Hot For Fall: The Camel Coat Five Under $200

I can’t believe so much time has gone by since I last posted. Apologies Dahlings, for my lack of focus. But I’m back and lusting for more clothes as usual. In continuation of my Fall picks, I would like to turn your attention to the camel coat. A timeless classic, this coat has reemerged in a major way this Fall and is on every style maven’s list. I have a nice double breasted camel coat that I got several years ago from J. crew. I still love it but I’m really loving the updated versions in the stores and will look for a reasonably priced one to spruce up my look this Fall. Here’s why you should love the camel coat.

• This season the camel coat comes in every possible permutation and tone (from buff, caramel and cognac to toffee, taupe and nutmeg.) I love the bold new cuts such as the wraparound and oversized mannish shapes to ankle-grazing and hooded. Is there anything chicer that's actually functional, too?
• In the right cut, finish, and tone, a good camel coat can do more to class up your act than a spin through Hermès (because obviously that’s where I shop frequently).
• The camel coat looks particularly striking paired with reds, blacks, and softer variations of beige.

There’s no denying it, the camel coat is the must-have topper this season. And lucky for you it’s really easy to snag up this look. Just pick your price point, silhouette and details, and get one. It's an instant style boost for any and every outfit you wear.

Here’s five to love:

1. BB Dakota Coat

2. Calvin Klein coat

3. Mid Length trench coat

4. Vintage 1970s Edith Mieser Faux Fur Collar Coat

5. Basic peacoat

Must See Fashion-TV

One of my favorite things to do with my leisure time is to watch any and all programming about fashion. And believe me there’s a lot to watch! My ultimate favorite right now, which just debuted this past Friday, is Joan River’s Fashion Police. The show airs every Friday night on E! and it’s hilarious. Joan is no stranger to E! where she has worked the red carpet for the award shows and Fashion Police specials in the past. Now you can hear Joan's weekly fashion rants on which stars hit the fashion mark and the ones who missed it. Here’s just one laughter inducing episode.

On the reality TV tip, I’m watching Project Runway, which got a much needed make over from seasons past resulting in more acerbic no holds bars critique from the judges and more bitching from the designers than ever before. And I’m loving the new season of America’s Next Top Model.The stakes are much higher for cycle 15 since it’s all about gaining entry into the world of high fashion.The new prize for ANTM includes a cover of Italian Vogue and a contract with IMG models. So you know the claws will come out big time as the contestants vie for this coveted prize. Since I’m talking reality, I have to mention the Rachel Zoe Project. I‘m not a huge fan of Zoe. I don’t get her. She needs to eat and stop neglecting her husband. But I do like having the behind-the-scenes access as she dresses clients, attends fashion shows and continues to build her "brand". This season there’s a whole lot more of Roger, her husband and president of her company. Basically Roger follows Rachel around like a neglected puppy dog because Rachel would rather hang out with Brad, her style director and gay lover in search of fabulous dresses for her clients. Roger wants a baby and Rachel wants to continually find the perfect “I Die” outfit. I’m worried about their marriage, Rachel’s skeletal frame but love to see the drama of it all, which in the grander scheme of things is not really drama at all.The season finale is this week but you catch past episodes On Demand.

Less mainstream is the Sundance channel’s The Day Before, an inside look at how designers cope with the stress of fashion shows. The show follows some of the biggest names in the business (Proenza Schouler, Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Fendi's Karl Lagerfeld) for the 36 hour period leading up to their runway shows. If you’re a true fan of fashion this show is a must because you get to see fashion's king and queens severely under stress as they race to finish their collections before the big reveal. So that's what I'm watching on the tube and if you’re wondering, I hate those style make-over shows. I find them boring and trite so you will not find one on my list but clearly my fashion TV plate is full anyway.

Hope you agree with my fashion must see TV list. What are you watching Dahlings?

Hot for Fall: The Cape Coat

I’ve been so in love with the cape for the last two fall seasons now and I’m glad to see it hanging around. There’s just something so cool Dahlings about throwing a sleek cape over your perfectly put together outfit. Fun and fashionable, versatile and practical the cape coat is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe. But warning!! The cape coat is a tricky piece and can be disastrous if you’re not careful.  But worn properly the cape is a good way to break out the daily cover-up routine while also being a practical and comfortable choice for the cool season. What I love about the cape coat is that it can help create a classic and romantic look while maintaining a playful edge. But with some work and effort, you can rock this look until kingdom come.

Here’s what you need to know to make this look work for you:

-Stop reading this if you don’t like a lot of volume. Women that have bulky upper bodies should probably stay away from this trend as it will only add more girth to your upper half.

-The cape coat adds volume so you will need to balance out the lower part by wearing tight fitting pants, narrow skirts, leggings or skinny jeans.

-Curvy and pear shape gals should opt for a cape with a belt or add a belt to give yourself a waist.

-Busty? Choose a fitted cape instead of a flowy one to curb unnecessary bulkiness around that area.

-Shorties should take care to choose a shorter length cape and to pair it with a shorter skirt to keep from cutting off your silhouette.



Four to love:

1. American Apparel

2. Topshop Army cape coat

3.DKNY wool cape

4. Belted cape by Diesel

The cape is very versatile. Pair it with a cute top, skinny jeans and knee high boots or throw it over your night on the town outfit for a a touch of glamour and mystery. A fun and practical  look that will add a whole new dimension to your style, the cape is a great cover up for fall. I love.

Hot for Fall: The Maxi Skirt

All summer long I’ve blogged about my love of the maxi dress. And I’ve really been rocking them hard and love the coverage they give my legs. So I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear that there’s a new maxi in town: the maxi skirt. I remember loving my long Susana Monaco black skirt back in the day and love that the maxi skirt is back with a vengeance. Here’s what you need to know to make this look your own:

• Maxed-out skirts are a sophisticated and refreshing alternative to the tights and minis combo and can be worn both casually or ultra-glamorous. I don't know about you but I hated that short skirt look, primarily because I was jealous of the girls who could wear them. So yes, bring on the long skirt!
• Petite girls you can rock the look but make sure that you’re adding altitude (and attitude) with high heel boots or platforms. Keep the skirt form fitting to keep it from swallowing your frame.
• It’s all about balance when wearing the maxi skirt. Keep your top half streamlined by pairing your swirling skirt with body skimming knits, tucked in blouses, or belted tops. This ensures your waist isn't lost in all that fabric, and balances out your torso.Also the clingier the skirt, the looser the top, and vice versa. Slub cotton T-shirts, oversized shirts and sloppy knits are perfect for this trend; vest tops and low-cut, tight numbers are not.
• Keep your color choices in the neutral color range (black, navy, grey, camel, etc.) to allow more versatility when it comes to mixing and matching with your other wardrobe items.
• Curvy girls you can rock this just be sure to choose a body skimming effect at the top and watch the volume toward the bottom to ensure you look streamlined. I would rock this with an oversize blazer to balance my bottom half.
• Jersey is really the ideal fabric, as it has the requisite heaviness to create a drop which carefully moulds to your figure, without sticking to your lovely lady lumps. Avoid skin-tight skirt: you still need to walk, after all.
• When it comes to length and make sure yours rests on the tops of your shoes.

Okay Dahlings, the maxi skirt is a go for me and at the top of my shopping list. The effect is glamorous, refined, and oozes strong confidence. And as milder weather descends upon us, the long skirt will no doubt become a favorite.

Fall Fashion: A Dude's Opinion

Okay Dahlings, I hope you're enjoying my fall style picks. But while we sit away and dream of all the new looks we will try this fall, have you ever stopped to think about what the average guy thinks about all of our fashion shenanigans? I'm a frequent reader of Daily Candy and came across this hilarious post  from Dan, Daily Candy's only male editor. Read it first then read my thoughts below.

Did you read it? Laught out load funny right? I think the theory goes that women dress for other women because half the time, men are very confused by what we adorn our bodies with. But that's what's great about fashion, it's all very personal and your choice alone. But the average guy is a good style barometer as they often will help you cut through the fashion clutter leading you down a path of simplicity. I know whenever I'm taking myself too seriously I ask the hubby for his opinion and miraculously my style choices become very clear. Of course he is not right all the time, he's wrong actually 80 percent of the time, but for those moments when my mind is cluttered and I can't make one more decision, he steps right in at the perfect time. Anyway, I found Dan's fashion commentary to be refreshing. I agree with the smoky eyes, by the way.