Category Archives: fashion trends

Hat And Glove Trends For Fall 2021

Posted in fashion trends, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, trends, women's clothing tips by
From a bandeau to a beanie to a wide brimmed hat, choosing the right head accessory can really take your style up a notch.

We often talk about clothing trends mainly as they correlate to color, fabric and style. Oftentimes, accessory trends are over looked. This is too bad really because making the wrong choice in your accessories, can effect your whole look. Choosing an out of date hat style, as an example, can your whole outfit feel out of date.

As a result, I wanted to take a little time today to talk about some hat and glove trends that are important for the season. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are the trends that I think most women can wear with confidence. Here is what I think you need to know:

HAT TRENDS:

  1. WIDE BRIMMED HATS (upper right picture): This style is great with jeans, plaids and vests. It also looks amazing with dresses and jump suits, as it lends itself to be paired up with shoe boots. The most common and easiest to pair hat colors are tans, browns and blacks.
  2. BEANIES (middle picture): Not only are beanies functional to keep your head warm, they can add a lot of style to your look. while you might be tempted to just grab any old beanie out of your drawer and throw it on, let me suggest you start pairing your beanie with your outfit. Match the colors and style. These trendy hats come in lots of different options, from slouchy to those with poms and those without. Choose what style fits your personality and look the best. Slouchy hats work well with urban styles and are a bit younger. Poms add a touch of whimsey.
  3. BANDEAUS (top left picture): These ingenious head accessories are essentially a tube that can be worn in a multitude of different ways. It is fun to wear them as a head band, like I’ve done here, and match the colors with your outfit. It just takes your style up a notch, while still protecting your ears on cooler days and nights. You can also pull them down and use them as a neck scarf or turn them into a beanie.

GLOVE TRENDS:

  1. PHONE FRIENDLY FINGERS: I’m sure you have had the experience of having to take your gloves off to use your cell phone. Glove companies have gotten smart and have added smart phone friendly fingers so you don’t have to freeze your hands to use your phone.
  2. FINGERLESS GLOVES: Another option for making cell phone use easier is to go with fingerless gloves. These hand coverings basically protect your thumb and wrist while allowing your fingers to be out. They can be utilitarian or fun and trendy with animal prints and fur
  3. PRINTED GLOVES; Just because you need to wear glasses, doesn’t mean you need to wear BORING glasses. In the same way, just because you need to wear gloves, doesn’t mean they need to be black. It is fun to match your hats and gloves together to create a coordinating style. You can then coordinate them with a vest, scarf or coat so you look all pulled together.

Want to see some examples of these trends? Watch my live Wednesday Night Wardrobing video tonight in our VIP Facebook Group at 6 p.m. MST.

Key Shoe Trends For Fall

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From fun tennis shoes to loafers and shoe boots, this season’s shoe trends are sure to make your feet smile!

Here are a few of my favorite new trends:

1. Printed tennis shoes: Our love of sneakers goes way back, but I don’t remember a time when they have been such a key part of dressed up casual style as they are today. Whether it is a platform Nike tennis shoe or fun ones like the leopard print shown here on the top row, make sure you up your tennis shoe game this season! Wear them with cuffed ankle jeans and joggers.

2. Loafers: One of the first nice pair of shoes I ever owned was a Cole Haan penny loafer. Boy, I sure wish I still had those shoes! Loafers are a great alternative to a ballerina flat and almost as versatile. I am loving these souped up loafers in plum with the big flower (top row). Wear them with slacks, straight leg pants and bootcut pants.

3. Sleek shoe boots: You can never go wrong with a classically styled shoe boot that is elegant and clean. It can be dressed up or down. I am so enamored with this new classy black boot that has just arrived (top row). Wear them with dresses and skirts, over leggings, and with cuffed ankle boots.

4. Embellished shoe boots: When you want a little extra pizazz on your feet, try a shoe boot that combines different colors and textures. Also look for lots of belt and buckle details this season. Wear them with colored denim, cuffed to hit at the top of the boot.

5. Heels: Sometimes, the only style that will really do a look justice is a heel. When the dress is simple and solid, a great printed heel like the one pictured here on the bottom row is just what you need to take your style to a whole new level! I also love the Mary Jane style. Wear them with solid dresses, solid slacks, and solid palazzo pants.

You can see all of these shoes in my live Wednesday Night Wardrobing video airing tonight at 6 p.m. MST. Join our VIP Facebook Group to watch.

5 Surprising Colors To Pair With Mustard

Posted in clothing, color trends, dressing your best, fall fashion trends, fashion trends, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, trends, women's clothing tips by

Mustard is such a trendy color for the season, but it can be a bit intimidating to wear because many women don’t know what to pair with it. Let me assure you, mustard is a surprisingly easy color to pair up with a multitude of colors. The images above demonstrate how great it looks with black and olive, but this blog is about some pairing options that might surprise you.

Before we dive into color pairings, let’s talk a little about mustard as a color. First of all, there are a lot of variations of this color out there. Just imagine the condiments isle at the grocery store. The classic French’s mustard is what most of us think of when we picture this color. It is a traditional mustard. But…if you like dijon mustards, you know those come in a variety of yellows and extend into even some browns. Likewise, you will see many variations of mustard in clothing. Choose a mustard based upon your underlying skin tone. If you are warm toned, you can lean more toward the caramels. If you are cool toned, lean more toward the yellows. In my opinion, the easiest mustard to work with is the traditional color. For me, the pants featured in the pictures to the far right and left are a great example.

So let’s talk surprising color pairings:

  1. Rust: This super trendy color for this season looks amazing with mustard and is particularly good if you have warm toned skin. The combination feels earthy and very fall, harkening to the colors of falling leaves in October.
  2. Olive: Another great option for warm toned gals is olive. Like rust, it also feels earthy with mustard, but it adds a sense of the early fall, just as the grass is starting to change color in preparation for winter.
  3. Navy: Tending more toward the cool tones, navy is another great option with mustard and is a way for a woman with blue undertones in her skin to wear this traditionally warm color. Navy and mustard remind me of an autumn sun contrasted against an evening sky.
  4. Artic Blue: This brighter blue, some call it Ocean Blue, is also great for cool skin tones and works amazing with mustard. It is one of those colors that surprise people when I hold it up against mustard to show them how easily it pairs. It feels a bit like the ocean with a setting sun upon it.
  5. Emerald Green: A classic cool color, this lovely shade of green is perfect with mustard and offers yet another way for a cool skin tone to wear it. Emerald always reminds me of the mountains here in Wyoming and the pine trees. If you imagine a pine tree cast against a warm sun, you can imagine how these two colors work great together.

When you put two very different colors together, even when they pair up well, it always a good idea to find a third item, like a scarf, that helps tie everything together. In fact, I often use scarves to discover unique color pairings that I have not considered. This will make your whole look cohesive. You can do the same thing with a necklace or handbag too.

If you want some more ideas for ways to style mustard, check out my featured collection this week which focuses on this topic. You can find it here: Kyleen’s Picks Of The Week. Happy pairing! You can also watch my training video on this topic in our VIP Facebook Group called Fashion Crossroads Fashionistas. It airs Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. MST.

XOXO Kyleen

5 Ways To Make Casual Friday A Slam Dunk

Posted in dressing for work and dressing for an interview, dressing your best, fall fashion trends, fashion trends, handbags, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, travel clothing, women's clothing tips by

Casual Friday means employees get a green light to wear jeans at work, but most employers want a dressed up casual style that still feels professional but is less dressy than the normal Monday through Thursday dress code requires. As a society, we are becoming more and more casual, and sometimes we forget how to do a casual style that is more than yoga pants and a sweatshirt. This blog post will give you 5 tips for making your Casual Friday wardrobe a slam dunk that still makes you feel great in your clothes and offers elevated style that is appropriate for work.

Tip #1: “Joggers” or pants that are banded at the bottom but slimmer in fit than a typical sweat pant are a trendy style right now. Most of us wouldn’t even consider wearing a jogging pant or sweat pant to work, but when you put this style in the right fabric, it can totally work. Take this olive green jogger set that is in the first picture as an example. Because this look is using a heavy weight travel knit that is a dressy and luxurious fabric, suddenly this style is taken up to a level worthy of the office.

Tip #2: Layer, layer, layer. You can easily dress up a simple sweater and jeans with a vest and boot and make the whole look not only trendy but dressy enough for the office on a Friday. Feminine details like the puffed sleeve on this sweater also add an element of dressiness. Clean jeans that don’t have any distressing can still be trendy when you have a bitty bootcut, like this style in picture number 2.

Tip #3: Printed denim is so in, and you can easily dress it up with the right top. I love how this waffle knit in olive green in picture number 3 is elevated by the banded bottom and the feminine button detailing on the sleeve. Look for added details like these to really help you do dressed up casual. The other tip that makes this look work is the dressy shoe boot and matching handbag. Keep in mind, your accessories really matter. This look, for example, would take on a whole different feeling with loafers, as an example.

Tip #4: Wear a blouse as a “shacket.” Stylish women have been using this trick for ions. Something magical happens when you take a simple blouse and layer it over a tank. It dresses the whole look up and adds dimension. This is another example of how layering can be used to give your look more dimension and style. The dark denim, skinny jeans and high wedges also help this look to be dressier, as do the accessories and handbag.

Tip #5: Take a work blouse, like the look in picture number 5, and make it more casual by pairing it with colored denim, which is dressier than regular denim. Oftentimes, it is difficult to tell if a colored bottom is actually a jean, so many women can get away with wearing colored denim for their Monday through Thursday office looks. Complete the look with some dressy shoe boots and a fun handbag, and you have a dressed up casual style that will have you feeling comfy and classy.

These tips can also work for dressing for work related travel when you need to be comfortable but still look nice when you arrive. If you want to see some more ideas, watch my live video tonight at 6 p.m. MST. In the mean time…thank goodness it is almost Friday! I hope you will try out some of these tips!

6 Styles For The Perfect Bonfire Night

Posted in dressing your best, fall fashion trends, fashion, fashion trends, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, trends, women's clothing tips by

The warm orange glow of a fire that crackles softly in the cool, crisp air; the warmth of a cup of hot chocolate in the palms of your hands; the soft Chenille of a cozy sweater; the tip of a nose turned red by the first cold fall night….oooh, I can hardly wait!

From easy tunics and leggings to cute jeans, shackets, tees and plaids. Get these items on our online store here

Truth be told, while I love summer and all the wonderful things I get to do, my favorite season is fall. I love everything about fall because, here in Wyoming, it is a time of transition – the season between the heat of summer and the dead of winter; I look forward to it every year. And, in my opinion, fall clothes are THE BEST clothes. It isn’t cold enough to warrant a heavy winter coat, so we get to wear soft and cozy sweaters, warm down vests, trendy capes, cute hats and scarves, tall boots, shoe boots and, my favorite, UGGS.

So today’s blog post is all about dressing for those bonfire nights and staying trendy and fashionable while you do it. Whether you are on a hay ride, finding your way through a corn maze, sitting by a campfire roasting hot dogs, attending a loved one’s football game or cheering on our good ol’ Wyoming Cowboys, these tips will ensure you look great while you are doing it.

My favorite fall trends for those bonfire nights:

  1. The Shacket: this combination between a shirt and jacket is like wearing your dad’s heavy weight camping flannel. The oversized fit means you can layer it over other things and also makes it perfect to pair with the season’s trendy leggings. Add some shoe boots or tall boots and a coordinating hat and scarf, and you will have a trendy fall style, perfect for whatever fun you have in mind.
  2. The Chenille Sweater: sweaters are huge this season and Chenille (ultra soft yarn) abounds. This fabric just oozes comfort and cozy. You’ll be giving yourself hugs, I promise.
  3. Wide brimmed Fedora: Your fall look won’t be complete without a brushed velvet Fedora. This style works well with plaid blouses, shackets, capes, and more. Match your hat to your shoes and handbag for a the classic classy lady style.
  4. Plaid Shirts: My sixteen year old daughter calls these her “flannels.” I haven’t pointed out to her that flannel is a fabric and what she really means to say is “plaid,” which is the print. Ugh…did I just sound like an English teacher? (You can take the girl out of the classroom but not the classroom out of the girl! He he.) At any rate, my daughter is enamored with paid shirts because they are so trendy and they work so well over the cropped tops she loves to wear with her high waisted shorts and jeans. Wear them open, partially buttoned, tied…you choose, but make sure you have a plaid shirt this season.
  5. Suede or faux leather leggings: the great thing about this trend is these fabrics are ever so much warmer than cotton knit, so here in the west, we love this trend! Pair them with a cute graphic tee and a long sweater cardigan. Wear them with a tunic length shacket. Match them to a longer sweater. The best thing about this style is you will be as comfortable as you are fashionable for all those cool weather activities.
  6. Puffy down vests: these will just not go away, and it is probably because they are the perfect transitional item for fall when you don’t quite need a coat, but a sweater is just not enough. Choose one in a trendy fall color like olive, rust or mustard to give your outfit a fresh look. Match up a cute beanie and scarf, and you’ll be rocking fall style.

The leaves are already turning yellow on the tree outside my office as I type this blog post. Soon, we will be seeing golden yellow patches on the mountain indicating that the Aspen trees are beginning to turn. This year, make sure you get out and enjoy this season with all it has to offer. And, make sure you look great while you are doing it for all those selfies!

Want more ideas for fun fall outfits? Watch my Wednesday Night Wardrobing Live Video at 6 p.m. MST in our VIP Facebook group.

What Is A Trapeze Dress

Posted in dressing your figure, fashion trends, how to, product review, tips and tricks, women's clothing tips by
Sympli Trapeze Dress Short

You may have heard about Trapeze or Trapezoid dresses being popular this season. Another term you may be more familiar with is “Baby Doll.” All three terms refer to a shape of dress that is characterized by a narrow and close fitting bodice that fits the shoulders and neck tightly but then flares out into a triangular shape. This sillouette traces its roots all the way back to the English court and has had periodic popularity throughout the centuries with major designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy highlighting the shape in their lines. For more about the history of this dress, check out this fascinating article.

To wear this dress correctly, the hemline should sit above the knee and the top of the dress should fit close to the neck and shoulders. Because the shape naturally shows off your legs, you should make them the featured body part and wear some great shoes; heels work especially well with this dress. Petite women should be careful the shape does not overwhelm them, and heels can be a big help with this. Taller women can choose any shoe they prefer.

As a style, this dress is particularly good for pear shaped women who have a small torso but are wider in the hips. It is also great for hiding a fuller middle area. As a shape, this dress is known to be flattering on just about any body type when worn correctly and with the right hem length and shoe.

In the picture above, I am modelling Sympli’s Trapeze Dress Short in Poppy Red. You can see how the elements that I described as important are represented here:

  1. Close fitting neck and bust
  2. Hemline just above the knee
  3. Wedge sandal (I am 5’3)

I also love that this dress has both sleeves and pockets and that it can be worn dressy or casual, depending on footwear and jewelry choices. Plus, Sympli’s patented fabric that won’t wrinkle, fade or shrink makes this dress a great choice for travelling, as it can be washed out in the sink and hung to dry for an easy and wrinkle free dress you can wear sightseeing or out to dinner.

If you are looking for a new dress style for this summer, I highly recommend considering a Trapeze Dress. The airy and floaty design makes it a great summer dress that allows plenty of air flow on a hot day, and the fact that the fabric sits away from the skin from the rib cage down keeps you from getting hot and sticky.

See our great selection of Trapeze Dresses from Sympli including styles with sleeves and without. You can also tune into our Wednesday Night Wardrobing Live Video series tonight at 6 p.m. MST for more information. Find this series on our Fashion Crossroads Fashionistas Facebook Page.

Spring 2021 Shoe Trends

Posted in fashion trends, how to, personal style, tips and tricks, trends by

Here in Wyoming, our toes are itching to get out of all of our closed toe boots that characterize our winter months. A little sunshine and warmer temperatures, and you’ll see us digging out those summery shoes – even if it means cold feet! And when the summer shoes come out, it’s time to start thinking about the latest shoe trends and whether some new shoes might be needed for the season.

In this blog post, I wanted to share some of the most wearable shoe trends for Spring 2021. You can watch my Wednesday Wardrobing Video here for more info and a live explanation of these trends.

  1. Woven: This trend is defined by the fabric and or fiber used to create the straps of the shoe. Natural fibers such as woven fabrics in neutral tones are an important trend in shoes this season. I love this trend because any flesh toned shoe is effortless to pair with clothing, as they will work well with most items as long as the style of the shoe is a correct choice for the outfit. Since natural fibers do tend to be more casual, keep that in mind as you are making pairing choices. Also, some natural fibers are warmer and some are cooler. Consider the tone of the fiber as you are putting your outfits together and keep it consistent: cool with cool and warm with warm.
  2. Animal Prints: Those animal prints will just not go away, and you’ll continue to see them on shoes this season. Whether it is an all over animal print tennis shoe or just a touch of animal print as an accent, leopard, cheetah and zebra prints are strong for the season.
  3. Funky Tennis Shoes: We love our comfy tennis shoes, and they continue to be a strong trend. Keep them funky and as a statement piece in your outfit to stay edgy. An example would be the all over animal print tennis shoes pictured here. When wearing a shoe as a statement piece, keep the rest of your look toned down and let the statement piece be the true star of the show.
  4. Platforms and Embellishments: Platform bottoms are coming on strong in shoes. If you don’t know, platforms are an obviously thick sole usually between 1 to 4 inches in height. The wedge styles pictured above qualify as platforms. In addition to the thick sole, these shoes also have metal studs as embellishments, another key trend in shoes this season.
  5. Outdoor: I honestly had a chuckle when I came across this trend. Here in Wyoming, the capital of the outdoor shoe, what we consider outdoor and what style trend setters consider outdoor are not the same! But for the sake of language, I will stick with the term. What shoe trend bloggers called the “outdoor” trend is really Birkenstock sandals or shoes that look like Birkenstocks. I even saw one picture of a gal wearing turquoise fuzzy socks with red Birkenstock sandals and a skirt! That is a bit too edgy for us conservatives here in Wyoming, but the basic concept of a Birkenstock sandal is something we can definitely get behind, bare footed, of course.
  6. Mixed Metals: Shiny metals are a key trend in clothing this summer, so it is not surprising to see that trend in shoes as well. Look for metals like copper, gold and pewter to be used in shoe designs. What I love about metal tones is they are neutral and are easy to pair with a multitude of looks.
  7. Loafers: If you want a comfy summer shoe, look no further than any of the multitude of loafer styles that are popular this season! These shoes are characterized by no lace or fastener and by the fact that they just slip on your feet.

All of these styles work very well with the ankle length trend. Make sure your hemline hits an inch above your ankle bone for the correct look. Try loafers or tennis shoes with dresses for a younger looking style. Wedge sandals have the added bonus of elongating your legs and so are an excellent choice for dresses or shorts.

Spring 2021 Fabric Trends And How They Relate To Our Lives

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This is my third blog post in my three part spring trends for 2021 series. If you missed the previous two, check out Spring 2021 Trends That A Wyoming Girl Would Wear and Spring 2021 Top Fashion Colors for a complete trend review of the season.

Clothing design combines multiple elements that have to come together for a cohesive whole. The three most significant elements are color, style and fabric, and all three are a big part of the complete picture we see when we walk into a store bursting with new spring arrivals. It is much like a painting that is built upon from the foundation of the canvas (fabric) and then added to with the essential element of paint (color) and finally turned into something meaningful with design and composition (style). And, just like art, fashion is always a representation of what is happening socially, economically, and politically in our nation and world. As an example, when trying to explain the prevalence of lightweight and airy fabrics this season, one website offered this explanation:

The Lightness theme connects to the call for transparency and the fluid world in which we live. Adapting to the spirit of the times and the situation demands flexibility, pliability and the ability to transform quickly. 

https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/fabrics-and-colours-trends-for-summer-2021/2020072349965

The idea struck me; even the weight and texture of the fabrics we will put on our bodies this summer are a representation of some of the challenges and opportunities we are facing both as a country politically and as a world with the Covid19 Pandemic. Keep this idea in mind as you read through the most significant fabric trends of the season, and see if you can’t make some other important connections.

Shimmer: Look for fabrics that catch the light with glitter, sparkle and beads as well as fabrics that look metallic.

Sheer and Light: As mentioned above, a key fabric trend will include lightweight options like featherweight knits, nylon and chiffon. Also look for airy linens and handmade fabrics that have rough or “raw” surfaces.

Denim: This wardrobe staple just keeps re-inventing itself. This season, look for denim that is embellished with details like embroidery. Also keep your eye out for new washes like tie dye, batik, and new stone washing techniques that create fun new textures and colors.

Indigo Dying: Picture the ocean and the attempt to re-create its colors in fabric when trying to imagine this trend. It is really all about the specific color of indigo and how it can be used in denim, silk and linen fabrics to create interesting textures and color patterns.

Indigo is a dye with a distinctive blue color. The chemical compound that constitutes the indigo dye is called indigotin. Historically, indigo played an important role in many countries’ economy because natural blue dyes are rare. Among other uses, it is used in the production of denim cloth for blue jeans.

https://bsamply.com/encyclopedia/indigo/

Marble And Stone Inspiration: Look for fabrics that mimic the look of grey marble with its grey, black and white colors as well as natural stones that combine swirls of grey and grey brown.

Softer Than Soft Knits: Want to get cozy? You will love the ultra soft knits that envelop you in comfort.

It doesn’t surprise me that denim will continue to be a key player in fashion trends this year. Not only is it practical, we connect the fabric with comfort and fun…denim days are day off days – less formal and more relaxed. As we have coped with an inordinate amount of stress over the last ten months, carefree denim days sound pretty good, don’t you think? Similarly, longings for the ocean and travel might be driving the focus on indigo dyes this season, as many of us have put our adventures on hold during the Pandemic. And, we are all seeking emotional comfort; having our clothing envelop us in softness is a little like curling up in a blanket, and it focuses our mind on soft rather than hard, yet another connection to the difficulties we have all faced.

I hope this perusal through some of the key fabric trends for Spring 2021 expands your perspective and helps you see the clothing you wear as so much more than just garments that cover your body. They are, quite literally, like walking pieces of art. And, like all good art, the fabrics you wear are in their own way an attempt to make sense of the world and the human condition.