With the recent Emmys, everyone in the fashion and beauty world is abuzz with thoughts on what our favorite starlets wore, or should have, worn. No doubt Joan Rivers, as well other fashion critics (I use that term loosely) are going to be singing the praises of the stars who got it right and bashing the complete misses. Which begs the question, what is appropriate evening wear and how do I know what’s flattering for my style, age and body type? Simply, read  my tips below and in no time, you’ll be the belle of the ball!

-Black may be universally slimming, but you may want to consider other color options. Although chic, it can look matronly or boring at times. Go the unexpected color route, yet reap the benefits of a dark, slimming shade, by selecting deep jewel tones such as eggplant and emerald green. Not only are these shades dark enough to minimize any flaws, they also add a little color to the face and can make you appear younger as a result.

-Consider white. I explained all about my predilection for spring/summer white frocks in this blog, but for the uninitiated, it’s all about the fit and cut of the dress rather than color when it comes to white dresses.

-Show off your assets. Have thin, shapely legs but a middle you want to wittle? Try a cocktail length dress and show off your beautiful stems. Pick a dress with ruching on the middle or sides to slim your belly. More the tall willowy type? Long, flowing dresses play up your graceful height. Curvy and petite? I suggest a ’50s inspired dress that is nipped in at the waist and then goes into an A-line silhouette. You get the idea.

-Shapewear is your friend. No matter how thin or how much you may have it going on, everyone could use a little fine tuning when it comes to their physique. Spanx are a great option. They are sleek, not ugly, comfy and come in a variety of shapes, styles and colors.

-Don’t go too short. Or too tight. Or too low-cut. Ever, and especially not all at once. I don’t care how old you are or what you look like, the idea is to be classy, not trashy. Think of all those great fashion icons who left something to the imagination yet were utterly sexy and chic, like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn.

-Spice up your hair and makeup. Don’t do long and down and flat ironed. It looks like work hair and is a dated look. Try a new style, please, or change your texture. Also, add some flair to your makeup with metallic eye makeup or a creamy, colored lip gloss.

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We all know that ombre patterns have been big in fashion for a while, but the trend has now moved on up to, yup, you guessed it, the hair. I’m a big proponent of natural, easy beauty as you probably know, but there is something to be said for a cool, not looking like you’re trying too hard appearance as well. Which brings me to ombre as a hair coloring technique.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, ombre is when a shade of color fades into the next darker shade of that color, going from lightest to darkest or vice versa. Think of the bottom of Gwen Stefani’s gorgeous wedding dress to get an idea of what I’m talking about.

So, ombre hair color is simply when hair is colored lighter on the bottom and darker on top or the color is left to grow it, thereby achieving the look. I think it’s a great style, but in order for it not to look messy, you might want to try perfect your makeup and polishing up your outfits, so the hair looks intentional and not just sloppy. It’s the perfect way to to save money on hair color and add a little chic to your autumn ensembles.

See the hair color worked to great effect on fashionistas SJP, Rachel Bilson and Alexa Chung.

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There’s been something underfoot with manicure colors this summer…. The boring neutrals and vampy, dark purple/black shades of nail lacquer we saw last year have gone the way of square-shaped nails, and all but disappeared from the hands of discerning fashionistas the world over. In their place? A new shade called “greige”, a combination of gray and beige, as the name implies, that is totally chic and acts as it’s own kind of neutral. Less dated and expected than creams and pale pinks, but not as drastic as the sultry dark shades we’ve also been seeing, it’s nearly the perfect nail polish color. The shade looks great on most skin tones and with a variety of looks (just look at the celebs pictured here sporting the nail polish shade, from Karen O to Megan Fox, for evidence)… It adds sophistication to a more edgy ensemble and makes the classic shapes and colors we’ve seen on the runways for Fall 2010 more fun and trendy. It’s also an inexpensive way to perk up your style and update older looks. I suggest wearing this nail color again on a shortish, rounded nail and make sure your nails are well-groomed! The grayish beige tends to look sloppy on unkempt nails. The color has been popular since last spring, but is becoming more mainstream presently (for those who fear the trend is a bit risque for them). I recommend trying Chanel’s nail color #505 or Revlon’s Steel Etto for a more affordable option.

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Dressing for fall, especially when you’re a lady, can be a bit of a rough thing… Layering always works but can look sloppy easily and aside from getting creative with hosiery, there are not many options. Since we’re in the midst of a steamy August right now, I thought I’d do some wishful thinking and think of the cooler autumn coming up (though, here in Texas, it’s still quite warm in the fall) and offer up a singular style solution for the colder but still in between weather.

Boots with dresses has been a popular look for awhile now, especially in Austin. There is, however, another similar look that offers just as much warmth with more style and minimal coverage. That would be the ubiquitous ankle boot paired with dresses and skirts. A stylish pairing that gained fans initially in the ’80s is making a welcome comeback. The coupling has been spotted on hipsters and runways the world over.

I personally think ankle boots (usually) look great in neutral leather or suede (or faux), flat or heeled and when paired with the grungy paisley and ditsy floral prints that are so in right now. However, it’s not the most flattering thing to wear a tight dress with the boots (though Gwyneth Paltrow manages to pull it off, above). You need the volume of a looser, babydoll style frock to counteract the skinny silhouette of the boots. Worried about the unflattering effects of such a style? Make sure you wear opaque tights or leggings underneath the dress tucked into your boots to streamline the figure (Spanx are a great option and comfy to boot). You might want to get the same color hosiery as your boots to create one long, lean monochromatic line on your body as well. Also, try to purchase boots that are not as tapered and close to the ankle for a thinner looking leg. Feast your eyes on the looks here, get some inspiration and start dreaming of an amazing autumn!

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By now, you’ve probably seen or heard about the transportation trend that’s been sweeping urban areas the world over for the past few years. That trend would, of course, be young hipsters biking their way through busy metropolitan areas on sleeker versions of old school bicycles. I fully support the biking phenomenon. Not only is it fashionable to be cruising the city streets (witness the photo spread below, taken from a Teen Vogue story on stylish cycling) on a pastel two wheeler, it’s also a cheap way of getting around that doesn’t rely on traffic conditions, subway crowding, etc. Additionally, it’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, get some sun and exercise, and maybe, well, pick up some guys… Apparently, chicks on cool bikes are a turn on for men, as seen by the numerous popular blogs devoted to, you guessed it, pretty girls on bikes.

So, where to go to snag your own groovy bicycle? No fear, I’ve got you covered. After doing some research, I’ve scouted out the coolest, most bang for your buck bike purchases out there. Bicycle shorts not included.

The first option is to go truly vintage when it comes to your wheels. Have an old bike lurking in your family member’s garage? Bust it out and restore it yourself, or take it to a specialist to be updated. You’ll instantly win cool points for your authenticity.

There are also numerous web sites catering towards those who love banana seat, older style bicycles but want a new, non-clunky and updated ride along with their style. Find it here. Just don’t be surprised to shell out more money, though I tried to pick out a more inexpensive site to recommend. This option can be pricey.

Lastly, head to Target for an affordable option. They actually have a pretty decent bike section and cute, old-fashioned styles occasionally. If you can’t find these in store, go to their site. Recently, the Liberty of London collaboration with them produced a really great, floral, vintage-looking bicycle that sold out in days online and in store (pictured here).

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By now, you’ve probably heard that the color turquoise is going to be big for this summer. But the bright color isn’t just limited to wearing ethnic jewelry and bright little dresses. For summer 2010, it’s all about blue shades on your nails as well.

I know this may be a controversial trend. I realize that it might be interpreted as a bit too bold or juvenile for some, but it adds a fun, whimsical touch to any outfit and practically screams summer. The key to making it look modern is to keep your nails short and rounded and perfectly groomed. This is not a punk look per se. It can actually be fashionable and polished and worn to work or for more formal events.

Another key thing to remember when trying this trend is to go for a pale, milky shade of pastel blue a la Hard Candy nail polish circa 1996, or keep it in the metallic and royal blue family. To me, the pastel tone is a younger, sweeter look while the deeper shades of blue are a bit more sophisticated.

I like Milani for inexpensive nail polish and Rococo, Dior or B. Free for a more luxurious choice.

It’s also a nice , non-cheesy patriotic nod to the Fourth of July for this weekend if you’re getting a mani/pedi. Just don’t go adding star and stripe appliques or red and white to your fingernails! Katy Perry, Lauren Conrad, La Lohan and Ke$ha all rock blue shades of nail polish and have even helped bring the trend to the mainstream. Now it’s your turn…

Take your pick of blue nail polish and enjoy the holiday weekend!!

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Lots of amazing and classic things came out of the 1950s… Prim sweater sets, classic Elvis and…. great eyewear? Yup, it’s true. The sunglasses of the summer are the nostalgic cat eye frames of yesteryear made popular by Hollywood luminaries at the time like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly who sported non-tinted versions. The specs of the past were often decorated with rhinestones and kept in a fairly neutral color palette of black and, brown, but the current craze for the cat eye look is interpreted in bolder, more pronounced shapes, thicker frames and occasionally, bright colors. Cat eye sunnies were trotted out on spring/summer runways as diverse as Giles Deacon, Sonia Rykiel and perhaps most tellingly, on design wunderkind Alexander Wang (seen in the collage) and quirky mainstay Prada.  Soon, hip models were parading the shades off-duty and faster than you could blink an eye, so were starlets like Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie and the Olsen twins.

Many designers have come out with their own style of the cat eye and the result is mostly positive. Dior’s subtle (also in the collage) take is perfect for the more subdued stylista while Betsey Johnson sticks to her rock n’ roll take on fashion and goes for fab and outlandish shades. There are also more affordable styles out there such as British retailer Aso’s cool pair and Fossil’s gentler take on the trend.

The cat eye phenomenon is not only completely of the moment, it’s also wildly flattering. The high, pointed edges of the frames visually lift the face making you look younger, higher cheek boned and, of course, more glamorous. I’m a big proponent of cat eye specs also because they look new and fresh despite their storied history and add that fashionable je ne sais quoi to any ensemble. Wang’s futuristic glasses and Prada’s colorful pairs paired with pigtails, on the runway and in eye-catching ads like the one posted here, are the perfect contemporary twist on a classic trend. I suggest wearing the look while attired in timeless looks in plain neutral colors, leaving the glasses to take center stage. Just take a look at Scarlett Johanssen recently all dolled up at an event for inspiration. I made a collage of my favorite different types of cat eyes available in all price and style ranges, below, that’ll make you purr (get it?) with satisfaction, including one non-tinted pair for those who rock specs appeal even when they’re not in the sun. Picks include shades from the aforementioned Alexander Wang, Tom Ford, Marc by Marc Jacobs, popular online retailer net-a-porter and colorful and irreverent Brooklyn-based retailer Fred Flare that are so cute they more than justify their mere $11 price tag (they actually have several cute pairs of cat eye sunglasses for peanuts).

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I was kind of on the fence about flat oxfords. I know they’ve been cool, and even mainstream, for a while but I couldn’t help but feel that they might be hard to pull off and frumpy or unflattering for the majority of women. The trend keeps charging ahead, full steam, and after seeing the latest offerings from some of favorite shoe sources, I’ve completely changed my tune.

The trick to making the flat oxford work is to buy a pair that have some feminine appeal or flair in the first place. Oxfords with shiny patent lather, different textures, interesting cutouts, and bright or pastel colors all make the grade. These are much easier to sport than the plain, old-school style oxfords that Diane Keaton wore in Annie Hall (but if you’re going for that sort of look, by all means, go right ahead). If you are going for the classic brogue, I suggest pairing it with something frilly like a short ruffled mini skirt or dress. This will even out the masculinity of the shoe and be more forgiving on the figure than a pair of pants would be and feels more “now”. If you choose to wear a girlier oxford, I suggest getting a pair that show some skin on your foot or one with cutouts because it’s infinitely easier on your shape and will make legs look miles longer. I love these kinds of oxfords with rolled up boyfriend jeans and a femme top, black/grey skinny jeans or even a more subdued mini. If you’re going to wear a dress or skirt with this style of shoe, make sure it is above the knee. Flat oxfords with a knee length or longer frock visually breaks up your figure instead of creating one long, lean silhouette. I created the collage at the bottom to give you some idea of an outfit that I think works.

I especially like this trend since cute oxfords are an affordable look that jazz up an outfit easily. They add a not trying too hard, quirky, tomboy appeal to most everything you pair them with, just be sure to not go too literal with the menswear  theme. As I’ve said, I believe they work best when paired with something frothy and light to balance the heaviness of the shoe. In that spirit, I’ve selected my favorite under $150 picks that can be bought online. The top two are by Jeffrey Campbell from Need Supply (you must check out this site if you haven’t done so). The next pair are Alice + Olivia for Payless and the stylish girl in the picture is wearing Kimchi Blue tan oxfords, available at Urban Outfitters. It’s official. I’m an oxford believer now.

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Say good bye to the little black dress and hello to the LWD, or the little white dress. A kind of spring/summer answer to the LBD, the white dress has been popular for decades (check out the picture of Debbie Harry rocking the LWD back in the day) for good reason. Like the LBD, white dresses can be casual or dressy, are a good blank canvas for your accessories, and therefore your own personal style, don’t have to break the bank, and, most importantly, are effortlessly chic and are a color that can flatter everyone.

Despite the old belief that white makes people look bigger, I believe it can actually be slimming, if fitted correctly and with the right silhouette. A-line, empire, and wrap silhouettes can all be very flattering on the right shape. The key is to try on many different styles of the LWD and make sure the fit is perfect. If it’s not just right right off the rack, try taking the garment to a good professional tailor. Err on the roomier side of things if you’re not sure how to adjust the dress or what size to pick…Tight and white is not the way to go for almost anyone, unless you have the body of Gisele, and this trend is at it’s best when worn looser anyway. Also, try different shades of white, from it’s purest, whitest incarnation to ivory, and see what shades work best on your coloring. True white can be great on tanner or darker skin while off-white is (usually) best for paler coloring. Keep in mind these aren’t rules, they’re just guidelines, and the most important thing is that you feel confident in what you’re wearing.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Halston dress in the new Sex and the City movie, above, is a perfect example of how fit and proportion play a role in how flattering white can be. Parker wears a shortish piece, so as not to overwhelm her petite frame, and the fit is not skintight but somewhat flowing. The dress also has a universally flattering deep v-neck top and banded high waist. The simple elegance of the dress provides a good backdrop for her accessories and hair/makeup, but they are not piled on. The LWD is left to shine on it’s own.

White dresses are also stylish when they are styled with beige or neutral shades, which is a perfectly airy and trendy color combination for summer, or when they are punched up with bright colors. I also like white dresses with metallic or black accents and bright coral or red lips and/or smokey eyes, all styling options which are ideal for a night out.

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Perhaps it all started with Gwyneth Paltrow’s entrance at the last Iron Man premiere that sparked a fancy shorts frenzy. Dressier than your usual pair, itty bitty and longer shorts have been turning up on celebrities and hip girls everywhere and the trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

I appreciate this trend when it is styled right. A blazer and short shorts in an interesting material or print looks chic for dressier events with a pair of great heels (see Gwynnie and Amanda Seyfried above). Printed or solid cotton shorts and rompers are perhaps best left for fun, daytime events (Whitney Port rocking out at Coachella with a bandeau top and shorts) with gladiator sandals or ballet flats. High-waisted shorts are always a stylish option as well, though not always flattering.

Not many people can pull off  the short shorts look, but if you’re daring enough to bare your legs, make sure they are moisturized! For the less bold or more conservative interpretation of the trend, try longer, knee-length shorts (but I will advise against shiny material or prints on bermudas), like this affordable pair by BB Dakota as seen on a model at Lulus.com. I especially like the longer shorts with a belt and the cuffs rolled up casually.

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