Emma Stone's Mixed Blues (Bonus Andrew Garfield)

 

When I say that navy and red are neutrals and can be worn together with other colors I am serious.

First of all, the skirt is freaking adorable. Its 1960's secretarial vibe would normally lend itself to a pairing with a sleek button-down or even a bustier. I like that Emma has added super-trendy stripes to the look and, by doing so in the form of a t-shirt, adds a youthful edge.

The blue stripe of the shirt does not match the skirt. And it's cool. It's called 'tonal'. I don't love the sepia/sienna stripe in the shirt, but it acts as a nice, earthy base and works tonally with her hair.

To avoid that sepia washing out her complexion, she has added a turquoise collar necklace. It works well with both blues (more tonal) and looks great with the earth-tone. Plus, it's young and fresh.

As for the shoes: who doesn't love navy and red? The cut of the pump is flattering for her feet and legs and gives the whole look pizazz.

I guess that's just another 'Easy A' (wah-wah) for Emma Stone!

Scarves for Men Are Also Scarves for Women

I really like scarves. A lot.

A well-rounded scarf collection can make any wardrobe incredibly diverse. I wear scarves like pieces of Flair.

Of course, I deeply love a classic silk scarf, but I am also quite fond of men's scarves.

Men's scarves vary slightly from those for women. Traditionally, theirs are thinner and shorter and are designed to be worn with a blaze or tuxedo jacket.

They can be worn like ascots

Ashton Kutcher wearing a low ascot

 This style works for people with long necks. If you carry weight in your chin, I would avoid this look.


Laid over tuxedo jackets

Aspinal of London

Knotted around the neck and under the collar

Brad Pitt in Cannes

Or, tucked under the lapels of a jacket

Peter Facinelli

This is how I tackled the look

This is an Olive Drab-colored wool scarf from Russia. Because it's so warm and, since I wanted to look a bit more feminine, I chose to wear it over a dress instead of a button-down. I folded it in half length-wise (I think in Kindergarten we called this 'hot dog style') a draped it over my neck. I then put my blazer on top, taking care to allow the scarf to stick out an inch or two above the lapels.

I let the ends hang loose below the stance of the jacket. This is totally acceptable but you are certainly able to tuck the ends underneath the blazer, or use the scarf with a jacket that has more buttons. Men's scarves should not be tucked in to your waistband as a general rule, but whatever floats your style boat. This look also works with a shorter woman's scarf as long as it is rectangle-shaped or folded to be so.

Coats for The Pale: Anything But Black

I love this time of year. Chilly weather gives me a valid excuse to snuggle in my blanket and drink tea. i also have a soft spot for winter coats. A good coat lifts the winter blues and makes you want to prance around downtown.

But you know what's not-so-good? Boring black coats. Sure, they "go with everything", but that's really not the point. A coat doesn't need to go with everything. It wants to stand out. It yearns to say, "put me on and feel festive!" And are you really telling me that a red pea coat is going to clash with your enormous denim collection? No, it won't and you know it.

So, here are my picks for anything-but-boring winter coats in colors that are perfect for The Pale:

A Burberry-esque (or "Furberry" [Faux Burberry], if you will) pea coat is unexpected and smart. Avoid large patterns if you are petite.

Gorgeous Periwinkle evokes bluebirds and spring. Just the ticket to get you through the Winter Blues. Waistband gives a covetous hourglass figure. Avoid large hip pockets if you are pear-shaped.

Military styling adds wit to this grape-hued pea coat.

Olive drab gives the ladylike buttons and puffed shoulders a bit of an edge. Avoid shoulder details when yours are broad.

Perfect over comfy cords or an LBD, this skirted red number is feminine and a little retro. Think: Grace Kelly.

A modern pea coat with wide-set buttons and a stunning emerald shade is perfect for just about anyone.

A funnel-neck is a great way to combat the cold, especially if you can't stand wearing scarves. Short neck? Avoid.

Faux fur and a ridiculously cute flared skirt make this coat perfect for nights on the town. Marilyn would've done it.

Vertical ruffles elongate and the belt cinches. Perfect for large frames and plus-sizes.

Nautical-inspired toggles add interest to a casual red coat. Minimal pockets and lack of cuffs make this a great option for tomboys and girls who are more straight up-and-down.

Military buttons and pockets, edgy funnel neck and shoulders, feminine color. For the girl who wants everything.

It's no secret that I love menswear. Make a classic men's overcoat look less like you borrowed it off a bum and more like you did it on purpose by choosing one in a bold color.

Simple, English Country Elegance. Works for everyone.

Animal Print Part Two

Key 1:

Minimalism.


Basically every print looks crazy if you wear it all over your body. Very few people can do this and pull it off. Most of them already have a signature Look and the AP just plays a supporting role.


Start by adding an accessory. I feel that shoes are really where one can experiment with entry-level AP. Avoid shoes with humongous platforms, myriad straps, or boots of any kind (reptile is the only exception).

Prada

Via Spiga

Coach

Wearing them with all black gives a playful edge to a monochromatic look.

Kate Moss

Toss them on with jeans when you want to add a bit of flirtyness to an old standby.

Cameron Diaz

Another great way to integrate some AP is through a handbag. They look great when displayed on classic shapes such as a chain purse, doctor's bag, or satchel. Avoid backpacks, hobos, and heavy-handed hardware.

Dita von Teese

An animal print belt on top of a flattering solid color is unexpected and fun. Avoid belts over 2'' thick, elastic cinch belts, double-buckles, and rhinestones.

Stay tuned for the continuation of Our Saga.

Animal Print Week Part One

Ava Gardner

Animal Prints are a classic. They've been around since the days when brave hunters went off to kill things, and women decided to feel pretty. But is it Okay?

Sometimes, when I'm advising on the uses of AP I warn against the all-too-easy to wander into sector of Lisa Rinnaville.


If you used to watch award shows back when Joan Rivers was still allowed on major networks and E! was just a fledgling channel then you know what I mean.

The woman is a self-confessed AP Addict. And she does not wear it well.

I admit that using someone so obviously Crackers is a bit dramatic, but you cannot look past her obvious abuse of this fine print. You know what this red carpet needs? Claws and Growls. Guess what I'm adding to my sheer leopard bodysuit? A skirt of feathers. Suck on that Black Swan!

But is there a way to do this right? Since we're seeing a resurgence in AP in the coming fashion seasons, I thought I'd make a post each day illustrating the ins and outs of this key print.

I leave you with some glorious examples of Animal Print Gone Wrong. Until tomorrow!

Gaucho Pants

Paz de la Huerta in a dress of ill-proportions

Khloe Kardashian in a long-sleeved, mock-neck, Tube Dress of Doom.

Kim Kardashian committing retinal assault in a jumpsuit.

Katie "Jordan" Price proving my 'no boots' point.

Leggings. Really?

A Different Kind of Smokey Eye

  


I once read a quote from a makeup artist that said you should never wear the same color eyeshadow as your eye color because you will look overdone. I call Shenanigans! Brown eyeshadow cannot be place near a lady with brown eyes or else she will look Cracked Out? Um, no. Can it look a bit drab? Sure, but it's not Wrong.

Evidence:

Do I look crackers with green shadow all over my eyes? I think not.

 Now, this is not the exact same color as my irises, but it's close enough for this experiment.

Summery, Smokey, Colorful, and not Insane. Eyeshadows from MAC's A Tartan Tale Holiday 2010 collection.

The Best Nude Shoes

Catherine "Kate" Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

Would you like to have longer-, slimmer- looking legs?

If the answer is no thank you, then you should leave this blog right now. I can't help you and, frankly, you disappoint me.

If, as I expect, your hand shot up in the air quicker than Hermione Granger's during a Potions class, I have a solution for you.

Nude shoes.

I know. It's not novel or ground-breaking, but it does work provided you adhere to a couple of rules.

First Rule:

Choose the right hue. The way in which nude is most effective is when it matches your skintone as closely as possible. The Pale are typically best served by cool, ivory tones with either yellow or pink undertones.

Exhibit A

Too Light

Paris Hilton looks like she's a little girl on Easter Sunday. And not in the good way.

Too Dark

Hayley Atwell's tan court shoes are both too dark and too gray; they drain the life from her skin.

 Exhibit B


Consider heritage and/or ethnicity. A shoe that matches the skin tone of a black woman may be in the brown family. Mixed race or Latina will probably be caramel, and Asian or Mediterranean will most likely be a yellow or olive tone.

Lucy Liu does it right

Zoe Saldana is wearing tan shoes. They match her skin and look fabulous.

How The Pale do it:

You can't tell where Olivia Wilde's legs end and her shoes begin.

Anne Hathaway rocking a pair of Sam Edelman's

Emma Roberts

You're Doing It Wrong:

The black strap at Alyssa Milano's ankles shorten and thicken her legs.

Kristen Bell's shoes are too gray. The dress, lipstick, skin, and hair are all the same color. And that color is blah. As a result, she looks lifeless and the heavy eyeliner make her eyes look like black holes.

Inspired and want to shop? Here are some great options:
   

Pour La Victoire 'Rin'

AK Anne Klein 'Pipa'

Corso Como 'Palomar'
 

Ivanka Trump 'Bulbli'

Corso Como 'Python'

Jean-Michel Cazabat

J. Crew 'Jemaa'

Jeffrey Campbell 'Scide Bow'