FabSugar

Simple or Swank: Red Sweater Vests

LilSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:00:52 PST

I'm a sucker for a lil man in a sweater vest - especially during the holidays. If you're searching for the perfect look for your festive photo or something for your toddler to wear to parties, you can't go wrong with a red cable knit vest. There is no shame in shelling out dough for the memories, but you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to score this classic style.

Simple: At just under $17, you won't be devastated if your guy's gravy and mashed potatoes end up all over the vest from Chaps.
Swank: With a little polo player on his chest, your young man will look sophisticated in the Ralph Lauren Sweater Vest ($45). Well, that is, before he puts peas up his nose.

Fab Redux: Quite the In-Vest-Ment

FabSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:00:22 PDT

Since I'm really getting into back to school mode, this little ivory sweater vest is perfect: right along the same school of thought! It's from the 80s and would be a great layering piece, especially come cooler Fall weather. Slip it on over a long-sleeved, blousy number and you're set (well except for the pants part)!

BCBG's Max Azria Tells Us When He Fell in Love With Fashion

Allison McNamara — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:57:30 PST

We kicked off Fashion Week at the BCBG runway show, where we spotted sumptuous fur jackets and vests juxtaposed against silky colorblocked chiffon dresses. Backstage, Max Azria told us about his Fall 2012 collection, when he first fell in love with fashion, and how he's relaxing after all of his shows have wrapped - it's all in today's Fab Flash. On Allison McNamara: Madewell top, Madewell sweater, H&M blazer, Lia Sophia necklace.

10 Crosby Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:16:03 PST

Derek Lam's new venture, 10 Crosby, has fulfilled its cool-girl status for Fall '12. The third collection from the line, 10 Crosby showed plenty of bold prints, sharp tailoring, and just the right amount of femininity to please every downtown girl. Inspired by the classic holiday flick Home Alone, Lam and design director Liz Giardina envisioned what the 10 Crosby girl would wear on a snowy Winter day. With that thought in mind, the two created silky printed palazzo pants, cozy peplum cardigans, fox-fur vests, and pajama-inspired tops tempered with tailored poplin shirt dresses and sharp trousers. We especially love the chambray shirt dress and chunky peplum cardigan combo. More defining moments below, then check out the complete collection lookbook, starring Belgian beauty Hanne Gaby Odiele.

Trends: Bold prints, palazzo pants, sheer, plaid, peplum.
Colors: Red, nude, gray, green, brown.
Key Piece: We love the chic structured shirt dress and gray peplum sweater combination.
Accessories: Loafers, ankle-strap sandals, pumps, skinny belts, sling-back platform mules.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who like polish with an edge like Olivia Palermo, Amanda Brooks, and Kate Bosworth.

How to Fight Your Financial Demons

LearnVest — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:15:23 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

We all have our demons.

Some just lurk under the bed, but others bare their teeth as we go about our day - say, every time we pull out our wallet.

Financial demons are particularly vicious because their effects aren’t confined to the pages of our journal or emails to our best friend. Our finances permeate just about every aspect of our lives, from where we live to the job and lifestyle we choose.

And for that reason, our financial demons can be particularly invasive - and toxic.

But the good news is that demons can definitely be vanquished (or subdued, at the very least). As with anything, they can be worn down with the right tools and the right mind-set. Fortunately, we have both.

First, identify your demon . . . or demons. Then we’ll show you exactly how to send them packing.

If You Have Shopping Demons . . .

The Tools: As you know, “just stop shopping” isn’t helpful advice. Instead, look at your habit from the other end: Your closet. Your makeup bag. Or your gadget collection, depending on the spending that’s most problematic for you. Use our process from Priceless Style Boot Camp to evaluate your 10 most recent purchases. If lots of your recent buys are rated “not worth it,” it’s time to reevaluate your spending patterns. The first step is to avoid letting one bad spending choice drag you into a downward spiral. If you suspect you’re currently in such a phase, you can use this tool to spiral back up. If your purchases are all rated “worth it,” but you know you’re shopping too much, take a close look at your last month of spending and ask yourself whether you’re truly happy with everything you bought, or if that same amount of money could have been applied to a different financial goal, whether it's bulking up your emergency fund or beginning to invest.

Read on for more.

One-Minute Makeover Tip: Style It With Fur

Marisa Tom — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:55:00 PST

Your 2012 mantra may be "out with the old, in with the new," but we think there's something to be said for recycled treasures. Case in point: today's one-minute makeover pulls from what you already have in the back of your closet and breathes new life into a tried-and-true wardrobe piece. We're feeling the (faux) fur vibe, so if you've got it, flaunt it: style yourself with a flash of fur.

Don't just opt for a traditional fur coat - get creative with trapper hats, plush collars, vests, and subtle lining.
Add texture to any ensemble instantly. The natural color variations of fur - black, brown, gray, white, and more - make for a dynamic burst of movement and layering. Try a long fur vest with a button-up top, cable-knit sweater, and dark skinny jeans for an updated silhouette.
By injecting a bit of fur into your look, you've upped your glam factor a couple notches. The luxe material is an easy way to dress up a daytime look or transform a pretty evening ensemble into old Hollywood red-carpet-worthy.
Bottom line: it's cold outside and a little fur can go a long way. Cozy up with a faux fur jacket, a colorful fur cossack, or a pair of fur-lined mittens. Any way you spin it, this furry tip will help you survive the Winter months.

Source: CBladyàlamode, Borrowfromtheboys, and Ava Drake

Holiday Wish Lists: Practical or Tacky?

LearnVest — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:15:58 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Ah, the wish list.

It made a lovely debut when we were little, often addressed to a certain Mr. Claus. It had a good run for a few years, but retired itself in adulthood as the stuff of kids and dreams (with the exception of weddings and babies, when they take on the adult guise of “registry”).

And now that we are adults, wish lists (outside of those socially acceptable registries) are at best silly and at worst mercenary, right? That’s what many think.

Are We Becoming More Mercenary?

A recent New York Times story discussed the recent trend of the wish list-it’s back, along with more mercenary attitudes towards gift-giving, like a desire for gift cards instead of actual gifts. (According to the story, for the last five years, gift cards have been the most requested gift, according to National Retail Foundation surveys.) A study released earlier this year showed that people who receive gifts they had requested actually derive more pleasure from them and appreciate them more.

Read on for more on wishlists.

Link Time: Fashion's Night Out Confirmed, Inside Alexis Bittar's Workshop, and More

FabSugar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:36:26 PST

Fashion's Night Out is confirmed for a fourth year - Racked
Pleats and leather: better together? - Style.com
Paris reignites brouhaha over Fashion Week schedule - The Cut
Alexis Bittar shows off his amazing jewelry fantasyland - Stylelist
See the celebs whose glasses made them stars - The Daily Beast
Is a sweater vest ever OK? - HuffPo Style
Gifts that you may want to rethink giving - Lauren Conrad
Vera Wang's first menswear foray might be tuxedos - Lucky
Kim Kardashian scores a piece of Elizabeth Taylor history - InStyle
Givenchy's metallic tote: how logo can you go? - Bag Snob

25 Things to Do With Old Jeans

Wise Bread — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Recycling fabric is a powerful green living and cost saving strategy. Denim is one of the coolest fabrics to do it with. It's sturdy, gains character with age and can be acquired very inexpensively at yard sales or in your own "old clothes" closet. Some of the coolest ideas I've found?

Pot holders. In my opinion, these look far better out of used denim than the new stuff. And you can incorporate your own style via choice of trim or a patch stitched to the outside. Here's a link to some tips for making your own.
Cool quilts. You can do this in many forms. Different shades of denim patchwork options abound and are certainly sturdy and fun. Unfortunately, one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen I've been unable to find pictures of. It was done with pieced denim, but they had left on all the details like pockets, buttons, belt loops, etc. It made for a really fabulous unique quilt with a lot of attitude. If anyone has a link to a picture of one of these, please post below in the comments section.

For more ideas, read on.

October Must Haves!

FabSugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:30:45 PDT

Leaves are turning color, school is back in session, sweaters and vests are emerging from storage, and legs are disappearing under tights: with the arrival of October comes cozy, Fall dressing. With that in mind, our editors are looking for the functional pieces that don't scrimp on chicness via fresh silhouettes, great embellishments, prints, color, and killer accessories. We've honed in on our top 10 picks for October; items we're actively drooling over or, perhaps, just added to our closet. Click to see what we're jonesing for this month.