Summer guidelines for the perfect outfit

I have been waiting for the nice weather to finally break and stay here and I think it has!! Unfortunately I forgot how it brings out the crazies in the fashion world. You know I see a lot of it just by looking out the windows in my store. Sometimes I really want to just step outside and say "Excuse me, did you look in the mirror before you left the house? Do you really think that this looks good!" I am not saying everyone has to be a size small and be trendy and fabulous all the time but at least wear something that is going to compliment your figure and your style. With everything that is in trend right now, the world of fashion is your closet!!
I realize it has been awhile since I last posted but I am back on the runway (so to speak)! I am going to do a week long series of what fits you best so that way everyone can walk around feeling comfortable and stylish in their own skin! No one should look like the are in the customers of Walmart photo gallery!!

Here is a list of what's to come!!
1. Bottoms
2. Tops and Tees
3. Dresses
4. Jackets and Sweaters
5. Swimwear
6. Shoes and Bags
7. Hats and Jewelry

Will start on Sunday May 20th so keep your eyes open!!

Another 80s trend.... how long will it last??

As I sitting here looking through magazines and getting all of my fashion updates which I love, I am seeing a trend that could haunt me!! The peplum is BACK!!! Just think about it and the fashions of the 1980s... there are the shoulder pads and the bigger the better, Bright neon, Knee high tube socks which looked sooo sexy with the short Addidas shorts, Stone washed jeans, and the peplum!!

Think of all the old 80s teen films, specially Teen Witch. In the last scene her dress has a peplum! My question is did this fashion trend give way to the oh so scary skirt/pant combo?? Do you remember those days when you wore the pants and skirt of the same fabric together?? Why oh why did we think that was cool?? Anyways, the peplum was then on everything in the last 1980s and early 1990s. Just look at all the old prom/homecoming photos. So with this trend starting to make it's way back onto the runways in some very elaborate lengths and prints. (Here's SJP as Carrie in Sex in the City) I wanted to figure out why this is coming back.

So I did a little research and went back into fashion history. While it was first created in the 19th century, the peplum really became part of a woman's wardrobe in the 1940s, then resurfaced in the late 80s.... And now in 2012!! Even though it started out as a jacket with a cinched waist and then the peplum attached, we are now seeing them on dresses and pencil skirts.

It can be flattering if worn the right way. Keep it a fitted peplum even if you are trying to conceal your hips. The peplum itself gives the illusion. The extra fabric will just make you look larger and will defeat the purpose.

Check out this peplum pencil skirt!! Super cute and the color blocking is fantastic but that peplum pulls your eye away from Emma's great figure and beauty.

These are very hot right now but will they last into more seasons, I am not  sure. So my advice is to think carefully on how you purchase your peplum. A printed dress like these may only last one season or two

but the jackets in my opinion will always be flattering. Paired with skinny jeans and heels it's the perfect go to outfit for any occasion!!

I know we like to throw some retro into our closets but make it a piece that can be classic as well. We already have a ton of great trend pieces taht we need a staple!! Peplums are here now so we might as well embrace it and enjoy them while they are here!!

Springing into Fashion Colors

Everybody keeps asking what are the colors that I am getting in at the store for the upcoming spring line. All I can say is that this year colors are HUGE!! But not all colors. It is suprising to learn all of the colors for each season and it seems like such a simple thing to do, Figure them out. But it's not. There is so much research and forcasting that goes on at the Fashion Institute in NY. (I would love to go check it out some day) But I can tell you now that PANTONE has come out with the Fashion Report for 2012!!!

The major color for spring is Tangerine!! Gotta love a great color like that!! Other colors are Solar Power, Bellflower, Sodalite Blue, Cabaret, Margarita, Sweet Lilac, Driftwood, Cockatoo and Starfish. When you look at these colors you may see gold, lavendar, bright pink, navy, pastel green, pale pink, grey, aqua and tan but you really can't be using these fantastic names for the colors. I think it just spices up the colors and then you can repeat them more often but with different names. The best part about the PANTONE report is that is give you a little line graph as to what colors look great together. Hope this little guide will help you out...

Tangerine-- Alone
Solar Power with Bellflower
Cabaret with Sodalite Blue
Margarita with Sweet Lilac
Driftwood with Cockatoo
Driftwood with Starfish

The key to putting these colors together is to off balance the color scheme. One is to be the accent color to a more dominant color. For example if you are wearing Driftwood as the dominant color to your outfit, make your accessories (jewerly, shoes, purse, etc) the Cockatoo color palette. Color blocking is huge right now and these colors are great layouts to that type of trend.

There are very feminine yet bold and will help spruce up any dull closet. Because I know I do so I know you do it to. You look in your closet and say I have nothing to wear when you have a full closet. But the problem is you are a fashionista and want to stay within the times and styles. So yeah, you don't have anything in your closet to wear that will go with the new spring colors!! So come out to 4 Her Boutique and try out some of the great items we already have in. An amazing Tangerine Tulle blazer, Starfish and Cockatoo sweaters from Kensie, Starfish colored ankle crop pants from Pink Martini, a DeLux Fedora in Margarita and a super cute butterfly dress in Solar Power from Tulle!!https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/4-Her-Boutique/125518857517453

What are Designers thinking???

Fashion is not only my passion but it's my career. Everyone always askes me why I chose this side of the the fashion wheel and I always tell them that it has to do with the fact that I don't have the creativity to sit there and create these amazing pieces and then actually sew them together. Plus the fact that I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. I would rather have those people who love to design do that and then I will do what I do best and love and that is to put the outfits together, display items in the store and put together some great photo shoots. So why is it that when I have been looking at the pictures for the Fall Fashion Week in NYC all I can think is what the hell are some of  these designers thinking?? I know for a fact that I would never put any of that on let alone try to sell it to my clients.

Are the designers trying to scare everyone out of their minds with some new fashion?? Don't get me wrong there are some amazing new items and styles to go with the new trends but that one ugly piece just always stands out. It's like when you get bad service at a store or restuarant and that one time can ruin it for you forever. So I wanted to show you what some other people besides myself thought were some of the crazy and off the wall "masterpieces" of these designers.

Do you really want to look like you have other peoples hands touching you all over?? It kind of has the spooky feel and is giving me the creeps!!

This poor man!!! How much was he getting paid to wear this!! I know there wasn't a fight over this item. And honestly ladies, would your man even be caught dead in this when it was just the two of you? I know my husband wouldn't!!

All I can say with this one is Holy Fabric!!! I understand and love the fact that mixing prints as long as they are in the same color palette is fashion forward and trendy but why would you mix prints and fabrics!! It's just gaudy and overwhelming!! This poor model looks like she is going to fall over at any second walking the catwalk!! (or it could be the fact that she is only 14!!) That's a whole other rant and rave for another time!!

So needless to say if you are ever wondering if your outfit is just not top par think of these photos and ask yourself if you look as ridiculous as these poor models!!! Stop in and see me and I will tell you if it works or not!! I can't specify enough though, I give these designers tons of credit and I have so much admiration for them but you gotta know when something is a bust!! They do this every season for decades and they spark great new trends and fabulous styles that everyone can't wait to have but they need to step back and look in the mirror every once in a while too....

Shopaholic Confession and Admittance

I have been going through all of the orders that I did at StyleMax and I have one conclusion... I am a shopaholic!! Yes Mom I am admitting it!! I have an obsession with anything that has to do with fashion and spending the green!! I come up with excuses to run to the stores and see if there is anything that I "have to have".

But I do have to give myself credit. I have been using my shopaholic tendencies for the store. So all of my clients get to benefit from my condition. I guess in turn I am turning them into shopaholics as well but hey, I don't want to be sitting in meetings by myself!! And we will all look fantastic as we sit there admitting to all of the things that we have purchased in the last week when we fell of the wagon!! Or maybe we will just skip the meeting all together and go shopping instead!!

I do have to say that this all started when my mother decided I needed to do all of her shopping since she liked my style so much. This came about by her shrinking all of my clothes so that they would fit her and I HAD to go out and purchase new ones. So my addiction is soley based on my mother not wanting to shop for herself!! But the good thing is I have an entire closet (okay 3) with fantastic apparel!! Thinking about it though, if I didn't have this vise I probably would have a hard time filling the store with great stuff for all of you to purchase.

The key to this condition is spacing yourself out. I don't consistantly buy clothes. You have to spread it out just a little bit. I may buy household items, shoes, cosmetics or scrapbooking stuff instead of clothes. All of this does soothe my need for spending. Retail Therapy really does work!!

Stylemax is the best place for those of us who have a shopping disorder and own a store!! Just picture 5 football fields long floor just filled with hundreds of vendors who sell thousands of lines for you to fill your stores!! A girl could get lost there and let me tell you I do!! You see all of the spring, summer and fall lines that will be hitting shelves in the next few months and just shop away!! But one of the best places on that floor is the Cash and Carry aisle!! Chicago being just 5 hours away does make for a great road trip so that way I have the entire trunk of my car to fill up with accessories for the store!!! You feel great being able to purchase something and actually get to take it home with you!! That is the rush for me.. Having that bag in my hand and being able to show everybody what I got!!

So if you see me out and about with bags in my hands just know I am keeping up to date on styles, getting things for the store or just having a little retail therapy!! Just nod your head hello and keep going. I will see you in that meeting soon enough!! We will hold it in the store and do some shopping afterward!!