- By Kallah Maguire, The Stylist
The Nutritionista and I were chatting away this weekend plotting a delicious contest for all you MTM readers, and eventually (as women will) got around to the topic of fashion and style. Miss Nutritionista mentioned that she feels she hasn’t developed her personal style as much as she would like to, and that she’d love to know how to go about doing so.
Therefore I’ve put together five steps that will help most anyone find their own style, while having fun in the process!
Step 1) Buy a notebook to keep tabs on your style inspiration.
Grab shots of your favorite looks and trends from magazines, quotes from designers that you find particularly fabulous – like Coco Chanel “Fashion fades, only style remains the same”, and start building your own personal look book.
Visit your local book store or library and check out some fashion history books. Note the celebs and designers of yesteryear that had timeless style because trends are not everything, and Jackie O. and Gilbert Adrian can still probably teach you a thing or two!
Step 2) Borrow clothes from your friends so you can try new looks.
It’s cheap, easy, free and fun to borrow – not to mention a great way to test drive some new styles. Don’t forget to ask your friends if they’ll dress you up because they may have some great ideas about how you can rock their unused grandpa vest or summer dress!
Experiment with your newly fortified wardrobe over the next week or so and see what is “so the new you” (like the Hello Skinny Jeans, or the Oliver Spenser Jacket), and what’s not. If you fall in love with something that you’ve borrowed perhaps your friend will be kind enough to sell it to you, or let you take them out for a drink. At the very least they’ll tell you where they got the fab piece that you’re coveting.
Step 3) Take the look book to the next level with daily photos.
My clients love this! After a shopping trip I’ll incorporate all of the new pieces into their existing wardrobe and take pictures of them in the new combinations complete with shoes and accessories. You can do this, or you can simply snap photos of your outfits every day before you head out the door so that you can remember all of your best outfit combinations, and improve on ones that were lacking a little. Make notes next to each pic about what worked and what didn’t. This is also a great way to get a really accurate list of what you need to add to your wardrobe.
Step 4) Conceptualize your burgeoning new style and write it down.
This does not have to be perfect, and you can start out small. Descriptive words are you best friend when it comes to picturing your new outfits, so feed your imagination well. Start with the core outfit: “blood red fitted calf length skirt 50’s skirt, with asymmetrical top” or “flat front trousers, with a loose fitting linen button down.” Then as you get more of a handle on what you like, start adding shoes and accessories to each outfit. If you get stuck, roam around The Sartorialist for inspiration from some of the most stylish people around the globe.
Step 5) Be patient, fearless and have fun finding your own personal style!
When I start working with a new client it takes about a full year of seasonal, lifestyle, and event updates to really cultivate a great wardrobe. So, will it take you a year to change your style? No. Will it take you some time to figure things out and collect all the bits and pieces that you need once you start to define your style? Yes.
BE DARING! Try new outfit combinations that you’d normally steer clear of, keep the amazing finds until you can make an outfit out of them, make mistakes, and don’t be afraid to refine / redefine your look. You’ll feel more and more confident about yourself though this process, and confidence is always sexy!
xooxox,
~K
Images courtesy of The Sartorialist
-By Kallah Maguire, The Stylist
It’s official – Shop It To Me is the best way to stay on top of trends and Of The Moment designers! Not only can you personalize your profile by selecting your fav designers to arrive in your inbox when they go on sale, in your size (of course!), but you’ll also be given tips as to who the hot designer are right now.
Just sign into your account, click on the Edit button next to Brands, then click on “Of The Moment” tab and viola! You are privy to a list of the latest and greatest designers that are burning up the runway!
Your fav celeb’s bag, coat, dress, slacks, etc are on sale at Shop It To Me in your size, so don’t waste any time – take advantage of the deals and steals before your best friend does ; )
ShopItToMe.com
By Kallah Maguire, The Stylist
I know you’re hard on your messenger bag, backpack, fill in the blank, that you beat up on a daily basis. What if I told you that I know a brand that makes awesome dude bags that are durable and cool looking at the same time? Would you be promising me chocolates and flowers to get the name?
Ok, ok! It’s Billykirk, a brand conceived and designed by two brothers that knew what they were going to call their company before they knew what they wanted to sell! Billykirk is handcrafted by Amish leather workers in Pennsylvania, and then finished by the brothers themselves. You know the Amish don’t mess around when it comes to quality, so it’s no surprise that Billykirk is one of the highest quality leather bag and accessory lines out there today.
Their prices range from $65 for small leather accessories to $345 for the leather bags. So whether you are riding your bike over to Scoops on Heliotrop for some hand-made ice cream, sailing in Santa Monica over the weekend, or want to be the coolest dude on your next camping trip, Billykirk has something for you.
Feel free to send me Valerie Confections and flowers anytime ; )
Billykirk
Billykirk.com
Stockists
Meet the designers and hear about their brand and inspiration – video
Read the Billykirk blog, and join their fan page on Facebook
Images courtesy of Billykirk.com
Valerie Confections
ValerieConfections.com
3360 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90004 map (213) 739-8149
Also carried at these fine retailers, stockists
Follow Valerie on Twitter @ValerieConfctns, and become her friend on Facebook
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They always say the best Valentines are the ones you make. But before you reach for the macaroni and glue gun, visit ProperCloth.com. On this site, you can customize a shirt you love and he needs with a few clicks for $100.
You choose the fabric, collar, cuffs, and size. Obviously if you don’t know his size, you’re going to have to do some investigating, but the end result will be worth it.
MTM READER DISCOUNT:
SIGN UP USING THIS LINK
AND RECEIVE $10 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE.
NOT EXCLUSIVE TO VALENTINE’S DAY.
Just as you loved Avon’s collaboration with Reese Witherspoon to create a fabulous fragrance (In Bloom), you will find they’ve done it again with Patrick Dempsey 2.
I’ve heard from several male friends that they were surprised the female-oriented brand combined with the cheesy heart-throb poster boy could yield a scent they actually liked. The smell is definitely manly with a hint of citrus and musk.
Because it’s an Avon product, the price is right at $35 for single guys to test out a new scent while on the hunt. For those of you already cuddling up close, this is a no brainer for a Valentine’s day gift.
In fact, Avon wants to wish a MTM reader a McDreamy Valentines day! The first person to send in a picture of their dream date with an explanation why it would be the best evening ever, wins a bottle for free! (Please note explanation will be posted anonymously this weekend. Picture is optional.)
Submissions to mary@morethanmary.com
HEAVAGE- Hairy Male Cleavage IS BACK SAYS WALL ST JOURNAL.
“The last time man cleavage was so prevalent in the U.S. was in the 1970s — ‘the golden age of male chest hair,’ says Mr. Bryan. Epitomized by John Travolta in 1977’s ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ the convention back then was to skip enough shirt buttons to show off a thick forest of hair, perhaps topped with a gold medallion as a sign of virility…The latest resurrection of man cleavage does raise a not-so insignificant issue: to wax or not? For a number of years, any male chest hair was considered a fashion don’t, but very recently a thin thatch has become quite acceptable. The low-cut look ‘is better if you have a little chest hair,’ says Tyler Thoreson, a New York-based men’s style consultant. ‘It’s not about showing off chest hair, it’s about it peeking out a little bit.’”
I thought it never went away.
I live and die by the two button unbuttoned rule.
(Blogged by peterconnsbetterthanyou via andrewwoj)
I don’t think the two button rule ever died, but with the resurrection of the deep V (by American Apparel), chest hair has come back into style. I’m a fan!
But men, get girl approval first. If you’re hiding a sweater under your shirt, we really don’t want to know about it. Unless, you win our hearts, and then we’ll lovingly refer it it as “manly” in bed.
The men in my life are hard to shop for! Usually my struggle is buying what I know he wants versus what I want 
So this list covers both.
Cheap and easy (around $50 or less):
- NCAA branding iron $30 – everything at a tailgate should be branded with school spirit
- Fold up seat/cooler $55 – because he always ends up sitting on the cooler
- Damages – Season 1 and 2 – if he’s not already eagerly awaiting season 3. This is the best suspenseful drama on tv right now.
- For your military man - Fragrances (that I’ve never smelled) in patriotic bottles, proceeds go to the respective line of service and the Veteran’s Administration
- Beer Holster $35 - your man should never be without his beer, no matter what he’s doing
- Framed Memorable Moment – which is actually priceless
- Sexy socks – I love a guy in argyles or striped socks. He won’t like getting these until he gets complimented by admirers.
- An educated drinking buddy, Gary V – guys love wine and showing off. Purchase a month from the Gary V Wine Club (starts at $30) so you giving him not only delicious wine, but also a fun way to learn about it. He’ll bust out the skills he picks up later.
Under $100:
A little bit more:
- A good watch you won’t have to pay off – Everyone is really into Nixon ($400+) right now, but I am loving Brera ($495+).
- Frye boots ($200+) – a classic that you’ll both love
- Tow Hitch for the tv $200 – so he will never miss a game while tailgating or fishing
- Gas guzzling lawnmower blender $450 – because it’s just f-ing cool
- 5 classes at Soul Cycle $160 – a new type of workout that will kick his ass
- Lessons: surfing, golfing, tennis, wine, boxing, squash
- Stylish jacket that goes with everything from Five Four (around $150)
- Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera
- A box of good cigars (Cubans)
- Duffle bag by Shades of Greige $132 – so he’s hauling all of his crap in style
- Cool pair of sunnies – men have a hard time picking these out themselves
Splurge!
- Surround Sound system – he doesn’t actually NEED it, but it’s just one of those things they all think they NEED
- Alienware 15x Dell laptop – the most powerful 15” gaming laptop
- Custom cufflinks – Eleven Forty makes links of anything you want (his dog, you, you name it). He’ll wear them as a side profile, then they come together to make a 3D bust. Very cool! Contact William to purchase.
Helpful Websites:
Not exciting, but I bet he wouldn’t say no to:
- A car payment
- Amex or Visa gift card
- Gas card
Male tumblrs with style. Who knew?!
andrewwoj:
thatguychad:
These $90 neckties are made from 50% cotton and 50% old audio tapes. There’s more, there’s more. The “Sonic Fabric Neckties” are available in black, dark brown, or light gray for $90 each.
these are too cool.
Great way to stay casual and look trendy. Wearing the tie probably isn’t comfortable, but neither are most women’s shoes, which I’m sure you would agree make our legs look hot. In other words, wear a tie every once in a while.
Sonic Fabric Neckties – $90.
Reiss understanding the male shopper.
Plus it’s affordable AND they have great sales.
