Are you looking for a simple solution to store your personal items for dancing, working out, weddings or shopping? I personally own one of  Julia’s wallets2wear stylish beaded bracelets and wrote about them in a salsa dancing and bridesmaid post because I love them! The beads are so pretty and I am constantly asked “where did you get that bracelet?” Each slip-on bracelet, watch and sport wristband contains a  secure hidden pouch to store a lipstick, credit card, bills and even a key. Julia was recently featured in the beauty and fashion section of realsimple.com.

This outfit would be ideal for a summer evening that starts with dinner and ends on the dance floor, where a purse isn’t convenient.  Flaunt your wallets2wear Silver Rose Beaded Bracelet with an off the shoulder neckline top by Robert Rodriguez Robbi & Nikki. The lace neckline is sexy yet sophisticated. The Natori Strapless bra is recommended and really does provide extra support. If you feel that you need a little security, then try Fashion Tape in a Tin – a must for all fashion emergencies. A pair of medium wash straight leg jeans by Citizens of Humanity is the right finish for the warm months and can be worn by most body types (rectangle, hourglass, inverted). Complete the outfit by showing off your inner disco-queen with these Stuart Weitzman Vistoso platform clear sandals …. groovy baby!

WIN THE BRACELET!

Got a fashion emergency? Share an idea for a  fashion post and you could WIN a wallets2wear Silver Rose or Go Gold bracelet. Enter by adding a comment at the end of this article or on Wardrobe 911’s Facebook page by May 16th, 2010 midnight. The stories will be judged and one winner will be selected by May 18, 2010. You must have a U.S. mailing address to win and only one entry per person. If any potential winner selected cannot be contacted or does not respond within (7) days of attempted notification, or any prize is returned, as discretion, an alternate winner may be randomly selected.

We look forward to solving your fashion emergency!

During the spring and summer months, you start to see lighter finishes on jeans. You can wear them casually or you can dress them up for a night out as featured in this outfit.

• Velvet by Graham & Spencer Kylea Cascading Sequins Tank – soft pink is part of  this spring’s color palette. Sequins adorn the front of this chic tank and the back is a solid knit. The tank hits at the hips and it also comes in heather gray and white.

• Free People Ribbed Panel Knit Jacket – a lightweight jacket is still needed during the spring months. This neutral jacket matches many colored tops. I like the darker shade ribbed side panels on the jacket – very slimming!

• 7 For All Mankind Rocker Squiggle Jeans – the “squiggle”refers to the design on the back pocket on this boot cut jean. The wash is light and the style has an attitude. If you prefer a little darker wash and higher rise, then try Joe’s Jeans Honey Boot Cut jeans (not shown) in ludlow.  Boot cut jeans look great on all body types depending on the wash and finish.  If you are a triangle or hourglass, you want to keep your top as light as your jeans (as we show here) to create balance.

• Michael Michael Kors ‘Berkely’ Sandal – take advantage of the shoe free shipping promotion that ends  today (April 12th) at Nordstrom!

• Cole Haan ‘Zippered Mini’ Crossbody Bag – it is small yet stylish and functional for an evening out.

Get your Recipe Box today and find out what jean styles fit your body type.

Easter is a lovely time of year to bring families together that celebrate it. One of my favorite parts is watching my boys hunt for Easter eggs.  I also love the excuse to dress up for the occasion and to find a spring ensemble.

The silhouette of this outfit flatters a rectangle body type. The Rectangle Body Type is also known as the “Straight” or “Boyish” figure which can be misleading since it makes you think of someone in their teens. Rectangle Body Types share common characteristics such as an undefined waist, proportioned shoulder and hips and sometimes tummy issues. Rectangles are in luck because most clothing manufacturers design for this body type.

• Leifsdottir ‘Obi Blossom’ Silk Blouse – this floral top encompasses several spring colors. The print details on the bust and hip help camouflage any problem areas.This top isn’t clingy and the shoulder detail and hem bring balance.

• Halogen® Pencil Skirt – these types of skirts look fantastic on rectangles. The safari version of this skirt is the perfect neutral for this spring and summer. An inverted triangle body type also looks great in pencil skirts.

• Donald J. Pliner Slide – the two tones of brown add sophistication to the outfit

• Vita Stitch Clutch – coral is considered one of  this season’s top fashion colors.

• Alanna bangle set – stacking bangles is on trend and I like this set since it is not flashy.

Wardrobe 911 categorizes female figures into 4 different body types (rectangle, hourglass, triangle and inverted triangle), not fruits or other terms. You can figure out your body type by taking the quiz. Each body type is unique and the good news is that there are so many silhouette options. You can find simple yet fashionable solutions in the Recipe Box.

Happy Easter!

Hi, I’m Jill.  Nice to meet you.

As a personal stylist, I do all kinds of interesting things.  I help dress women (and some mannequins) for Anthropologie, I see clients in the Providence and Boston areas, I appear on a local morning show as a style expert, and starting today, I am the official East Coast Style Correspondent for Wardrobe 911’s Style Blog!

(I also have two cute kids that could care less about any of the above things, so long as they can have macaroni and cheese for dinner.)

Those of us living on the East Coast are thrilled to be entering into our sacred summer months and all the celebrations that come along with it.  My brother’s wedding was in Cape Cod last weekend, right on the ocean.  There’s nothing quite like a party on the beach to kick off summer!  There was, however, some confusion about what to wear – it’s a wedding, so it’s dressy…  but it’s on the beach, so it must be casual…

I’m looking forward to sharing with you my humble opinions on this and other style dilemmas.

Let me know what you’d like to hear about!

These are just some of the lovely people we came across while waiting for the shows at Bryant Park.

There were a mishmash of attendees at the shows.  From the people in cute, casual ensembles, to the photographers, models, media personalities, families, fashion aficionados, and innocent bystanders dressed to the nines, it was definitely a spectacle to see.

Which looks are your favorites?

Rain or shine, we had the chance to see some fabulous shows at this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week event.  We focused on the lesser-known labels to bring you something new and fresh, with Charlotte Ronson, Andy & Debb and Tony Cohen among the list.  Upcoming trends for the Spring 09 season include ultra-feminine silhouettes, sheer, lightweight fabrics, figure-flattering cuts, earth tones, pastels, splashes of bright colors, and dresses!

Charlotte Ronson’s Spring 2009 collection was youthful and carefree with lots of bare shoulders, asymmetrical necklines and belted looks, many of which were rocker inspired. Her color palette consisted of muted grays, blues, corals and stripes.  Dresses ruled the runway, mostly fitted along with sheer, drapey fabrics. With very cool details, prints and cuts; the looks didn’t need many accessories. Her zipper front platform wedges look very similar to the gladiator sandal trend that is still prevalent on the streets and young Hollywood. You can get her Fall collection at ShopBop.

For their US debut, Seoul based husband and wife Andy Kim and Debbie Yoon of Andy & Debb presented very beautiful, well-tailored fabrics with a neutral color palette of black and off-white with splashes of crimson red and various yellow hues.

The pair had quirky one-of-a-kind patterns created by illustrator Chang Sub Choi inspired by cupcakes and their children (now that’s keeping it in the family!)  Each look had a very classic and vintage feel with its 50s and 60s silhouettes and necklines.  The sole accessory on the runway was a vibrant red lip that stood in stark contrast to the soft colors of the clothing.  Billowy layers and intricate detailing on the backside of the pieces ensured that the models looked fabulous coming and going off the runway!

Last, but definitely not the least was Tony Cohen’s collection.

His Spring 2009 line was filled with drapey, flowing dresses in earth tones.  Feminine silhouettes with copious amounts of ruffles and fabrics that move dominated the runway, along with fierce wedges with cut-out heels.  Juxtaposed with voluminous hair and strong, defined makeup, Cohen’s ethereal pieces strikes a fine balance between fantasy and ready-to-wear.  Check out some current Tony Cohen at ShopStyle.

What do you think about these designers?  Are you happy to see dresses take center stage for another season?

Greetings from NYC!

From our Fall 08 Client Fashion Show at Bloomies, Wardrobe 911 now brings you to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2009 at Bryant Park via Leigh and Jill, our stylists here at Wardrobe 911:

Fashion Week is in full swing and fashion enthusiasts, designers, stylists, editors, retailers and buyers, art directors, models and artists make up the excitement and stir that is the center of New York’s fashion scene. The shows started last Friday and will continue through the rest of this week. We’ll be here until tomorrow!

BCBG, Diane von Furstenberg, Erin Fetherston, Charlotte Ronson and others have already shown with the big headliners and Project Runway finalists closing it up.  On the runway we’ve seen drapey, soft silhouettes in pinks, orange, soft pastels and lots of grays. Yellow is still a big contender.  We’ll post some interesting tidbits soon!

Stay tuned for more at the Bryant Park tents!

Happy Labor Day weekend!  Long-gone is the rule that you can’t wear white after Labor Day. This long weekend typically signifies our last Summer hurrah before Fall starts.   For those of you who are on a budget, here’s a cute, summery outfit perfect for a pool party or having a picnic by the water that’s just a little over $70!

• sash-waist tunic dress on sale for $35
• stretch bracelet for $15
• aviator sunglasses for $10
• red flip-flops for $3.50
• paisley beach tote for $7

Summer will soon be coming to a close, and many of you are trying to get your last vacations in before the kids go back to school.  For those of you who are thinking of doing a family trip to New York City for some sightseeing, baseball, and good ol’ R&R, we show you some great outfit ideas that will help you beat the heat, but still look chic within a budget!

Summers in the Big Apple are notorious for being extremely humid.  A good way for you to stay cool is by choosing light colors and natural fibers like these 100% cotton and cotton blend blouses. Both tops are lightweight and do not cling to the body, which are great for keeping you nicely ventilated.  Pair them with equally cool bottoms like chino shorts, or a comfy cargo skirt.

To maximize your packing space, bring along a simple and wrinkle-free tank dress that pulls double duty and can work for you in the day or night.  Accessorize with some proper sandals, sassy heels, or a patent leather crossbody bag and jewelry, and you’ll fit right into the New York scene!

Oops!  I forgot to hit the post button yesterday.  Here is the last post of our series on what to wear over 50.  Enjoy and we’ll certainly add more throughout the year!

*  *  *

It’s h-o-t outside and you certainly don’t want to look like you’re melting.  There’s nothing more feminine that a great summer dress and sandals but if you’re having trouble finding a dress that isn’t short or skin revealing, here’s an alternative for the 50-plus set.

Consider a cotton voile skirt which is super lightweight and perfect on a hot sweltering day.  This one’s on sale by Jean Paul Gaultier.  Pair it with your favorite white supima tee or dress it up more with a sheer cotton blouse — you can layer a colorful or white tank underneath.

The outfit is dull without some fun accessories so go for a colorful, chunky necklace.  The pink leather sandals from Stuart Weitzman are low heeled and comfortable enough for walking in. Carry all your important essentials in this yummy yellow BCBGMaxAzria Tote.

It’s the last day of June — where did half the year go already?  Now that it’s Summer, the ‘what to wear to work’ question becomes even more critical.  In 80 degree weather, what do you wear to stay cool yet work appropriate?  If your dress code doesn’t allow for sandals or open toes, what are your options?  Below we address the shoe issue for one of our readers in DC.

Reader Question of the Week:
I’ve been a huge fan of your blog and swear by your recommendations.  My problem is this – it’s summer and I live in a major city (DC).  There are lots of adorable shoes but I can’t wear them to work – business casual attire frowns on open toe/sandal shoes.  I also take the subway to work so I need something fairly comfortable.  Other than changing in and out of flip flops or giving up on heels for ballet flats, what are my options?  It just seems all the designers went for mega-heels this year or something very open and strappy.  Where are the kitten heels??  My female friends and I (in the young professional category) struggle with this problem daily – how to look nice and pulled together and yet maintain some comfort.  Thank you for any advice you can provide.

Wardrobe 911’s Style Prescription:
First off, if I catch you wearing flip-flops on your way to work I will scream. No matter how tempting it is, please don’t do it.  There really are lots of great options and more and more shoe designers are incorporating features such as padded footbeds to help aid in the comfort area.  Here are six prescriptions for keeping your cute, young, professional-self looking pulled together and comfortable:

Top left: The

highest heel (2-1/2″) of the lot but known for their padded soles. Gentle Souls will make you feel like you’re wearing your slippers to work — so much better than flip-flops!

Top right: These black slingback kitten heels look great with pants or skirts and keep you cool in the hot weather.

Middle left: A little more on the pricey side but so worth it. Your hot feet will love you. These Donald Pliner slingbacks in camel go with just about everything. (comes in lots of other colors too.)

Middle right: Go ahead and break the rules with these Gabriella Rocha peeptoes. They have a small opening where just the tip of a few toes may be seen — and the heel height is comfortably perfect.

Bottom left:  These lightweight leather 2″ heels by Franco Sarto have padded footpads and are super economical at $83.

Bottom right: A little more pricey but the Lumiani pump in camel croc (it comes in 11 other colors!) is one of my favorites for understated style. They look great with skirts and pants, have padded footbeds and are a comfortable 2-1/4″ high. A less expensive, yet comparable version, is done by RSVP.

You’ve spent a great day at the beach (or pool) and decide to grab some drinks with some friends.  Going directly to the nearby bar could pose problems if you don’t have something appropriate to throw on over your suit.

Luckily, you have your cute Lisa Curran cover-up that does double-duty as a casual dress.

Show off your tan with a great pedi and some pewter sandals that are perfect for on the beach and off.

Your cross-body tote in chocolate has just the right amount of casualness that makes it great for summer. And the Jennifer shades by Tom Ford won’t overwhelm even the smallest of faces.

Wearing a long pendant necklace on a leather string such as the one by Quique Diaz is incredibly stylish for any time of day or night.  Cheers!

Mom! You’ve been invited to a pool party…by your kids.

hmmmm….what to wear, what to wear? If you’re not into throwing on your swimsuit and slip-sliding on the lawn, then you will probably just grab the nearest thing that is clean so that you can officiate as the resident lifeguard.  Make sure you have some cute tees and some shorts or capris in your closet to choose from.

Gap has some really great tees from their RED line that supports the Global Fund’s fight against HIV in Africa. I particularly like this gold Ghana-print tee because of the great detail and “Inspired” across the front.  Sending good vibes is always a good thing in my book.

Pair the yellow tee with these classic capris in chocolate.  It’s a great color combo and comes off fresh and summery.  The capris are a great summer staple because they keep you cool and chic without having to show your knees or other parts that you may not love. Throw on a fun hat, wear your favorite bronze sandals, and invite a few family friends to bring some beach balls and join in on the fun.

With the first days of summer approaching, you may be thinking about what to wear on that island vacation you have been patiently waiting for. Whether you’re headed to the sexy islands of Fiji or going on a romantic getaway to Hawaii, there are a few key pieces to take along. Here are our suggestions.

Since you’ll likely be taking a dip in the beach or lounging poolside, you definitely need to bring a swimsuit.  Whichever type of swimsuit you own (bikini or one-piece), pair it with a cover-up like this one by DVF. Cover-ups like this are fab because they camouflage parts you’d rather not flaunt and double as a dress or top.

You may also want to take a pair of shorts, a couple tops and a dress for afternoon shopping, casual lunches or a fancier dinner. You want to be comfortable and stay cool, so choose fabrics that are lightweight. Don’t forget to take along a versatile sandal like this one from Piperlime. It’s great because it can be worn with your swimwear and worn away from the water.

Top off your outfits with a cute tote, a protective hat, sunglasses or your favorite jewelry pieces. There are tons of choices available at your local boutique or department store of choice.

We couldn’t hold ourselves back!  With all the great long dresses out in stores, we wanted to show you what would be fun for a seaside evening wedding.

Whether you’re East Coast, West Coast or somewhere in-between, these colorful dresses add light to the wedding celebration.

The pink jersey dress is perfect for all silhouettes but if you are blessed in the bust department, be careful you are not showing too much cleavage.  Wear a wrap or jacket for the religious ceremony!

Important tip if you attend a wedding in Europe: Women wear a suit or more conservative styled short dress to the religious ceremony.  Then they retire for a few hours, change and attend the reception in their fancy dresses such as these.

The yellow Tibi dress is classic with a twist of fun.  Switch out the ugly fabric belt with a silver chain belt or fun cord belt to stamp it with your own personal style.

Carry a silver satin bracelet clutch and wear a pair of beautiful branch earrings by Kenneth Jay Lane with either dress.  The shoes are from today’s earlier post.

It’s the perfect time of the year to have a barbecue, and with Memorial Day weekend approaching, you’re sure to be invited to a few outdoor shindigs.  You have an hourglass figure and need an outfit that will keep you cool and stylish, yet comfortable enough to keep up with the festivities.  What to wear?

Blouses with peplums are particularly flattering for hourglasses because they draw attention to that teeny waist.  This beautiful peony top by Marc Jacobs has a great peplum and detailed print to show off your proportions.  Pair with a a straight leg capri that lends some fullness in the thighs.  For cool nights, add a vibrant cardigan in a contrasting color for dimension.  Tie your outfit together with playful jewelry and sandals you can easily kick off to lay in the grass.

Destination
When I was a kid, my family vacations subsisted on my mom and dad throwing us kids (all four of us) into the back of our family’s Cadillac with a bag of Cheerios and a few newly purchased car games to bide the time.  Along with waging war against each other for taking up space, we’d have to endure a day of staring out at the sometimes boring spans of freeway which would ultimately turn into a game of how many cars my dad could pass before we got pulled over. He liked to speed.  The “getting there” was sometimes painful but all was forgotten as soon as we pulled up to the pearly gates of Disneyland.

Disney has become hip to a parent’s needs and if you head to a Disney Resort, you can now enjoy a night out sans the kids while they are treated to an evening of arts and crafts, computer games, Disney movies, dinner and snacks with a caring, licensed supervisor in an environment created just for them.  They won’t want to leave!

Style Solution
For moms, there typically is no thought about what to wear because you are so busy thinking about the kids and making sure their experience is fun and that they are taken care of.  Pick 1-2 colors (we selected aqua and olive) and 1-2 neutrals (we recommend denim and white) for your travel wardrobe and stick to those for easy mixing and matching.

Layering tanks and tees, lightweight shirts, Capris, jeans and comfy shoes are important for you along with some great accessories like this belt.

Travel Tip
Since your hands need to be free so that you can hold your little one’s hand whether you’re on a ride or standing in line, wear a hip belt that allows you carry things easily.

Share your best tip for traveling with kids!

We’ve all been there.

The vacation that we’ve been looking forward to is finally here – and we don’t know what clothes to bring!  It’s not that we can’t figure out what to wear (based on the survey at left, most of you find it’s the easiest) but it’s that we can’t figure out what NOT to wear.  How many of you have taken a suitcase (or two!) full of clothes and ended up only wearing half of what you brought?

One of the biggest problems women face when preparing for a trip is making good outfit decisions – this leads to overpacking, something that almost 70 percent of us admit to!  Our editing skills perhaps need some polishing so whether you are heading to the Disneyland Resort with the kids or going to business conference at a top resort, this week Wardrobe 911 will feature travel tips and style solutions for a variety of destinations. Here’s today’s installment:

Destination
Romantic Getaway to La Casa Que Canta, Mexico.  This place is definitely something to dream about!  With fresh water and salt water pools, private cooking lessons, a fitness center, yoga, Clarins Spa, and a boutique, there are plenty of excuses for you and your beau to unwind and simply soak in the relaxed atmosphere. Ranked #1 Resort in Mexico by Travel + Leisure, La Casa’s suites and private residences boast private pools and glamorous views.  It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip and no kids under 16 are allowed meaning you get your one-and-only to yourself the entire time.

What to Wear
With temperatures at an average of 85 degrees and with romance in the air, it may be difficult to think about packing anything other than a swimsuit and SPF.  Having a simple, wrinkle-free dress that you can wear for a romantic dinner on the grounds (or out and about) is key. There are lots of options to choose from this season but I love a pop of color like this jersey beach halter dress by Rachel Pally.  The leather cuff dresses it up and ties in perfectly with this patent leather strappy sandal that walks the perfect line of being dressy enough for night out and still appropriate (and walkable!) for a day of sight-seeing.  Get your SPF dosage every 2 hours with Colorescience’s Pressed Mineral Compact.

Travel Tip
Research your destination so you know what to expect with regards to climate and dress codes and then write out the days you will be away and what you will wear for each day. You’ll be amazed at how much you DON’T need to take when you do this simple exercise.

With the warmer months ahead, stores are filled with tons of fabulous flat sandals for the spring and summer seasons. From fun brights and understated neutrals to strappy and flashy metallics, you’re sure to find one that has your style written all over it.  Our pick for the week is this Pollini Studio Gladiator Flat Sandal from Shopbop. A strappy, refined neutral, this is the one you’ll want to add to your shoe collection. From left to right, we show you just how versatile flat sandals are.

With Denim

For the days when the weather isn’t quite scorching yet, pair your flat sandal with a straight leg jean (only if you have straight hips!) and a flutter top. Accessorize with an interesting beaded necklace to finish off your look.

With A Dress

In the summer months, your flat sandals are perfect with a jersey shift dress. We absolutely adore this citrus floral by DVF – it’s yellow shade will brighten up your mood in minutes. Don’t forget to wear a wooden bangle to accent the outfit.

With Shorts

As the days get warmer, wear your flat sandal with a classic chino short and a flattering floral tunic. This tunic by Free People is perfect for the charming gal.

You’re planning a little getaway for early Spring and thinking about what to wear during the day.

Your look should be dressed-up casual if you plan on doing some site-seeing. If you are going to wear a fleece jacket, wear something structured like this one by Juicy Couture (yeah! no logos anywhere.)

You can wear it over a tee or over this colorful top by Ella Moss - it comes in various colors and even better, it’s on sale.  White, high-waisted flare pants are so chic — if you’re worried about anything telegraphing through, put on some Spanx.

Wear a complementary yellow bracelet and a deep purple sandal to pull the look together.