them fast enough. But what's all this talk about a woman in her 50s as well as a college student being able to embrace the look? "There are so many different styles that any age is able to wear them," said Brook Balentine, a buyer for Cayman's Read more...

There will be plenty of studs for women to choose from this fall. These studs are the decorations that take an outfit from plain to edgy. Add a few round pieces of metal to the front of a skirt, up the back of a pant leg, around a collar on a dress or along the belt line of a pair of jeans, and you've got a look that's fashion forward. Embellishments such as studs add zest because they Read more...

"Carry all" can mean just that when it comes to handbags this fall. Bigger is better for today's busy woman, who needs to tote around everything from lipstick to a computer. But ... "Women still want the bag to be stylish," says Lisa Michael, buyer and co-owner of Larrimor's, with stores Downtown and in Mt. Lebanon. "They want something that's lightweight and Read more...

From romantic ruffles to bold-printed plaids, this fall you can expect to see contemporary style with retro roots dominating retail stores. While you're certainly never too old for fashion, striking that balance of trendy and age-appropriate while still showing off your sense of style requires thoughtful planning. While younger women can fully embrace many of-the-moment trends, older Read more...

Mini-skirts used to be a fashion no-no for women of a certain age. But all that is changing as women around 40 dare to bare in smaller skirts, according to a survey. Two decades ago, few women would have braved the shorter length after they passed 33 -- a figure unchanged since the mini's swinging sixties heyday. But shoppers now -- perhaps inspired by the example of stars such as Read more...

Timara Bolding is so intrigued by fall's boot trends, she might be ready to venture out of her square-toe, sturdy-heel comfort zone. The Cornelius, N.C. shopper buys two new pairs of ankle boots each fall (one black, one brown), because, she says, she "wears the heck out of them." But this year, she'll be considering a skinnier heel to step up her fashion game at work. And, if the Read more...

Wives may be raiding their husband's closet this fall. The menswear-inspired vest tops the list of fashion must-haves this season. "The vest trend is huge," said Suzanne Bishop, owner of Frankie & Julian's fashion boutique in Chattanooga, Tenn. "The men trend is carrying over to the popular boyfriend jeans, boyfriend blazer and boyfriend cardigan. It's the biggest push for Read more...

NEW YORK -- Rock and roll music has no age limit, and the rocker look that's all over the stores this fall doesn't have to, either. That's not to say everyone can pull off studded leather and chains, but there are measured ways to add a hint of rebel chic into your wardrobe. Maybe it's through some tough leather boots or a spiky piece of jewelry. For the more hardcore, go for the Read more...

As summer ends it's time to wave goodbye to relaxed flip flops, tees and shorts. They have to return to the back of the wardrobe to be replace with a polished, professional style for work and play. Tailoring is all the rage this autumn, so give your wardrobe a promotion with this trend. The skirt suit is back this season, with pencil skirts grazing the knees teamed with belted matching Read more...

Almost four out of 10 women buy shoes knowing they do not fit, according to a new poll. Research from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists found that 37 percent were willing to put up with uncomfortable shoes, as long as they were fashionable. But the problem is not just confined to women -- 17 percent of men admit buying shoes in the wrong size. The poll of more than 2,000 adults Read more...

MIAMI -- The American waistline may be expanding, but plus-size shoppers are tightening their belts. People just aren't buying plus-size clothing at the rate they used to. Apparel in general -- being a discretionary purchase -- is suffering because of the economy, but plus-size has been particularly hard hit. According to the NPD Group, a market research company, the overall women's Read more...

NEW YORK -- It's an old-school rule that you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day, but even the newfound fashion freedom to wear light colors in cooler weather comes with some strings attached. When summer really is turning into fall, it's time to re-evaluate the fabrics in your closet. Linen should get packed away first -- and it doesn't really matter what color it is, says designer Read more...