FabSugar

Fab Body Guide: Elongate Yourself

FabSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:08 PST

You've all heard that black makes you look slimmer and taller. While that's true, it's not the only trick in the book. There are a dozen other ways to elongate yourself without having to look goth. Take a look at the real-life examples below. For The Spirit LA premiere, Eva Mendes chose a Bill Blass maxi that, because it grazed the carpet, made her appear taller. Vertical stripes, as shown in the center editorial, and long cardigans, like on Katie Holmes, can also do the trick. Proceed for more tips.

Maxi Dresses: Like in Eva's case, maxi dresses give the illusion of tallness because they provide one straight line from top to bottom, without any interruptions.
Long Cardigans: It's a misconception that everything long makes you look tall. But a long cardigan, past your waist, is one casual way to do it. The darker the color the better.
Long, Wide-Leg Trousers: Be sure to find a style that grazes the floor, and preferably covers your shoes. They're never to be worn with flats, only high heels!
Platforms: It's no secret that platform shoes can literally add inches to your height. For a more subtle approach, choose a shoe with a hidden platform.
Vertical Stripes: Unlike horizontal stripes, which cut you off, vertical stripes keep going and going.

To see more tips, and to shop a widget of elongating pieces,

Trench Coats: A thigh-length trench coat is a slick, sophisticated way to appear tall, especially when worn with over-the-knee boots. Avoid anything longer than the knee, please.
Over-the-Knee Boots: Speaking of over-the-knee boots, ones with high heels will give you an extra boost. Just be sure to wear them with demure clothing; you don't want to look sketchy.
Dark Colors: Black, dark brown, navy, dark gray - these moody hues and others like them are right for looking slim and tall.
Long, Skinny Scarves: Throw on an extra long, extra skinny scarf to take the focus away from your outfit.
Turtlenecks: These give the illusion of a long neck, so they're perfect for those who have a short one.
High-Waist Styles: Whether its skirts, shorts, or pants, if you have a flat tummy, high-waisted styles can make your torso appear inches longer.
Opera Gloves: Unlike cropped gloves, opera styles go past your elbow and make your arms appear super slender.

Source and Source

Mango's Color-Coated Summer '12 Lookbook Has Us Feeling the Heat

Brittney Stephens — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:22:24 PDT

If Mango has its way, it's going to be a cool, colorful (yet sophisticated) Summer. The Spanish retailer recently released its latest looks for Summer 2012, offering up crisp, casual denim, brightly colored tops and printed dresses, and long, louche silhouettes - all expertly modeled by the gorgeous Magdalena Frackowiak. Just see our top three ensembles from the collection below, then click the slideshow to see the lookbook in its entirety.

This fire-engine-red body-con dress is sure to stop traffic.
We'd rock these breezy, sunny yellow wide-legged trousers to the office with wedges.
We love the effortless cool of a dip-dyed tank with cuffed white pants and a laid-back blazer.

Everything You Need to Know About Spring's Glam '20s Trend, and the Key Pieces to Shop

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:30:15 PDT

Spring 2012's art deco vibe was incredibly hard to ignore - we saw the jazzy, Great Gatsby-inspired trend on the runways from designers like Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and more - and it called to mind a glittery glamour that makes us want to attend a fabulous soiree with Daisy Buchanan, or do the Charleston with Josephine Baker. Art deco is a design style that started in Paris in the 1920s and flourished worldwide thereafter; it represents an elegance and keen attention to graphic details and strong, symmetrical lines, as well as embellishments like beading, feathers, and fringe. We're smitten with the '20s-chic vibe this season, and it can be considerably easy to achieve once you know what to look for.

Here's how to get the look:

Go for a drop-waist dress; it's a slouchy silhouette that works for all body types and is especially good for girls who prefer to hide their midsection.
If you'd rather try the trend in smaller doses, consider pairing a sequined tank with wide-leg trousers, or tucking a silky button-down blouse into a pleated skirt.
As far as accessories go, opt for layers of long necklaces, cute cloche hats, and linear, square-cut clutches.

Now that you're up to speed, click through to see our complete breakdown of this season's art deco trend, then shop essential pieces.

Photo courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue

Elie Tahari Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:18:32 PST

Elie Tahari was all about "real women" for Fall '12, and to further prove that point, he enlisted his friends, family, and staff to model the collection. Amongst the casual, party-like setting - his "models" were spotted sipping champagne and even cradling a baby - Tahari showcased a jewel-toned mix of separates and some luxe accessories. Jackets and blazers were refreshed with tonal pairings, trousers ranged from slim to wide-legged, and smart sheath dresses were elevated with laser cutouts. Meanwhile, an array of leather and fur touches injected a modernized touch across the board. Highlights included a purple asymmetrical leather jacket paired with a cobalt silk top and cropped trousers, and a tonal colorblocked blazer. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Colored fur, peplum.
Colors: Blue, navy, purple, black, fuchsia.
Key Look: The purple asymmetrical leather jacket and fur accessories.
Accessories: Ankle boots, patent pumps, leather opera gloves, fur clutches.
Who Would Wear It: Everyday working women looking to add a chic touch to their look.

Derek Lam Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:40:59 PST

Derek Lam's runway show today at St. John's center was worth the freezing trek through wind tunnels. For Fall, Lam mixed his ladylike style with a sportif twist melding chic separates with a menswear twist. Pretty ivory floral satin bomber jackets were paired with pencil skirts and finished off with eye-catching cap-toe ankle boots and metallic loafers. Additionally, there were sharp metallic suit sets, quirky collars, and pleated wide-leg cropped trousers made in wool, leather, and, for a glitzy touch, sequins. Lam's effortless style was also translated into a beautiful array of ivory and black languid silk gowns paired with textural cable-knit sweaters. For outerwear, the designer melded luxury and sport, creating puff jackets and vests adorned with fur collars. More details from Lam's feminine cool collection below.

Trends: Wide-leg cropped trousers, floral print, bomber jackets, side-slit details.
Colors: Maroon, black, ivory, dark mustard yellow, gray.
Key Piece: We loved the ivory cable-knit sweater layered over the fluid silk dress - gorgeous!
Accessories: Cap-toe leather booties, metallic loafers, floral booties, floral bags.
Who Would Wear It: Fashion-forward celebs like Diane Kruger and Kirsten Dunst.

Doo.Ri Fall 2012

FabSugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:18:55 PST

Doo.Ri's signature draping and understated, flowy silhouettes got textural for Fall 2012. Inspired by Butoh, designer Doo-Ri Chung sent the models - sporting sleek buns and leather headbands - down the runway in a gorgeous array of her draped dresses dipped in pretty hues of dark teal, blush, pearl white, and gray. For a polished touch, Doo-Ri Chung introduced wide-leg trousers, tailored wool coats complete with leather inserts, and an eye-catching array of mixed-knit wraps. More details on the dance-inspired collection below.

Trends: Draping, laser cutouts, leather inserts.
Colors: Blush, pearl, black, gray, pea green, dark teal, burgundy.
Key Piece: The mixed-knit wrap sweaters were gorgeous.
Accessories: Leather headbands, cuffed gloves, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots.
Who Would Wear It: We can see Kate Middleton wearing some of the beautiful draped dresses.

Check Out More Covetable Spring '12 Looks From H&M

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:59:14 PST

Take a look at more looks from H&M's Spring '12 collection, showing more colors, prints, and pretty silhouettes for us to look forward to come warmer weather. Taking a '70s-inspired 'laxed perspective on dressing, the brand paired wide-leg trousers with louche tees, floral blouses with classic black trousers, and flared jeans with silky tops worn by Liya Kebede. Spring might be a while away, but that shouldn't stop you from checking out the latest sunny-weather ensembles from H&M - just click through the slideshow now.

Fall 2011 Trend Breakdown: How to Wear '40s-Inspired Style

Hannah Weil — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:56 PDT

The call to '40s elegance was all over the Fall runways, drawing us in with classic glamour from Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Miu Miu. It's that '40s influence we first garnered from greats like Katharine Hepburn and Ava Gardner that's now showing up on the pages of Vogue Australia and celebrity favorites like Diane Kruger and Camilla Belle. There are of course more than a few ways to wear it, from the easy androgynous takes in double-breasted blazers and wide-leg pants to the ultra-feminine iterations in pretty pleats and printed dresses, all with nipped waists. To perfect that '40s-era drama, just keep these tips in mind:

Look for feminine detailing like pleats, cinched waists, and peplum to perfect the decade's ladylike tilt.
Look for key fabrics like tweed and printed silks to lend the vintage stylized quality you're after on skirts, dresses, and trousers.
If you're too shy to go for a full-bodied look, opt for vintage-inspired prints like polka dots to channel the trend with ease - and without high risk.

Now, click through for the full breakdown and our picks for perfecting the look.

Summer Trend Alert: Long-Sleeve Minis

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:23:53 PDT

When it comes to showing skin, balance is key - bare legs look best when paired with covered arms and shoulders, and if you're in the mood to show off some cleavage, a v-neck tank with wide-leg trousers is a smart bet. No piece shows more sophisticated restraint than the long-sleeve minidress, from the runway - check Balmain or Dolce and Gabbana - or the red carpet, where celebs like Beyoncé, Ana Beatriz Barros, and Brooklyn Decker let their legs do the talking in these statement making dresses. We've rounded up 15 of our top picks for the sexiest long-sleeve minis - so click through, shop, and get ready to strut your stuff.

FabSugarTV: How to Wear the New Relaxed Pant

FabTV — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:21:51 PST

Give your skinny jeans a break - Spring is all about slouchy trousers. This looser silhouette was seen on a few of our favorite runways, like Celine, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Yves Saint Laurent. Today we've styled a denim wide-leg pant, a maxi trouser, and a loose, cropped version, so there's something for everyone. Whether you want a '70s boho vibe or a laid-back look, the great thing about these trousers is that you can wear them so many different ways. Watch to see how we styled the season's new relaxed pant! On Allison: Theory top from Nordstrom.com, Tibi trousers.