G-Star Raw

"G-Star is a style of all times. Futuristic and cautious. Far-reaching and experimental. Alternative and traditional. G-Star is about making eccentric combinations, and maintaining authenticity. Never one to follow the crowd. Just the product."

Here are three inspiring looks from their current collection...I want to wear all three! The womens' line is so amazing, but unfortunately is hard to find online. This is the store locator.
Great recommendation, Leah. Thanks!

style profile: Mallory

Another friend who always dresses well is Mallory. She grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and now lives in Naperville, Illinois. She loves dancing and is majoring in Communications and Public Relations.
Here are the key elements to Mallory's style...

Three words to describe my taste...trendy, classic, simple.
My three favorite brands/stores are...Forever 21, H & M, Banana Republic.
The best season for clothing is summer...bright colors, flip flops, and you can carry a lightweight jacket to add to the outfit, especially in the evening.
I never leave home without...my purse and cute shoes.
I've got a great style secret: I've gotten some of my favorite items at Banana Republic on sale... on huge sale. They have great sales!
I get inspiration for my personal style from all over; I take a bit from everything to make my own style.
My worst fashion-victim moment: I don't think I really have one, but I probably would say peasant tops...I looked awful in them.

Thanks Mallory!

As most of you know, H&M is an amazing source for up-to-the-minute fashion trends that are affordable. The only downside is that they are unavailable online. Click here to find a store location near you. It's usually worth a trip!
Check out these stunning looks from their Spring 2008 collection...

High waisted, wide leg, denim trousers, H&M, $24.50.

Yellow colorblock top, H&M, $12.50.Pink blouse, H&M, $24.90.

Garnet Hill

Julie asked me to find a versatile denim skirt just a little past the knee in length. This was a surprisingly hard request! Luckily, clothing and home design company Garnet Hill has three great-looking options... Shaped Seamed Skirt, Garnet Hill, $78. Simple and flattering.
Pleated Denim Skirt, Garnet Hill, $78. The pleats dress this one up a bit.
Eileen Fisher Stretch-Denim Skirt, Garnet Hill, $108. Straightforward and comfortable.

Garnet Hill has a great collection of other clothing, jewelry, and shoes as well. Here are some of my favorites...Printed Smocked Skirt, Garnet Hill, $98. Pretty colors.Banded Collar Shirtdress, Garnet Hill, $118. Garnet Hill Wide Leather Belt, now $28. I love this look.Banded Tunic, Garnet Hill, $88. Sophisticated. Wear it with these cute slim jeans.Garnet Hill Five-Pocket Slim Jeans, $88.Bateau-Neck Tee by Velvet, Garnet Hill, $57. I adore shirts by Velvet. They always fit perfectly and are made of the softest cotton. This one comes in other bold colors, too.

Chan Luu Champagne Diamond Trellis Necklace, Garnet Hill, $198. Beautiful.Kevia Handmade Stacking Rings, Garnet Hill, $112. I love how simple and natural these look.Cocobelle Wedge Sandal, Garnet Hill, $98. Gorgeous.

grey stovepipes

I've seen this look in one or two magazines lately and then yesterday, spotted a girl wearing this same look at a crosswalk in Virginia Beach. So fierce. See by Chloe' Skinny Stretch Denim Jeans, Nordstrom, $395. Lillington by Wrangler 47 jeans, truejeans.com, $125.

BDG Cigarette Leg Jean Grey, Urban Outfitters, $49.Skinny jeans not up your alley? Try these by DKNY. Soho Jean, DKNY, $70.
Add a subtly detailed black top. Solid yoke front shirt, Gap, $30.

Don't forget the cool motorcycle-inspired jacket! This one is BITTEN by Sarah Jessica Parker, only available at Steve and Barry's...
Rib trim cord jacket, $8.98.Converse One Star Cupra Fashion Track Jacket, Target, $35.Kenneth Cole Reaction, Know Better in Lipstick, zappos.com, $83.These are a great low-cost option. Mossimo Peggy Wedges, Target, $25.

add some plaid

I adore this shirt from Madewell, a JCrew company that many may not have heard of yet. There are only seven locations nationwide and it is not available online. You may order by phone, however. (When was the last time you did that?)
Buffalo Plaid Bowery Blouse, Madewell, $62.
If you don't have any plaid, check, or gingham in your 'drobe yet...now is a great time.



Plaid shift tunic, Forever 21.com, $16. Just needs a Shade shirt underneath.

Wear either top with skinny jeans in a dark wash and some cute flats, like:
Matchstick jean, JCrew, $98.Seychelles Tryst, piperlime.com, $80.
Or, a similar look for less:Charles Albert Lanvin Flats, cutesygirl.com, $7.

lunch with friends

A fun springtime outfit. Obviously, as winter flickers and fades, wear lots of layers to get the most use out of your warm weather clothing.
Perfectly Professional Pleated Top in Yellow, Lulu's.com, $26.Dojo Short in Caribbean, 7 for all Mankind, $167. The perfect length.Or, these Cropped roll-cuff jeans, Gap, $49.50.Fallen Feather Platforms, anthropologie.com, $98. Click the link to really see how cute these are.
For a similar look, Floral Print Slingback Wedge in Turquoise, ebay.com, seller: Cutesy Shoes, $17 (Buy it now price.) This seller has thousands of trendy, super-low-priced shoes.

Now all I need is a lunch date! So, where would you wear this outfit?

a simple and stylish nine months

I recently received this kind request:

"I love your site and style it fits me perfectly! My best friend L. told me about it! I am asking if you have any fun sites for maternity clothing, etc. I am about 3 months along and haven't got a clue whats out there now. My last child was born 3 years ago!

Any help would be appreciated!"

Thanks, Sarah! I'll start with bottoms, since that is the first place most women need more room. And by bottoms, I mean jeans, because they're everyone's fave, right?Maternal America Classic Fit Maternity Jean, Due maternity, $87. These are a great basic. The designer vibe, minus the $200 price tag.

Hidden panel Clinton trousers, gap.com, $68. Our mutual friend, L., was looking fabulous in these recently. I am always a fan of trouser jeans! A flattering look that easy to dress up or down.
Maternity Roll-Panel Wide Leg jeans, oldnavy.com, $36.50. Check out the cute blue-grey denim! These scream cute and comfy at a very comfortable price.

Other stylish ways to cover your lower half...
Due Essential Maternity Skirt, Due maternity, $68. It's all about comfort. This wide elastic band will enable you to wear the skirt all throughout your term and while you transition back into your normal size. This attractive slate color is very versatile. And, you can definitely wear this skirt to work.
5-pocket denim skirt, Destination Maternity, $35. I actually wore this skirt a lot when I was expecting last year. Like wearing jeans, but you get a nice breeze.
The Softest Yoga Pant by Majamas, Figure8 maternity, $45. Yoga pants give you that easy, luxurious feeling of supreme comfort. And these days, it's acceptable to wear them casually just about anywhere.

Stay tuned for more stylishly simple maternity finds.

denim

Undoubtedly one of the best style choices you can make is to find a great pair of jeans. Here's a website, Zafu, that promises the perfect fit. Take a quiz about your body type to find your ideal pair. It has jeans in all price ranges and styles. Zafu also lists where to buy them and how much they cost.
Melbourne, by Paige Premium Denim, shoprapunzels.com, $179.

spring at Boden USA

British clothing company Boden has some great styles for spring. Here are my picks.Fizzy spot top, $58, machine washable (no ironing!)Favorite V Neck Cardigan, Corozo nut buttons, contrast color inside placket, and machine washable, $68, comes in several vibrant colors.Slim cropped jeans, $78. These also come in a nice dark denim, but wouldn't white crops be more fun? Get some now and wear them all spring and summer.Long washed linen skirt, $78. If you are looking for a long skirt, this is a great one. It's machine washable and linen, so you don't have to iron it. I like this versatile shade of blue.

you now have a choice...

...you don't have to wear low-rise jeans. The fashion site whowhatweardaily.com has a great tutorial on wearing high waisted looks. Check it out here.
What would it feel like to bend down and grab something off the floor without adjusting everything or showing everyone your underwear?These jeans are made by 7 for all mankind. $189--but you know you'd wear them every day!

I found a black high waisted skirt at H & M for $40 last month. (H&M does not sell their clothing online, unfortunately. Click here for store locations.) It looks a lot like this one from shopbop.com by Robert Rodriguez, $308.