Houndstooth Pencil $88.00

Every Glamour Girl (no matter what size or shape) should own at least one pencil skirt! It looks good on everyone-and is so versatile. Dress it up, dress it down -the pencil skirt offers a multitude of fashionable options. 

When purchasing a pencil skirt you need only remember a few basic rules:

1. Fit is KEY!

2. If you find the perfect pencil and it fits at the hip but the waist is to big just have it taken in at your favorite tailor. If it’s tight all over go up a size (and have it tailored to fit).If the label inside bothers you with the stated number that you’re wearing-just cut out the label and tuck it away so you can remember the cleaning instructions). 

3.The best length is either at the knee or just above if you have great legs.

As I sourced the web to  find the perfect pencil I went to numerous fashion sites…but surprise ..surprise who else but the peeps at White House Black Market had the best selection, the most affordable prices ($88.00 for most styles and $78.00 for the uber basic) not to mention fantabulous reviews). So “pencil yourself  in” this fall must have. You’ll be so glad you did! 

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/shelf.jsp?cat=Dresses++Skirts+Skirts&subCatId=cat1170002&catId=cat210002

Colorblock Ponte Pencil $88.00 (super slimming)

Flocked Dot Pencil $88.00

Tweed Pencil $88.00

Double Breasted Blazer @ Victoria’s Secret $98.00

If you’re looking to buy one wardrobe extender that can take any outfit from so-so to HELLO-purchase a well fitting white blazer. It goes without saying that a well fitted white blazer goes with EVERYTHING, can be the perfect finishing touch to any outfit and is flattering on everyone. Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind when purchasing a white blazer.

1. It goes without saying that when you purchase a wardrobe staple buy the best quality you can afford. This is one item that you will wear year after year. 

2. Lining in a white blazer is MANDATORY. There’s nothing less flattering than a white blazer that you can see though.

3.  Pay attention to fabrication. A white blazer in a cotton blend is most preferred. The best fabric combo is 98% cotton /2%spandex. Least preferred fabrication -linen. 

 Sateen One Button Blazer @Banana Republic $158.00

Rag and Bone Blazer $495.00 @ Intermix

 Schoolboy Eyelet Blazer on sale $140.00 @J.Crew

Every Glamour Gir needs a little HOLIDAY LBD.  

Jamie King in Oscar de la Renta

Hands down… there is  nothing better than a little black dress in your closet. Black looks good on everyone,it’s slimming as all get out and if you purchase a style with simple lines it can last you a lifetime. The holidays are the perfect time to pick up a great LBD. If you have the bank to purchase designer duds then by all means …knock yourself out but if you’ve lost a little of your monetary mo-joe due to downsizing or just a really long holiday giving gift list –NEVER FEAR… great looking LBD’s are here and they’re priced UNDER $200.00 .

 JS Collection Chiffon Strapless Dress $198.00 

 Maggie London Stretch Satin with Side Bow $128.00

 JS Collection Sequin Mesh Dress $198.00

 ML Monique Lhullier strapless ruched dress $188.00

**All dress available at Nordstrom.com

First image courtesy of Artist  Ruben Toledo

Lately there seems to be a rather big “to do” over pantyhose. The peeps at the Huffington Post recently reported that: Pantyhose is making a comeback. (P.S. Note to self-You KNOW that this is all due to the fact that Kate Middleton is wearing them.)

As is everything that concerns fashion I have some thoughts…

I really don’t know when the use of pantyhose went “out of style” but I for one have always embraced the thought of some sort of uniform leg coverage to make one look polished and pulled together.

Warm climates allow a Glamour Girl to use a good self tanner to keep legs looking great but once the temperature starts to dip (and in California-that means-slip below a balmy 70 degrees) one must think outside the box …or rather inside the package of pantyhose, fishnets, opaque’s or other type of hosiery as a means to look presentable and stay warm.  A good pair of  sheer pantyhose can give you a uniform-healthy looking skin tone and some much needed support. (Translation:There is nothing better than a pair of hosiery with a touch of spandex woven in to make you look slimmer, sleeker and smooth as can be). For all us who want to have a “leg up” on looking great…embrace your inner love for pantyhose. The hosiery peeps will thank you for your support and you in turn will be supported… It’s a  win -win situation for everyone. AMEN!  

The white blouse is here to stay. One look at this uber-chic photo and you’ll understand why the white blouse deserves to be in the spotlight.

One of the most important pieces to have in your wardrobe is the basic black pant. As boring and mundane as that may seem…(quit yawning)…I am here to tell you that the basic black pant can have you dressed and ready to go…  faster than Tim Gunn saying “Make it work.!” The black pant goes with EVERYTHING! …And I do mean everything. With a simple switch of your  blouse, sweater, vest or jacket and the right accessories (think jewelry, scarves, shoes…etc…) you will be looking as chic as a Chanel Runway model without the attitude and starvation. (Remember when Anne Hathaway’s character in  The Devil Loves Prada sported that amazing ensemble with a pair of basic black pants-adding a white shirt (another wardrobe staple, a short sleeve pullover and oodles of pearls..) -call the editors at Vogue because we have the cover shot! It was perfection and you can be too with a pair of  basic black pants.

Now you know that when I talk “wardrobe staple,” I do have a few Glamour Girl Guidelines: So here you go:

1. The most important part of any wardrobe staple is to make sure they FIT!!!! A simple rule of thumb is to remember a pant can be taken in at the waist and taken up at the hem but if it’s too tight in the hips, or derriere (Beyonce are you listening??) then don’t feel bad going up to a size that fits in your largest area and have the rest tailored to fit.. THE KEY WORD HERE IS TAILOR!!! Get one and they will be your BFF before long.
2. When you do find the perfect pair of black pants …BUY TWO of the same pair. Why?????(Because…you need to have one to wear with flats and one to wear with heels…thus a Glamour Girl is always prepared..
3. Finally, buy the BEST quality you can possibly afford. You will wear this item again and again and when it comes to wardrobe staples, “Quality is key.”

Manolo Blahnik $795.00

Hello Kitty-(and no I am not referring to the clothing brand that should only be embraced by lovely little glamour girls under the age of 12)… but instead THE fashion staple, that has returned with a vengeance for Fall 2010. The kitten heel is a dainty demi-heel that will have you strutting “lower to the ground” but is far more comfortable than the 7 inch stiletto that women are breaking their ankles over.

By Definition: the kitten heel is a stiletto heel of 5 centimeters or less in height, some as low as 3 centimeters. They are classified as stilettos despite their lack of height because of their sex appeal particularly when teamed with a sharp pointed toe (Who knew! Really??? A stiletto heel-??? -so much for going to Wikipedia).

If you need a little kitten heel history: they were introduced in the late 1950s as formal fashion attire for young adolescent teenage girls as higher heels would have been considered unseemly for girls as young as 13 because of the sexual connotations and unease of walk. They were sometimes referred to as “trainer heels” in the USA indicating their use in getting young girls used to wearing high heels. However by the early 1960s they became fashionable for older teenagers and eventually for women of all ages until the demise of the stiletto heel in the late 1960s. They emerged again in the 1980s and have become once again fashionable since 2003

So Glamour Girls, there is your fashion history lesson for the day. I say embrace your inner kitten and purchase a pair of these dainty demi-heels for Fall. You will be strutting down the street with a quicker skip in your step and saving your feet from high heel overload. What could be more pur.r.r.r.fect than that!

Jimmy Choo Lenox Pump $695.00

DVF Lilly Boot $275.00 @ Nordstom

Blame it on Coco-(as in Chanel) she was the very first fashion designer to deem the wearing of pearls as CHIC. Audrey Hepburn in the movie classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s put the wearing of multiple pearl strands on the fashion map. Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama, Grace Kelly, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rhiana…the list goes on and on… Proof positive that the wearing of pearls is here to stay!

Pearls-be it single or multiple strands, real or faux, are a Glamour Girls best friend for making an outfit go from ho hum to hello gorgeous. When it comes to investing in a set of pearls whatever your budget-buy the best you can afford. I promise this is one wardrobe staple that you will wear again and again.

                                              Pearls of Wisdom  

1. Layer multiple strands to really make a statement.

2. Don’t be afraid to mix different colors of pearls together when layering. Try (pink, blue, crème, brown) for a luxe look.

3. Have fun – try tieing a satin ribbon or attaching a rhinestone pin mid strand .