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Rihanna is such an effing lady in Rag & Bone

I always look forward to New York Fashion Week for the runway shows, of course, but really more for the opportunity to wear the wildest outfits/shoes/bags in my closet. But for someone like Rihanna, everyday is a fashion show where her wildest oufits/shoes/bags are on daily display. She continued her summer-long one-woman fashion parade yesterday, when she shut down Barney’s wearing a one-shoulder dress by Rag & Bone, with contrasting floral prints and leather panels. She paired it with suede Balmain fringed sandals and a clutch that read “Such a f*cking lady”. Alrighty then.

The silk and cotton version of the dress is on sale at Milk but if you must have Rih-Rih’s florals, check out Shopbop where they’ve got the Rag & Bone Silk Tank in the same floral print as Rihanna’s dress!

Hide that gut and show that butt off this summer

Summer is finally here – and so is the weight you packed on while hiding away from the winter’s cold and spring’s showers. More than half of the U.S. population is facing this problem where they have gained extra, unwanted weight during the off-season. However, with summer being the season to wear as little clothes as possible and showing off your confidence with your summer body, what do you do with the excess weight? The easiest solution would be to exercise and change your diet. But – for those who want to walk fierce down the street now, that won’t be the fastest solution.

Certified image consultant and DAMstyle owner, David A. McKnight believes people can feel good about their body image if they find the right type of styles to hide those flaws and compliment the assets they love. McKnight owns his own image and lifestyle consulting agency DAMstyle where he consults with several clients who want to look good in current trends but don’t have that model image.

“Looking good isn’t about being the skinniest girl or the most muscular guy, it’s about wearing clothes with confidence,” says McKnight. “An average shaped woman, wearing a tight green neon tank with a mini skirt can make that fashion statement look fierce if she wears it with confidence, not cockiness. Some people just need my help to find the right looks to give them that boost of confidence that will help them appreciate their bodies more this summer.”

But what about bathing suits since you can’t technically hide your imperfections in a two piece suit?

McKnight says selecting the right swim suit is all about understanding and manipulating the discipline of optical illusion. Here are some basic guidelines everyone can follow:

• Flat chest - wear a ruffle top swim suit or a swim suit with formed breast or cup inserts. This will give the illusion of a fuller bust. A swim suit with a ruche top will also work well. In addition, you should try to select suits that are bright or light in color because light colors gives the illusion of expanding, while and dark colors recede.
• Round in the middle (tummy) - Wear a cross over swim suit. the diagonal lines will camouflage the midsection and create the illusion of an hourglass silhouette, similar to a wrap dress.
• Fuller figure - Darker colored piece swim suits will be most flattering and comfortable. A bikini is not an optimal style for this body type.

He also says add a statement jewelry piece to stand out in the crowd. Forget the old saying that less is better. This summer, wear some pieces to accentuate your swimsuit.

Besides, a woman shall never be without her jewelry, even while swimming. It’s just a matter of what you wear and how you wear it. Try accessorizing with delicate pieces that can compliment your swimsuit. You will still show off your laid back summer style, just with a little dose of bling!

Whiteflash.com, an online diamond boutique, offers a great selection for people to choose from.

Here are some of the tips Whiteflash.com creative director and CEO Debi Wexler dishes out about swimsuits and jewelry:

Tips to find flattering big earrings-
Longer or thin faces do best with dangle earrings which bell at the bottom to create width.

Round or fuller faces fare better with oblong earrings that create the illusion of less facial fullness.

Women with a small or receding chin should opt for shorter earrings that bring the eye up.

The big earrings trend works so well from BoHo hippie fashion to full-out glam, so it might be just the right time to start adding to your jewelry box.

To see which pieces look best on you in your outfit, visit www.whiteflash.com to see their entire collection for your summer swimsuit. Hope to see you on the beaches, standing out and not blending in!

Celebrating Michael Jackson - the music, humanitarian and fashion icon

The loss of Michael Jackson shook the world on Thursday. Michael Jackson the entertainer not only impacted the music world in tremendous ways, he was also a global humanitarian, lending his support to 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through project sponsorships. He received recognition in the 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records for breaking the world record for the “Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star”. Despite media allegations, Michael Jackson loved all children, and took time out while touring to secret visting sick children and even had special roms at his Neverland Ranch for sick and terminally ill children.

The influence of Michael Jackson in the music and entertainment world is beyond measurable. Drawing initial inspiration from his idol James Brown, Jackson adopted his own style that is truly unmatched. From his trademark sound and innovative dance moves to mini-feature length music videos like the iconic Thriller, most of today’s singers acknowledge being inspired by him.

His inspiration extended to the fashion world as well. Jackson’s style first made us take notice in the eighties, when the innovative pop star dazzled the stage with red, multizippered leather jackets and  high-water pants, white socks and loafers, and then on to aviator sunglasses with militaristic, bandleader-style crystallized jackets, socks and that infamous sequined glove.

Recently, Michael Jackson-influenced fashion was making a comeback, as seen in Christophe Decarnin’s spangled bandleader jackets for Balmain, reminiscent of the jackets Jackson has worn in the past. His likeness was even seen in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s collection on his Fall/Winter 2009-2010 runway. Celebrities like Kanye West, Rihanna and Beyonce were all seen sporting the King of Pop’s style. Recently Jackson was spotted out wearing Riccardo Tisci’s (Givenchy) studded jackets, and Tisci was set to create looks for Jackson’s upcoming “This Is It” tour that was set to begin in London on July 13. Swarovski crystals were also a favorite of Jackson’s, with the crystal studs covering almost every inch of his ostentatious collection of jackets and performance outfits. Jackson was also working with Swarovski to design his stage wardrobe for his tour. The sets and Jackson’s costumes would have featured 300,000 crystals in 43 sizes and 27 colors. Nadja Swarovski, the company’s vp of communications told WWD on Wednesday: “As the King of Pop, it is only natural for him to be crowned in crystal.”

Rest in peace Michael Jackson (1958-2009). You will certainly be missed but your influence in the realms of music, philanthropy and fashion will be everlasting.

You Can Be A “Beach-ista”…Sometimes: A guide on how to accessories from the sand and beach café to looking sexy for the night under $150

Sales, sales, sales! This is a common thing people are on the look out for this year - even the Upper Eastsiders, who once occupied designer, luxury department stores, are looking for the best deals. With summer right around the corner, you can expect to see fashionistas, budgetistas and now “beachistas” predicting the “haute-est” outfits that you can get without spending your whole paycheck.

So how do we wear this summer’s trends without spending more than $150 that will let you frolic on the sand at the beach and then let you become a lady of the evening?

“Looks that incorporate subtle design patterns and animal print is one of the hottest trends this summer,” David A. McKnight, a certified image consultant and owner of DAMStyle, an image and lifestyle consulting firm, says regarding what you should incorporate in your summer beachwear. “The best thing is you can incorporate these designs for daywear and nightwear. Also – you don’t have to shop at designer boutiques for these styles. There are great stores, such as Forever 21, American Eagle and even Marshall’s, that offer amazing clothes and accessories for low prices.”

If you prefer relaxing on the beach over swimming, the following styles are recommended:

• Sunglasses - $19.50
• H81 Paisley Floral Printed Top - $16.90
• Tote Bag - $24.80
• HULK-Jelly Gladiator Sandal - $10.00

To transition to nightwear, you can’t go wrong with a simple, chic black dress with minimal accessories such bangles, earrings with rhinestone and a clutch with an animal print. Here are suggestions for a lady looking to be in style for nightlife fun in her beach city:

• Black Dress - $24.80
• Rhinestone Wire Wrapped Hoop Earrings - $4.00
• Bangle Bracelets - $6.50
• Zebra Print Clutch - $26.96

If you bought everything listed, you would have spent $133.46 (pre-tax) total on an outfit you can wear to the beach this summer and one you can wear to live the nightlife of any beach town.

So shopping for deals on designer outfits can be fun. The hunt for the best deal for the hottest outfit can be a form of retail therapy to help relieve stress. One of the biggest off-price stores, TJ Maxx actually sponsored a study last year that revealed that you experience a euphoric feeling when you find a good bargain while shopping, so who knew shopping really has medical benefits? And with the recession, everyone could use a little retail therapy to become a “beach-ista”.

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Amanda Bynes is High (Waisted)

[Every week our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

So it’s (almost) March. I can’t believe it. Namely because I can’t believe I am actually this pasty and I don’t know if two months is enough time to rectify the albino-ness that is my skin.

But everywhere I turn it’s cute, short, tight, high waisted skirts. Ones that scream, “You have to have me!”And after seeing this look on Amanda Bynes, I know that I need to invest in some quality self tanner so that I too can rock this look without looking like I spent all winter soaking in a vat of White-Out.

So while I go grab some self tanner that won’t make me orange here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Amanda Bynes is High (Waisted)

Skirt:

So bright, so cute, so perfect for getting your groove on during spring break…or any spring night. Oh, and so much cheaper than the Herve Leger option that Bynes is rocking. And if you want a darker option (because you can’t wait until the warm weather hits to rock this look):

 

White tank:

You can go simple with the top like Amanda, or spruce it up a bit for a little more va va voom. You probably already have a bajillion white tanks in your closet, but in case you want one more (because the rest have arm pit issues….what, just me?):

Jewlery

You can do just about anything with this look: earrings, necklace, bracelet… or all of them. I happen to LOOOVE this flower earring; turquoise and pink is a great combo. And this necklace adds some pizazz to the basic tank. Bonus: word necklaces are great conversation starters with the lads….

Black Bag

Not too big, not too small. Plus the ruffles are tres chic.

Shoes:

Basic black, only switched up a bit

Get Her Haute Look: Solange

Beyoncé may have set the stage for singing talent but lil’ sister Solange definitely holds her own, both on the stage and in terms of her personal style. Solange’s style consists of mixing edgy, unexpected pieces, color combos and prints. She’s not afraid to take a risk! But instead of looking wrong, she always pulls off a brilliant, attention-getting look. She was recently spotted out and about in a trendy preppy uniform of a yellow pleated, flared check skirt with a slim black bustier, accessorized with a chunky necklace, studded belt and two-toned booties.

Like her style? Get her haute look:

1. Judith Ripka Romance Necklace and Crystal/Diamond Enhancer, $700-1,050, Saks
2. ingwa; melero Charmeuse Sofia Top, $95.70, shopbop
3. Modern Stretch Houndstooth Mini Skirt in Pitch Black, $19.99 (plus an additional 20% off), Express
4. Two-tone Lankle Boot in Patent Leather and Calfskin with Woven Tweed effect on Whirlwind heel, Chanel
5. DG2 Pyramid Stud Buckle Belt with Drape Chain in Espresso, $9.90, HSN

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: I XOXO Taylor Momsen’s Style

[Every week College Candy's style guru Jill takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Everyone tells me on a daily basis that they can’t believe I don’t watch Gossip Girl. I would loooove the drama, I would loooove the cute boys, and, most importantly, I would L-O-V-E the fashion.

I know I would love every minute of this hour long fashion show, but just like I know that sitting in front of Ghiradelli week after week without getting any ice cream would only lead to me to going nuts on their jumbo ice cream sundae one day (and gaining 10 lbs), I know for certain that I would soon give into these adorable and oh-so unaffordable GG styles leaving my college gal budget (which is already lacking any luster) in the negatives. I would literally become the girl who lived in her shoes (Christian Louboutin shoes, but shoes nonetheless).

So while I don’t watch the show, I do know that Taylor Momsen’s look is cute, and easy to achieve without breaking the bank. And - bonus- you can take this look from day to night, and winter to spring!

XOXO, Celebrity Chic on The Cheap.

Black Bomber Jacket

This is a wardrobe essential: it’s cute for class, it’s cute for the bar… it’s just CUTE.

Hot Pink Scarf

If pink isn’t your color, this scarf comes in plenty of other colors to choose from and adds some punch to your ‘fit.

Grey V-Neck

You may have 8 billion college t-shirts and, therefore, think you couldn’t possibly need anymore, but a grey v-neck is a must-have. It allows you to look casual and cute all at the same time, unlike that “Drink Your Face Off” t-shirt you got for free at a pre-party last year.

Shiny Headband

American Apparel has a plethora of fabulous colors to choose from, including this bright teal. And - score! - headbands are great for those days when your bangs are not cooperating.

Earrings

Add a little pizazz to your jewelry collection with these simple yet totally marvelous studs. I recommend the white ones, but they wouldn’t show up!

Grey Dress

The best thing about this look is that you can totally rock it for a dressier occassion. Throw this gray dress on, top it with the leather bomber, add some tights, booties and a scarf, and you are good to go!

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