Cents of Style

Silence & Noise Drape One Shoulder Tank $32 at Urban Outfitters, Kate Spade Brompton Ring $45 at Nordstrom, Twilley $6.98 on sale at Aldo, Opal Colored Skinny Jeans $29.99 at Charlotte Russe, Plum Perfect $98 at Anthropologie, Enamel Section Band Ring $16 at Topshop, Kitson Off The Shoulder Sweater $39 at Charlotte Russe, Markee Booty $99.95 at Steve Madden, Merona Patterned Sweater Dress Purple Plaid $13.99 at Target.

Transitioning from summer to fall is plum perfect with rich purple pieces.  This time of year, the temps can still be high, but we have this internal yearning to be wearing darker richer colors.  When that urge hits you, go for purples.  There really is a shade of purple for everyone, and surprisingly, purple functions as a neutral.  An interior designer friend years ago challenged me to come up with a color that purple doesn’t go with.  Green, blue, red, brown, black, leopard print…purple really does go with everything.

I’m loving purple pieces with some rocker edge, like skinny jeans, suede ruffle booties, and studded clutches and handbags.  This one shoulder tank from Urban Outfitters paired with jeans is a sexy night out look.  These Nine West grommet flats may be my answer for a situation that has plagued me for some time; finding a comfortable shoe that has a little attitude, I may pair them with jeans and this purple plaid T from Delia’s for a fun running errands and chillin’ look.  This off the shoulder super Flashdance inspired sweater by Kitson; OMG now I have an outfit for when I hit the Fame movie with my hot lady friends.  Thanks to purple, I’m so ready for Fall!

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

One Clothing Short-Sleeve Plaid Ruffled Top $32 at Macy’s, SR Squared Studded Minibag $72.50 at Endless.com, Jersey Tassle Necklace $24.99 on sale at Urban Outfitters, Scarlett Scribble Plaid V-neck T $24.50 at Delia’s,  Capria, Boutique 9 $49.99 on sale at Nine West, House of Harlow Black Drop Earrings $31 at Revolve Clothing.

Mixed Chain Halter $48.29 on sale at Bebe, Pleated Front Mini Skirt $50 at Topshop, SR SQUARED by Sondra Roberts Sueded ‘Swirl’Kisslock Clutch $41.25 at Endless.com, Type Z pewter Mesa shooty $99 at 6pm.com.  Total $238.54.

Kerry is tres chic here in her Catherine Malandrino chain embellished top.  Her outfit exudes ease and elegance.  This look can be recreated for less with a Bebe chain-draped halter, which comes in both cadet gray and black.  With so much bare skin, the key to keeping this look tasteful is by keeping the pieces looser and not skin tight.  Remember with an embellished top, you don’t need much more jewelry if any.  Let the top be the focus of your outfit.  I’m loving this look with a clutch that matches the skirt.  There’s flexibility with the shoe, you could do grey, silver or pewter.  I prefer an open toe shoe in warmer months.  A shooty like this Type Z pewter “ Mesa ” shooty is a great transition shoe, and could be worn with dozens of outfits.

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

Thistlepearl Sheer Leopard Blouse $29.99 on sale at Urban Outfitters, BCBGeneration Tie Neck Blouse $93 at Zappos.com, Sunset Tie Blouse $52 at FredFlare.com, Snakeskin Bow Blouse $79 at Jones New York, Tie Neck Blouse $39 at Mango Shop.

These chic pieces have a Katherine Hepburn sort of glamour.  Tie neck tops have year round appeal.   Wear them now tucked in to pencil skirts or high waist trousers, and wear them later layered under cardigans and jackets. 

I’m obsessing over a handful of these.   The orange tie neck top available at FredFlare.com is very similar to a pre-fall Marc Jacobs blouse.  A tie neck is a great spin on the classic white button up and could easily look chic with a great pair of jeans.  I’m also loving the tie neck blouses in snakeskin, polka dots, and paisley – this is a modern way to work a retro pattern into an outfit. 

If your overall look is menswear inspired, tie neck tops are the perfect piece to add just a touch of feminity.

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

 Brick Dolman Sleeve Blouse $59 on sale at Armani Exchange, Ralph Lauren Tie-Neck $79.50 at Lord & Taylor, Silk Striped Blouse $70 at Banana Republic.

Lattice Back Bodycon Dress $80 at Topshop, Chinese Laundry Studded Clutch $39.95 on sale at DSW.com, Nine West Bonfire Platform Peep Toe $89.95 at Endless.com.

Oh Ashley Greene, I love this dress on you girl!  We’re so used to you giving us cutsey!  Did it take a make out session with Chase Crawford in the back of a limo to get you to give us hot and sexy?

For us girls who don’t star in Twilight, but wanna achieve this look, TopShop’s Lattice Bodycon dress is going to give you that sexy open back detail you’re looking for.  I love Ashley’s pop of color with the clutch, you could do any bright color here, or a metallic clutch would also be hot.  Note, I’m not loving the choice of cream shoes with this rocker hot evening look.  I also would not pair cage or cut out booties with this look – too many cut outs!  Ideally , black patent platform pumps would be chic with this dress.

Keep it up Ashley, You’re dishing sexy glam!

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

Stylish cell phone cases all at www.SourcingMap.com $1.99-4.99

What’s the one accessory I own that I get the most comments and compliments on?  My leopard print cell phone cover.  If I happen to be wearing leopard and have my phone in my hand, I’m the subject of all sorts of commentary.  When I got my iPhone last Fall, I was pretty disappointed at the cell phone case selection at the AT&T store:  black, blue & pink rubber.  The selection at Best Buy wasn’t much better.  I wasn’t about to spend $20 on a piece of rubber that didn’t have an ounce of style to it.

Much to my glee, I discovered SourcingMap.com.  Sure, it’s in Hong Kong, I guess that’s where style lives.  Tis my understanding that Asian cultures have an extreme obsession with their phones and thus, oodles of accessories to dress them in.   My favorite part – all of these cases are priced $1.99 to 4.99 at the most, plus shipping.

They do make cases for phones other than the iPhone, just seach your phone model. They have literally thousands of cases in every texture: leather, silicone, soft plastic, hard plastic, and so on.  Patterns?  OMG, it’s all there:  retro swirls, Obama’s face, animal prints, zodiac symbols, fruit, plaid, flowers, flames…you name it!  Every pattern comes in every color in the rainbow.

So ladies please, don’t let your cell phones run around naked!

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

 Convertible wrap dress from Elan USA www.elan-usa.com, discovered at Art Effects boutique in Chicago www.shoparteffect.com.

Before you start reading, imagine the dress above in black…

A few days ago, I popped into one of my favorite Chicago boutiques, Art Effects on Armitage – I love their selection of house wares, unique gift items, accessories, and clothing.  As I perused the racks chock full of chic items, I stumbled upon a piece twisted and wrapped around itself, to discover it was some sort of convertible wrap dress.  I asked one of the girls who had been assisting me if she’d ever tried it on, or seen it tried on, and she replied that she hadn’t.  We both wondered if it would be a little cheesy.  I was on a mission to find out if this convertible wrap dress could actually be cute and just how convertible is it!?!?!?

There is a card attached to the dress, identical to the image above, showing 9 variations front and back of what one could do with the dress, including a skirt version.  The blue color I wasn’t so hot on, that color makes the dress look cheap or silly.  Art Effect is selling it in black, and I thought that if this dress really was convertible, for $88 it could be the perfect LBD.  As I attempted to replicate one of the looks on the picture, I struggled with the long ties a bit.  It occurred to me that it might be easier to wrap myself if I had help – a gay roommate perhaps.  I was able to create 3 of the looks on the picture, and create one of my very own, which happened to be my favorite.  Wrapping and sculpting the dress was quite a challenge from just looking at the pictures and I might have had more success if the dress perhaps came with an instructional DVD.  Fingers crossed that someone who owns this dress will post a video on YouTube.

Styling the dress was a fun adventure, but again, it could become frustrating without a little help.  The cons – it’s challenging, the material is quite thin.  The pros – the fabric won’t wrinkle making it a great little dress to pack on a trip and wear the same dress multiple ways.  I didn’t purchase the dress, but next time I have a need for an LBD, I will consider it.

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

1960s Vintage Inspired Gold Tone Pen Necklace by 1928 Jewelry $20 at Amazon.com, Steve Madden Piper Clutch $38 and BCBGeneration Ariel Peep Toe $79 both at Endless.com, Princess Pencil Skirt $22.80 at Forever 21, Silk Geo-print Bow Top $70 at Banana Republic.

ScarJo is dishing out some serious Mad Men style here in Dolce & Gabanna.  I’m pretty hyped up about Mad Men season three starting August 16th, so let’s celebrate some Mad Men style.  Banana Republic is pretty hyped up about Mad Men too, they have a line of women and men’s wear inspired by the show, including this blouse in the budget look.  You could also grab a sensible gray pencil skirt at Banana Republic as well, but this is Cents of Style and I thought the Forever 21 version was more fun with the hip “wings” and the price is considerably less.  You just can’t do Mad Men style with out the “Joan Pen Necklace!”

Budget outfit = $229.80

Stylishly yours, Holly Wood Goody

Tianni Leather Zip Top Clutch at eBags.com on sale $27.99 was $36, Charles Albert Peep Toe T Strap Wedge at Endless.com $29.95, Nautical Stripe Dress at Forever 21 $14.50.

This look is so easy breezy fab and transcends celebrity to being a great evening out look any woman could pull off.  The formula for success here is so simple, the dress itself is on the casual side, but by choosing an oversized clutch, instant style impact is made.  You could choose any two-toned strapless or super trendy tank dress to make this look work.  Look for dresses that mix a solid element with a printed element.  Stripes are always a timeless choice, enabling you to wear the dress for seasons to come.  Note, you’ll also be wearing this dress casual style for weekend erranding with flats or flops. 

To style your dressy evening out look, pick an oversized statement clutch in the vibrant color on the dress.  Since most of us don’t have a mortgage payments worth of cheddar to throw down on a pair of Louboutin sandals, look for a multicolor shoe that picks up on the colors in your dress.  This Charles Albert t strap wedge oozes sexy casual style for just $29.95, wow, I’ll take a pair in every color please!

Eva’s look really nails that pretty and put together without trying too hard vibe.  Budget outfit: $72.44.

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

Reversible Racerback by Porridge Clothing $68 at Anthropologie, Slender Hip Slung Khakis $49.50 and Yoked Hip Slung Jeans $59.50 both at the Gap, Franco Sarto Amenity Pump $54.42 at Endless.com.

I scored this Porridge Clothing top at Anthropologie recently and couldn’t be happier that I picked it up.  Initially the price tag of $68 put me off a bit, but then, I realized that the top is REVERSIBLE!  I was getting two tops for the price of one!  Both of the prints are so gorgeous and this bow detail on the back is adorable.  It’s that perfect, “I-look-chic-but-didn’t-try-too-hard” top.  The colors in the top also made me look incredibly tan, the racerback cut made my arms look toned, and the blouse-y volume disguised my neglect of abs toning.  In short the Porridge Clothing reversible top is a miracle. 

The more exotic side is my fav, but the other tan geometric print makes it a great layer piece.  Both sides pair great with khakis for a work type environment and it looks fantastic with jeans.  Accessorizing this look is so simple it’s overwhelming.  Why – because this top goes with everything.  It’s gonna look hot with any brown sandal and warm neutral tone bag.  If you have a red sandal, give that a try – I paired the top with cuffed skinny jeans and a red patent wedge and it was perfection.

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

Priorities “military” vest $98 at Dillard’s, Twill Military Vest $89 at Bebe, Military Button Front Vest $48 at Arden B, Long Military Vest $59.50 at Ann Taylor Loft, Forest Plaid Zip Front Vest $89 at Bebe.

 Military vests and jackets with retro style are popping up in shops like Bebe and Arden B.  The look is a little marching band, a little Revolutionary War.  Am loving this rich plum Steve Madden leather jacket especially with jeans, but it’s a bit warm for these jacket looks now, save them for early fall and transition wear, unless you find one in white and want to wear it over a sundress for some evening coverage.  The way to salute this trend now is by pairing military style vests over classic simple looks like a tank and jeans or get funky by pairing the vest with a more feminine sundress.

Just please don’t carry a tuba around while sporting this look – you’ll get sent straight to band camp!

Stylishly yours – Holly Wood Goody

Twill Asymmetric Patch Jacket $139 at Bebe, Military Button Front Jacket $58 at Arden B, Cropped Military Jacket $49.90 at Alloy.com, Steve Madden Plum Leather Military Jacket at Macy’s, Bb Dakota Battalion Jacket in Black $79 at Chickdowntown.com.