SM Tip of the Week | Jeans

Asking Santa to update your jeans for 2009? For a never let you down, go-to look put a dark wash, no bleaching, trouser-fit pair on your list. This look can be great for a night out or dressed up for Friday at the office. Enjoy!

Buckle Up: Belt Trends and How to Wear Them

We often refer to belts as the “forgotten accessory.” Shoes, clutches and jewelry tend to highlight our look, but don’t forget that belts are also a great way to spice up an outfit!

For a trendy look, wear your belt over your clothes at the smallest part of your waist to draw attention to this area. If you’ve got smaller hips, you can also wear a belt over this area to give the illusion of an hourglass shape. Women with smaller chests can place the belt under the bust line to add some dimension to the top.

Here are a few ideas on how to wear them:

• Pair your favorite belt with an oversized sweater, tights and boots or pumps for a casual yet fun look.
• A bright colored belt is a great way to make a button-up collared shirt more feminine.
• Knee-length dresses look great with a belt, so long as they aren’t full of detail or pattern already.
• Wear a belt on with any over-sized top, and pull the shirt out over the belt a little to add definition to your waste.
• Put a spin on your typical button-up shirt and a cardigan outfit with a belt to give your daily office look a boost.
• A thick belt adds a little sass to a high-waisted pencil skirt with a tucked-in shirt.

If you like the idea of using belts for reasons besides holding up your knickers, here are a few of our favorite belt retailers:

Forever 21
J. Crew
New York & Company
Target

Still have questions on how to put this trend in motion? Email us at stylemuseinfo@gmail.com.

Holiday Parties... What to Wear?

It’s that time of year. The invitations come flowing in for holiday parties of all types. Work Parties, cocktail parties, dinner parties at a friend’s home and more. The big question for most of us is what to wear? We don’t want to overdress but yet want to look put-together and classy. Here are some suggestions to fit any situation you may be in.

Formal work party: Think AM to PM. Here we would suggest taking your day look of a pencil skirt, button up shirt, and pumps and make a few quick changes for the evening. Replace the button up with a fun but appropriate silk cami and cardigan to give yourself the festive shimmer. Another thought would be to lose the black pumps and replace them with a fun heel. Possibly red or a metallic hue. The pencil skirt can be your staple and help set the look professionally. To finish the look, add some fabulous jewelry, a great clutch, and you’re good to go.

Cocktail party: The obvious here would be to go with the LBD. Why not take that look and add an embellished belt or if you’re feeling chilly add a cute cardigan over your dress and belt that. Another look we love would be a festive skirt (think metallic or something embellished with some sparkle), and pair it with a fitted black turtleneck, and layered necklaces. From there like always pair it with a great shoe and bag option.

Dinner party with friends: The range here can really vary. Depending on the group you may be right at home with a great pair of dark jeans and a cozy but dressy sweater. Another great look? Pair a simple top with a scarf and jeans. Warm and cozy. If you do feel the need to be more dressed up why not keep it comfy and go with a sweater dress, tights, and flats (for more see our “tights” post below).

Any other occasions that you are stuck on what to wear? Let us know how we can help at stylemuseinfo@gmail.com

Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

As it gets colder outside, it’s easy to get caught in a rut of a charcoal and black wardrobe. While these colors are flattering on any woman, we suggest examining your surroundings for some color inspiration to brighten up your closet. Here are some things that have inspired us in past fall and winter seasons:

Thanksgiving Table: This Thanksgiving, the table was filled with turkey, yams, cranberries, mashed potatoes and more. Get your color inspiration from these delightful dishes, and try wearing your favorite jeans with chocolate brown boots, a cream colored sweater and cranberry and burnt orange accessories.

Evergreen Trees: In most of the country, the leaves have already turned brown and fallen off the trees; however, we’re lucky in Colorado to have the Evergreens surrounding us. Take note of this, and try incorporating this color into your wardrobe with neutrals like brown, gray, cream or khaki.

Sunset: If you’ve watched the sun set recently, you surely remember the amazing shades of deep pink and burnt orange in the sky. This color combination is sure to add a little excitement to your fall wardrobe. Try a deep pink top with a pair of burnt orange pumps.

Chocolate: With the holidays approaching, we’re starting to see more and more chocolate around the office. Not only does chocolate add a little warmth to your day, a touch of chocolate in your wardrobe will add a little richness to your outfit as well. Use chocolate as a neutral and try pairing colors like eggplant, chartreuse, or coral to add a little punch to your look.

Snow: Looking at an open field of snow that hasn’t been trampled through yet will remind you of the beauty of glistening colors like white, silver and blue. Let Mother Nature be your guide and match these colors to help get you in the winter spirit.

Take a moment to see what colors surround you, and try incorporating them into your outfits. We’d love to hear what inspires color in your wardrobe, so feel free to post a comment and let us know! If you need advice on putting these colors, or others, together, please email us at stylemuseinfo@gmail.com.

Tights, Tights, Tights...

You are probably seeing them everywhere at this point. At work, walking through the streets of Downtown Denver and the boutiques of Cherry Creek North. Tights. We personally love them and have made them a wardrobe staple for this fall and winter. Whether pairing a fun colorful pair with a LBD (little black dress) and cute stilettos or pairing a thicker textured pair under a dress/skirt and with boots… We just can’t get enough. Loving the trend but looking for ways to incorporate it into your every day life? Here are a few tips for every occasion.

• Work Meeting: Why not take that pencil skirt that helps you rock the meeting and pair it with a pair of neutral tights; think gray, charcoal, black or brown with some type of pattern or texture to them. From there pick your favorite pump or dress boot and head out the door!

• Weekend Brunch with the Girls: Here you can have a little fun. Pull out those fun colors and pair with a sweater dress, wool skirt and cute flats. You’ll be both looking fabulous and feeling comfy (your feet will thank you).

• Date Night/Holiday Party: Cute dress. Think LBD or any other short favorite. From there you could go with an array of tights. I’ve seen amazing pairs with a little shimmer, lace, and more. Keeping it classy but still exciting with an element of fun.

Where to find the perfect pair at an affordable price? We have seen a ton of cute pairs at Target lately especially in the Xhilaration line at a very reasonable price. Other places that are our favorites include Nordstrom’s BP selection and Gap. If you are still stumped on how to incorporate this fun trend into your next occasion or event shoot us an email at stylemuseinfo@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help. Good luck and have some fun!

Today's the Day...

Welcome to Style Muse!

We believe a muse is someone who brings out the goddess inside of you. Every woman deserves to feel beautiful, feel confident, feel fabulous and feel chic every time she walks into a room.

Today's the day to start searching for your inner style muse. We're here to bring you realistic fashion advice, style tips and some fun conversation to share with your girlfriends. We'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to comment on our upcoming posts.

Kick up your stilettos, grab a glass of vino and a piece (or two) of decadent dark chocolate, and enjoy!