TO MATCH OR NOT TO MATCH? THAT IS THE QUESTION

image via PopSugar

A variation of this post was originally published on Glam.com

As a stylist, this question comes up pretty darn often. Should my bag and my shoes match? My go-to answer has always been “heck no!” Not only do your shoes and bag not have to match, I encourage them not to. But as many of you know, in fashion there is never a pat answer to any style question.

So, to match or not to match – that is the question.

Here is the good news, you are “in” if you match and you are “in” if you don’t match. Isn't fashion great these days?

With that being said this year I have been seeing a lot of matching going on from the runways to the streets. The trend of the matching sets, once a fashion rule and then a fashion faux pas, has been seen on just about everyone. Trends come and go quickly in the fashion world, and the fashion world is known to be a bit “fickle.”

I am here to tell you that you can rock the “matchy-matchy” trend without looking like your grandmother.

MODERN SILHOUETTES ARE KEY

An over-sized clutch or a sleek tote paired with oxfords or an interesting boot is great pieces to try the matchy-matchy trend with. Utilizing modern accessories will keep the look less “old school” and more today.

KEEP YOUR COLORS IN CHECK

If you want to try this trend then please make sure the colors actually match. If you miss the mark on the color matching then it looks like you tried but missed the mark. Slight variations in color aren’t noticeable if the distance between each piece is far (bag and shoes) 

START SLOW

Maybe you aren't ready for the full on bag and shoe matching extravaganza. Try matching your shoes to you hat instead, or your bag to your bracelet? Like I said before, rules are meant to broken so have fun with it.

Marta Marques

by LAUREN MESSIAH 

How to Make your own closet - Lauren Messiah tell her story

IKEA HACK: DIY CLOSET ISLAND 

   

I have wanted a center island for my closet since, like, FOREVER! When I moved into my Hollywood Hills house I had a room devoted to my wardrobe and what that bad boy really needed was a center island. I had a custom closet company come by to do an estimate the most basic looking one was well over $2000. Yeah no. In hindsight it was actually good that I didn’t get something custom made because I later had to turn my closet into an office.

Now I have moved out of that house and into my own little 2-bedroom bachelorette pad. I turned the second bedroom into a closet and it’s staying that way! My handyman installed some cool custom shelving for shoes, custom racks for clothes, more shelves for bags, and custom rolling racks for more clothes. You know what the closet is still missing? A damn center island!!

I already knew that the custom route was a no-go, so I looked at my other options. Home Depot does custom work but that was pricey too. My handyman knew a guy but then you have to figure in parts and labor. So I took to the internet to find a cheaper solution. Enter this lovely blog post about an IKEA hack that will give you a closet island for around $300. Done and done.

So last night I went to IKEA and bought up my supplies. With a little Lauren-style decorating, this island would be the greatest thing my closet had ever seen. Hopefully. I do have some pretty terrible IKEA related memories and I’d being doing this ALL by myself, so …

WHAT I BOUGHT

• IKEA 2 x2 Expedit Shelving Cubes in High Gloss White (3)
• IKEA Silver Legs (6 packs of 2)
• IKEA Expedit Drawer Inserts in High Gloss White (2)
• IKEA Knobs 2-pack (2)
• Marble slab (50″ x 35″) *coming soon*

WHAT I USED TO DECORATE

• Cute tray
• Stylish books
• Flowers
• Scented candle
• Jewelry busts

HOW TO DO IT

1.) Build the shelves. They are shockingly easy, especially for IKEA but if you are easily frustrated bribe a friend with pizza or hire someone to do it for you.

2.) Drill in the legs. This part is trickier because the shelves don’t have pre-made holes for the screws. Definitely use a power drill or a handy friend.

3.) Arrange the shelves. I took the advice of the DIY blogger and I didn’t bond the shelves together. They are all just sitting there nicely in case I ever want to use them somewhere else in the  house.

4.) Add a topper. Ok so I wanted to add a topper to my island right away but when I found out the price?! Yeah no. A piece of marble (how good would that look) will cost me $1400! I decided to downgrade to granite, $850! Alright, lets downgrade to fake-ass marble … $550. So basically I am leaving the top alone until I can score a great deal. It will happen. Mark my words.

5.) Decorate. This is really what takes this from a piece of crap from IKEA to a stylish closet island. Stacked books, jewelry boxes, a tray, fresh flowers, jewelry busts, candles … all of these little things take the island to the next level.

Okay maybe I shouldn’t have put the extra beautiful inspiration pics up before I posted my pics but here they are.

I am actually quite happy with how the island turned out. A good temporary fix until I have the funds to build my REAL dream closet. The next phase of the room is to get a fancy-pants chandelier and some more shelving on the walls. God I love my closet.

by LAUREN MESSIAH

I really love this IDEA. I have to love it, i will try for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy

Marta Marques

5 NO-FAIL LOOKS IF YOU DON’T HAVE CURVES

Dressing for your body type is probably the most important element when it comes to putting together a solid/ flattering look. Unfortunately it’s also the most difficult part. With fashion magazines and style bloggers force-feeding the latest trends down our throats, it’s easy to get caught under the style spell. That shapeless dress that Olivia Palermo made look so effortless and chic can quiet easily make it look like you ate an entire Thanksgiving turkey in one sitting. Not exactly what most of us are going for when we get dressed in the morning.

I am freaking stylist and even I can fall victim to this. Last week I bought the most fabulous and comfortable Prabal Gurung dress. The small was too big (uh, that never happens) so I got an XS … that was too big too. I decided to get it shortened but didn’t get the waist taken in. I figured I could go for a baggy mini dress type of thing. Problem is, I have an hourglass figure. In person I looked cuter than a damn button. However in photographs I looked like a spaceship. I should have listened to myself and gotten it nipped in at the waist or belted it. Live and learn.

In this little blog series that I’m calling “5 No-Fail Looks For Your Figure”, I will style up 5 looks that will you have your shape looking like its best self. First up is for all of my ladies with no curves. Enjoy …

 1. TRY HORIZONTAL STRIPES

Just as vertical lines draws the eye up and down your body, making you look taller and leaner, horizontal move the line across your body creating the illusion of having curves. A striped top or dress will not only make you look incredibly stylish but it will also make you look curvier than you actually are. The wider the stripe, the more body you’ll have.

2. BALL SKIRT

When you are lacking curves and want them, you can use additional fabric to your advantage. A exaggerated skirt paired with a interesting top or necklace can help fake an hourglass silhouette. You ladies are also one of the only body types who can successfully rock the voluminous trend without looking larger than you actually are.

 3. LAYER IT UP

Add a little dimension and depth to your look with layers. You curve-less frame welcomes the added bulk, so pile it on.

 4. WIDE LEGS PANTS

Skinny and slim cut pants can be great for girls with no curves but they can also be problematic too (if you can’t fill them out). Enter, wide legs pants. These stylish pants are making a comeback and will add volume to your frame.

 5.  BELTED DRESSES

Belts are probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to fake curves. Belt a baggy dress for an instant hourglass figure.

Enjoy every tip

Marta Marques

by LAUREN MESSIAH

Who doesn't have a Icon Style?

STYLE PROFILE: EMMA WATSON - 

Sure, I may not have seen any of the Harry Potter movies, but what I do know is that I don’t need to be a fan of wizards to appreciate Emma Watson. Emma Watson has gone from child star to style star seemingly overnight. Seriously, this girls style is on point!

From red carpet to street style – her looks are killer across the board. She has definitely shed her Harry Potter image and replaced it with a look that is chic, sophisticated, classic while remaining modern, and at times a little androgynous. One thing that stands out to me is that her looks are young and fun while still being appropriate – nothing trashy for this stylish Brit.

Emma’s signature style typically consists of classically chic dresses, but she definitely isn’t afraid to mix things up.  Tailored pieces have been a recent staple for this young actress and she seems to be drawn to simple neutral color palette.

DECADES

MODA OPERANDI

NET-A-PORTER

BARNEYS

VINTAGE

Look for pieces by or inspired by Emma’s favorite designers; Valentino, Cbristian Dior, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, Burberry, and Oscar de la Renta.

What do you think of Emma Watson’s style? If you have a favorite style icon like the ME please share with us.

Marta Marques

10 WAYS TO WEAR A TURTLENECK

I have a love/hate relationship with turtlenecks. Well it’s mostly been hate but lately I’ve been changing my tune.  I think the hate stems from a long history with those awful holiday turtlenecks. You know those cotton themed turtlenecks that you’d rock underneath a holiday sweater or sweatshirt? I wore a lot of those in elementary school. A lot.

Well those memories must be fading because I am kind of into the idea of wearing a turtleneck this fall. Call me crazy but I think the right turtleneck with the right styling can look pretty darn chic.

I’ve been trolling the web for the 10 best ways to wear a turtleneck this fall and here they are …

1. WITH DENIM

Look at this girl making her Canadian tuxedo look downright chic by adding a black turtleneck underneath. Just looking at her makes me want to burst in flames (a turtleneck, a jean jacket, and a pea-coat – impressive) but dang she looks good.

2. WITH SHORTS

This is one of my favorite Olivia P. outfits of all time. The chunky sweater offsets the short-shorts perfectly.

3. PAIRED WITH LEATHER

Because leather makes everything better.

4. OVER-SIZED AND SHADED

Some days you just need to wear a comfy, gigantic sweaters. Adding shades make you look vs lazy.

5. WITH A POP OF COLOR

A long coat in a vibrant color takes a white turtleneck was blah to bangin.

6. ADD SOME STUNNING EAR CANDY

Turtlenecks don’t leave a lot of room for jewelry like necklaces and bracelets but many of them are practically begging for some ear candy. The ear cuff looks amazing paired with this classic turtleneck.

7. OR JUST WEAR A DARN NECKLACE

Sure turtlenecks really don’t need necklaces but sometimes you just have to do it anyways.

8. COLOR BLOCK IT

Look at her go in her green and blue. Love how the neutral coat tones the look down a bit.

9. WITH A MOTO JACKET

I will absolutely be recreating this look this fall.

  10. OR JUST KEEP IT CLASSIC

Timeless and forever chic with a black pencil skirt and a classic handbag.

Jus

by LAUREN MESSIAH

Please be free to leave your comment!!!!

Marta Marques

HOW VANITY SIZING IS KILLING YOUR SELF ESTEEM

The topic of vanity sizes has been on my mind for quite some time.  Then I stumbled across this article in The Hollywood Reporter. It’s all about the origin of size zero clothing and the wild world of vanity sizing. It struck a nerve with me. Perhaps its because I work as a personal stylist for real women every day and size related meltdowns and confusion are a regular occurrence. Either a woman has too closely identified her size with her self worth OR she has no idea what size she wears! Here is a real life scenario …

Me: What size you do wear?

Note that I also measure all of my clients because sizes lie but a measuring tape does not.

Client: I wear a size 6

Me: Okay, lets take a look in your closet  …

What do I see? I see a closet full of J. Crew and Gap who are both notorious for vanity sizing. Well, this client is ready for an upgrade. She just got a promotion and her J. Crew and Gap wardrobe from 5 years ago don’t reflect who she is or the budget she is working with today. The problem is, the new clothes that I plan on putting her in aren’t sized as generously. So instead of a 6, we’re looking more at a size 8 or even a 10. Do you think my client is going to be excited about suddenly “gaining” weight? Who is ever about going up a size? Cue the meltdown. Well actually not on my watch. I teach my clients that the size in tag doesn’t mean a thing and if I know they won’t believe me, I hide the tag. The psychological mind-fuck involved in seeing a size 10 instead a size 6 isn’t going to happen during one of my styling sessions.

So why do brands do this to us? Look at how torturous it is! The reason they do it is because when you reverse the scenario the results are a lot more glorious. Fitting into a size 0 when you are really a size 4 gives you a rush (good for the customer) and that rush typically results in a purchase (good for the company).

To me this is nonsense and the madness needs to stop. Can we get some standardized sizing in the house? Clearly that isn’t going to happen anytime soon but you can do a few things to protect yourself from the punch in the gut you self-esteem experiences every time you go shopping.

GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY

A lot of people use the size of their clothing as a marker for weigh loss and weigh gain. Stop doing that. Standardized sizing doesn’t exist so suddenly fitting into a size 2 doesn’t necessarily mean you lost weight, nor wearing a size 6 mean you gained weight. Take your measurements and take a good hard look at yourself in the mirror (naked) – THAT should be your benchmark.

BECOME SIZE BLIND

This is easier said than done but start training yourself to become size-blind. Once you know how clothes are supposed to fit, then becoming size blind becomes a lot easier. If something fits and look incredible on you, the number on that tag won’t even matter.

CUT IT OUT

I know, I know EVERYBODY says this but, seriously, give it a try. Once you’ve purchased the garment and brought it home, cut the darn tag out. I guarantee after a week or so has passed you won’t ever remember the size.

LEARN YOUR BRANDS

Try on a variety of brands and get to know how they are cut (or hire a stylist who knows that info like the back of her hand). Knowledge is power, my friends. Once you know that H&M is totally full of shit when it comes to their sizes, then you won’t care if you wear a size 2 or a size 12.

Marta Marques

by LAUREN MESSIAH