FabSugar

Style For Style: Fly the Fab Skies

FabSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:22 -0700

Want to look as cool and collected as Charlize while jetsetting? Pay attention.

Whether you vacation in the Summer or Winter (moi), as relaxing as a vacation can be, sometimes getting to and from is not so. I wouldn't call myself extremely well-traveled but my passport is pretty colorful. I have some tips when it comes to packing and making the airport trek as smooth sailing as possible. But before I divulge, remember: travel is stressful but what awaits on the other end is bliss. So sit back, remember to breathe and enjoy the ride.

Diane von Furstenberg delivers us many wise words and on the topic of packing, here are some, "I think if you've figured out how to pack, you've figured out your life." So don't fret my friends, mastering the art of packing is a life long task.

Packing 101

Maintain a coordinated color palette. That doesn’t mean it has to be boring! Red, purple, black and dark denim is a modern and interesting combination. As for the tropics, how does yellow, purple, white and gold sound? Fabulous.
Consider dresses, lots of dresses. Here is an item that’s easy to throw on and is an outfit in itself.
Keep shoes neutral; black, brown, metallic and white shoes/sandals. This will make things less stressful when trying to color coordinate outfits and accessories.

For lots more Fab travel tips and to learn my travel essentials, read more

Razzle dazzle. Jewelry can liven up any look. I only travel with costume jewelry, for fear of theft or losing things. Do not pack your jewelry in your checked luggage - carry it with you.
Fold n' roll. Some items are better to roll, some are better to fold. Roll thin, delicate fabric tops and dresses; fold tougher, bigger items like jeans and jackets.
Handbags. This is the time to utilize your favorite, most functional, handbags; always bring a clutch for a night out or quick dinner.
Storage. You can store your costume jewelry, and small accessories like belts, within your clutch within your bigger handbags. This way your jewelry is protected and won’t break. Again, storing jewelry in your main bag is only recommended if you're not checking your luggage.
Wrinkle prevention. Carolina Herrera recommends using a lot of tissue paper, placing it between folds and garments, to prevent wrinkles. Also, extra TP always comes in handy, no?

In Flight

I always carry a comfy, cloth headband when I travel. In flight hair gets flat or static attack; you can slip one on, look put together and have your hair out of your face.
Cardigans. I find cardis are great travelers; they are lightweight, versatile and feminine. They manage to be cozy but not suffocating.
Cold feet. I tend to wear sandals on flights in warmer months. For a short flight I don't mind, but for a long one my toes get chilly. To prevent discomfort, and possibly getting sick, bring a pair of favorite socks so you can feel at ease throughout the flight.
Scarves are a must. Or pashminas. They may be trendy but they're also functional. Case in point: Charlize!
Hoop earrings - big or small - are ideal for travel. They don't scream wealth and they provide a touch of fancy for when you're feeling frumpy. They also work well with earphones, unlike big studs or chunky jewelry.
Go go green. Save some plastic and do your body, and planet, good by carrying a SIGG bottle rather than multiple bottles. These come in many fun designs now so pick one that communicates your personal style.
Just in case. I always carry a pair of clean undies in a Ziploc bag; if you're going to the tropics, I also recommend bagging a bikini - if anything goes wrong, you can swim your troubles away STAT.

Destination Anywhere

Worrisome wrinkles. Bring any wrinkled-en-route items into the bathroom with you when you (finally) get to your hotel and take a shower, hang it on the door, and let the steam naturally take some of the wrinkles away. No worries.
Lint control. Remember: you can always use the luggage stickers from the airline as a lint removing sticker!
Enjoy yourself!

Fame

Style For Style: Set Your Clothes Free

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:00:22 -0800

You're not the only one who has to breathe you know. Your precious dry-cleaned clothes, like this Theory Satin Bubble Skirt ($265), also need to exhale once in a while. After your dry-clean run, bring your clean beauties home, and treat them right.

To learn how to free your clothes, read more

Your dry-cleaned clothes come in a suffocating plastic bag. After living in it for days, they need some air. Remove the plastic bag as soon as you get home, so moths don't flock to them. If you're not comfortable with them hanging naked, opt for a Cotton Garment Bag ($16–$20); they'll protect your clothes without putting them in a sauna-like environment. Frequent travelers should save the plastic bag and hang wrinkle-prone clothes in there when on the road; it will prevent clothes from getting ugly creases.

Style For Style: Shower Steam Your Clothes

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:00:33 -0700

It would be nice if every household had a garment steamer but the reality is that the majority don't. So then what is a girl to do when she has a fabulous cocktail party to attend and her Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Satin Strapless Dress, $995, is all wrinkled? Yes, an old fashioned iron might do the trick, but sometimes a fabric is too delicate for that. Plus, your lackluster ironing skills may burn a hole in your lovely dress. Oh no!

To see my easy solution to unwrinkle clothes, read more

Chances are you're going to shower before you head to your soiree, right? While you're getting clean, your wrinkly dress can get...well, unwrinkly. All you have to do is hang your darling frock somewhere in the bathroom while you shower. The idea is to let the steam from your shower permeate the dress, much like a garment steamer. There you have it; a garment steaming process without the bulky machine!

Source

Fabulous Find: Wrinkle Free Spray

Community Manager — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:50:51 -0700

If this stuff really works, I might never iron again. Check out this Wrinkle Free Clothing Fabric Spray.

Here is the product description from Amazon:

Wrinkle Free works best on natural fabrics and is proven safe on even the most delicate fabrics including silk and satin. According to the February 2003 issue of "Consumer Reports," Wrinkle Free fabric spray is a lot more efficient than trying to steam wrinkles away in the hotel bathroom and more convenient than setting up an iron as it takes only minutes to make fabrics presentable.

The best thing about the quote above is that it made me realize I am not the only person that tries to use the hotel bathroom to steam the wrinkles out of my clothes! You can buy Wrinkle Free Spray here for $9.95

Style For Style: Freeing Leather of Wrinkles

FabSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:00:22 -0700

Before ordering my new favorite faux leather jacket, I had never thought of ways to get wrinkles out of leather. It was only when the box arrived, and I found my poor jacket wrinkled from being packed so tightly, that I felt the need.

With Fall upon us and leather items, like this Kenna-T Leather Mini Skirt ($264), being major must haves, it's important to know how to free them of the ugly wrinkles they get.

To learn how I freed my leather jacket of wrinkles, read more.

Since you can't iron leather, I put my brain to use. A light bulb went off and I ran for the dryer. I turned the temperature to the lowest setting possible (I didn't want to start a fire) and threw my leather jacket in for a one-minute spin. When I took it out, it was considerably less wrinkly. Fabulous. I put it in for another 30 seconds to get the last of the creases out. Feel free to use this technique on any leather item that becomes wrinkly. Just make sure you don't leave it in for too long, as you don't want your leather to melt!

Source

A little Twinkle for your Wrinkles

FabSugar — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 01:57:23 -0700

I can’t wait to try this Bliss Wrinkle Twinkle Line-Filling Eye Cream. It hydrates, calms, lightens circles, and creates a smooth surface for concealer. Plus I like the pen-shaped dispenser; seems like it would make for easy and neat application.

You can purchase for $42, click here

2010 Spring New York Fashion Week: Richard Chai Love

FabSugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:16:15 -0700

I was there - I promised I would be. Poppy Delevigne, Lauren Santo Domingo, Karolina Kurkova, Phillip Lim, and key fashion players, were there. How exciting was the news about Richard Chai's lower-priced contemporary line for guys and gals? Today, I witnessed the women's collection and was completely impressed. Then, I remembered the price point of $50 to $425, and got straight up giddy.

Inspired by boys, the collection still preserved Chai's cool femininity. What I loved most: the jackets. Hooded parkas, cropped parkas, boyfriend blazers, tailed waistcoats, boyfriend shirts worn as jackets, army jackets, and long cardigans put my jacket collection to shame. Crisp fabrics like cotton, twill, cotton/poly, wrinkled rayon, and leather were completely Spring-ified. A fresh indigo crystal petal print broke up the neutrals, and embroidered pieces provided the perfect glam finale.

Funny, I had the perfect seat right at the front of the runway so I could witness Chai adjusting models right before they walked, sipping Diet Coke amidst the excitement. Richard Chai - I love you, man.

To see more from Richard Chai Love, read more

View 21 Photos ›

Don't forget to check out all of our New York Fashion Week coverage and follow my Fashion Week adventures on Twitter!

Trend Alert: Fresh Stripes

FabSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:50:22 -0700

Gone are the days when striped button-down tops reminded us of "office" clothes. Nowadays, I'm seeing a new light, a new crop of fresh stripes. They're easy, they're breezy, and they're too cool to pass up. Don't worry about wrinkles or slight imperfections, just go with the fresh flow. Even better, you can wear these stripes year-round. I'm wearing my stripes right now with shorts and sandals; come Fall, I'll be rockin' them layered with a turtleneck and tights.

The Look For Less: Tory Burch Medallion Stephanie Tunic

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:00:08 -0700

I live in my tunics during Summer. They're perfect for throwing on over a bikini and look even better when they're wrinkled from the sun and surf. I adore the medallion print on this Tory Burch Medallion Stephanie Tunic ($395), because it gives off a chic yet exotic aura. However, at that steep price, I won't be able to afford the airplane ticket to my seaside destination.

To see the look for less, read more

I like how this Arden B. Medallion Screen Tunic ($38) makes a huge statement with its singular print. The longer cut can double as a mini dress and check out how the bell sleeves add a cool, bohemian vibe. Pair it with some cool tribal beads and you're set to jet.

Spring Peek: Disheveled Chic

FabSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:00:22 -0800

I'd like to think the fashion world is always ahead of the game and, last Fall, knew the world was going to unravel. Yikes - am I being a killjoy? It's just that a throw of Spring runways sent wrinkled, undone, mismatched, crinkled, off-kilter clothes into the mix. I like it. Disheveled chic is promising to be all the rage.

The funny thing is, this look is very calculated. Many clothing items and accessories come into play. It's not minimal, it's not tidy, but it requires styling skills. Take some notes from the fashion farm of Burberry (left). From the floppy hat, to the asymmetrical (rumpled) cardi, to the thrown-on trench, to those delish ombre pants, this girl appears wonderfully nonchalant. Looking like you rolled out of bed never looked so good.

To see some more disheveled chic, read more.

View 10 Photos ›

(L-R: Yigal Azrouel, Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marni, Costume National, Bottega Veneta)

Source

Missoni - Zig-Zag Pattern Scarf 2 Styles - $245.00	Foley + Corinna Foley + Corinna Natural Leather City Tote - $420.00
Charles Garnier 18K Gold Square-Edge Earrings/2¼" - $550.00	Splendid Rugby Stripe Cardigan - $125.00
Metallic Linen Clutch - $48.00	Cashmere Sock Box by Corgi - $425.00
Pour La Victoire Women's Nanette Flat Sandal - $159.95	Knotted Wood Bead Necklace - $7.80
Cotton Spandex Jersey Headband - $4.00	L Shea Butter Hand Cream- Travel Size - $10.00
Rolling Transit Bag in Retro Cubes - $375.00

Textured boyfriend shirt - $49.50	Cotton-silk dot-stripe perfect shirt - $78.00
BDG Breezy Roll Sleeve Button Up - $48.00	Truffle Stripe Alianna Shirt - $79.00
Pintucked Striped Woven Shirt - $13.80	Striped roll-up boyfriend shirt - $49.50
Poly-Cotton Shirt Dress - $60.00	Elizabeth & James Laurent Shirt In Pale Blue - $225.00
Elizabeth and James Grey Laurent Oversized Shirt - $295.35	Long Striped Shirt w/ Belt - $22.80