HOT TOPIC: How to wear flared jeans

Flared jeans are perennially in style, and it’s a good thing—the cut fits and flatters every body type by balancing out proportions. Wondering how to pull off the silhouette? 

Here are three simple tips:

• The hem should just touch the floor. Too long and the flares will “break” at your ankles. Too short, and silhouette will have the effect of making your legs look shorter, rather than longer.

• Pointy-toed shoes, whether flat or heels, are a good pairing with flares. The tips of the shoes will just peak out from underneath the hem, so you won’t look like your feet are missing.

• Wear flares with something modern—like a sleek sweater or cropped blazer—to steer clear of an overly retro look.

OPEN-KNIT SWEATERS

Why you'll LOVE it…

Play up this mohair-like top's texture and layer over a sharp-collared blouse for contrast.

 Dorothy Perkins, $49.

Wear this cream-colored shell and a flowing midi skirt for a cozy-chic look.

American Eagle Outfitters, $80.

Team this streamlined midnight blue knit with a slinky tank and leather pants for a night out.

Mango, $70.

Angular stitching avoids a bulky look and lends a figure-flattery element to this slouchy sweater.

H&M, $80.

A top that plays with a crochet-style knit is perfect for weekend wear.

Mango, $60.

Flattering Fitness Wear

Whether you are a triathlete or more of a movie marathoner, you deserve to look cute while working out. I've found the best gymwear for every body type, from major curves to straight and narrow.

TALL
Sick of ankle-flashing yoga pants and wrist-revealing tops? Long Tall Sally makes their must-have leggings with a whopping 36" inseam (and super-flattering cross-over waistband), so you'll never have another high-water workout. Top it off with their won't-ride-up, extra-long hoodie.

Long Tall Sally Fleece Hoodie, $99
Long Tall Sally Slim-Leg Yoga Pant, $55


APPLE-SHAPED
If your stomach is not your favorite stretch of skin to flash choose Moving Comfort's tank with its curve-disguising ombre shading and flattering side-ruching.  Then show off a pair of well-muscled legs with capri-style Patagonia leggings in a bold purple.

Moving Comfort Tank, $48
Patagonia Leggings, $59


SMALL CHEST
Amp up your assets with a ruched workout top from Athleta. Bonus: With its built-in 50+ SPF coverage and wick-away fabrication, this zip-front works as well in water as it does at the yoga studio! Add adorable bright yellow high performance shorts from Adidas by Stella McCartney for a fin colorblock effect.

Athleta Top, $55
Adidas by Stella McCartney Shorts, $84


PEAR-SHAPED
Camouflage wider hips with these clever Adidas by Stella McCartney bottoms with an attached miniskirt. Then, make the most of your svelte upper body with an eco-friendly Alo bra top in eye-popping orange. Finish it off with a hoodie and you're done!

Alo Running Tech Bra, $45
Stella McCartney Track Pants, $100


BUSTY
No need to double or triple up when it comes to this Panache sports bra! The chic colorblock design has contoured cups to cut down on the dreaded bounce, padded underwire and soft shoulder straps. Not only that it goes up to an H cup! Pair it with yoga pants from Quicksilver and a simple tee for a can't-miss combo.

Panache Sports Bra, $68
Quicksilver Foldover Yoga Pants, $45

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

6 Cute Sweater Dresses

Whether for work or weekend, these easy knit styles give you a look that's current and put-together.

Eliza J Stripe sweater Dress
Not too blah and not too bright, these chic stripes combine the ideal mix of neutrals and bolds for the utmost wearability. For the weekend, simply add riding boots and chunky scarf.
Nordstrom, $59

The Limited Textured Sweater Dress
This ladylike acrylic-blend dress in eye-catching crimson will become your rushed-morning go-to, thanks to its wrinkle-resistant practicality.
The Limited, $90

Calvin Klein Sleeveless Striped Sweater Dress
Not only does this graphic black-and-white dress work in any season, but its radiating stripes and defined waistband also help create the appearance of an hourglass shape.
Calvin Klein, $134

Ann Taylor Metallic Flounce Sweater Dress
Get dressed up with minimal effort. The swingy, full skirt of this copper-flecked viscose blend beautifully camouflages lower-body problem spots.
Ann Taylor, $149

Muse Tweed Shift Dress
Duplicating the look of a tweed skirt-and-sweater, this "combo" dress takes the guesswork out of mixing and matching a cozy yet sophisticated cold-weather outfit.
Belk.com, $138

Zara Gold Brocade Sweater Dress
In a luxurious, brocade-printed viscose blend, this everyday shift is the perfect marriage of comfort and polish for the office. Just pair it with opaque tights and heels.
Zara, $100

 

 

 

 

I layered my sweater dress with a red sweater and added a printed scarf!

 

7 Holiday Party Picks

Stunning and stylish buys to invest in now and wear even well after the holidays.

LOFT SHORT CAST CRYSTAL NECKLACE: A brilliant gunmetal-toned statement necklace can add festive flavor to any look, from an LBD to a silky blouse.
To buy: $49.50, Loft

J.CREW JEWELED-STARBURST SWEATER: A low-maintenance solution: This bejeweled viscose-blend sweater comes with its very own necklace. Just add a flirty skirt, opaque black tights, and heels for a party-ready ensemble. Available in four colors!
To buy: $98, J.Crew

Favorite!!

ZARA MOTHER-OF-PEARL EVENING MINAUDIERE: The harmonious combination of glossy black and twinkling ivory imparts an elegance as classic as piano keys--a simple way to make a monochromatic outfit really sing.
To buy: $80, Zara

C.WONDER CHANDELIER EARRINGS: The black glass stones and a vintage-inspired design make for an unexpectedly fresh contrast against winter white or other pale shades.
To buy: $48, C.Wonder

REPORT SIGNATURE MURPHY GOLD SNAKESKIN CHUNKY HEELS: Thanks to the block heel and cushioned footbed, these embossed-leather heels in antique gold are comfortable for a night of dancing. And they can easily transition with office-appropriate skirts and trousers after New Year's.
To buy: $99, lulus.com

MADEWELL SHIRRED TOP IN SHIMMER DOT: Ideal for a relaxed house party, this loose polyester T-shirt adorned with shimmering polka dots offers laid-back sophistication with flats and skinny jeans.
To buy: $88, Madewell

THE LIMITED SEQUIN PENCIL SKIRT: To achieve evening sparkle, swap out your basic pencil skirt for this jazzed-up sequin option. Also available in gold!
To buy: $42, The Limited

DEAL!!!

Tuxedo Inspired Fashion Trends

Suit up for party season with these surprising riffs on the ultimate evening standard. 

Lauren Ralph Lauren Cotton Blouse

Macy's, $90

Marlene Dietrich would have worn this pleat-front shirt with a top hat and tails. The modern-day equivalent? Wide-leg trousers and pointy pumps.

The Limited Faux-Leather Belt

The Limited, $35

Look to this crystal-studded belt—a little bit ritzy, a little bit rock and roll—to impart black-tie panache to jeans.

 

 

Zara Viscose-Blend Blazer

Zara, $130

 

Talk about a smoking jacket. The geometric details and the fluted shape on this collarless number give it an avant-garde edge and the power to upgrade anything it touches.

Coach Suede Heels

Coach, $198

Well, hello, twinkle toes. Kitten heels adorned with metallic bows instantly sharpen a plain pencil skirt.

Banana Republic Clutch of Lucite and Polyester Satin

Banana Republic, $98

 

No need to read between the lines: Paired with a monochromatic outfit, this striped clutch makes an emphatic statement.

L.K. Bennett Wool-Blend Dress

L.K. Bennett, $825

 

Ivory satin lapels dramatize an otherwise demure black dress.

Festive Outfits for the Holiday Season

Does that invitation calling for “festive attire” have you puzzled? Any of these pieces will suit the bill for a variety of occasions during the holiday season.

The Colorful Dress

Want to bet against black for a change? The odds are in your favor when you choose a dress in a rich jewel tone—perfect for cocktails or any event billed as semiformal. If it’s particularly chilly outside, add a cropped velvet jacket or a cashmere wrap.

To buy: $79, piperlime.com 

A richly hued dress can be as easy to accessorize as one in a neutral tone and, best of all, is as unexpected (and welcome) as a flash of Technicolor in a black-and-white film.

To buy: $120, zappos.com

The Embellished Jacket

Until recently, jackets rarely made it past the coat check at parties. But thanks to feminine silhouettes and special touches like embroidery and beading, the latest styles can stay on all night.

To buy: $94, piperlime.com

For a particularly sleek holiday look, pair a velvet, patterned, or ornamented jacket with a satiny skirt or tailored tuxedo pants.

To buy: $50, hm.com

Dressy Pants

Who can even remember a time when pants weren’t an option for women? Thankfully, designers keep churning out a selection of swanky takes on this beloved basic, making it appropriate for even the dressiest occasions in fabrics like luxurious velvet or brocade.

To buy: $99, rachelroy.com

Try topping a pair of party-right trousers with a sequined tank or a trim angora sweater.

To buy: $69.50, loft.com

The Black Dress

Slimming, sophisticated, and even (in a sense) stainproof, the little black dress is the ultimate fallback when it comes to special occasions. This one is as simple as can be, but it makes a statement with its flared hemline.

To buy: $119, anntaylor.com

There are plenty of styles to suit your needs, whether you want something you can dress up (with heels and jewelry for a formal occasion) and down (with flats and a denim jacket for a holiday brunch)—or something that simply flatters your figure by playing up your waistline or shapely shoulders.

To buy: $60, zara.com

The Long Skirt

If your black-tie obligations come around only once in a blue moon, a floor-length skirt is a sensible alternative to a floor-length gown.

To buy: $149, piperlime.com

Unlike a gown, a long skirt can easily go from tailored and formal (and eminently suitable for any black-tie event) to loose and casual, when paired with a black tank top and ballet flats.

To buy: $61, asos.com